8/16/26: Westy's Family News
8/16/26
🐺 A Note From Principal Bangsund
Good evening, Westy Families and Students!
We had a fantastic first week back! It was so wonderful to have the building full of student energy again. As we continue to improve the morning entry process, students and families are encouraged to read the information below regarding how you support this effort!
This year's Back to School Night is THIS WEDNESDAY! All students and families are encouraged to attend.
Please read on for more important information!
With Westy Pride,
Proud Principal 🐺
Westminster High School
📣GO WOLVES!
🏫 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 student on campus between 8:15 AM and 3:55 PM is 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!
🚌 After School Bus Pick-Up
There has been some confusion for students about where to board their bus after school. Please see the map below. Routes 1-4 will pick up at the south side of the bus lot; routes 5-9 and 30 will pick up at the north side of the bus lot; and all SpEd routes will pick up at the sidewalk facing the building.
Please note: For safety purposes, students and families may not enter this parking lot. This lot is for busses and staff parking only!
🚲 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.
🏈 Powder Puff Jerseys Are Now On Sale!
It's hard to believe we're already talking Homecoming Week, but believe it or not, it's right around the corner. This year's Powder Puff Game will be held on Wednesday, September 16th! Students, check your email for information on how to sign up!
Whether spectating or participating, if you would like to purchase a powder puff jersey to represent this year, please click HERE. In an effort to support students in not missing any class while also ensuring all students have the opportunity to place an order, all sales will be conducted through the provided link this year. Orders will NOT accepted at the accounting window.
📆 Wednesday, September 16th
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 WHS Stadium
💻 Principal's Pass Application
The Principal's Pass is an earned privilege available to eligible seniors who consistently demonstrate Westminster High School's ALPHA values. The application will be emailed to all Seniors by no later than end-of-day on Friday, August 21st! The Principal's Pass can be applied for as soon as the application is received. The approval process will be determined off the first three weeks of school. Any student marked ineligible during this time will not be eligible to apply. Approvals (and retaining the pass) will be based on the following criteria:
Achieve: “I am committed to my success.”
Maintain eligibility during the first three weeks of school and maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA or better thereafter
On track for graduation based on credits earned
Maintains eligibility
Lead: “I positively influence others.”
Active member of at least one school-sponsored club, CTSO, athletic team, performing arts group, National Honor Society (NHS), or Student Council (StuCo).
Persevere: “I show grit and commitment.”
No more than three tardies in a month
Maintain 95% attendance or better
Honor: “I do the right thing even when no one is watching.”
No suspensions
No plagiarism or other academic dishonesty
No technology use violations
No unexcused absences
Demonstrates professionalism by following the dress code and cell phone policy
Accept: “I help create a culture where everyone belongs.”
No verified bullying, harassment, discrimination, or hazing incidents
🎭 WHS Theatre 2026-2027 Orientation Meeting
Calling all students! Interested in performing? Working behind the scenes? This meeting is for you! Come discover everything the WHS CenterStage Theatre has to offer this year!
Whether you're already a theatre veteran or you've never stepped onstage before, this meeting is your chance to learn how to get involved and make theatre part of your high school experience.
📅 Thursday, August 20th -
⏰ 4:00 PM
📍 Black Box Theatre (Room E101, located across the hall from the accounting window)
👥 Students who have any interest or curiosity, regardless of theatrical experience or none at all, are encouraged to attend. Come with your questions and your excitement.
🥨 Light snacks will be provided.
During this Orientation Meeting, we will talk about:
🎭 Auditions & Performances
Learn about upcoming productions, auditions, callbacks, rehearsal expectations, and how to get involved whether you're interested in performing or working behind the scenes.
🏆 Theatre Honors & Thespian Troupe
Find out how students can earn theatre honors, earn points toward induction, participate in Thespian events, and take their theatre experience to the next level.
🔧 Technical Theatre & Crew
Learn about opportunities in lights, sound, costumes, makeup, props, scenery, stage management, running crew, and more.
🎟️ Events & Field Trips
Hear about special theatre events, festivals, competitions, workshops, field trips, and opportunities to experience theatre beyond our school.
💰 Get PAID to Do Theatre?!
YES! Learn about opportunities where students can potentially earn money through theatre-related work, events, and technical theatre opportunities.
🤝 Find Your Theatre Family
Meet other theatre students, learn how CenterStage works, ask questions, and discover where YOU might fit into our theatre community.
