Middle/High School - March | Smore Newsletters

Middle and High School Families,

It is hard to believe we have already turned the calendar to March. In a building that houses both our middle and high schoolers, the energy is always high, and the school year has seemingly flown by. We are currently in that busy stretch where the excitement of winter activities meets the important preparations for spring. While the pace is fast, it shows just how much life and learning is happening within our walls every day.

Before we look at the busy month ahead, I want to take a moment to celebrate the hard work our students are doing outside the classroom. We have seen so much growth across all our programs lately! NHS put on a successful Winter Fest. Our Forensics, FCCLA, Mock Trial, and Science Olympiad teams all showed great confidence in the various events and regional competitions, while our FFA members celebrated their passion in our school during FFA week. Music was no slouch either, with a great amount of effort and preparation going into the District festival for Solo/Ensemble and in prep for the upcoming concerts in the next few months. Our athletes have been putting forth amazing effort in all sports, with multiple state bound athletes competing at the state tournament and the start of playoffs. This level of engagement is so important for building the character and teamwork skills our students will need for life.

Looking ahead, March is a very important month for our students’ futures. For our juniors, the upcoming ACT test is a big milestone as they start planning for life after high school. We are also looking forward to our Career Day, which will bring 8th - 12th grade students together to learn from professionals across a variety of businesses. This is a great chance for our students to see how what they are learning in class today connects to the jobs they might have tomorrow.

A reminder that Spring Break will be occurring in the middle of this month, giving time for students to recharge before the final push to the end of the year as the temperatures (potentially) shift to the spring weather.

Thank you for your continued support in making our school a great place to learn!

Sincerely,

Nicholas Ramcheck

Westfield Middle/High School Principal

Pictures from this past February:

Middle School Tubing/Ski Trip

High School Mock Trial Team

Mrs. Fritz's Biology participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count, an international citizen science effort conducted for four days in February through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada.

Mike Decorah presented to our Seventh Grade students on Native American Culture in Mrs. Showen's class.

Public Safety diver Greg Moen presented to students in Mrs. Moen's Drawing class about the blending of art in scuba diving.

Westfield students celebrated FFA week the last week of February with a variety of activities. Some of the members drove their tractors to school.

As I reflect on this past week’s parent-teacher conferences, I wanted to take a moment to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who made the time to visit our school. Whether you were navigating the transition into middle school with a sixth-grader or reinforcing success for your high school senior as they wrap up their school career, your presence speaks volumes.

From an analytical perspective, we know that consistent home-school communication is one of the strongest predictors of student success. The human element of communication during this time simply cannot be replaced and I truly appreciate everyone who took the opportunity to step in and connect, even while we had a basketball game present.

If you weren't able to attend, or if a specific conversation felt like it needed more time, please remember that our doors are always open. Education is not simply a twice-a-year event. It is a continuous dialogue. You can always reach out to our staff via email or phone call to stay updated on your student’s progress.

Please be aware of the community event being put on by Marquette County Healthy Communities Healthy Youth. Screen use and digital habits certainly have a great effect on the mental health of our students. Properly informing yourself with this research could greatly benefit your family as you navigate the changes in the world that our children face growing up today.

I highly recommend thinking about attending. Although it is coming up quick, registration has been extended through March 2nd.

Register by clicking on the link here!

Questions or want to register over the phone?

Call: 608-297-3141

The ACT is coming up on March 10th. As a reminder, only JUNIOR students will report to school during this day. All other grades at our building (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th & 12th) will not be in attendance at the building so we can properly proctor the test for this group of students. Elementary school students will still be in attendance. This allows for us to create the best possible testing environment for our students with as few distractions as possible.

Our Junior class has been preparing for the exam with the ACT Prep course during Flex, giving a comprehensive review of content and preparing students for the style of question asked on the test itself. As we approach the final bit leading up to the exam itself, encourage your juniors to get rest before the test day and eat a healthy meal to set themselves up for the test day of.

On this day, Juniors will meet in the cafeteria at 8:00 AM for breakfast and attendance. Electronic devices are not allowed on the day of the test as they cannot be in the room. Please remind your students that any electronic devices brought into the building will need to be collected. This includes smart watches as well.

After the exam is concluded, students who are passing all of their classes and who have no missing assignments have the opportunity to sign out of the building. Expect a permission slip home this week from our Junior students. Other students will be expected to stay at the building for some extra support with their current coursework to improve their grade and get caught up.

After the test on March 10th, we will resume our typical bell schedule at school with classes starting at 8:04 AM and the day ending at 3:32 PM.

Preparing our students for life after graduation is a central part of our mission, and we know that meaningful career exploration is key to that success. I am excited to announce that we will be hosting our Career Day on Wednesday, March 11th. It will feature numerous different career paths for our 8th - 12th grade students to explore. This is the same day as our early release this month.

The day is designed to be both informative and interactive. The morning will consist of professional presentations in the classroom from various businesses across many different pathways. The afternoon will transition to a Career Showcase in the gym. By bringing experts directly to our students, we hope to provide a great look at the diverse opportunities awaiting them and help them begin planning their next steps with confidence. We look forward to sharing the experiences had on this day!

It is with pride that we share the remarkable academic milestones achieved by our students this term. From our sixth graders just beginning their secondary journey to our seniors preparing for the world beyond, the dedication displayed across all grades at Westfield Middle/High School has been nothing short of inspiring.

Please take a moment to acknowledge the number of students who have earned their place on our Honors, High Honors, and Principal’s Honors rolls. These recognitions represent more than just high marks on a report card. They showcase a commitment to personal growth and perseverance. Academic success comes from developing great habits and taking ownership of their own learning. From this, our students on these lists deserve a celebration for their efforts and motivation.