Westside Middle School

CELEBRATING SCHOOL COUNSELORS — Team Duval is proud to recognize National School Counseling Week and the incredible impact our more than 240 school counselors make every single day. They advocate for students, help them navigate their academic journeys, and guide them toward their goals. Our success as an A-rated district with a 97.6% graduation rate would not be possible without these dedicated professionals. As part of this special week, dozens of counselors gathered at the Schultz Center for their annual conference, focused on building student “superpowers” like grit and resilience – perfectly aligned with the national theme of helping students thrive and preparing them for college, career, and life. Their commitment to growing their own “superpowers” directly fuels student success across Team Duval. Join us in thanking our outstanding school counselors for the lasting difference they make in our schools and community!

🔴⚫ Raider Nation Fathers… This One Is For You.

Tonight, we’re calling all dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, and father figures to step into purpose with us at our Fatherhood Empowerment Seminar #2.

🗓 Tuesday, March 31, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Westside Middle School – Media Center

🎯 Theme: Being an Engaged Dad Over the Summer

Summer is around the corner, and this is the season where connection matters most. We’re coming together to talk real strategies, real challenges, and real solutions for showing up consistently for our children.

🔥 What to Expect:
👔 Welcome & Brotherhood Building
🗣 Keynote – The Impact of Engaged Fatherhood
🎯 Summer Strategies – Simple, low-cost ways to stay connected
💬 Real Talk – Work-life balance, managing self, and overcoming barriers

This isn’t a lecture—it’s a space for growth, accountability, and elevation.

If you’ve ever said, “I want to be more present for my child”… this is your moment.

Pull up. Bring another father with you. Let’s build something that lasts for a lifetime.

#RaiderNation #FatherhoodMatters #BlackFathersLead #EngagedDads #FamilyFirst #ItTakesAVillage

REGISTER FOR A BUS TODAY - Bus registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open. All students who plan to ride a school bus next year must be registered in advance, including students enrolled in self-contained ESE programs. Families are encouraged to register as early as possible to help ensure a smooth start to the school year. Registration forms are available in Focus. For step-by-step instructions on how to complete the process, visit: www.duvalschools.org/busregistration

📢 Raider Nation Weekly Updates
📅 Week of March 9 – March 13, 2026

Good Morning Raider Nation Families,

Here are the key updates for this week at Westside Middle School.

This week marks the final week of Quarter 3, Dress Down Days begin tomorrow, and our spring athletic schedules are now available.

Please review the important information below.

🏫 Schoolwide Update

Westside Middle School is a uniform school, and students must wear the appropriate Westside logo shirt for their grade level each day.

The following items are not permitted as part of the dress code:

• Leggings
• Jeans or jeans with rips
• Cutoff shorts
• Tights
• Jeggings
• Sweatpants
• Hoodies
• Shiesty masks

Additionally, we have seen an increase in students bringing items that disrupt instruction.

The following items should not be brought to school:

• Stuffed animals
• Blankets
• Unauthorized technology such as tablets

These items have become instructional distractions and interfere with learning.

📊 Quarter 3 Grades & DMA 3 Scores

This week marks the final week of Quarter 3.

Students should remain focused and complete any outstanding assignments that may help improve their grades before the quarter closes.

Schoolwide DMA 3 testing has concluded, and teachers are currently conducting make-up testing for students who were absent.

DMA 3 serves as an important indicator of how students may perform on statewide assessments approaching in May.

Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to review their student’s academic progress through their Parent Portal accounts and FOCUS.

Upcoming assessments include:

PM3 — ELA
PM3 — Mathematics
Civics EOC — Grades 7 & 8
Science EOC — Grade 8
Biology EOC

Families can access additional testing information and resources here:

https://flfast.org/families.html

Please ensure your student remains focused and prepared as we approach statewide testing season.

👕 St. Patrick’s Spirit Dress Down Days

Westside Middle School will celebrate Spirit Dress Down Days from March 10 through March 12.

Cost: $4.99 per day
Payments must be made in person at school. Online payments are not accepted.

Dress Down Themes:

March 10 — Nerd or Jersey Day
Students may dress as a nerd or wear their favorite sports jersey.

March 11 — Leprechaun Day
Students may wear green, gold, or leprechaun-themed apparel.

March 12 — Pajama Day
Students may wear pajamas; however, outfits must still follow the school dress code.

March 13 — Students return to uniforms.

Students who arrive dressed down without payment will be required to call home and change into uniform.

