Westlawn's Weekly News

As we welcome November, we embrace a season of gratitude, reflection, and renewed purpose. I am truly thankful for our students, dedicated faculty and staff, families, and the community that continues to invest in the success of Westlawn Middle School.

As we move forward, we remain intentional in every decision, every action, and every opportunity to ensure we are doing what is best for our students. Together, we will continue raising the standard, strengthening relationships, and creating an environment where every Falcon feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Thank you for your continued partnership. At Westlawn, WE are the WEST and the BEST because...We Earn Success Together! #WeAreFalcons #FalconPride #AttendanceMatters #EveryMinuteMatters

With Falcon Pride & Gratitude,

Principal Mullins 💖🦅

The Falcon Super Star spotlight this week shines brightly on Mr. Curtis Gosa of the House of Structure! A trusted mentor, inspirational leader, and dedicated Bible Club advisor, Mr. Gosa has made a lasting impact on generations of Falcon Stars. Through his wisdom, encouragement, and genuine investment in students, he inspires them to recognize their worth, overcome challenges, make positive choices, and become leaders of character and purpose. Whether offering words of encouragement or sharing life lessons, Mr. Gosa reminds our students that their potential is limitless and their future matters. Beyond Westlawn, he enjoys reading his Bible and spending quality time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Thank you, Mr. Gosa, for your years of service, unwavering commitment to our students, and the lasting legacy you continue to build...

one Falcon Star at a time!

Join us in celebrating the House of Perseverance as our October House Champions! The Tortoises of 7th Grade Pod 2 earned an impressive 1,450 points to claim the October House Cup! Their determination, teamwork, and positive choices demonstrate what perseverance is all about. Special thanks to our teachers, staff, and families for encouraging our Falcon Stars along the way. Congratulations, Tortoises! Keep pushing forward and making your House proud!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to our Westlawn families, faculty, staff, House leaders, School Partners and volunteers who helped make our Trunk-or-Treat a memorable experience for our Falcon Stars!

Whether you donated candy, decorated a trunk, volunteered, or joined the fun, your support helped create an evening filled with smiles, laughter, and lasting memories. This is what makes our Westlawn Falcon Family special! We Earn Success Together! Check out our Trunk-or-Treat photos here!

Central High School Wrestling is inviting interested 7th and 8th grade students to join the team! Wrestling is a great opportunity to build strength, discipline, confidence, teamwork, and athletic skills.

No experience necessary! Whether you're an experienced athlete or ready to try something new, we encourage you to get involved! For more information, contact Coach Hendricks at ehendricks@tusc.k12.al.us.

Tuscaloosa City Schools is seeking feedback from students, families, and staff as we begin planning the 2027–2028 school calendar. Your input is important in helping shape a calendar that best supports our school community.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey linked below and share your thoughts. All responses are anonymous, and no identifying information will be collected. Thank you for making your voice heard as we plan for the future!

Westlawn's Schools of Character Recertification Survey deadline has been extended to Thursday, November 5th We need ALL parents to complete the survey. Your feedback is essential to our recertification efforts and continued commitment to strengthening our school culture. Every voice matters, and every response counts! Thank you for helping us build a school where every Falcon feels valued, accepted, safe, and empowered!

Tuscaloosa City Schools invites parents and guardians to share their perspectives on the benefits and potential risks of screen use in K–12 schools. Researchers at The University of Alabama are conducting a survey to help inform future educational policies and practices across Alabama. Your voice matters! Participation is voluntary, and all responses are anonymous. Click Here to Take the Survey Thank you for helping shape the future of technology use in our schools!

Westlawn is proud to celebrate our very own Ms. Morgan Henry, a 2026 Nick’s Kids Teacher of Excellence Award recipient! Ms. Henry’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to our students continue to make an impact both inside and outside the classroom. We are so proud to have her representing the Falcon Family! Please join us in congratulating Ms. Morgan Henry on this well-deserved recognition! #WeAreWestlawn #TCSLearns #AMAZINGtotheCORE #WestlawnExplores #FalconPride #FalconStrong #NicksKids #TeacherOfExcellence

Please join us in congratulating two outstanding members of our Westlawn family who have been selected to represent our school at the 2026 Tuscaloosa City Schools Apple Awards!

Ms. Raven J. Edwards — Alabama Teacher of the Year

Ms. Benita Garner — Support Employee of the Year

Their dedication, creativity, and care make a difference for our students and school community every day. They help create a welcoming, supportive environment where our Falcon STARS can learn, grow, and succeed. We are proud to celebrate this recognition with them.

Congratulations, Ms. Edwards and Ms. Garner, and thank you for all you do for Westlawn!

Our 6th grade STAR students are putting kindness into action through a special service-learning project benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Students will be collecting aluminum can tabs to help provide comfort, care, and hope to families with critically ill children.

