Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
Hello Westwood Schools families,
It was a fun homecoming week across Spring Lake Park Schools, and we were excited to see so many students participating in spirit week.
In today’s newsletter, there is some background on the school funding question every Minnesotan will see on their ballot this fall. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to learn more. The question asks Minnesotans to vote on changes in how money in the Permanent School Fund is distributed. If approved, the change would provide additional funding to public school districts, including our schools. It would not increase taxes.
October is nearly here, and we have had a great month of September learning about students’ hopes, dreams, interests, areas for growth and areas of strength. We look forward to learning more about your child and sharing how the year has started for them at conferences in October. Grades 5 and 6 families need to sign up for a conference time to meet with their child’s home-base teacher. Grades 7 and 8 conferences are drop in – no appointment needed. Conference dates and times are:
- October 13, 4-7 p.m.
- Grades 5–6: Appointment Required | Grades 7–8: No Appointment Needed
- October 14, 8-11 a.m. and 12-3 p.m.
- Grades 5–6: Appointment Required | Grades 7–8: No Appointment Needed
We’re also looking ahead to the start of our Westwood PTO All-School Fundraiser on October 20. Learn more about the fundraiser and the impact PTO support has on our Westwood community.
If you need to pick up your child for early during the school day, please call or email the office staff ahead of time. The office staff will write a pass for your child, and your child will be in the office waiting for you. You don’t need to come inside, and your child will watch for your car in the pick-up lane. Parents picking up without calling ahead can sometimes wait 10 to 15 minutes for your child to arrive in the office. This is especially true during our busy times and lunch recess times for your child.
Please remember, there is no school for students on October 8-9. These are staff professional workdays.
Have a great week,
Tom Larson
Principal
763-600-5300
Need to report an absence?
- Call your school's attendance line, 763-600-5309 OR
- Report an absence through Campus Parent Portal
- Log in to Campus Parent Portal
- On the main menu (on the left), click on MORE
- Click on ABSENT REQUEST
- Check the box by your student’s name.
- Complete the form.
- Select the Absent Type and Start Date and End Date and the number of days your student will be absent.
- Enter Comments to inform the school office of any details.
- Click SUBMIT
Get required immunizations before October 31
Immunizations must be up to date by October 31, or students must, by law, be excluded from school and all school-sponsored activities. Staff members in the health office are reaching out to notify students and families of missing vaccines and/or exemption forms.
Families may sign up for any school required vaccines at the SLP hosted Immunization Clinic on October 26 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at the District Services Center. This event is open to all students. It is free for those who qualify and insurance is also accepted. Register for the Student Vaccination Event.
Vaccines include:
- Covid-19
- Influenza
- Hib
- Meningococcal
- DTaP
- Tdap
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- MMR
- Polio
- · Varicella
Kindergarten Visit Days
If you or someone you know – friends, family, neighbor – have a child entering kindergarten for the 2027-2028 school year, please help spread the word about upcoming Kindergarten Visit Days! RSVP for the Kindergarten Visit Day.
During this visit:
- Get a first look at school
- Take a guided tour with the principal
- Enjoy a snack in the cafeteria
- Meet and play with other future kindergarteners
- Connect with other families
- Ask questions and learn what to expect next year
Choose a visit:
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
- Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
- Wednesday, October 28, 2027, 10-10:45 a.m.
- Centerview Elementary
- Northpoint Elementary
- Park Terrace Elementary
Percussion Interest - 5th Grade Band
If your student is interested in auditioning for a spot in the percussion section, please fill out the application.
A couple things to be aware of:
Students interested in percussion will fill out this form by Friday, October 2.
Students will complete their percussion audition on October 7 or 13.
This is for an AUDITION for percussion only. This does not sign you up for percussion in the band. You must wait for director approval before you can play percussion in the band.
Fill out the Percussion Interest form or scan the QR code.
Upcoming parent group meetings - New groups forming
In addition to school-based Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs), there are several districtwide family engagement groups that meet regularly throughout the year and are facilitated by school staff and parents/guardians in partnership. Each group has its own unique goals and structure; however, all share the common purpose of building a sense of trust and community while partnering in support of Spring Lake Park Schools students.
Somali/African Immigrant Parent Group - Initial Planning Meeting (New group)
Tuesday, October 6, 5-6:30 p.m. at the Spring Lake Park District Services Center, 1415 81st Avenue NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
This group is designed for Somali/African Immigrant families to have opportunities to learn about one another’s cultures and lived experiences. The group will work to foster authentic relationships and dialogue and bridge connections among home, school, and community to support learning. The group is open to all.
Please let us know if you are coming using this RSVP form. Dinner will be provided.
- Contact: Nadifo Ali (Somali) email: nali3@district16.org
African American Parent Group - Initial Planning Meeting (New group)
Tuesday, October 13, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Westwood Intermediate and Middle School - Den, 711 91st Avenue NE, Blaine, MN 55434
This group is designed for African American/Black-identifying families to have opportunities to learn about one another’s cultures and lived experiences. This group will work to foster authentic relationships and dialogue and bridge connections among home, school, and community to support learning. The group is open to all.
- Please let us know if you are coming using this RSVP form. Dinner will be provided.
- Contact: Diondre Green and Dorothy Williams (African American) email: dgreen@district16.org
Grupo de habla Hispana de SLP
¡Te invitamos al grupo de padres y personal hispanohablantes de Spring Lake Park! Un espacio para crear comunidad, compartir ideas, resolver dudas y apoyarnos durante el año escolar. ¡Todas las familias son bienvendias! Familias con estudiantes de Pre-K a 12 grado Nos reunimos 2 veces al mes, en persona o en línea, con horarios de mañana y tarde. En reuniones presenciales ofrecemos cena y cuidado de niños.
- ¡Comunícate con nosotros para conocer nuestras próximas actividades at hispanohablante@district16.org or 763-600-5618.
Native American Parent Group
Wednesday, October 7, 5-6:30 p.m. at Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, 880 Osborne Road NE, Fridley, MN 55432. Dinner is provided.
Any family in the district who self-identifies as Native American is welcome to take part in this group which builds community while advising school staff on how best to serve Native students throughout the district. Committee meetings also include opportunities for families to explore important aspects of Native cultures, traditions and histories.
- Contact: Autumn Person (White Earth Ojibwe) email: APerso@District16.org
Statewide School Funding on the Ballot This Fall; No New Taxes
Minnesota voters will decide this fall whether to change how money from the state’s Permanent School Fund is distributed to public schools. If approved, the change would provide additional funding to public school districts, including Spring Lake Park Schools. It would not increase taxes.
The proposed amendment would change how the annual distribution from the fund is calculated. If the amendment passes, Spring Lake Park Schools is expected to receive about $33 more per student, or approximately $200,000. Leaving the question blank has the same effect as voting No. Learn more about the Permanent School Fund ballot question.
