Amur Leopard

Soon to be extinct?

By Hanna and Carmen

The Amur leopard is one of the 7 types of leopard in the world and it is the number one most endangered animal known to man! The Amur leopard is mainly endangered because of poaching. It is estimated that there are only 35 Amur leopards left in the wild, and 9 in captivity. In the wild, Amur leopards live in the forests and mountains in the Russian Far East. The Amur leopard is the only leopard that lives in the cold and snow.

Quick Facts on the Amur Leopard
-The Amur leopard can runs at 37 miles per hour.
-The Amur leopard has been reported to jump 19 feet horizontally and up to 10 feet vertically
-The Amur leopard is solitary.
-The Amur leopards become independent at 18-24 months.

How can we save the Amur leopard?

Some sources say it is too late to save the Amur leopards while others say if we do something right now there is still a chance to save them! YOU can help by donating to WWF, WWF is a organization dedicated to saving animals. To under extinct animals and click adopt an Amur leopard to save one. You can even go to Russia and give speeches on the importance of the Amur leopard to help!

Student Led Conferences

By Aisha


Student Led Conferences better known as SLCs are coming up and middle school students have been working hard to reflect on their class projects for the school year. For the past three years the middle school students have been creating documents explaining what and how they've been doing in school and presenting them to their parents and teachers. In middle school, a huge part of preparing for high school is taking ownership and recognizing your own growth and the ability to present. Presenting on what you have accomplished will help not only in high school but the rest of your life; being able to communicate what you've learned and what you can do within the context of other people is a very powerful skill.  SLCs are next Thursday and Friday all day, therefore, we will not have school on those days.

2015 NFL Draft

By: Emilio & Henry

The 2015 NFL draft is coming up soon on April 30th. There is a lot of hype surrounding Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. The two best quarterbacks in this years draft. Jameis Winston is projected to go number one overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jameis Winston is so athletically gifted and he isn't a bad passer either. Although Winston isn't a sure thin based off of his off the field activity. Mariota is an extremely talented quarterback and has more skill than winston but, hasn't been in huddle once. Which is what you do before every play in the NFL. There is also a lot of hype around Amari Cooper, the Wide Receiver from Alabama University. He has been compared to one of the best receivers in the NFL, Jordy Nelson.

The Tennessee Titans have the second overall pick in the draft and have about three decisions they can make. They could keep their current quarterback, Whisenhunt,  and draft somebody else that could help their team. They could take a chance on Mariota and hope that he is NFL ready and can lead the Titans to 5+ wins. Or, they could trade that pick to the Philadelphia Eagles with Chip Kelly, Mariota's old coach, and theTitans would have longer to decide who to pick.

No matter what happens, this should be an exciting draft.

Uganda Pen-Pal Project

By Hanna and Carmen

The sixth graders at our school are doing are pen-pal project with some kids in Uganda. They write letters to each other every week. The project is optional but more than half of the kids in 6th grade have chosen to do this. The kids plan to write to each other as long as they can.

Commonly asked Questions:

Why are people doing this?
Long term friendship! Also to meet people in different countries. It is an opportunity to build friendships. It is the opportunity of a lifetime.

When did it start?
It started around a month and half ago, but only a few letters have been sent. The first couple weeks were figuring out the details.

How long are they doing it?
It's a hope that this lasts for years or even a lifetime! The official name for the project is friends for ever! It is also a hope that every sixth grade class will be able to do this.

What's happening in the future?
Future is you will carry friends for life. A huge wish is to visit them on a school trip!

How many kids are doing this?
25 kids in Uganda are taking part, and around 30 kids are doing it here.

Chance of a Lifetime

This is the chance of a lifetime for the sixth grade because most 6th grade students don't have many opportunities in life to make a new friend in Uganda. This project could turn into something more serious, and then even traveling to Uganda as a field trip.

Perspective Teacher Interview- Jason

By Aisha and Kate

Last week, Jason, a new potential math teacher from Norway, came to visit Westside. We had the opportunity to sit down with him and ask a few questions. Here are his answers:

What kinds of hobbies do you enjoy?

During his free time, Jason likes to juggle. He's been juggling since he was in middle school and when he lived in Texas before living in Norway, he was a part of the Texas Juggling Society club. Jason also enjoys interactive fiction, a mash of computer programing and writing.

Why did you move to Norway?

Jason's husband works in the oil industry, specifically with software. His company offered him a position and they took it. Jason then found a job working as a substitute teacher at the Oslo International school. He is moving back to the United States because his husband got a job at Microsoft.

How was living out of the country different? What was the adjustment like?

Jason lives in the north side of Norway. He said it was very cold and there is a dramatic difference in daylight. The hardest thing for Jason to get used to was the dramatic differences in daylight and weather. Specifically during Winter because it's very cold and there's barely any daylight. But some of the upsides were learning Norwegian and being so close to everything. Him and his husband can take a trip to Rome for the weekend and be back by Monday where as living in Texas, it would be a must more time consuming and costly trip.

One thing you enjoyed about Westside today?

Obviously, the highlight of Jason's day was talking Kate and I. But there were also other moments Jason enjoyed. As he toured the new campus he described it as "neat to see and imagine what it could become". Another highlight of his day at Westside was his demo math class for the 7th graders.

As a footnote: Jason was offered the position of Westside's 7 and 8th grade math teacher and will join us next year at the new campus.

Westside Volleyball 2015

Kate and Henry

Westside's volleyball season is up and running and off to a good start. About two weeks ago, games began and will be every occurring every weekend through the beginning of April. This year there are five teams for Westside. 5th boys and girls, 6th boys and girls as well as a combined 7/8 grade girls team.

We encourage anyone and everyone to come out and support our teams! Game and practice schedules will be posted on the Westside School website under the athletics calendar.

Jimmy Graham Traded to the Seattle Seahawks

By: Emilio and Nathaniel

The New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks have agreed on a trade sending Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham and a Fourth Round draft pick to Seattle for a 2015 First Round draft pick along with center Max Unger. He signed a four-year, $40 million contract that will pay him $10 million this season and has $20.9 million in guaranteed money.

Seattle Seahawk's point of view: Graham is regarded as one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL, a man who often lines up as a wide receiver. He has 4,752 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2010. The Seahawks really needed a tight end along with a red zone threat and they got both of those things with this trade. (When Graham is healthy).

New Orleans Saint's point of view: The Saints have lost a key in their offense but, according to Sean Payton (the Saint's Head Coach), the Saints will be able to move the ball just fine without Graham. With two First Round draft picks, the Saints might be considering grabbing a QB for their future, as Drew Brees is aging. The Saints also acquired max Unger, arguably one of the best Centers in the league, if not injured. Putting him in the middle of Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs. Giving Drew Brees a longer time in the pocket.

Overall, a surprising trade. Works out for both teams to an extent (mostly for the Seahawks). Look for the Seahawks to make an appearance in the Super Bowl 50.

A Night Our for Westside!

A Night Out of Westside

Nathaniel and Aisha

This year Westside is hosting a new event for the parents, Westside Night Out. It will be held on March 14 from 6:30 to Midnight at SoDo Park in place of the Annual Westside Auction. It will be a fun filled night with raffles, music, dancing and much more. Mark your calendars for this new and exciting event!