The Weekly

(message sent to everyone on 8/2)

Dear West High Families,

With the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year approaching, I wanted to take a moment to welcome you to Iowa City West High School. Whether you are new to us, or returning, we look forward to seeing you soon. Please make note of the registration information below, as well as important dates to place on your calendar.

Additionally, I wanted to introduce Mr. Bronner and Ms. Arkfeld as our new school counselors. Mr. Bronner will serve families with last names A-E, Ms. Bergman will serve families with last names F-L, Mr. Yoder will serve families with last names M-R, and Ms. Arkfeld will serve families with last names S-Z.

Schedules for next school year are not yet finalized in Infinite Campus. Official student schedules will be posted and viewable in Infinite Campus on Monday, August 7th. Once schedules are viewable, the counseling department will also email a schedule change request form to students. In order for a schedule change to be considered, a schedule change request form must be filled out and submitted.

West High School is now hiring! We are looking for special education paraeducators and supervisory paraeducators! Please apply online for these positions. They are full time and include paid single health insurance! It is a great opportunity to work with students and to have a schedule that matches your child’s schedule. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Thank you and enjoy the last few weeks of summer break. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact the school at 319-688-1050.

Take care, and Go West!

Mitch Gross, Principal

2023-2024 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

New Student In-Person Registration (This is for students new to ICCSD)

• Monday, August 7th, 2023, from 8:00AM-4:00.PM. Please enter through the West Wing entrance (West side of building.)
• Interpreters will be available
• Please bring all necessary documents

Returning Student Registration (this includes incoming 9th grade students)

• Register and pay fees online HERE!
• If you need in-person assistance with registration, please contact the Guidance Office. (319-688-1053)

New Parent Orientation

• Wednesday, August 16, 2023 from 6:30pm-7:30pm in the Arganbright Auditorium.
• Parents of incoming freshmen and new to West students are invited to attend to meet the administration and counseling teams and learn about the operations and opportunities at West.

New Student Orientation

• Monday, August 21, 2023 from 10:00am-12:00pm.
• Incoming 9th grade students, along with new and transfer students, are invited to come to school where they will be able to walk their schedule, meet their teachers, find their locker, and ask any questions they may have about West! This is an in-person experience for students only.

Athletics:

• Register to participate (All athletes must complete this before starting practice).

Forms and Fees for ALL STUDENTS:

• Immunization Requirements
• ICCSD Transportation Information including Application - Transportation and Bussing Requests
• My School Bucks Login (Students will need their ID cards to get lunch. These will be handed out on 1st day of school)
• Free and reduced Meals Online Application (In order to get Free or Reduced meals, you must apply for assistance by completing this application.) Even if you think you don't qualify, please fill out the form! Qualification guidelines have changed. West High gets additional funding for students who qualify for meal assistance. Your application can help our whole school!
• Infinite Campus App Download the app and get your class schedule here (after Aug 7th)
• Parking Registration 2023-24 (no fee required, student drivers MUST complete registration of their vehicle - West is committed to the safety and security of our students, we will be ticketing and/or towing cars that fail to adhere to building parking expectations.)

Attendance:

• 9/10 Attendance direct line to call for absences 319-688-1091
• 11/12 Attendance direct line to call for absences 319-688-1051

OPTIONAL Forms:

• Locker Request Form
• If you are a returning student, you will keep the same locker and combination.
• Your combination will be posted in Infinite Campus once assigned.
• Absence From Class For Prayer Request Form
• Please fill out if you are allowing your student to miss class instruction for prayer.
• Students who do not have a completed form on file will not be excused from class to pray.

2023-2024 Bell Schedule

Key Dates for 2023-2024:

August 14 - Chromebook Repair Day, 9:00am-3:00pm

Aug. 16 - New Parent Orientation - Arganbright Auditorium, 6:30-7:30pm

Aug. 21 - Freshmen and New Student Orientation - 10am-12:00pm

Aug. 23 - First day of school - doors open at 8:30am, breakfast served at 8:30am, classes begin at 8:50am

Aug. 30 - Picture Day - during the school day

Aug. 30 - Back To School Night - 6:00-7:30pm

Sep. 4 - NO SCHOOL

Sep. 23 - Homecoming Dance - West High South Gym, 7:00-10:00pm

Sep. 25 - NO SCHOOL

Oct.4 - Midterm

Oct. 11 - In person Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:15-7:45pm

