
2023-24 Wildcat News
October 16, 2023
The WILDCAT Way
Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat!
Taylor Talk
Welcome back from Fall Break! I hope each of you had an enjoyable time off. My family and I enjoyed staying home catching up on family time, house and yard work, and time with friends. It was a much-needed and restful time off.
While we were out, the gym and areas around the school were painted, new flooring was added to the 7th-8th grade restrooms, new gravel was placed behind the football bleachers, rip-rap was put around the front parking lot, new crosswalks were installed by the band room, and the custodians did lots of trim work around campus. It looks great! We are proud of our school!
All students should be receiving a Parent-Teacher Compact this week. It was developed and edited by staff and parents. Please sign it and return it to your child's first period teacher by Friday, October 20th. We need 100% of the forms returned. This is part of being a Title I School. Thank you for returning the Compacts in a timely manner!
I hope we all have a great week! May we always be proud to be a WILDCAT!
West is BEST!
Mr. Taylor
Parent-Teacher Conferences Follow-Up
While some of you could not make it in person, our staff reached out via phone call, email, and texts as well. We had a total of 612 parent contacts on Parent Conference Day!! We are truly #BetterTogether!!
ROBOTICS: It's Not Too Late!!
Robotics will start on Tuesday, October 17 from 3-5pm. Mrs. Reyer will be our lead teacher at West.
After-School Tutoring
Endless Opportunities Schedule for 8th-9th Graders
Free College Application Week
Did you know that it costs approximately $40-$60 to apply to ONE college!!! EXCEPT for Free College Application Week when it costs NOTHING to apply to MOST colleges in the Great State of Alabama!
Come see Mrs. Anita Kyle October 16-20 and get to filling out college applications!
We will have a special event on October 19th in our high school media center for all seniors to chill and apply to colleges all throughout the day! We will have reps from Calhoun, UAB, UNA, and also our career coach there to answer questions for you.
United Way High School Graduate Recognition Program
Dear High School Senior,
Congratulations, you have made it to your last year of high school. We wanted to make you aware of a program that The United Way of Athens-Limestone County offers. To honor students who are active volunteers through United Way of Athens-Limestone County, we have begun our 2023-2024 Graduate Recognition Program.
High school seniors who qualify will be presented with a certificate acknowledging their community service and cords to wear during graduation. For a student to qualify, the following requirements must be met:
- The student must have completed a minimum of 10 recorded community service hours coordinated through the United Way of Athens-Limestone County for the United Way or its member agencies during your graduation year.
- We must receive written or digital documentation from the school’s principal, allowing students to participate in the program.
If you are interested in becoming a part of United Way of Athens-Limestone County’s High School Graduate Recognition Program, please contact United Way of Athens-Limestone County at (256) 233-2323. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at (256) 233-2323 or amyhall@unitedwayalc.com. I look forward to working with your school!
Students who complete the program will receive a cord to wear at graduation and a certificate to use acknowledging their volunteer hours. They also can use those hours for college scholarships. We have at least one partner agency that is actively looking for afterschool tutors. If you have any students interested in education, this might be a good opportunity for them. There are several other opportunities upcoming as well.
E-Learning Day on Tuesday, October 24
- E-Learning Day - Grades 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
On this day, our 10th and 12th graders will participate in State Testing.
- Pre-ACT - Grade 10
- Workkeys - Grade 12
After students have completed their tests, they are free to go home. Buses will still run for those who remain on campus at normal times.
2023 Night of the Bands
Caps & Gowns!!
Storytelling Festival Field Trip
Fall Formal
- The WLHS Fall Formal will be on November 4th at Southern Charm in the Owens Community.
- The Formal will be split into 2 groups: 9th-10th and 11th-12th grade. Each group will have 2 separate times.
- Sunday attire is permissible. You are more than welcome to go all out but not necessary.
- Students will need to see Ms. Andrews to buy tickets and all checks need to be made out to WLHS and include a phone number.
- To ensure we continue with these activities and possibly offer more of them throughout the year, we need to have proper behavior and appropriate clothing at all events--whether it's a formal, pep rally, or any school event. We want to be able to provide fun activities for our students, so we need your help to ensure we can continue with the extra activities.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
West is Best!
Check out Mrs. Reyer's Pytagorean Spirals
Thank You, Representative Ben Harrison, for your donation!
WILDCAT SPORTS
Way to Go BIG BLUE! West beat Wilson 27-6!!
No Pass/No Play
Athletics and other extra-curricular activities are valued parts of our schools. Students must maintain high academic standards in order to participate in these activities. For the immediate preceding school year:
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High School - Students entering grades 10-12 must have passed 6 subjects that total 6 Carnegie units of credit with a minimum composite numerical average of 70 (must include the four core: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies).
