There are a handful of questions that everyone will wrestle with and seek to answer. And one of the most palpable of those questions centers on our need to understand the existence of evil. Having been at Westminster for only two years I have already had this conversation with many students. For example, questions like, “Why are some people so mean?” or when put as an accusation, “Can you believe that she would do that?!” are just a rephrasing of the question, why do bad things happen?
This is a very difficult question. It is difficult because we all face difficult things; painful personal tragedies that flood us with uncertainty and grief. This article is not intended as a guide for those who are struggling with personal tragedy, that requires care and empathy, instead, this article hopes to assist those who are struggling with their belief in God in response to their experience of evil.
One of the consequences of the pain we experience is we sometimes doubt the goodness or even the existence of God. I get it, I’ve often struggled with my own doubts about God. I’ve learned that I can’t necessarily reason my way into a closer relationship with God, but I can reason myself out of my doubts about his existence or character.
For example, here is a way to reframe the problem of evil:
See You at the Pole™ is a student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led prayer rally where students meet at the school flagpole before school to lift up their friends, families, teachers, school, and our nation to God. This year, National Junior Honor Society students will lead this special event on the Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 a.m. Please join us for a time of worship and prayer.
Recently, the eighth-grade class experienced an incredible retreat at the first GR8 Escape, and sixth and seventh grade girls participated in an amazing night of fun and fellowship at the Middle School Girls Lock-In event. Now, we would like to invite the sixth and seventh grade boys to a private showing of "What Rhymes With Reason."
"What Rhymes With Reason" is an adventure! Ignited by personal tragedy, a group of students set off to find a legendary landmark hidden in the wilderness. Together, they navigate the adventure while confronting complex struggles within themselves. The story wrestles with depression, anxiety, doubt, and identity. What Rhymes with Reason sparks a fun and emotional journey of hope for teens and families of the social media age, reminding everyone that no one has to struggle alone.
The sixth and seventh grade boys will be taking a field trip to The Falls Regal movie theater on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Buses will leave the school at approximately 12 p.m. and will be returning around 4 p.m.
The film has been rated appropriate for ages 12+. Please visit this link for a full movie review and Dove rating details.
To register, bring $20 and this signed waiver to your Bible teacher by Monday, October 2. Concessions will be available for boys to buy snacks and drinks. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Dumas.
Mark your calendar! There is no school for preschool and elementary students on Friday, Sep. 29, 2023, due to parent/teacher conferences. The middle school and high school are in session.
This year, seniors need to register for the AP exams they would like to take in May 2024. AP exams cost $125 per exam and $150 for each AP Capstone exam. The cost of the AP exam includes fees incurred from College Board and expenses for administering exams on campus. The fee for registered AP exams will be reflected in your Smart Tuition November billing statement.
We encourage all students who are enrolled in an AP course to take the respective AP Exam. Seniors must register for the exams they would like to take no later than Friday, September 29, 2023, for annual and first-semester courses. Registration for second-semester courses such as Macroeconomics will take place in January.
All students enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) course are automatically registered in College Board’s online platform, AP Classroom, with their respective AP teacher(s). AP Classroom provides the student access to online AP resources, including study questions that mirror actual AP exam test material. Students can independently track their progress online through Personal Progress Checks which the AP teacher unlocks. This invaluable tool is available for all AP students enrolled in an AP course at Westminster Christian School, not just for those who intend to take the exam.
Kendall Speech and Language will be coming to Westminster on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, to conduct speech, hearing, and vision screenings for our elementary students.
Please check your child’s homework folder to complete the screening consent form. Payment can be made via check or online through Venmo. All forms are due back by Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. Email Nurse Hathaway at rhathaway@wcsmiami.org with any questions or concerns.
This week in chapel we learned from 1 Samuel 16:7 that God doesn’t look at what people look at. People look at the outside and God looks at the heart. Ask your child about the choice of a gift Mrs. Chase had to make – and how looks can be deceiving!
We want a heart like David - a man after God's own heart. With the help of the Holy Spirit our hearts can be whole, and we can treat others the way God wants us to! We asked God to fill our hearts with love for others and hearts that love God more than anything else!
On October 12, 2023, the PSAT will be administered in a new digital format to all students in grades 9-11. Students will be using their own school-issued Surface. Watch this video to see what students can expect from the digital PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT.
This Thursday, Sept. 21, students in grades 9-11 will stay in Period 4 to conduct a digital readiness check during assembly time. Seniors will report to The Lighthouse during assembly time.
Please ensure that your child does the following to prepare:
Check and complete any updates on the computer.
Make sure their surface is fully charged.
Bring the surface charger to school.
Check the device to make sure they can complete the test on their surface.
The PSAT is great practice for the SAT. Their score on the PSAT will unlock a free personalized SAT study plan on Khan Academy. In addition, students receive free college planning tools to help them start their college search as well as feedback on the types of AP courses for which they may be particularly well prepared. Taking these college-level classes can help students earn college credit while still in high school and provide them with a competitive advantage in the college admission process.
For Juniors, the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) offers the opportunity to enter competitions for college scholarships.
To prepare, full-length adaptive digital PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT practice is available on the Bluebook™ app which has been installed on your child’s device. Resources are also available at the Official Digital SAT Prep on Khan Academy. In addition, below are links to the informational guides which provide test information and practice problems.
In Psalm 86:11 it says, “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” You may not have ever noticed but in this verse and in many other places in the Bible where we read the word “LORD” it is printed in all caps. There is actually a very important theological reason why the decision is made to do this. Here is a brief explanation:
The Hebrew people had such a high view of God that over time they developed traditions and rules for how to write and speak His name. The name of God in Hebrew is transliterated to English as, “Yahweh.” With respect to the tradition of honoring the name of God, however, the Hebrew people would have left out the vowels, so Yahweh becomes, YHWH, rendering the name of God unpronounceable. Their thought was something like, “If you can’t say it, you can’t misuse it.”
So, in our verse when we see the word “LORD” in all capital letters, what we have in the original language is the unpronounceable name of God YHWH. So, what does this mean for us, in other words, Why LORD; WHY|YHWH?
Steckley Designs emailed your child's school picture notice to you. If you can't locate your notice, email steckleyphoto@gmail.com with child's name, school and grade, and they will resend. We also recommend you search your inbox and spam folder for "Steckley."
Order your photo package with free school delivery, or purchase the $15 retake product by Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. Please note: If your child was absent on picture day, you do not need to contact Steckley. There is no charge for a photo retake.
Join "Women of Westminster" on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 9:30 a.m. in The Lighthouse for a morning of worship, Christian fellowship, and a bit of laughter with Dede Lomenick, an inspiring speaker who understands the joys and struggles of women.
This annual event is open to all Westminster women, current and alumni moms and grandmothers, and high school students, who want to spend a morning together growing in faith. Friends and guests of our Westminster community are also invited.
Attendees will enjoy a light breakfast and will receive a special gift! No RSVP is required. We look forward to seeing you there!
Any student in grades 9-11 enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) course is automatically registered for the AP exams, which take place in May 2024. Each AP exam costs $125 per AP exam and $150 for each AP Capstone exam. The cost of the AP exam includes costs from College Board as well as costs of administering the exams on campus for proctors and other related expenses for Westminster. The fee for registered AP exams will be reflected in your Smart Tuition November billing statement.
We encourage all students who are enrolled in an AP course to take the respective AP Exam. However, if a student wishes to cancel their registration for an AP exam, he/she must complete the cancellation form no later than Friday, Sep. 29, for both annual and first-semester courses.
