November 12, 2020

MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL DIANNE CARTER

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Happy Thursday, Wildcat Families!!!

It's been a good week around here at the Ridge. The theme for what I have to say this week is creativity and unity. I have been blown away by how various groups have figured out how to adapt to our circumstances: our fine arts' virtual concerts, our upcoming virtual fall play, our part virtual and part in person basketball tryouts, last but not least - our virtual Veterans' Day remembrance. Yesterday on my way to school, I listened to THIS VIDEO of our two Patriot's Pen Award winners and one of our very own singing the "Star Spangled Banner". Our kids spoke eloquently about unity and about being a part of something greater than ourselves. Incredible...to the point that there were tears (good tears) on my way in yesterday. Many of our kids "get it" when it comes to the idea of unity. I am thankful.

NOW for the information items:

WRMS Equity Leadership Team - The time has come! If you are interested in being a part of our WRMS Equity Leadership Team, please click HERE to complete an application form. We plan on the team consisting of 4 students, 4 staff and 4 parents. We ask that you please complete the application no later than 11/30/20.
Tis the Season!!! Keep an eye out for info about the Season of Giving!!! This is a yearly tradition here at WRMS. We adopt families of two schools (Kealing MS and Crockett HS) each year and work together as a campus to help them have an amazing holiday season. This year will be a little different, but it will still happen! Keep an eye out for details to come!
Veterans Day - We also commemorated Veterans Day in other ways. Check out our BAND, ORCHESTRA and a video provided by WHS.

I had the opportunity this week to reflect on the successes so far this year. My group success was that even though we are still working double-hard to navigate this craziness, we are all still kicking and laughing. I am not sure there are many (if any) individuals that could say that without being a part of something bigger consisting of a team to lean on. I hope you all have an amazing weekend.

Enjoy!

Dianne Carter

¡Feliz jueves, familias Wildcat!

Ha sido una buena semana aquí en Ridge. El tema de lo que tengo que decir esta semana es la creatividad y la unidad. Me ha impresionado cómo varios grupos han descubierto cómo adaptarse a nuestras circunstancias: nuestros conciertos virtuales de bellas artes, nuestro próximo juego de otoño virtual, nuestra parte virtual y las pruebas de baloncesto en persona, por último, pero no menos importante: nuestros Veteranos virtuales. Recuerdo del día. Ayer, de camino a la escuela, escuché ESTE VIDEO de nuestros dos ganadores del premio Patriot's Pen y uno de los nuestros cantando el "Star Spangled Banner". Nuestros niños hablaron elocuentemente sobre la unidad y sobre ser parte de algo más grande que nosotros. Increíble ... hasta el punto de que hubo lágrimas (buenas lágrimas) en mi camino ayer. Muchos de nuestros niños "lo entienden" cuando se trata de la idea de unidad. Estoy agradecido.

AHORA para los elementos de información:

Equipo de liderazgo de equidad de WRMS - ¡Ha llegado el momento! Si está interesado en ser parte de nuestro Equipo de liderazgo de equidad de WRMS, haga clic AQUÍ para completar un formulario de solicitud. Planeamos un equipo compuesto por 4 estudiantes, 4 miembros del personal y 4 padres. Le pedimos que complete la solicitud a más tardar el 30/11/20.
¡¡¡Es la temporada !!! ¡Esté atento a la información sobre la temporada de donaciones! Esta es una tradición anual aquí en WRMS. Adoptamos familias de dos escuelas (Kealing MS y Crockett HS) cada año y trabajamos juntos como campus para ayudarlos a tener una temporada festiva increíble. Este año será un poco diferente, ¡pero seguirá ocurriendo! ¡Esté atento a los detalles que vendrán!
Día de los Veteranos - También conmemoramos el Día de los Veteranos de otras formas. Vea nuestra BANDA, ORQUESTA y un video proporcionado por WHS.

Tuve la oportunidad esta semana de reflexionar sobre los éxitos en lo que va de año. El éxito de mi grupo fue que, a pesar de que todavía estamos trabajando el doble de duro para navegar esta locura, todos seguimos pateando y riendo. No estoy seguro de que haya muchas (si las hay) personas que puedan decir eso sin ser parte de algo más grande que consiste en un equipo en el que apoyarse. Espero que tengan un fin de semana increíble.

