This Friday will mark a significant moment at Westside, as the school implements the District's PowerUp! Program.

It is important to remember that there is a learning curve as we move into full implementation of the program into classrooms. Teachers and students alike will be learning together. Although it is obvious there is a clear movement toward e-textbooks, this is the beginning of the transition period, which means textbooks are still around and will not disappear in the very near future.

There are several focal points of the program.  First, the laptop is a tool and resource for students, which is available to them 24/7 during the school year. This will ease off of the pressure to cram lunch down and rush to the library to write a paper or do research.

Another focus is using the HUB. If you haven't heard of it, you will. The HUB is an interactive tool that allows students and teachers to take notes, assign work, as well as allow assignments to be turned in to the teacher. Several teachers started implementing the HUB into their classes during the fall semester. However, as the HUB is fairly new to both teachers and students, the journey will be a learning experience for everybody. 

Make no mistake, we are changing the culture. What we will see in classrooms over the next three months will be more representative of the next 15 years, than Westside's first 15 years. These laptops will be to classrooms what the internet has been to smartphones. 

There have been a few other moments in Westside's history that left the old way behind as a new future began. You can still see some remnants around campus. The pay phone signs above the plates that cover where the pay phones used to collect loose change from students calling mom or dad for a ride. 

Like any tool, if it goes unused, it creates nothing. The students and teachers have the tools; let's see what Westside can build!   

• WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM ABSENT ON FRIDAY?

• WHAT HAPPENS IF I STILL HAVE NOT TURNED IN THE PAPERWORK NOR PAID THE INSURANCE FEE?

Parents don't have to be here to turn in the paperwork, which is a form that can be printed off of the Westside website or here. Students can turn in their paperwork and $25 cash or money order and turn it in to room A220. The next disbursement will be over the next few weeks. 

Save the date! We will have our annual PSAT results meeting for parents and students in grades 9-11, this Wednesday, January 14. 

We will distribute and discuss your child's PSAT results and talk about preparing for the college entrance exams. We will meet in the mini theatre from 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

In addition to distributing individual results and discussing the PSAT, we'll cover college admission tests (SAT and ACT), and discuss when your child should take the exams, including how to prep for the best results. 

Parents, our students are well on their way to becoming adults but still need your involvement. We hope to see you Wednesday!