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WES e-Blasts

11-25-25

Yesterday, Westwood students were sent home with a grade-level eLearning Choice Board. As winter weather approaches, we wanted to share these with you in case school is canceled. Please note that this Choice Board should only be used if school is canceled and the school/district has communicated that it is an official eLearning Day. eLearning Days help eliminate the need for makeup days at the end of the school year.
If you would like more information on eLearning Days, please visit the  ISD 728 eLearning Day Site or contact your child's teacher.
This email account is a general account that does not accept replies, please contact the school or district staff directly if we can support you in any way. Thank you for being part of ISD 728.
You are receiving this email because you have opted in to receive messages from your school. For more information, please contact your school.
 

11-12-25

Dear Westwood Parents and Guardians:
 
ISD 728 is committed to providing the safest possible environment for its students and staff.  In order to maintain a safe learning environment, we consistently work with law enforcement to learn and implement best practices in school safety and security. 
ISD 728 continues a partnership with ALICE Training Institute this school year.. The acronym stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. ALICE prepares us with proactive, options-based strategies for threats on campus while remaining age and ability-appropriate.
All ISD 728 teachers, staff, and administrators have been trained in the ALICE protocols.  Students will be reviewing this information with their teachers and other school staff on Friday, November 14th. During this time, students will receive an overview of the program, and they will participate in a drill with a classroom teacher.  Students will be able to ask questions about the drill with their teachers and will be allowed access to any mental health services available on campus, including counselors, school psychologists, social workers, or other student support specialists as needed.
In advance of this review, we are asking parents to watch these video presentations that will be shared with our grade 3-5 students:
We would encourage you to speak with your student(s) after the ALICE training and ask about the information they learn. You can find more information on ALICE, talking points, and school emergency information (including how you should respond to a school emergency) by visiting the ISD 728 Prevention & Safety Department website.
Our school district provides parents with the option to remove their child from these classroom drills. If you choose to opt out your child, alternative safety education will be provided through less sensorial safety training methods. 
Please contact me if you have any questions or wish to opt your child out of this drill.
 
Sincerely, 
Tim Stowe
Westwood Elementary Principal
763-274-3180
 

10-30-25

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming  One Book One School event this November! This program is designed to create a shared reading experience that connects our entire school community-students, parents, teachers, and staff.

This year, every student will receive a copy of I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 to read at home with their family. This is a wonderful opportunity to set aside dedicated time for reading together and to engage in meaningful conversations about the story.

Over the next few days, your student will bring home two important items:

  • A parent letter explaining the program in more detail.
  • A reading calendar to help your family keep pace with the rest of the school.

10-23-25

Attention Veterans and Active Service members of Westwood students! You are invited to join us for donuts, juice, and coffee in honor of your dedication and service to our country.  To help us plan for this special event, we kindly request that you  register here at your earliest convenience as our Tuesday, November 4 deadline is quickly approaching.  Thank you for registering, we look forward to honoring you in person.

10-03-25

Good Afternoon Westwood Families,
 
This week at Westwood has been a very busy one with some real highs and lows. While the graffiti event has been concerning and challenging, it was the Family Bingo night, Fuel Up to Level Up Breakfast, and Walk-a-Thon that were our highlights! Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped make these events possible, and thank you to all of our families for your support of our wonderful school! Our staff feel it, our community feels it, and most importantly, our students feel it!
 
While the law enforcement investigation into Tuesday's vandalism is moving forward, I am unable to share any specific details regarding the investigation at this time.
 
We had an excellent turnout for the Fuel Up to Level Up Breakfast! For those who were unable to attend, we plan to host additional breakfast/lunch events in the future.  Linked here is the video that was presented during the classroom portion of our event.
 
Looking ahead…
 
* October is National Bullying Prevention Month!
Some early events we are working on in conjunction with this month's activities:
  • -- Monday- 10/6, wear blue for World Day of Bullying Prevention! 
  • -- We need chalk! We would love to decorate our sidewalks with positive, encouraging messages beginning next week! If you can contribute, please send chalk with your child or drop it off at the main office.
* Registration for your child's conferences is open. Sign up soon as the window closes on Oct. 6th and conferences begin next Thursday, Oct. 9th.
  
* Bike Fleet is here all next week, October 6th-10th. Students are highly encouraged to bring their helmets all week, unless they prefer to use one from the bike fleet supply.
 
Have a wonderful weekend,
 
Sincerely
Tim Stowe
Westwood Elementary Principal
**********************************

09-24-25

We have plenty of fun and rewarding volunteer opportunities coming up, and we need your help to make them a success. If you would like to volunteer please sign up with the links below.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITI ES

📚  BOOK FAIR BINGO:  TUESDAY, SEPT 30

  • Students always look forward to Book Fair Bingo nights, but we need parents' help to make it successful. Volunteer to help pop popcorn, hand out prizes, be a cashier at the book fair, or help as a clean-up crew afterwards. Any and all help is always appreciated!  ðŸ“Œ Sign up here:  BOOK FAIR BINGO

📕 MEDIA CENTER HELP: OCT 1-13th from 8:15-8:45 AM & Oct 9, 14, 15 - during conferences

  • Sarah Montplaisir would love some help during the school day at the Book Fair. Students come in before school starts or at the beginning of the day, so you are only needed for 45 mins :) 
  • We also need parents to help as cashiers during conferences, so if you work during the day, here's your chance! 📌 Sign up to help here:  EVENT HERE :)

👟 WALK-A-THON: OCT 3 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • The Walk-a-thon is the biggest fundraiser for Westwood and Zimmerman Elementary and it's a blast for students! We need parents to help cheer on students and keep the event organized.  ðŸ“Œ Sign up to help here: Walk-a-Thon Sign-up Genius 

🚲 BIKE FLEET VOLUNTEERS:  OCT 6-10 from 8:30-10:00 AM or 10:00-12:30 PM

  • Our 4th and 5th graders will be riding with the Bike Fleet in Phy Ed, October 6-10, and we need parent volunteers to help make it a success! We're looking for  2-3 volunteers per shift.📌 Sign up to here: Bike Fleet Volunteer  

🟰 FOR MATH FACTS @ RECESS:  Oct 2, 6, 8, 14, 21, 23, 28 & 30 from 10:45 AM - 1:00 PM

  • We are hoping to have 1-2 parent volunteers to help supervise math fact practice in the multi-purpose room during recess. Staff will have everything organized and ready for the volunteers. The hours would be from 10:45 -1:00.📌 Sign up to here: Math Facts Help at Recess