WHS CALENDAR 

Tuesday, October 1

Freshman Volleyball vs. Madison

@WHS 5:30 p.m.

 

JV Volleyball vs. Madison
@WHS 6:30 p.m. 

    

Junior-Senior WEGA Parent Night
@S100 6:30 p.m.
 
Varsity Volleyball vs. Bellaire
@Butler 7 p.m.
 
PTO Meeting
@Library 7 p.m.

 

Thursday, October 3

Freshman Football vs. Westbury  

@Westbury HS 4:30 p.m.

  

JV Football vs. Westbury

@WHS 4:30 p.m.

  

Friday, October 4

Varsity Tennis vs. Cy Ranch

@Cy Ranch 3:30 p.m.

 

Freshman Volleyball  vs. Bellaire
@Sam Houston 5:30 p.m. 

  

JV Volleyball vs. Bellaire
@Sam Houston 6:30 p.m.   

  

Saturday, October 5
Boys Cross Country Meet
@Bear Creek Park 7 a.m.   
 
Girls Cross Country Meet
@Bear Creek Park 7 a.m.
 
Dance with Pride
@Practice Gym 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
 

Varsity Football vs. Westbury 

@Butler 6 p.m.

  

Click here to access the WHS Calendar for more events.   

PSAT

Juniors need to drop by A205 to pay for the PSAT before October 16.  The cost is $14 ($7 for students who are on Free/Reduced lunch.)   Cash or money order only.

MAKE WHS EVEN BETTER

Already this school year, the PTO has been actively engaged in supporting the school in many different ways. We helped the faculty kick-off the new year with a welcome breakfast, coordinated the monster job of getting first day packets ready for all of our students, and provided volunteer support for Bash and book distribution, just to name a few.  We have also made several purchases for the school, including six document cameras for the classrooms and two golf carts for deans and staff to cover our campus more efficiently and effectively.   We have more work to do and we need your support!  Go to our website, www.westsidepto.org, for details about volunteering, membership, and contributing to our "Support Westside Success" fundraising campaign.   If you are interested in getting involved at WHS and are not sure how you can help, please contact our PTO President, Barbara Nassab at bnassab@comcast.net for more information.

THANK YOU

A big thank you goes to Pecan Creek Grille! They sponsored last week's New Teacher luncheon and it was a big hit.  Everyone enjoyed the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Pecan Creek supports WHS education, so won't you support Pecan Creek Grille? Located in the Kroger's shopping center at Eldridge and Enclave, it's an easy stop for breakfast and lunch.   Support our local businesses who support our school!  

BUY ONE TODAY

Yearbooks may be purchased on-line by clicking here. 

 E-NEWS ARCHIVES 

The Wolf E-News archives are now posted on the Westside website. If you ever need access to an older edition for information or entertainment, you can now have it with the click of a mouse!  

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QUICK LINKS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
  • STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
  • HOMECOMING MUMS 
  • CHEERLEADING CLINIC 
  • CHOICES CORNER 
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: TAYLOR MASARYK

Taylor Masaryk's junior year has gotten off to a highly memorable start because of some extracurricular opportunities that Taylor earned. 

 

Through the East One Business Academy, Taylor was selected to a highly competitive three year internship program with Atlas Commodities.  The first summer at Atlas was rewarding for Taylor because of his exposure to real-world commodities trading. 

 

"We were interns, but we were treated great," Taylor said.  "I never had to get coffee or anything like that. They would teach us in the classroom for a few hours and then we would get to go watch them actually do the commodity trading.   We also went on field trips to energy companies and places like that, too."
 
Taylor's time at Atlas was just the beginning of a great summer. In mid-August he was named as the Houston Astros Whataburger Player of the Month for September, and because of that award, he threw the first pitch at the September first game. Taylor spoke about 
 
"I just remember that I was nervous as heck and I was shaking and stuff, Taylor said.  "I'm a pitcher, so I didn't want to throw it too soft.  I also didn't want to try to throw it hard and bounce it because that's embarrassing. It was just really cool to be out there on the field." 
 
It isn't surprising that Taylor was recognized by the Astros because his greatest passion is baseball.  Even in the offseason, he stays involved with the game in one way or another.   Taylor volunteers with an organization called Spring Spirit Baseball, which is a community-based program that provides opportunities for disadvantaged youth to learn how to play baseball.   During the school year, Taylor also works at the YMCA where he is a youth sporting official.  
 
Taylor looks forward to continued success in the business program, the classroom and on the baseball field during his last two years at Westside High School. 
HOMECOMING MUMS

As October begins, you know what is on the horizon...Homecoming! Homecoming week activities begin October 28.

 

The Westside Band Boosters is once again making Homecoming Mums for Westside students. These beautiful Homecoming Mums are custom made by band parents and come in three sizes: 

  • 15" (garter for the young men) 
  • 24" (friendship) 
  • 36" in length

 

 

 

 

 

 

A table will be set up in the Commons during lunch starting Tuesday, October 1.   Stop by during to get more information, to pick up an order form or to turn in your order.    Don't delay, get your order in early! 

CHEERLEADING CLINIC

   

Join the Westside Varsity Cheerleaders for their annual clinic on Saturday, October 26, at Westside High School. Learn cheers, chants, stunts, jumps, and dances!  After learning the routines, cheer with the cheerleaders during the first half of the varsity football game at Butler Stadium as the Westside Wolves tame the Sam Houston Tigers!  For more information, click here or contact Margaret Carnett at mcarnett@yahoo.com or Jennifer Davis at jdavis32@houstonisd.org. 

CHOICES CORNER: THE TEENAGE BRAIN


Did you know that our brains aren't finished fully developing until the age of 25?   Our brains change structurally and functionally throughout our childhood and young adulthood. This growth process takes place from the back of the brain to the front toward the prefrontal cortex. Throughout this process, the brain is fine-tuning itself through two important processes: myelination and synaptic pruning. 

 

In synaptic pruning, synapses that are not used very often are removed, allowing the brain to redirect valuable resources toward more active synapses.   This process shapes the brain and makes it more efficient and molds the brain in response to a person's experiences and activities. Therefore, this means that teens have the potential to shape their own brain development.  They can do this through their choices and the behaviors they engage in which can strengthen some circuits and get rid of others. This makes the type of activities teens are involved in very important. When teens continuously make healthy, appropriate choices, they are helping to shape their brains- and their futures. 


Want to learn more? Come to the PTO meeting Tuesday, October 1, at 7 p.m., in the school library.   We will have a guest speaker, Crystal Collier PhD, LPC-S from The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, who will present on teenage brain development, biological basis of addiction and much more. Hope to see you there!  


To learn more, contact the Choices Counselor, Ms. Parsley at mparsley@council-houston.org. 
We value your feedback!

Please direct comments or questions to Craig Malinsky
at cmalinsk@houstonisd.org.

Visit us on the web at www.westsidewolves.org.

It is the policy of the Houston Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, handicap or disability, ancestry, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sex, veteran status, or political affiliation in its educational or employment programs and activities.