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Middle School – Students entering grades 8-9 must have passed 5 new subjects with a minimum composite numerical average of 70 in those five subjects.
Study Hall
2023-24 STUDENT HANDBOOK
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
E-Learning Day
Chronic Absenteeism
To address problems with chronic absenteeism, students in Grades K-12 who accumulate 18 or more absences, whether deemed excused or unexcused, are by definition chronically absent and will not be allowed to participate in non-academic school activities (e.g., prom, in-school games, dances, and field days).
Open a Book! Feed the Possibilities!
More Artwork from Mrs. Chrisman's Class!
October
16: National Boss's Day
16: WLHS MS Football vs. Elkmont (H) 5:30pm
16: WLHS JV Football vs. Elkmont (H) 7pm
16: AMSTI Units pickup by Warehouse
16-19: Area Volleyball Tournament (TBA)
16-20: Fill out College Applications for FREE - See Mrs. Anita Kyle!
17: Happy Birthday to Mr. Ruiz!
17-21: School Bus Safety Week
17-19: FFA Sunbelt Expo
18: Dual Enrollment UNA Field Trip
18-20: ACT Workkeys Paper
19: Happy Birthday to Mr. Landon Laxson!
20: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Kari Carter!
20: Report Cards
20: Endless Opportunities Field Trip for 8th Graders 12:30-1:15
20: WLHS Varsity Football vs. Central (H) 7pm
21: Fishing Tournament at Ingall's Harbor at Wheeler Lake
21: JC Under the Lights Festival - Cross Country
22: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Tobie Craig!
23: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Chasity Legg!
23: WLHS JV Football vs. Westminster (A) 6pm
23-27: Red Ribbon Week
24: PreACT (Grade 10) & Workkeys (Grade 12); E-Learning 6-11
24: iReady Professional Development
24: Night of the Bands
25: Happy Birthday to Mr. Dakota James!
25: Storytelling Festival for 7th and 11th Graders at 12-1:50pm!
26: Aspiring Administrators Academy
26: NWAL Championships - Cross Country
26: West Basketball Tip-Off Tournament 8G, 8B
27: 6-11 Yearbook Picture Makeups
27: WLHS Varsity Football vs. Rogers (H) 7pm SENIOR NIGHT
27: World Occupational Therapy Day
27: EL Team Meeting
28: Mud Creek Marching Contest
28: ACT Test Date
30: West Basketball Tip-Off Tournament 8G, 8B
31: Happy Halloween!
31: Principals' Meeting
November
1: Happy Birthday to Mr. Davin Kyle!
1: Counselors' Meeting
1-4: FFA National Convention
2: Youth Speaker Reggie Dabbs for 6th-12th at 8:15 for 45-50 minutes https://reggiedabbsonline.com/
2: Instructional Supervisors' Meeting
2: Aspiring Administrators Academy
2: Cross Country Sectionals
2: West Tip-Off Tournament 8G, 8B
3: Happy Birthday to Mr. Chuck Chiriaco!
3: ACT Regular Deadline for December 9 Test--Register here: https://my.act.org/account/signin?location=https://my.act.org
4: Fishing Tournament at Smith Lake Park
4: Fall Formal at Southern Charm
5: Daylight Savings Time Ends
7 or 8: Endless Opportunities Field Trip for 9th Graders
8: Veteran's Day Program
9: Happy Birthday to Mr. Matt Taylor!
9: West Basketball VG vs. Lindsay Lane Away 6pm
10: Veteran's Day: No School
11: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Jammie Patrick!
11: Athens Veteran's Day Parade
13: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Arlene Adkins!
13: West Basketball 8G 8B vs. Lexington Away 5pm
13-14: North American Livestock Show
13-17: American Education Week; Retired Teachers Day
13-17: National School Psychology Week
13-17: World Kindness Week
14: West Basketball 8G 8B vs. Clements Away Old Gym 4pm
14: West Basketball JVB, VG, VB vs. Clements Away New Gym 4:30pm
15: Progress Report
15: Education Support Professional's Day
15: WLHS Wellness; PST Group A
15: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Velvet Black and Mrs. Helen Thrasher!
