Westland PTA - Wildcat Wire

Well, March flew by, and now it's on to April! Hard as it is to believe, our 8th graders are heading over to B-CC later this week to check out the next stage of their educational careers. AnAnd we have 5th & 6th graders visiting Westland as they prepare to join our community. It's an exciting time!

And the kids aren't the only ones who are starting to think about next year. It's time for our parents to think about how you'd like to be involved with the PTA and with the school. The PTA sponsors loads of events - some highly visible, some behind the scenes. There is definitely a job for every interest, and any time commitment. Westland is a wonderful community of interesting, talented people - get out there and meet them! Please contact me or Alex Weiner if you'd like to hear more about all of the opportunities that are available. The best jobs go early, so don't procrastinate!

And speaking of great events, the 3rd Annual Westland Wild Dash is just around the corner, and now's the time to get involved. You can be a sponsor, a runner, a volunteer - or all of the above! This has turned into a much-anticipated community event, and I hope you'll join in.

Have a wonderful spring break!

- Alysa Emden

PTA President

Shop at American Plant on April 1 - SERIOUSLY!

Westland families can get green & earn green for Westland at a special event sponsored by the PTA and American Plant Garden Center.

Shop at either of American Plant Garden Center's two locations on River Road between 9:00am and 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 1, and 10% of your purchase will be donated to Westland! All you have to do is mention Westland when you check out.

As the weather gets warmer, now's a great time to stock up on spring flowers, garden supplies, trees, mulch - and whatever else you need to spruce up your yard and garden after a long cold winter. American Plant was voted "Best of Bethesda Garden Center" in a recent Bethesda Magazine poll. They've long been a great neighbor to Westland, and we're excited to offer this new partnership.

Westland Collects Plenty of Pennies for Patients!

Westland students raised a whopping $5,472.18 during its recent Pennies for Patients collection drive to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The STAR class that collected the most was Ms. Lawthers' 8th grade class with $431.78 - for their efforts, they won a pizza party & and ice cream party! The 6th grade STAR class with the highest tally was Ms.Lambe's class with 282.76; for 7th grade, Ms. Stevens' class took the honors with $183.21.

A couple of students received special recognition for their efforts. Near the end of the campaign, 8th grader Ardeshir Darabnia went door to door asking for change and collected over $100! 6th grader Ayla Beasley was recognized by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for the slide show she assembled to promote the event.

Many thanks to all who participated, and congratulations to the Westland SGA for a great effort!

Now You've Really Gotta Go to Mo's!

Only 3 days left to get over to Modell's Sporting Goods and get outfitted for spring sports!

Shop through Thursday, 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!

Check Out the Latest News in The Wildcat!

It's hard to believe, but the Wildcat Wire isn't the only news source in town! Under the leadership of Ms. Ruby Thornton, students in the after-school Newspaper Club produce "The Wildcat". It's a terrific review of what's going on at Westland, and a great opportunity for the kids to hone their reporting skills. You can check out the latest issue on-line, as well as back issues.

3rd Annual Westland Wild Dash 5K Gearing Up!

Planning for the 3rd annual Westland Wild Dash 5K on Saturday, April 25 at 8:30am is well underway. Race co-chairs Cynthia Walicki-Chan, Melissa Peppe, and Meredith Valmon have done a lot, but now they need YOUR help. There are so many ways to participate:

1) Be A Sponsor! Are you looking for inexpensive advertising for your business? We can offer you space on the backs of 250 children and adults walking around Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring and beyond! A donation of $300 will buy that bit of important real estate on our great t-shirt (designed by a Westland student). If you cannot commit to that level of sponsorship, we can still offer you space on thousands of race brochures that will be distributed throughout the Bethesda area. You do not need to have a business to donate. If you have been meaning to contribute to the school and PTA, this is a great chance to do it! Please contact Cynthia Walicki-Chan regarding donations by March 30.

2) Be a Runner or Walker! Register now to walk or run the Westland Wild Dash 5K online. Just click here. Paper registration forms will be available next week. It's a great course through the local Westland neighborhood. Spend time with your kids, fellow parents and Westland staff doing something that will pay you back in mental and physical health benefits!

3) Be a Volunteer! Race day is an exciting time and we need volunteers to help with, among other things, packet pick up, monitoring intersections along the course, and helping with set up and clean up for the food and prize tables. Please contact Meredith Valmon if you can give the gift of time!

4) Get Ready to Run! The Westland Wild Dash Training Program begins TODAY (3/24) after school. Meet at the gym doors dressed to run by 3:00pm. Bring a water bottle. No need to sign up in advance; just show up ready to run. You can come to as many sessions as you like. Parents are welcome! The program will continue every Tuesday and Thursday until race day.

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."