Westwood Junior High

We’ve had a wonderful first two weeks at Westwood! Students are adjusting well and settling into our routines and procedures. Thank you for your partnership in helping us start the year strong.

Mark Your Calendar – Feeder Pattern Night
Next Thursday August 28th, we’d love to see our Westwood families at the Richardson High School football game! This is a great opportunity to celebrate school spirit and connect with our feeder pattern community. Please review RISD’s athletic event policies before attending. Students must bring their student ID to enter.

Progress Reports Coming Soon
Progress reports will be emailed to you on September 2nd by 4:30 p.m. Please encourage your child to check Focus Gradebook regularly and to reach out to their teachers with any questions or concerns. We value open communication to support your child’s success, please don’t hesitate to contact teachers directly.

Attendance Awareness Month

As we move into September, we’re focusing on the importance of being present every day. Missing even one class means missing valuable instruction and opportunities to connect with peers. Please take a moment to review RISD’s attendance policies and our campus information below. Together, we can help ensure every student is present, engaged, and ready to learn.

It’s truly been a great start, and I’m looking forward to the big things ahead. RISD’s theme this year is Big Dreams, and I’m inspired every day by our Wolf Pups. Thank you for partnering with us to make Westwood a place where students can dream big, work hard, and achieve great things.

With Wolf Pack Pride,

Katie Mottram
Principal, Westwood Junior High

kathryn.mottram@risd.org

• 09/01 - Labor Day
• 09/08-18 - Beginning of Year MAP Testing
• 09/10 - Open House & PTA Meeting 6 - 7:30 PM
• 09/19 - Fall Dance Hosted by WWJH PTA
• 10/03 – RHS Homecoming (early release @ 2 pm for parade & game)
• 10/10-13 - Fall Break
• 10/24 - Fall Picture day
• 11/3-4 - Student Holiday/Staff Professional Learning Day
• 11/05 – Road to RHS (8th grade parents at WWJH @ 6 pm)
• 11/06 – MST Ed Talks
• 12/16-19 – Fall Exam Week

We are happy to announce that there is no increase in the RISD self-funded program cost for the fourth year in a row! It remains at $20 per student device, or $10 per student device for Free and Reduced Lunch Students. Go to risd.schoolpay.com. Once logged-in (using parent email associated with Focus), then all fees/programs (not just technology) will be in your ‘carts’. All students should join the DRRP since it offers substantial savings to even routine repairs. Repair parts can get very expensive as compared to the cost of the premium. Take a look at the second page of the agreement to get an idea of the price of parts should they choose not to join and need a repair!

The deadline to enroll in the Device Repair and Replacement Program is Monday, Sept 8th, 2025.

Securly is the first and most widely adopted digital hall pass for k-12 schools. Currently utilized in over 5,000 schools including several RISD schools, Westwood is excited to implement this system to help with safety, security, and accountability of student movement within our building.

Students will also have time between classes and while at lunch to use the restroom. To start, we are allowing students three daily passes. We’ve set a building limit that allows a total of 15 students out of class at any given time; however, we will adjust this number as needed. When someone returns to class, another student may leave. Rest assured that emergencies are always handled differently, and teachers can create passes in an emergency. We will monitor the implementation of this system closely and make any necessary adjustments in real time to ensure it is effective and fair.

Please remember, we are here to help and listen. We will continue to monitor this new system throughout the year and make adjustments as needed.

At Westwood Junior High, the safety of our students is our top priority. While secure facilities and strong safety procedures are essential, what keeps us most safe is the foundation of trusting relationships, open communication, and a caring community. Our students know they can talk to any adult on campus if they feel unsafe or have a concern, and we are committed to listening and responding.

Student ID Badges

• All students were issued an ID badge, lanyard, and protective sleeve on the first day of school.
• Students must wear their ID daily. Bus riders must also scan their badge when boarding the bus.
• If a student forgets their ID, they should enter through the Band Hall doors to receive a temporary badge for the day.
• Lost badges can be replaced in the library. The first replacement is free; additional replacements are $3 each.
• After three temporary badges in a semester, lunch detention will be assigned.

