Dear Westlake Parents and Guardians:

Welcome to the first week of school for the 2018-2019 school year!  We are so excited to welcome students to school on Wednesday.  Staff have been busy at work preparing the learning environment for students.  There is tremendous positive energy in the air at Westlake as we anxiously await the arrival of students!  We are grateful to be welcoming your children to school this week and know that through our partnership with you this looks to be the best year yet at Westlake.

For those of you new to Westlake my communication with you through this blog happens on a weekly basis.  On the top right hand corner you will see a yellow “post it” note that will link you to important upcoming events for the week.  You can also access past postings to this blog through the sidebar on the right.  I have linked a recent communication to families in a post titled “Welcome Back” so please check this link in the event you didn’t receive this recent communication.

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me via phone or e-mail.

720.972.5200

rachel.e.heide@adams12.org

Schedule for Wednesday

Please note that there is a special schedule for students on Wednesday for their first day.  We will not be serving lunch on this day, but there will be transportation services for students who utilize this district service.  Thursday and Friday will be full days of school for all students on a normal schedule.  Please see the schedule for Wednesday below:

• 6th Grade- 8:30am- 11:15am
• 7th and 8th Grade- 11:30am-2:15pm

Transitional Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Over the past several months we have been sharing some communication with you in preparation for the transitional BYOD initiative at Westlake.  As you may know, students are encouraged to bring an approved device (see below) for use in the classroom.  The use of these devices is not to replace good teaching but to help teachers and students have access to learning strategies and experiences that this technology allows.  The plan is that teachers will use device-based strategies about 50% of the time while still mixing in more traditional methods of instruction.

Students and families who choose not to buy or bring a device will still be able to check one out on a class by class basis.  The learning experience should be the same for kids with and without a device, but the kids with a device will have the added convenience of being able to personalize their device, use it at home, get familiar with one device and develop the responsibility of taking care of one.  In addition, families who bring/buy a device have a shortened supply list.

This is an initiative that has broad support from both our staff and parent community.  We are excited for the opportunities this initiative opens for your students.

Supply List and Device Criteria (English)

Supply List and Device Criteria (Spanish)

WLMS Wolverines Spirit Wear Store

Our wonderful PTO has set up a Spirit Wear store online and it is now open.  Check out the link below and stock up on your WLMS gear!

WLMS Spirit Wear Store

Mark Your Calendars!  Back to School Night and BBQ

Please join us on August 22nd for our Back to School Night and BBQ!  For those of you who have been with us in previous years for our Back to School Night we will running the evening slightly differently.  Parents and Guardians will have the opportunity to see each of your child’s teachers by running through their schedule.  There will be two time frames available to you to go through your child’s schedule so please join us for the time frame that fits best for your schedule.  Please see the outline of the schedule below:

4:30-5:45 – Opportunity #1 to go through your child’s schedule

5:30-6:30 – BBQ- come enjoy some delicious food and chat with members of our school community

6:15-7:30 – Opportunity #2 to go through your child’s schedule

As you will be following your child’s schedule please take a moment to login to the parent portal on Infinite Campus so you know what schedule you are following.  Sixth grade parents, your child will receive their full schedule on the 22nd so be looking for that piece coming home.   This is a great opportunity to make sure you have what you need in terms of accessing Infinite Campus.  If you have any trouble with this or don’t have a login for Infinite Campus yet please reach out to Jeanne Morrison at 720.972.5200.

Dr. Heide, Principal Westlake Middle School