October 1st - Volleyball @ WMS at 4:00

October 1st - Football @ Riverside Elementary

• 7th grade at 4:00
• 8th grade at 5:15

October 3rd - Cross Country @ SSC at 3:30

October 8th - Volleyball @ EMS at 4:00

October 9th - Cross Country @ Sertoma at 3:30

October 10th - Volleyball @ NMS at 4:00

October 17th - School Picture Day

October 22nd - Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 24th - Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 24th - No School

October 25th - No School

Order forms no longer go out for school pictures. Your student will be sent home with a flyer that gives information on how to view and order pictures online. Pictures will be taken at the school on the 17th and orders will begin a few days afterward.

Keep in mind, this image shows what can happen if your child wears green.

Hello WMS Families & Community!

Happy Fall West Middle School families. It has been an amazing start to the school year. There has been a lot going on in the first few weeks of school. Students have been busy learning content, learning building and classroom expectations, and making new friends. Our sports teams have made us proud in competition and through their hard work in practice. Success on the field is great and it feels good, but success in the classroom is our goal for every student.
Upcoming this month are Parent Teacher Conferences on Tuesday October 22nd from 2:55-7:15pm, and Thursday October 24th from 8am-4pm. Reminder there will be no school on Friday October 25th. Sign up with your child’s advisory teacher to attend student-led conferences.

Thank you for your partnership.

-Tori Albright, Assistant Principal

Please use the link below to schedule your conference time with your student's advisory teacher. We are looking forward to visiting with you and working closely with you for your child's success.

The following students have shown exemplary conduct at West Middle and demonstrated qualities that fit the West motto: We Are West...Welcoming, Engaged, Safe & Trustworthy. Yay, students! Keep up the good work.

6th Grade:

Sophia Joaquin

Mahkenna Rippatoe J

ason Lastor-Ramirez

Andre Senaphan

Heaven Leigh Holbrook-Griffin

7th Grade:

Stephen Ganger

Jaycee Bush

Eben Vallejo

Camerin LaFleur

Reyhanna Hutchinson

8th grade:

Chance Beatty

Joel Nguyen

Grace Treiber

Drayden Braun

Ridana Wasan

September Staff Member of the Month Congratulations to Dawn Martin. Many grateful colleagues recommended her commenting on her active presence in the hallways, engagement with students, and extra support in the office during the first month of school. Thanks, Ms. Martin for making WEST the best! 😊

There are numerous opportunities for free after-school tutoring for any student wishing to get (or needing) extra help. Please contract your child's advisory teacher to find out which session is the best fit for your child's needs.

Here are some very important things to check when getting your home ready for winter.

1. Check the gutters.

Prevent ice dams by cleaning out your gutters, installing gutter guards and making sure your attic floor is properly insulated. The attic itself should be well-ventilated and about 10 degrees warmer than the temperature outside.

2. Protect the pipes.

Protect against frozen pipes by insulating those that could be susceptible to freezing. When the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, keep a stream of water running in a few faucets to guard against freezing and bursting. To protect plumbing under kitchen and bathroom sinks, consider opening the cabinet doors so warm air can surround the pipes.

3. Seal the cracks.

Caulk holes and openings around windows, doors, air conditioners and mail chutes to help prevent cold air from seeping in. You can also install weather stripping and seals for an additional heat loss protection method.

4. Stop the slips, trips and falls.

Keep driveways and sidewalks clear of ice and snow and repair any issues with steps and handrails. You can also be prepared for winter weather safety by keeping deicing salt handy for sprinkling on steps, sidewalks and your driveway. Be sure to read the directions for proper distribution and protective gear.

5. Install an emergency release.

Consider installing an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system. This will protect against increased pressure caused by freezing pipes and can prevent them from bursting. It’s also a good idea to learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located.

6. Keep it cozy.

Set your thermostat to at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure your house or apartment is well-insulated. Consider installing an energy efficient or programmable thermostat to help you keep warm air in the rooms you use the most without racking up high energy bills.

7. Have your heating system checked.

Furnaces, boilers and chimneys should be serviced at least once a year to clear any buildup and to keep them running efficiently.

8. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Residential fires are more common in winter, so it is important that all your smoke detectors work. Check them monthly and replace batteries as needed. You should also consider installing a carbon monoxide detector to avoid inadvertently trapping the toxic gas in your home.

9. Clear the yard.

Keep the trees trimmed and remove dead branches and debris from your yard. Ice, snow and wind can weaken trees and cause branches to fall and potentially damage your home, car or even yourself and others.

10. House the hose.

Remove all garden hoses that are attached to the house, drain them and store them away. Shut off the valves and insulate the faucet.

If you’re heading south for the winter, you need to take extra precautions. Turn the water completely off and consider having the plumbing system drained to keep pipes from freezing. Also, have a friend or neighbor check on your home regularly to look for any issues. If a problem is detected, act quickly to minimize potential damage to your property.

Most home insurance policies cover damages due to extreme winter weather, but make sure you speak with your independent agent to answer any questions you have about your specific homeowners, condo or renters’ insurance policy.

References:
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
Insurance Information Institute

Nov. 5 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day for teachers

Nov. 27 - Early Dismissal @ 12:45 P.M.

Nov. 28-29 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 20 - Early Dismissal @ 12:45 P.M.

Dec. 23-Jan. 3 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

Jan. 6 - Classes Resume @ 7:40 A.M.

Jan. 15 - End of 2nd Quarter / 1st Semester

Jan. 16 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher workday

Feb. 17 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day for teachers

Mar. 20 - End of 3rd Quarter

Mar. 25 - Conferences @ WMS

Mar. 27 - Conferences @ WMS / NO SCHOOL for students

Mar. 28 - NO SCHOOL - Conference Exchange Day

Apr. 16 - Early Dismissal @ 12:45 P.M.

Apr. 17-21 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break

May 26 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

May 27 - NHS Graduation

May 28 - WHS Graduation

May 29 - EHS Graduation

May 29 - Last Day of School for students / Early Dismissal @ 12:45 P.M. / End of 4th Quarter / End of 2nd Semester

May 30 - Teacher workday

The District’s new mobile app provides quick and convenient information at your fingertips. Download the mobile app to receive push notifications from the District about closings and cancellations and stay updated on today’s school lunch menu, upcoming events, and school news.

Download the Sioux City Community School District app today from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. (Please note: If you have an older version of the District mobile app, you will need to delete that app before downloading the new app.)