Wolverines News Newsletter

Hello WHS Families, Students, and Staff,

During this past month, our West High family lost a valued member, Mr. Kent Martin. During the weeks that followed, so many stories surfaced regarding the powerful, positive impact he had on so many throughout his years as a West High teacher. The relationships he built with students, staff, and families were beyond remarkable. These moments remind me of the impact a positive school relationship can have, whether it be teacher to student, colleague to colleague, school with families. Mr. Martin leaves a legacy that we can all take note from as we move ahead.

Tonight and tomorrow Mr. Martin's family will come together with friends and loved ones for his memorial services. Following these services, the West High staff will begin planning a memorial to be held at school at a later time. Once those details are determined, they will be shared with our West High community.

Sincerely,

-Ms. Rebecca Rieken

#WeAreWEST

Congratulations to Mr. George for being our March staff member of the month!!! We appreciate his dedication to our Woodworking and Industrial Arts programs. Staff also appreciate "Karl's Service Station" for the flat tires or other quick fixes! Thank you for being W-E-S-T, Mr. George!!!

• There will be a 2-hour early dismissal on Tuesday, March 26th.
• There will be no school March 27-April 1
• School will resume on Tuesday, April 2
  

Please see the dance requirements listed below to be eligible for West High's Prom on April 6, 2024, at Country Celebrations:

Starting March 1, Students Must:

• Be passing all classes
  

• Have 90% Overall Attendance (Can miss a max of 10 blocks between March 1 - April 5)
  

• Have 75% completion in each class on edgenuity
  

If you have any questions regarding eligibility for the dance, please contact Mr. Hoogers.

Are you looking for the perfect prom dress? If so, we have several! If you would like to look for a dress, please contact Mrs. Still or Mrs. Hames and we can show you what we have available! If you have a dress you would like to donate, please bring it to one of us!

Here are just a few of the hundreds available!

POPCORN for After Prom

The after-prom committee is selling popcorn! Seniors are encouraged to pick up an order form in the office to help sell.

If you would like to buy popcorn, find a senior selling and place your order.

You can purchase until March 26th and the popcorn is expected to arrive the 2nd week of April.

We look are looking forward to celebrating the graduation of the Class of 2024!

West High Graduation

• Tuesday, May 21
• 7pm
• Tyson Events Center

Graduates will be expected to attend practice at the Tyson Events Center at 8am the morning of graduation.

West High is competing for a grand prize with other schools in the district to collect as many canned goods as possible for the Siouxland Soup Kitchen!

Please bring all donations to the table in the Media Center. They are due by March 21st!

All canned goods will be accepted, but the pictured items have been designated as most needed!

For every canned good we receive, the West High Student Council will also donate $1 to the Siouxland Soup Kitchen!

Let's show everyone that WEST IS BEST!

The JROTC is still collecting new and gently used hygiene products for the homeless. The box is in the main office until the end of March. More than 25% of teens in the state of Iowa are homeless, please consider donating today! Please see below for items needed.

The ACT exam will be given to all juniors on Tuesday, April 9th. There will be no school for 9th, 10th, and 12th grade students. If a senior or sophomore would like to take the ACT, please contact a school counselor.

April 3 and April 4: Conditions of Learning Survey will be delivered to all 9th grade students in Biology and Honors Physics, and to all 10th and 11th grade students in their Social Studies classes.

April 16 & 17: ISASP Reading Test will be delivered in all English classes to students in grades 9, 10, and 11.

April 16 & 17: ISASP Science Test will be delivered in all Science classes to students in grade 10.

April 18 & 19: ISASP Writing Test will be delivered in all English classes to students in grades 9, 10, and 11.

April 18 & 19: ISASP Math Test will be delivered in all Math classes to students in grades 9, 10, and 11.

As we finished our boys and girls wrestling seasons, it was an honor to have 3 state qualifiers this year. Lulu Vaul, Isabella Allen, and Julio Santos. They all made their goal of being a state qualifier a dream that came true! Congratulations to those wrestlers and thank you to all of the coaches who helped make their goals a reality.

West High Students are encouraged to become involved and join an activity or club! If you have questions about our activity and club offerings, please email our Activities Director, Mr. Gabe Hoogers: hoogerg2@live.siouxcityschool.scom

Are you good at drawing? Do you have a story you want to tell? Then come down to West High’s best place ever: Comic Club! Here at the club, we have many wonderful people working hard to create masterpieces, and you can too! The club meets every Wednesday from 2:55 to 4. The club meets in room 249 in the left hall of the auditorium. If you’re interested, come on down and let’s make some comics!

Do you have a knack for knowing random facts? Do you want to test your knowledge? If so, you should join the West High Quiz Bowl team. Meetings will take place every Wednesday after school in Room 124 from 3-4 PM. No previous experience necessary. All are welcome! If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Adams.

Are you interested in joining the West High Pride Club? If so, you should consider coming to room 230 on Thursdays after school from 3-4pm. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Russell in room 230. All are welcome.