Oct. 13-16 - NO SCHOOL

Oct. 17 - Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:15-7:45pm

Nov. 7 - NO SCHOOL (Election Day)

Nov. 16 - End of First Trimester

Nov. 17 - NO SCHOOL

Nov. 20 - Start of Second Trimester

Nov. 22-24 - NO SCHOOL

Dec. 22 - 2 Hour Early Dismissal

Dec 22 - Jan 5 - NO SCHOOL, Winter Break

Jan. 15 - NO SCHOOL

Jan. 17 - Midterm

Jan. 17 - Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:15-7:45pm

Feb. 9 - NO SCHOOL

Feb 12 - NO SCHOOL

Mar. 1 - End of Second Trimester

Mar. 4 - NO SCHOOL

Mar. 5 - Start of Second Trimester

Mar 8 - 2 Hour Early Release

Mar. 11-15 - NO SCHOOL

Apr. 10 - NO SCHOOL

Apr. 19 - NO SCHOOL

April 22 - Midterm

Apr. 24 - In person Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:15-7:45pm

May 4 - Prom

May 27 - NO SCHOOL

May 30 - Seniors’ Last Day of School

June 2 - Graduation - Xtream Arena, 1:00PM

June 5 - Last Day of School

West High Volleyball apparel store is now open until next Wednesday (8/10). Profits from the store go back to the team as a fundraiser. Orders will be delivered to West High once they are in.

https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/ICWESTVB23

Follow the link below for girls swimming and diving store! It is open until August 8.

https://www.storessimple.com/oldcapitolscreenprnt/groupproducts.php?prodgroup_id=24700&prodgroupbypass=true

(District message sent to everyone on 7/31)

Dear Families and Staff,

We would like to provide a reminder regarding Free & Reduced Meal applications for the 2023-24 school year. Applications must be completed each year per federal guidelines. This is a separate process from registration.

If you have not already done so and feel your student may qualify, please be sure to complete the 2023-24 application for Free & Reduced Meals, which can be found at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict. If you need assistance completing this form, please contact the Nutrition Services Department at (319) 688-1021.

Please complete the application prior to the start of school to ensure benefits are activated. Unfortunately, benefits cannot be applied retroactively, so any debt incurred prior to applying for free and reduced status is the responsibility of the family.

We are dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to school meals and we will provide the necessary assistance to make that possible. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Sincerely,

Alison Demory
Director of Nutrition Services
Iowa City Community School District

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Iowa City Community School District Transportation Department would like to notify you of the 2023-24 Pay-to-Ride Program. The Pay-to-Ride Program is available to families that do not qualify for mandatory transportation as required by the State of Iowa. The District provides transportation as required by the State of Iowa.

Iowa Code 285.1.a. The Board of Directors in every school district shall provide transportation, either directly or by reimbursement for transportation, for all resident pupils attending public school, kindergarten through twelfth grade, except that:

1. Elementary pupils shall be entitled to transportation only if they live more than two miles from the school designated for attendance.
2. High school pupils shall be entitled to transportation only if they live more than three miles from the school designated for attendance.

When measuring the distance to determine eligibility for transportation, the distance shall be measured by using the shortest distance on public roads only. In general, school buses do not travel on private roads/lanes or in private subdivisions. Distance is measured from the student's driveway to the assigned attendance point of entrance.

If you have any questions, before applying, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email at Davis.Esme@iowacityschools.org.

The Pay-to-Ride Program details are listed below:

• The program is provided on a space-available, time-available, first-come, first-served basis. Participation is limited according to capacity as determined by the District and is available to students in grades K-12.
• The program is only available on existing bus routes and at existing stops. No additional routes and or stops will be considered for pay-to-ride students after the deadline.
• Buses provided specifically for special education students are not eligible for this program.
• Bus stop locations and times are assigned by North America Central School Bus (NACSB).
• Availability of seats and location of bus stops is subject to change based on changes in enrollment, boundaries, and other factors determined by the District or North America Central School Bus and can occur at any time. When changes to routes or stops occur, families utilizing pay-to-ride busing will be notified at the same time that the families of eligible students are notified.
• Students must be picked up and dropped off at their assigned location only. Pick-up and drop-off must be at the same location.
• Requests for a change in a student’s bus stop will only be honored if the student’s address has changed.
• No guest students will be allowed to ride along with pay-to-ride students.
• All students riding the bus are subject to the rules and regulations of conduct and safety established by the District and NACSB. The District and NACSB use video cameras on school buses as a means to maintain a safe environment for students and staff.
• Refunds will be granted for any unused full trimester purchased for the current school year.
• No refunds or rate adjustments will be made for days buses cannot operate because of weather or other circumstances beyond the control of NACSB or the District.
• Payments can be made online via the District’s website. Fee is charged on a per-year basis.

