October 28 2018

Week of 10.29.18

Dear Westlake Parents and Guardians:

I was reminded over this weekend our important role with our children in helping them navigate decisions.  My eldest daughter would love it if I’d just make all the decisions for her (the difficult ones at least), but in doing this she would never have the opportunity to practice her decision making skills.  It is truly a skill even we as adults struggle with sometimes to weigh the costs and benefits of a particular decision or to problem solve on a situation.  With my eldest daughter I found it to be a valuable experience to walk with her through a major decision she had to make recently, looking at all the aspects of the decision without judgement. This process taught me more about her own inner workings to boot!

Check out this video from Parent Toolkit on helping our children around decision making and I hope you find something useful from it.

Tips to Support your Child’s Decision-Making

Gifted and Talented Testing

Testing for 6th (only newly enrolled since September 10th), 7th and 8th grade students to be considered for Gifted and Talented identification will take place in December.  If you are interested in having your student tested, please visit the Gifted and Talented page on the Westlake website to access the two forms you need to submit no later than Monday, November 5th. Please contact either Michelle Cantwell or Christy Smith for further information.
michelle.cantwell@adams12.org
Christy.l.smith@adams12.org

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.

Time to “Fall Back”

Daylight Savings time is nearing it’s end.  Remember to set your clocks back an hour between Saturday and Sunday November 3rd and 4th.  Enjoy the extra hour of time on the weekend!

Category: Weekly Blog Posts | Comments Off on Week of 10.29.18
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

 

Category: Weekly Blog Posts | Comments Off on Week of 10.22.18
October 14 2018

Week of 10.15.18

Dear Westlake Parents and Guardians:

There is something magical about the first snowfall of the year.  It seems so cozy to snuggle up inside with a cup of hot chocolate while the snow gently falls outside.  With the first inclement weather, it is important to remind everyone of the delayed start schedule should the district use it as well as how to receive notification about school closings.  Please take a moment to follow the links below to the delayed start schedule and information about where to look for school closing information.

Daily Schedules including Delayed Start

Adams 12 Five Star Schools Inclement Weather Communication Info

 

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.

Update to School Accountability Committee meeting dates

Our first SAC meeting has been rescheduled due to some scheduling conflicts.  The dates are listed below so please join us for this important meeting:

All meetings are held in the library at 4:15pm

November 7th

December  12th

February 20th

April 10th

Category: Weekly Blog Posts | Comments Off on Week of 10.15.18
October 7 2018

Week of 10.08.18

Dear Westlake Parents and Guardians:

Our first set of Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for this week. We will have conferences on October 10th from 4-7 pm and October 11th from 4:30-7:30. Conferences will be arena style in our gym. This means that you will have an opportunity to talk with each of your child’s teachers for about 3-4 minutes. In order to make conferences as efficient as possible for families, we will be having families sign up for half-hour time slots.

We have sent out a sign-up for time slots so please check your inbox for this email. If you need to contact teachers prior to conferences, you are always welcome to email teachers with questions or concerns.  Please feel free to call the school with any questions on Parent Teacher Conferences.

Parent Toolkit Video

We all know that raising children is hard and when they hit middle school what we think we knew seems to go out the window.  I’ve shared some resources with you before from Parent Toolkit and found a short video that might be of interest to you.  Feel free to find other resources from Parent Toolkit that might be helpful to you.

Five Minutes to Spare- Middle School

 

Dr. Heide, Principal Westlake MIddle School

 

 

 

Category: Weekly Blog Posts | Comments Off on Week of 10.08.18