8/30 - Westy's Family News
🐺 A Note From Principal Bangsund
Good evening, Westy Families and Students!
It's hard to believe that tomorrow marks the last day of August! School routines are in full swing now, and I love the amount of energy in the building.
I want to thank the students and families who have supported our transition to a phone-free campus during school hours. While change is hard, the benefits of this change are already showing! Students are more engaged in classes AND with each other. The cafe during lunch periods is one of my favorite places to be right now because I love watching how the students are all engaging and laughing with one another rather than having their heads down behind a phone screen. I also haven't seen this level of student engagement in years. My educator (and mom) heart is extremely happy to witness this.
There are a lot of updates below including information about Homecoming, picture retakes, and the Principal's Pass application deadline as well as several important reminders and requests for support in regards to morning arrival, student drop-off and pick-up, and parking passes. Please be sure to continue scrolling to review these important announcements.
I'm looking forward to another great week with our students! Go Wolves!
With Westy Pride,
Proud Principal 🐺
Westminster High School
📣GO WOLVES!
⏰1st Period Starts at 8:45 AM
- Bus riders: Please try to arrive to your bus stop a few minutes early to help the bus stay on schedule and enter the school immediately upon arrival.
- Self-Transport Students: Plan to arrive at school by no later than 8:35 AM and enter the building immediately upon arrival.
- Parent/Guardian Drop-Off: Please drop your student(s) off by no later than 8:35 AM. While many of you do this, we have quite a few of those students who choose not to enter the building right away, instead waiting until the last minute to get in line which is causing congestion at the front doors and additional tardiness. Please encourage your student(s) to enter the building immediately upon arrival.
Thank you for your support in getting students in their 1st period seats by the first bell!
🛑 South Parking Lot for Buses and Staff Only
The south parking lot (accessible from 68th Ave behind the school) is FOR BUSES AND STAFF ONLY (and select individuals with a SpEd pass, which must be displayed on the dash). Students and families are not allowed to drop off, pick up, or park in this lot as it poses a significant safety risk to our students. All drivers not listed above, will be asked to move their vehicles immediately.
All students should be dropped off and picked up on the north side of the building either by entering off Raleigh Street or, if coming from 68th Avenue, continuing east to circle around and enter from Utica Street.
🚫 Closed Campus
Reminder: Westminster High School is a CLOSED CAMPUS! Students are NOT permitted to leave the school building unless they have been signed out early by their parent/guardian, attend an off-campus class, or have a Principal's Pass. Any student who does not meet these criteria found leaving campus will face disciplinary action up to and including suspension.
💻 Principal's Pass Application Window Closes Tomorrow Night
The Principal's Pass application window for 1st quarter ends tomorrow night! ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE ARE INVITED TO CLICK HERE TO APPLY! Late applications will not be accepted. Any student who does not get their application submitted by the deadline will need to wait for the next application window which opens September 28th.
All decisions will be communicated to students by the end of the day on Friday.
💜 Tangled Up In Homecoming!
It's hard to believe that August is over and September is knocking on the door. This means that Homecoming is just around the corner!
Just in case you missed the Homecoming Reveal, this year's 2026-2027 Homecoming Theme is TANGLED! We are so excited to see what our amazing Student Council has planned for us! Every year they impress me with how much thought and energy they put into this week, which is always one of our most favorite weeks of the year!
🎫 Event Rules
We would like to remind students, families, friends, and community members of the following rules that apply to ALL Westminster High School events. By understanding these rules ahead of time, you can plan accordingly!
- No smoking or vaping on school property
- No outside food or beverages
- No re-entry
Additionally, students must leave their backpack at the gates when attending an event in the stadium. Thank you in advance for adhering to these rules!
📋Turf vs Grass? We Want Your Feedback!
Before making a final decision on our Memorial Stadium field, we want to hear from our community families and community members. Please take a moment to complete this short 4-question survey to share your thoughts on safety, environment, and playability by clicking HERE.
Thank you in advance for providing your thoughts on this decision!
📸 Picture Retakes - September 10th!
If your student missed picture day, or you would like a new photo, this is your chance!
Order online by scanning the QR code or by clicking HERE. Once you are at the Dorian website, search for our school, and click the green ORDER button next to your retake day event. You can order up to 2 days after the retake day.
Unlike original picture day, not all students are photographed on retake day. To ensure your student is photographed, please remind your student to have their photo taken on this day.
Already ordered?
Return your picture packet to the photographer on retake day for a new photo. If you ordered a digital download and would like a retake, please show your receipt to the photographer.
