Westy's Family News
8/9/26
🐺 A Note From Principal Bangsund
Good evening Westy Families and Students!
It was so lovely to see so many students and families from across the district at this weekend's Backpack Giveaway! Thank you again to A Precious Child and the Westminster Public Schools Foundation for sponsoring this amazing event.
I hope you have enjoyed your weekend, and these last final days of your Summer Break. I am unbelievably excited to welcome our students back this week for the 2026-2027 school year. Everything kicks off on Tuesday, with Freshman Orientation and then the First Day of School on Wednesday! Please continue reading for some important information and reminders below.
With Westy Pride,
Proud Principal 🐺
Westminster High School
📣GO WOLVES!
📵 REMINDER: Phone-Free School
As a reminder, in response to Colorado State Legislation requiring all school districts to adopt a personal device policy, Westminster Public Schools as adopted a new personal device policy, which includes cell phones, all wearable smart technology (such as smart watches and Meta Glasses), earbuds/headphones, and personal laptops/iPads/tablets.
How this works at Westy:
- Prior to entering the building at the start of their school day, all students will be required to place their cell phone(s) and all other small items identified above in their Yondr Pouch (these will be distributed to students on their first day of school along with a printed schedule), before walking through the Threat Detection System (TDS).
- Upon entering the building, students will lock their Youndr Pouch as they walk through the TDS. Their Pouch will remain locked until the final dismissal bell (or the end of the student's school day as determined by their schedule, but only once they leave campus). At the final dismissal bell (which rings at 2:50 PM on Mondays and 3:55 PM Tuesday through Friday), students will be able to visit an unlock station to unlock their Pouch as they leave campus. These unlock stations will be manned by a WHS staff member and will be located in the following places:
- Exiting the Main Doors
- Exiting the Bus Doors
- By the bus lane
- By the flag pole at the round-about
- Self-Transport Students:
- For safety purposes, self-transport students who attend an off-site campus, such as Ranum or Front Range, as part of their school day will be permitted to unlock their Pouch upon exiting the building. Ranum students will be required to relock their Pouches upon entering the building and upon returning to WHS.
- Lunch: All pouches will remain locked during all lunch periods with the exception of Self-Transport SENIORS who qualify, apply, and are approved for a Principal's Pass. Those students will be permitted to unlock their Pouch upon leaving campus for lunch for safety purposes. Upon returning to campus, these students will be required to relock their Pouch as they re-enter the building. Please note, an unexcused absence or tardy after lunch is grounds for immediate revocation of a student's Principal's Pass.
Please note that students who violate this policy WILL face disciplinary action. We want all students to have a great first day back at school, and following the above policy will help ensure that!
🎓🌞 Senior Sunrise!
Hey Class of 2027! Celebrate your last first day of school with the rest of your class by attending your Senior Sunrise! A huge shoutout to Student Council for making this event happen each year 🫶
📆 Wednesday, August 12th
⏰ 5:45 AM
📍 Westy Baseball Field
🤑 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!
🎒 2026-2027 School Supply List (grades 10-12)
📣 All 9th-Grade students will receive these supplies from their Freshman Academy teacher.
✅ 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.
Tuesday, August 11th: 🐺 Freshman Orientation!
We are excited to welcome all of our incoming 9th graders to high school for Freshman Orientation! 🥳 Orientation will begin at 8:45 AM sharp, so be sure to arrive to school a little early so you can make it into the gym on time. Students will have the opportunity to meet their Freshman Academy teacher and many of our student leaders. By the end of the morning, all students will be able to feel more confident about navigating their first official day of school! Go Wolves! 🐺
⏰ 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 grade students
Wednesday, August 12th: 🏫 First Day of School!
Our entire Westy Team are so excited to welcome all of our students back for the 2026-2027 school year! We want to start the year off right, so students and families are encouraged to read through the WHS Student and Family Handbook prior to the first day of school in order to understand all policies, so all students can have a great first day!
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). The Principal's Pass can be applied for after the first three weeks of school and will be based on the following criteria:
The Principal's Pass is an earned privilege available to eligible juniors and seniors who consistently demonstrate Westminster High School's ALPHA values. Students are expected to maintain the standards outlined below in order to retain their pass.
Achieve: “I am committed to my success.”
3.5 cumulative GPA or better
On track for graduation based on credits earned.
Maintains eligibility
Lead: “I positively influence others.”
Active member of at least one school-sponsored club, CTSO, athletic team, performing arts group, National Honor Society (NHS), or Student Council (StuCo).
Persevere: “I show grit and commitment.”
No more than three tardies in a month
Maintain 95% attendance or better
Honor: “I do the right thing even when no one is watching.”
No suspensions
No plagiarism or other academic dishonesty
No technology use violations
No unexcused absences
Demonstrates professionalism by following the dress code and cell phone policy
Accept: “I help create a culture where everyone belongs.”
No verified bullying, harassment, discrimination, or hazing incidents
Thursday, August 13th: Regular School Day
Today is a regular school day! Engage and grow, Wolves!
Friday, August 14th: Regular School Day
🏈 Football
The first game of the season is Friday, August 21st against Fairview High School. Show your school spirit by dressing in this game's theme: USA
Click HERE to visit the team store and rep your team gear now. Go Wolves! 🐺
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
⭐ Please Note: This is NOT an all-inclusive list and is subject to change. Additional dates, events, and details will be added as they are scheduled. You are encouraged to review this list each week.
- 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!