Every tab makes a difference! We would love to have and encourage our Westlawn Falcon families to join our collection effort:

• PULL – Remove the tab from any aluminum can.
• COLLECT – Save your tabs in a bag or container.
• DONATE – Send your collected tabs to school and place them in our collection bin.

This project is a wonderful opportunity for our sixth graders to practice kindness, service, leadership, and compassion while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Small tabs. BIG impact! Let’s show how we earn success together... Be Kind. Be Successful. Be the Difference!

Your partnership makes a difference! Joining the WMS PTA is a simple way to support our STAR students and strengthen the connection between home, school, and community.

Membership is just $10 per member, and your support helps fund programs, events, and activities that benefit our students and staff. Parents, guardians, family members, staff, and community supporters are all invited to join!

Join today by completing the WMS PTA Membership & Volunteer Form or scanning the QR code on the flyer. You can also indicate your interest in volunteering...every contribution of time and support matters! Support our STARS. Strengthen our school. Build Falcon Pride!​

Strong schools are built through strong partnerships and consistent communication. ParentSquare is our primary platform for school communication, including academic updates, important reminders, celebrations, and upcoming events. ALL changes in transportation must be in writing via ParentSquare or email by 2:00 p.m. to ensure teachers have time to read and communicate changes to the student or necessary personnel.

As students grow in independence, school and family communication remains essential. Families, please check ParentSquare regularly, keep contact information current, and reach out when questions or concerns arise. Communication builds TRUST. Partnership builds RELATIONSHIPS. Consistency builds CONFIDENCE. Together, we can keep our Stars supported, accountable, and on the path to success!

Families, please remember that the no-phone policy is required by Alabama state law and Tuscaloosa City Schools. Students must secure phones, smart watches, earbuds/headphones, and other personal devices according to WMS Yondr procedures during the school day.

Please review these expectations with your student, including procedures for forgotten, lost, or damaged pouches and the $30 replacement fee. Thank you for helping us keep our Star students focused, engaged, and ready to learn!

Our star students learned about two Alabama laws that can have serious consequences beyond the classroom:

• Alabama House Bill 7 — Effective July 1, 2026, this law strengthens requirements and consequences related to credible threats, including threats made at school. Read Alabama House Bill 7
• Taylor’s Law — School disciplinary actions can result in points that delay a student’s eligibility for a learner’s permit or driver’s license. Read Taylor’s Law (Alabama Code § 32-6-7.4)

Please talk with your star student about how the choices they make at school can have consequences that extend beyond school.

Strong attendance is one of the most important factors in student success. Every day at school provides valuable opportunities for learning, growth, and connection. Even a few missed days can make it harder for students to keep pace with instruction.

Our 2026–2027 Vacation Planner highlights extended weekends and scheduled school breaks throughout the year. We encourage families to plan vacations, trips, and non-emergency appointments around these dates whenever possible to help minimize unnecessary absences.

Thank you for partnering with us to protect instructional time and ensure our Falcons are present, prepared, and ready to succeed! Aim HIGH and Fly HIGHER! #BePresent #PlanAhead #EveryMinuteMatters #EveryDayCounts

November 4th- WMS @Holy Spirit @5pm

November 6th- Progress Reports Go Home

November 9th- WMS @Centreville Choctaw @5pm

November 11th- No School (Veteran's Day)

November 11th- Pleasant Grove Veteran's Day Tournament

November 12th- Make-Up Picture Day

November 12th- WMS vs Hale County @5pm

November 17th- WMS PTA Meeting @6pm

November 17th- WMS vs Northridge Middle @5pm

November 18th- WMS Literacy Night

November 20th- WMS vs Eastwood (In-School Game @ 1pm)

November 23rd-27th- No School (Fall Break)

The safety of every student and staff member at Westlawn Middle is our highest priority. To maintain a safe and orderly campus, the following expectations will be strictly enforced:

• All visitors must present a valid state-issued ID and sign in through the RAPTOR system before moving beyond the front lobby.

• A valid state-issued ID is required for all student checkouts.

• Transportation changes will not be accepted by phone. All changes must be received in writing or via the ParentSquare app.

• Student checkouts end at 2:30 p.m. No exceptions. Please plan appointments accordingly.

• Students may not receive personal phone calls or food deliveries during the school day.

• Required safety drills and procedures will be practiced throughout the year.

• Disruptive behavior, threats to self or others, and other safety concerns will be addressed in accordance with the Tuscaloosa City Schools Code of Conduct and applicable laws.

Thank you in advance for partnering with us and respecting these procedures. Safety comes first.. every student, every day.

Website: https://westlawn.tuscaloosacityschools.com

Location: 1715 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

Phone: 205-759-3673
Facebook: facebook.com/WestlawnMiddleSchool
Twitter: @westlawnTCS