🚨🏈 ONE HOUR UNTIL KICKOFF! 🏈🚨

🐾 COUGAR NATION — IT’S ALMOST TIME! 🐾

The WSLA BLACK OUT GAME kicks off in just ONE HOUR! ⏰🔥

🖤 WEAR BLACK!
🏈 BRING THE ENERGY!
📣 MAKE SOME NOISE!
🐾 SHOW THAT COUGAR PRIDE!

📅 TONIGHT — Saturday, September 12th
⏰ 7:00 PM

Let’s fill those stands and BLACK OUT THE GAME! 🖤🧡💙

ONE HOUR. ONE TEAM. ONE COUGAR NATION! 🐾🔥

#WSLA #CougarPride #BlackOut #CougarNation #GameDay #WearBlack #OneHourToKickoff

Dear Cougar Families,

We want to make sure our families are aware of an exciting opportunity for high school equivalency preparation through Grad 219.

Grad 219 offers a 3-Day Accelerated Course designed to help individuals prepare for the HSE (High School Equivalency) and GED. If you or someone in your family is interested in learning more about this opportunity, please review the attached flyer for additional information.

📚 Ask About FAST TRACK!
3-Day Accelerated Course to HSE/GED Preparation

For more information, contact Grad 219 at:
(866) GRAD-219
grad219@cwicorp.com
grad219.org

💙🧡 We Also Invite Our Families to Join Us!

We would love for our WSLA families to attend the Indiana Family Engagement Summit!

📅 September 12, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Indiana University Northwest (Anderson Library)
130 W 35th Ave, Gary, IN 46408

This is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, learn, share ideas, and build relationships with other families and community partners. Your voice and involvement matter, and we encourage our Cougar families to take advantage of opportunities like this that strengthen family engagement and support our students.

We hope to see you there!

Cougar Families, your partnership makes a difference! 🧡💙

🐾🧡💙 COUGAR NATION, IT’S GAME TIME! 💙🧡🐾

It’s time to show up, get loud, and represent West Side Leadership Academy! 🔥🏈

🖤 BLACK OUT GAME! 🖤
📅 Saturday, September 12th
⏰ 7:00 PM

Cougar Families, we need YOU in the stands! Bring your school spirit, bring your energy, and most importantly… WEAR BLACK! 🖤

Let’s pack the stands and show everyone what COUGAR PRIDE looks like! 🐾🔥

BLACK OUT. SHOW OUT. COUGAR PRIDE! 🧡💙🖤

#WSLA #CougarPride #BlackOut #CougarNation #WearBlack #GameDay #WestSideLeadershipAcademy

⏰🚨 ONE HOUR AWAY, WSLA FAMILIES! 🚨⏰

The wait is almost over! Our Grandparents Day celebration and PAC Meeting are happening in JUST ONE HOUR! 🧡💙

👵🏽👴🏽 GRANDPARENTS DAY
🕘 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 WSLA LLAB
🚪 Enter through Door A

⭐ PAC MEETING
🕙 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 WSLA LLAB
🚪 Enter through Door A

📣 Parents & families — come out, get involved, and make your voice heard! We will also be electing our PAC Officers for the 2026–2027 school year! 🗳️

🎉 SEE YOU IN ONE HOUR!
🧡💙 WSLA COUGARS — PAWS UP! 🐾

#OneHourAway #WSLA #WSLACougars #GrandparentsDay #PACMeeting #FamilyEngagement #PawsUp

📢🧡💙 TOMORROW, WSLA FAMILIES! 💙🧡📢

The countdown is almost over! ⏰ Our special family events are TOMORROW — Friday, September 11th! 🎉

👵🏽👴🏽 GRANDPARENTS DAY ❤️
🕘 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 WSLA LLAB
🚪 Enter through Door A

Come celebrate the amazing grandparents who bring love, laughter, wisdom, and joy to our students! 🥰

⭐ PAC MEETING ⭐
🕙 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 WSLA LLAB
🚪 Enter through Door A

Parents, don't miss this opportunity to receive valuable information, share your voice, and get involved! We will also be electing PAC Officers for the 2026–2027 school year. 🗳️

🎉 REMINDER: The PAC Meeting will immediately follow Grandparents Day!