Any exams canceled after Sep. 29 will not be refunded.
All students enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) course are automatically registered in College Board’s online platform, AP Classroom, with their respective AP teacher(s). AP Classroom provides the student access to online AP resources, including study questions that mirror actual AP exam test material. Students can independently track their progress online through Personal Progress Checks which are unlocked by the AP teacher. This invaluable tool is available for all AP students enrolled in an AP course at Westminster Christian School, not just for those who take the exam.
The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming in October and we are in search of enthusiastic volunteers to make this event a resounding success! Are you passionate about books, literacy, and fostering a love for reading among young minds? If so, we invite you to join us as a Scholastic Book Fair Volunteer.
🗓️ Event Dates: October 9-13 🏫 Location: Hub 1 in the elementary school campus
Volunteer Opportunities: -Cashiers: Help students and parents complete their purchases at the checkout counter. -Personal Shoppers: Offer recommendations and assist shoppers in finding the perfect books.
No prior experience is necessary, and training will be provided for all volunteer roles. Just bring your passion for books and a willingness to help make this event unforgettable!
Every human being is creative. The Bible teaches us that we are made in the image of God. He is the creator of the universe. All things, from the most intricate details of subatomic particles to the vast expanse of space and the mechanism of time, came from the mind and mouth of God. So, when He made us in His image, he gave us a similar kind of creative power. The important difference being that He can create from nothing, whereas we can create with what he’s created. God made a tree by speaking and it came into existence. We can make a tree by planting a seed. We can also use the wood that comes from a tree to make a table. We can also say the word “tree” creates the idea of a tree in someone else’s mind. This, our use of language, is the purest form of our God-reflecting creative power. We can create ideas through written and spoken words. In other words, we, too, create with our minds and mouths.
When we speak, we pass air over our vocal cords, tongue and lips in a way that manipulates it to create sounds. These sounds create meaning. The person standing nearby receives those manipulated air particles through tiny vibrating hairs and bones in their ear and interpreting those vibrations through chemical signals in their neurons, creates mental pictures in their mind. So, I can think of an idea and then use air to create a similar idea in your mind.
You don’t even need to be in the same room as me to understand what I’m thinking about because I can use marks on a page or screen to represent the words I would say if you were. Through the written and spoken word I can create in your mind what was in my own.
The Preface and Chapter 1 of Wandering Through WorldWonder are written to make the connection between WorldWonder and the Garden of Eden. WorldWonder is a well-cultivated, beautiful garden with lots of trees and lush green plants. Here is the description of the Garder of Eden in Genesis 2:8-9 & 16-17:
“8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
This week in Chapel I shared a message with the Elementary school about what happens when we plant seeds. If you plant a tomato seed, you expect to get a tomato plant and you hope that it produces tomatoes. If you planted tomato seeds and got a pumpkin plant that produced bananas, you would be very confused.
In Genesis 2, we see that the “seeds” God planted in creation were for our benefit; good trees that produced good food. But then Adam and Even “planted a seed” of sin by eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil when God asked them not to. As a result, the seed of sin got planted in the heart of humanity and now sin and brokenness grow up all around us. This is not good, but it makes sense, because when you plant a seed, you expect to get more of what you planted.
What are we grateful for? This week in chapel we learned about David, who God called "a man after God's own heart." David wrote our theme Bible verse for this year, Psalm 86:11. How can we be "a person after God's own heart?" A good start is by seeking God and thanking Him for our blessings. Students were challenged this week to wake up each morning grateful and thanking God for one blessing in life! Ask your child what he/she is grateful for!
Thank you to some PK3 students (and siblings!) for raising $159 for our Noisy Offering by having a lemonade stand over Labor Day weekend. This is awesome mission-mindedness! Our Noisy Offering this quarter will support the students attending CARE Elementary School in Overtown.
I read an article a few years ago that referenced a psychological study where participants were given random labels and then told to divide themselves according to the labels they received. The result was three groups of people. The focus of the study was how people responded to the new group and the researchers were surprised to see competition spring up in the resultant groups. The same tensions you would expect to find in entrenched politics, tribal warfare, and international disputes. The resulting groups, associated only by randomly generated and completely arbitrary labels, displayed intense loyalty to their group and fierce competition with the other groups in a matter of a few hours.
I was intrigued so I ran an experiment. We were taking a group of 100 volunteers on a tour and took two charter buses labeled bus A and bus B. I was the host on bus B. As we started, I stood up in the front of my bus and said something like this, “Hey everyone, my name is John Bishop, and before I say anything else, I just wanted to let you know that we’re bus B, the better bus, the Bishop bus…” I said a few other silly things, picking on my friend who was hosting bus A and then we commenced with the tour. By the time we had arrived at our first destination, 45 minutes later, the identity of bus B was so firmly entrenched that my bus B group started heckling bus A people on the sidewalk as we disembarked. Now, it was all in good fun, and we laughed about it. But the fact remains, there is something baked into us that drives us to competition.
I think competition, in general, is great. It drives us to achieve things we wouldn’t otherwise accomplish. It creates comradery and brings meaningful depth to our experiences with each other. But there are dark sides to competition that create very un-Christlike behaviors in us. Some of us, for example, commit to win at all costs and succumb to cheating, lying, and stealing to make it happen. Or in our relationships we compete in ways that damage intimacy and wound trust.
I don’t think we can get rid of competition; I think it’s in us and likely put there by God, but how do we compete in God’s way?
The honor society application is now open for submissions! Students that are currently members of an honor society do not need to reapply. However, Mu Alpha Theta associate members need to apply to become full members.
Westminster Christian School utilizes one digital unified application. Students must submit only one application, but they may select multiple honor societies for consideration. All students must also upload the following documents before submitting their application (both can be found in myWCS):
High School Transcript
Final 2022-2023 Report Card showing unweighted GPA
Select honor societies have additional application requirements such as a teacher recommendation form, service hour documentation, or submission of a writing sample. Go to the Resources tab in myWCS and click on Honor Societies to download teacher recommendation forms and review eligibility criteria prior to beginning the application.
All applications for honor societies must be completed and submitted by Friday, September 22, 2023.
Please note, applying for an honor society does not guarantee selection. Students selected for induction will be notified by the honor society sponsor on or before Friday, October 6, 2023.
If you have questions about a specific honor society, please contact the sponsor directly. Go to the Resources tab in myWCS and click on Honor Societies to view honor society sponsors. If you have a technical issue regarding the honor society application, please contact Mrs. Cabrera-Sarduy at jcabrerasarduy@wcsmiami.org.
Click here to access the honor society application.
KIX Youth for Christ in North Miami and West Homestead thanks elementary school students and families for making them the recipients of their last Noisy Offering for the 2022-23 school year. KIX used the funds to help send children on field trips. Watch these videos they made to show their appreciation:
Today, Wednesday, Aug. 30, is our first day of Fall ES Athletics!
As a reminder, pick up for all teams and grade levels will be at the front of the ES building. Please have your placard placed inside the front windshield so that our coaches can easily see it.
Coach Antawn Borden and Coach Eddie Oliva have an away JV Football game, so we will have guest coach Scott Doan assisting with our second and third grade boys’ basketball. Practice and uniform distribution will still take place.
Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Allow me to unpack the significance of this powerfully profound principle through the relatively simple experience of caring for Hamsters.
