Wolverines News Newsletter

Hello WHS Families, Students, and Staff,

It is that time of year when we want to check in with all of our current, and future, Wolverine families to let them know of important events and information as they get ready to start another school year with West High School. While it is hard to say goodbye to summer, we are looking forward to another great year at West High and seeing all of our Wolverines very soon!

For our incoming students and their families, we use our monthly newsletter to inform our Wolverines of timely events and acknowledge all of the positive things that take place each month. We will also share information and alerts through email, and sometimes by text message and phone call. Our social media platforms are others way we highlight and distribute news too.

The flooding that took place in late June impacted our West High community significantly. As we prepare for a new school year, we are here to support our students and their families in any way we can. We have many resources available. Please call the school and we will do our best to connect you to the support you may need.

The pride of the West High community is magical and something we want everyone to experience! West High School is extending an invitation to our entire community to join us for an evening of fun as we play, laugh, eat, recognize, and give back at our "We ARE WEST" event on Thursday, August 15, from 5pm-8pm, (please see the flyer below.) We hope to see you all there!!!

Sincerely,

-Ms. Rebecca Rieken

West High School Principal

#WeAreWEST

West High School will be hosting registration days on:

Tuesday, August 6, 10am-6pm

Wednesday, August 7, 8am-4pm

Thursday, August 8, 10am-6pm

At this event, the following support and resources will be available to complete the following:

• Online Verification (must be done before laptop checkout)
• Required Immunizations Complete (must be done before laptop checkout)
• Strengths and Needs Screener (must be done before laptop checkout)
• School Pictures (must be done before laptop checkout)
• School Pictures will only be on August 6 and August 8.
  
• Another date will take place on October 18 for those who didn't take a picture, or who need a retake.
  

• Laptop Checkout
• More opportunities for laptop checkout will take place during the first week of school.
  
• Diploma Order Form (all 12th grade students)
• Food Service Information
  
• Bussing Information
• Activities/School Physical Information
• Student Schedule Questions- Counselors will be present
  

Counselors will be available to meet with students regarding schedule questions on the following dates and times in August:

• Tuesday, August 6, 10am-6pm
• Wednesday, August 7, 8am-4pm
• Thursday, August 8, 10am-6pm

This is first come, first serve. We will not be scheduling appointments during these days. If students are not able to attend on those days, they are encouraged to email their school counselor directly. (Contact information is listed below.)

Schedule change requests may not all be honored due to such reasons as a lack of availability in the master schedule or class size limitations. Students may not make specific requests to have a change in teacher if there are teachers who teach multiple courses of the same course. Students may not make requests to be moved to the same class as their friends.

*12th grade students are allowed out-of-building privileges in place of a study hall if they have met the following requirements:

• On-track for graduation with credits
• No behavior or attendance concerns
• Parent approval

*11th grade students are allowed out-of-building privileges in place of a study hall during their 2nd semester only, and they must meet the same above requirements.

Only 12th grade students are allowed to be considered for mid-year graduation. Students interested in this option must discuss this request with their school counselors before 1st semester of the new school year begins. Students who pursue this option are only allowed to work through second semester of English IV through Edgenuity. No other courses are allowed through Edgenuity to be considered a mid-year graduate.

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.

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

Reminder: the #SCCSD will continue to use the BOUND Sports App for tickets and season passes to all regular home high school athletic events. Cash will not be accepted at the gate.

All season athletic passes and individual tickets can be purchased through https://bit.ly/missouri-river or in the BOUND Sports App.

To purchase tickets on https://bit.ly/missouri-river, click on "Home" under Sioux City East Black Raiders, Sioux City North Stars, or Sioux City West Wolverines, and select “Tickets” in the main menu.

Fans who download the BOUND Sports App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store can purchase tickets in the app and present their mobile pass at the gate.

Questions? Call the East High, North High, or West High office for assistance.

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 Mrs. Husk.

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

What does this mean for you? You will need to call your physician’s office and make an appointment. If you have no insurance, you may call the Siouxland District Health Department at 279-6119 to schedule an appointment. Records can be faxed to West High at 712-279-6790 with attention to the school nurse.

West High School Nurse Contact Information:

Mary Mason, RN

School Nurse, West High School

712-279-6772

masonm@live.siouxcityschools.com

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

Students will be dismissed two hours early every Friday during the 2024-2025 school year for staff professional development. This will replace early dismissals on Mondays for professional development.

Due to this change, students will have a two-hour early out on Friday, August 23 – the first day of school.

There will be no school on Monday, September 2 due to Labor Day.

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.

West High School is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program which allows our school to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to our students. West High School students will not be charged for breakfast or lunch during the upcoming school year.

A complete list of CEP schools in our district can be found on our website. If you have a student attending another school that is not a CEP school, we encourage you to complete the 2024-2025 online application for free and reduced meals. This will help ensure other students in your family receive the meals they need during the upcoming school year.

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

Lockers are available upon request. If your child would like a locker, please call the school office to request one.

Have you reviewed the 2024-2025 SCCSD Parent/Guardian – Student Handbook? The handbook includes important information to help students reach their fullest potential at school. Families are encouraged to review the handbook with their students to make sure they are aware of what is expected of them as a student in the Sioux City Community School District.

Click here to view the 2024-2025 Parent/Guardian – Student Handbook.

Safe + Sound Iowa offers students and families a convenient way to anonymously report safety concerns related to our school. Trained dispatchers will share the information with appropriate school administrators and/or law enforcement so help can be given to those in crisis or at risk.

Visit Safe + Sound Iowa for more information.

The safety of our students and staff is paramount. The District uses Standard Response Protocol or common terms to communicate our actions and response to an emergency situation. The terms Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter are used so students, staff, and first responders understand the situation and how best to respond.

We encourage families to become familiar with these terms to better understand our school’s response and what to expect in a crisis situation. For more information on safety preparedness within the District, visit siouxcityschools.org.