Safety Procedures

• We conduct monthly fire drills and follow the RISD I Know What to Do Day calendar, as we did this week, for other emergency drills throughout the year.
• Our School Resource Officer (SRO), Officer Alonzo, is on campus daily. He has served in law enforcement with the Dallas Police Department for over 31 years, including more than 10 years as an SRO, with experience in community policing and youth outreach. Officer Alonzo has been at Westwood Junior High for the past four years and is a trusted partner in keeping our campus safe. He has three sons, including twin boys who have just started their freshman year.
• We have a full-time Intervention Counselor, Mrs. Beverly Guillory, who works alongside staff to support students’ behavioral, emotional, and social needs.
• A trained drug detection dog visits all secondary campuses once a month for random searches, and monthly metal detector wanding is conducted as part of district safety protocols. Regular door audits, along with visible adult supervision in hallways, structured routines, cameras in all common spaces, and vape detectors in every student bathroom, help create a safe and orderly environment.

Cell Phone Policy

• In compliance with Texas House Bill 1481, all public-school students are prohibited from using personal communication devices, such as cell phones, smartwatches, and wireless headphones, during the school day.
• Devices must be turned off and securely stored in backpacks before entering the building. Exceptions are made only for documented medical needs or safety requirements.
• For detailed information on Richardson ISD's implementation of this policy, please refer to the district's official guidelines: RISD Cell Phone Guidelines.

How Families Can Help with Campus Safety

• Remind your child to wear their ID badge and keep it in good condition.
• Talk with your child daily about their day and encourage them to share concerns.
• Report concerns promptly by contacting any school staff member.
• Stay informed by reading school communications and knowing our safety procedures.
• Support our routines by ensuring your child arrives on time, follows school expectations, and participates in safety drills.

Together, our relationships, communication, and shared commitment make Westwood Junior High a safe, caring place for all students.

Dear RISD Parent/Guardian:

Texas Department of State Health Services requires different annual screenings based on the student’s grade level. A list of required screenings by grade level is below. The types of screenings conducted annually include vision, hearing, acanthosis nigricans, and spinal. All screenings will be conducted throughout the school year instead of one mass screening day.

If a student’s screening results indicate the need for further evaluation by a physician or other health provider, then the nurse will send home a referral letter. This screening does not replace your child’s need for regular health care and check-ups.

If you do not wish for your child to participate in the mandated school screening, a physician-signed hearing, vision, acanthosis nigricans and/or spinal evaluation for the student must be submitted to the school nurse before September 2, 2025.

Required Screenings by Grade Level

Pre-K 4’s – hearing and vision

Kindergarten – hearing and vision

1st grade – hearing, vision, and acanthosis nigricans

2nd grade (new to RISD students only) – hearing and vision

3rd – hearing, vision, and acanthosis nigricans

4th (new to RISD students)- hearing and vision

5th - hearing, vision, acanthosis nigricans, and spinal (spinal is girls only)

6th (new to RISD students) – hearing and vision

7th hearing, vision, and acanthosis nigricans, spinal (spinal is girls only)

8th (boys) - spinal

8th-12th (new to RISD students) - hearing and vision

Thank you,

RISD Health Services

At Westwood, we follow all Richardson ISD student guidelines, which outline expectations for student conduct, safety, and success. These guidelines are an important part of creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

We ask that you take a few minutes to review these guidelines with your student before the school year begins so that everyone starts the year on the same page. The RISD Student Guidelines can be found here: https://web.risd.org/studentservices/guidelines/

• For student and staff safety food deliveries from third parties such as Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc. are NOT accepted on campus. Student lunches should only be delivered by a parent or others who are listed on the students emergency card only.
• Students will not be called out of class to pick up lunch deliveries please ensure that you communicate with your student before school starts if you will be dropping off lunch.

