Westwood Community School District

Westwood Community School District

 

Superintendent Update

Winter 2025-26

 

Upcoming Dates:

Wednesday, Dec. 17: School Board Meetings 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 18: 2:30 Dismissal for Semester Tests

Friday, Dec. 19: 2:30 Dismissal for Semester Tests (Last Day of School)

Tuesday, Dec. 23 to Saturday, Dec. 27: No School Activities (All Facilities Closed)

Monday, Jan.5: No School, Professional Development for Teachers

Tuesday, Jan 6: Begin Second Semester (First Day of School)

Monday, Feb. 15: No School, President's Day

Congratulations to our New Board Members

Congratulations to Todd Greder and Seth Steinhoff for winning the board election! They will be installed to the board during the upcoming Organizational Meeting.  Annual Meeting and Organizational Agenda meetings will be held on Dec. 17th starting at 7 p.m. 

I would like to thank Chuck Ferris (4 years) and Brady Worrell (8 years) for their years of service to the board. Being on the school board is a tough job but these two were great leaders! 

You can find a link to the board website on the front page of the district website or use this link. 

High Five Fridays!

We’re excited to launch a new initiative on the elementary side: High Five Fridays! 

High school student organizations and teams make the mornings extra special for our elementary students as they greet them with a big high five as they get off the bus. This provides a lot of smiles to start the day. 

New Gym Flag

On December 11th, our new flag, dedicated in honor of Todd Berg, was unveiled before the Boys' Wrestling Senior Night. Todd was a dedicated coach and staunch supporter of the entire Westwood community. This beautiful and large flag is designed to retract seamlessly before the start of the match or game. We are grateful for Sylvia's inspired idea to use his memorial funds to benefit the school in this fashion. 

You can watch the ceremony on YouTube at this link: https://youtube.com/shorts/4i3Vfyo6cEY

Capital Memories: Football & Cheer Take on D.C.

Every four years, our football players and cheerleaders embark on a landmark trip to Washington, D.C.—and this year’s journey was truly one for the history books!

Despite a government shutdown that kept the national museums closed, our students didn’t miss a beat. They pivoted with school spirit and made the absolute best of every moment in our nation's capital.

Trip Highlights:

A Session with Senator Grassley: The group gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol for a special meet-and-greet with Senator Chuck Grassley, where students had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about leadership firsthand.

Witnessing Hockey History: At a thrilling NHL game, our teams watched Alex Ovechkin score his 900th career goal—a historic moment as he surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s legendary record!

Honoring the Fallen: The group spent a moving morning at Arlington National Cemetery, where they stood in silent respect during the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Monuments by Moonlight: After exploring the National Mall by day, the team enjoyed an "after-dark" bus tour, seeing the city’s iconic statues and memorials beautifully illuminated.

Annapolis & Naval Tradition: The group traveled to Annapolis, Maryland, to tour the U.S. Naval Academy and explore the historic downtown before enjoying an authentic Chesapeake Bay seafood dinner.

Gameday in D.C.: To cap off the trip, the students watched the Washington Commanders take on the Detroit Lions, complete with a presidential appearance and a spectacular flyover.

While the itinerary looked a little different than planned, it was an unforgettable experience that brought our students closer together and gave them a front-row seat to history.

Pic 1: Senator Grassley takes questions from our students.

Pic 2: Students in front of Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Memorial Amphitheater. 

Pic 3: WW1 Memorial Statue

Pic4: Students view overlooking the National Mall