Hamstee (my daughter’s first pet hamster) was a horrible pet. We cared for it diligently and did all we could to show it love, but it gave almost nothing back, excepting a lot of middle-of-the-night disturbances, horrible smells, and a few bite wounds. The commitment we made to caring for Hamstee felt like all burden and very little blessing. So, when my daughter came running into the kitchen in a panic and said, “Daddy, the Hamster is dead.” I’m ashamed to admit that my first emotion was not grief. Still my daughter was very upset, so we committed to bury the hamster in the yard. Unfortunately, while digging the hole I broke one of the sprinkler lines! And this experience perfectly sums up what it was like owning and caring for Hamstee, even in its death it was a burden.
Committing to care for Buttercup (our current hamster), however, has been the picture of simplicity and joy. Somehow the little rodent makes cleaning out its filthy tunnels a joy. “We don’t want her to have to live in that squalor…she doesn’t know any better,” we think. We take her out and hold her all the time. She brings so much joy and pleasure to our family. And yet, while on a road trip she gave us quite the scare. The latch on her cage got loose and, in the night, she escaped into my brother-in-law's house. We eventually found her (thank God) but not before emptying closets, barricading rooms, and worrying for 24 hours.
If you get the sense while you’re reading Wandering Through WorldWonder: Mac & Mica’s Adventure, that there is more going on than what is being described, that’s because there is. We have written and illustrated this story with the goal of helping children discover and fall in love with the truths of the Scripture. For example, in this preface you will read the line, “The gate is open and there are adventures waiting to be experienced, and Mr. Heetderks loves having visitors.”
Now on the surface, this is just a tease for the coming story, but we are leveraging WorldWonder allegorically to represent the kingdom of God. So, when we talk about the gate of WorldWonder we are referring to Jesus’ words about Himself in John 10:9 where He says, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” If the gate is Jesus, then Mr. Heetderks represents God the Father. WorldWonder becomes the Kingdom of God and “the adventure” is more than just a setup for the story; it is representative of life, with all its blessing and challenge.
Read through this preface with your kids, be on the lookout for ways to connect the story to faith. Let them share with you the things they like about it, or things that excite them about the book. And then maybe start the conversation by asking something like, “What kind of adventures do you think might happen in WorldWonder?”
It’s sometimes tough to have conversations with kids about spiritual things. We hope this book helps you relay the story of God’s love and care for us in a way that they can understand and enjoy. The kingdom of God is here, and we enter it with the innocence and faith of children. Let their curiosity inspire your imagination and enjoy the moment.
Thank you to the families who have registered their child to participate in the first season of the ES Athletics Program. In less than 5 minutes most of teams were full, with the exception of Lacrosse (Monday/Wednesday) and Tennis (Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday).
View rosters HERE to confirm your child's registration. You'll note some name registrations were incomplete. Please contact Taylor Infante to provide the full name. Visit After School Programs under the Resources tab for more information.
During the week of August 28, teams will meet for a 30-minute practice and uniform pick up. Parents are welcome to attend the last 20 minutes of practice to help their students with uniforms and meet the coach. Our season will pick up again when we return from Labor Day. As a reminder there is no school on Monday, Sep. 4.
Basketball and Soccer (Monday/Wednesday) will be picked up by their coaches on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Basketball and Soccer (Tuesday/Thursday) will be picked up by their coaches Thursday, Aug. 31.
Lacrosse and Tennis will begin their practices when students return on September 5.
Girls in grades 6 and 7, get ready for a night of fun, friendship, and adventure at our First Annual Girls Lock-In event! Experience a night of joy, sisterhood, and faith on Friday, Sept. 22, from 9 p.m. to Saturday, Sept 23 at 8 a.m.
Together, we will strengthen our bonds with each other and with God. Through uplifting conversations and inspiring activities, we'll create a space for spiritual growth and meaningful connections. Join us for a night of worship, reflection, and laughter, as we celebrate our shared values and the love that unites us in Christ. Open your hearts to an evening of fellowship and devotion, as we journey together in faith and friendship.
To register, please return this signed waiver with $10 to your Bible teacher by Monday, Sept. 11.
A late-night snack and light breakfast will be provided. Soon we will share a list of the items to bring with you.
High School Meet the Teacher night, held on Thursday, Aug. 31, is an opportunity for parents to hear from their child’s teachers and to learn more about their classes and daily schedule.
High School offers parents the option to attend on-campus or remotely via Microsoft Teams.
REMOTE: Next week, all high school parents will receive an invite through their child’s Microsoft Teams account. To join remotely, please log in to Microsoft Teams using your child’s login credentials. Teachers created calendar invites for each class. Remote attendance provides full audio of the evening's presentations; however, views of the teacher and classroom are best in person.
ON-CAMPUS: For parents joining us in-person, please find your child’s class schedule and classroom locations in myWCS. Printed copies will not be available. To facilitate navigating the campus, click here for a campus map.
Our schedule will be as follows:
Early Bird
6:45 p.m. - 6:55 p.m.
Period 1
7 p.m. - 7:10 p.m.
Period 2
7:15 p.m. - 7:25 p.m.
Period 3
7:30 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.
Period 4
7:45 p.m. - 7:55 p.m.
Period 5
8:00 p.m. - 8:10 p.m.
Period 6
8:15 p.m. - 8:25 p.m.
Period 7
8:30 p.m. - 8:40 p.m.
Please note that this is not a time for individual parent-teacher conferences.
Please mark your calendar to also attend "College Counseling, Coffee and Croissants" for parents on Sep. 6-Sep. 8. See details HERE.
Due to popular demand, we are pleased to add Homework Hangout 2 to our Monday after school clubs (beginning August 28) under the leadership of third grade teacher, Mrs. Jenea Riccio, in Room 204. Mrs. Riccio will lead this six-week club in a similar manner as the original Homework Hangout. Students will get their homework done and prepare for quizzes and tests while munching on yummy snacks.
If interested, visit After School Programs under the Resources tab in myWCS. Look for HOMEWORK HANGOUT MONDAY 2.
The Future Health Professionals (HOSA) high school club has partnered with OneBlood to host its first blood drive of the year on Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All eligible students and parents are encouraged to donate. There will be two Big Red Buses in the high school circle collecting whole blood and platelet donations.
Students can sign-up on Friday, Aug. 25, during their social studies class or stop by HS 210. Students will receive a parent consent form when they register. Additional consent forms are available HERE. Students must be at least 16 to participate. Additionally:
Students who are 16 need a signed parent consent form at every donation, even if they’ve donated before.
Students who are 17 need an ID and a signed parent consent form. This form will be valid for all remaining drives during this school year.
Students who are 18 need an ID, but are not required to submit a parent consent form.
Parent consent forms must be returned to the high school office no later than Aug. 28 in order to donate.
While Westminster will remain a closed campus during the blood drive, parents are encouraged to participate.
The Christian worldview includes this truth: our hearts are divided. Jeremiah 17:9-10 puts it uncomfortably direct:
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
10 I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.
I don’t like this. I would prefer that Jeremiah says something more like, “Some people’s hearts are deceitful and beyond cure, but not yours, yours is pretty good. I mean, not perfect, of course, everyone makes mistakes, but you’re a pretty good person.” He doesn’t. He says, “the heart,” meaning the central defining nature of humanity, the core of who/what we are, is deceitful. Isn’t that a little harsh, Jeremiah?
