Westlake Reflections

One day…...one week…...one semester…..

As we began our journey into the 20-21 academic school year, we encouraged everyone to take one day and one week at a time. Stay focused on the immediate presence of our educational path forward together. And as we have ventured along this long and windy path, we have finally hit the time to discuss adding one semester at a time into our conversation. As we are hanging out on November 13th on campus and in the remote learning environment, it is time to look at the final 20 school days of the 1st semester! 

November 16th-20th   Five regular school days

November 21st-29th   Nine Days of Thanksgiving Break

November 30th-December 4th  Five regular  school days

December 7th-8th Two final regular school days

December 9th-December 14th  Quiet/Dead Week  Prep for Final Exams

December 15th-18th  Final Exam Days

December 19th-January 4th  Seventeen Days of Winter Break

We hope this outline of the next few weeks helps in your planning and preparation for the last 4 school weeks before Winter Break. As we work through the next four weeks of classes, I think of a quote from one of my favorite characters, Yoda: 

“Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future…”

Let’s stay focused on the conclusion of this semester as we enjoy two wonderful breaks ahead of us. As always, reach out to our WHS community of administrators, counselors, teachers, directors, coaches, nurses and all staff with any questions. 

Have a great weekend. 

- Steve Ramsey

WHAT MAKES FRIENDSHIPS VALUABLE

Valuable friendships are an essential part of making our lives happier and healthier! Read here to know the most important things that make a friendship valuable and how to address conflict when it arises.

Senior parents, please remind your seniors of these necessary college application steps: 

• Complete the application.
• Request transcript in Naviance.
• Request teacher recommendation letters in Naviance (after checking with the teacher first to see if they can write the letter).
• If a counselor letter is required, both student and a parent must complete a questionnaire (found on the lower left of this page).
• With the November 15 early deadline, keep in mind those deadlines are for students to submit their applications and test scores (if applicable); colleges provide a grace period for teachers and counselors to submit letters and transcripts.

The PSAT will be given at Westlake January 26, 2021.

• Sophomores are automatically registered; any student who does NOT want to take the PSAT can opt-out here (deadline to opt-out is January 8, 2021).
• Juniors can register/pay in TotalRegistration through December 18.  The cost is $40 (which increases to $75 on December 8).

Staff Appreciation Holiday Gift Card Drive

World Kindness Day, what a great day to promote our treasured annual holiday event where we give ALL Westlake staff members a $25 gift card and a sweet treat.  This year, Meli’s Monster Cookies is donating and providing delicious cookies to accompany the gift cards PTO collects.  Show your appreciation for the entire staff by donating a gift card online here and help us meet our December 4th deadline.

Thanks again for all of your support throughout the year.  We and our WHS Staff appreciate you!

EISD Extra-curricular/Participation Fees for all activities currently underway have been posted in Skyward for payment: Cross Country, Golf, Football, Volleyball, Swimming, Tennis, Hyline, Cheerleading, Robotics and Band.

Please access Skyward Family Access or RevTrak Online Payment for fee payment. 

Parents may honor their senior children with a loving tribute in the 2021 yearbook.  Please click HERE to be directed to the online order system and follow links to senior recognition ads.

We have a certain amount of space allocated to senior ads and the space is sold on a first come, first served basis. Following are the deadlines and prices:

Discount Deadline #2

Nov. 13, 2020

Half page - $275

Quarter page - $200

Eighth page - $125

Final Deadline

Dec. 11, 2020

Half page - $325

Quarter page - $250

Eighth page - $150

Senior portraits
Every senior must have a portrait taken with Photo Texas in order to appear in the yearbook. Photographers are scheduled to be back on campus for senior photos Nov. 16 and Dec. 7-8  from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the PAC lobby, and appointments can be made online.

Schedule an appointment on Nov. 16

Schedule an appointment on Dec. 7 - 8

In-person students, grades 9-11
Photo Texas Photography will be on campus to take photos Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. in the NGC Rotunda. Students should have a photo taken during an elective class, and students will need to sign in legibly when having a portrait taken. This list will be used for excusing absences during one elective class only. This is an opportunity for students who have not yet had a photo taken. There will be a day for retakes in early December.

Remote students, grades 9-11
Photo Texas Photography will have an outdoor camera set up for by-appointment photos Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. You must have an appointment for these photos. Schedule an appointment here. In the case of inclement weather, the photographers will move inside the PAC. Students are also encouraged to make an appointment during an elective class if transportation is an option. We are including extended hours in case it is not. This is an opportunity for students who have not yet had a photo taken. There will be a day for retakes in early December.

Please email elpaisano@eanesisd.net with questions.

Purchase your yearbook!  (ALL GRADES CAN PURCHASE NOW)

Ordering photos online

Please go to to http://online.phototexasphotography.com and use online order code: PTPUC to order photo packages.

Seniors

Click here for all you need to know about Senior portraits, ads, and yearbooks!

Please email elpaisano@eanesisd.net with any questions.