📣 TOMORROW IS THE DAY! We can't wait to see our grandparents, parents, and families at WSLA! 🧡💙

🐾 WSLA COUGARS — PAWS UP! 🐾

#Tomorrow #WSLA #WSLACougars #GrandparentsDay #PACMeeting #FamilyEngagement #ParentInvolvement #PawsUp

🧡💙🐾 WSLA FAMILIES — THIS WEEK IS PACKED WITH IMPORTANT EVENTS! 🐾💙🧡

Get your calendars ready! 📅 We have TWO BIG DAYS coming up at West Side Leadership Academy, and we want our students, parents, and grandparents to be part of it all!

🗓️ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH

📚 HALF DAY FOR STUDENTS
⏰ Students start at 8:30 AM
🔔 Students dismissed at 12:30 PM

Please make arrangements for your Cougar's 12:30 PM dismissal!

☕️📖 PARENT CAFÉ: THE PARENT PLAYBOOK
⏰ 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 West Side Leadership Academy
🚪 Enter through Door A
🪪 Valid photo ID required

Parents, join us for a morning of coffee, conversation, connection, resources, and practical strategies to help your student succeed this school year!

✨ Connect with other parents
📚 Learn helpful strategies
🤝 Meet community partners
📣 Share your voice
☕ Enjoy coffee & refreshments
🎁 Door prizes & giveaways!

🗓️ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH

👵🏽👴🏽❤️ GRANDPARENTS DAY
⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 WSLA LLAB
🚪 Enter through Door A

We can't wait to celebrate the incredible grandparents who bring love, laughter, wisdom, and joy to our students! 🥰

⭐ PAC MEETING
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 WSLA LLAB
🚪 Enter through Door A

Parents, come out and get informed, get involved, and make your voice heard! We will also be electing PAC Officers for the 2026–2027 school year. 🗳️

🎉 The PAC Meeting will immediately follow Grandparents Day!


Let's make this week filled with connection, family, involvement, and Cougar pride! 🐾

🧡💙 One School. One Family. One Future.
🐾 PAWS UP, COUGARS!

#WSLA #WSLACougars #PawsUp #ParentCafe #ParentPlaybook #HalfDay #GrandparentsDay #PACMeeting #FamilyEngagement #ParentInvolvement #OneSchoolOneFamilyOneFuture

Can you believe it?! Our special family events are EXACTLY ONE WEEK AWAY! 🎉 Mark your calendars for FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH! 📅

👵🏽👴🏽 GRANDPARENTS DAY ❤️
⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 WSLA LLAB
🚪 Enter through Door A

We’re excited to celebrate the amazing grandparents who fill our students' lives with love, laughter, wisdom, and joy! 🥰🎉

⭐ PAC MEETING ⭐
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 WSLA LLAB
🚪 Enter through Door A

Parents, don't miss this important opportunity to receive valuable information, share your voice, and get involved! We will also be electing our PAC Officers for the 2026–2027 school year! 🗳️

🎉 BONUS: The PAC Meeting will immediately follow Grandparents Day, so families can participate in both!

📢 ONE WEEK! ONE DAY! TWO GREAT EVENTS!
We can't wait to see our grandparents, parents, and families at WSLA! Your involvement makes our school community stronger! 🧡💙

🐾 WSLA COUGARS — PAWS UP! 🐾

#ONEWEEKAWAY #WSLA #WSLACougars #PawsUp #GrandparentsDay #PACMeeting #FamilyEngagement #ParentInvolvement #StrongerTogether

Reminder: Dear Parent/Guardian,

To prevent your child from being excluded from school, please make sure your child has received all required immunizations and that the school has a current copy of your child’s immunization record.

Schools may allow up to 20 days for families to complete required immunizations and/or provide documentation showing that the required immunizations have already been received.

Important Deadline: September 28, 2026

If the school does not receive documentation showing that your child has met the required immunization requirements, your child will not be permitted to attend school after September 28, 2026.

If your child has already received the required immunizations, please provide a copy of the updated immunization record to your child’s school nurse as soon as possible.

