WESTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS

We have so many good things happening here at Westwood Middle School! We are celebrating the month of love with selling candy grams. Students can purchase a ring pop or a blow pop to send to someone. They are being sold during lunch time and will be delivered on Friday 2/13/26. We also are going to be selling Kalahari tickets next month. Keep your eyes peeled for that fundraiser. We have World Culture Fest coming up on 3/12/26. Some students have already starting working on their projects. That night is always so much fun! We have our middle school dance happening on Friday 2/20/26. So much going on! We are in the 2nd half of the year. Please let us know if you are in need of a backpack or school supplies.

We have been focusing on attendance all year this year! We have been working to make sure students are here and on time every day. Please see below for more information.

Words Matter! What students say to each other and about themselves matter. We have to take this all very seriously! We want to make sure to keep reminding parents and students of this. A few reminders are:

• Words matter!
• Threats are taken seriously in all situations.
• Report any online threat - Do NOT repost it.
• Use kind words.
• If you are frustrated - find someone to talk to, do not lash out with your words.
• Report any threats

Please reach out if you have any questions.

As always, we appreciate your support and working together as a team in your child's education.

Impact of Chronic Absenteeism on Educational Performance and the New HB 96

Ohio recently passed a new attendance law, House Bill 96 (HB 96), that will take full effect next school year. We all know that regular school attendance is essential to student learning and long-term success. Chronic absenteeism and truancy is more than just an attendance issue, it is an instructional and equity issue that directly affects educational outcomes and student learning.

Impact on Academic Performance
Under the new Ohio law HB 96, excessive absences—whether excused or unexcused—result in significant loss of instructional time. Students who are chronically absent are more likely to:

• Fall behind in reading, math, and core academic skills

• Struggle to meet grade-level standards and assessment benchmarks

• Require increased academic interventions and supports

HB 96 emphasizes early identification of attendance concerns to prevent learning gaps from widening and requires that school districts implement tiered interventions to support improvement of attendance.

Impact on Engagement and School Connection
Frequent absences can weaken a student’s connection to the school community, leading to:

• Decreased engagement and participation

• Difficulty building consistent relationships with peers and staff

• Increased behavioral and social-emotional challenges

Ohio’s attendance framework recognizes that attendance barriers are often complex, requiring supportive, not punitive, responses. Research proves that chronic truancy is linked to:

• Higher risk of course failure and retention

• Increased likelihood of disengagement from school

• Lower graduation rates and postsecondary readiness

HB 96 prioritizes proactive strategies to address these risks before patterns become entrenched.

Please click the red button above if you have not completed your students back to school information. This must be completed each year. This is important so we have the most up-to-date information about your student and in case there is an emergency.

Car riders get picked up and dropped off on the elementary side of the building. Doors open at 7:25 and we dismiss starting at 2:12 with the final bell dismissing at 2:15. Please pull through the loops and drop off along the curb. Please do not drop off or pick up in the driving lane. Also we do not allow students to cross on their own. If you are in the parking lot, please park and cross your student in the crosswalk. We do NOT allow student to cross into other areas of the parking lots, especially the old Elyria West or old school board office lot. In the morning, please pull up to the curb near the door, drop your student off, and keep moving. This lane is for quick drop off’s. If you need to talk to your child, please pull into a parking spot and then walk them across or get back into the line to drop off. We do not sit along the curb and drop off.

Just a quick reminder that hoods may not be worn up during the school day.

The Student Code of Conduct offers guidance on attire. Clothing must be school appropriate and may not present a health or safety hazard or disrupt the educational environment. Pants and tops must fit properly and be in good repair. Crop tops are not permitted.

Additionally, footwear must be school appropriate--slippers and slipper socks are not permitted. Blankets also may not be worn in school.

Students may bring their cell phones and headphones to school but they must be turned off and put away during the day. This is a district policy.

Parents may contact Westwood Office to reach their student during the school day.

February is American Heart Month

Small, consistent lifestyle choices can make a big difference in keeping your heart strong and healthy. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of illness, but many risk factors are preventable. Healthy habits can lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Eat for a Healthy Heart

• Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
• Limit salt, added sugars, and saturated fats
• Use healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocados
• Watch portion sizes and stay hydrated

Get Moving

• Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week
• Activities like walking, dancing, swimming, or biking all count
• Even short movement breaks during the day help your heart

Quit Smoking & Limit Alcohol

• Smoking damages blood vessels and raises heart disease risk
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation

Manage Stress & Sleep Well

• Practice stress-relief techniques like deep breathing, stretching, or mindfulness
• Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night

Regular checkups help you stay informed about:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Blood sugar
• Weight and BMI

Early detection can prevent serious heart problems. Start with one healthy change today and build from there. Your heart will thank you!

MAIN OFFICE - phone: 440-284-8017 fax: 440-284-1055

For Attendance and General school related inquiries.

• Secretary - Mrs. Dana Kolesar -kolesardana@elyriaschools.org
• Receptionist - Ms. Lisa Boesken - boeskenlisa@elyriaschools.org
• School Counselor - Ms. Angela Caprara - Capraraangela@elyriaschools.org
• Assistant Principal - Mrs. Michelle Nimene - nimenemichelle@elyriaschools.org
• 5/6 Principal - Mrs. Katie Kalamasz - kalamaszkathrine@elyriaschools.org
• 7/8 Principal - Mr. Jim Rollence - rollencejames@elyriaschools.org

CLINIC - 440-284-8153

Nurse - Mrs. Amanda McCall - mccallamanda@elyriaschools.org

Health Aide - Ms. Hannah Croskey - croskeyhannah@elyriaschools.org

TRANSPORTATION: GGC BUS of Elyria - 440-284-8030

For any transportation requests or questions.

FOOD SERVICE / PAYSCHOOL CENTRAL - 440-284-5225

For any school lunch or free & reduced lunch questions.

ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT - 440-284-8257

For any student athlete questions or needs.

Our PBIS matrix for expected behavior here at Westwood Middle School. PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

2/5 - Conferences

2/16 - President's Day - No School

2/17 - 7/8 Choir Concert

2/19 - Middle School Band Concert

2/20 - Dance

2/24- Lorain county Spelling Bee during the day

3/5 - 7/8 Orchestra Concert

3/12 - World Culture Fest

3/12 End of 3rd Grading Period

3/13 - Records Day No School

3/24 - ELA State Test

3/25 - ELA State Test

4/3-4/10 - Spring Break No School

4/21 - Math State Test

4/22 - Math State Test

4/28 - Science State Test

4/29 - Science State Test

5/8 - 8th grade Formal Dance

5/18 - Choir Concert

5/19 Band & Orchestra Concert

5/25 - Memorial Day No School

5/27 - Awards Assembly

5/27 End of the 4th Grading Period - Last day of school