• Girls & Boys Soccer
• Track and Field
• Tennis
  

Parents of 11th-grade students: Please see the immunization requirement below. Before the start of the 2024/2025 school year, your student will have to have his/her immunizations updated.

Effective January 11, 2017, the change requires a one-time dose of meningococcal (A, C, W, Y) vaccine received on or after 10 years of age for applicants in grades 7 and above, if born after September 15, 2004; and 2 doses of meningococcal (A, C, W, Y) vaccines for applicants in grade 12, if born after September 15, 1999; or 1 dose if received when applicants are 16 years of age or older. There is no grace period, and it needs to be done prior to the school year starting.

Meningococcal disease caused by any serogroup is very serious. Approximately 10 to 15% of people with meningococcal disease die even with appropriate treatment. Of those who recover, up to 20% suffer from serious after-effects, such as permanent hearing loss, limb loss, or brain damage. Meningococcal vaccines are very safe and effective at preventing meningococcal disease. The meningococcal vaccine is 85 – 100% effective at preventing infection from the subtypes of meningococcus found in the vaccine. The National Immunization Survey (NIS) Teen, 2015 results indicate 75% of Iowa adolescents 13-17 years of age have received one dose of the Meningococcal (A, C, W, Y) vaccine. The national average for one dose of meningococcal vaccine is 81.3%. The meningococcal secondary school vaccine requirement will help Iowa achieve and maintain high adolescent vaccine coverage levels, protecting the health of adolescents, friends, families, and communities.

What does this mean for you? You will need to call your physician’s office and make an appointment for the meningitis vaccine. If you have no insurance, you may call the Siouxland District Health Department at 279-6119 to schedule an appointment. I have reviewed all the current 11th grader’s records through the Iowa Registry Information System (IRIS). If you are receiving this letter your student is not up to date on his/her meningococcal vaccine. Please schedule an appointment to receive the required vaccine ASAP. Records can be faxed to West High at 712-279-6790 with attention to the school nurse. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Mary Mason, RN

School Nurse, West High School

712-279-6772

masonm@live.siouxcityschools.com

Iowa law requires that children enrolling in ninth grade are required to provide proof of a dental screening to their school. As an update on the screening rules, please note the following:

• A screening for 9th grade is valid if it occurs one year prior to enrollment to four months after the enrollment date.

The Sioux City Community School District and the Missouri River Activity Conference uses BOUND for tickets and season passes to all regular home high school athletic events.

Sioux City Community School District season athletic passes provide entry to sporting events at East High, North High, and West High —excluding postseason games and postseason activities (concerts, plays, performances, etc.). A pass can be used for all home events for the school in which the pass was purchased.

Pass options and prices are as follows:

1. Student Pass (K-12) - $30
2. Adult Pass (18+) - $100
3. Senior Citizen Pass (62+) - $30
4. Family Pass (2 Adults and Children) - $240

Individual tickets for all high school athletic events are also available for $7/each.

All season athletic passes and individual tickets can be purchased through gobound.com or in the BOUND App. Fans can download the BOUND App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Once a purchase is made, the ticket or pass will appear in the BOUND App. The ticket or season pass must be presented in the BOUND App at each athletic event for entry.

Two parents/guardians and children (K-12) living at the same residence are eligible for the family season pass. When placing an order online, families should indicate the number of family members in the "Number of Tickets Needed" box. Once a family pass is purchased, passes must be assigned to each family member in the BOUND App.

Fans who are unable to make a purchase online or through the BOUND App are encouraged to visit the main office at East High, North High, or West High from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday for assistance.

You can order online at www.yearbookforever.com or see Mrs. Schiller in Room 236 before school, during Homeroom, or after school.

The cost is $40 right now and increases $5 at the end of every quarter. Sales run until April 30, 2024.

March 20-April 30: $55

*URGENT* Seniors- Please go to Jostens.com and search Sioux City West High to order.

For Questions or Assistance, please see Ms. Chauncey in the Main Office.

The West High School Food Pantry is available to meet the needs of the West side community. We can assist families with food, limited toiletries, and diapers.

Please call West High School with any requests, 712-279-6772 ask for Mr. VanBuren or Mrs. Husk.

*We will no longer have clothing except for homecoming and prom dresses, thank you!

A priority of our school must be student safety, both emotional and physical safety. Students must feel and be safe at all times, both in and out of school.

It is important to remind our students and families of our student handbook which outlines district expectations for our student code of conduct. In this code of conduct, item 12 states:

12. Disobeys Classroom Rules or Engages in Disorderly Conduct or Fighting — Classroom and/or school rules include written rules, teacher and/or administrative instructions, and the general educational prohibition against all forms of cheating, fighting, or material disruptions to the learning environment.

If students engage in fighting at school they will receive school consequences. Such consequences may include being suspended from school until an intermediate school hearing at which night school may be recommended. Students who are found to be promoting school fighting by posting about school fights on social media may also receive school consequences.