🚗 Student Parking Passes
Students who wish to drive to school and park in the Westminster High School parking lot are REQUIRED to obtain a parking pass from the Security Office. To obtain a parking pass, students must simply present a valid driver's license (learner permits do not qualify), registration, and proof of insurance. A valid parking pass is also how self-transport students will be verified when leaving campus for a class at Ranum.
❗Students who do not have a parking pass visibly displayed on their review mirror will receive a warning sticker on their vehicle. Repeated violations may result in the towing of that individual's car.
To ensure the safety of our students and staff, the cost of the parking pass has been reduced to $0.00. We do not want cost to become a barrier to students being able to transport themselves to school.
💵 School Fees
This is a reminder that you can pay your student(s)’s fees online through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. After logging into your parent account, click "more" at the end of the list of options. Do not use the payment option above that. Once you click "more" a new window will open, and at the end of the list are the payment option.
Please note that all Chromebook protection plans will need to be paid before Oct 1st. No Chromebook is protected until after full payment for the protection plan is received.
If you would like to make a payment over the phone, or require any assistance in paying your student(s)'s fees, please contact our accounting secretary, Penny Wesanko at 720-542-5420.
Monday, August 31st: Regular School Day
Tuesday, September 1st: Regular School Day
Today is a regular school day! Engage and grow, Wolves!
Wednesday, September 2nd: 1st Round of Eligibility Reporting
Today marks the first day of eligibility reporting. All teachers will begin submitting eligibility for students every Wednesday. Students and families will begin receiving weekly emails notifying you of the student's eligibility status. Students must correct any eligibility concerns PRIOR to eligibility being submitted.
Additionally, the first Parent Advisory Committee meeting of the year is this evening from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. We will meet via Google Meet. You can join the meeting by clicking HERE.
Thursday, September 3rd: Regular School Day
Today is a regular school day! Engage and grow, Wolves!
Opportunities to Support Our Students This Evening:
🥎 Cheer on our softball team as they take on Brighton High School this evening. Varsity plays at 4:00 PM and JV begins at 6:00 PM!
⚽ Our Boys' Soccer teams face Green Mountain High School this evening. JV starts at 4:30 PM and Varsity starts at 6:30 PM!
Friday, September 5th: Regular School Day
🏈 Football Full 2026-2027 Schedule
Check out the full schedule for the season, and mark your calendars!
Click HERE to visit the team store and rep your team gear now. Go Wolves! 🐺
🥎 Softball Full 2026-2027 Schedule
Check out the full schedule for the season and mark your calendars! Go Wolves!
⚽ Boys' Soccer Full 2026-2027 Schedule
Check out the full schedule for the season and mark your calendars! Go Wolves!
🏐 Girls' Volleyball Full 2026-2027 Schedule
Check out the full schedule for the season and mark your calendars! Go Wolves!
The countdown to the Class of 2027 Graduation Ceremony is on!
📅 Friday, May 21, 2027
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 CU Boulder Event Center
🤒 Did Your Student Wake Up With a Sore Throat?
📆 Key Dates to Note for 26-27
⭐ Please Note: This is NOT an all-inclusive list and is subject to change. Additional dates, events, and details will be added as they are scheduled. You are encouraged to review this list each week.
- 9/7/26: No School in Observance of Labor Day
- 9/10/26: Picture Retakes
- 9/12/26: Annual Homecoming Carnival
- 9/14/26: No School for Students (staff professional development day)
- 9/16/26: Powder Puff Football Game
- 9/18/26: Homecoming Game
- 9/19/26: Homecoming Dance
- 10/8/26: Fall Conferences 4:30 - 7:00 PM
- 10/12 - 10/13/26: No School - Fall Break
- 10/19/26: District Showcase
- 10/26/26: No School for Students (staff professional development day)
- 11/5/26: Attendance Intervention Night
- 11/9/26: No School in Observance of Veterans' Day
- 11/11/26: Practice Test Day, Senior Class Picture, and Senior Class Meeting
- 11/19/26: Turkey Bowl
- 11/23 - 11/27/26: Thanksgiving Break
- 12/16/26: Parent Advisory Committee 5:30 - 6:30 PM (via Google Meet)
- 12/21/26 - 1/5/27: Winter Break
- 1/6/27: First Day of 2nd Semester
- 1/18/27: No School in Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- 2/6/27: Celebrating Academic Excellence
- 2/6/27: JROTC Military Ball
- 2/10/27: Spring Conferences 4:30 - 7:00 PM
- 2/15/27: No School in Observance of Presidents' Day
- 3/1/27: No School for Students (staff professional development day)
- 3/22 - 3/26/27: Spring Break
- 4/13/27: State Testing (9th and 11th Grades)
- 4/14/27: State Testing (10th and 11th Grades)
- 4/17/27: Prom
- 4/21/27: Parent Advisory Committee 5:30 - 6:30 PM (via Google Meet)
- 4/24/27: Celebrating Artistic Excellence
- 4/26/27: No School
- 5/7/27: Seniors' Last Day of School
- 5/13/27: Senior Awards
- 5/17/27: Senior Check-Out
- 5/18/27: Graduation Practice
- 5/19/27: ALPHA Parade
- 5/21/27: Class of 2027 Graduation Ceremony
- 5/26/27: Last Day of School
📣 Please note that all dates are subject to change. Check this section of the weekly newsletter regularly for any updates or additions!
