Westwood Junior High

We are just a week and a half away from welcoming our Wolves back to campus, and the energy is building. On Monday, all of the Westwood faculty and staff will return to campus to finalize preparations for your child, our wolf pups, and to ensure we are ready for a strong start to the 2025–2026 school year.

​​This edition of the 25–26 Westwood Wire is full of important information as we prepare for the new school year. Thank you for taking time to review it. We hope you find it helpful, and we encourage you to continue following our campus updates through email, our school website and Westwood Twitter and Facebook pages.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We can’t wait to see you soon!

With Wolf Pack Pride,
Katie Mottram
Principal, Westwood Junior High

kathryn.mottram@risd.org

• 10/03 – RHS Homecoming (early release @ 2 pm for parade & game)
• 10/24: Fall Picture day
• 11/04 – Road to RHS (8th grade parents at WWJH @ 6 pm)
• 11/06 – MST Ed Talks
• 12/16-19 – Fall Exam Week

Westwood Junior High is excited to announce that this year, all 7th and 8th grade students will be issued iPads with attached keyboards as their primary learning device.

This marks an exciting step forward for our campus as we reimagine how technology can enhance teaching and learning. iPads will allow students to create, design, and produce work using powerful tools and apps. While these devices will open new doors for engagement and creativity, they are just one of many tools our teachers will use. Our classrooms will continue to emphasize hands-on learning, discussion, reading, writing, collaboration, and problem solving.

Chromebook Collection: 8th grade students who were previously issued a Chromebook must return both their device and charger before they can receive an iPad. Collection will take place:

• During schedule pick-up on August 6th from 3:30–4:30 p.m. in the library

• During Wolf Camp: Wednesday, August 13
  
  

iPad Distribution for all 7th and 8th Grade Students will be issued on Friday, August 15 during their RLA class.

We are thrilled to begin this new chapter together and can’t wait to see the ways our Wolves will use these new tools to learn, create, and lead.

We are happy to announce that there is no increase in the RISD self-funded program cost for the fourth year in a row! It remains at $20 per student device, or $10 per student device for Free and Reduced Lunch Students. Go to risd.schoolpay.com. Once logged-in (using parent email associated with Focus), then all fees/programs (not just technology) will be in your ‘carts’. All students should join the DRRP since it offers substantial savings to even routine repairs. Repair parts can get very expensive as compared to the cost of the premium. Take a look at the second page of the agreement to get an idea of the price of parts should they choose not to join and need a repair!

DRRP open enrollment will be from today to Sept 8th, 2025 – appreciate your help in getting our students the device-protection they need.

The first day of school is fast approaching! Cafeteria doors will open at 7:45 a.m. each morning.

Tuesday, August 12

• 7th grade students will head directly to the big gym after arriving on campus for a welcome session led by our 8th grade Wolf Camp Counselors.

• During this time, students will meet their advisory teacher and then walk with their advisory class to Wolf Camp.

• Wolf Camp allows our 8th grade leaders to share what they have learned about Westwood and to provide tips, support, and guidance while taking initiative and setting a positive example for our newest Wolves.

• After Wolf Camp, students will follow their A Day schedule and attend all of their A Day classes.
  
  

Wednesday, August 13

• When the 8:10 a.m. bell rings, students will report to their Wolf Camp classroom.

• 8th grade Wolf Camp Counselors will again be paired with a 7th grade group.

• 7th grade students will attend a 7th Grade Assembly where we will review campus expectations.

• After the assembly, students will attend all of their B Day classes.
  
  

Tuesday, Wednesday, and throughout the week, we will have additional personnel in the hallway assisting students to their classrooms. We understand that navigating a new building and/or new classrooms can feel daunting and we are all here to help students find their way.

The RISD district calendar identifies whether a day follows an A Day or B Day schedule:

• A Days: 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th period classes

• B Days: 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th period classes
  
  

Lunch takes place during 5th and 6th period and is determined by your student’s schedule. Students will find out their lunch time in class on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We can’t wait to welcome our Wolves back for a fantastic start to the school year!