Students on the DNA List are not permitted to participate in Dress Down Days.

⚾🥎🏃 Raider Athletics Update

The Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, and Track schedules are now live.

Please review the attached schedule graphics for upcoming games and track meets.

Tickets for Raider athletic events can be purchased through GoFan:

https://gofan.co/app/school/FL25644

Come out and support our Raider student-athletes.

🎓 8th Grade Graduation Week Information

We are excited to celebrate the Westside Middle School Class of 2026.

Graduation Week Events include:

Dave & Buster’s — May 11
Sign & Dine — May 18
Raider Carnival — May 19
Graduation Ceremony — May 21
Raider Ball — May 22 (Invitation Only)

All payments must be completed through:

https://dcps.schoolcashonline.com/

Parents should:

1️⃣ Create a SchoolCashOnline account
2️⃣ Create a login and password
3️⃣ Add your student using their student ID number OR their first name, last name, and date of birth
4️⃣ Search for Westside Middle School

Payment Window: March 9 – May 10

The Raider Ball is invitation-only.

Students on the DNA List cannot participate in 8th Grade Week activities.

🚫 DNA List Reminder

Students placed on the DNA List are barred from all extracurricular and after-school activities, including:

• Sporting events
• Team-Up
• Clubs
• Performances
• Field trips
• Dress Down Days
• 8th Grade Week activities

This restriction applies even if a parent attends the event.

#RaiderNation
#OneWestside
#RaiderReady
#UrgencyInAction
#TeamDuval
#WestsideStrong
#FutureReadyRaiders

Raider Nation Updates February 23rd – 27th

Here’s what you need to know to keep your Raider safe, prepared, and focused this week.

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📚 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EVENING – FEBRUARY 24
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🕠 5:30 PM – Title I Mid-Year Stakeholder Meeting (Media Center)
🕕 6:00 PM – SWAG Night

At 5:30 PM, we will review our School Improvement Plan and discuss how Title I funds support student achievement.

At 6:00 PM, we will provide reading strategies for home, review safety measures, clarify uniform expectations, and share school growth progress.

This work directly supports student achievement and strengthens the home-school partnership.

Your presence matters.

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🏆 ATHLETICS UPDATES
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🏀 Girls Basketball Playoff Game
Away at Kernan Middle School – February 24

🥎 Girls Softball Tryouts – February 23–24
⚾ Boys Baseball Tryouts – February 24
🏃 Boys & Girls Track Tryouts – February 24–27

⛑ Physical Van on Campus – February 24
Forms available in the front office and at lunches.

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📊 DMA 3 TESTING UPDATE
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• February 25 – 6th Grade Math
• February 26 – 7th Grade Math
• March 2 – Algebra & 8th Grade Math
• March 3 – 8th Grade Civics
• March 4 – 7th Grade Civics
• March 5 – Biology & 8th Grade Science

DMA 3 data helps us monitor progress toward end-of-year goals.

Please ensure students:
✔ Arrive on time
✔ Get proper rest
✔ Eat breakfast

We are confident in our Raiders and ready to show growth.

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📱 DEVICE EXPECTATIONS
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To protect instructional time and reduce distractions:

• Cell phones must remain OFF and stored in a backpack, purse, or bookbag from arrival until dismissal.
• Phones may not be carried in pockets or worn during the school day.
• Wireless headphones (AirPods, Bluetooth earbuds, etc.) are prohibited.
• Tablets and other personal electronic devices may not be brought to school.

These devices have increasingly become a distraction to instruction. Our priority is protecting learning time and maintaining focus.

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👕 UNIFORM UPDATE
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Due to projected temperature drops February 23–25, hoodies will be permitted during these dates only.

Masks (including shiesty-style face coverings) remain prohibited.

Beginning Thursday, February 26, uniform and dress code expectations will be strictly enforced.

Logo uniforms required daily:
6th – Red | 7th – Black | 8th – Grey

Prohibited Items Include:
• Masks
• Pajamas
• Slides/house shoes
• Crocs without back straps
• Ripped pants
• Tights/leggings as pants
• Sweatpants not in dress code
• Jeggings
• Non-uniform outerwear

🆔 Student IDs required daily

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🔒 DNA LIST (Do Not Admit)
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Students placed on the DNA List are temporarily restricted from after-school activities, including sporting events, Team-Up, clubs, performances, and field trips.

