The View—Volume IX, No. 1 | October 2010

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PTSA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Welcome back!

This year WHS welcomes its students, new freshman (my son included) to the experienced Senior class, of which my daughter is a member. My life at the moment seems ingrained in everything Westview. It has been a summer of goodbyes, friends moving or going off to college, to neighbors and friends passing, to dear family pets and the inevitable end of summer. The year ahead brings great potential for us, however difficult it may seem. The budget, or lack thereof, makes running a school all that more difficult.  Even so, there is learning taking place in all of Westview’s classes despite the large class sizes.

I did not expect to be writing this article. Our past PTSA president Allison Aquino-Arcio and her family accepted job offers to move back to their native Hawaii leaving a gap in leadership that will be hard to fill. I am also saddened to deliver news of the unexpected passing of another of our past WHS PTSA Presidents, Carolyn Epple Johnson. She was a mentor to me when I first joined PTSA here at WHS and I, among others, will greatly miss her work as current Ninth District PTA President and all she gave to make schools better for all our children.

Westview PTSA has always amazed me at the amount of parents who truly care about their student’s education. Then there are all the students who step up and take the responsibility of their own education as well as the teachers and staff who support them.  Volunteers seem to be everywhere. Together, it all works! PTSA helps the chairpersons and members of numerous committees to perform like a well-oiled machine, efficient, productive and dependable. We need you all!

At this year’s registration, you would have seen this well-oiled machine at work. PTSA representative Sheida Barstad at the volunteer table, Colleen Salzetti, Kathy Govea and Sabine Schroeder at our cashier table, and Rick Barnes at our membership and directory table. Greg Brown selling logo tees, Valerie Chau handing out information on Mock SAT tests, and Ulrike Lobbia handling paperwork entry. The grad night table on senior registration day was manned by, Sharon McDonnell, Sue Reich, Lisa Devos, Jenny Cole and of course, we have to mention Kris Shetter, our Registration chair, who organized all the volunteers for all the days of Registration. Whew! What a huge undertaking that was!!

So many more awesome registration volunteers to mention - I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone. Sorry if I’ve left off your name here; you’re ALL appreciated and we send you our gratitude for all you did at Registration.

Another great beginning to talk about was our Back to School Breakfast on Tuesday, August 24, that fed a Westview staff that had ten less teachers due to the last year’s budget cuts. No matter what the numbers are, this is a great yearly tradition hosted by the PTSA. Kudos to Lisa Tripp-Smith and her daughter who pulled together another great event that helped to usher in the new year with a tasty, warm breakfast.

These are just a few of the programs that we can boast about that support our teachers, staff and students directly, and we are only 3 weeks into the school year! Remember that the PTSA is here to support you, our parent community, our students and teachers. We welcome your input and ideas and talents!

Membership is just $8.00 for the entire school year. We will host a table at the home football game this Friday.  We will offer WHS logo flip flops to each student who signs up, good while supplies last! We hope you will become a part of this well-oiled machine and perhaps become more involved in some small way. Volunteers are always welcome.

We currently have openings in the following chairs: Mock College testing, Hospitality, Legislative Representative, Web page, and Publicity. Any position sound like a good fit for you? Contact Sheida Barstad, our volunteer chairperson at sheidasd@yahoo.com for more information.

Yes, we are in the midst of a new beginning, a year of progress and potential, it is my hope that you will also enjoy this in your own lives and with your own family. PTSA unites our voices in support for all of California’s students and children. Please join us in raising our voices so they may be heard loud and strong.

Sonia Gahlhoff
PTSA President

WESTVIEW WOLVERINE NUTRITION CENTER

The Westview Wolverine Nutrition Center is proud to continue offering the National School Breakfast Program (NSBP) value-priced, nutritious and complete breakfast combination, on a daily basis served before school starts. For only a $1.50 full price and a $0.30 reduced price or free for those who qualify, a Westview student can choose from a daily changing menu, a breakfast entrée, side dish and milk choice. Favorites include the “Home-Style Breakfast Chicken Patty Slider,” nutrient packed donuts, cereals, fresh fruit and other delicious selections.

Research has shown that starting the day with a nutritious breakfast helps students stay alert and perform better in school. Having breakfast in the morning also helps children develop healthy eating habits and contributes to their overall well-being.

HALLOWEEN SENIOR BREAKFAST

Join all your Westview classmates for a hearty breakfast at Applebee’s in Mira Mesa.  The restaurant will be reserved for Westview seniors only!  The event will be held at Applebee's (Mira Mesa) on Saturday, Oct. 30th from 8-10 AM.  Cost is $10.00 ($5 from each ticket goes directly to Grad Night!).  Click here to download a flyer with more information.