Enjoy a cup of coffee and light refreshments at an informal gathering with fellow Westminster parents and administrators from your child's grade/campus on Friday, Aug. 25 at 8 a.m. in the SAC. Each family will receive a complimentary Westminster coffee mug. We look forward to seeing you there!
If a student has a psychological evaluation and needs a Westminster Learning Profile and/or College Board Accommodations, please submit evaluation forms to Mirtha Regueiro by Friday, Aug. 25. Students who have already received accommodations, do not need to re-apply.
Please note, the College Board makes the final decision on accommodations request for the PSAT, SAT, and AP exams.
Mark your calendar! Registration for the ES Athletics Program begins on Monday, Aug. 21. Visit After School Programs, under the Resources tab, to access the registration link.
Programs offered this fall are:
Boys and Girls Basketball
Boys and Girls Soccer
Coed Tennis
Coed Lacrosse
Visit the After School Program Resource Board for complete information. Questions? Contact Taylor Infante at tinfante@wcsmiami.org.
Please use the link below to make the lunch selection for your child for the week of August 28, 2023.
Selections must be made by Wednesday of the week prior. If you do not make a selection, the student will receive one of the lunch options for that particular day. ONE FORM PER CHILD (PK3-K5).
Seniors celebrate their return to campus on Monday, Aug. 21, with a senior caravan. This Westminster tradition is a fantastic way to kick-off their final year. Here are some important details about the event:
Seniors will meet in their vehicles at 7:45 a.m. at Paradise Point, just east of the intersection at SW 67 Avenue and SW 152 Street. Party buses are not allowed as part of the caravan.
The caravan will begin at approximately 8:05 a.m.
Seniors will enter Westminster through the south entrance on SW 67 Avenue following that route into the high school circle and end in the student parking lot.
Parents that would like to view the caravan should park off campus along SW 152 Street and gather in the high school circle.
We are excited to share our plans for chapel for the 2023-24 school year. This year’s theme is WHOLEHEARTED. Our theme verse is Psalm 86:11, “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." We will be going on an adventure with our chapel mascots, Mac, Mica and their momma, to discover answers to many questions they have about God, Jesus, the Bible, and living a Christian life. Over the course of the year, Mac will learn how to trust God with his whole heart as he and his friends explore WorldWonder. Here are some of the activities your students will be taking part in this year to help them to trust God wholeheartedly!
PS/ES Chapels
Tuesdays are chapel days. This year, we are all worshipping together in one chapel first thing in the morning. Please be sure to have your child wear their chapel shirt and to arrive to school on time. Parents are always welcomed to join us and sit in the first three rows.
Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW)
There will be Spiritual Emphasis Weeks twice this year. These special weeks are hosted in the Hub or the Wild Acre and give students the opportunity to dive a little deeper into what we are studying in the Bible.
Community Engagement
We want to pass the love of Christ on to other people in our South Florida community. We are looking for opportunities to get involved. Email Manya Glavach if you are connected with service opportunities in South Florida.
Noisy Offering for Missions
Every quarter, the chapel team picks an organization or ministry to bless with a financial offering. The purpose of collecting an offering is to teach our students to be ambassadors for Christ through service to others. The Bible tells is in Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Encourage your child to get creative in supporting our Noisy Offering – do chores around the house, have a lemonade stand, sell cookies, pray for selected ministries or anything else you can think of! Thank you for your prayers and continued support in developing a mission mindset in your children.
In Class Connection
This year, together we will be reading the book "Wandering through WorldWonder: Mac & Mica's Adventure" written by Westminster's Director of Spiritual Formation John Bishop. Mac, Mica, and the many other characters found in this story were created to share the lessons found in Psalm 86:11, the central focus of Westminster's spiritual formation plan for the 2023-24 school year.
At Home Connection
We are so excited to be working together with our Warrior families to develop ambassadors for Christ by empowering learners, preparing hearts, and inspiring lives. Ask your child what they learn each day at school about God, during chapels, and in Bible. Please continue to pray for our school family!
You can also visit the Chapel board, under the Resource tab in myWCS.
High school students being dropped off or picked up from school should enter through gate 4 (main gate entrance with security guard gate off of SW 152 street) and pull in through the front circle. Students driving themselves should enter through gate 2 (HS student parking lot entrance).
Students need to register their vehicle with Mrs. Lorena Vicente to receive the parking decal (must be placed inside of the front windshield on the passenger side).
During school hours, all parents and visitors will enter through gate 4 (main gate entrance with security guard gate off of SW 152 street). Guests must have a photo ID to be checked in at the guard house and place the temporary parking pass on their dashboard, and their guest pass must be visibly placed on the upper torso.
The Westminster Christian 2023-24 Student/Parent Handbook is posted on the Parent Resources board, under the Resources tab. The Handbook serves as a guide in policy matters and contains school protocols, procedures, and rules. Please take the time to review the Handbook with your child.
The summer reading assignments and supply lists are also available under the Resources tab in myWCS. Be sure to visit the Resources tab for a variety of information available to parents and students.
Now is the time to register your child for the GR8 ESCAPE, a three-day spiritual and leadership retreat that will be held from Tuesday, Sept. 5 to Thursday, Sept. 7 at the Southwind Young Life Camp in Ocklawaha, FL. GR8 ESCAPE is part of the school year and attendance is expected.
Please click on the following links to complete your child's registration and required consent forms.
These forms must be completed no later than Tuesday, August 22.
At GR8 Escape, students will participate in activities that promote spiritual growth, team building, and develop leadership skills in a fun and safe environment, all under the supervision of middle school faculty and staff.
Stay tuned for more details and be sure to visit the GR8 Escape Resource Board in myWCS under the Resource tab for more information.
Registration is open for the the MS Robotics Club. The club meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after school at 3:05 p.m. in T150 for one hour. Visit After School Clubs under the Resources tab for more information.
Enjoy a cup of coffee and light refreshments at an informal gathering with fellow Westminster parents and administrators from your child's grade/campus on Friday, Aug. 18 at 8 a.m. in the SAC. Each family will receive a complimentary Westminster coffee mug. We look forward to seeing you there!
After Warrior Week, our first day of classes on campus will be on Monday, August 21. Student schedules and classroom locations can be found in myWCS. Some classroom locations have changed from previous years. Please be aware student schedules are still being updated; therefore, slight changes are still possible.
All students are to comply with our dress code each school day. Only Westminster-issued items may be worn. Be prepared early for cold weather by purchasing school-approved cold weather items.
We are aware that Dennis Uniforms have some supplies back-ordered until August 31. We are extending grace as the uniform company works diligently to fulfill these orders.
To report an absence, tardy, or early dismissal, please email hsattendance@wcsmiami.org. Mrs. Evelyn Escobar, the assistant to the HS Principal, will monitor this email address.
Students are expected to be in class and attendance will be monitored throughout the year. Students will be placed on attendance probation on their eighth absence and may have course credit withheld.
Enjoy a cup of coffee and light refreshments at an informal gathering with fellow Westminster parents and administrators from your child's grade/campus on Thursday, Aug. 17 at 8 a.m. Each family will receive a complimentary Westminster coffee mug. We look forward to seeing you there!
Looking for Warrior Week photos and videos? You can access all content by visiting the "Resources" tab and clicking on the "Warrior Week" resource board.
Enjoy a cup of coffee and light refreshments at an informal gathering with fellow Westminster parents and administrators from your child's grade/campus on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 8 a.m. in the SAC. Each family will receive a complimentary Westminster coffee mug. We look forward to seeing you there!
Please use the link below to make the lunch selection for your child for the week of August 21, 2023.
