Parents and Community

Meet!

The SPIN committee meets the second Monday of each month in the Western High School Library (4600 Falls Road, Baltimore Maryland 21209). These meetings are scheduled from 6:30 pm – 7:30pm, unless otherwise indicated. All meetings are open to all current SPIN members as well as other invited guests.

  • September 13, 2010
  • October 11, 2010
  • November 8, 2010
  • December 13, 2010
  • January 10, 2011
  • February 14, 2011
  • March 14, 2011
  • April 11, 2011
  • May 9, 2011 (election of new officers)

Volunteers Are Needed!

Volunteers are an important and integral part of Western’s success in providing positive learning experiences to our children. Western relies upon its parent volunteers to support the curricular, social and fundraising activities of the school. The following describes some of the volunteer opportunities available for parents to become involved with.

  • Fundraisers are planned throughout the year that require assistance. More information will become available; please check back for details.
  • Open House is scheduled October 20, 2010 and November 13, 2010. Open House provides prospective parents and students with the opportunity to visit Western and identify program expectations and standards.
  • High School Fair (November 13, 2010) from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Poly-Western High School Complex is designed for middle grade students to have an opportunity to speak directly with representatives from interested schools and discuss specific programs offered.
  • Revel is the annual festival held in the ‘Quad’ (the area between Western and Poly) each Spring. There will be food, games, entertainment, and music. Beginning 2011, Western and Poly will join together to host this event.
  • Faculty and Staff Appreciation days are planned at least twice a year to say "Thank You," to our wonderful faculty and staff. Volunteers are needed to serve on the committee, which will plan the luncheon menu, decorations and more!
  • Volunteers are needed to work on Unity Day, scheduled for March 24, 2011 to help with greeting Alumnae, decorating and serving lunch.
  • Volunteers with talents in writing, page and graphic design, photography, layout, and related skills are needed.
  • Volunteers are needed at school Monday–Friday from 7:00 a.m. –8:30 a.m. to assist in student arrival and from 12 p.m.–2 p.m. to cover the front office for lunch. Those with computer skills are asked to help in the computer lab from 3 p.m.–5 p.m. We are also looking for individuals to come talk with students about their careers.
  • Dances – Chaperones are needed to help at each of the scheduled dances: Ring Dance, Swetheart Dance, Jr. Prom, Sr. Prom.
  • After-Prom Party assistance is needed to help plan this much-anticipated event for the junior and senior girls immediately following the prom. The committee needs volunteers to help with planning the food, entertainment, prizes, and decorations. Night owls are needed to chaperone these parties, from approximately 11:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

For more information on how to become involved, please contact Vanessa Burrell at (410) 396-7040 or email at vanburrell@comcast.net.

SPIN Online

Announcements

Student and Parent Involvement Network

At the end of the 2009-2010 school year, the PTA executive board and Western High School administration decided to pull its involvement with the National PTA. This decision was made in order to give our school more leverage in the decision making process on the school level (as opposed to the national level). That decision, along with other school improvements, led us to create what will be known as "SPIN" which simply means Student and Parent Involvement Network. Please check back as more information becomes available.

Welcome Incoming Freshman and Transfer Students

The uniqueness of Western High School is unquestionable. Its scholarship, tradition, and spirit, which began more than 165 years ago, continue to enrich the lives of Baltimore's future leading women. The Summer Prep Program (August 2 – Aug 13) is an excellent program designed to familiarize incoming freshman with the school, help them to learn their way around and meet their teachers. The best thing about the Summer Prep Program is that the girls will begin bonding with each other. Good luck to the class of 2014; you'll do great!

Freshman Parents

The SPIN committee is looking forward to meeting parents of freshman students. Stop by our table on August 14, 2010 for coffee and doughnuts. See you then!

Back to School Night - September 9, 2010

Stop by the SPIN table to get your 2010-2011 SPIN membership.

SPIN Committee STEP SHOW

The Western High School SPIN Committee is proud to present "Step Hard or Go Home", a Step Show Competition featuring some of the areas hardest steppers. The show is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Western High School Auditorium (4600 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209). For more information on how to register your team, contact Anthony Williams at (443) 220-1456 or to purchase tickets, contact Linda Joly at (443) 414-4177.

Guest Speakers

Throughout the school year, there will be many opportunities for guest speakers. If you, or anyone you know, would like to come and speak, please contact Lynnette Easley.

Some topics include:

  • Teenage Sexuality
  • Teen Domestic Violence
  • Cliques
  • Alcohol/Substance Abuse
  • Smoking
  • School/Community Violence
  • Nutrition
  • Health
  • Physical Fitness

School Supplies

For opening day, students should have notepaper, a pen, pencils, and folder or binder to collect handouts. Teachers will inform each child of other specific materials required for their courses during the first days of school. Also, see the SPIN Committee's list of suggested items.

Resources

The Maryland State Parental Information Resource Center (PIRC)

The Maryland State Parental Information Resource Center (PIRC) is a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education through its Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII). Its mission is to help parents, community members, and educators in Maryland work together to increase family involvement and improve student achievement. Visit the website at http://www.mdpirc.org/mission.html for more information.

Do you want or know somebody who wants to make change in the community?

Youth As Resources, Baltimore's youth-led grant making organization has funds available for youth that are energetic, creative, and motivated to make a difference in their community. Grants range from $500 - $3,500 and are available for community organizing programs that are created and carried out by young people. Visit the website for information on the next grant cycle at http://www.youthasresources.org/summer_camp.

Driving While Texting

Keep your hands on the wheel and off the phone, because distracted driving kills 6,000 people a year and injures another 500,000. Join the "No Phone Zone"

Girl Talk Baltimore Chapter

The challenges teen girls face are tougher than those faced by boys; no parental relationship, in and of itself, is strong enough to see a daughter through these years. If you want your daughter to emerge from the crisis years as a healthy, well-adjusted adult, consider involving your daughter with a mentoring program. Girl Talk meets every Wednesday in the Guidance Office, contact Lynnette Easley for more details.

The Walters Art Museum Teen Arts Council

The Walters Art Museum Teen Arts Council is a group of 15-17 motivated Baltimore-area youth who serve as the "teen voice" at the museum, developing and promoting creative programming aimed at bringing teens and art together.