TO ORDER THE SENIOR PACKAGE or A LA CARTE ITEMS
Download a Senior Activity Order Form

Tickets for individual events will be available throughout the year. If you purchase the package now, you will be saving $45.00 over the cost of individual tickets.

A check for $200.00 (made payable to Westview) needs to be turned into the Finance office before December 17, 2010. Individual items will be available after this date.

For each event held outside of the normal school day, signed permission slips will be needed regardless of whether or not the student has 18-year-old rights. Permission slips are available online and must be completed and submitted to the Finance Office two weeks before each event. 

Athletic Transportation Donation

College Applications

College Presentations

College Readiness

Counselor's Corner

Fall Sports

Family Connection

Halloween Senior Breakfast

Inspirational Thought

Navy JROTC

Principal's Message

PTSA President's Message

Quick Web Links

Senior Activities Package

Student Directory

What's Coming Up

Winter Sports

Wolverine Nutrition Center

STUDENT DIRECTORY

Time is running out to “GO GO” online and order your very own Westview Student Directory!   Besides being filled with names, emails and phone numbers of Lots-of-Kids (who may be graduating this year), and many fun facts,  it is really groovy ! 

Be sure to get one for your parents, your car and your girlfriend too!

If you want your very own Westview Student Directory, go online to order one NOW!!  They are only $5.00!!  Fill out this order form for Directory, and return to the office.

Update:  The directory submission deadline was October 29th and is now closed.

Happy Halloween!

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Students may begin submitting their applications to California State Universities beginning on October 1st.  For Universities of California, students may access applications on their website beginning on October 1st.  However, they may not be submitted until November 1st.  The deadline for both systems is November 30th.

Held on Wednesdays beginning in October, we will be conducting a series of workshops for seniors.  We strongly encourage students to attend these workshops as they will aid the students in the sometimes difficult and detailed process of applying to college.  Topics include:

• Applications for California State Universities

• Applications for Universities of California

• How to Write a Personal Statement

• Requesting a Letter of Recommendation from Counselors and Teachers

In addition, we will have several opportunities to obtain assistance in completing their online applications in the computer lab.  Stay tuned for more information as the dates approach.  

FAMILY CONNECTION

Welcome back to a new school year!  In the counseling department, we use an Internet-based program called Family Connection.  We will be using this system as a means of communication with families and providing a tool for college and career research.   If you are interested in participating in a workshop to explore the various aspects of the program or just would like to learn how to use it, information will provided soon.

Some benefits of the program include:

• Bi-weekly electronic newsletters on counseling-related activities and information

• Student and parent access to important student data, such as GPA, counselor name, etc.

• Planning for future beyond high school

• Online registration of high school courses for the following school year

• Access to college information for past graduates, such as acceptance and attendance rates 

• "Scattergrams" that compare your academic history to that of other students who have attended Westview to determine your likelihood for college acceptance

• Access to scholarships

• College visitation schedule on Westview’s campus, with information on how to attend

• Assistance for those students that would like more guidance, such as those who are not sure what they will be doing after graduation or who would like more assistance in developing a goal

• And so much more! 

If you did not complete a “Family Connection Registration form” at the beginning of the school year and do not already have an account, please send an e-mail to Kathy Bloomfield at kbloomfield@powayusd.com.  In the e-mail, please include student name, grade, student e-mail address, and parent e-mail address.  Accounts will be set up for you and log-in information will be e-mailed to you.

COLLEGE PRESENTATIONS

This fall, various colleges will be on campus to present their programs and highlights of their institutions to our students.  All presentations will occur in the Wolverine Center in Room A20 unless otherwise indicated.  Following is a list of our scheduled presenter, but check the school calendar or Family Connection for updates and more information:

10/20/10	Whittier College
10/20/10	University of Colorado, Denver Principal's Conference Room
10/20/10	William Woods University
10/20/10	California Lutheran University
10/20/10	Baylor University
10/20/10	University of Colorado, Boulder
10/20/10	Mills College Principal's Conference Room
10/21/10	Westmont College Principal's Conference Room
10/21/10	Otis College of Art & Design
10/21/10	Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
10/22/10	Wagner College
10/25/10	University of Southern California
10/26/10	Washington University in St. Louis
10/28/10	Rice University
10/29/10	University of Arizona
11/2/10	Suffolk University
11/3/10	University of San Diego
11/4/10	Pt. Loma Nazarene University
11/9/10	The Evergreen State College
11/9/10	Enderun Colleges (Philliphines)
11/9/10	University of Oregon
11/10/10	Purdue University