Our Westside Wolves Special Olympics team represented WHS competing in two basketball events. There was an Individual Skills competition, and a 3 on 3 half court game. In both events, our athletes were nicely decorated.

Individual skills competition is designed for athletes who are unable to play a regular game due to disabilities, but can perform many basketball skills. Athletes competed in dribbling, shooting baskets, and passing a ball to the target. They represented well, and came home decorated with gold and silver.

The 3 on 3 Team (pictured below) consists of athletes with disabilities from Freshmen to Senior, mostly from SLL classes. They practiced very hard and showed remarkable team work, great skills and enthusiasm. Westside Wolves won gold, but the real reward was the fact that the team was called out during award ceremony for showing exceptional sportsmanship. 

Special Olympics Team holds practice every Wednesday and Thursday during Guidance period. Ms. Kodlubanska is a Head of Delegation and along with Ms. Suleimanji, so they are like the managers. Coach Arbuckle and Coach Carmen take care of the hands-on coaching with the students. There are a several of wonderful general ed students and couple more teachers, that are part of the training as well. 

Participation in Special Olympics events is a team effort: Coaches, parents, athletes, friends and Westside's administration, so congratulations to all!

All parents, staff, and community members are welcome and encouraged to come out for a casual party on Friday evening, April 10, from 7-9 p.m., at the home of Barbara and Peter Nassab.

Our principal, Mrs. Stewart, will join us for an informal get-together with old friends and new to celebrate the success of the Westside Wishes campaign and all of PTO's accomplishments this year. 

A suggested donation of $15/person or $25/couple will be collected at the door and 100% will be added to the fundraiser. RSVPs are required. Please contact Frosy Graf, party co-chair, at Frosy@haus71.net to reserve your place and receive location details. Grab some friends and plan to stop by to enjoy drinks and an appetizer buffet and connect with other parents from our fabulous school community!

Don't miss the JV Theatre Production of The 39 Steps Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10, in the Black Box at 7 p.m.  

Tickets are available online here, or at the door. 

The Girls Golf  Team placed second at the District tournament. The team qualified for Regionals, next week. The team consists of Niccia Pollard, Regan Monteverde, Emily Hebert, Tiffany Marx, and Mei Fujita!  Coach Richmond is very proud of the girls!

Did you know that 2.7 million Americans age 12 and older meet the clinical criteria for marijuana dependence or addiction?

Furthermore, every day, about 3,300 teens try marijuana for the first time.  As these statistics prove, drug use and abuse is an important, prevalent issue that needs to be discussed.  That is one of the many reasons the Choices topic for April is drug awareness.  Stay tuned for the April Choices Corner articles that will cover the effects drugs have on our brain, marijuana myths and facts, and prescription drug abuse.  In addition, click here for this month's handout and more information. 

Please talk to your teens about this important information and if you have any questions, please contact me: mparsley@council-houston.org.