Payment and Fees for Service

• Pay-to-Ride fee is:
• $600 per student, per year, round trip
• $360 per student, per year, round trip, for students who qualify for reduced-price lunch.
• $0 per student, per year, round trip, for students who qualify for free lunch.
• Full payments must be made no later than June 8, 2023, to be included on a bus roster for the start of the school year.
• Applications submitted after June 9th through September 10th will be included on a bus no later than September 25th if space available. Efforts will be made to make placements earlier; however, a date prior to September 25th cannot be guaranteed and remains dependent on space being available.
• After September 10th applicants will be notified no later than 10 school days from submission if space available.
• Applications will be accepted after the due date while capacity remains on existing routes. (Note: Students will only be assigned to existing bus stops and routes; buses will not be re-routed to accommodate requests.)
• Students are not eligible to ride until payment is received and the application is approved.

Application Process

1. To apply for pay-to-ride busing, please download the following form:
   Pay-to-Ride Student Transportation Application: 2023-2024 Pay-to-Ride Application
2. Payment can only be made online: https://www.myschoolbucks.com
3. Mail or bring your application and receipt, from MySchoolBucks to the following address:
   Iowa City Community School District
   Transportation Department
   1725 N Dodge Street
   Iowa City, IA 52245

If you are interested in participating in the Pay-to-Ride Program, please return the application and payment no later than June 8, 2023, to be considered for a bus roster for the start of the school year.

Sincerely,

Esme Davis
Transportation Manager
Iowa City Community School District

Dear Families,

We are excited to announce that registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open! We encourage you to take this early opportunity to register your students for the next school year.

As a reminder, all families are required to register their students in Infinite Campus for the 2023-24 school year. Please use the link below to register your child(ren). Remember to select the school year “23-24” to register for this year.

Registration instructions for returning families to the District

Families who need assistance with the registration process may attend on-site registration at their home school which will be held this summer. On-site registration schedules will be shared at a later date.

We thank you for taking the time to register your students early as it helps greatly with our staffing efforts over the spring and summer.

Sincerely,

Matt Degner
Superintendent
Iowa City Community School District

Bookmark this page for the most accurate WHS athletics calendar of events: rSchool Today

Watch live streamed events on our YouTube Channel.

Varsity Bound: WHS Sports Results

Athletic Office SMORE: Some great information from our sports/activity programs!

Club West Store (always open): https://clubwest.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/18526375

Your Prep Sports Area Alumni Report: West High Graduate West Finishes Third in Decathlon at NCAA Championships

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL:

Baseball Roundup: West High Splits Doubleheader With 4A No. 10 Cedar Falls in MVC Finale

The 2023 Your Prep Sports Area Baseball Team

TENNIS:

West High Downs Waukee Northwest to Win Second Consecutive State Tennis Title

SOCCER:

West High Falls to Johnston in Double Overtime in Class 4A State Title Game

West High Headed Back to State Title Game After Semifinal Shutout of Second-ranked West Des Moines Dowling

Athlete Registration for 2023-2024 Year:

All athletes must register at the beginning of every new school year and have a current physical on file to participate. The ONLY way to complete the required permission to practice form is by registering first.

Online Registration Link: https://gobound.com/ia/schools/icwest

Contact Brianna Nigg (nigg.brianna@iowacityschools.org), Athletic Secretary, with any questions.

If you/your student have any athletic department issued equipment, bags, uniforms, warmups, etc. in your possession, please turn those in to the athletic or main office at your earliest convenience.

Check out our Summer Cultural Diversity & Equity Newsletter here: https://www.smore.com/y1sx9

Please visit our Equity website for additional information and links to previous newsletters.

Sincerely,

Laura Gray
Executive Director of Diversity & Cultural Responsiveness
Iowa City Community School District

This newsletter can be translated into multiple languages. How do I translate a Smore newsletter?

Where Excellence Is Tradition

Email: oelrich.carrie@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/Domain/327
Location: 2901 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City, IA, USA
Phone: 319-688-1050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westhigh/
Twitter: @IowaCityWestHS