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Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the
for up-to-date news!
12/21 Instrumental Music Concert. Westland Gym. 7:00pm.
12/22 Choral Concert. B-CC Auditorium. 7:00pm.
12/24 - 1/2 No School! Winter Holiday Break.
1/10 Staff Meeting. PTA provides refreshments!
1/12 PTA General Meeting. Westland Media Center. 7:00pm.
1/14-1/21 Exam Period. See school calendar for exam dates.
1/17 No School! Martin Luther King Day.
1/20 Principal's Coffee. Westland. 8:30am.
1/24 No School! Teacher Professional Day.
1/28 Talent Show. Westland Cafeteria. 7:00pm
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Join the PTA On-Line!
Don't forget - you can always join the PTA on line! Just click here and you can join the PTA, make a donation, enroll in our Giant and Safeway community partnerships, sign up for After School @ Westland...how cool is that??? |
 Westland Wildcat Archives
If you missed an issue, or just want to refer back to one, click here. |
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THANKS TO OUR 2010/11 WILDCAT SPONSORS!
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC
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ONE ON ONE BASKETBALL TRAINING Looking for a basketball league? Come learn the game and play in a fun, competitive league for middle school kids. Go to One on One Basketball for more information or e-mail Brett! |
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As we head into the home stretch here for winter vacation, we've had lots of opportunities to show our staff how much we appreciate their work with our children.
On Monday 12/13, the PTA supplied food and drink for the monthly staff meeting at which we were all delighted to welcome back an enthusiatic (if somewhat sleep-deprived!) principal Danny Vogelman.
On Friday 12/17, the PTA provided a wonderful holiday lunch for our staff - it was a great success and many, many thanks to all who helped make it possible.
If you haven't done so already, please consider joining in the joint parent/staff effort to provide Giant gift cards to Westland families who might need a little extra help this holiday season. We are a community, and sometimes people need a little extra support.
As the year draws to a close, we're also looking ahead to next year. We have lots of events planned for January, February, and March - Staff/Student Basketball Game on Feb. 5th, Bingo Night on Feb. 25th, and the Cultural Arts Cocktail Party on March 19th. Mark your calendars now!
Safe & happy holidays to all and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year!
- Alysa Emden
PTA President |
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Staff Holiday Lunch Wins Rave Reviews!
 On Friday 12/17, the PTA hosted a staff holiday luncheon for all three lunch periods. Huge thanks to Carole Klein for chairing the event, and to everyone else who volunteered time, or sent in donations of food or money! We could not have done it without you, and really - it's hard to imagine how it could have been better. The food was plentiful and delicious, and I think we managed to convey a little of our appreciation for our wonderful staff. At the end of the day, all staff members received a messenger-style tote bag with a Westland logo (see above!) courtesy of the PTA.
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Nominate Our Principal for Wash Post Award!
Each year, one Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) principal is selected to receive The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award. The award program recognizes principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional educational environment.
Westland's principal, Danny Vogelman, certainly fits the bill, and the PTA is delighted to nominate him for this year's award!
Among the criteria that the committee considers are the following:
manage effectively
demonstrate and encourage creativity and innovation
foster cooperation between the school and the community
maintain a continuing dialogue with the students and parents as well as faculty and staff
keep abreast of developments in the field of education
encourage team spirit
demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment
continue to play a role in the classroom
We must submit at least 4 letters of support, but can include more. If you would like to add your voice to this nomination, please e-mail your statement to Alysa Emden not later than January 10th. Please include your name and affiliation with Westland as well as any comments, examples, etc. that address the criteria listed above. |
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Westland Cares
 Each year, Westland staff and parents donate funds to help support our families in need through our "Westland Cares" holiday fund. The school & PTA use the money donated to purchase grocery store gift cards and deliver the cards the week before winter break. Last year, we were able to provide approximately 60 families with a $25 gift card to Giant. We will be collecting again this year until Wednesday, December 22 (note revised end date!).
If you wish to make a donation, there will be collection boxes at all of the upcoming school events - the instrumental music concert on 12/21, and the choral concert on 12/22. In addition, you can always just drop off or send in a check made payable to Westland MS - just note "Westland Cares" on the check & envelope.
Many thanks for your generous support - it really helps to make the holidays a bit brighter for our whole community. |
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2011/12 MCPS Operating Budget Proposed
MCPS Schools Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast submitted his 2011/12 operating budget on December 15, 2010. The $2.16 billion proposed budget calls for a 2.8 percent increase over the current year to fund a 2.3 percent rise in enrollment and to partially make up for the loss of $54 million in federal stimulus funds. For more information about the budget and the process, including a video of Dr. Weast's presentation, please go to the MCPS website. The Board of Education will hold hearings on the budget on January 12 and 19. We will discuss the budget and its implications for Westland at the PTA general meeting on January 12th, and Westland PTA representatives will testify before the BOE on January 19th. |
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Painless Fundraising - No More Excuses!
Some types of fundraising are hard work and others are, well, painless! Westland earns thousands of dollars while you do your everyday shopping - funds that underwrite innovative programming at Westland. Please, if you haven't already done so, take a few seconds and register today! Any questions, please contact Toni Baldwin.
- Party Mania - Party Mania is one of the newest additions to Bethesda's vibrant retail scene. Located at 4910-12 Cordell Avenue, it's got everything you need to throw a great party. And even better, Party Mania will donate 20% of all receipts from Westland families collected between now and Dec. 31st to Westland. After that, Westland will receive 15% of all receipts. All you have to do is save your receipts and send them into the front office marked "PTA - Party Mania".
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 Giant A+ - Westland earned almost $4,000 from this program last year. HOWEVER, you have to re-register your card every year!!!! Click here to register your card! It takes two seconds. And remember, you can split your points among up to 3 schools, so it's not all or nothing.Westland's code is 00660. - Safeway E-scrip - Just click here! Designate Westland MS, Group # 6586159.
- Target "Take Charge of Education" - Register your red card today and earn money for Westland. Just click here! We just received a check for over $500 from last year!
- 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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