Selections must be made by Wednesday of the week prior. If you do not make a selection, the student will receive one of the lunch options for that particular day. ONE FORM PER CHILD (PK3-K5).
For families with children registered for the Elementary Multi-Sport Preseason Camp, the camp will be held after school August 15-18 (Tuesday-Friday) and August 21-25 (Monday-Friday). Please note the following important information:
Students will not be changing before camp. If your student would like to participate in different clothing, they can wear their practice clothes under their uniform to school.
Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle but do not need any sports equipment for this camp.
Students will be checked out by their teachers at the dismissal line and escorted to the courts/fields at the school day dismissal.
If parents are not present to pick-up the student at the completion of camp, they will be escorted to extended care by the coach. Parents are responsible for any additional extended care payments.
Pick-Up Times/ Location:
3:30 p.m. - K5 - Grade 1: Front of the Elementary School.
4 p.m. - Grades 2-3: Front of the Elementary School.
4 p.m. - Grades 4-5: Preschool pick-up/drop-off by Gutierrez Field.
Please have your school placard visible on your dashboard.
We will not be cancelling sessions due to the weather. In the event of rain, students will be participating in a sport-related activity in a designated covered area.
Please join us in welcoming Olga Ndhlovu as an associate director at the College Counseling Center. Ms. Ndhlovu replaces Ethel Ricardo and will be working with students with last names that begin with D-H. Ndhlovu has spent her professional career working in higher education, and is passionate about fostering leadership qualities, providing guidance, mentoring and assisting students in their academic pursuits, spiritual growth, college exploration and career development.
All students are to be in compliance each school day with the school dress code. Be prepared early for cold weather by purchasing long uniform slacks. On cold days, school approved Westminster jackets and Westminster sweatshirts may be worn, ONLY WESTMINSTER LOGO ITEMS MAY BE WORN. No jeans will be allowed.
Uniform shirts, sweatshirts and jackets can be purchased at the Warrior Wear Shop or online. School shorts and slacks must be purchased at Dennis Uniform. View student dress code policy here.
For more information, visit the Warrior Wear Shop board under the Resources tab.
The Westminster Christian Middle School 2023/24 Student/Parent Handbook is posted on the Parent Resources board, under the Resources tab. The Handbook serves as a guide in policy matters and contains school protocols, procedures, and rules. Please take the time to review the Handbook with your child.
Westminster Elementary's popular after-school club program begins its first quarter on August 28. Clubs meet once a week for six sessions from 3 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. (Thursday clubs meet from 2 p.m. to 2:55 p.m.)
All clubs are taught by Westminster's talented teachers and teacher assistants. Students benefit from a wide selection of offerings to create, discover, imagine, build physical and mental skills, enjoy friendships and more!
Visit the "After School Programs" board under the RESOURCES tab to view club offerings. Registration begins August 14 at 8 a.m.
Everyone is invited to the Back-to-School Celebration on Friday, August 11, at 7 p.m in the SAC and surrounding outdoor areas. Dinner and drinks will be provided for you and your family to enjoy in a relaxed, casual atmosphere with friends.
New parents and students are encouraged to stop by the Middle School welcome tent to meet faculty and administrators.
Please use the link below to make the lunch selection for your child for the week of August 15, 2023.
Selections must be made by Wednesday of the week prior. If you do not make a selection, the student will receive one of the lunch options for that particular day. ONE FORM PER CHILD (PK3-K5).
In middle school, the day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m., except on Thursdays when it ends at 2 p.m. If students are not picked up 30 minutes after the end of the school day or do not have an after-school activity, they must report to after-school care for their safety. This free service is provided until 5 p.m.
To pick-up or drop-off your middle school student:
Please enter through the north gate off 67th Avenue and follow the loop around in front of the Student Activities Center (SAC). Pull to the most forward position and be sure your child is ready to swiftly exit the vehicle when dropping off so that we can quickly accommodate as many vehicles as possible. Do not park your vehicle in front of the SAC.
To keep every student and adult safe, DO NOT drop-off or pick-up your child along the way or from behind the SAC.
Thank you for your patience as traffic may be slow during the first few weeks of school.
As we approach the new school year, we would like to share the updated dress code policy regarding skorts and underscore some of our policies for middle school and high school students. The goal of Westminster’s dress code policy is to promote a professional learning environment consistent with our core values of excellence and respect. In line with these values, we have defined our dress code policy to provide more specific guidelines on acceptable styles.
The “double tab pleat skort” and “double pleat skort” are the two acceptable style choices for girls from the AA uniform collection. Please note, the double bow skort is designed for elementary aged students and is not acceptable for middle school and high school girls.
Uniform shorts/skorts, including the inner lining of skorts, may not be altered, rolled up, or shortened in any way. Shorts/skorts must pass the “fingertip test,” where the hem of the garment reaches the tips of the fingers when a student stands straight, and arms/hands are placed by their side.
Students may only wear Westminster-issued sweatshirts and collared uniform shirts. Chapel shirts may only be worn on Tuesdays. The school may offer occasional dress down or “swag” days to be announced periodically throughout the year.
Our school's dress code policy is essential to maintaining a learning environment that promotes excellence and respect, and fosters a sense of unity among students. It is crucial that students adhere to these guidelines.
Violations of the dress code policy will be documented in the student's file and will be immediately communicated to parents. The student will also be required to change into appropriate uniform dress. Subsequent violations will be met with disciplinary measures appropriate to reinforce the importance of adhering to the dress code policy.
Thank you for your commitment to our school community and for partnering with Westminster to create a positive and respectful learning environment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the updated dress code policy, please contact your campus office.
As we gear up for the highly anticipated Warrior Week, we want to ensure the safety and well-being of our students throughout the event. For those students who require medications during Warrior Week, we have organized scheduled drop-off times to streamline the process. Please note that prescription medications require a physician authorization/prescription and emergency medications should have an accompanying action plan. All forms are located in the Health Clinic resource board. To access the resource board, log in to myWCS, go to Resources and click on Health Clinic.
Please take note of the WCS Health Clinic medication drop-off schedule:
· Grade 12 medication drop-off: Monday, August 7, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
· Grade 11 medication drop-off: Tuesday, August 8, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
· Grade 10 medication drop-off: Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
· Grade 9 medication drop-off: Thursday, August 10, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
**Self-carry medications require a physician order and can be emailed to healthoffice@wcsmiami.org. **
We kindly ask that you adhere to these specific drop-off times to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Medications and prescriptions will not be collected on the day students leave for their Warrior Week trip, so please plan accordingly.
If the designated drop-off time for your grade level poses a challenge, we kindly request that you email the Health Office at healthoffice@wcsmiami.org to schedule an alternative drop-off time. You may also email the Health Office with any questions or concerns.
The Elementary multi-sport pre-season camp will take place after school from Tuesday, Aug. 15through Friday, Aug. 25. This camp is designed to expose students in K5 to grade 5 to a variety of after-school athletic opportunities. Students will participate in soccer, kickball, basketball, and more. Students will be checked out from their teachers at the dismissal line and escorted to the courts/ fields. Students can be picked up at 4 p.m. at the front of the elementary school.
The total cost for each student is $50 for the nine-day camp.
Uniforms don’t fit? Need another size? No problem! If you have gently used uniforms you no longer need, drop them off this week at the ES, MS, or HS office (lost and found bin) to be sold at the DUB Swap.