Current immunization records are required by Indiana law. Students must have one of the following on file with the school:

A current written immunization record;
Documentation from a physician indicating that required immunizations have been delayed due to extreme circumstances and providing an established schedule for completing the immunizations; or
A written statement of medical, religious, or other qualifying objection submitted to the building principal in accordance with applicable Indiana law.
What Families Should Bring

When obtaining immunizations, families should be prepared to provide:

Your child’s current immunization record
Insurance card, if applicable
Parent/Guardian photo identification

Please return a copy of your child’s updated immunization record to the school immediately after receiving the required immunizations.

If you have questions regarding your child’s immunization requirements or records, please contact Nurse Teresa McCarley at 219-440-6673.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important requirement and for helping us keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

IMPORTANT IMMUNIZATION NOTICE

Dear Parent/Guardian,

To prevent your child from being excluded from school, please make sure your child has received all required immunizations and that the school has a current copy of your child’s immunization record.

Schools may allow up to 20 days for families to complete required immunizations and/or provide documentation showing that the required immunizations have already been received.

Important Deadline: September 28, 2026

If the school does not receive documentation showing that your child has met the required immunization requirements, your child will not be permitted to attend school after September 28, 2026.

If your child has already received the required immunizations, please provide a copy of the updated immunization record to your child’s school nurse as soon as possible.

Current immunization records are required by Indiana law. Students must have one of the following on file with the school:

A current written immunization record;
Documentation from a physician indicating that required immunizations have been delayed due to extreme circumstances and providing an established schedule for completing the immunizations; or
A written statement of medical, religious, or other qualifying objection submitted to the building principal in accordance with applicable Indiana law.
What Families Should Bring

When obtaining immunizations, families should be prepared to provide:

Your child’s current immunization record
Insurance card, if applicable
Parent/Guardian photo identification

Please return a copy of your child’s updated immunization record to the school immediately after receiving the required immunizations.

If you have questions regarding your child’s immunization requirements or records, please contact Nurse Teresa McCarley at 219-440-6673.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important requirement and for helping us keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

Dear WSLA Families and Students,

West Side Leadership Academy is aware of videos circulating on social media depicting recent physical altercations involving students at our school. We understand the concern these videos may cause among our families and members of the community.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. The behavior shown in these videos is unacceptable and does not reflect the safe, orderly, and respectful learning environment we expect at West Side Leadership Academy.

School administrators are actively investigating these incidents. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with school and district policies. Because this matter involves students, we cannot discuss individual students or specific disciplinary consequences.

We also want to remind students and families that gathering around an altercation, encouraging a fight, or using a cell phone or other electronic device to record an incident creates additional safety concerns and interferes with the ability of staff to quickly and safely respond. Students identified as violating school expectations regarding these behaviors will also be subject to appropriate consequences. Student use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices during the school day is governed by Indiana law as well as district and school policy.

We are asking our families to reinforce an important message with their students: when a conflict occurs, students should move away from the situation, seek assistance from an adult, and never participate in, encourage, or record a fight.

We take these incidents seriously. West Side Leadership Academy will continue working to ensure that our school is a safe place for students to learn and staff to work. We appreciate the continued partnership of our parents, guardians, staff, and community as we hold students accountable and reinforce the standards of behavior expected of every WSLA student.

West Side Leadership Academy is aware of videos circulating on social media depicting recent physical altercations involving students at our school. We understand the concern these videos may cause among our families and members of the community.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. The behavior shown in these videos is unacceptable and does not reflect the safe, orderly, and respectful learning environment we expect at West Side Leadership Academy.

School administrators are actively investigating these incidents. Parents and guardians of the students we have identified as being directly involved have been contacted, and those students have been directed to remain home while the investigation is completed. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with school and district policies. Because this matter involves students, we cannot discuss individual students or specific disciplinary consequences.

We also want to remind students and families that gathering around an altercation, encouraging a fight, or using a cell phone or other electronic device to record an incident creates additional safety concerns and interferes with the ability of staff to quickly and safely respond. Students identified as violating school expectations regarding these behaviors will also be subject to appropriate consequences. Student use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices during the school day is governed by Indiana law as well as district and school policy.

We are asking our families to reinforce an important message with their students: when a conflict occurs, students should move away from the situation, seek assistance from an adult, and never participate in, encourage, or record a fight.

