Learning With The Pack

Students had fun testing their investment strategies in the "Build Your Stax" stock market game, learning how financial decisions can grow over time.

Students coding a guessing game in Python.

Digital Photography students work & review photos for their Fill the Frame project.

Students in Intro to Art learned about the elements and principles of art, and had to collaborate with their peers to create an artwork that represented what Artmaking meant to them while incorporating elements and principles into their artwork. We then did a gallery walk to give feedback to other student groups, and practice descriptive writing.

Coming Up: Students are working on submissions for the PTA Reflections Contest, and then we will spend 2 weeks exploring ceramics leading us into fall. We will also be participating in Inktober.

• Graduate Profile Connection: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

• Key Dates: PTA Reflections entries due in early November.

In CCR, students are exploring careers in Business, Marketing, and Finance. To help them start thinking about their future pathways, students recently completed a career interest survey that highlighted their strengths and personal interests. This activity will guide our discussions as we investigate different opportunities in various fields and connect classroom learning to real-world careers.

• Graduate Profile Connection: This work directly connects to our RISD Graduate Profile, as students practice critical thinking and problem-solving while analyzing career options, build financial literacy by exploring how money and business work in the real world, and strengthen their ability to make real-world connections between classroom learning and future opportunities.

Students have been learning the fundamentals of Python programming. They started with the basics of input, output, and printing information to the screen, then built on those skills by learning comparisons and conditional logic (if/else statements). To apply their learning, they created projects such as:

• A calculator for basic math operations

• A chatbot/decision game that responds based on user choices

• A food-ordering calculator that totals costs and applies conditions

Students are applying concepts from their math classes, such as order of operations, comparisons, and problem-solving strategies, and bringing them to life through programming. This helps them see how math skills are used in technology and the real world.

• Graduate Profile Connection: Real-World Connections

Topics: In Photography, we have been learning the Rules of Composition and camera basics. Students have completed their second project, where they learned to compose photos based on prompts. We are also learning to manage and organize files in Google, as well as the basics of photo editing.

Our next project will be Toy Photography, where we learn how to adjust the aperture (f-stop) to create a shallow depth of field, making the toys look life-like. This is always a favorite project! Encourage your students to bring in some small toys from home and ask to see their digital portfolio website!

• Graduate Profile Connection: Real World Connections

• Key Dates: 3rd Annual RHS Photo Magnet Photography Contest Entries due 12/1. Flyer is in Schoology.

In Health class, students are learning about nutrition and healthy living as part of building lifelong wellness habits. Coming up, we will begin our Human Growth and Development unit. Parents should have received an email with links to preview the material and a permission slip to opt students into this discussion.

Graduate Profile Connection: These topics connect directly to our Graduate Profile, as students develop emotional intelligence by understanding themselves and others, and practice making real-world connections that support healthy choices now and in the future.

Topics: Sculpture students learned about the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design to create an abstract sculpture using the letters of their name and incorporating all 14 Elements and Principles in their designs.

Next, we will be creating an organic, abstract sculpture using a wire armature with a wood base and painting the final piece in the style of an artist or art period of the student’s choosing.

Ask to see your student’s digital portfolio website!

• Graduate Profile Connection: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

• Key Dates: PTA Reflections entries due in early November.

Topics: Prefixes, Suffixes, root words, and abbreviations. As well as how to use these terms in patient care (what could go wrong and how to fix it)

• Graduate Profile Connection: Real World Connection/Problem solving

• Key Dates: We will have a suffix test on thursday October 2nd and will have a project building a working knee in Mid October. I will send paperwork home

Topics: Students have just finished familiarizing themselves with the engineering process and the VEX IQ robotics kits. Students are working in teams to apply their knowledge and build a “clawbot” which can drive around and pick up objects.

Next, students will reflect on their experience building their first robot, evaluate how well they worked together as a team and how well their robot did in a class competition. They will also start learning how to program their robot to move and operate without inputs from a controller.

