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Wolf Pack Monthly
Family Newsletter for January 2022
Families! Join us for our Black Parent Collective Think Tank. This Wednesday, 1/25 @ 6pm
Use the QR code to join the Zoom link!
Principal's Message
01/01/2022
Happy New Year to our Wolf Pack Family! I hope that we all have had a restful few weeks off and enjoyed some time with our loved ones. Ringing in the new year, we observe many traditions in my home and with my family. When the clock strikes midnight, we have to make sure that we have coins in our pocket, food on the table, and a clean home, so needless to say my family was busy cooking and cleaning during the day. Whatever your traditions are, I am wishing you a prosperous and happy new year!
We are at the start of a new calendar year and a new semester of learning! I love fresh starts - a great time for us to reevaluate and reflect on the learning and the lessons that have have happened.
We are half way through the school year... and this second half usually flies by. Our undergrads are starting the registration process for next school year. This week counselors will be in our 9th - 11th grade classes so students can register for next school year. Registration forms will be collected the week of 1/9, so please go over the course selection sheets with your students. We want every student to be college or career ready when they graduate - this take both support from you at home and here at school. We are looking forward to every student graduating and being successful in life.
Our seniors have been receiving and are anticipating college acceptance letters, we have students commiting to enlisting in our military, and many enrolling in trade schools. We have a proud tradition of our Wolf Pack going out into the world and doing great things. On March 17, we have many former graduates coming back for our WHS Alumni Day! These graduates will be letting our students know what successes they have had after graduating from West High School!
Our school is going through the WASC accreditation process which is a self-study where we review our data and find areas of strength and areas of growth. Right now, we are beginning to prepare our Self-Study report. This process will continue during the school year and into the first half of the 2023-2024 school year. Then, in 2024, the visiting committee from WASC will come to see us in action and help us continue to improve. Based on self-study and what they see, we will be awarded our next level of accreditation. We will be updating the community as we are looking for community input.
I am looking forward to another exciting semester of learning and activities.
Thank you, families, for your support from home. Our goal is for every student to be successful and the partnership between school and home is a vital component to this success, so thank you!
See you soon!
Sincerely,
Annabelle Lee
Principal
Merrill F. West High School
“…in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
* denotes upcoming Senior events
JANUARY
1/6 JROTC Awards Night
1/7 Winter Ball
1/16 No School, MLK Jr's Bday
1/16 MLK Breakfast @ West High School ($15/$10 Presale)
1/16 Yearbook Pre Orders due! yearbookordercenter.com, $85
1/21 College Bound @ 9 am at WHS Theatre
1/27 No School! Teacher Buy Back Day
FEBRUARY
2/2 JROTC Blood Drive
2/13 No School
2/20 No School
MARCH
3/3 No School, District Holiday
3/17 WHS Alumni Day
3/25 Junior/Senior Prom $175 (incl. transportation and dinner), due 2/24
*3/27 Grad Nite Contract due (Must meet grad requirements, 100 students max)
APRIL
4/7-4/14 Spring Break
4/20-4/28 CAASSP Testing (Juniors and Seniors)
MAY
*5/12-5/13 Senior Grad Nite $375 (See flyer below for payment plan options)
*5/22 Senior Breakfast, $15
*5/25 Senior Beach Day, $15
*5/26 Graduation Rehearsal
*5/27 Graduation
Parent Education Links
11 Good Study Habits to Develop
Parenting Teens During the Busy High School Years
Past Resources:
10 Vital Communication Skills for Teenagers
10 Ways to Improve Your High-Schooler’s Communication Skills
10 Top Study Tips for High School Students Preparing for College
The Top 6 Study Skills For High School Students
Tips for Studying for Finals in High School
For those of you on Facebook, follow Officer Gomez (an SRO from a different district/school)
He has a running blog of issues faced in a high school environment. A lot of the issues faced around the nation, are parallel to ones we see in our own school. He has some great parent information!
Attendance Reminders
Please clear your student's absences by sending a note to the office or leaving a message on the attendance line. Green exit slips must be returned to the office the following day for students that leave early. Absences must be excused within 48 hours of the absence, or students will receive Saturday School Hours.
We have noticed an increase in tardies! Please speak to your student about the importance of getting to class ON TIME!
If you are planning for you student to leave on a Travel Study, please make sure you turn in paperwork 2 weeks before the start date. Teachers need to time to compile work and get everything ready for our students that our leaving.
Off-Campus Pass Reminders
Reminder to our 11th or 12th graders with Off-Campus Privileges - If you are late coming back from lunch, your off-campus privilege will be revoked for a week. You will need to meet with Ms. Arroyo to get your off-campus pass back. Attendance matters! Let's get to class on time!
Site Safety Reminders
When coming on to campus, please enter through the south parking lot (by the flag pole) and check in with the security officer. They will direct you to where you need to go. This includes during lunchtime.
Please remind students that we do not allow food deliveries from non-parents/guardians (Door Dash, Uber, Postmates, etc). This is to ensure the safety and security of our campus.
If you are picking up your child early or clearing absences, please check in with security and go to the attendance windows. For all other needs, please come into the office.
Counseling Corner/AP Testing Info
Link to Counseling Website
SENIORS! Set up your Remind Account for updates on Senior Activities, College and Career Information, and Reminders!
SENIORS! Please make sure to fill out the fafsa/cadaa (Go to fafsa.ed.gov) or fill out the opt out form (from counselor) as soon as possible. The new California State Law requires that all 12th graders complete and submit a FAFSA (Free application for federal student aid), CADAA (California Dream Act Application), or Opt Out form before graduation. The goal of this new bill is to increase student access to financial aid resources. ($$$) You will not be cleared to graduate or participate in the May Senior activities without the FAFSA, CADAA, or Opt-Out form being done.
Weekly Club Meetings (Updated Regularly)
Art Club, sched TBA, P19, Advisor: Ms. Carroll
Asian Pacific Islander Club, Wednesdays @ Lunch, P20 or G12, Advisor: Ms. Kim
Black Student Union, Wednesdays @ Lunch, IMC-1, Advisor: Mrs. Harrison/Ms. Escalante
Chess Club, Tues/Thurs @Lunch, MS30, Advisor: Mr. Farrens
FCCLA, 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ Lunch , G5, Advisor: Ms. Bliss
FFA Meeting, once a month @ 330 in Cafeteria, check Ag Classrooms for Sched
Film Club, Thursdays @ 4-5pm, ST-1B, Advisor: Mr. Vang
GSA (PackPride), Tuesdays @ Lunch, P3 , Advisor: Dr. Pina
Journalism, Thurs (monthly) @ Lunch, MS3, Advisor, Ms. Escalante
JROTC Cadet Staff, Wednesdays @ 715am, Advisor: Maj. Roundtree
Project Smile, Tuesdays @ Lunch, IMC-1 / MS13; Advisor: Ms.. Scott
Robotics Club, Thurs/Fri @330-550, T7, Advisor: Mr. Moehnke
SHSS (Sikh Honors & Service Society), Thursdays @ Lunch, IMC1 , Advisor: Mrs. Sharma
Tri-M Club, Every other Tuesday, K2, Advisor: Mr. Raman
Music Club, Every other Tuesday, K2, Advisor: Mr. Raman
Merrill F. West High School
Website: https://westhigh.tracy.k12.ca.us/
Location: 1775 West Lowell Avenue, Tracy, CA, USA
Phone: (209)830-3370
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerrillFWestHighSchool
Twitter: @MWHSWolfpack