All families are invited to shop at the DUB SWAP on Wednesday and Thursday, July 26and 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the MS/HS Media Center. At the Swap, you can purchase any uniform item for $5 each.
Make sure you have everything you need by reviewing the trip's packing list. Click here to view.
If you haven't done so already, the following Warrior Week forms should also be completed as soon as possible:
The Warrior Week waiver and Student Registration forms. These are available in your myWCS account (in the same place as your enrollment forms.)
The Sharptop Cove waiver. This waiver is available on the Warrior Week Resource Board and by using this link. Please select both Westminster (Miami) and August 13-18, 2023, under the appropriate sections.
If your child has any dietary concerns, please use this link to submit the form directly to Sharptop Cove.
For students with prescription medications, your child’s physician must complete an Authorization for Medication form. Click here for more details.
Volunteer opportunities are still available. Westminster is also searching for nurses and doctors to attend. Click here to register to volunteer.
Westminster's College Counseling Center (CCC) will be hosting Senior Boot Camp August 8-11 to continue the college application process with students. All seniors are required to attend one session. If you have not registered, click here to register now.
Westminster student athletes in grades 6-12 are welcome to attend the annual on-campus physical day on Saturday, July 29, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m., in the main gym, sponsored by UHealth, free of charge. Bring your completed EL2 form.
Click here to view the new athletic clearance procedures for grades 6-12. Westminster will no longer use PRIVIT for athletic clearance submissions.
If you are completing your annual physical over the summer, please have your doctor sign the EL2 form. Also, please note that all Westminster student athletes in grades 6-12 are welcome to attend the annual on-campus physical day on July 29 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. in the gym, sponsored by UHealth, free of charge.
For students with prescription medications, your child’s physician must complete an Authorization for Medication form. This form includes medications administered by the nurse or carried by the students for self-administration. Additionally, students who require emergency medications must have an action plan completed by their prescribing physician. Please note, medication will not be accepted without a physician signed Authorization and/or action plan forms. To access these forms, log in to myWCS, click on the Resources tab, and then click on the Health Clinic resource board. We kindly ask that you do not delay in getting your child’s forms completed.
Please arrange to drop off medication, supplies, and orders at the Health Clinic the week of August 7, 2023. Each grade level will have a designated drop-off day and time, which will be communicated to you in advance. It is important to note that medications and orders will no longer be accepted on the day your child departs for Warrior Week. Please feel free to email Nurse Hathaway at rhathaway@wcsmiami.org with any questions or concerns.
English level placements for freshmen have been uploaded to myWCS. Students can view by logging in to myWCS and selecting course requests found under “My Day.” Reminder, placement is based on the placement exam, English 8 level, and final grade.
Please note, course requests are different from a student’s schedule. The students’ schedules will be generated from courses requested and assigned to select periods based on what fits within the school-assigned schedule.
Notification will be sent once schedules are posted in myWCS. Please check the Summer Reading information found under “Resources” to begin the summer assignments.
As senior year approaches, we want to provide you with information regarding senior yearbook portraits and introduce you to the new yearbook advisor, Mrs. Reisa Plyler. Mrs. Plyler brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the yearbook team. Her passion for capturing Westminster’s school community and highlighting the accomplishments of our students will undoubtedly result in a remarkable yearbook.
Senior portraits are an essential part of creating a memorable yearbook, and we want to ensure that the process is as smooth as possible. We have decided to partner with Fox-Mar Studio for this year's senior photos. Fox-Mar will share senior portraits directly with Westminster’s yearbook advisor. Parents may also choose to take additional portraits with Fox-Mar or contract a private photographer for individual senior portraits.
To schedule your child’s senior portrait session, please visit Fox-Mar Studio’s website at https://foxmar.sessionselector.com/. On the website, you will find detailed instructions, available dates, and pricing information. We encourage you to book your session quickly to secure your preferred date and time slot.
If you have any questions about your child's senior portraits, you may email Mrs. Plyler at rplyler@wcsmiami.org. She looks forward to working closely with you and your senior throughout the yearbook creation process. As we embark on this exciting journey together, we would like to express our gratitude for your ongoing support and partnership. Happy summer!
As families prepare for the next school year, please be advised that Westminster will no longer use PRIVIT for athletic clearance submissions. Westminster Athletics is moving to a new system and details on that system will be available in the coming weeks.
If you are completing your annual physical over the summer, please have your doctor sign the EL2 form. You may submit the form to Westminster Athletics once the new system is in place and operational.
Also, please note that all Westminster student athletes in grades 6-12 are welcome to attend the annual physical day in late July, sponsored by UHealth, free of charge. The exact time and date of those physicals will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Last week, Westminster Athletics hosted its first ever Westee Awards. Congratulations to all the varsity athletes, coaches and students that were recognized at the event. Click here to view photos of the winners. High resolution photos are also available for purchase.
Every month, K-5 teachers select their best writers to be dubbed Writing Warriors. Congratulations to the following students who were chosen as the winners for the months of March and April:
Kindergarten March Belvedere-Mia Fernandez, Andrew Sparks, Julieta Pinilla Fosselman-Gabriel Gravier, Carrie Money, Liam Buraglia Morris-Audrey Acosta, Jack Bogie, Eli (Jose) Cabrera
April Belvedere-Olivia Rainys, Evelyn Escobar, Griffin Bie Fosselman-Blaire Sanchez, Luke Gonzalez, Sabrina Strems Morris-Jules Garateix, Clark Hansen and Nicolas Haedo
More than 60 years ago, a small group of Christians had a vision for an educational institution that would partner with Christian families to promote schooling to the glory of God. Though much has changed about our culture, our community, and our school, the mission of Westminster of empowering, preparing, and inspiring students to be ambassadors for Christ has not. Our strategic plan and priorities point to this mission. At the Spring Association Meeting, Westminster Board of Trustee’s Chair Philip Floyd and Head of School Scott Jones shared updates regarding Westminster’s strategic plan, steps the Board and school administration are taking to meet our goals, and our vision for the future. For the members of our community who were not able to attend, below is a summary of the information that we shared.
We are currently accepting volunteer applications for Fun Camp! Register now to receive service hours. The deadline to apply is May 12.
We are accepting two weeks per volunteer. Volunteer hours are from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. If you volunteer for a week, you MUST attend all five days. No half weeks are available. You can mark yourself available for one week or all seven weeks and camp directors will choose based on need. No applications from incoming freshman, class of 2027, will be accepted.
For the first time next school year, Westminster's eighth grade class will participate in the "GR8 ESCAPE." GR8 ESCAPE is a three-day spiritual and leadership retreat that will be held from Tuesday, Sept. 5 to Thursday, Sept. 7 at the Southwind Young Life Camp in Ocklawaha, FL, just east of Ocala.
Under the supervision of middle school administrators, faculty, and staff, students will participate in activities that promote spiritual growth, team building, and develop leadership skills in a fun and safe environment during a two-night, three-day stay.
Students will travel via coach buses, leaving school on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 6 a.m. and returning on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. The cost is $650 per student. GR8 ESCAPE is part of the school year and attendance is expected. If there are any issues for this coming school year, please contact Mr. Manoogian.
For now, please mark your calendar for this exciting event. We will share additional information and provide important details over the next few months. Be sure to check myWCS for updates and @WCSMIAMI on Instagram during the summer.
We value the trust that you place in Westminster to empower learners, prepare hearts and inspire lives to faithfully become ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
Thank you to all who joined the fun at this year's Father Daughter Dance. Click here to see event photos. You can download a low-resolution photo or purchase a high-resolution version. Photos can also be viewed at any time by visiting the Resources tab > Pixieset Photo Gallery.
