WHS CALENDAR 
Tuesday, September 29

Tennis - JV
vs. Lamar @WHS 3 p.m.

Volleyball - Varsity
vs. Lamar @Pavilion 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - Freshman
vs. Lamar @ LHS 5:30 p.m.

Volleyball - JV
vs. Lamar @LHS 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 30

Homecoming Ticket Sales
@Commons 11:30 a.m.-1:50 p.m.

Thursday, October 1

HealthCorps Happenings
@S100 8:30 a.m.

Homecoming Ticket Sales
@Commons 11:30 a.m.-1:50 p.m.

Football - Freshman
vs. Sam Houston @SHHS 4:30 p.m.

Football - JV
vs. Sam Houston @WHS 4:30 p.m.

College Night
@Commons 6 p.m.

Friday, October 2
 
Homecoming Ticket Sales
@Commons 11:30 a.m.-1:25 p.m.

Homecoming House Decorating
@Houses 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Volleyball - Freshman
vs. Milby @WHS 5:30 p.m.

Volleyball - Varsity
vs. Milby @Butler 5:45 p.m.

Volleyball - JV
vs. Milby @WHS 6:30 p.m.

Football - Varsity
vs. Milby @Dyer 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 3

Cross Country - Boys & Girls
@Bear Branch Field 8 a.m.

Grad Lab Super Saturday
@S120 9 a.m.-Noon

Homecoming House Decorating
@Houses 3 p.m.-8 p.m.

Football - Varsity 
vs. Sam Houston @Cowart 7 p.m.

Monday, October 5

Homecoming Ticket Sales
@Commons 11:30 a.m.-1:25 p.m.

Click here to access the WHS Calendar for more events.   
SUCCESS!

It was a fantastic turn out for Parent Teacher Night! Many, many thanks to everyone who braved the traffic and a long day to invest time in making the relationships happen between teachers, students, and parents!! 

Together we are an awesome team! GO WOLVES & GO WESTSIDE!
FRESHMAN FUNDRAISER
The Freshman Class is selling Yankee Candles. Buy online at www.yankeecandlefundraising.com
and use our group code: 990083703. 

Candles will be delivered to buyers. They also have the option of buying through a catalog that students have. Those candles will be delivered to the school and distributed by the students. 
SCHOOL-WIDE TESTING

The PSAT exam will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 14 during the instructional day at Westside.

There is NO FEE for 9th & 10th grade students, while 11th grade students must pay $15. ($8 if the student receives free or reduced lunch.)

All payment should be made in room A205.
ORDER A YEARBOOK

It's time to order the 2015-16 yearbook. The all-color yearbook is $85. Click here to order.
UPCOMING COLLEGE VISITS
Throughout the school year, several universities have scheduled visits to Westside. In order to speak with a representative from each college, you must sign up on Naviance. Sign up for the colleges you are interested in.  Don't forget to pick up a pass in A205 prior to the visit.

Upcoming visits:

September 29

October 5


October 7

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 

JOIN OUR LIST

QUICK LINKS

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
  • CLASS PICTURES FOR 9TH-11TH GRADERS
  • THIS THURSDAY IS COLLEGE NIGHT
  • HOMECOMING DANCE TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS WEEK
  • DANCE WITH PRIDE CONTINUES TRADITION OF FUN
  • WESTSIDE WELLNESS: ACTIVE RELAXATION
  • CHOICES CORNER: CONFLICT RESOLUTION
UNDERCLASSMEN PICTURES
School pictures continue for 9th-11th graders Tuesday, September 29 in math classes. Order forms will be sent home this week or ORDER ONLINE and enter our Picture Day ID: PB015269Q0 . 
COLLEGE NIGHT IS THIS THURSDAY!
Make sure you plan to attend this year's College Night this Thursday, October 1, at 6 p.m., in the Commons.

Over 100 colleges and universities will be at individual tables to answer questions on behalf of their institutions and programs.

There will be schools from Texas and out of state, as well as public and private universities.  two and four year colleges will be represented.
HOMECOMING DANCE TICKETS 
GO ON SALE THIS WEEK!
Catch the boogie fever at Westside's disco-themed Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 10, from 8-11:30 p.m., in the Commons. Grab a group of Disco Divas and Cool Cats and plan to attend the groovy gala. 

