Learning With The Pack

In 7th RLA, students have been busy exploring reading and writing in creative ways! They practiced identifying tone and mood by writing directly on their tables (a big hit!), visited the library to check out books and discover all the great resources available, and received new iPads to support their learning. Students are already using technology to annotate short stories and make their reading more interactive.

In 8th Grade RLA, students began the year diving right into reading by doing a Book Tasting where students were able to sample books to choose a great read! We’ve also begun utilizing our new iPads for classroom use to engage in higher level questioning and response, to foster creativity using various learning apps, and to annotate texts digitally using our note-taking apps

and stylus pens.

• Students will complete their RLA Growth Goal based on the NWEA Reading Growth Test (Sept. 8-12). Teachers will guide students in setting individual goals based on their beginning-of-year MAP scores → RISD Graduate Profile Connection: Emotional Intelligence: Goal-setting builds self-awareness and responsibility while encouraging resilience and growth.
  
  

• Figurative Language & Poetry → RISD Graduate Profile Connection: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Exploring figurative language and poetry helps students interpret symbolism, metaphors, and imagery, strengthening their ability to think beyond literal meaning and appreciate creativity in expression.
  
  

• Writing and refining personal narratives → RISD Graduate Profile Connection:Effective Communication: Crafting personal stories develops students’ ability to express themselves clearly and connect with an audience.
  
  

• Analyzing informational texts by identifying the author’s purpose, main idea, and supporting details → RISD Graduate Profile Connection:Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: This practice strengthens the ability to evaluate information, a skill needed for real-world problem solving.
  
  

• Learning the difference between tone and mood and applying it to our reading → RISD Graduate Profile Connection:Real World Connections: Recognizing tone and mood builds awareness of how language shapes perspective and improves communication skills.

• Students will also take the iReady Diagnostic (Sept. 22-26) → RISD Graduate Profile Connection: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: This assessment helps identify strengths and areas for growth, supporting personalized learning goals.

• Encourage your student to log in to Cambium to practice answering STAAR-style questions and build test-taking confidence.

• Ask your child to share a favorite line from a poem or short story they’ve read and talk about the feelings or images it creates (tone, mood, figurative language).

• Have your student explain the author’s purpose in an article, ad, or social media post—they’ll love showing off their new skills, and it helps them see real-world connections.

• Invite your child to read their personal narrative draft aloud to you. Listening helps them catch errors and strengthen their writing voice.

• Encourage regular library visits or reading at home. Even 15–20 minutes a day of reading can make a big difference in school and testing performance.

• Ask your student to “teach you” how to annotate text on their iPad. Explaining the process helps reinforce their learning.

• Celebrate growth over grades—talk with your child about their NWEA/iReady goals and how setting goals helps build resilience and self-awareness.

• Tutoring - Encourage your student to attend AM/PM tutoring sessions or to sign up for RLA support during Wolf Den time.

7th Grade:

• Fionna Murray - RLA 7/ RLA 7 Advanced - Fionna.Murray@risd.org
• Lisa Youngblood - RLA 7/RLA 7 GT - Lisa.Youngblood@risd.org
• Lindsey Beahm - RLA 7 Advanced - Lindsey.Beahm@risd.org
• Laura Dearth - RLA 7/ RLA 7 Advanced - Laura.Dearth@risd.org
• Curtis Kendall - RLA 7/ RLA 7 Advanced - Curtis.Kendall@risd.org

8th Grade:

• Meredith Bartholomew - RLA 8/RLA GT - Meredith.Bartholomew@risd.org
• Kenneth Cuccia - RLA 8/RLA Advanced Kenneth.Cuccia@risd.org
• Brianna Falls - RLA 8 Advanced - Brianna.Falls@risd.org
• Nan Ducote - RLA 8 Advanced/ELLA - Nancy.Ducote@risd.org
• Marjorie Lindsey Allison - RLA 8/ RLA 8 Advanced - Marjorie.LindseyAllison@risd.org
• Megan White - RLA 8 Resource - Megan.White@risd.org
• Mitchell Poche - RLA 8 Inclusion - Mitchell.Poche@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-Right) Gareth Copley, Andrew Robinson, Gregory Smith (Department Chair), Alex Moore, Daniel Vuong, James Drenner

7th grade students explore the diverse regions of Texas through engaging activities — from using maps to identify regional features, to creating detailed projects, and presenting their findings to the class

7th Texas History: Our first unit covered the different regions of Texas. Students learned about the climate, culture, economies, and Native American groups that lived in each region. They were given the opportunity to present their projects to the class to practice their public speaking skills.

