Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
Hello Westwood Schools families,
The school was bustling with students, families, staff, and opportunities at the Meet and Greet last evening. It was fun to see our new fifth graders and reconnect with our sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. If you were unable to make the event, we will see all students on the first day of school August 31. Schedules and class placements are available in the Campus Portal.
The first day of school – Grades 7 and 8
- School starts at 7:45 a.m.
- Students, please have a copy of your schedule either printed or as a screenshot on your iPad.
- If you need to practice your locker combination, staff will be able to assist you on the first day of school. Teachers are providing time during the day, too.
- Remember your phone needs to be at home or in your locker for the day.
- Take a screenshot of your lunch pin card from Campus on your iPad. Student ID cards will be handed out the first day. You will need this with you each day for lunch and checking into school if you are late, and for library materials.
The first day of school – Grades 5 and 6
- School starts at 8:40 a.m.
- Students, please write down on a sheet of paper your teacher’s name and room number. With the excitement of the first day, students often forget who their teacher is. We will have staff to help students find classes and teacher names and get everyone to the right place.
- Remember that phones needs to be at home or in your backpack in your locker for the day
- Have your bus tag on your backpack. If you do not have one yet, we will have one for you in your classroom.
- Your teacher will have your Student ID cards for lunch.
Parent Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
We are asking all families to follow drop off and pick up procedures to ensure the safety of our kids and their drivers. There is no pick and or drop off in the staff parking lot. If you need to park to pick up your child, use the visitor parking, exit your vehicle, and cross with your child.
Drop off:
- Students do not enter the building until 7:20 a.m. for grades 7/8 and 8:25 a.m. for grades 5/6.
- Follow the one-way arrows when entering and exiting Westwood.
- Drop off at the curb side only.
- Once you stop at the curb to drop off, your child must exit the vehicle. No waiting.
- Follow the one-way arrows to exit.
Pick up:
- Dismissal is at 2:30 p.m. for grades 7/8 and 3:15 p.m. for grades 5/6.
- For early pick-up, please call the main office at least one hour before dismissal so we have time to notify your student
- Follow the one-way arrows when entering and exiting Westwood.
- Pick up at the curb side only.
- When waiting in line, pull all the way forward.
- Once your child enters the vehicle on the curb side, pull out of the wait line and exit following the one-way arrows.
Enjoy the last few days of summer break!
Tom Larson
Principal
763-600-5300
2026-2027 School Handbook
Our Spring Lake Park Schools School Handbook for 2026-2027 is now available. The handbook is a guide for families and students on the practical aspects of school – start and end times, procedures for absences, transportation, meals, policies and more. Please review the information and refer to it, as needed, throughout the year and contact your school as you have questions.
Transportation reminders for a new year
- Bus Tracking (MyStop app): We use MyStop, which is web-based application available to parents and students that allows them access to live bus GPS information. Using a smartphone or tablet, parents and students can view the current location of buses on routes and the estimated time of arrival at their neighborhood bus stops. Learn more about MyStop.
- Bus Safety: It is very important all students and families understand our bus safety rules. See the full bus safety list on the transportation webpage.
- Plan to ride the bus on first day of school: For students who ride the bus, please plan for your student to ride the bus on the first day of school to help us work out all our routines and eliminate as much confusion as possible.
- Transportation webpage and contact information: Find all transportation information on the transportation webpage. For any questions regarding transportation, please contact the transportation department at transportation@district16.org or 763-600-5590.
Printed district calendar update
All families should have received a printed district calendar in the mail this month. If your family does not use it or have a need for it - rather than throwing it away - we ask that you please consider returning to the District Services Center main office (1415 81st Ave. NE). There is a bin there to place it in and we will repurpose and reuse!
Registration Open for SLP Clay Target Club
Join the Spring Lake Park Clay Target Team and develop your skills in a safe, supportive, and competitive environment. Open to students in grades 7-12 who meet eligibility requirements and possess a State Firearm Safety Certificate, participants will practice and compete in trap shooting while building confidence, focus, responsibility, and teamwork.
Details:
- Safety Meeting - September 2
- Practice/Competitions - Wednesdays starting September 9
- Location: Metro Gun Club
- Register for SLP Clay Target Team
New digital scoreboards at the high school
If you get to a soccer or football game this fall in Panther Stadium, you'll notice a new digital scoreboard. In partnership with a group of community fundraisers, we were able to move forward with installation of this enhancement over the summer. There are also digital scoreboards in the Panther gym and at the softball and baseball fields.
The scoreboards will provide clear, real-time updates, flexible multi-sport use, and bright LED visibility from any angle. Learn more about sponsorship and other visibility opportunities on this sponsorship handout and check out the scoreboards at an upcoming game.
Panther Store Kick-Off Sale
Now through September 4 - Save 20% with discount code 26Kickoff through the online Panther Store. Special store hours, Tuesday 3-7 p.m. during the Spring Lake Park High School Open House event. Email us to schedule a personal shopping appointment with your team! We've got new gear galore, including three new baseball caps!
Get Ready to "Start Your Engines" on September 12
Join us for our family-friendly community event featuring a variety of vehicle exhibits and fun, hands-on activities!
- Saturday, September 12, 2026
- 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Spring Lake Park High School - Enter the lot from 81st Ave
- Free for all ages, no registration required
- NEW this year! Hy-Vee Food Truck, Grounded Coffee Cart, Soft Serve Social Ice Cream, “Epic Chalk Lady” art demonstration
