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Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the
for up-to-date news!
1/14-1/21 Exam Period. See school calendar for exam dates.
1/20 Principal's Coffee.
Westland. 8:30am.
1/20 B-CC Course Selection Info Night (for parents of rising 9th graders). B-CC Auditorium.7:00-9:00pm
1/24 No School! Teacher Professional Day.
1/27 & 28 7th Grade Holocaust Museum Field Trip.
1/28 Talent Show. Westland Cafeteria. 7:00pm.
2/2 Westland Parent Information Night. Westland MS 7:00-8:00pm.
2/3 Westland Parent Information Night en Espanol. Coffield Community Center. 7:00-8:00pm.
2/5 Bingo Night. Westland Cafeteria. 6:30-9:00pm.
2/11 6th Grade Greco-Roman Day.
2/17 Principal's Coffee. Westland MS. 8:30am.
2/21 No School! President's Day.
2/25 Staff/Student Basketball Game. Westland Gym. 6:30-9:00pm.
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After School @ Westland!
Well, it was a close call, but all of our winter session course offerings are a GO! Babysitting Essentials will start Wednesday (Jan. 19) and Art and Photoworks will start Thursday (Jan. 20). Some classes (like Chinese and Cooking)don't start for a week or so; please click here for information. Remember, if you don't register, these classes don't happen! 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. |
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I'm delighted to report that there was an amazing turnout for last week's General PTA Meeting on Wednesday, January 12th. Over 70 parents came to hear Danny Vogelman's update about Westland and to ask questions of a panel of B-CC parents about what's in store next year. I know I promised several of you a summary of the meeting, but questions were flying fast and furious, and I'm afraid my notetaking skills weren't up to the task. But I encourage all 8th grade parents to attend the Course Selection Information Night this Thursday at B-CC from 7:00-9:00pm in the B-CC Auditorium. Just a heads up that course selection forms are due back to your child's English teacher on January 25, and B-CC counselors will return to Westland to meet with each 8th grader individually on January 27th and 28th regarding his or her course selections.
I'm happy to report that we nominated Danny Vogelman for the Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award! We submitted the nomination package on Friday, January 14th, and, with all due respect, it's hard to imagine that there's a stronger candidate for this award! Many thanks to all who wrote letters of support and otherwise helped pull the nomination package together - it's a big job. I know Danny very much appreciates both the nomination, and the effort that went into it. Just to cover all our bases, we will also be nominating Danny for the Mark Mann Excellence & Harmony Award. We are determined to get the word out about what an outstanding leader Danny is!
Just a reminder that the B-CC Cluster will be testifying about the proposed Operating Budget before the Board of Education tomorrow night - see below. I will also be testifying separately on behalf of Westland and I encourage you to attend if possible, although there will be plenty of other opportunities to be involved as this process moves forward.
After all my reminders to mark your calendars, now I have to ask you to switch a couple of events around. Bingo Night will be Feb. 5th, the Staff/Student Basketball Game will be Feb. 25th, and the Cultural Arts Cocktail Party remains on March 19th (for the moment!).
- Alysa Emden
PTA President |
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Westland BOE Testimony Highlights Special Education
The MCPS Operating Budget approval process moves forward Wednesday night January 19th with a hearing before the Board of Education beginning at 7:00pm. B-CC Cluster representatives are scheduled to testify about the concerns of the cluster as a whole, and PTA President Alysa Emden will present testimony on behalf of Westland shortly thereafter. More information regarding the hearing and the overall operating budget process can be found on the MCPS website.
The PTA testimony focuses on the need to implement the hours-based staffing program at Westland for our students with special needs. In general, this program staffs special education based on the number of instructional hours required (based on student IEPs), rather than on the number of students in a particular special education program. 32 of the 38 middle schools in Montgomery County have hours-based staffing and Westland is one of the six that does not. Implementing this model (which is in effect at all of our feeder elementary schools) at Westland would more than double the staff available to serve our students with special needs.
You can read the full text of the testimony on the Westland PTA website under "Planning Ahead." |
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This is NOT Your Elementary School Bingo Night!
 Are you ready for some serious BINGO fun? Come to Westland on Saturday, Feb. 5th from 7-9pm and learn how the pros play! It's going to be an awesome evening of BINGO, food, and fun that you won't want to miss.
Bingo "pads" with 20 games will be sold at the door --- $10 for 3 cards on one "pad". Kids familiar with Bingo rules can easily handle their own pad. Parents---how many can you play at once?? Our Bingo Chair Patty Craver has been known to juggle 5 at a time! We'll have ink dotters for sale for $1 (or bring your own).
Win great gift cards!! No more elementary school Bingo - this is the REAL DEAL! Doors will open at 6:30pm, so come early to get your Bingo pad, your stamper, your refreshments, and your seat! |
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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, 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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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
Homework and Hoops is Returning to Westland in April!
This two hour after-school club combines homework help to boost your child's grades, strengthen academic organizational skills, supervised, safe basketball drills, playing in supervised games, and of course, fun!
For more information, go to www.homeworkandhoops.com and be on the lookout for more information next week! |
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