New this year: Funky, 70's attire is allowed (optional), as long as it meets dress-code requirements (see contract). Tickets will go on sale September 30, and continue through October 9. Ticket price includes entry, refreshments, candy bar, free photo booth, party favors...and some "dyn-o-mite" door prizes!
 
Dance Ticket Sales
In the Commons during both lunches
$15 Early Bird: September 30-October 2
$20 Regular Price: October 5-9
Contracts available here.
Non-WHS Guests Contract available here.
Photo order forms available here.
 
A completed contract with parent signature is required to purchase a ticket. The student must present their Westsie ID at the time of purchase. Westside students may purchase a ticket for a non-Westside guest with a special contract. Only Westside students are eligible to win the door prizes and must be present at the time of the drawing to win.  
 
The Homecoming Dance, a long-standing Westside tradition, is always a huge success. Mark your calendar, fill out your contract, and plan to purchase your tickets early to get the best price and avoid long lines.
DANCE WITH PRIDE BRINGS SMILES
How can you go wrong with a tradition that keeps adding moves, smiles, and fun? If your child missed out on Dance with Pride, this year, be sure you have plans to make this Westside tradition part of your child's year, next fall.

WESTSIDE WELLNESS: ACTIVE RELAXATION
Part of living healthfully is taking the time to rest and recharge. While lying on the couch and watching TV or browsing online can feel like luxurious or relaxing activities, they can actually be overstimulating and end up increasing our feelings of overwhelm. 

Meditation is getting a lot of attention these days and is known for helping people unwind, de-stress, and think more clearly. Complicated techniques and images of people sitting on a cushion with a "blank mind" can make meditation seem daunting and unrelatable for some. 

If you are looking for a simplified version of this relaxation activity (that produces the same results!), try setting aside five to ten minutes a day to actively relax. Sit in a comfortable position with eyes closed or relaxed downward. Inhale for five counts through your nose, and exhale for five counts through your mouth. Repeat for as long as you like or until you feel some tension release. This breathing exercise can also be done while walking. That's it! The simple practice of active relaxation means that you are making your well-being a priority and focusing on the present moment, even if it is only for a few minutes each day. Happy relaxing!  

Please contact me if you have any questions. Email me at [email protected]. You can find me in my office, L102, inside the Library.
CHOICES CORNER: 
RESOLVING CONFLICT IN RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships are one of the most complicated, exciting, confusing, and tricky parts of life, especially for a teenager. Teenage relationships can have such high-highs and low-lows, and can often times feel like a roller coaster. 

However, it is very important that teenagers feel as if they can get off of this roller coaster whenever they need to, or want to, and that they are in control. We want our teens to decide to be in a relationship instead of just sliding or being forced into it without any thought. One reason relationships are challenging is because of the conflict that comes up. Here are some ways to resolve conflict and practice good communication skills in your relationships.

1. Use "I" statements. "I" statements are what we feel when the situation occurs. Ex: I feel pretty hurt when you don't invite me with everyone else. Instead of "You are so shady for not inviting me out last night. This is your fourth time doing that to me. I think that's rude and you're being a fake friend."

2. Use Clearings. Clearings help to clear issues and express feelings in a short to the point format; it helps avoid lectures and conflict in a gentle but assertive way. Ex: "When you exclude me from the group I feel unwanted and I think you really don't want me around. As your friend, I am asking you not to leave me out."

3. Remain Calm. Remember to breath and relax.

4. Awareness of body language (body posture and eye contact): Make sure to check how you are standing or sitting. If your arms are crossed, body is slumped over, lips tightened and our eyes are looking the other way, it creates a perfect recipe for a disaster. Instead, look at the person in the eye with an attentive open posture while looking engaged.

5. Tone of voice: The tone of our voice is important when resolving conflict. It is key to have a nice clear tone of voice without speaking too low or too loud because we are irritated, hurt, or angry with the other person.

6. Ask for a break: Although we may have a ton of emotions going on for us, we have to be able to stay calm (#3) and ask for a few minutes. or maybe to revisit the situation at 10:00, tomorrow morning. We want to avoid the lets "talk later" and practice assertive language by stating a specific time to resolve conflict.

Although these tips may seem long, robotic, or it may not work, just try this at home when trying to discuss something with your teen, partner, or even a friend. You may be surprised at the lack of eye rolling that usually occurs.

We value your feedback!

Please direct comments or questions to Craig Malinsky
at [email protected].

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.