The next few weeks at a glance:

Academy Calendar:
March 13-17:
No Classes - Spring Break
Saturday, March 25:
Fine Arts Day
Wednesday, March 29:
HOC Resale event
Thursday, March 30:
Secondary School Tour
Friday, March 31:
StuCo Pizza Day
Thursday, April 6:
No Classes (Professional Development Day)
Friday, April 7:
No School (Holiday)
Monday, April 10:
No School (Holiday)
Thursday, April 13:
IB Continuum Exhibition
Friday, April 14:
Secondary Ice Cream Day
Friday, April 28:
StuCo Pizza Day
Saturday, April 29:
Westlake Academy Foundation Gala

Athletic Calendar:

Westlake Academy Foundation Gala
The WA Gala is happening April 29, and we could use your help. Donations, Sponsorships, volunteers and more are needed to make this the incredible event it should be. For more information, please follow the link below and see all of the ways you can help the Westlake Academy Foundation help Westlake Academy!
Important Announcements
Spring Break is Here!
As a reminder, there will be no classes next week as we will be on Spring Break! Be safe, have fun, and come back ready to finish this semester strong!
Gala Gifts in Action
The WA Foundation had a great couple of days sending our teachers and staff into spring break with gift cards for classroom or workstation needs! Thank you WA Foundation donors! You made this possible! Click the image to see your Gala Gifts in Action!
Dr. Owen's Book Gets Paperback release!
This month, Dr. Owen’s book, Labour and the Caucus, is published in paperback in the United States! Originally published in hardback in 2014 in the UK and the US, the book was praised by the American Historical Review as "...a splendid piece of meticulous historical scholarship casting new light on a pivotal and often neglected period of British political and working-class history." You can find out more about the book on its Amazon page, linked below, where the paperback edition is now available on Prime (with more copies on the way!) Labour and the Caucus
STAAR Testing Redesign
The STAAR test is going through some changes but fear not. Mr. Febres, our District Testing Coordinator, has you covered! You can see Mr. Febres' Presentation on the STAAR redesign from the MYP Parent Coffee below!
Class Pictures are Available now on Glamourcraft!
Class and Group pictures are available for purchase on Glamourcrafts website now. Click the link below to be taken to their website, then enter school code: WLA23CG to check out our photos!
Spirit Shop Updates!
The Online Spirit Shop Store is closing for good on March 31. This is the LAST CHANCE to get great deals on spirit wear. Come shop for $10 Tees and more! Spirit Shop
Primary News
Kids Heart Challenge!
During the month of February, PYP students have been participating in a heart health unit as part of Kid's Heart Challenge.

One important element of an IB Education is to promote student-initiated action. By doing this, our learners see how they can have a positive impact on their local and global community. Here are some of the most powerful actions that our students have demonstrated in this unit:

PYP Instructional Newsletters
Please click here to view grade-level information from each PYP homeroom teacher. This website will be updated by Friday of each week and will serve as the main communication hub to keep parents apprised of happenings specific to each K-5 classroom.
Secondary News
Secondary Attendance Reminders
Our great state of Texas does not distinguish between EXCUSED (illness, even with a doctor's note; funerals) and UNEXCUSED absences when it comes to the 90%+ attendance threshold. In grades 6-12, our attendance committee agreed upon 45 minutes of make-up seat time for each class absence starting with #5 in each semester. Failure to make-up seat time results in lost credit for the course, even if a passing score is earned.

The bottom line is that public schools, including Westlake Academy, do not receive the state funding if a student is absent (although the state does allow for a few exemptions you can find in our Parent/Student Handbook on page 66). We want and need our students in class. If you have any attendance questions, please reach out to Assistant Principal Beth Hughes.
Graduating Seniors!
Attention All 2023 Graduates! Parents, grandparents, and graduating seniors - Don't miss out on being included in Stroll Westlake magazine's annual celebration of Westlake graduates! This special section will be published in the June 2023 issue of Stroll Westlake and is complimentary for the residents of Westlake. 

To include your graduate in the June 2023 issue, please complete the online form at: https://bit.ly/WestlakeGrads
 
Deadline: May 1, 2023
Counselor Carl's Corner 3/10!
Here is this week's edition of Counselor Carl's Corner! Brown and Columbia are instituting Test-Optional Admissions, and the Common Application Essay Prompt will remain unchanged next year. Be sure to check out the potential Summer and Scholarship options available!
Academy Support News
The Westlake Academy Foundation, House of Commons, and the Athletic Club provide so much support for our school! Click on the images above to go directly to each of their websites where you will learn more about them and their initiatives!
Important Links
Blacksmith Photo Diary
Pre-Algebra Makes Pies!
Pi day takes place on March 14 (3.14) but we're on Spring Break then, so our Pre-Algebra classes celebrated Thursday instead by making pies and other sweet treats with Ms. Torres and Ms. Stockton!
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Westlake Academy
2600 JT Ottinger Road, Westlake, Texas 76262 
817.490.5757