• Graduate Profile Connection: This unit allowed for students to make real world connections. Texas is an incredibly diverse place. This is reflected in its people, how they live, what they like to do, and its landscape.This project gave students the opportunity to write about their experiences while living in Texas, and they also researched parts of the state they had never been to before.

• Exploration and Early Colonization of Texas 1519-1821

Topic: Identify important individuals, events, and issues related to European colonization of Texas.

• Mexican Colonization and the Empresario System 1821-1836

Topic: Identify the events related to Mexico becoming an independent nation and describe the contributions of Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, among others during the Mexican settlement of Texas.

• Unrest and Revolt in Texas 1821-1836

Topic: Describe the chain of events that led to the Texas Revolution.

Unit 2 is our American Revolution unit where students will learn financial literacy as they learn about the various taxes that the British passed on American colonists. They will also learn real world connections as they learn about why the colonists were so angry about taxation without representation which leads into why our government will eventually be set up the way it is set up. We have previewed the 3rd unit which is our constitution unit by discussing certain things the British did which would influence decisions the founders would eventually make in drafting our constitution and Bill of Rights.

US History Advanced - In the upcoming unit, students will learn about the US Constitution, including the critical information about the structure, functions, and limitations of our current form of government. Students will learn financial literacy when we address legislatures’ power to levy taxes and how those taxes are used. Students will make real-world connections when we discuss the role and powers of the different branches of the federal government, including specific examples of ways they have shaped modern life in America. And throughout all of this, students will collaborate in various activities in order to learn this material, providing students opportunities to engage in and practice effective communication.

US History GT- Our upcoming unit is over the U.S. Constitution. We will learn about the documents that influenced the Constitution, and how debates over states rights vs. the power of the federal government and the debate over slavery went into its construction. Students will learn the importance of effective communication and how the compromises made by the founding fathers led to the government that we have today. Real world connections: We will also learn how the Constitutional amendments allow the Constitution to address the needs of an evolving Republic.

Connect Social Studies to Real Life

• Watch the news together and discuss current events (“How does this connect to what you’re learning about government?”).

• Point out history in your town (statues, old buildings, museums).

• Talk about family history and connect it to broader events.

Help with Reading and Vocabulary

• Social studies is heavy in reading. Encourage kids to highlight or underline key words.

• Make quick flashcards for important terms (Revolution, democracy, checks and balances).

• Read a short passage together, then have them explain it in their own words.

• Coach Moore - TX History/ TX History Advanced - Lance.Moore@risd.org
• Mr. Copley - TX History Advanced/ TX History GT - Gareth.Copley@risd.org
• Coach Drenner - TX History/ TX History Advanced - James.Drenner@risd.org
• Mr. Vuong - US History/US History Advanced - Daniel.Vuong@risd.org
• Mr. Smith - US History/US History Advanced/US History GT - Gregory.Smith@risd.org
• Coach Robinson - US History/US History Advanced - Andrew.Robinson@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.

• 9/24 - London 2026 Interest Meeting @ 6 PM
• 10/03 – RHS Homecoming (early release @ 2 pm for parade & game)
• 10/09 - Future Eagles Night (rescheduled)
• 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

Haga clic aquí para español.

Catch up on all the updates from our September 12 edition. Click below to view the full newsletter.

Dear Families,

We want to share an important update about your child’s MAP Growth assessment results. Starting this fall, MAP Growth will use a new set of national norms to help interpret student scores. This allows educators to set more personalized growth goals, especially for students who are above or below grade level.

What does this mean for your child? You may notice that your child’s percentile ranking looks different than before. This percentile represents where your child stands when compared with their peers today--not peers from several years ago.

Because student performance has generally declined since the pandemic, the same score may now be associated with a higher percentile. This change applies to both current and past reports in MAP Growth.

Has the test itself changed? MAP Growth has also improved how it adapts to each student. The test now aligns even more closely with the material students are learning in class, helping teachers understand how students are performing relative to grade-level expectations.

How can you learn more? This blogpost explains the updates in more detail. If you have questions or want to talk more about your child’s progress, we’re here to support you.

Additional information about NWEA MAP in RISD and directions on how to review your child’s Student Progress Report can be found on the RISD Website. Your child’s MAP assessment results will be posted in the Focus Parent Portal about one week after each MAP window closes.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s learning journey. Please contact your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions about how to read the reports or what next steps will be in supporting your child’s academic success.

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.

📢 Upcoming virtual interest meeting will be held Sept. 24 @ 6 PM through Webex (link below).

Questions? Contact Coach Lockett at beverly.lockett@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!

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.