
Stilwell Newsletter
Updates for Stilwell Junior High School Families
November 13, 2023
Message from Principal Kuhnert
Stilwell Junior High Activities Fundraising Information
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Stilwell tries to limit the fundraising activities you and your students are asked to participate in. We have one primary fundraiser for student activities and costs including band, orchestra, drama, mock trial, robotics, sports, show choir and chorus. Also, almost all of our PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) system is funded from our fundraising activities. Please also consider, no one will pay for lunch at Stilwell for the next two school years!!
Our goal is to offer our activities at no charge to students so these programs rely completely on financial contributions from our Stilwell family of supporters. This year’s primary fundraiser will kick-off Friday, November 3rd and run through Thursday, Nov. 16th. The following is what the week will look like:
Part of Tiger Time on Monday Oct. 30th will be devoted to working with our students and getting them prepared to ask their family members and close family friends for a donation. The request for donation will come either as an email or a text message and will direct donors to an Stilwell secure fundraising site. Monday students will work with a piece of paper to brainstorm ideas of people that they could ask. Then Monday night they will bring home a paper to collect names, emails and phone numbers with the help of a family member. This can be done all week as we will not be sending out our emails and text messages until Friday November 3rd during tiger time, 10:05 a.m.
The idea behind the fundraiser time that day, in addition to getting the kids involved, is to also create a learning opportunity for communication, follow-up and professionalism. However, we realize this process isn’t for everyone. With that in mind, we have alternative study hall in the cafeteria for students can participate in if not wanting to participate. If you want your student to have a study hall instead please email Mr. Perrigo: perrigod@wdmcs.org
As an alternative mode of online participation, you can write a check donation to our activity account. We do have some that do this, and it is certainly appreciated. To participate in this manner, please write your check payable to; Stilwell Junior High.
Please know that a donation is not required to participate. Families who do choose to contribute may do so at any amount. However, a suggested donation of the amount shown below will help sustain our program at its current level.
PBIS Rewards!-$40 Suggested Donation to cover the cost of supplemental snacks and Tiger gear! Sponsor another student: $80.
Band – To cover the costs associated with the Solo Festival including sheet music, accompanists, and judges: $60 Suggested Donation. Sponsor another student: $120.
Orchestra – To cover the costs associated with the Solo Festival including sheet music, accompanists, and judges: $60 Suggested Donation. Sponsor another student: $120.
Chorus – To cover the costs associated with the program including sheet music, accompanists, and judges: $60 Suggested Donation. Sponsor another student: $120.
Show Choir – To cover the costs associated with the extra-curricular sheet music, accompanists, and judges: $60 Suggested Donation. Sponsor another student: $120.
Drama – Mimes & School Play – To cover the costs associated with the productions including scripts, set decorations, costumes, and an assistant director: $60 Suggested Donation. Sponsor another student: $120.
Debate – To cover the costs associated with the productions, including materials and travel: $40 Suggested Donation. Sponsor another student: $80.
Mock Trial – To cover the costs associated with the productions including materials & travel: $40 Suggested Donation. Sponsor another student: $80.
Cross Country – $30 Suggested Sports Program Donation plus a $20 Suggested Bus Transportation Donation, ($50 total donation) to cover the cost of uniforms, equipment, coaches and officials for the season. The bus transportation donation will help cover the cost of transportation to the away meets during the season. Sponsor another student: $100.
Football – $30 Suggested Sports Program Donation plus a $20 Suggested Bus Transportation Donation ($50 total donation) to cover the cost of uniforms, equipment, coaches and officials for the season. The bus transportation donation will help cover the cost of transportation to the away games during the season. Sponsor another student: $100.
Volleyball – $30 Suggested Sports Program Donation plus a $20 Suggested Bus Transportation Donation ($50 total donation) to cover the cost of uniforms, equipment, coaches and officials for the season. The bus transportation donation will help cover the cost of transportation to the away games during the season. Sponsor another student: $100.
Basketball – $30 Suggested Sports Program Donation plus a $20 Suggested Bus Transportation Donation ($50 total donation) to cover the cost of uniforms, equipment, coaches and officials for the season. The bus transportation donation will help cover the cost of transportation to the away games during the season. Sponsor another student: $100.
Wrestling – $30 Suggested Sports Program Donation plus a $20 Suggested Bus Transportation Donation ($50 total donation) to cover the cost of uniforms, equipment, coaches and officials for the season. The bus transportation donation will help cover the cost of transportation to the away games during the season. Sponsor another student: $100.
Track – $30 Suggested Sports Program Donation plus a $20 Suggested Bus Transportation Donation ($50 total donation) to cover the cost of uniforms, equipment, coaches and officials for the season. The bus transportation donation will help cover the cost of transportation to the away meets during the season. Sponsor another student: $100.
Robotics-$40 to cover the cost of competition entry fees and materials, and potential bus transportation. Sponsor another student: $80.
Please Remember: Contributions are voluntary, all students are allowed to participate regardless of whether a donation is made.
