Wolfpack Howler
Volume 20 Issue 10 - Dec 3, 2021
School Board Meeting Information:
Agendas have been posted for the following items:
School Board Meeting Website: Agendas & Zoom Links
Masking - Semester 2:
- School Board Meeting Agenda Item: Reevaluate Mask Requirement to Maintain Consistent In-Person Learning. The school board meeting is open to the public and can be attended in-person or by watching online through zoom (link in agenda) or the district’s Facebook page. There will be public testimony opportunities at the meeting and a vote on the action item.
School Efficiency Task Force:
On Monday, December 6, the school efficiency task force recommendations report will be presented to the Board of Education in a work session. The agenda and the task force recommendations are now available. The work session is open to the public and can be attended in-person or by watching online through zoom (link in agenda) or the district’s Facebook page. Work sessions are informational meetings, there is no public testimony and the Board will not vote on any agenda items.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Take care,
Sarah Gillam
Principal, West Valley HS
Today's Reminder: NO STUDENT DROP OFF IN PARKING LOT
PTSA Volunteer and Donation Sign-up
The last week of the semester, PTSA will be showing our appreciation for the Wolfpack Staff AND providing snacks for students between their finals. Below are sign-up opportunities for families to do what they can - bring in breakfast items, or SNACKS - WE NEED LOTS OF SNACKS! OR you can come in to hand out snacks. There are 3 different opportunities below:
- Drop off breakfast items early (6:30am) the morning of Dec. 15 OR the day before.
- Bring in SNACKS - Sign up for as many slots as you'd like - those can be dropped off NOW
- Volunteer between 9-9:45am on the days of finals to hand out snacks.
Wolfpack Pride!
We had a wonderful weekend in Anchorage with the All-State students! They worked hard through 18 hours of rehearsals over three days and gave a wonderful concert Saturday night. Kade Rowland and Morgan Ely were awarded First Chair Awards, meaning that they are the best in the state on their instrument this year! Additionally, the combined GPA of the West Valley students participating was the highest of any school at the festival, earning West Valley the academic award as well! We are extremely proud of the work they have done.
Band: Bonnie Marriott, Kai Christensen, Euan Uliassi, Kade Rowland, Erin Wallace, Seth Burke, Hannah Sears, Morgan Ely, and Zachary Williams
Orchestra: Sophie Henry, Fiona Secor, Annette Kugzrug, Eli Ludwig, and Riley Whisler
Choir: Zoe Foshee
Parent Feedback Portal: Now Open in PowerSchool
If you’re unfamiliar with it, Parent Feedback provides parents/guardians with the opportunity to give input on their student’s teachers. You can use the online feature, or pick up a paper copy of the parent feedback form in the front office or print off and drop off at the school office.
WVHS Counseling Office: 479-4221 ext. 46520
Willie Blackburn | A-F (10th-12th) ext 46525
Colleen Johnston | G-N (10th-12th) ext 46524
Anna Sprague | O-Z (10th-12th) ext 46527
Teesha Lane | all Freshmen ext 46523
Upcoming Events:
Link to School District Calendar | Special Weeks Class Rotations
DEC 6 | School Board Work Session - Building Utilization Presentation
DEC 7 | School Board Meeting - Vote on Masking for 2nd Semester Scheduled
DEC 15, 16, & 17 | Final Exams - Early Release
FEB 1 | School Board Meeting - Vote on Building Utilization Tentatively Scheduled
FINAL EXAMINATION POLICY
Final examinations will be given in all classes. Parents are expected to call in excuses by 10:00 AM on the day of the absence. Final examinations are given during the last three days of each semester and are scheduled for two (2) hours each. No one will be exempted from a final exam. Final exams are administered under the following conditions:
Final exams are to be given during the scheduled exam period. By School Board Policy, no exam is to be given early, without exception.
The office will check all absences. Only legitimate unavoidable absences will be excused.
There will be no passes during final exams and students will not be allowed to leave early.
If a final examination must be missed, the exam will be given after the scheduled time by arrangement with the teacher. If a student is withdrawing from school early, School Board policy will determine the circumstances and requirements for completion of the semester. The counseling department is available to assist students in this case.
Thank You for Wearing Your Mask!
As a reminder, everyone entering West Valley needs to have a mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times when they are in the school building. This includes all activities outside of our school day as well.
We have been providing masks to those in need of one, however, we do ask as families are able to please send their student to school with at least two masks so they have a backup in case they need it.
Exposure Alerts - Opt In
The alert would only notify you of a possible exposure in the classroom, similar to what we did at the very start of the school year. All staff and students should continue to follow the Wellness Check Information daily and not report to school if any symptoms develop. Staff and students can schedule a free testing appointment with Beacon Monday thru Friday.
Thank you for all of your support to keep our school a safe and healthy place for our staff and students.
Antigen Screening Testing - Why get tested regularly?
Why is our school doing Antigen testing for COVID-19?
Regular testing is a safe, effective way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many people with COVID-19, especially children and teens, don’t have symptoms but can still spread the virus, so regular testing helps find infections before they can spread to others.
Why should I get regular Antigen Screening Tests?
Here are some reasons why a person should regularly antigen test:
- Frequently visit an elderly person
- Frequently visit a person with an underlying condition (high risk)
- Have younger siblings at home who are not yet able to get vaccinated
- Piece of mind
- Possible exposure to a COVID positive person
- Prevent an asymptomatic COVID positive person to spread the virus
- You can still get COVID even if you are vaccinated (break through cases)
How and when can my student get tested?
Getting tested once a week or every three days after a possible exposure are suggested timelines for screening testing in schools.
Our school nurse, Corinne Roe, can easily and quickly conduct antigen testing in her office. Students can come down and see her during Extension, lunch, or before school. Parent permission is required before testing can occur (most students have forms on file already).
Beacon is also offering antigen testing (see link below), but parents must be present for their testing.
UPDATED Wellness Check - Symptom Free Schools
West Valley High School
Email: contact-wvh@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org/westvalley
Location: 3800 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: (907)479-4221
Facebook: facebook.com/wvhWolfpack/
Twitter: @wvhWolfpack