🎬 Whether You Want to...
Act. Sing. Dance. Build. Paint. Design. Run lights. Run sound. Do makeup. Create costumes. Stage manage. Work backstage. Lead. Or simply find your people... There is a place for you in CenterStage!
We're ready to kick off an amazing year of theatre! Create. Collaborate. Perform. Belong!
For more information, please reach out to Dr. Davis (Director of Theatre) at jdavis@wps.org!
🤑 2026-2027 Yearbooks On Sale Now!
If you missed ordering your yearbook during registration last week, it's not too late to benefit from the lowest pricing of the year! Simply click HERE to order yours now!
✅ Smart Pass
This year we are adopting SmartPass, the leading digital hall pass and student movement system in education, to help make student movement on campus safer, easier, and less stressful. One of the features we are most excited about is the Parent Portal which will allow parent(s)/guardian(s) to monitor their student(s)'s use of hall passes and how much instructional time they might be missing out of. This feature will strengthen our ability to partner with families to help ensure student success!
To learn more about this system, please click HERE.
Monday, August 17th: Regular School Day
Tuesday, August 18th: Regular School Day
Wednesday, August 19th: 🏫 Back to School Night
We hope you'll join us for this year's Back to School Night! This is an open house style event where you are able to come visit the school, meet all of your student's teachers, and get more information about how to support your student's success this year. There will be a presentation from the admin team about school life here at Westy where we will also discuss some of the most common questions we've had from families about the new cell phone policy. This 30-minute presentation will be given in the theater at 5:30 PM and again at 6:30 PM. You may choose whichever presentation best fits your schedule.
📆 Wednesday, August 19th
⏰ 4:30 - 7:00 PM
📍 Westminster High School
Thursday, August 20th: Regular School Day
Today is a regular school day! Engage and grow, Wolves!
Friday, August 21st: Regular School Day
First Home Game!
The first game of the season is THIS Friday, August 21st against Legacy High School. Show your school spirit by dressing in this game's theme: USA Out
Click HERE to visit the team store and rep your team gear now. Go Wolves! 🐺
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! 🐺
Full 2026-2027 Schedule
The first home games of the season are this week! Come cheer on our girls during the following two home games:
- Tuesday, August 18th at 4:00 PM (Varsity) and 6:00 (JV)
- Saturday, August 21st at 10:00 AM (Varsity) and 12:00 PM (JV)
Check out the full schedule for the season and mark your calendars! Go Wolves!
Full 2026-2027 Schedule
The first home game of the season is this week! Come cheer on our boys on Thursday, August 20th at 4:30 (JV) and 6:30 (Varsity)!
Check out the full schedule for the season and mark your calendars! Go Wolves!
Full 2026-2027 Schedule
The first home game of the season is this week! Come cheer on our girls on Thursday, August 20th at 4:30 PM (C-Team), 5:30 PM (JV), and 6:30 PM (Varsity)!
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
🩺 We’re Here for You—Right at School!
Did you know there’s a Kids First Health Care clinic right inside your school? Our friendly medical team is here to help you stay healthy and ready to learn. From annual check-ups and sports physicals, to help when you’re not feeling your best, we’ve got you covered—no need to leave campus. Did we mention there’s NO COST to you? Click here to fill out a consent form so your child can be seen for anything they may need throughout the school year. Click here to learn more about the school-based health center at WHS, which provides NO COST health care services to all students!
August 19th: 🧑🏻🏫 Back to School Night
Join us for our Back to School Night where parents/guardians are invited to meet our amazing teachers and staff and learn about all the wonderful things happening here at Westy and how we can partner together to best support your student(s) through the high school experience!
⏰ 4:30 - 7:00 PM
📍 Westminster High School
🎤 The WHS Admin Team will be hosting two informative sessions at 5:30 and 6:30 PM in the theater (both presentations are the same, so you only need to select one time to join).
📆 Other 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.
- 9/2/26: Parent Advisory Committee 5:30 - 6:30 PM (via Zoom)
- 9/7/26: No School in Observance of Labor Day
- 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
- 11/19/26: Turkey Bowl
- 11/23 - 11/27/26: Thanksgiving Break
- 12/16/26: Parent Advisory Committee 5:30 - 6:30 PM (via Zoom)
- 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 Zoom)
- 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!