• Graduate Profile Connection: Effective communication, Critical thinking/problem solving

• Key Dates: Check FOCUS for assignments and dates.

In Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance, students are learning the basics of banking, including checking and savings accounts. They also played an interactive game called "Build Your Stax", where they explored investing in the stock market over a 20-year period - an activity that was both fun and eye-opening!

• Graduate Profile Connection: This connects to our Graduate Profile by building financial literacy skills, encouraging critical thinking and problem solving as students made investment choices, helping them see real-world connections between classroom learning and future financial success.

• Mr. Duncan - Art - Chase.Duncan@risd.org
• Mr. Edwards - Health, CCR, Business & Marketing - Chris.Edwards@risd.org
• Coach McAdams - Medical Terminology - Andrew.Mcadams@risd.org
• Mrs. Melson - Sculpture & Photography - Emily.Melson@risd.org
• Mr. Sabri - Computer Science - Amir.SabriAlias@risd.org
• Mr. Vuong - Principles of Applied Engineering - Daniel.Vuong@risd.org

Before your student can attend before- or after-school tutorials, they must speak with their teacher to sign up in the RTI Scheduler. This sign-up acts as their “pass” to tutoring.

(Left to Right) Paige Nolan, Nathan Hinojosa, Amy Icossipentarhos, Sara Cooper, Jonathan Roozeboom

Voices Unlimited Show Choir members meeting for rehearsal during RTI!

Chamber Orchestra (6th Period)

Advanced 8th Grade Orchestra (Chamber Orchestra) is working on All-Region Music (optional All-Star Orchestra Audition on Saturday, October 25 at Mesquite HS), Fall Concert Music (Apache, Nightshift, Intensity, & Cathode Rays), Scales (1 Octave C, G, D, A, F, Bb, and 2 Octave C, G, D, A with more coming), Sightreading (have already completed Level 1, almost complete with Level 2, and will soon move on to Level 3). Students are receiving extra tutoring during RTI Advisory Sessions from guest professional musicians (paid for by Uptempo Fundraising and the parent-run Richardson Area Orchestra Booster Club).

Philharmonic Orchestra (5th Period)

Advanced 7th Grade Orchestra (Philharmonic Orchestra) is working on advancing their skills from 6th grade and introducing new & more mature skills like different bow styles, intonation work, and the beginnings of vibrato. They have just moved on to 2 octave scales after success with 1 octave scales, so are moving forward with more advanced shifting on their instruments as well. November concert music includes 3 pieces: King’s Court, A Beethoven Lullaby, and Attack! Weekly after school sectionals are continuing on Tuesdays for Violin & Bass and Wednesdays for Viola & Cello.

Concert Orchestra (3rd Period)

Intermediate 8th Grade Orchestra (Concert Orchestra) is working on advancing music literacy / theory comprehension using the Breezin’ Thru Theory software/curriculum, and advancing playing skills such as shifting through music and 2 octave scales, musical independence & confidence on solo parts through small ensemble music, mature balance throughout the ensemble, and their 3 November Concert pieces: Attack!, Apache, and Aeolian Rock.

String Orchestra (3rd Period)

Intermediate 7th Grade Orchestra (String Orchestra) is working on advancing their skills from their 6th grade year. They are working on mastering their Posture & Position (including left and right hands), Music Literacy & Note Name Identification, and becoming Music Theory professionals using the Breezin’ Thru Theory curriculum. They are working on their Technique in the Habits of a Successful Young String Musician series, and their Fall Concert Music (Pizzicato Fizz, All Around My Hat, & The Mighty Triad).

Orchestra Fall Concert - Tuesday, November 18 @ Richardson HS Auditorium

6:30 - 7:15 pm 6th Grade Orchestra & Philharmonic Orchestra

7:15 - 8:00 pm String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, & Chamber Orchestra

Wind Symphony is working on scale and all-region music pass-offs, as well as two pieces of music for our fall concert and pep rally music for our upcoming football game performances. You can check your student’s progress on their pass-offs at the link in their band Schoology.