📵 Phone-Free Campus
As a reminder, in response to Colorado State Legislation requiring all school districts to adopt a personal device policy, Westminster Public Schools as adopted a new personal device policy, which includes cell phones, all wearable smart technology (such as smart watches and Meta Glasses), earbuds/headphones, and personal laptops/iPads/tablets.
How this works at Westy:
- Prior to entering the building at the start of their school day, all students will be required to place their cell phone(s) and all other small items identified above in their Yondr Pouch (these will be distributed to students on their first day of school along with a printed schedule), before walking through the Threat Detection System (TDS).
- Upon entering the building, students will lock their Youndr Pouch as they walk through the TDS. Their Pouch will remain locked until the final dismissal bell (or the end of the student's school day as determined by their schedule, but only once they leave campus). At the final dismissal bell (which rings at 2:50 PM on Mondays and 3:55 PM Tuesday through Friday), students will be able to visit an unlock station to unlock their Pouch as they leave campus. These unlock stations will be manned by a WHS staff member and will be located in the following places:
- Exiting the Main Doors
- Exiting the Bus Doors
- By the bus lane
- By the flag pole at the round-about
- Self-Transport Students:
- For safety purposes, self-transport students who attend an off-site campus, such as Ranum or Front Range, as part of their school day will be permitted to unlock their Pouch upon exiting the building. Ranum students will be required to relock their Pouches upon entering the building and upon returning to WHS.
- Lunch: All pouches will remain locked during all lunch periods with the exception of Self-Transport SENIORS who qualify, apply, and are approved for a Principal's Pass. Those students will be permitted to unlock their Pouch upon leaving campus for lunch for safety purposes. Upon returning to campus, these students will be required to relock their Pouch as they re-enter the building. Please note, an unexcused absence or tardy after lunch is grounds for immediate revocation of a student's Principal's Pass.
Please note that students who violate this policy WILL face disciplinary action. We want all students to enjoy their school day, and following the above policy will help ensure that can happen!
🏫 Morning Entrance Procedure
📣 Students! To help ensure morning entry goes as quickly as possible, please take note of the following:
- Westminster High School is a closed campus. Any students on campus between 8:30 AM and 3:55 PM are required to be inside the building. Please do not loiter out front, and instead, enter the building upon arrival.
- Before reaching the front doors, please ensure your Yondr pouch is out and all required items are either placed inside or, if you need it to be unlocked first, prepared to be placed inside once it is unlocked.
- If you lost, forgot, or have damaged your Yondr pouch, you will be required to either purchase a new one for $35, or turn in your cell phone and all wearable smart technology to a school administrator upon entering the building. This fee must be paid prior to receiving the replacement pouch.
- Students who report not owning a phone or having their Yondr pouch will be required to have their backpack searched upon entry to the building.
- Before reaching the TDS machine, please take the following out of your backpack:
- Yondr pouch with ID ready to be scanned
- Chromebook
- Eye glasses case
- Any 3-ring binders
- If you lost or forgot your school ID, you will need to wait in the Replacement ID line to obtain a new ID prior to being able to enter the building. Please note, all replacement IDs are charged to the student's account at the price of $5.00 each!
By following these procedures, you will help ensure that morning entry runs smoothly and quickly. Thank you!
🚲 E-Bikes and Mini Bikes Must Be Stored at the Bike Rack
E-bikes and motorized mini bikes and scooters have become more popular! We are not able to accommodate storing or charging bikes inside the school. All bikes, whether electric, gas, or person-powered will need to be stored outside at our bike racks.
Please note, all electric or gas powered bikes must follow traffic laws and cannot be ridden on the sidewalks. Students are required to walk their bikes to the bike rack once they reach the sidewalk.
🚌 After School Bus Pick-Up
Bus Riders! Please see the map below to know where to wait for your bus to arrive. Routes 1-4 will pick up at the south side of the bus lot (closest to the greenhouse); routes 5-9 and 30 will pick up at the north side of the bus lot (closest to the baseball field); and all SpEd routes will pick up at the sidewalk facing the building.
