Dear Westwood Families,
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year!
Much planning, excitement, and hard work has gone into preparing for a successful return to school. My name is Mrs. Adrienne Stephenson and I am the principal serving the students, community, and staff at Westwood Elementary School. I come to you with 18 years of experience in the Alhambra School District. I have served our district and families as a First-Grade Teacher, Academic Coach, Assistant Principal, and Principal. I am looking forward to meeting new faces, revisiting with familiar ones, and becoming an integral part of the education of more than 630 students. Ms. Kara Huff will serve as our Assistant Principal, and Ms. Angelica Garcia will serve as our Academic Coach. Together. we are honored to work alongside you to make this an impactful and wonderful experience for all students and families!
The Mission of Westwood Elementary School is to provide a safe environment by fostering lifelong learners, building positive relationships centered around students, guided by teachers, and supported by families and our community. The Vision of Westwood Elementary School is to ignite dedication towards college and career achievement, excellence, and success for all in an ever-evolving world.
Strong relationships are the foundation of our school's success. At Westwood, we are deeply committed to building powerful and lasting connections with students. families, staff, and our broader community. We believe every child possesses unique genius and limitless potential. It is our unwavering mission to provide the necessary support and opportunities that will allow all students to thrive and tum their dreams into reality.
We are raising the bar in academics through intentional, high-impact programs. This year, we are proud to continue the en Vision Mathematics program, designed to strengthen math instruction and deeply engage students in meaningful learning. We will continue using the Wonders reading program to offer rigorous, content-rich instruction supported by innovative technology. Additionally, our use of the Spalding program will reinforce essential reading, writing, and spelling skills. We remain committed to our Leader in Me initiative, empowering students with leadership skills for school and life. Our continued focus on , AVID ensures that all students are prepared to excel in college, careers. and beyond.
Your partnership is essential to your child's success-and to the success of our entire school community. We are honored to walk alongside you in your child's educational journey and are committed to creating the best possible school experience. We encourage open communication, and our doors are always open for your questions, thoughts, or visits. Family engagement matters, and we actively seek to expand parent involvement. To get involved, please contact our Parent Volunteer Coordinator, Elidia Landey, at 602-242-2442 she is ready to welcome and support you. We also invite you to attend our monthly PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and SCC (School Community Council) meetings to collaborate, share ideas, and stay informed. And don't forget to join us for our monthly Westwood Family Nights, a wonderful opportunity to connect and celebrate our school community.
Please plan on joining us for Meet the Teacher on Friday, August 1st from 4:00-6:00. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet your child's teacher, your child's administrators, learn about Westwood. and ask any questions you have for the upcoming year. The first day of school is Tuesday, August 5th.
We will continue to have early release Wednesdays this year. Dismissal will be at 1:40 every Wednesday.
Enforcing our uniform policy allows for us to keep students focused on learning as well as adding another layer of safety as we can easily see who should and should not be on campus. The proper uniform dress consists of red, navy blue. black. or white tops and navy, black, or khaki bottoms. Shoes should be closed toe for safety at recess and PE. Crocs. slippers. heels. slides. flip flops. etc. are not safe to wear to school.
It is a true honor to serve as your child's principal, and I am deeply committed to partnering with you to support their growth, learning, and success. Together. we can make this school year one of meaningful progress and powerful transformation. Our theme this year 1s "Teddy Beers Today, Leaders Tomorrow" -a reminder that every moment we invest in our students helps shape the future leaders of our world. Please know that my door is always open, and I welcome any questions, ideas, or concerns you may have. On behalf of our entire Westwood team, welcome to the family - we are so excited to begin this incredible journey with you!
Sincerely,
Adrienne Stephenson, Principal