Symphonic Band is working on several pop/pep songs as well as an official band piece called Starsplitter Fanfare. We have also been working on fundamentals and technique exercises to improve our individual skills and ensemble sound. We also embrace friendly competition by earning “pizza points” by team, and the winning team at the end of the quarter will get to have a pizza party!

Concert Band is working on two pieces of music for our fall concert and every student has a pass-off chart to be working through at their own pace. Pass-offs happen during class and allow the teachers to hear students’ individual progress. Pass-offs also teach students to perform in front of their classmates and how to handle challenging/stressful situations.

Students have been learning the fundamentals of healthy singing, musical expressiveness, aural skills, reading music/sight-reading and beginner music theory as it pertains to Choir. Singers first started with basic rhythm reading exercises, which progressed to simple, on-level melodic sight-singing exercises, and both choirs are now progressing into beginner level 2-part sight-reading passages.

Students have been building on their foundational knowledge of healthy singing, musical expressiveness, aural skills, reading music/sight-reading and beginner music theory as it pertains to Choir. Singers first started with both basic rhythm reading exercises as well as basic and intermediate unison sight-singing exercises, and are now practicing short, intermediate level 2-part sight-reading exercises.

Next, all choirs will begin learning slightly more challenging repertoire for Winter Concert as well as continue to build on their sight-reading skills.

• Graduate Profile Connection: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

• Key Dates: Fall Choir Concert on 10/15/2025 @ 6:30 PM at Westwood Junior High

• Students should arrive dressed in their formal uniforms no later than 5:30 PM

• Encourage them to look at their weekly This Week in Band sheet for what to practice, and to fill in their practice minutes at the bottom. Even though not all sounds are beautiful at this age, ALL practice is beneficial for students, so try to be supportive of whatever you hear.

• Help your student set a ten-minute timer on their phone, and ask to play their instrument just for those ten minutes. The hardest part of practicing is just getting the instrument out of the case, and a huge misconception is that you have to practice for hours for it to be beneficial. The skills and muscles we are building benefit more from shorter practice sessions more frequently than large chunks of practice time at once with long stretches of no practice in between.

• Remind students to sign up for RTI practice time in the band hall each week!

• Ask students about their Practice Steps (see below)! If students break music down into these basic steps, they can learn to play ANYTHING! You can ask them to show you a practice step of any measure of their music - “John, can you clap and count that measure for me?” “Lori, can you tell me the names of all of the notes in this measure?” Practice steps are posted all over the band hall and every student has this page in their band handbook in the back of their binder.

Encourage your student to practice singing their major scales at home with their handsigns! Practice makes progress, and we are training our brains to think in solfege in the Choir room. Even singing one scale a day can help solidify that inner hearing skill we are developing daily, as well as create muscle memory for when we are singing.

Students should be playing their instrument at home multiple days a week. Help your student set a ten-minute timer on their phone, and ask to play their instrument just for those ten minutes. The hardest part of practicing is just getting the instrument out of the case, and a huge misconception is that you have to practice for hours for it to be beneficial. The skills and muscles we are building benefit more from shorter practice sessions more frequently than large chunks of practice time at once with long stretches of no practice in between.

• Ms. Nolan - Choir - Paige.Nolan@risd.org
• Mr. Roozeboom - Orchestra - Jonathan.Roozeboom@risd.org
• Ms. Cooper - Orchestra - Sara.Cooper@risd.org
• Mrs. Icossipentarhos - Band - Amelia.Icossipentarhos@risd.org
• Mr. Hinojosa - Band - Nathan.Hinojosa@risd.org

Before your student can attend before- or after-school tutorials, they must speak with their teacher to sign up in the RTI Scheduler. This sign-up acts as their “pass” to tutoring.

• 10/03 – RHS Homecoming (early release @ 2 pm for parade & game)
• 10/09 - Future Eagles Night (rescheduled)
• 10/10-13 - Fall Break
• 10/15 - Fall Choir Concert @ 6:30 PM
• 10/22 - Fall Band Concert @ 6 PM
• 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
• 11/18 - Orchestra Fall Concert @ Richardson HS Auditorium @ 6:30 PM
• 12/16-19 – Fall Exam Week

Haga clic aquí para español.

