Westy's Family News
8/2/26
🐺 A Note From Principal Bangsund
Good afternoon Westy Families and Students!
This is just another quick update from me as the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year draws closer.
It was so great to have so many students and families in the building last week for registration. I was so happy to be able to connect with so many students. The summer always seems to go by so fast, and yet the first time I start seeing students again, it always feels like it's been so long!
If you weren't able to join us for registration last week, please be sure to stop by this week during the hours detailed below. Even if you completed the online registration process, it is still necessary to stop by the building for students to pick up their Chromebook and school ID. We hope to see those of you who weren't able to make it sometime this week. 😊
Please read on for a few other updates and reminders, along with some important dates to mark on your calendar.
With Westy Pride,
Proud Principal 🐺
Westminster High School
📣GO WOLVES!
🥪 Lunch Time Q&A with Principal B
With the start of the new school year, comes some pretty significant changes districtwide. Two changes I know students have a lot of questions about are :
- Changes to the student personal device policy, and
- The updated closed campus policy.
While these decisions were made in direct connection to the growing body of research, I know students still have a need to better understand the why behind these changes. This is why I have cleared by schedule in order to make myself available to students during all three lunch periods on Thursday, August 13th, where I will have a table for students to join me for conversation.
🤑 2026-2027 Yearbooks On Sale Now!
If you missed ordering your yearbook during registration last week, it's not too late to benefit from the lowest pricing of the year! Simply click HERE to order yours now!
💻 Mandatory Check-In / Registration
Our mandatory check-in for all students was last week! This is when all students were able to get their school ID, pick up their Chromebook, and pay fees to ensure a smooth first day of school on August 12th!
If you weren't able to join us, we've scheduled some make-up days for your convenience. Please stop by during one of the following dates/times:
- Monday, August 3rd: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 1:00 - 4:00 PM
- Tuesday, August 4th: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
- Wednesday, August 5th: 12:30 - 3:00 PM
- Monday, August 10th: CLOSED FOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT
- Tuesday, August 11th: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
- Wednesday, August 12th: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - LATE START TO SCHOOL YEAR!
- Thursday, August 13th: 1:00 - 4:00 PM - LATE START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR!
Please note that students must be accompanied by their parent/guardian in order to complete the full check-in / registration process.
🎒 2026-2027 School Supply List (grades 10-12)
📣 All 9th-Grade students will receive these supplies from their Freshman Academy teacher.
👩🏻🎓 Attendance Matters
One of the most important factors in a student's success is simply being in school—on time, every day. This year, Westminster High School is placing a strong emphasis on improving both attendance and punctuality because every minute of instruction matters.
Research consistently shows why attendance is so important:
- Students who attend school regularly are more likely to earn higher grades, stay on track for graduation, and enroll in college or career training.
- Missing just 2 days per month (18 days over the course of a school year) means a student is considered chronically absent, placing them at significantly greater risk of falling behind academically.
- Being late to class has a cumulative impact. Missing just 10 minutes of instruction each day adds up to nearly 30 hours of lost learning over a school year.
- Students with strong attendance are more likely to build positive relationships with teachers and peers, participate in extracurricular activities, and develop habits that prepare them for future careers.
We are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn in a focused, supportive environment. Throughout the year, we will be working closely with students and families to encourage positive attendance habits, reduce unnecessary tardies, celebrate improvements, and provide support when barriers arise.
Here's how families can help:
- Make school attendance a daily expectation.
- Encourage students to arrive on campus early enough to be in class before the bell rings.
- Schedule appointments outside of the school day whenever possible.
- Communicate with the school if challenges arise so we can work together to support your student.
- Reinforce that every class period matters and every minute counts.
We understand that illnesses and emergencies happen, but our goal is for every student to be present and engaged whenever possible. Together, we can help our students maximize every learning opportunity and build habits that will serve them well beyond high school.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for making attendance and punctuality a priority for your student.
✅ Smart Pass
This year we are adopting SmartPass, the leading digital hall pass and student movement system in education, to help make student movement on campus safer, easier, and less stressful. One of the features we are most excited about is the Parent Portal which will allow parent(s)/guardian(s) to monitor their student(s)'s use of hall passes and how much instructional time they might be missing out of. This feature will strengthen our ability to partner with families to help ensure student success!
To learn more about this system, please click HERE.
August 6th: 9th Grade Ice Cream Social and Information Night
⏰ The presentation begins at 6:00 PM
📍 Westminster High School Theater
💰 Free!
