The Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Coalition has announced eight WSD schools as recipients of awards for implementing PBIS at their school sites! PBIS is a process for creating safer and more effective schools. The process focuses on improving a school's ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students.

A Gold level award is earned by schools that have established strong tier one behavior supports for all students and strong tier two behavior supports for students needing additional support. Schools that have established strong tier one behavior supports for all students earn a Silver level award. Congratulations to the award-winning schools that will be recognized at the 3rd Annual California PBIS Conference in Sacramento this week!

*Gold Level Award*
Meairs Elementary School

*Silver Level Award*
Anderson Elementary School
Clegg Elementary School
Fryberger Elementary School
Schmitt Elementary School
Schroeder Elementary School
Warner Middle School
Willmore Elementary School

What is West Arts Productions (WAP)? It is a Musical Theatre group designed to help students reach their dreams and potential in the performing arts, led by Program Director, Edward Muñoz. Some shows WAP has done in the past include Little Mermaid, Little Women, The Music Man, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Oliver, Blast, Alice in Wonderland, Sound of Music, Once on this Island, and many more! Rehearsals are held at Stacey Middle School every Tuesday and Thursday in the MPR from 3:00pm-4:30pm. All Westminster School District students in kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to join WAP! For more information visit www.westartsproductions.com, email, Westartsproductions@hotmail.com, or call (714) 837-9402.

The District held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new state-of-the-art gymnasium and multi-use facility at Stacey Middle School. The facility is approximately 21,000 square feet and includes a full-size gymnasium, a fitness studio, a dedicated music classroom, and a stage that can accommodate full-scale performances and presentations. The building has enough space to accommodate 2,250 people! “The students, teachers and staff are very excited about the new gymnasium,” Stacey Principal Heidi DeBritton said. “We can hold school-wide assemblies, 8th grade promotions, basketball games, musicals and so much more inside this beautiful facility. It really enhances our school and will benefit the community for decades to come!” The building was designed by LPA Inc. and built by AMG & Associates, Inc. The project cost $15 million and was funded through the Measure T modernization program.

On behalf of our Board of Trustees, I would like to welcome you to the 2018-19 school year. Every year is a chance to recommit ourselves to assist all students in meeting their dreams by fostering student growth and high impact instruction. This can occur only with a healthy partnership of home, school and community.

Our students, parents and staff care about each other and we’re happy to be back in school in anticipation of what the new school year will bring. In WSD, our strength lies in our excellent team of educators and support staff who believe in each student’s ability to achieve. Our team is dedicated to preparing today’s students and tomorrow's leaders for success by providing core academics with 21st century skills. Through innovative instruction, students are encouraged to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, good communicators and collaborators, technologically literate, innovative, creative, and globally competent.

With your help, we will have a great year. We will continue to build strong relationships with students and families, building rigor through instruction, and relevance in the activities we provide students. We stand together serving our students, our community, and one another while embracing the challenges of the coming year. Thank you so much for your partnership. We’re looking forward to an exceptional year!

Mr. Juan M. Lopez
Interim Superintendent

The Westminster School District is proud to offer dual language immersion programs in both Spanish and Vietnamese. “Students who speak more than one language and are fluent do better in school and have stronger college admissions test scores than those who are not,” says Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares. Click the headline to read the full article.