WHS CALENDAR 

Tuesday, November 26

Progress Reports Go Home


Wrestling

@Clear Brook 4 p.m.

 

Boys Basketball - Freshman 

vs. Lamar @Lamar 5:00 p.m.

  

Boys Basketball - JV vs. Lamar @Lamar 6:30 p.m.

 

Boys Basketball - Varsity 

vs. Westbury @Butler 7 p.m.

  

Wednesday, November 27

No School - Thanksgiving Holiday

 

Thursday, November 28

No School - Thanksgiving Holiday


Boys Basketball - Freshman

Tournament @Lamar

  

Friday, November 29

No School - Thanksgiving Holiday 

 

Boys Basketball - Varsity

vs. Bush @Episcopal 2:30 p.m.

 
Saturday, November 23
Boys Basketball - Freshman
Tournament @Lamar
 
Girls Basketball - V, JV & Fr.
vs. Katy @WHS 9 a.m. 
  

Click here to access the WHS Calendar for more events.   

STAAR RETEST

Letters were sent home last week for students who need to retest with STAAR. Students will report to the gym entrances on their scheduled day.  You must bring your ID and #2 pencils.
 
Monday, Dec. 2 
English I Writing
 
Tuesday, Dec. 3 
English I Reading
 
Wednesday, Dec. 4 
English II Writing
 
Thursday, Dec. 5 
English II Reading
 
Friday, Dec. 6 
Biology
 
Monday, Dec. 9
Algebra I
ALUMNI SOCIAL

Calling all WHS Alumni-mark your calendars now for the first ever WHS Alumni Ice Cream Social!  All alumni are invited to come and mix and mingle with all your friends and favorite Westside teachers and staff.  
 
The Alumni Ice Cream Social will be held on Monday, January 6 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Commons.  This event will take the place this year of the Alumni Breakfast.  The social is the day before students return from winter break, but teachers are working that day and are excited to eat ice cream and see you!  
 
This event is free of charge. RSVP to kaclayton1@gmail.com or via Facebook on the Friends and Alumni of Westside High School web page so we know how many to plan for.  Hope to see you there and pass the word! 
BUSINESS PRACTICUM

On Thursday, December 5, the Practicum in Business Management & Genesys Works interns will gather in the Mini Theater at 8 a.m. to answer the big question: What is Practicum in Business Management? 
 
Students in grades 9-11 are invited to attend. They will receive important information about the program and taking the next steps to take to prepare for participation in the program. Current interns will be on hand to discuss how the program has impacted and changed their lives for the better!

The Practicum in Business Management program currently works with these corporate partners: ExxonMobil, Genesys Works, Parkway Insurance Group, Shell, and The Church Without Walls. 

Genesys Works is a program designed to offer high school students the technical and professional skills training to succeed in the corporate world. Genesys Works also helps students prepare college applications and apply to scholarships during their senior year. 

If students or parents have questions about the program, please contact Lauren Garcia at lsmith21@houstonisd.org or stop by L203.
WESTSIDE SUCCESS

Your support of this wonderful school and everything it has to offer our students is greatly needed.  The PTO supplements and enhances the school's operating budget by providing support for - Capital Improvements, Technology Upgrades, Scholarships, Professional Development, Homecoming Week Activities, Back to School Bash, Open House, College Night, Campus Beautification, and Teacher Appreciation.

Support now by donating to Support Westside Success either by credit card using the PTO Webstore Page or by printing this form and sending in your donation. All donations received by October 31, will have their names on the PTO Website and on the donor acknowledgement sign to be displayed prominently next to the main office.   
 
WHS PTO is a 501c3 organization.   Your donation is tax deductible according to the current tax code.  Many employers offer matching programs for charitable contributions. Please check with your HR department and mail us forms if applicable. Your donation is greatly appreciated!  

 

FACEBOOK

The Westside facebook page is better than ever!  Drop by and catch up on events through pictures and posts.

Don't forget to like us.  Click here to go right now! 

 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
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
  • STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
  • EXCHANGE STUDENTS STRONG PART OF THE PACK
  • LACROSSE SHOOTS AND SCORES
  • CHOICES CORNER: FAMILY TRADITIONS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: ALEJANDRA DUQUE
Sure, Alejandra Duque is about academics and sports, but two sides don't make a well-rounded person. 

If you put something in this senior's hand, watch her go to work. Give her a set of drum sticks and listen to her bring the beat.  Better yet, put the ivory of a piano on her finger tips and you'll hear what I am talking about. Again, just put something in her hand.  Whether it be a pencil in the classroom or a racket on the tennis court, she makes her presence known. 
 
