Good morning,

Just a quick reminder, families 💚

Students will be off on Friday, February 13 and Monday, February 16.

Feb. 13 is a Student/Teacher Holiday and Feb. 16 is Presidents’ Day.

Enjoy the long weekend, Whirlwinds! 🌪️

🎭✨ Our Jr. Thespians Made Us Proud in Orlando! ✨🎭

Our talented troupe traveled to the State Festival and brought home amazing results! 💚🌪️

🏆 Superior Ratings:
✨ Annique – Solo Musical
✨ Annique & Garrison – Duet Musical
✨ Cora, Alma & Kyleigh – Ensemble Acting

🏅 Excellent Ratings:
✨ Garrison – Solo Musical
✨ Kyleigh – Solo Musical
✨ Laila, Naomi & Kathryn – Group Pantomime
✨ Laila, Naomi, Kathryn, Eliana & Danielle – Ensemble Acting
✨ Adalynn & Sofia – Improvisation

We are so proud of each of these students for their courage, preparation, and performance on stage! 👏🎬

Huge thank you to Mrs. Hewitt for leading and supporting our Jr. Thespians every step of the way. 💚

#WestwoodMiddle #Whirlwinds #JrThespians #StateFestival 🎭✨

Westwood Families,

As we approach Valentine’s Day, we wanted to ask that families please not have deliveries of candy, food, flowers, balloons or other holiday items sent to school.  As per our policy, we will not be sending any delivered items to classrooms and not calling into classrooms during the school day for students to pick up deliveries. Westwood knows you love your children and we love them as well.  We appreciate your understanding of this policy and hope that you have a wonderful week.

Westwood Families,

As we approach Valentine’s Day, we wanted to ask that families please not have deliveries of candy, food, flowers, balloons or other holiday items sent to school.  As per our policy, we will not be sending any delivered items to classrooms and not calling into classrooms during the school day for students to pick up deliveries. Westwood knows you love your children and we love them as well.  We appreciate your understanding of this policy and hope that you have a wonderful week.

Westwood Families—please check your email Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 for our weekly update.

🎧 Westwood Way Podcast (new episode)

📚 Progress Reports info (Skyward)

🏀 Games, Valentine's Dance, Candy Grams

🌍 International Family Night & upcoming dates

Thank you!

🏀💚 Game Day = Honor Night! 💚🏀

TODAY we’re celebrating 8th Grade Honor Night at our Home Game!
Cheer on the Whirlwinds and help us recognize our outstanding 8th graders.

⏰ 4:00 PM
🏀 WMS vs. KMS
🎟️ $2 tickets

Bring the energy, pack the gym, and let’s celebrate our 8th graders! 🌪️👏

We’re excited to host the ACCPTA General Meeting at Westwood Middle School! 🌪️
📅 February 23, 2026
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
Everyone is welcome—come connect and learn more about PTA work across our county!

👉 Click for more information: Alachua County Council of PTAs's Post

Stay connected with Westwood Middle School 💚🌪️
Follow us for school events, announcements, and Whirlwind highlights.
📲 Instagram & X: @WestwoodMS_ACPS | Facebook: Westwood Middle School | Facebook: Westwood Middle PTA

There is sooo much we could say, but we’ll let the results speak—in the words of Mr. Sankey: Let’s Gooooo!

👏 Huge congratulations to our Westwood teams for an incredible performance at the District VEX Robotics Tournament at Lincoln!

🏆 Excellence Award (VIQRC) – Tyrannosaurs VEX
🏆 Teamwork Champion Award (VIQRC) – THE GOATS
🏆 Sportsmanship Award (VIQRC) – THE GOATS

Your hard work, collaboration, and character truly shined. We’re proud of you! 🤖💚

🚸💚 Happy National Crossing Guard Day 2026!

Thank you to our amazing Crossing Guards for keeping our Whirlwinds safe each and every day!

Before school, our Westwood Student Government Senators stopped by to personally say thank you to Mr. Sir, Mr. Jay, Mr. Don, and Mrs. Amanda for all they do.