🍦 Join us afterwards to celebrate National Root Beer Float Day by enjoying a free root beer float served up by the Westy Admin Team!
August 8th: 🎒 WPS Back to School Breakfast and Backpack Giveaway
We'll be handing out backpacks, school supplies, and breakfast. Thank you to our partners, @a_precious_child and @wps_foundation!
⏰ 8:00 - 10:00 AM
📍 Westminster High School Cafe and Amphitheater
💰 Free!
August 11th: 😃 Freshman Orientation
We are so excited to welcome the class of 2030! Throughout this fun and informative day, students will get to know the routines, procedures, and culture of Westy, receive a complete tour of the school, engage in conversations with other Westy students, meet the 9th grade team, and learn how to start the year off right and get the most out of their high school experience!
⏰ 8:45 AM - 12:15 PM (please be on time!)
📍 Westminster High School Gym
🚌 Buses WILL be running their normal routes for this day.
🥪 A grab-and-go lunch will be provided to all students as they leave.
👥 Mandatory for all incoming 9th graders (students only--families are encouraged to attend the 9th Grade Ice Cream Social and Information Night on August 6th instead)
📣 All students 10th - 12th who are new to Westminster High School are welcome to join us for this orientation day!
August 12th: 🏫 First Day of School
The first day of school for all students is on Wednesday, August 12th. Students are expected to be in their seats, ready to learn, and engaged in the bell ringer by no later than 8:45 AM. Students may enter the building as early as 8:15 AM.
📵 The new cell phone policy is effective immediately, so students should be prepared to receive their cell phone pouch and use it on this first day back.
As a reminder, beginning this school year, Westminster High School is a CLOSED CAMPUS for all students (with the exception of select Seniors who qualify for the Principal's Pass).
August 19th: 🧑🏻🏫 Back to School Night
Join us for our Back to School Night where parents/guardians are invited to meet our amazing teachers and staff and learn about all the wonderful things happening here at Westy and how we can partner together to best support your student(s) through the high school experience!
⏰ 4:30 - 7:00 PM
📍 Westminster High School
🎤 The WHS Admin Team will be hosting two informative sessions at 5:30 and 6:30 PM in the theater (both presentations are the same, so you only need to select one time to join).
📆 Other Key Dates to Note for 26-27
- 9/2/26: Parent Advisory Committee 5:30 - 6:30 PM (via Zoom)
- 9/7/26: No School in Observance of Labor Day
- 9/12/26: Annual Homecoming Carnival
- 9/14/26: No School for Students (staff professional development day)
- 9/16/26: Powder Puff Football Game
- 9/18/26: Homecoming Game
- 9/19/26: Homecoming Dance
- 10/8/26: Fall Conferences 4:30 - 7:00 PM
- 10/12 - 10/13/26: No School - Fall Break
- 10/19/26: District Showcase
- 10/26/26: No School for Students (staff professional development day)
- 11/5/26: Attendance Intervention Night
- 11/9/26: No School in Observance of Veterans' Day
- 11/11/26: Practice Test Day
- 11/19/26: Turkey Bowl
- 11/23 - 11/27/26: Thanksgiving Break
- 12/16/26: Parent Advisory Committee 5:30 - 6:30 PM (via Zoom)
- 12/21/26 - 1/5/27: Winter Break
- 1/6/27: First Day of 2nd Semester
- 1/18/27: No School in Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- 2/6/27: Celebrating Academic Excellence
- 2/6/27: JROTC Military Ball
- 2/10/27: Spring Conferences 4:30 - 7:00 PM
- 2/15/27: No School in Observance of Presidents' Day
- 3/1/27: No School for Students (staff professional development day)
- 3/22 - 3/26/27: Spring Break
- 4/13/27: State Testing (9th and 11th Grades)
- 4/14/27: State Testing (10th and 11th Grades)
- 4/17/27: Prom
- 4/21/27: Parent Advisory Committee 5:30 - 6:30 PM (via Zoom)
- 4/24/27: Celebrating Artistic Excellence
- 4/26/27: No School
- 5/7/27: Seniors' Last Day of School
- 5/13/27: Senior Awards
- 5/17/27: Senior Check-Out
- 5/18/27: Graduation Practice
- 5/19/27: ALPHA Parade
- 5/20/27: Class of 2027 Graduation Ceremony
- 5/26/27: Last Day of School
📣 Please note that all dates are subject to change. Check this section of the weekly newsletter regularly for any updates or additions!
🏈 The Westy Football Team Store is Now Live!
Snag your Westy Football gear now! The team store is live, so click HERE to stock up!