We take these incidents seriously. West Side Leadership Academy will continue working to ensure that our school is a safe place for students to learn and staff to work. We appreciate the continued partnership of our parents, guardians, staff, and community as we hold students accountable and reinforce the standards of behavior expected of every WSLA student.

Dear WSLA Cougar Families,

🚨🚨 COUGAR NATION… THIS IS YOUR 1-HOUR WARNING! 🚨🚨

⏰ ONE. HOUR. UNTIL. KICKOFF. 🏈

The lights are coming on, the stands are waiting, and our Cougars are ready to ROAR! 🐾🔥

🏈 WSLA COUGARS vs. EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL CARDINALS 🏈

📍 Cougar Stadium – Home of Champions
🕡 Doors Open: 6:30 PM
🕖 Kickoff: 7:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: $7
👧🏽 Children 6 & under: FREE!

💵📲💳 Cash, TAP, and CARD are accepted at the ticket gate and concession stand!

🚨 COUGAR FAMILIES—IT'S TIME TO MOVE! 🚨

If you're still sitting at home asking, “Should we go?”

The answer is:

YES. YES. YES. 😂🐾

Grab the family. Grab your orange and blue. Grab your loudest cheering voice and GET TO COUGAR STADIUM! 📣🧡💙

Let's fill those stands, support our scholars, and show the Cardinals exactly what COUGAR PRIDE looks like!

🔥 PRIDE. HUSTLE. FAMILY. 🔥
🐾 COUGAR STRONG! 🐾


COUGAR NATION… WE’LL SEE YOU IN ONE HOUR!

🧡💙 LET’S GOOOOOO, COUGARS!!! 🐾🏈🔥

Dear WSLA Cougar Families,

🚨 THIS IS YOUR GAME DAY REMINDER! 🚨

Cougar Nation, it’s time to grab your orange and blue, bring the family, and get ready to make some NOISE! 📣🐾

🏈 WSLA COUGARS vs. EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL CARDINALS 🏈

📅 TONIGHT — Friday, August 28, 2026
⏰ Kickoff: 7:00 PM
🚪 Doors Open: 6:30 PM
📍 Cougar Stadium – Home of Champions
🎟️ Admission: $7
👧🏽 Children 6 & under: FREE!

💵💳📲 Cash, tap, AND card are accepted at the ticket gate and concession stand!

🔥 WE NEED COUGAR NATION IN THE STANDS! 🔥

Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring your loudest cheer. Bring that COUGAR PRIDE! 🧡💙

Let's pack Cougar Stadium and show our scholars what happens when their community comes together to support them!

🐾 PRIDE. HUSTLE. FAMILY. 🐾
COUGAR STRONG

See you under the Friday night lights! 🌟🏈

LET’S GO, COUGARS!!! 🧡💙🐾

Dear WSLA Cougar Families,

🚨 COUGAR NATION, WE NEED YOU IN THE STANDS! 🚨

It’s time to put on that orange and blue, grab the family, bring the energy, and show everyone what it means to be COUGAR STRONG! 🐾🧡💙

Our Gary West Side Leadership Academy Cougars are taking on the East Chicago Central Cardinals, and this is one matchup you DON'T want to miss!

🏈 COUGARS vs. CARDINALS 🏈
📅 Friday, August 28, 2026
⏰ Kickoff: 7:00 PM
🚪 Doors Open: 6:30 PM
📍 Cougar Stadium – Home of Champions
🎟️ Admission: $7
👧🏽 Children 6 & under: FREE!

And here's the best part… you don't have to dig around for cash! 💵📲💳
Cash, tap, AND card are accepted at the ticket gate and concession stand!

🔥 THIS IS MORE THAN A GAME—IT'S COUGAR PRIDE! 🔥

Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring your loudest cheering voice. Bring your COUGAR ENERGY! 📣🐾

Let's fill Cougar Stadium and remind everyone that when it comes to Pride. Hustle. Family....

WE ARE COUGAR STRONG! 🐾


We’ll see you under the lights! 🌟🏈

#pawsup #theynotlikeus 🐾🧡💙

Good morning WSLA, Families!