Placement may occur for:
• Level 3 or 4 referrals
• Level 2 referrals with points
• Four Level 1 referrals with points

Students may remain on the list for 30, 90, or 180 days depending on the infraction.

Our goal is accountability and growth.

Questions? Call 904-573-1000.

Let’s stay Raider Ready.

#RaiderNation
#WestsideMiddle
#FamilyEngagement
#RaiderReady

Good Afternoon Raider Nation Families 📣

Here’s what’s happening at Westside Middle School for the week of February 17–20, 2026. Please review these important updates carefully.

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👕 UNIFORM & OUTERWEAR REMINDER
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As we transition into spring, Westside Middle School will strictly enforce our district uniform policy.

Families are encouraged to review full expectations here:
https://dcps.duvalschools.org/o/wms/page/uniforms-dress-code

Key Uniform Expectations:
• Collared shirts in approved school colors
• Khaki or navy bottoms
• Closed-toe shoes
• School-approved sweaters or jackets only inside the building

The following items are NOT part of the dress code and should not be worn:
• Shiesty masks
• Tights worn as pants
• Jeggings
• Sweatpants
• Hoodies or non-school outerwear inside the building

Students must arrive Raider Ready each day. We appreciate your partnership in maintaining a focused and safe learning environment.

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👨🏾‍👧🏾 FATHERS OF RAIDER NATION – YOU’RE INVITED
Tuesday, February 17 | 5:00 PM
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Westside Middle School is partnering with 5000 Role Models of Excellence and Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition Fatherhood PRIDE to host:

“Parenting Through Child Development: Supporting Your Child Through the Middle School Years.”

This session will provide fathers with practical insight into the academic, social, and emotional changes children experience during the middle school years. Topics include:

• Effective communication strategies
• Understanding developmental milestones
• Supporting academic success
• Navigating peer influence
• Maintaining positive engagement

About Fatherhood PRIDE:
Fatherhood PRIDE is an initiative designed to increase father engagement and strengthen family systems. Through research-based programming, the organization equips fathers with tools to improve communication, promote healthy development, and positively influence academic and behavioral outcomes.

Research consistently shows that engaged fathers improve student attendance, achievement, and school behavior. We look forward to welcoming our Raider fathers.

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🦷 BIG SMILES DENTAL EVENT
Wednesday, February 18 | 9:15 AM
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We are excited to welcome Big Smiles Dental to Westside Middle School to provide free dental care services.

Big Smiles is a national school-based dental program focused on expanding access to preventive oral healthcare for children. Licensed professionals provide cleanings, exams, x-rays, sealants, and other preventive services directly on campus.

Consent forms were sent home with students.
Please return completed forms to the Main Office.

No form at home? Register online here:
https://www.myschooldentist.com/Default.aspx

Healthy smiles support healthy learners.

#RaiderReady #EveryWordEveryNumberEveryStep

Raider Nation Families,

Earlier today, families received district communication regarding the implementation of the OpenGate Weapon Detection System across all middle schools. We want to share what this looks like specifically at Westside Middle School so our Raiders can arrive prepared and stress-free.

📅 IMPORTANT DATES
🛠 Installation: Monday, January 26
🎒 Student Implementation Begins: Tuesday, January 27

🚪 UPDATED STUDENT INTAKE PROCEDURES
We have already moved to a single student intake entry point, which began earlier this week.

➡️ All students are now entering campus through the walker’s gate adjacent to the cafeteria.

👥 CSS Students
• Intake procedures remain in the same location
• Students will move through the OpenGate system housed in Building 5

🎒 ITEMS STUDENTS MUST REMOVE FROM BOOKBAGS
Before entering campus, students must remove:
• 📚 Binders
• 💻 Laptops
• ☂️ Umbrellas
• 👓 Eyeglass cases

📵 DEVICE REMINDER
Beginning Monday, January 26:
• Tablets and headphones must be kept at home
• 📱 Cell phones are permitted but must remain inside a bookbag or purse

✅ CURRENT SAFETY EXPECTATIONS REMAIN IN PLACE
• 🎒 Clear or mesh bookbags only
• 🆔 Student IDs must be worn
• 👕 Students must be in appropriate grade-level uniforms

These updates allow us to enhance campus safety while keeping arrivals smooth, orderly, and efficient for all students.

🎥 For additional details, please view the district’s informational link here: OPEN GATE


Thank you for your continued partnership and trust as we prioritize safety and learning every day at Westside Middle School.

#RaiderNation
#RaiderReady
#EveryWordEveryNumberEveryStep