View RISD Attendance Policies HERE

How to monitor attendance:

1. You can ask your child’s campus for an attendance report to review routinely.
2. Students and parents can monitor attendance records in Focus. Please click here to sign into RISD Focus. In addition, parents can sign up to receive notifications from Focus.

How to submit excuse notes:

RISD policy mandates parents submit an excuse note to the school attendance office within three days of returning to school.

Excuse notes, which can be an email, must include:

• Student name
• Student ID number
• A written statement giving the date and reason for the absence
• Parent or guardian signature for handwritten notes only
• Parent phone number

Please send emails to westwoodattendance@g.risd.org

Learn how to upload your attendance excuse for Focus.

Log into your Focus account.

Need to check out your child early?

• You must come to the front office to check them out - we can not release a them even if you call.
• Any person checking out your child must provide a form of ID and be on the students emergency card
• Students will not be released if you cannot provide an ID and are not on listed on the emergency card
• Students will not be dismissed in the last 15 minutes of the school day to avoid interruption of end of day instruction

Parents, please assist us in keeping our students safe and following these procedures when dropping off/picking up students.

• Students should only be dropped off/picked up in the front circle lane in the front of the building
• All students should enter/exit a vehicle in lane # 2
• Students should not enter/exit a vehicle in lane #1
• Lane #1 is a passing lane only - please do not stop while in lane #1
• Morning drop off: all students should enter the building through the cafeteria doors
• Dismissal: all car riders exit through east side of the building - students must be picked up through the carpool lane

WWJH Athletics Store Re-Opening: During the weeks of August 10th - September 5th, if you need to reorder or purchase additional items, 7th and 8th grade practice items, along with WOLVES spirit wear (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, sweatpants, polos, and hats), will be available through the WWJH Athletics Store link. Please keep in mind, delivery takes 14-21 days after the store's closing date. In order to create and maintain a culture of unity, student-athletes are encouraged to wear the approved 7th and 8th Westwood Athletics Uniform.

Cross Country:

Cross Country teams will begin practices in September. More information will be provided to student-athletes during athletics, advisory, and the next edition of the Westwood Wire publication.

Sincerely,

Coach Lockett
beverly.lockett@risd.org

Coach Cervantes

andres.cervantes@risd.org

IMPORTANT: All students must have an updated physical using the correct 2024 form and all UIL Rank One paperwork completed prior to participating in any tryouts, practices, or games. Updated and valid athletic physicals allow students to actively participate for one calendar year from the date of the doctor's examination. All UIL information can be found on Westwood, RHS, and RISD Athletics websites. In order for a student to remain in the Athletics period, all eligibility requirements (physical and Rank One) must be completed by Friday, August 29th. If you have any questions or would like to speak with one of the athletic coordinators at Westwood, please contact Coach Lockett or Coach Cervantes.

All Westwood students will have their first library visit by September 2nd! They will learn about the new genrefication of our fiction section, all the library events that we host, Book Club and more! We hope your child enjoys their visit!

Upcoming Dates:

8/25 – Library Ambassadors meeting during Advisory (8th graders who applied last year)

8/28 - Book Club Meeting – during their lunch period

8/29 – Fun Friday – during their lunch

9/12 – Teachers Back in the Day Forms due! (optional)

If you’d like to support the library, we have an Amazon Wishlist of items we would love to

add to the library. Please make sure you add a note if you donate something.

Thank you for your support!

Join the WWJH PTA and show your support for our students! We welcome and encourage parents, grandparents, neighbors, extended family, friends and members of the community to join the WWJH PTA! Support your school and your child by joining WWJH PTA!

RISD recognizes the work our teachers perform to support every child, every day. And we believe there is an opportunity EVERY day to show our appreciation for all they do to ensure student success. Click here to learn more about the Thank a Teacher program and how to sign up, and we will connect you with a campus.