September 21 is the first day of in-person school
(read more details below)
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Sept. 18: Instructional Delivery Choice process begins for Q2 (10/13 - 12/18) - see more information on this below
Sept. 20: Senior Sunrise Breakfast - 6:45 am (see more details below)
Sept. 21: First day of in-person school - school hours are 7:55 am - 3:15 pm; Sophomore Students will receive an email to begin signing up for Student Parking (see more details below)
Sept. 24: Spirit Shop will be open - Arts and Science Patio - 2:15pm - 4:15pm (see more details below)
Sept. 28: MYP New Parent Meeting (G6) - 5 pm Google Meet (a link will be sent in a later communication) - see more details below
Oct. 1: MYP New Parent Meeting (G7-10) - 5 pm Google Meet (a link will be sent in a later communication) - see more details below
Oct. 5: First day of dress uniform for students coming to campus
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Attention New and Returning Students AND Parents: We created a virtual tour of our beautiful campus to aid you in navigating the first days of in-person school. Even if you have been a WA Family for many years, please take a moment to watch with your students to acquaint yourself visually with the flow on campus and new campus procedures in response to COVID-19. We have made changes.
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Arriving to Campus on Monday
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All students who selected face to face learning should report to school Monday morning wearing their masks. School hours this year are 7:55 am - 3:15 pm. Students who selected remote learning will be logging into their google meets following their schedule.
PYP (K-5)
PYP Students can arrive starting at 7:30 am. They will enter through the PYP1 or PYP2 doors and go directly to their classrooms. Staff will be on hand to direct all students.
MYP (6-8)
MYP students may arrive to campus starting at 7:30 am however, classrooms will not open until 7:40 am. If students arrive prior to 7:40 am, they will wait on the sport court or in the Dining Hall. G6 students will use the front doors of the Secondary Building to enter their classroom hallway. Students in Grades 7 and 8 will enter the building at the South entrance only.
MYP/DP Hybrid Students (9-12)
Students in grades 9-12 will enter using the South entrance of the Secondary Building for their classes. Hybrid learners will follow their schedule - Monday and Tuesday - those in the Navy Cohort will be on campus; those in the Maroon Cohort will be logging into all of their classes remotely following the same schedule. Wednesday and Thursday - those in the Maroon Cohort will be on campus; those in the Navy Cohort will be logging into all of their classes remotely following the same schedule, and so on in two day increments. See the comprehensive hybrid schedule.
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Communication Plan if Students/Staff Test Positive for COVID-19
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In preparation for our return to campus, we want to update you on what you can expect from us when it comes to communication regarding a positive COVID-19 case on campus.
If a student or staff tests positive for COVID-19, this is what you can expect:
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Close contacts* will be directly notified with instructions to quarantine in accordance with public health official guidance. *Close contact is defined by CDC as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic people, 2 days prior to a positive test result) until the time the patient is isolated.
- All staff and families will receive an email from the Executive Director, once close contact notification has been completed, letting them know of the positive case. The identity of the individual(s) will not be communicated.
While our communication may result in some families and staff receiving more than one notification, we want to ensure that we are communicating regularly with you during this time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at our dedicated COVID email. And as always, the Westlake Academy website will provide you the most up-to-date information about what is going on campus.
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Giving Day - A Huge Success!
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What a difference a week makes! Many many thanks to all who donated to Westlake Academy Blacksmith Fund over the past several weeks and on North Texas Giving Day. With $726,326 in donations, we are at 70.5% of our $1.03 million goal.
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Who doesn't love a friendly competition? The class with the most participation by Wednesday, 9/23 will earn free dress for a week!
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Thank you for joining us for our Curriculum night presentations held this past week. If you were unable to attend, please view the recordings below.
PYP (K-5)
View the recordings by grade level
DP (Grades 11-12)
The DP Presentation for Curriculum Nights is linked here.
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Ordering lunch for your students beginning 9/21
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If your students are coming to campus on Monday and you want to purchase their lunch, be sure to read this section and order no later than Saturday. All lunch orders must be received 2 days prior to the date for which you are ordering lunch. Starting Monday, even though students will not be eating lunch physically in the Dining Hall, families have the opportunity to pre-order lunches that will be delivered to students in their classrooms. If you are new to Westlake Academy, it is important to set up a new account so that you are able to order lunch if you would like to. Our caterer is Viandas Foods - all you need to do is email to start the process. You will receive an email with instructions from there. For those families who already have an account, you can order using your lunch account.
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Attention New MYP Parents...
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Welcome to the Middle Years Programme! We are so happy to have your children join us this year at Westlake Academy. Terri Watson, MYP Coordinator will host a New Parent Meeting for all our new families with students in grades 6-10. These meetings will be held via Google Meet, and a link will be sent as we get closer to the event.
Mark your calendars:
9/28: Grade 6 New Families
10/1: Grades 7-10 New Families
Topics of the meeting include:
- MYP assessment and reporting
- MYP framework
- ManageBac and its uses in MYP
- MYP service requirements
- During the G6 meeting on 9/28, we will cover information specific to G6 curriculum as this is the first year of MYP
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"Countdown Communications"
During this week, we sent a series of communications to prepare you for Monday, September 21 as we transition to having students on campus. In case you missed them, we have linked them all below:
Checking Students out of School
If you need to come to campus and check your student out for an appointment, please be sure to allow a few extra minutes. We can only allow two people in our offices at one time so there may be a short wait until we may assist you. Thank you in advance for your patience.
