|
Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the
for up-to-date news!
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
|
After School @ Westland - Register Now!
Registration is now open for the winter session of Westland after school program. Click here for information about classes and clubs, including chess, cooking, weightlifting, babysitting, just to name a few! Please note that for the winter session, we are accepting on-line registration and payment ONLY. You'll find all the information you need, including dates and class fees on the website. |
 Westland Wildcat Archives
If you missed an issue, or just want to refer back to one, click here. |
|
THANKS TO OUR 2010/11 WILDCAT SPONSORS!
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Get A Free Hour Of Tutoring By Just Sending An E-mail!!!
To get 2011 off to a strong start for your child, Ashley Tutors is offering a free hour of tutoring when you e-mail info@ashleytutors.com and mention Westland Middle School. It is that easy!
Our team has been featured multiple times on NBC 4 and most recently on WUSA 9. We have worked with hundreds of families, using 1-1 tutoring tailored to each student, and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to help your child with their academic challenges in 2011.
E-mail info@ashleytutors.com so we can help your child have a successful start to 2011!
**certain restrictions do apply**
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! |
|
|
|
Happy New Year to all! I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable winter break. Things started back up full tilt yesterday for students and parents alike.
The MCCPTA hosted its annual Operating Budget Forum last night - see article below - and I have to say the economic picture painted by elected officials on both the Board of Ed and the County Council is bleak, and getting bleaker.
We'll discuss the budget and its implications for Westland at the upcoming PTA General Meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 12th starting at 7pm in the Media Center. In addition, the meeting will feature a panel of B-CC parents who will offer their expert advice about what to expect at B-CC. Our 8th graders are just starting to think about the transition to 9th grade, and will be visiting with B-CC guidance counselors on Thursday, Jan. 6, so the meeting on Jan. 12th will be a good opportunity for parents to get the inside scoop as well.
As you pull out a new calendar, don't forget to mark the following: Staff/Student Basketball Game on Feb. 5th, Bingo Night on Feb. 25th, and the Cultural Arts Cocktail Party on March 19th.
Safe & happy holidays to all and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year!
- Alysa Emden
PTA President |
|
2011/12 MCCPTA Operating Budget Forum
MCCPTA started off the new year with its annual Operating Budget Forum on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. Superintendent Jerry Weast and representatives of MCPS were in attendance, as were Board of Education members, and several members of the Mont. County Council, including Roger Berliner.
All participants echoed a common theme of severe budget constraints, albeit from differing vantagepoints. Issues of general concern are a passback of pension obligations, as well as the state Maintenance of Effort requirements.
Of particular concern to Westland is the hours based staffing program, a program that funds teachers for children with special needs. Westland is one of just 6 middle schools in the county that does not have hours based staffing. The result is that our special education staff is approximately 1/2 what it would be under an hours based staffing model.
MCCPTA has made full implemention of hours based staffing one of its 6 budget priorities for 2011/1, and Westland principal Danny Vogelman has identified this issue as the single biggest budget challenge currently facing Westland.
PTA President Alysa Emden will testify at the Board of Education hearing on January 19th in support of implemention of hours based staffing at Westland. More information about this issue will be posted shortly on the PTA website. We will discuss the budget and its implications for Westland at the PTA general meeting on January 12th. |
|
Register Now for MCPS Parent Academy Workshops!
Registration is now underway for the winter 2011 session of the Montgomery County Public School Parent Academy. Parents can choose from an exciting lineup of workshops that include financing a college education, bullying, and helping students develop good organizational skills. Parent Academy workshops are free of charge. Please go to the Parent Academy website for additional information. |
|
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. |
|
Westland Cares - Donation Level Reaches New High!
 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. This year, thanks to the very generous support of our community, we were able to purchase 100 Giant gift cards!
Many, many thanks for your generous support - it really helps to make the holidays a bit brighter for our whole community. |
|
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".
- :
 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."
|
|
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 15% of all receipts to Westland PTA. All you have to do is save your receipts and send them into the front office marked "PTA - Party Mania".
- :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."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