We truly appreciate you! 🌪️👏

#WestwoodMiddle #Whirlwinds #NationalCrossingGuardDay #CrossingGuardAppreciation

#StudentGovernment #ThankYou #CommunityHeroes

Westwood Middle School proudly celebrates Black History Month 🖤❤️

🎶 Click the link to watch a video presentation by Grace, a 6th grade student, highlighting the life and lasting impact of Duke Ellington and his contributions to American music and culture.

https://animoto.com/play/iiOAMbHcqwQcdWLmGWZXpg

#BlackHistoryMonth #WestwoodMiddle #StudentSpotlight #Whirlwinds 💚🌪️

Duke Ellington G. Harrison

💚🏐🏀📣 National Girls & Women in Sports Day

Today we celebrate our Westwood girls who play hard, cheer loud, and show up with confidence every day. From volleyball and basketball to cheer and PE, our athletes and coaches prove that girls are strong, skilled, and unstoppable.

Way to represent, Whirlwinds! 💚🌪️

#WestwoodMiddle #Whirlwinds #GirlsInSports #NationalGirlsAndWomenInSportsDay

🌍💚 International Family Night: Stronger Together 🌪️

Join us as we celebrate the cultures, connections, and community that make Westwood shine!

📅 February 26

⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM

📍 Multipurpose Room

✨ Enjoy performances, games, Passport to Fun, and food trucks

🎟️ Free admission (some food items available for purchase)

Bring the whole family and celebrate with us — we can’t wait to see you there! 💚🌍

👉 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for event highlights, photos, and updates from International Family Night and all things Westwood.

#StrongerTogether #InternationalFamilyNight #WestwoodMiddle #Whirlwinds 💚🌪️

Know a teacher who’s made a lasting difference? 🍎

Now’s the time to show your appreciation!

This school year, HCA Florida Healthcare, the Education Foundation of Alachua County, and the Alachua County Teacher Leadership Council are honoring exceptional educators with the Thank a Teacher Award.

Celebrate a teacher who inspires—nominate them today!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=900638032481687&set=a.282154830996680&type=3

💚🌪️ National School Counseling Week 🌪️💚

This week, we’re celebrating the heart of Westwood Middle School — our amazing counselors! 💫

A huge THANK YOU to Ms. Battle, Mrs. Macewan, and Mrs. Bradley for supporting, guiding, and empowering our students every single day. Your impact goes far beyond the classroom, and we are so grateful for all that you do 💚

Show them some love, Whirlwinds! 👏💚

#NationalSchoolCounselingWeek #WestwoodMiddleSchool #Whirlwinds #ThankYouCounselors #StudentSuccess 🌪️💚

ACPS Families & Staff — We Want Your Input! 📣💬

Alachua County Public Schools is hosting 8 community sessions across the county 🏫🌍 to share DRAFT school boundary maps 🗺️ and hear directly from you.
These sessions start this week and run through February 18 📅 — and your voice matters 💚.

What’s available now? 👀
• 9 interactive draft maps (elementary, middle, and high school) 🏫
• Enter your address to see how each proposed map could impact you 📍

View the full session schedule & explore the maps:
🌐 alachuaschools.net/ourschoolsfutureready

Questions or feedback? ❓
📧 Email us at acpsfutureready@alachuaschools.net

This is your chance to learn, explore, and help shape the future of our schools 🚀📚.
We hope to see you there! 🤝✨

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EW1UNCgCS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💖 Spread the Love at Westwood! 💖

The Westwood Middle School PTA needs help making Valentine’s Day fun for our students!

🍬 Volunteers needed to sell Valentine’s Candy Grams during lunch
🧹 Volunteers needed for Valentine’s Dance clean-up

👉 Sign up to sell Candy Grams:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080A4AA8A828A3FC1-61624349-2026

👉 Sign up for Dance Clean-Up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4AA8A828A3FC1-62061215-valentines

💝 Can’t volunteer? Visit our online store to:
• Buy Candy Grams for your student
• Sponsor a whole class
• Purchase Valentine’s Dance tickets

🛍️ https://westwoodmspta.givebacks.com/shop

Thank you for supporting Westwood! 💚🤍

Black History Month at Westwood Middle School

Westwood Middle School proudly celebrates Black History Month 🖤❤️.
This is a time to learn, lead, create, and inspire.

Throughout the month, we will highlight student voices and student work, sharing projects that honor Black leaders, innovators, and educators whose impact continues to shape our world.