West High School is a school all should be proud of, and a place where all should be safe. Our students, families, and staff should not be tolerant of school fighting. We need to work together to continue to demonstrate West High Pride by engaging in behaviors that are Welcoming, Engaged, SAFE, and Trustworthy.

Please help our school achieve this safety in the following ways:

• When students, families, or staff become aware of unsafe situations, they will notify the school administration and staff immediately.
• If unsafe situations arise, students will seek school staff assistance immediately and they should not be a bystander who encourages or records such unsafe situations.

West High School Administration always welcomes communication regarding school safety. Staff may call the school during school hours at 712-279-6772, or they may email school administration directly:

Rebecca Rieken, principal: riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com

Gabe Hoogers, assistant principal hoogerg2@live.siouxcityschools.com

Brant Bemus, assistant principal: bemusb@live.siouxcityschools.com

Pam Husk, assistant principal: huskp@live.siouxcityschools.com

The Sioux City Community School District has outline specific expectations for student code of conduct. This code of conduct is outline in our Student Handbook. We encourage all families to review this code of conduct with their children. There are specific consequences outline in the code of conduct related to cell phone and personal technology use during the classroom, as well as vaping.

At West High our counselors loop with their grade level class throughout all four years, and students identified as TAG will loop with Mrs. Still. As students and families have questions, please contact the counselor for that student's grade level, or the TAG counselor, either by email, or by leaving a voicemail for that counselor.

Our team invites parents and guardians to connect with them anytime throughout the school year so we can partner with you as we guide our students to success. All are welcome to call West High School to schedule an appointment, or email the administrator directly:

West High School, 712-279-6772

12th grade primary contact, Rebecca Rieken, Head Principal- riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com

11th Grade primary contact, Gabe Hoogers, Assistant Principal & Activities Director- hoogerg2@live.siouxcityschools.com

10th grade primary contact, Brant Bemus, Assistant Principal- bemusb@live.siouxcityschools.com

9th grade primary contact, Pam Husk, Assistant Principal- huskp@live.siouxcityschools.com

A senseless shooting happened this month at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa. Our hearts are with the staff and families impacted by this tragedy and the entire Perry community.

Keeping our district community safe continues to be a top priority for all of us at the Sioux City Community School District. You are an essential part of keeping our buildings safe. We also work with law enforcement on an ongoing basis to evaluate our safety protocols and procedures. Information on our standard response protocols is posted throughout our buildings and available on the District's website.

As always, if you see or hear something suspicious, speak up. Together, we can keep our schools safe. Thank you for your continued commitment to our students, families, and colleagues. Please keep the Perry Community School District in your thoughts.

Stay connected with family-friendly activities, programs, and clubs in the community through Virtual Backpack. The e-newsletter, which includes information from various Siouxland organizations, is sent out monthly to all district families. Or, view the most up-to-date lists of events and activities on the Virtual Backpack website.

If your student qualifies for free or reduced meals, you will need to complete the online application if you have not done so already.

Families that do not qualify for free or reduced meals can deposit money into their student’s MySchoolBucks account. Information on meal prices for the 2023-2024 school year is available on the District’s website.

For questions or assistance with school meals, please contact the District’s Food Service Department at 712-279-6860 or 712-279-6862.

The District sends out important information regarding school closings and cancellations and other updates to our families via phone, email, and text. Additionally, our school will contact you in case of an emergency or student health concern. Make sure your contact information is updated in our system and that your phone accepts the school’s phone calls. Doing this will ensure you receive school communication promptly and we can reach you in case of an emergency. To make updates to your contact information, please contact our office.

In the social world we live, many kids use some form of social media. While social media can help kids connect with friends and family, explore new interests and areas of the world, and enhance their creativity, it can also lead to risks and added responsibility. Social media can be harmful if it is not used appropriately.

Without meaning to, kids can easily share more online than they should. Kids often post photos of themselves online or use their real names, birthdates, location, or school name. This information can make them easy targets for online predators or others with bad intentions.

Additionally, kids sometimes forget that photos, videos, and comments made online can’t be taken back after they have been sent or posted. It’s impossible to completely erase something once it’s been posted online. This may not cause problems for a child now but can lead to issues years later as they apply for college or a job. It is common for a college admissions office or recruiter to scour the internet for information on an applicant, ultimately discovering something a child may not want them to find. If a child would be embarrassed for a family member or future boss to see a photo or video, they shouldn’t post it.

Studies have shown that social media can negatively impact a child’s mental health. The pressure to get “likes” or keep up with other peers online can lead to depression and anxiety as well as unrealistic expectations.

What can families do?

• Limit the time kids spend on social media.
• “Friend” or “follow” your kids’ social profiles and remind them never to “friend” strangers.
• Encourage kids to use privacy settings.
• Remind kids that mean behavior is never okay, including online.

Check out the District’s website for additional social media tips.