At Westwood, we follow all Richardson ISD student guidelines, which outline expectations for student conduct, safety, and success. These guidelines are an important part of creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

We ask that you take a few minutes to review these guidelines with your student before the school year begins so that everyone starts the year on the same page. The RISD Student Guidelines can be found here: https://web.risd.org/studentservices/guidelines/

Whether you’re new to RISD, or returning for another year of school, take advantage of convenient online enrollment using a PowerSchool registration account.

Join the WWJH PTA and show your support for our students! We welcome and encourage parents, grandparents, neighbors, extended family, friends and members of the community to join the WWJH PTA! Support your school and your child by joining WWJH PTA!

8th Grade: The athletic link is active to order practice uniforms (royal blue shirt and black shorts) until August 7th. The site will briefly close in order to process orders placed between July 17th and August 7th. It will reopen for purchases on August 10th through September 5th. Delivery time will be approximately 14 days from the closing date. All items will be delivered to Westwood and distributed to students upon receipt.

7th Grade: Practice uniforms (graphite shirt and black shorts) for 7th grade were preordered and will be available for pick up in the Main Gym during schedule pickup on August 6th. (Please see the flyer with the purchasing link below.) Quantities and sizes are limited, therefore, payment in advance will allow your students to receive practice items prior to the beginning of practices in August. For those students unable to purchase in advance, cash payments will be accepted during schedule pickup. If the advance order is depleted, additional uniforms can be ordered on the WWJH Athletics Store link starting on August 10th through September 5th.

WWJH Athletics Store Re-Opening: During the weeks of August 10th - September 5th, if you need to reorder or purchase additional items, 7th and 8th grade practice items, along with WOLVES spirit wear (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, sweatpants, polos, and hats), will be available through the WWJH Athletics Store link. Please keep in mind, delivery takes 14-21 days after the store's closing date. In order to create and maintain a culture of unity, student-athletes are encouraged to wear the approved 7th and 8th Westwood Athletics Uniform.

IMPORTANT: All students must have an updated physical using the correct 2024 form and all UIL Rank One paperwork completed prior to participating in any tryouts, practices, or games. Updated and valid athletic physicals allow students to actively participate for one calendar year from the date of the doctor's examination. All UIL information can be found on Westwood, RHS, and RISD Athletics websites. In order for a student to remain in the Athletics period, all eligibility requirements (physical and Rank One) must be completed by Friday, August 29th. If you have any questions or would like to speak with one of the athletic coordinators at Westwood, please contact Coach Lockett or Coach Cervantes.

The coaches will host a 30 minute-session following schedule pickup at 6:00 PM on August 6th to allow you to meet the coaching staff, share expectations of 7th grade athletics, and provide a Q & A session prior to the start of athletic participation. The session is not mandatory; however, 7th grade parents and students are encouraged to attend if you would like more information regarding 7th grade athletics.

Football: Football conditioning workouts will begin August 14th and 15th. Football equipment is tentative scheduled to be issued on Saturday, August 16th. More information will be provided at schedule pickup on August 6th.

Volleyball Tryouts:
During the week of August 12th-August 15th, students will receive information about volleyball tryouts, which will begin Monday, August 18th and continue through August 22nd. If necessary due to the number of participants, a second round of cuts might be necessary, which would extend the tryout dates to Wednesday, August 26th.

Cross Country:

Cross Country teams will begin practices in September. More information will be provided to student-athletes during athletics, advisory, and the next edition of the Westwood Wire publication.

Sincerely,

Coach Lockett
beverly.lockett@risd.org

Coach Cervantes

andres.cervantes@risd.org

RISD recognizes the work our teachers perform to support every child, every day. And we believe there is an opportunity EVERY day to show our appreciation for all they do to ensure student success. Click here to learn more about the Thank a Teacher program and how to sign up, and we will connect you with a campus.