Westminster's sailing team invites interested students in grades 7 through 10 to join them at Carrollton School (3747 Main Hwy, Miami, FL 33133) this Tuesday, April 25, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. to meet the coach as well as some of the team members, ask questions, and do some sailing! Interested students must register using this link, which also provides additional details on the opportunity. If you have any questions, please contact Coach David at david.bargehr@gmail.com.
Middle school students had a wonderful time during this year's Color Wars. Visit the Resources tab > Pixieset Photo Gallery for pictures or click here.
Westminster's Peer Counseling program is now accepting applications from the class of 2024! This program consists of a group of qualified student counselors trained to address a broad range of topics by providing one-on-one, confidential support to Westminster students. Peer counselors are carefully chosen each academic school year based on qualities of empathy, self-reflection, attentiveness, and discretion. The Peer Counseling program offers an encouraging atmosphere where students can talk openly about personal, social, and/or academic challenges and accompanying feelings.
If you are interested in helping peers in a professional setting, please submit this application by Friday, April 28.
Those interested should carefully respond to the questions on the application form. If your application, recommendations, and evaluations pass the first round of review, you will be called for an interview. Please note that the Peer Counseling program receives an abundance of applications annually and openings are limited. Peer counselor selections are final. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Saldana at ssaldana@wcsmiami.org.
On Wednesday, April 19, at 8 a.m., the CCC will be hosting an Essay and Case Studies Workshop for the juniors. Please check your SCOIR account to familiarize yourself with the case studies. Room assignments have been posted on the CCC window. Be sure to bring your College Workbook and surface. Contact your counselor if you have any questions.
Westminster Football is hosting an interest meeting for current fifth grade parents whose sons are interested in trying out for football in sixth grade. Come learn more about the program and meet the new sixth grade football coach Keyon Elam on Wednesday, April 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Gutierrez Field.
Prom is coming up in a few weeks, and we know that students are eager to make plans and purchase tickets. We are grateful we can coordinate and sponsor this event as well as other activities that enhance the Westminster student experience.
To maximize the fun and safety of our community, we want to communicate our expectations for students who participate in Westminster-sponsored events. In this, we hope to clear up any misunderstandings, answer questions you may have, and set expectations for students and parents. We also feel it will be helpful to clarify the potential consequences associated with behavior that contradicts the standards outlined in the student handbook that occurs at this and any school-sponsored events.
It is with this goal in mind that we are asking you to read and complete the safe partnership agreement found in myWCS. Please read through the entire agreement, sign, and submit. After completing the form, your student will be given the opportunity to secure his/her tickets. Westminster students who do not have this form signed by a parent will not be permitted to attend prom.
We invite you to learn more about the dangers of teen alcohol use and the significant dangers, legal risks, and consequences to parents associated with underage drinking. Please refer to this resource, which includes a presentation by MADD and an attorney and former Westminster parent about Florida law related to liabilities associated with teen alcohol use and having alcohol present in a home where an after-party occurs.
We appreciate your attention to this matter as we seek to partner with you in educating our students to make good choices.
The Future Health Professionals (HOSA) high school club has partnered with OneBlood to host a blood drive on Wednesday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All eligible students and parents are encouraged to donate. There will be two Big Red Buses in the high school circle collecting whole blood and platelet donations.
Students can sign-up on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 4-5, during their social studies class. Students will receive a parent consent form when they register. Additional consent forms are available HERE. Students must be at least 16 to participate. Additionally:
Students who are 16 need a signed parent consent form at every donation, even if they’ve donated before.
Students who are 17 need an ID and a signed parent consent form. This form will be valid for all remaining drives during this school year.
Students who are 18 need an ID, but are not required to submit a parent consent form.
Parent consent forms must be returned to the high school office no later than April 11 in order to donate.
While Westminster will remain a closed campus during the blood drive, parents are encouraged to participate.
The week leading up to Easter, Westminster will enhance the normal school schedule with opportunities for students to participate in worship activities. During Worship Week, middle school and high school students will also have the opportunity to participate in service projects. Students may donate new men's and women's underwear or donate $7 to provide a backpack with food to a child in need. See the flyer for more details and click on the link below to register for the backpack service project:
When I was 18, a freshman in college, and heading back to school after Christmas break, I wasn’t a Christian yet. I was riding in my girlfriend’s grandparents’ minivan.
I was crammed between yard sale knick-knacks, canned vegetables and fruit, a dehumidifier, and my own travel bags, I was uncomfortable and a little claustrophobic. I needed something to pass the time. For the first hour I listened to papa describe all the fantastic qualities of the dehumidifier humming beside me; he did so thoroughly, and with proud enthusiasm.
Eventually, we all settled into the 12-hour trip and turned to our own strategies for passing the time. Nana and papa discussed boring adult details, Heather fell asleep, and I was left with absolutely nothing else to do, so I pulled out the Bible Heather had given me. I had been casually reading it to impress her, but I really didn’t know what it was about. I’d heard someone say I should read the Gospels, so I turned to the table of contents and then flipped to the page.
A special evening awaits fathers and daughters at the annual ES Father/Daughter Dance on Friday, April 21, at 7 p.m. in the SAC. Students from PK3-Grade 5 will enjoy dancing, delicious food, and more. If the child's father is unable to attend, she is encouraged to attend with another adult.
Students enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) course have been registered in College Board’s online platform, AP Classroom, with their respective AP teacher(s) and have been registered for all of their AP exams that take place in May 2023. We encourage all students enrolled in an AP course to take the respective AP Exam at the end of the school year. However, if the parent and student elect to forgo the exam, the cancellation process must be completed before the deadline to avoid associated costs and fees.
For second-semester courses, if there are any exams students wish to cancel, they must complete the cancellation form no later than Friday, March 10, no later than 11:59 p.m. Since all students are automatically registered for the AP Exam, only complete the cancellation form if you would like to cancel a second-semester exam(s). CLICK HERE FOR THE CANCELLATION FORM.
The cost is $125 per AP exam and $150 for each AP Capstone exam. The cost of the AP exam includes costs from College Board as well as costs incurred by Westminster to administer the exams. The fee for registered second-semester AP exams will be reflected in your Smart Tuition April billing statement. Please note, that any second-semester exams canceled after March 10 will not be refunded.
If you are interested in canceling a first-semester or annual course exam, please complete the cancellation form by Friday, March 10, no later than 11:59 p.m. CLICK HERE FOR THE CANCELLATION FORM. This will be your final opportunity to cancel your exam. Please note that there are no refunds for first-semester or annual canceled exams.
In addition, if a student is not present for a registered exam there is an additional $40 fee per missed exam.
“So, let us get this right…” the chief priest might have said to Judas. “You're prepared to betray Jesus to us in exchange for 30 pieces of silver?” “Yes, that’s right.” Judas agreed.
“Aren’t you one of His followers?” The Jewish leaders must have wondered. “What has driven you to this point of turning Him over to us?”
Amid the angry, halting, complex, and likely confused reasons provided by Judas there would likely have been a reference to the scene that had unfolded a few hours earlier.