If you think she can only handle inanimate objects, think again.  Alejandra loves to ride horses.  Give her the reins and she's off.  Her love of animals might play into her future, but she wants to focus on working with kids.
 
Alejandra plans to major in nutrition and public health in college. After college she plans to start a program that educates kids about nutrition and exercise.

The fact that she wants to help others isn't surprising as she is a member of the Red Cross and Ecology Clubs. Those aren't the only places you might've seen Alejandra's smiling face. Her four years at Westside have consisted of involvement in several clubs and other activities, including the swim team and band. If you ask her what she loves most, she is likely to smile and say tennis.

Tennis motivates her to do well in her classes, and at the end of it all, being able to play is her big reward. She likes to run and workout to stay in shape.   
 
Most people know she's a well-mannered student and an athlete, but those things are just a part of who she is.
 
"Everyone knows what I mostly do, but few people know that I am a creative and artistic person," Alejandra confessed. "It's been my well kept secret." 
PART OF THE FAMILY
Westside is fortunate to have six wonderful exchange students this year. We have three students who hail from Germany; the remaining students come from an eclectic mixture of countries:  Belgium, Romania and Canada.  

These students have become a part of the fabric of Westside through participation in academics, athletics, and clubs/organizations.  The friendships they have developed have further enriched their stay in the United States.  

Each of these students and their host families would tell you this:  this is truly the experience of a lifetime!  If you are interested in hosting an exchange student for the 2014-2015 school year, please contact Erik Ostergren at eostergr@houstonisd.org or call 281-920-8075. 
LACROSSE BRAVES WEATHER
The Westside Varsity and Junior Varsity Lacrosse Teams competed in the 14th Annual Cy-Fair Lacrosse Classic held this past weekend. Players ranged in age from 5th through 12th grade representing 48 teams from Austin, San Antonio and the Houston Area including 16 Division I and Division II Varsity Teams.

 

Last year, the Varsity Wolves made it to the finals and was hoping to repeat its success. In spite of blistery, rainy and cold weather conditions, the Westside teams distinguished themselves through cooperative teamwork and skill against some some of the best teams in the state.  

"The team played a rough game against Georgetown and sustained some injuries, but held up well," Coach Mackenzie said. "They came back later to win against Fort Bend, one of the teams in our District, 4-1. I think that sends a message to the District that the Westside Wolves are serious contenders." 

For the past decade, the Westside Lacrosse players have had the privilege of working with two outstanding and devoted volunteers, Coach Bob Mackenzie and Coach Paul Michael. Both coaches are proud of the team's performance, and the leadership and sportsmanship qualities that the sport offers. Lacrosse also promotes the virtues of Honor, Integrity and Respect, and has a deep tradition of playing for the love of the game.

"Lacrosse is currently the fastest growing sport in America," Coach Michael said. "It is an exciting game that is fast, fun and almost anyone can play. We are always looking for new players who want to join us and learn this remarkable sport with it's roots in Native American history."

Anyone interested in trying this fast-paced and thrilling sport should contact one of the Team Moms, Cathy Fennell or Florence Wilson, through the Westside High School office (281-920-8000). Westside will participate in the Annual Clear Lake Houston Invitational in January, followed by the regular season in Februrary, so there is still time to become involved. 
CHOICES CORNER: FAMILY TRADITIONS

In light of Thanksgiving coming up on Thursday, I think it is important to reflect on family traditions. Even if your family doesn't have any traditions yet, it is not too late to start now! Traditions are a key part of family life for multiple reasons, especially as your children are growing up and getting older. 

First, family traditions create good feelings and special moments to remember. Enjoying these moments together as a group will create positive emotions in each family member. Second, family traditions give every member of the family a stronger sense of belonging. Being a part of a family is more than just living under the same roof or having the same last name. It is about relationships, family bonds, and love. Since family traditions are something that you do together, they strengthen the bonds you have between each other and create new ones. 
 
Family traditions help your teen with his or her identity. Adolescents are struggling to figure out who they are, so knowing that they belong is an important part of this process. Families that encourage their teens to be an active part of it provide a strong foundation for when they are searching and defining their sense of self. Next, family traditions help parents impart and model the family's values to their children. Also, you will find more opportunities to talk to your teen about serious issues and keep the conversation light when you are taking part in a family tradition. 

Last, family traditions offer your teen a sense of security. Teens are facing all kinds of hardships these days, so knowing that they have a family to turn to is a powerful tool to use against peer pressure, bullying, and drug and alcohol use. So this Thanksgiving, continue to take part in family traditions, or start new ones. Either way, look at this holiday as a time to spend quality time together as a family, no matter what your family looks like. 

Happy Thanksgiving Westside, be safe and get some rest!
 
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.