
Stilwell Newsletter
Updates for Stilwell Junior High School Families
September 11, 2023
Message from Principal Kuhnert
The first full week!
West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) invites our students, families, and community to observe Welcoming Week with us!
In 2022, WDMCS joined the Welcoming Network and observed Welcoming Week, national initiatives created by the non-profit organization Welcoming America. We became one of thousands of organizations across the country to bring together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.
This Welcoming Week, Sept. 11-15, WDMCS will focus on the theme "Safe Communities." Various events and activities will explore ways we create, support, and elevate belonging in our district.
Mitch Kuhnert- Principal
David Perrigo- Associate Principal
Important Dates
Homecoming is the Week of September 18th - 22nd.
THEME: "Taking It Back"
Come support your Tigers and celebrate our West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) spirit during Homecoming 2023! Homecoming is for EVERY school in our district. Find ways to show your school spirit this year.
Dress Up Days:
Monday- Teddy Take Back- Pajams and Favorite Stuffy
Tuesday- Barbie Land- Dress Up as your Favorite Character from the movie.
Wednesday- When I Grow Up- Dress up for the job you want in the future.
Thursday- Nickelodeon Neon- Neon Colors
Friday- Tiger Day- Orange and Black
POWDERPUFF FOOTBALL
MONDAY, SEPT. 18
Powderpuff football games start at 7 p.m. and will be played at Tiger Field. Admission is free.
PARADE
THURSDAY, SEPT. 21
The Homecoming parade starts at 5:45 p.m. and will begin at Valley Southwoods and end outside Valley Stadium (rain location: Southwoods gym).
CARNIVAL
THURSDAY, SEPT. 21
The Homecoming carnival follows the parade from 6:15-8:30 p.m. and will be held outside Valley Stadium.
- Meal $5 (includes a grilled hot dog, chips, dessert, and water)
Any school club or organization can sign up to host a carnival booth.
School and student clubs and organizations are invited to participate in the parade.
ACTIVITIES
Monday, September 11, 2023
4:30pm 8th Football (Black) vs Dowling @ Stadium
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
4:15pm 8th Cross Country (Boys/Girls) home meet @ VSW
4:30pm 8th Football (Orange/White) @ SEP Away
4:00pm 8th Volleyball vs DCG Home
Thursday, Sep 14, 2023
4:30pm 8th Volleyball vs Ames (Home)
4:30pm 8th Cross Country (Boys/Girls) @Indianola Middle School
School Committees
This year our teacher committees have been tasked to have student focus groups to support and help develop their focus and to get student input. Staff will be meeting this Wednesday, August 30th and will send out information about how students can sign up with a committee they find interesting.
PBIS- At Stilwell Junior High we feel it is important for all students to feel welcomed and respected and most importantly to always choose,”KIND”. Students demonstrate this by following the 3 Stilwell R’s.
Respect
Responsible
Resilient
Tier 1- We are always looking to improve our instructional pratices and this committee looks at consistent practices in the classroom and promotes the learning that our students are looking for and expecting.
Student and Staff Wellness- The committee discussed staff and student groups within the committee. We are excited to walk during the Healthiest State Walk in October and will send out more information as that date gets closer. We discussed plans for making students feel welcome starting with our 6th grade tours and finding more ways to create an environment that fosters positive relationships between 7th and 8th graders.
School Highlights
Student Anouncements:
Parents if you want to see our daily anouncements you can save this link:
Fall Sports Apparel Order
Our fall sports apparel orders close tonight before midnight Monday, August 28th. Please see the links below for each fall sport. Orders will be delivered to Stilwell 3 weeks after the close date. Please use your student's name on the order and we will deliver it to them when they are in.
#RollTigers
WDMCS Foundation
Tiger Gala
September 14th, 2023
Time: 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Location: MidAmerican Energy RecPlex
Join us on Thursday, September 14, 2023, as the West Des Moines Community School (WDMCS) Foundation hosts the 2nd Annual Tiger Gala presented by Shive-Hattery.
Keynote speaker for the 2023 Tiger Gala is Adam Meyer, WDMCS alumni, and provost at The Juilliard School in New York, NY. During his time in the WDMCS district, Adam participated in orchestra, band, baseball, basketball, and several school clubs. Adam is the son of Kathy and Gene Meyer, long-time residents of West Des Moines, where Gene served as Mayor from 1997-2006. We're excited to have Adam and his family help us support the WDMCS district during this event.