Jesus and his disciples were gathered in the home of Simon the Leper, as is described in Matthew 26:6-13. During this situation, Mary poured an expensive bottle of perfume (let’s say it was Louis XIII at $4,100 a bottle) on Jesus’ head. All the disciples, the Bible explains, were indignant. Everyone was asking, “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
As of this week, Westminster students have raised $17,575 in our third quarter noisy offering to send 703 children to camp with KIX Haiti. We have exceeded our goal and donations are still coming in!! Students will celebrate with a Gratitude Chapel on Tuesday, Mar. 7.
Thank you for your continued support of this important project. Here is the breakdown by homeroom:
Homeroom
Campers
Homeroom
Campers
Chase
17
Forjan
39
Vargas
13
Romaguera
9
Loveless
26
Dopazo
23
Fosselman
15
Riccio
46
Belvedere
28
Lopez
88
Morris
21
Taylor
63
Dirube
16
Gordon
107
Barboza
7
Santiesteban
15
Abbey
14
Cline
59
Berteletti
22
Kyzer
7
Goodrich
39
Cocchiaro
29
Learn more about Haiti Hope Alliance and how your donation will be used HERE from Godwin Altidor, Coordinator of KIX Haiti.
Join your fellow middle school families for an afternoon of fun, kickball, BBQ, music and more on Saturday, Feb.25, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Gutierrez Field and SAC! The entire family is welcome to get in on the game. Game begins at 2:45 p.m. and dinner will be available starting at 4:30 p.m.
Shorty's BBQ, Kona Ice, drinks and dessert will be on site and is included in the registration fee of $10/person. Register at the door.
Steckley Photo emailed parents information to place orders for class group pictures. Please order by Thursday, March 2 at 5 p.m. for free school delivery.
If you can't find the email you were sent, please search "Steckley" in your email box and don't forget to check your SPAM folder. If you still cannot locate the email, please send an email with your child's name, school and grade to: steckleyphoto@gmail.com.
Every month, elementary school teachers will select their best writer to be dubbed Writing Warriors. Congratulations to the following students who were chosen as the winners for the month of February:
Kindergarten Belvedere - Olivia Cepeda, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Luca Porcari Fosselman - Alaia Aguayo, Rose Tadenev, Gabriel Gravier Morris - Adam Depinski, Sienna Roche, Madeline Dini
1st Grade Dirube - Hamilton Jones, Rebecca Marcilio, Lilly Morrow Barboza - Adriana Cuervo, Max Nieves, Amanda Alvarez Abbey - Joshua Cabrera, Raif Manzur, Sydney Hardan
Growing up in New York, snowball fights were an all-day event. We would scope out the best place in the yard, the deepest snow drifts, the best cover, and then we would set our perimeters.
“You’re not allowed to go past the big rock,” I would shout to my brother who was busy piling snow into a bunker-like wall.
“You have to stay on that side of the driveway,” he would shout back as I packed extra snowballs and placed them in the crook of a tree. “If you don’t,” he would add, “I get a free throw,” upping the ante.
These were not mere snowball fights; they were complex military campaigns wherein you were at risk from all sides. In that volatile and tenuous situation, it was imperative that you set the perimeter. Physical boundaries. Rules of engagement. Clear alliances (though these were often abandoned without preamble).
We are grateful that 132 of 156 seniors will be attending. To accommodate a group of this size, we will be traveling on several flights from MIA and one from FLL. For the FLL group, the school will provide transportation to and from the airport. The below link provides departure time and location information. We have also provided a link to the trip itinerary.
Join us for the Mother/Son Field Day on Friday, March 10 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the ES Field. This fun-filled event is about moms creating fun memories with their sons. So, suit up in your best camo gear and take on the challenges of relay aces, dodge ball, obstacle courses, tug-of-war and so much more.
Food, drinks, and dessert are included in your ticket price. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Fine Arts-branded garments bags are now available for purchase in the Fine Arts office for $20.
Garments bags are required for costumes and concert attire when we travel, so this is especially important for high school students who are going to Hawaii over Spring Break, middle school students going to Orlando in May, and dancers attending competition.
You are free to use a garment bag of your choice, but why not represent Westminster Fine Arts with one of these? Cash, credit and Apple Pay available, so come on by the Fine Arts Office, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
The College Counseling Center is hosting a College Admissions Presentation for junior parents on Thursday,Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m. in The Lighthouse. Come learn about next steps, important milestones, best practices and more to help your child succeed in college admissions.
I am fascinated by the concept that boundaries and restraint provide opportunity for freedom and even increase freedom. This idea is different from the common perception in our individualistic American culture that freedom is the pursuit of doing whatever we wish without any boundaries or restraints.
There are plenty of examples in life that illustrate how boundaries protect us and enable us to experience freedom. For example, consider the rules of the road. Though we sometimes wonder whether drivers follow any rules at all on the Palmetto Expressway, we can understand that the rules are in place to promote safety. Can you imagine highways and roadways where there were no rules about the side of the road on which we must drive, no lines on the roads, no signs, no speed limits, and no stop lights? The rules of the road do not take away our freedom as drivers; rather, they provide freedom – freedom to drive with little stress or fear, freedom to get to our destination safely, freedom to drive a small car without worrying that an oversized truck will use its size to dominate the roadway. Guardrails along a bridge do not limit our freedom; guardrails keep us on the road so that we can safely experience freedom without careening off the bridge into disaster.
The ES Office is selling surplus elementary spirit shirts for $10 each until supplies last. Available styles are v-neck women’s cut, gray shirts and youth and adult size green shirts. Parents and teachers may stop by any time during our normal hours, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., to purchase a shirt with cash or a check made payable to WCS.
This week, juniors and seniors attended a presentation on the importance of networking that included a step-by-step guide on how to create a LinkedIn account. If you missed the lecture or would like to review, click here to watch.
Registration for the spring season of the after-school elementary sports program runs from Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. until Thursday, Jan. 26, at 10 p.m. Mark your calendar to secure your child's spot. Space is limited.
To learn about the sports available, register and pay, visit After School Programs under the Resources tab in myWCS.
If you have any questions, please contact Coach Gonzalez at 305-889-7941, ext. 1277, or email igonzalez@wcsmiami.org.
Why is it that we prefer to celebrate with a community of family and friends as opposed to celebrating by ourselves? As I am writing this article, the high school students and faculty are wrapping up Homecoming Week. In the midst of the hall decorating, team competitions, W-hunting and triplets wearing Ghostbusters costumes, I have not once heard someone say, “I really wish I could just be the only one decorating my hall.” In fact, in my eleven years of working at Westminster, I have never heard a student say during HOCO, “I wish I could hunt the ‘W’ by myself” or ask, “Why can’t I be the only person dressing up today?” Why is that? Because God has created in us a desire to celebrate together. In the same way, God has decided that we are to invite others to share in the joy of knowing Jesus personally as our Savior.
As educators, we often feel we need to know the “right” answer to every question a student asks. Otherwise, we can be seen as incompetent. However, there is wisdom in being self-aware that not all answers have to come from our own knowledge and abilities.
Join Westminster parents at the Parent Partners meeting on Fri., Jan. 13, at 8 a.m. in the Lighthouse.
Co-author of "Emotionally Resilient Tweens and Teens" Luis Fernando Llosa will speak on the very important topic of how to support your children when they experience bullying, teasing and social exclusion. Llosa is an award-winning sports writer, editor, speaker, investigative reporter and youth sports consultant who has worked with kids and teens for 25 years.
Parents also have the opportunity to fellowship and enjoy a hot breakfast.
Westminster Christian School, located in Palmetto Bay, Florida, is a private, college-preparatory school for children from preschool through twelfth grade.