Calendar
4/4-4/13 Spring Break.
4/21 PTA General Meeting 7:00-9:00pm Media Center. (See below)
4/25 Westland Wild Dash 5K 8:30am |
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PTA Meeting 4/21
Mark your calendars now for the PTA General Meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 7:00-9:00pm in the Media Center (rescheduled from March 25th). As part of Montgomery County's Middle School Reform initiative, several new courses will be introduced to the Westland 6th and 7th grade curriculum next year.
Principal Danny Vogelman will be on hand to discuss the new courses, as will Mr. Marty Creel, Director, MCPS Department of Enriched & Innovative Programs, and Ms. Stacy Gray, Supervisor, Middle School Expansion of Enriched & Innovative Programs.
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Bethesda Library Goes Green!
 Under the leadership of soon-to-be Westland parent, Judy Levey, the Friends of the Bethesda Library have lined up a great spring of programs on the environment this spring. Every Saturday from March 21 through April 25, there are great programs focused on what YOU CAN DO to preserve & protect the environment.
Leading the series off on Saturday, March 21, is Westland's own award-winning science teacher Stephanie Lee, together with Jenny Brown (Audubon Naturalist Society GreenKids Specialist and Westland parent) and Westland's Bay Savers Club. At 2:00 pm, they will demonstrate why reducing local storm water runoff helps preserve our native butterfly habitats and the Bay.
For more info on the programs, call 240.777.0970. |
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Clear Out Books!
 Drop-offs for the B-CC Book Sale start this week ---ON FRIDAY, after school!! DROP OFF DATES:3/20 2:30-9:00pm 3/21 8:00-6:00pm 3/22 9:00-5:00pm 3/23-26 2:30-9:00pm 3/27 2:30-5:00pm SALE DATES:
3/28 10:00-6:00pm 3/29 10:00-3:00pm CURBSIDE DROP OFF:
In the circle drive at the main entrance to B-CC High School (4301 East-West Hwy, Bethesda) All proceeds support B-CC PTSA! |
 Westland Wildcat Archives
If you missed an issue,
or just want to refer back to one, click here for the Westland Wildcat Archives! | |
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Somehow, when the year gets to February and March, time seems to accelerate! Or at least the pace of activity around Westland does.
On Friday, February 27, Westland students both presented and enjoyed school-wide assemblies in celebration of Black History Month. Ms. Cosby not only directed the whole thing, but rumor has it that she also took to the stage to demonstrate some sharp hip hop dance moves! The morning was, as always, a highlight of the Westland year.
The following night, over 50 people enjoyed the gracious hospitality of Jason & Gina Seebachan at the first-ever "International Connections" dinner. Many thanks to the Seebachens, Chris Lawrence, and the Guidance Office staff for making this event possible - I hope it will become a Westland staple.
The party theme continued the following weekend as parents and staff celebrated and suppported Westland's cultural arts programs. Over 100 people came out to ArtWorks in downtown Bethesda for a great evening of food, drink, art & music. Details are in the article below!
And finally, a big thanks to our 7th and 8th grade parents who provided great food and drink for the past two Westland after-school staff meetings. Under the leadership of Lorelei Bodie & Shelley Yeutter (8th grade VPs) and Nancy Dana & Sally Boulter (7th grade VPs), our parents once again demonstrated how much they appreciate the hard work of Westland's staff & teachers.
As the year races to a close, one of the things on my to-do list is planning for next year. I hope to stay on as PTA President, and am delighted to report that Alex Weiner has agreed to stay on as Exec. VP. But the only sad thing about PTA work is that, as kids move on, we can't keep their parents behind as volunteers - although I regularly try! Please give some thought now about how you want to be involved at Westland next year.
- Alysa Emden
PTA President |
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Gotta Go to Mo's!
 Soccer cleats too tight? Need a new baseball mitt? Or maybe just a general upgrade to your spring workout wardrobe? Head on over to Modell's Sporting Goods!
The PTA has teamed up with Modell's to save you money, and help the school at the same time. From Friday, March 6th through Tuesday, April 2nd, you can get 10% off your purchases, earn 5% for Westland, and earn MVP rewards too! All you need is the coupon that came home in your child's backpack. Hang onto it, because you can use it as often as you shop during the reward period. If, by some chance, your coupon didn't make it home, just e-mail Alysa Emden to make alternate arrangements. If you need extras for friends and neighbors, just ask - there's no limit on who can use the coupons! Please take advantage of this great opportunity to save money on purchases you'll be making anyway! |
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Westland's Cultural Arts Shine!
The  Westland community sure knows how to throw a great party! On Saturday, March 7th, over 100 parents and staff enjoyed fantastic food & drinks and raised over $3,000 to support the PTA's many programs. Highlights of the evening included the fabulous student artwork on display, as well as a great performance by Westland's Jazz Band. Kudos and many thanks to Westland art teacher Fontaine Rodgers, after-school digital photo workshop leader Lisa Murphy, and instrumental music teacher Mary Garay! So much hard work goes into encouraging and developing our kids' artistic talents - it's a pleasure to be able to celebrate the results.
The biggest thanks, however, are reserved for those parents who pulled the whole evening together. Linda Wolpert, Peggy Hsieh, Alex Weiner, Suzanne Picard, Dee Carden, and Susan Gutenberg put in many many hours before, during, and after the event to ensure its success. More thanks are due to Susan & Charles Bien, Janine Gregory, Craig Emden, Isabelle Melese-d'Hospital, and Scott McInstosh.
We so appreciate the generousity of Artworks Fine Art Studio for lending us the use of their beautiful space. And finally, many thanks to the many Westland teachers and staff who took time out of their Saturday night to mix & mingle with parents - a great time was had by all! |
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Westland Wins Technology Excellence Award!
Westland's technology program, directed by John Swiatocha, was recently recognized as the winner of the 12th annual Outstanding Program of Excellence Award - Middle School. The award was presented by the Technology Education Association of Maryland (TEAM) at the Donald Maley Award reception on February 18, 2009.
Westland's technology program also received a Governor's Citation " for demonstrating program excellence and its noteworthy contributions to support high standards in technology education, perpetuating quality in instructional programs through the enhancement of the learning experiences for technology education students."
Mr. Swiatocha began teaching at Westland ten years ago, in 1999. For the last two years, one of his students has been named as a top middle school technical education student in Montgomery County. Jonathan Van Ekdom won in 2007 and Hannah Silverman won in 2008. Later this spring, Mr. Swiatocha will represent Maryland at the Technology Education's national conference in Kentucky.
Click here to view the press release about the TEAM award. Congratulations to Mr. Swiatocha and his students! | |
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Support Our Community Partnerships!
The PTA relies on the support of its community partners to help underwrite our many programs. But it takes two to make a partnership successful! Westland partners with the following organizations:
- Giant A+ - Westland has earned $3,152.77 to date! Don't forget to use your Bonus Card when you shop.
- Safeway E-scrip - You can still register. Just click here! Designate Westland MS, Group # 6586159.
- Wordex Corporation - Go green and save green with this great ink cartridge refill program. Just take your empty cartridges to Wordex (4808 Auburn Ave.). You'll get a refilled cartridge at a cost that's less than half of buying new and Westland will get $3 for every refilled cartridge!
- Target "Take Charge of Education" - Register your red card today and earn money for Westland. Just click here!
- Snider's Supermarket and Chevy Chase Supermarket - Westland earns 1% of everything you spend! All you have to do is SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS. Then, send them into school in an envelope marked "PTA - Grocery Receipts."
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THANKS TO OUR WILDCAT SPONSORS!
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