Bringing Items to School for your Students
If you need to come to school to bring an item for your student during school hours, please note our new procedure this year. We will have a table outside of each office where you can label the item and leave it for your student. We will be checking often and delivering the items to students.
New Cell Phone Policy
This year, students in grades K-10 may not use cell phones during the school day. They should be turned off and stored in the student's backpack from 7:55 am to 3:15 pm. If parents need to reach their students, they are welcome to call our office at (817) 490-5757 and if students need to call their parents, they may use the phone in their classroom or either of our offices. Students who do not abide by this policy will face the discipline consequences outlined in the Parent Student Handbook.
S tudents in the Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12) will be allowed to use their phones on campus. However, this privilege is limited to break, passing periods, and lunch. Phone use is not allowed during class. View this new policy in our Parent Student Handbook.
Instructional Delivery Choice
On September 18, we sent a communication for you to select the instructional delivery choice for your students for the second quarter. Please be sure to complete the form for each student by 5 pm Friday, September 25. This selection will be for the entirety of the second quarter starting on October 13 through December 18.
Looking ahead: For the third grading period (1/6 - 3/12), the commitment form will be sent on November 20 and will be due back December 4. And for the fourth grading period (3/22 - 5/28), the commitment form will be sent on February 19 and will be due back on February 26.
Website
Our website is a great resource for up the the minute information. On there, you will find our "Frequently Asked Questions" in addition to our COVID-19 Return to School Plan and our Back to School Toolkit which has information on back to school supply lists, uniform providers and more! If you don't find the information you are looking for, please reach out to your Programme Principal and they will assist you. And, for questions related to COVID-19, we have a dedicated email set up just for this purpose.
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*Catch our Facebook Live Events
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Upcoming Facebook Live Events
September 24: PYP New Grading Policy
For those who were unable to tune in for past Facebook Live events, they are archived and linked below:
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Westlake Academy House of Commons (WAHOC)
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WAHOC Elections
It's time for the WAHOC elections!
We need your help to continue offering support to Westlake Academy students and staff. Do you have great ideas and enjoy being front and center? Or are you more comfortable behind the scenes? We have something for everyone and we know the Westlake Academy parents have a variety of skills and talents to bring to the table. Please consider taking on a role as a member of the Board of Directors or as a Committee Chair.
Nominations are now open. Please fill out the nomination form if you would like to join a great group with a common goal: making Westlake Academy the best it can be!
Additional information, including detailed role descriptions and the nomination form, are on the elections page of the WAHOC website.
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Spirit Shop
Spirit Shop Open for In-Person Shopping on September 24
Spirit Shop announces our first day back on campus! Thursday, September 24, from 2:15-4:15 at the Arts and Sciences Patio (down the steps from the PYP office). Come shop with us - we will have touchless payment transactions. Check out the new designs this year:
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Westlake Friendship apparel: dedicated to all the friendships made at Westlake Academy. “Academy” is written inside the dots in between the white “Westlake” letters. These are available for preorder on the WAHOC Spirit Shop Facebook page.
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And in a year like no other...the Blacksmiths Forged On!
Rising to every challenge and overcoming every obstacle, the Blacksmiths decided to Soar! Announcing our special edition 2020-2021 A Year to Soar tees, hoodies, and yard signs. Last day to preorder is September 21, 2020. Visit the WAHOC Spirit Shop Facebook page to order.
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Family Mentor Program
The mission of the Family Mentor Program is to connect each new WA Family with an existing family to ease the transition to a new school. Mentoring families are asked to connect with the new family, welcome them into our community and answer any questions they may have. For those interested in being a mentor or a mentee, please complete this form to sign up. If you have any questions, please email the WAHOC!
Join the WAHOC!
For all things HOC, please take a moment to read the HOC Family Information Packet. If you would like to be in the Student Directory, please visit the HOC Membership Toolkit Page . If you want to join your student's "Class of ..." Facebook page, simply search "Westlake Academy Class of 20**" to be added. This is a great way to connect with other parents in your student's grade level!
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From the Counseling Office
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College Counseling
Each week, our College Counselor, Carl Tippen shares the latest and greatest information on College Counseling. For this week's update, read more here.
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This year, we will be processing requests for student parking permits online only. Currently, Seniors and Juniors have an opportunity to purchase a parking spot. Beginning on Monday, September 21, Sophomores will begin having an opportunity, and will receive an email with instructions. Prices are as follows:
- Reserved Parking Permit for a full year: $100
- Reserved Painted Parking Permit (Seniors Only): $150
- *Replacement of lost or damaged parking permits may be purchased for $10*
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Please be sure to stay informed on the latest updates by checking your email, social media and our website often.
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Contact Info
© Westlake Academy
2600 JT Ottinger, Westlake, TX 76262
Phone: 817-490-5757 | Fax: 817-490-5758
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Board of Trustees
Laura Wheat, President
Carol Langdon
Rick Rennhack
Alesa Belvedere
Greg Goble
Rajiv Trivedi
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