October Newsletter
Click the link below to read the latest information from Westwood in the October Newsletter.
School Supply Event and Resource Roundup
Attention Ankeny Families! Mark your calendars for the Ankeny School’s Community Engagement and Project Fresh Start Backpack Blitz and Resource Roundup. Any student from PK-12th grade at an Ankeny school is eligible to receive free school supplies on Saturday, August 10 from 10am-1pm and Sunday, August 11 from 11am-1pm at Southview Middle School.
Spring Musical: Centennial Presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid
This spring, the Ankeny Centennial high school drama and music departments are producing Disney’s The Little Mermaid! Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Ariel wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. This fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible and familiar songs!
Adult tickets are $15 and child/student tickets are $10; they can be purchased online here or at the door with cash/check. All seating is general admission.
Happy Paraprofessionals Day to our Westwood Staff!
Thank you to the Westwood Paraprofessional Team for all they do each and every day to ensure the success of Westwood students! We appreciate you!
People of the Year Awards: Nominations are Open!
Students, parents, and community members are invited to participate in the nomination process for the ACSD People of the Year awards, an event that recognizes outstanding contributions to our educational community. Nomination forms are open for the following awards:
- Education Professional of the Year Nomination Form
- Support Staff Member of the Year Nomination Form
- Volunteer of the Year Nomination Form
Your nominations will help us recognize and celebrate the outstanding people that make our school district a great place to be! Please take a moment to consider individuals who have made a positive impact and submit your nominations by March 1, 2024.
Parent Resource: Tips to Prepare for Assessments
During this time of year, many of our students will be preparing to take assessments. Whether you’re helping an elementary or secondary student prepare for testing, listed below are a few resources to help:
Notice of School Property Prescribed Burns
The ACSD maintenance team will be conducting prescribed burns periodically in Ankeny as weather conditions allow, continuing until June 1, 2024. Weather conditions and safety considerations will determine the exact date and time of the fires.
Why do we perform prescribed burns?
Central Iowa’s landscape was once dominated by tall grass prairies. These ecosystems have an abundance of plants, insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles. The native grasses and forbs (flowers) also provide seed and nectar for insects, butterflies, birds, and small mammals. In nature, fire is essential to maintain the integrity of the native prairie plant species located in our parks. Fire is a natural occurrence that helps the plant and animal communities in a park and controlled burning offers a safer way to use fire in a helpful manner. The benefits of prescribed burns include the following:
- Aid in reducing the undesirable plants from invading our native prairie areas
- Help to maintain a rich diversity of wildflowers and grasses
- Decreases the threat of wildfires by decreasing the accumulation of combustibles
- Benefits water quality by aiding in the establishment of deep-rooted natives
- Improves the natural beauty and enjoyment of our parks
Thank you for understanding.