Catch up on all the updates from our September 19 edition. Click below to view the full newsletter.

We want to give a big shoutout to Iqua Newell, Amanda Clair and George Nelson for their incredible work organizing our Circus-themed dance! Your creativity, energy, and dedication made it a night to remember. The kids had an absolute blast – thank you for making the magic happen! 🎉🎟️🤹

Dear Families,

As we prepare for the upcoming admissions process for our elementary and junior high magnet programs, we want to share important updates regarding eligibility requirements.

Before students may be considered for the magnet lottery, they must first meet basic academic, attendance, and behavior expectations. These criteria ensure that students are well-prepared to thrive in our rigorous and specialized magnet learning environments.

Please take time to encourage your child to:

• Maintain regular attendance (at least 90% or higher).

• Strive for high academic achievement by keeping an overall average of 80 or above in the core subjects—Math, Reading/Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies and avoiding course failures.

• Demonstrate positive behavior that reflects our Code of Civility by being safe, respectful, and responsible. Students with repeated discipline incidents or suspensions may not be eligible.

We are sharing these expectations early so that families and students are fully aware of the requirements well before the application window. Our goal is to prevent any student from losing access to the lottery process due to attendance, academic performance, or behavior concerns.

Finalized entry and acceptance guidelines, as well as application timelines, will be communicated soon on our district website and other district publications..

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students excel both in and out of the classroom. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed and thrive in our magnet programs.

Texas legislation requires all parents and guardians to provide clear opt-in and opt-out preferences for their student regarding various activities and services such as:

• Available access to health services (all grade levels)

• After-school clubs (all grade levels)

• Counseling opportunities (K-5 & 7-12)

• Library Services (all grade levels)
  
  

All RISD parents/legal guardians received an email from the district on Friday, August 22 with information to select your preferences for your student(s) in FOCUS. Please make sure that you check your email, you should have a message from RIchardson ISD, with the subject line: Important Parent Message in Regards to Recent Texas Legislation.

Please visit the FOCUS portal and use the newly created page to submit your preferences for each of your children.

If you have additional questions, please submit a Let’s Talk here.

Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. We look forward to a great new school year.

Hello Westwood Families,

It’s that time again! Westwood Junior High, Math, Science, and Leadership Magnet is excited to invite speakers to chat with our students about how the skills they are learning in the classroom connect to future careers. This year’s event will take place on November 6th.

We are so grateful for the incredible community support we’ve received in the past and would be thrilled to have you join us again this year—either in person or virtually!

If you’re willing to share your time and experiences to help inspire and develop young minds, please let us know by completing this Google Form.

Our students truly benefit from the knowledge, stories, and skills our community members bring, and we deeply appreciate your involvement in continuing the tradition of Westwood EdTalks!

If you have any questions, please contact:
Melissa Compton 📧 melissa.compton@risd.org

We’re looking for parent volunteers to support behind the scenes during our MST Ed Talks on Thursday, November 6th! Help us create a smooth experience for our student speakers by assisting with Green Room responsibilities.. Your support at this event is invaluable!

Join us as we travel to London during Spring Break 2026!

Since 2022, Westwood 8th grade students and parents have explored London together, experiencing highlights such as:

• Oxford University
• The Tower of London
• The London Eye
• Westminster Abbey
• The Globe Theatre
• West End Musicals such as:
• Matilda
• Back to the Future
• Walking Ghost Tours
• ...and much more!

This action-packed five-day trip is the perfect way to make lasting memories while discovering the history, culture, and excitement of London.

Questions? Contact Coach Lockett at beverly.lockett@risd.org.

