We are proud to highlight our partnership with ELEVATE Jacksonville, a program that inspires and equips young people with the tools to thrive academically, socially, and personally. Through long-term mentoring, leadership classes, and character-building experiences, Elevate is dedicated to helping students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
🎓 This month, Elevate hosted a special Career Speaker Series right here at Westside Middle! Our students had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Ephraim Riggins, a distinguished Jacksonville leader. Dr. Riggins, a FAMU Sports Hall of Fame pitcher and Doctor of Pharmacy, shared his journey of perseverance, excellence, and commitment to both education and community service.
Moments like these help our students connect their classroom learning to real-world opportunities — motivating them to dream big and work hard toward their goals.
We are thankful for our partnership with Elevate Jacksonville and look forward to many more inspiring events for Raider Nation!
#OneWestside #UrgencyInAction #RaiderNation #RaiderReady #WeAreWestside #WestsideExcellence #RespectAccountabilityIndependenceDiscipline
You now have access to your student’s state testing score reports through the Florida Statewide Assessments Family Portal. 🎓
✅ A unique 6-digit access code (found in your Parent FOCUS account) is required.
✅ Reports are updated throughout the year and stay with your child, even if they move schools or districts.
✅ You can view detailed reports from this year and past years, download them, and explore helpful resources.
⚡ It is important that parents understand their child’s progress so together we can reach our Data Goals for PM2 and PM3.
🔗 Get started here: https://flfast.org
🔗 Need help creating a Parent FOCUS account? Visit: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/o/dcps/page/get-linked
Let’s stay #RaiderReady by using these tools to support our students’ success!
#OneWestside #UrgencyInAction #RaiderNation #WeAreWestside #WestsideExcellence #RespectAccountabilityIndependenceDiscipline
Progress Reports are now LIVE in FOCUS! 🎉 Parents & guardians can check grades by logging into their Parent Portal (OneView/FOCUS Link account). Staying on top of grades helps us keep students on track for success!
👉 Log in today to review your Raider’s progress.
#OneWestside #RaiderReady #RaiderNation #UrgencyInAction #WestsideExcellence
👥 Attendance Awareness Month (September)
September is Attendance Awareness Month! Every school day matters. When students miss even 2 days a month, that’s 60+ hours of lost learning per year. Please help us build strong habits by:
✔️ Keeping routines consistent
✔️ Scheduling appointments outside of school hours
✔️ Ensuring students arrive on time, every day
Together, we can set our Raiders up for success in high school, college, and beyond!
📖 State Testing
✅ 6th Grade Reading – Completed Sept 8
✅ 7th Grade Reading – Completed Sept 9
✅ 8th Grade Reading – Completed Sept 10
🔄 Reading Make-Ups – Sept 11, 12, & 15
➗ Math Testing – Begins Sept 16
Families can review test scores through the FLDOE Family Portal:
🎫 Uniforms & Student IDs
All students have received IDs, which must be worn around the neck and visible at all times for safety and security.
Uniform shirts must include the Westside logo.
Outerwear must be either school-logo jackets/sweaters or plain grade-level colors:
6th Grade – 🔴 Red
7th Grade – ⚫ Black
8th Grade – ⚪ Grey
🚫 Not permitted: hoodies, jean jackets, leggings, or jeggings.
⚽ Clubs & Activities
🏈 Football Update – Congratulations to our Raiders on a dominant win against Fletcher Middle School! Our defense showed true Raider grit, not allowing a single point all game. The team celebrated with donuts for the “lockdown defense.” 🛑🍩
🎲 Clubs are starting soon! Information about our new Dungeons & Dragons Club is available in the flyer sent through the Parent Portal.
👕 Dress Down Day – Sept 12. Students may wear full dress-down attire. Cost: $4.99, to be paid on the 12th in 1st period. Please send exact change when possible.
🏫 Open House – Sept 16, 6–7:30 PM. Parents who attend will earn BIZI points for their student!
Let’s continue showing Urgency in Action every day! 💪
#OneWestside #RaiderNation #RaiderReady #UrgencyInAction #WestsideMiddle #RaiderPride #RespectAccountabilityIndependenceDiscipline
👥 Attendance Awareness Month (September)
September is Attendance Awareness Month! Every school day matters. When students miss even 2 days a month, that’s 60+ hours of lost learning per year. Please help us build strong habits by:
✔️ Keeping routines consistent
✔️ Scheduling appointments outside of school hours
✔️ Ensuring students arrive on time, every day
Together, we can set our Raiders up for success in high school, college, and beyond!
📖 State Testing
✅ 6th Grade Reading – Completed Sept 8
✅ 7th Grade Reading – Completed Sept 9
📅 8th Grade Reading – Wednesday, Sept 10
🔄 Reading Make-Ups – Sept 11–12
➗ Math Testing – Begins week of Sept 15
Families can review test scores through the FLDOE Family Portal: https://fl-familyportal.cambiumast.com/family.html
.
🎫 Uniforms & Student IDs
All students have received IDs. IDs must be worn around the neck and visible at all times for safety and security.
Uniform shirts must include the Westside logo.
