October 21 2018

Week of 10.22.18

Dear Westlake Parents and Guardians:

 

The first quarter of school is complete and students are deep into gaining the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful year in middle school and beyond.  I know that with my own personal children and through my experience in working with middle school aged students it can seem like such a challenging time to be learning amidst all the changes happening in our children’s bodies.  As it turns out, while bodies are developing for adulthood our kids’ brains are too.  Check out this video below on the middle school brain and learning.

The Middle School Brain While Learning

 

Halloween Costume Guidelines

Adams 12 Five Star Schools encourages the opportunity for students and families to engage in celebration that is respectful to all cultures, religions, races, and beliefs.  In our continued efforts to maintain a respectful, safe and secure learning environment, the following guidelines for Halloween celebrations have been developed. These guidelines apply to students, staff, and participants of all Halloween celebrations both during and after the school day.

Halloween Guidelines

  1. Costumes that would otherwise violate the Student Dress Code (Superintendent Policy 5060) will only be allowed if approved by an administrator prior to wearing to school.  For safety reasons, masks or makeup should not cover the student’s face in a manner that makes the student unrecognizable. Masks or makeup that conceal student’s identity may be worn only during designated times such as during a costume contest.
  2. The following are considered not appropriate for school or school events:
  • Costumes that are overly graphic, promote violence or otherwise might logically be assumed to be offensive to others
  • Costumes that are sexually suggestive and would otherwise violate the school’s dress code
  • Costumes with sound effects, lights or other components which would disrupt the classroom learning environment
  • Costumes that could be considered insensitive to various races, genders, cultures and religions.
  • Toy or facsimile weapons of any kind (guns, knives, swords, bats, etc.) are not allowed
  • Costumes or dress of any kind that may be potentially disruptive to the educational or school environment

 

 In alignment with Superintendent Policy 5060, school administrators may ask students or participants  to change into school appropriate attire and/or remove masks, makeup, or costumes.

 

Halloween Guidelines Addendum (RE:  Clown Costumes)

As you may recall, in 2016 the Five Star District prohibited students and staff from wearing clown costumes on school grounds due to social media threats nationwide. Although we have not been made aware of any similar threats this year, district  leadership made the decision to leave this prohibition in the 2018 Halloween guidelines. As always the safety and security of students and staff is our first priority, therefore students and staff are prohibited from wearing clown masks or costumes on school grounds. This adjustment was made in the best interest of the school community and creates a safe environment for students and staff at Halloween celebrations this year.

Keep in mind,  district and school leadership will reevaluate the guidelines each year and make adjustments as needed to ensure a safe celebration for the entire school community. Students who violate or are suspected to be in violation of this policy will be referred to school administration.

Sugarfire BBQ Dine Out Tuesday!

Sugarfire Dine Out Flyer

Join the Westlake Middle School PTO on Tuesday October 23rd from 11:00am-8:00pm at Sugarfire BBQ for our October dine out!

Sugarfire Smokehouse Westminster – 20% of all food purchases on October 23 will come back to WLMS PTO (alcohol excluded) ALL DAY (11:00 a.m. – SOLD OUT). Make sure to bring in the FLYER or be able to pull it up on your phone to show during check out (print out from our documents page or pull up on the PTO Facebook page) .

14375 Orchard Parkway (across the street from the Orchard on 144th)

Suite 100, Westminster

 

Dr. Heide, Principal Westlake MIddle School

 

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Posted October 21, 2018 by wlmsad12 in category Weekly Blog Posts