¡Disfrutar!

Dianne Carter

COVID-19 TESTING

COUNSELOR'S CORNER

November: G-R-A-V-itate towards diversity (loom version)

As a district, Eanes and WRMS is focusing on self awareness, reflection, and resiliency. This month WRMS counselors will be posting a weekly lesson for students to participate in during Wildcat Time to help students G-R-A-V-itate towards diversity. During this month, students will learn the acronym GRAV: Grow, Research, Approach, and Validate as they learn how to be more culturally aware and responsive to themselves and those around them. Please contact your school counselor if you would like to discuss any of these topics further or need support.

Week 1 (Nov. 2nd-6th): Introducing GRAV and Growth

Presentation
Handouts
Dinner Topics:
- How do we as a community grow to understand ourselves more and the people around us, celebrating our diversity? How do we become more open and understanding? How are we resilient as a community?
- How do we begin to be aware in a positive way of our growing edges? Where are the areas that we need to grow so that we become more aware and have more understanding? How can we be awakened to the places we need to grow in learning about diversity?

Sincerely,

The WRMS Counseling Team

Jamie Delgado (6th grade): jdelgado@eanesisd.net

Christy Catalano (7th grade): ccatalano@eanesisd.net

Kiran Avasthi (8th grade): kavasthi@eanesisd.net

EEF

ONE MORE WEEK...we have one week left in the EEF Teacher Fund Campaign. If you haven't heard yet, this campaign raises funds to support 53 teachers across our district and we can ONLY do that with your support!

Maybe you supported EEF last year. Maybe things have changed for you. Maybe the year has gotten away from you. Maybe you have been meaning to donate but you just keep forgetting.
Take 5 minutes and donate today!

NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL! and your gift is CRUCIAL to EISD sustaining educational excellence for years to come!

Make your dollar count TWICE! Donate BY FRIDAY!
McCullough Heating & Air Conditioning has announced a $25,000 Challenge Match! EEF Donors will have their gift matched up to $25,000 between now and November 13.
To qualify, your gift must be $365 or above. That's only $1 a day! Donate before November 13 to make it count...twice!

Thank you McCullough Heating & Air Conditioning!!

Race to Participation!

The 7th Graders remain in the lead this week with 32% participation! 8th Graders are at 30% and 6th Graders are trailing behind with 25%. Every donation counts and is important - this year especially! Donate today - make it count! and help your class win the % participation challenge for EEF donations!

WILDCAT CLUB

WRMS WILDCAT GENERAL MEETING

Our next WRMS Wildcat General Meeting will be held via Zoom on

Friday, November 13th at 9:00am

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 872 7680 6677

Passcode: 823199

WRMS STAFF HOLIDAY TREATS

The Holidays are fast approaching!

Each year WRMS Wildcat Club provides a pie for Thanksgiving and cookies

for the Winter Holiday break for each WRMS Staff Member.

Due to COVID – we will not be able to ask for homemade pies and cookies.

Instead we will be purchasing everything from Loving Libbie (an organization that supports families whose children fight cancer)

If you would like to donate to help the Wildcat Club provide these sweet treats for our amazing WRMS Staff-

Please log onto the www.wildcatboosterclub.org website home page and click on the Staff Holiday Treats link.

WRMS SEASON OF GIVING

The WRMS Season of Giving officially kicks off next week!!

Your student(s) will receive their Season of Giving families and wish lists during their Wildcat Times.

Be sure to ask your kiddos for details to find out how they can participate in this event.

And stay tuned for other ways to get involved with this amazing outpouring of generosity

WRMS Wildcats participate in every year.

For more information, please contact Allison Johnson, allisonburdenjohnson@gmail.com,
or Farya Phillips, ffarya@gmail.com.

LOOKING FOR COMMITTEE CHAIR VOLUNTEER

The WRMS Wildcat Club is looking for a parent volunteer with experience in Red Cross or other emergency preparedness to help establish a new

Compassionate Care Committee

This committee would help the Wildcat Club and WRMS Counselors when a WRMS family is in need.

