After two weeks of training camp, Inertia Dance Company performed at Miller Outdoor Theatre, as the opening act for the amazing Vocal play group Naturally 7. Naturally 7 took a break from their tour schedule with Michael Buble to treat Houston to a unique performance.  Inertia is proud to have been invited to share the bill.

 

Next Up is "1 Minute Max" August 27 and 28, in the Mini Theatre from 3:30-5:30 p.m. This mini shows will feature the Inertians, JV & Varsity, presenting their summer #KnowMe Projects.  Tickets are $1.

 

If you missed auditions in the spring, and you are interested in joining JV Inertia or Advanced Hip Hop, their will be try-outs next week. Drop X121 or visit our website www.inertiadance14.com for information. 

 

2. Sign up to volunteer! Send back the VIPs form in your First Day Packet or print it from our website.

3. Make a donation to "Support Westside Success"! This is our most important fundraiser of the year and 100% of proceeds go to school improvements and support. Send back the donation form in your First Day Packet, or go to our website.

4. Attend our first PTO Meeting of the year on September 2, at 7 p.m., in the Library. Start the new year on the right foot by getting involved. You will not want to miss this chance to get informed about upcoming events and activities and benefit from an opportunity to talk to other parents, ask questions, and get the answers you need. 

Also, Principal Peggi Stewart will give us an update on what's happening as we launch into this new school year. Refreshments will be served during a "meet and greet" starting at 7 p.m. We will also have a few fabulous Door Prizes! Invite a friend and we hope to see you there!

Business and Industry are in wide agreement about three critical skills they want for their future employees:

1. Ability to solve problems in a team environment
2. Presentation and Communication Skills
3. Responsibility, Punctuality...and, you guessed it, Dress Appropriately!

At Westside High School, we prepare for and expect our students to be ready for their chosen college or career! Our dress code policy is designed with that goal in mind. Students must arrive to school in neat, clean, and appropriate dress and grooming. The dress code is in effect at all times while on campus, including before school and after school. A more detailed version of the dress code policy will be published in the Westside Way, but we have provided the key highlights below:

 

 WHAT TO WEAR (before, during and after school)
-Jeans (No holes above the knee even if backed by fabric)
-Jeans, khakis, slacks, skirts, shorts, dresses *(< 4 in above knee)
-Girls can wear sleeveless tops; tank top (2 in. width)
-Boys must wear shirts with sleeves
-Appropriate footwear
-Tights/Leggings ONLY under a dress or skirt which falls <4 in above knee

-WHS Student ID!

WHAT NOT TO WEAR: (before, during, and after school)
-Headwear (non-religious; caps must be out of sight)
-Leggings/Jeggings/Tights/Yoga Pants
-Clothing that reveals cleavage
-Pajamas/ Slippers

-Sagging
-Midriff shirts
-Jeans, shorts, pants, skirts with holes above the knee
-Any clothing or accessory that directly/indirectly displays inappropriate images or language, or references to drugs, alcohol, illicit acts, weapons, violence, or can be perceived as offensive to ethnicity, gender, religion, etc...

The WHS dress code is very similar to last year with one exception: Yoga pants. In 2013-14, we allowed yoga pants in hopes of decreasing dress code violations. Unfortunately, we continued to see a significant number of girls violating the policy. A dress code needs to be simple and enforceable. Last year was an experiment to see if more latitude would decrease dress code issues. The outcome we hoped for did not materialize resulting in a modified dress code policy for 2014-15. 

Hello Westside families! I hope you had a wonderful summer!  I am so excited for the 2014-2015 school year, and I can't wait to tell you everything I have planned for the Choices program this year. 

 

For newcomers, Choices is a prevention and counseling program here at Westside High School in collaboration with The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston.  The mission is to reduce high-risk behavior through a comprehensive program involving all members of the school community including students, parents, and faculty. Throughout the year, Choices will focus on a different topic each month and will provide relevant events, e-news articles, handouts and more for teachers, parents, and students.  My name is Meredith Parsley, LMSW and I am your Westside High School Choices Counselor.  Nice to meet you!

 

For the month of August, the Choices topic is "Tobacco's Comeback".   Did you know that Tobacco kills more Americans than auto accidents, homicide, AIDS, drugs, and fires combined?  In addition, nicotine is ranked as the most addictive substance known to man, rivaling heroin and cocaine. Furthermore, 1 in 3 youth smokers will eventually die from a tobacco-related disease (source). 

                

Products such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), hookah, snus, and dip are popular tobacco trends with our youth today.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of U.S. middle and high school students who use electronic cigarettes more than doubled from 2011 to 2012.  Altogether, more than 1.78 million middle and high school students nationwide have tried e-cigarettes. They are not marketed for therapeutic purposes and are currently unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This is frightening due to the staggering number of teen users.  For more information and this month's handout, visit the Choices Corner here.

 

If you or someone you know is addicted, you can call 1-877-44U-QUIT or visit www.smokefree.gov to get help and support to break the habit.