Outerwear must be either school-logo jackets/sweaters or plain grade-level colors:
6th Grade – 🔴 Red
7th Grade – ⚫ Black
8th Grade – ⚪ Grey
🚫 Not permitted: hoodies, jean jackets, leggings, or jeggings.
⚽ Clubs & Activities
🏈 Football Game – Sept 9. Tickets: GoFan
. IDs required for entry!
🎲 Clubs are starting soon! Information about our new Dungeons & Dragons Club is available in the flyer that has been sent out in an accompanying parent email linked through your Parent Portal account.
👕 Dress Down Day – Sept 12. Students may wear full dress-down attire. Cost: $4.99, to be paid on the 12th in 1st period. As much as possible, please send exact change with your student.
🏫 Open House – Sept 16, 6–7:30 PM. Parents who attend will earn BIZI points for their student!
Let’s continue showing Urgency in Action every day! 💪
#OneWestside #RaiderNation #RaiderReady #UrgencyInAction #WestsideMiddle #RaiderPride #RespectAccountabilityIndependenceDiscipline
✅ Attendance Awareness Month – September is Attendance Awareness Month! Every day counts. Help us build strong habits by making sure students are at school on time, every day.
✅ State Testing –
6th Grade Reading ✅ Completed
7th Grade Reading 📖 – Sept 9
8th Grade Reading 📖 – Sept 10
Reading Make-Ups – Rest of the week
Math Testing ➡️ Begins Sept 15
Check your student’s assessment scores at the FLDOE Family Portal.
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✅ Uniforms & IDs – All students have received IDs. IDs must be worn daily as part of the uniform for safety and security. Remember:
Uniforms must have the Westside logo.
Jackets/Sweaters: school-logo or plain grade-level colors.
No hoodies, jean jackets, leggings, or jeggings.
✅ Clubs & Activities –
Football Game 🏈 – Sept 9. Tickets: GoFan
. IDs required for entry!
Clubs are starting soon – including our new Dungeons & Dragons Club!
Dress Down Day 👕 – Sept 12. Cost $4.99 (collected in 1st period).
Open House 🏫 – Sept 16, 6–7:30 PM. Parents earn BIZI Points for participation!
Let’s keep Raider Nation strong 💪 #OneWestside #UrgencyInAction
PM1 State Progress Monitoring testing is here! Please mark your calendars:
📅 Testing Schedule
Sept 9–10: FAST Reading (Grades 6–8)
Sept 16–17: FAST Math (Grades 6–8)
Attendance is critical. When students miss testing, they miss the opportunity to show their growth.
Florida students earn scores in five achievement levels:
1️⃣ Limited understanding (intensive support needed)
2️⃣ Below satisfactory
3️⃣ Satisfactory – on grade level
4️⃣ Proficient – above grade level
5️⃣ Mastery – highest performance
Students take three progress monitoring assessments this year (PM1, PM2, PM3). Each round helps us track growth and guide instruction.
Parents—you can track your Raider’s progress on the FLDOE Family Portal: 👉 https://flfast.org/families.html
Our schoolwide goal: boost every score to help Westside secure a B rating! Together, we can make it happen.
#RaiderReady #OneWestside #WeAreRaiderNation #UrgencyInAction #EveryWordEveryNumberEveryStep
Our mandatory cheer parent meeting is postponed to Tuesday, September 2 at 5:30 PM (via Microsoft Teams).
➡️ Meeting info (Teams link) will be sent only to parents/guardians of students who make the team after final cuts are posted this evening.
Cuts Timeline
First cuts: Posted by lunch today.
Final cuts: Posted after the second round of tryouts this evening.
Questions? Please contact Ms. Faust at afaust@cisjax.org
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#RaiderNation #OneWestside #WMSCheer #UrgencyInAction
Please help us congratulate Ms. Cotton, sixth-grade math instructor and a shining example of our Guiding Principles—Respectful, Accountable, Independent, and Disciplined. She lives our theme of #UrgencyInAction every day.
Her superpowers: building strong relationships, breaking down barriers to instruction, and crafting engaging lessons that make math click for our Raiders. Thank you, Ms. Cotton, for all you do for Raider Nation! Drop a 💬 to celebrate her!
#RaiderNation #OneWestside #RAID #MiddleSchoolMath #TeacherSpotlight
This Friday, August 29, 2025 we celebrate our first RAID DAY and the Grand Opening of the RAIDER Store for the 2025–26 school year!
At Westside Middle, we use PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Systems) to recognize students who live out our values of Respect, Accountability, Independence, and Discipline.
Through the BIZI app (available to students and parents on DCPS BlendedLearning), Raiders earn bi-weekly “BIZI Payments”—think of it like a school allowance 💰—based on behavior, attendance, and academic performance. Students can then cash in their BIZI Payments for treats, rewards, and Raider gear at the RAIDER Store.
✅ Parents/Guardians: Log in to the BIZI app to check your Raider’s bonuses (positives) and flags (redirections).
