The Weekly Wildcat

August

12 - Classes Begin for 7th Graders 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

12 - Cheer Clinic After School 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

12 - Fall Sports Parent Meeting 5:30 p.m.

13 - Classes for both 7th and 8th Graders 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

13 - Cheer Clinic After School 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

13 - Back to School Night 6:00-8:00 P.M.

14 - Cheer Tryouts After School 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

17 - First Day of Practice for All Fall Sports 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

18 - Picture Day

22 - West Football Fest 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

27 - PTSA Meeting (Parents Come Join Us!)

23 - Viking Football Fest 9:30 A.M. (Westridge Students Taking Part - See Flyer Below)

September

2 - Home Volleyball Game vs Indian Woods

5 - Football Game vs Indian Woods 9:00 a.m.

7 - No School Labor Day

8 - Cross Country at Shawnee Mission Park 3:30 p.m.

8 - Home Volleyball vs Indian Hills 5:00 p.m.

Hello Westridge Families,

Tomorrow is the day! We are excited to welcome our 7th-grade Wildcats to Westridge for their first day of the 2026 - 2027 school year.

We know the start of a new school year can bring a mix of excitement and nerves, especially for our 7th graders who are beginning middle school and adjusting to a lot of new things all at once. Please remind your student that they do not have to have everything figured out tomorrow. That is what tomorrow is for.

Wednesday: Just Our 7th Graders

Tomorrow is intentionally designed for our 7th graders. Our entire staff will be all hands on deck to welcome, guide, and support them throughout the day.

We will take time to walk students through the things they need to know to feel comfortable and confident at Westridge, including:

• Where to go when they arrive in the morning

• How to read and follow their schedule

• Finding classrooms and navigating the building

• Using their locker

• Lunchroom routines and procedures

• Schoolwide expectations and the Westridge Way

• Who to ask and where to go when they need help

The entire day has been planned with our students in mind. We will teach, practice, answer questions, and practice some more. No one is expected to know it all on Day 1!

Thursday: 7th & 8th Grade Together

On Thursday, we welcome our 8th graders back, and both grade levels will be in the building.

We will continue teaching and practicing our routines and procedures. Even our returning Wildcats need time to get back into the rhythm of school, so we will continue supporting students as they learn what a successful school day looks like at Westridge.

We are here to help! If your child is nervous, unsure where to go, can't get their locker open, forgets a procedure, gets turned around in the hallway, or simply needs someone to reassure them, we will help them.

Families, please reach out when you need us, especially during these first few days. There are a lot of new routines for everyone, and we will work through them together. We can't wait to see our Wildcats! WE Build Tomorrow Together.

Martha Mendoza
Principal
Westridge Middle School

Mrs. Martha Mendoza: Head Principal (center)

• 14 years teaching ELA at the Middle School Level in Dodge City
• 9 years as Assistant Principal at Comanche Middle School in Dodge City
• 4 years as Principal at Beeson Elementary in Dodge City
• 4 years as Principal at Dodge City High School in Dodge City

• Second year as Principal at Westridge Middle School

Ms. Linda Long: Assistant Principal 8th Grade (right)

• Taught 10 years – 7th Grade Science and High School Biology in Blue Valley
• 8 years was a Middle School Administrator in Blue Valley
• 3 years Middle School Principal In Gardner then 3 years as Director of Middle Schools
• Director of Special Education and Title Services (6 yrs total)
• 5th Year as Associate Principal at Westridge
• Graduates from SM East – my kids both graduated from SM East

Mrs. Kendra Schapker: Assistant Principal 7th Grade (left)

• Substitute Teacher During College
• A Long-term Special Education Substitute Teacher
• 2 1/2 Years as a Paraprofessional
• 8 Years as a Reading Teacher
• 5 Years as an Instructional Coach
• Second year as assistant principal at Westridge

What time can students arrive at school?

Our doors open at 8:20 a.m. Students should not arrive before that time unless they are participating in a supervised school activity. Breakfast is available each morning for students who would like to eat before classes begin.

What time does school start and end?

The bell rings at 8:45 a.m., and students should be in their classrooms ready to learn. School dismisses at 3:45 p.m.

How will my child know where to go on the first day?

Don't worry! We've got them! Our staff members will be throughout the building helping students find classrooms, lockers, and answer questions. We expect a few nervous students, and we're ready to help every step of the way.

What if my child gets lost?

Tell them to look for any adult wearing a Westridge T-Shirt. Every staff member is happy to help students find their destination.

Will students have time to get to class?

Yes! Teachers understand that students, especially our 7th graders, are learning a new building and new routines. The first few days are all about helping students become comfortable and confident.

Can parents walk students into the building?

Families are welcome to walk their student to the front entrance on the first day. Once students enter the building, our staff will greet them and help them get where they need to be so they can begin building independence and confidence.

To help create focused, engaging learning environments for all students, Shawnee Mission School District restricts the use of personal electronic devices during the school day. For middle school students, personal electronic devices, including cell phones, smart watches, earbuds/headphones, and other non-district-issued devices, should be kept at home or stored in their locker.

We know this may be a change for some families, and we appreciate your partnership in helping students begin the year with these expectations. We'll share more information about our building procedures and how we support students with this expectation in an upcoming Wildcat Weekly.

• FRONT OFFICE: 913-993-1200
• ATTENDANCE HOTLINE: 913-993-1312
• FAX LINE: 913-993-1399
• SPANISH INTERPRETER: Ms. Katherine Ibarra 913-993-1216
• Zum Transportation Services (855)743-3986
• BOOKKEEPER: Mrs. Cynthia Scott 913 993-1201
• NURSE: Ms. Christine Uhrmacher 913 993-1207

The Westridge Way is to be respectful, safe, and responsible. Please reinforce The Westridge Way with your student at home in daily interactions and with laptops.

Goals for Life:

• I can make good choices even when I am mad.
• I can be okay (do the right thing) even if others are not okay.
• I can do something even when I don’t want to or it’s hard.

Website: https://westridge.smsd.org/
Location: 9300 Nieman Road, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-1200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.mcdonnell.927
Twitter: @WRidgeMS