If you are interested, please email wrmspresident@wildcatboosterclub.org

Don't Want to Miss a Thing This Year at WRMS?

Join the Wildcat Club on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wildcatclub

It's a GREAT Day to Be a Wildcat!

CAREER DAY

Volunteer for Career Day by completing this google form:
https://forms.gle/tFFNx7Hd29ytLJaLA

Hello Westridge Middle School Families,

Here at Westridge Middle School, the counseling department along with the parent career day team hosts a career day every year for the 8th grade students. Professionals from a variety of disciplines and areas of interest come to Westridge to speak about their careers and allow 8th grade students the ability to learn, ask questions and have discussions with their presenters. This year we are holding this career day in a virtual format. We are looking for parents and family members or people you know in the community to speak to our 8th grade students. We have five endorsement areas that we are obtaining speakers for: Multidisciplinary, Arts and Humanities, Public Service, Stem and Business & Industry. We would love to have many opportunities for students to learn about various career options, benefits, paths and qualifications. If you or someone you know would be willing to be a speaker through zoom on the morning of Jan. 8, 2021 approx. from 8-11am, please have them contact us by completing this google form. We also need volunteers to help us with the speakers in the zoom rooms. Please complete this form as well, if you would like to volunteer as a helper. Melissa Rones is heading our career day volunteer committee this year along with Kiran Avasthi 8th Grade Counselor, Priya Jai, Christie Schultz and Sumitha Tharasingh, all parents who have 8th grade students at WRMS. Thank you for your help! If your child is in 6th or 7th grade come help us anyway. You will see what career day is all about and by the time your child becomes an 8th grader, you could join our group of talented parents to plan for career day!

Thank you!
WRMS Counseling Dept.

SEASON OF GIVING

STEMGirls ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Hello Students and Families!

I am a member of the Westlake High School robotics team — 2468 Team Appreciate. As a girl in STEM, I know how important it is for young girls to be introduced to STEM at a young age, which is why we are hosting our annual STEMGirls Ice Cream Social. We will be having a non-contact drive-up social that will be in the Westlake High school Performing Arts Center parking lot on Saturday, November 14th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm where we will have a speaker, some demos, and activities! All attendees will wear face masks, stay socially distanced, and are encouraged to bring their own ice cream to the event in an effort to adapt to mandatory COVID-19 guidelines.

The STEMGirls Ice Cream Social helps young girls become more interested in STEM from a young age. Girls who attend the event are able to meet professionals in STEM fields, socialize with other girls interested in STEM, and learn about opportunities in the STEM field. We would like to invite you or your family to join in this event.

If you would like to attend, please fill out the following form confirming your RSVP and we will send you an email with more details:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OpbBD4UHduHZvE7sk9NUJJCd-q31HDVzMZTp9ZBtk4k/edit?usp=sharing
Please reach out with any questions you may have and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Thank you,
Kelsey McCormick
FRC 2468 Team Appreciate

DIAPER DRIVE

The Cavs and Chaps are teaming up to donate new diapers, diaper cream, and wipes to the Austin Diaper Bank. Donations will take place next week (11/16 - 11/20), with the winner being announced at the Lake Travis football game on Friday, 11/27. The principal of the losing school will have to wear a shirt of the winner's school.

If you would like to participate, the Amazon wishlist is linked HERE, and your donation will come directly to the school.

NEWS

Building Self-Awareness and Self-Management Skills in 2020

The second nine weeks of the 2020-21 school year is upon us, and what a ride it’s been up until this point. From the time we went into Remote Learning last March until now, parents, students, and Eanes ISD staff have had to roll with the punches. We were all required to reflect on our values and to build grit. Reflection and resiliency are skills that we as parents and educators want to build within our students and ourselves. We want our children to be...

Eanes For Equity Event

Fellowship for Families of Color, Sun 11/15 - As parents of color and/or parents raising BIPOC children, we understand the unique challenges our students face. Please join us in sharing our experiences and discussing how we can work in partnership with EISD to create a more inclusive and equitable Westlake.