Westwood Intermediate/Middle School
Hello Westwood Schools families,
The first few days of school went great! Students are learning routines, getting to know each other and building classroom community.
A few reminders:
- If you are changing your child’s typical transportation for the end of the school day, communicate with our office at least one hour prior to their dismissal time.
- Students cannot shift to and from intermediate or middle school bus routes.
- Students need a bus pass to change their bus route if they may be going home with a friend. Parents need to provide permission for riding on a difference bus in writing.
- School starts for grades 7 and 8 at 7:45 a.m. Students may enter the building at 7:15 a.m. Students who arrive before this time will need to wait outside.
- Students in grades 5 and 6 enter the building at 8:20 a.m. for breakfast and 8:25 a.m. for all other students. Students who arrive before this time will need to wait outside.
Each year, we are required to conduct several safety and security drills. This is practice for staff and students to respond to a variety of scenarios. Our first lockdown drill with students is, Friday, September 4 at 10:15 a.m. If you do not want your child to participate, please notify the main office.
Students will be taking the NWEA / MAP test on Wednesday, September 9 for reading and Tuesday, September 15 for math. Students need to have a fully charged iPad each day for the testing.
Please remember there is no school on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. We’ll see everyone back at school on Tuesday, September 8 after the long weekend.
Have a great weekend,
Tom Larson
Principal
763-600-5300
Attendance Matters!
Regular attendance is key to student success. Missing just two days a month can negatively affect progress, especially in reading and long-term goals like high school graduation. We know there are times a student will need to be absent. Our goal is to work with parents and guardians to help their children have consistent – and on-time –attendance. Let’s work together to keep our students learning!
Is your student under the weather? Visit the Attendance & Absences page to find helpful tips of when to keep them home and when to send them to school. This page also has resources if you or your student need additional help.
Need to report an absence?
- Call your school's attendance line, 763-600-5309 OR
- Report an absence through Campus Parent Portal
- Log in to Campus Parent Portal
- On the main menu (on the left), click on MORE
- Click on ABSENT REQUEST
- Check the box by your student’s name.
- Complete the form.
- Select the Absent Type and Start Date and End Date and the number of days your student will be absent.
- Enter Comments to inform the school office of any details.
- Click SUBMIT
Student Vaccination Event, October 26
SLP is hosting a student vaccination event on Monday, October 26 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at the District Services Center. This event is open to all students. It is free for those who qualify and insurance is also accepted. Register for the Student Vaccination Event.
Vaccines include:
- Covid-19
- Influenza
- Hib
- Meningococcal
- DTaP
- Tdap
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- MMR
- Polio
- Varicella
New School Year, New Beginnings
A fun way to wrap up August: the first day of school for most Spring Lake Park Schools students on August 31! Across the district, students greeted the 2026-2027 school year with smiles, reunions and the excitement of new beginnings. Long before students walked through the doors, staff were already hard at work preparing for the year ahead.
Getting ready for day one means much more than setting up classrooms and organizing supplies. New employees have spent time onboarding, understanding school operations and core values. All staff gathered for kick-off events, professional learning and meeting families at the schools. Through it all, one focus remains at the heart of their preparation: creating schools where every student feels safe, supported, included and ready to grow. From building healthy relationships and friendships to fostering kindness, confidence and a sense of belonging, staff are preparing to help students be themselves and continue to thrive.
View photos in the first day photo album and read the story to hear from staff about some of the ways they’ve prepared for the new school year.
Meet Your Westwood Main Office Team!
We are your Westwood Main Office Staff, and we are here to help! Whether you have a question, need assistance, are looking for information, or simply need help finding the right person, our team is ready to support our students, families, staff, and visitors.
Our goal is to make everyone who walks through our doors feel welcomed, supported, and connected. Please don’t hesitate to stop by, give us a call, or reach out, we’re happy to help! We’re looking forward to a wonderful school year together. Go, Panthers!
A First-Day High Five!
Savannah was eager to meet Parker the Panther on the first day of school and Parker was just as excited to welcome her to Westwood! A first-day high five was the perfect way to kick off what we know will be an amazing school year.
Learning the Panther Way!
Team 7B attended Ms. Harris Robinson’s presentation on school expectations and learned about the important expectations that help keep everyone safe, respectful, and ready to learn.
Meet Ms. Discenza-Misner!
We’re excited to welcome Ms. Discenza-Misner, our new Team 8C Language Arts teacher, to Westwood! She and her family were showing their Panther Pride on the very first day of school, decked out in Spring Lake Park Schools colors and ready for a great year. We’re so happy to have Ms. Discenza-Misner joining our Westwood family. Welcome to the Panther community!