We can’t wait to celebrate our students and reward them for their hard work and Raider spirit this Friday! 🖤❤️
#RaiderReady #OneWestside #UrgencyInAction
📢 Team-Up Attendance Policy Update
Raider Families, please be aware that during the first week of Team-Up, attendance will be closely monitored. If a student does not attend from the roster within this week, they will be replaced by a waitlisted student.
✅ Check your email attached to your Parent Portal account for the updated Team-Up rosters.
Thank you for your support in ensuring that every Raider has the opportunity to participate in after-school enrichment!
#OneWestside #RaiderReady
📢 Important Team-Up Announcement
Team-Up begins today at Westside Middle School! Students cleared by Ms. Faust will transition to the gym during dismissal for check-in.
✅ Dismissal Times:
Walkers dismissed by 6:30 PM
Car riders must be picked up by 6:40 PM
Buses leave at 6:15 PM and 6:45 PM
⏰ Gates close and campus shuts down at 7:00 PM sharp
Due to the high number of students enrolling, some students have been placed on a waitlist. If your student is not on the enrollment list provided, they are waitlisted at this time. We are actively hiring additional staff to increase capacity and will notify families as soon as more slots are available.
#RaiderReady #OneWestside
Today we issued student IDs to all 6th-grade students who were on campus. Please remind your Raider to bring and wear their ID every day—it’s part of the uniform and is required for:
🍽️ Lunch service
🚌 Bus transportation
🎯 After-school activities
If your 6th grader missed today (absent or not in class), we’ll catch them during make-ups. Lost or damaged ID? Contact the front office for replacement steps.
7th & 8th grade: ID distribution will begin in the coming weeks—watch for dates.
Questions? Call 904-573-1000.
#OneWestside #RaiderReady
Thursday, Aug 14, 2025 • 5:30 PM • Cafeteria
To apply for or secure your student’s seat, an 18+ parent/guardian must attend.
Athletes and students on after-school teams must be registered in Team Up.
✅ Register your way:
• On-site at the meeting
• Online: https://cisjax.org/afterschool-application/
• Paper copies: available in the front office
You’ll complete paperwork, meet the Team Up Director & staff, get bus information, pick up a cheer packet (if interested), and enter parent raffles.
Questions? 904-573-1000
#OneWestside #RaiderReady
📣 Mandatory Team Up Afterschool Parent Orientation
When: Thursday, August 14, 2025, 5:30 PM
Where: Westside Middle School Cafeteria
To apply for or secure your student’s seat, an 18+ parent/guardian must attend.
Students who plan to participate in athletics must sign up for Team Up. You can sign up on-site at the meeting.
Prefer to do it now? Apply online: https://cisjax.org/afterschool-application/
Need paper forms? Pick up a copy in the front office.
What to expect:
Complete the required paperwork
Meet the Team Up Director & staff
Get afterschool bus information
Cheer packet pickup (if interested)
Parent raffle giveaways 🎟️
Questions? 904-573-1000
#OneWestside #RaiderReady
We know many of our families are experiencing ongoing transportation challenges, and we want you to know we are aware and actively working with DCPS Transportation and our bus contractors to find solutions.
✅ Please continue to call DCPS Transportation at (904) 858-6200 for route and stop time assistance.
✅ At the school level, we will do our best to help students find their route and stop times.
🚗 If you are able, we ask that you pick up your student via car as much as possible until these issues are resolved.
We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work together to get every Raider to and from school safely.
#OneWestside #RaiderReady #UrgencyInAction
The Student Code of Conduct has been updated to follow Florida House Bill 1105. Starting this school year, students in PreK–8 (including all middle school students) may not use cell phones, smartwatches, or other smart devices during the school day—for any reason.
🔒 Students can bring these items to school, but they must remain off and away from the time they arrive until the end of the school day.
This new rule ensures fewer distractions, safer learning, and more face-to-face engagement for every Raider. 💬📚💡
Let’s work together to help our students stay focused, connected, and #RaiderReady!
#UrgencyInAction #OneWestside
🎓 Student ID Update for Raider Nation! 🎓
🟦 7th & 8th Grade Families:
Hold on to those ID cards! If your child still has their ID from last year — they’re good to go for the 2025–2026 school year. No need to replace it unless it's damaged.
🟥 6th Grade Families:
We’ll be issuing new student IDs for all 6th graders by the end of the first week of school.
✅ IDs help with safety, cafeteria checkouts, and bus boarding — so please make sure your student brings theirs every day!
#OneWestside #RaiderReady #UrgencyInAction #MiddleSchoolStrong
🚍 Transportation Update for Raider Nation! 🚍
Parents & Guardians — due to a technical error in the new routing software, bus information is not currently showing in FOCUS. But don’t worry — if your student is transportation-eligible and you've submitted a ride request, they have a bus!
📌 If you live within 2 miles of the school, your student is NOT eligible for bus service.
📞 Please call the District Transportation Office at (904) 858-6200 ASAP to get your child’s bus number and route before the first day of school.
🧠 Make sure your child knows what bus they ride!
🚫 Please note: Westside staff does not control bus assignments or eligibility. All transportation is managed by Duval County Public Schools and contracted vendors.
Let’s get #RaiderReady and keep that #UrgencyInAction rolling!
#OneWestside #BackToSchool2025