Just a friendly reminder that our GCSC F.A.C.E. Department CommUnity Giveback is happening TONIGHT! 🎉

We are excited to welcome our WSLA families for an evening of support, resources, and community connection.

📅 Tuesday, August 25, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 WSLA Parking Lot
900 Gerry St., Gary, IN
➡️ Enter through Gerry and 11th Street

Families will have the opportunity to receive school supplies, hygiene kits, snacks, and other valuable resources provided through our amazing community partnerships.

🎒 Please remember: Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

We are grateful to our community partners for coming together to support our scholars and families. Together, we can make a difference!

We look forward to seeing you tonight!

GCSC F.A.C.E. Department
Family and Community Engagement
Building Connections. Supporting Families. Empowering Success.

We Are Stronger Together! 💙🧡

Dear GCSC Scholars and Families,

As the storm aftermath continues to unfold, the Gary Community School Corporation will remain closed on Thursday, August 20th and Friday, August 21st.

We are awaiting full power restoration in all schools. Meanwhile, the assessment of our buildings continues, and our team has begun addressing repairs and safety concerns in preparation for a safe return.

It is our goal to have a better sense of a return date over the weekend.

We can't say this enough...thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support as we work through the impact of the storm.

We will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

Dear GCSC Scholars and Families, 

As we begin to regain power across our buildings, we are carefully assessing the needs and conditions of each facility. Our priority is to ensure that every building is safe and ready to occupy before welcoming students and staff back.

At this time, the Gary Community School Corporation will remain closed on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Our teams will continue working diligently to assess building conditions, address any safety concerns, and prepare our schools for a safe return.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support as we work through the impact of the storm. We will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

🚨 SCHOOL CLOSURE NOTICE

Dear Gary Community School Corporation Families,

Due to the current conditions of several of our school buildings following yesterday's severe weather, the Gary Community School Corporation will be closed on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

The safety and well-being of our students, families, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to address the conditions impacting our school buildings.

Please continue to monitor official Gary Community School Corporation communication channels for additional updates regarding school operations and the return to school.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Gary Community School Corporation
Committed to the safety, success, and well-being of every student.

📣 WSLA Families – We Need Your Voice! 🧡💙

At West Side Leadership Academy, we believe that strong schools are built through strong partnerships with our families. That's why we're asking every parent and guardian to take a few minutes to complete the Gary Community School Corporation Family Engagement Survey.

Your feedback is incredibly important because it helps us better understand:
✨ What resources and services your family needs
✨ How we can strengthen communication between home and school
✨ Ways we can support not just our students, but the entire family
✨ What programs and opportunities would make the biggest impact in our community

Every response helps us create a clearer picture of how we can continue to grow and ensure that every Cougar family has the support they need to thrive.

✅ The survey is quick, easy, and confidential.
🎁 As an added bonus, one survey participant will be randomly selected to win a gift card!

Please take a few moments to scan the QR code on the flyer and share your voice. Together, we can build a stronger school, stronger families, and a stronger community.

Your voice matters. Your feedback makes a difference. Together, We Thrive! 🐾

#WSLACougars #TogetherWeThrive #FamilyEngagement #ParentVoice #GCSC #PawsUp #StrongerTogether

🎭🎒 WSLA Families & Community — Don’t Miss These Amazing Opportunities! 🎒🎭

There is so much excitement happening in our community this week!

✨ Support our talented young performers at The Wiz, presented by Woodland Child Development Center’s Musical Theatre Intensive Camp! Join us for the final performance on August 8th (this is the rescheduled date) at 3:00 PM in the Mark Spencer Auditorium at West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry Street, Gary, IN 46406. Tickets are only $10 and it promises to be a wonderful show for the entire family!

🎒 Need school supplies? Families are also invited to the Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, August 8th beginning at 12:00 PM in Merrillville. Free backpacks filled with school supplies will be available while supplies last to help students start the school year prepared and ready to learn!

At WSLA, we are proud to share resources, opportunities, and experiences that support our students and families both inside and outside the classroom. Thank you to our community partners for helping our scholars shine!

#WSLA #PawsUp #CommunityPartners #BackToSchool #TheWiz #WSLAFamily #StudentSuccess