FALCON'S NEWSLETTER

I’m excited to share how quickly our reading culture is growing at Shaw Heights. Last year, by the end of November, our library had 902 checkouts and renewals. This year, we’ve already reached 1,558, and we have nearly 100 fewer students. At this pace, we will likely pass last year’s total of 1,768 before winter break.

This tells us that many of our students are reading nightly, and it’s making a difference.

If your student is not reading 20 minutes a night, they are falling behind classmates who are. Daily reading builds vocabulary, confidence, and success in every subject.

We’ve updated our book collection and made it easier than ever for students to check out books and bring them back and forth. If your child is already part of this success, thank you. If not, it’s not too late to jump in.

Please keep talking about reading at home and celebrating this growing habit.

Thank you for making nightly reading a priority!

As we head into the winter season and temperatures continue to drop, we ask all families to please make sure students come to school dressed warmly. Jackets, gloves, hats, and other cold-weather gear will help keep everyone comfortable and safe during arrival and dismissal times.

Please remember that students are not allowed inside the building before school unless the temperature is below 20 degrees.

If your student needs a warm jacket or winter gear, please let us know—we are more than happy to help and provide support.

Thank you for helping us keep all students prepared for the colder days ahead! Stay warm, Falcons! ❄️🧥🧤

We love seeing our Falcon families enjoy the winter season! When a snow day hits, we know our students are busy building snowmen, sledding, and enjoying a little extra time at home.

We invite you to share your favorite, family-friendly snow day pictures with us! We will select a few photos to feature in our upcoming newsletters to spread the winter cheer.

• How to Share: Please email your photos to cmorales@wps.org with the subject line "Snow Day Picture."

• Important Note: By submitting a photo, you give Shaw Heights Middle School permission to publish the image in our school communications.

We can't wait to see your winter adventures! Stay warm, Falcons! ❄️

The Shaw Heights Student Council is embracing the spirit of giving this winter by organizing a Hat and Mitten Drive for our community! As the weather turns colder, we want to make sure every student has what they need to stay warm. We are collecting new hats, gloves, and mittens to help those in need.

Who: All students, families, and staff are invited to donate.

When: December 8-15th!

Where: Drop off your donations in the main office or Student Council will also be collecting during Falcon Family!

Tips for Donating:

New items only

All sizes welcome: kids, teens, and adults.

Cozy colors and fun patterns encouraged!

• Contact:
  For questions, please reach out to Danielle Jeter-Tonjes or Cecilia Morales.

Your donation will make a difference in keeping our Falcon families warm this holiday season. Thank you for your support!

We are excited to recognize Marycruz Rodriguez in this week’s Staff Spotlight! Marycruz is a dedicated Special Services Assistant who brings patience, compassion, and positivity to our students every day. She works closely with our team to support students’ academic and social–emotional growth, always stepping in with a smile and a willingness to help wherever she is needed.

Marycruz is known for building strong relationships with students, advocating for their needs, and creating a welcoming environment where every student feels seen and supported. Her teamwork, professionalism, and caring attitude make a meaningful impact on our school community.

Thank you, Marycruz, for the heart you put into your work and for the difference you make at Shaw Heights Middle School!

My name is Marycruz Rodriguez, and I am a Special Services Assistant here at Shaw Heights. This is my fifth school year with Westminster Public Schools, and I love being part of this community. I enjoy supporting students with unique needs and helping them grow every day. I’m passionate about building positive relationships, encouraging learning, and creating supportive, welcoming classroom environments. Getting to know each student as an individual truly brings me joy.

Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my family. You can usually find me taking my kids to MMA training, walking our dog, or finding fun ways to get everyone outside for some fresh air. My work and family keep me motivated, fulfilled, and excited for what each day brings.

Today, our Advanced Band and Choir students had the opportunity to attend the WHS Winter Spectacular performance. It was an exciting experience for our students to see a live, high-quality winter production and learn from talented performers at Westminster High School.

We are proud of our students for representing Shaw Heights so well, and we hope this experience inspires them in their own musical journey.