Welcome to a New School Year
The Westside staff and faculty are excited to welcome you!
We understand the start of a new school year can be hectic. Here, we hope to provide some useful information and resources that will assist you in navigating the beginning of the school year.
Our goal is for each student to be successful and to learn, grow, and inspire together. We want students and their families to feel the excitement and anticipation of the year before it begins and to be active and engaged in the learning taking place. This is going to be a great year, Westside!
Dates and Events to Remember
July 28-August 3: OSAA Moratorium Week - all facilities are closed for the week.
Monday, August 19th | Fall Sports Begin
- Boys Soccer → Jason Housley | housley@gxitma.net
- Girls Soccer → Craig Laughland
- Cross Country → Scott Ball | ball@gxitma.net
- Volleyball → Kristina Thom | thom@gxitma.net
- Cheer → Christie Wilson | cwilson@gxitma.net
Sports Physical Form
If your student is playing a fall sport, up-to-date physicals must be turned in or emailed to our Front Desk by August 19, 2024. Students need to have an OSAA Physical on file in order to participate in WCHS athletics. This form can be found HERE. Sports Physicals are good for two years. Questions? Contact athletics@gxitma.net
Tuesday, August 20th | Freshmen “Thrive” event
The Freshman Thrive Event, scheduled for Tuesday, August 20th, is designed to ensure our incoming students feel comfortable, informed, and excited about their Westside Christian High School journey. This event is crafted to equip students with the tools they need to thrive in their first year in high school.
The event will start at 4:00 pm and end at 7:00 pm. Students will engage in various activities, including:
- Meeting their teachers,
- Familiarizing themselves with campus navigation,
- Participating in a study skills workshop with daily planners, and
- Joining peer mentor group sessions led by our esteemed WCHS Student Ambassadors.
Furthermore, students will receive their class schedules, locker assignments, Chromebooks, and textbooks, setting them up for a successful start.
Parents will have a special meet and greet opportunity from 6 to 7, sponsored by the Parent Teacher Fellowship group.
Textbook & Chromebook Check Out
- Tuesday, August 20th (9th Grade ONLY) → tbd
- Tuesday, August 27th (all grades) → 4 to 6 pm
Tuesday, August 27th - 5:30 to 7 pm | Back to School BBQ
- Our Back to School BBQ is Tuesday, August 27th, from 5:30 to 7:00pm! Join us for delicious food and community as we enter into the excitement of this coming school year. Burgers and hot dogs will be served. If you have any dietary restrictions, please plan accordingly.
Tuesday, August 27th - 7:00 - 8:30 pm | New Student Orientation and Parent Orientation
- Following the Back to School BBQ on Tuesday, August 27th, our New Student Orientation (on the field) and Parent Orientation (in the auditorium) will begin at 7:00 and end at 8:30pm.
Tuesday, August 27th - 7:00 - 8:00 pm | Senior Project Parent Meeting
- Following the Back to School BBQ on Tuesday, August 27th, the Senior Project Parent Meeting will begin at 7:00 and end at 8:00pm. This meeting will be in the library and will provide helpful information on the Senior Project your students will be doing this coming year.
*Click here to view the complete Year at a Glance
First Day of School | Tuesday, September 3rd
Picture Day | Thursday, September 5th
Academics
Scott Ball, Academic Counselor
Mr. Ball creates each student's academic schedule. He should be your students' first point of contact with any questions regarding scheduling, such as adding or dropping a class. Mr. Ball also hosts our annual "Going to College" seminars for parents.
Athletics
David Henry, Athletic Director
Mr. Henry is the main point of contact for any athletic questions. Students who plan to participate in any conditioning activities this summer or fall will need to have a OSAA Physical Form completed from their doctor.
Finances
Cassandra Tyner, Director of Finance
Mrs. Tyner is the best resource regarding any billing questions including tuition and fees.
Carpool Map
Our WCHS Carpool Map is live! Each year, Westside produces a carpool map for our families. This allows you to find families in similar areas to provide carpool opportunities.
You can find our 2024-25 Carpool Map on our website through RenWeb (Family Portal, which is the graduation cap icon). Once in the family portal, click "School" in the drop down menu and then "Resource Documents". You should be able to find the map there.
Shortcut: Family Portal > School > Resource Documents > 2024-25 Carpool Map
Our District Code is WS-OR.
Ways to Get Involved
Student Council (STUCO)
There will be two students from each grade elected to represent their class each year. If you are interested in STUCO and serving your class by providing input into student activities, this is for you. Elections will be held in the second week of school. All three school events are planned by STUCO: Fall Fest, Sadie Hawkins, and Prom. They also host two to three class parties each year with activities such as snow tubing, Bullwinkle parties, bowling, movie nights, game nights, karaoke and more.
Student Ministry Team (SMT)
This team focuses on the spiritual life of the student body. If you would like to make an impact for Christ among the students, this is a way to foster discipleship among your peers. You will be able to use the talents the Lord has given you to work at events like Community nights and Chapels.
SMT is an amazing opportunity to serve the Westside community through spiritual life and student leadership. If you are at all interested in joining this team, please look over the job description and fill out an application (click here for more info).
Student Ambassadors
These students are selected to represent WCHS at a variety of events, which include Open Houses, Back to School nights, and guides for new students and other outreach to the community. If you are outgoing and love to meet new people, this is a great opportunity for you.
You can be a student ambassador by contacting Mr. Housley.
Electives and Extracurriculars
Music
Westside Christian's award-winning music program is the best in the state for Choir and Band. There are four different music classes for Westside students: Westside Voices, Concert Band, Soli Deo Gloria, and Ignite Worship Team. Westside hosts two concerts each year highlighting all Westside music students. Westside's band and choir compete in statewide competitions for the 3A level.
Contact Mr. Fox, Westside's Music Director, with any questions.
Athletics
Westside offers 12 sports programs that compete at OSAA's 3A level. Westside Christian strongly encourages each student to be involved at WCHS, which allows our students to try new things and actively participate in the community.
You can learn more about the programs outlined below by contacting our Athletic Director Mr. Henry.
Visual Arts
Westside offers many different art classes for students at all levels and of all interests in art. Students can participate in 2D design classes starting at intro to art and work through advanced art, up to AP studio art and 3D design, in which students develop portfolios. Students can also take Digital Design and learn the skills of Photoshop and Illustrator. Lastly, Westside offers a yearbook class that provides students an opportunity to represent their year at Westside.
Performing Arts
Westside started a theatre program in 1987. Students have the opportunity to participate in straight plays, one acts, and musicals each year. It is an extracurricular opportunity that allows students to act, produce, set-design, costume, and provide technological support. Theatre is a great way to get involved in a community and try something new.
If you have questions about our theatre program, contact Ms. Pringle.
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Access your Family Portal online by visiting: http://ws-or.client.renweb.com/pwr/. This allows you to access your students' schedule, grades, Westside Christian announcements and more.
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We encourage every family to get involved in the Westside Community. PTF is a great way to stay updated on events throughout the year and volunteer in different ways.
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We have most of our offered courses on the list, although there are some classes that we have not received specific supply lists for. A good rule of thumb is to have a notebook for each of your student's 7 classes. You can access the school supply list above.
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Visit: http://xvo.gxitma.net/community-life/forms.cfm for any WCHS School forms you need to complete, these include Pre-Arranged Absence Forms, Activity Forms (such as physicals), and more.
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An updated Sports Physical is required every other year in order to compete in the WCHS athletic programs.
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Visit the WCHS Academic page to stay informed on all the offerings that your student has while a student at Westside.
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Click here to visit the WCHS calendar and keep up to date on all school events throughout the year.