RISD Homecoming 2025:

As in the past Westwood Athletics will participate in RHS's annual homecoming parade on October 3rd. This year's theme is RHS EAGLES: BE THE LEGEND. The entry fee for the parade is one donation item (a package of socks or underwear) per student participating which is for the RISD Clothes Closet. If you would like to volunteer a truck and/or trailer for the athletes to ride on or decorations, please inform the coaches. Last year the parents did a great job helping out, decorating, and donating items for the trailers and bottled water for the students. Thank you once again for your thoughtfulness and generosity. We could not make things happen in such a great manner without our parents!

Please send parade donations by Friday morning. Thanks parents for volunteering to provide transportation, decorations, individually wrapped candy, and bottled water!

Fall Sports Update

FOOTBALL:

• After a bye-week, the Wolves will take on Forest Meadow Middle School at Wildcat/Ram Stadium on Tuesday, September 30th.

• 8th Grade game starts at 5:30 PM

• 7th Grade game will begin at 7:00 PM

• Boys Athletics will participate in the RHS Homecoming parade. Football players will wear jerseys and those involved in offseason will wear their Westwood gray or blue athletics shirts.

• Remember to bring a donation package of new socks or new underwear, if you are participating in the parade.

• Carrying a water bottle is also recommended for participants during the parade.

VOLLEYBALL:

• Following a successful week against Apollo JH, all teams will be in competition on Monday, September 29th vs Richardson North Junior High.

• The 7th grade games will be played at Richardson North JH with 7A playing at 5:30 PM, followed by the 7B team at 6:30 PM, and 7C will close out the night at 7:30 PM.

• The 8th grade teams will play at Westwood JH. Game times are set for 8A @ 5:30 PM and 8B @ 6:30 PM.

• Tickets can be purchased online https://richardsonisd.brushfire.com/ or at the door.

• Girls Athletics will participate in the RHS Homecoming parade.

• Volleyball players will wear game jerseys

• Next-season athletes will wear their Westwood gray (7th grade) or blue athletics (8th grade) shirts.

• Remember to bring a donation package of new socks or new underwear, if you are participating in the parade.

• Carrying a water bottle is also recommended for participants during the parade.

Cross Country:

• The official season for girls is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM at Huffhines Park (Richardson, TX).

• The official season for boys is scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM at Huffhines Park (Richardson, TX).

• Student-athletes are invited to participate in the RHS Homecoming parade on Friday, Oct 3rd.

Westwood Athletic Coordinators

• Girls: Beverley Lockett beverly.lockett@risd.org

• Boys: Andres 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.

Tickets for all RISD Athletic Events can be purchased at the gate or by visiting the link below:

https://richardsonisd.brushfire.com/

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!

PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts. For more information, visit our website WWJH PTA Reflections 2025-26 or email artsed@westwoodpta.org.

The theme for 2025-26 is "I Belong..." Express your artistic talents with PTA Reflections in the categories of dance choreography, musical composition, photography, visual arts, film production, and literature. Entries due Oct 29!

RISD takes underage substance use, bullying, and violence seriously. The heartbreaking outcomes produced by substance use, bullying, and violence can change the trajectory of a young person’s life in the blink of an eye. Throughout October, students will receive lessons on substance abuse and bullying prevention. Red Ribbon week will be held the week of October 22-31. The theme for this year is “Life is a Puzzle: Solve it Drug Free.” During this week, HS Peer Helpers and PALS will be going out to some elementary campuses to lead presentations on peer refusal skills (4-5) or present a puppet show for K-3 students. Secondary students will be receiving substance abuse prevention lessons during Red Ribbon Week, and throughout the year. For more information and to learn ways that you can support your own children in having important conversations about bullying and substance prevention, below are some helpful resources.

• Fentanyl Awareness and Naloxone

• Parent and Community Prevention Toolkit – This toolkit is a way for parents to learn more about the vaping epidemic, gauge their child’s risk of trying e-cigarettes, and find the best strategy to talk to their child about e-cigarettes.

• RISD Bullying Prevention and Intervention Webpage

• Tips for Parents/Caregivers on Talking to Students about Bullying

• RISD Drug Prevention and Intervention Webpage

• Partnership to End Addiction

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.