Link: https://boostmyschool.com/stilwell-junior-high-2023-fall-fundraiser
Mitch Kuhnert- Principal
School Committees
The equity committee presented to staff during our Monday, November 6 professional development day. One of our major focuses for professional development is the book Trauma-Sensitive Instruction.
For Monday, we focused on the idea of accepting students for who they are. We all develop "baggage" from the negative experiences we've had in the past hours, days, months, years. These events can sometimes prevent us, and especially our adolescent students, from being at our best. Our goal as teachers is to welcome students as they are and help them develop resilience to these events to help them focus on learning in our classrooms.
We participated in activities to help build empathy with students and with each other. And studied chapter two from Trauma-Sensitive Instruction to guide our learning.
PBIS-
The Stilwell PBIS store is looking for donations to help keep our store up and running! The PBIS store is a place where students spend their PBIS points that they earn for good behavior on fun school supplies, snacks and WDM apparel. Please check out our Amazon wish list if you are interested in helping out! Thank you. https://a.co/epEwzWK
Tier 1-
We are planning for our November 6th PD day. Heavy focus on our sub-group data and being able to get supports in place for students early.
Student and Staff Wellness-
The committee discussed how to continue to improve staff and student relationships and a place of belonging. We reflected on our own learning from the PD day about SEL, zones of regulation, emotions, and what we can(not) control. We will continue to learn about adult resiliency and how that can be modeled for our students. We continued to look at and adjust our SEL lessons for student learning and enriched conversations around topics like managing conflicts.
School Highlights
Student Anouncements:
Parents if you want to see our daily anouncements you can save this link:
Free Tutoring Opportunity!!
Hello, all West Des Moines students!
Are you looking for academic guidance? Look no further! Introducing Gemini, your ultimate peer tutoring platform, connecting students with student tutors for academic support.
Why Choose Gemini?
Peer Connection: Learn from students who have recently mastered the same material.
Free Access: Quality tutoring without the cost.
Flexible Scheduling: Set your own study timetable.
Variety of Subjects: From math to history, we've got you covered.
You don't have to face the challenges of school by yourself. Gemini is here to support you on your journey to success.
For any questions, feel free to reach out to thegeminitutors@gmaill.com
To learn more visit: geminico.org
NHS, SILVERCORD, AND GOVERNMENT HOURS OPPORTUNITY
Clive Community Services shared that they carry some holiday-specific ingredients in their food pantry in November and December.
West Des Moines Human Services offers holiday assistance programs to qualifying residents of West Des Moines. Income guidelines and deadlines apply. To learn more, visit the Holiday Assistance web page, call 515-222-3660, or email HumanSerivces@wdm.iowa.gov.
November deadline: THIS Thursday, Nov. 9
December deadline: Nov. 30
EveryStep Winter Assistance List includes resources for Thanksgiving meals and food; holiday meals, food, toys, and gifts; and other winter assistance. See the full list, which is updated periodically, at www.everystep.org/provider-resources/winter-assistance-resources.
Important Dates
Parent Survey's:
Hello. Recent legislation now requires parent/guardians to give permission for some student surveys. We MUST get your permission ASAP for your [School] student to participate in a district survey starting this month.
On home page, find “Documents Need Attention”
Click on link(s) to review survey information and approve or decline.
This is a NEW requirement by law. View a short video tutorial.
Thank you for your help.
Mitchell Kuhnert
Familia Stilwell: La nueva ley requiere su permiso para algunas encuestas. Ver correo electrónico. Necesitamos tu ayuda.
Kona Ice Day:
Stilwell Junior High School is having a FUNdraiser on Tuesday,
November 14th, 2023! Kona Ice will be giving back 20% of all sales to the school!!
Please follow the above instructions to place your order and either
use the QR code attached to this flyer or use this code: F00803819.
You can also Pay it Forward.
We will continue to bring in our 'mini' while the winter weather is in
force. Thank you for your participation!
Pre-pay online: app.konaicepay.com
code: F00803819
ACTIVITIES
Stilwell Activity Fund Raiser:
Parents all of the Junior High Sports are funded by our anual fundraiser. There will be more information coming but the campaign will run from Oct. 30th- Nov 10th.
Monday, November 6:
4:30pm Girls 8th Basketball vs Johnston @ Johnston Middle School
4:30pm 8th Wrestling vs Multiple Schools @ Stilwell Junior High
Thursday, November 9:
4:30pm Girls 8th Basketball vs Indianola @ Indianola Middle School
4:30pm 8th Wrestling vs Dowling @ Dowling HS
Friday, November 10:
4:00pm Varsity Playoff Game @ UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls
Monday, November 13:
4:30pm Wrestling Girls Middle School Meet vs Ames @ Ames
Tuesday, November 16:
4:30pm Girls 8th Basketball vs Urdandale @ Urbandale MS
4:30pm Girls Wrestling @ Indian Hills
4:30pm Boys Wrestling @ Stilwell JH