Westridge Warriors Weekly - Week of August 24, 2026

It is hard to believe we are already entering Week 3! The energy across our campus continues to be positive, and our students are settling into their routines, building relationships, and engaging in meaningful learning each day.

 

Thank you to our families for helping us begin the school year with such a strong sense of partnership. As the excitement of the first few weeks begins to settle, Week 3 is an important time to turn good beginnings into strong, consistent habits.

 

 

By now, students are becoming familiar with classroom expectations, schedules, arrival and dismissal procedures, and daily routines. Our next step is helping students take greater ownership of those expectations.

 

We are encouraging students to arrive ready to learn, follow directions the first time, take care of their materials, make positive choices, and give their best effort—even when the work becomes challenging.

 

These small daily choices build the habits that lead to success throughout the school year.

 

 

Instruction is in full swing! Teachers are learning more about their students’ academic strengths and areas for growth while establishing the foundation for the learning ahead.

 

Please continue supporting learning at home by asking your child about their school day. Instead of simply asking, “How was school?”, try questions such as:

 

 

These conversations reinforce that what happens at school matters.

 

 

As routines become established, we want to continue emphasizing the importance of regular attendance and arriving on time.

 

Missing even a few minutes of instruction each morning can add up over time. When students arrive on time, they have an opportunity to settle in, connect with their classmates and teacher, and begin the day prepared for learning.

 

Thank you for making attendance and punctuality a family priority.

 

 

Academic achievement is important, but so is the way we treat one another.

 

This week, we encourage every student to look for opportunities to make someone else’s day better. Invite someone to join a game. Help a classmate. Thank a staff member. Encourage someone who is struggling. Choose kind words.

 

Small acts of kindness have a big impact, and together they create the welcoming school community we want for every child.

 

Thank you for continuing to follow our arrival and dismissal procedures. Your patience and cooperation help us keep students safe while moving everyone efficiently through campus.

 

Please remain attentive in school zones and loading areas, follow established traffic patterns, and carefully follow the directions of staff members assisting with arrival and dismissal.

 

  

 

Three weeks into the school year, we are no longer simply getting started—we are building momentum.

 

Thank you to our teachers and staff for the tremendous work they are doing each day. Thank you to our families for your continued communication, patience, and support. Most importantly, thank you to our students for bringing their energy, curiosity, and personalities to our campus each morning.

 

Let’s keep building on our strong start and make Week 3 our best week yet!

 

We invite all parents, guardians, and community members to become involved in our school by attending our first 26-27 School Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting:

📍 Westridge Middle School Media Center

⏰ Time: 5:30 PM

Your voice and partnership are important as we continue to make Westridge the very best it can be. We encourage everyone to attend and be part of the exciting work happening at our school. If you have any questions please reach out to Mr. Rainey.

August 25 – Picture day

August 25 – SAC meeting at 5:30pm

September 3 - FAST PM1 Math

September 7 – School closed – Labor Day

September 8 - FAST PM1 ELA

Our teachers have been hard at work preparing engaging lessons and activities. This week, we encourage students to actively participate in class discussions and seek help when needed. Please help us to encourage every student to participate in class. Remember, asking questions is a key part of the learning process!

We want to remind everyone about the importance of regular attendance. Being on time and present not only supports your academic success but also fosters a sense of community. Let’s strive for a strong start by making every school day count!

Car riders please make sure to follow the carline and not allow your student to walk through traffic. Safety needs to be our number one priority.

Wanting a Parent/Teacher conference? Reach out to your students' guidance counselor.

6th Grade - Chelsee Crawford Chelsee.Crawford@ocps.net

7th Grade –Shannon Folsom Shannon.Folsom@ocps.net

8th Grade – Valerie Cope Valerie.Cope@ocps.net

Students should not be on campus prior to 8:45 AM. If you need to drop off prior to 8:45 AM, please register your student for the YMCA Before School Program. Information can be found here. In addition, the first period begins at 9:30 AM.  

Congratulations to all the students who made the soccer team! We look forward to your first game!

 

Santiago B.

Vizaelle C.

Christophe C.

Isaac D.

Giovany D.

Ryan F.

Joan G.

Rodner H.

Matias J.

Anael M.

Rojer M.

Jaylen M.

Victor N.

Josiah O.

Edin P.

Schnerby S.

Tommy Y.

Volleyball is our next sport. Athletic paperwork and physicals must be completed and properly uploaded in Aktivate. Volleyball practices will be conducted every day for approximately 1.5 – 2 hours after dismissal time. Athletes are expected to attend all of the practices unless they have arranged with the coach otherwise. Athletes are required to have and maintain a 2.0 average and exhibit leadership and good behavior to be considered and remain on any Westridge sports team. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact the following: 

Athletic Director - Shawnette Johnson

Parents need to opt IN to clinic services. This means that unless you have completed the health forms we will not be able to assist your student in the clinic. Health forms can be completed digitally on Skyward Family Access or you can fill out the forms and turn them into the main office. Those forms can be found below.  

Please make sure all-important parent/guardian information is up-to-date in skyward. 

Volunteers must re-register each year through the image link below.

See information about the Parent Square platform and links to social media.