16: PST Group B
16: West Basketball 7B, 8G, 8B vs. Lindsay Lane Home 4:30pm
17: Pajama Day/Hot Chocolate Fundraiser for FACS
17: Substitute Educator's Day
17: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Lexington Home New Gym 4:00pm
17: EL Team Meeting
17: ACT Late Registration Deadline for December 9th Testing
18: JVG Classic: Home
18: Auburn Marching Honor Band
19-22: Priceville Thanksgiving Tournament JVB, VB
19-22: Clements Thanksgiving Tournament VG
20: E-Learning Day
21-26: Thanksgiving Break
21: Where the Mountains Meet the Lakes Marching Festival - Scottsboro
23: Happy Thanksgiving!
24: Happy Birthday to Mr. Bob Barber!
27: MOY Reading & Math Assessment Window Opens 6th-10th
27: West Basketball 7B, 8G, 8B vs. Ardmore Home Old Gym 4pm
27: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Ardmore Home New Gym 4pm
28: Principal's Meeting
28: Limestone County Honor Band Auditions
28: West Basketball 7B, 8G, 8B vs. Elkmont Away Old Gym 4pm
28: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Elkmont Away New Gym 4pm
29: Beta Club Blood Drive
29: Counselors' Meeting
30: ACT Workkeys Paper
30: Instructional Supervisors' Meeting
December
1: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. St. John Paul II Away 4pm
1: Bethel Christmas Parade
2: Special Education Day
2: Happy Birthday to Mr. Ben Campbell!
4: West Basketball 7B, 8G, 8B vs. Lauderdale County Home 4:30pm
5: West Basketball MSB, JVG, JVB, VB vs. Tanner Away 4pm
5: Happy Birthday to Mrs. LaTunga Clemons!
5-12: Book Fair
5-11: Computer Science Education Week
6-7: EL PD Opportunity for Classroom/Content Teachers
7: FCCLA Trip to Opryland Hotel
7: Athens Christmas Parade
8: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Karen Carter!
8: FFA County Livestock CDE
8: West Basketball 7B, 8G, 8B vs. Lauderdale County Away 4pm
8: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Lauderdale County Away 4pm
9: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Karen White!
9: Fishing Tournament at Ingall's Harbor at Wheeler Lake
9: ACT Test Date
11: Band Christmas Concert
11: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Bethany James!
11: Library Media Specialists Meeting
12: West Basketball JVB, VG, VB vs. East Lawrence Away 4:30pm
13: Happy Birthday to Mr. Chuck Hood!
14: Principal's Meeting
15: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Westminster Home 4pm
15: EL Team Meeting
16: JVG Wildcat Classic: Home
16: Happy Birthday to Mr. Kerry Gowan & Mrs. Leonah Kyle!
18: Happy Birthday to Mr. Sam Olinger
18: West Basketball 7B, 8G, 8B vs. Elkmont Home Old Gym 4pm
18: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Elkmont Home New Gym 4pm
18: Instructional Supervisors' Meeting
19: End of the 2nd 9 Weeks
19: Last Day for Students prior to Christmas Break
19: West Basketball 7B, 8G, 8B vs. Ardmore Away Old Gym 4pm
19: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Ardmore Away New Gym 4pm
19: Happy Birthday to Coach Shelby Davis!
20-January 3: Christmas Break
21: Winter begins
21: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Sherry Mashburn!
22: West Basketball 8G, 8B, JVG vs. Clements Home Old Gym 12pm
22: West Basketball JVB, VG, VB vs. Clements Home New Gym 12pm
23: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Laine Morris!
24: Christmas Eve
25: Merry Christmas!
27: Happy Birthday to Mr. Anthony Taylor!
27-30: Bracy Invitational at Deshler: JVB, VB
27-30: West Morgan Christmas Tournament: VG
30: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Debbie Anderson & Mrs. Laura Mashburn!
31: New Year's Eve
January
School Board Appreciation Month
1: Happy New Year!
1: Happy Birthday to Mr. Greg Burchell!
2: West Basketball 7B, 8G, 8B vs. East Home Old Gym 3pm
2: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. East Home New Gym 3pm
2: Teacher Work Day; PST Groups A & B
3: Institute; Local/District PD
4: 1st Day Back for Students
4: West Basketball 7B, 8G, 8B vs. Lindsay Lane Away 4:30pm
5: Report Card
5: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Randolph Home 4pm
5: EL Team Meeting
5: ACT Regular Registration Deadline for February 10 Testing
9: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Westminster Away 4pm
9: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
10: MOY Reading & Math Assessment Window Closes
12: MOY Data due to Central Office
12: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. St. Paul II Home 4pm
12: Happy Birthday to Mr. Brandon Wallace!
15: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Lauren Kyle!
15: MLK Holiday: No School
15-20: Limestone County Tournament at East Limestone
16: ACCESS Window Opens
17: Aspiring Administrators Academy
19: ACT Late Registration Deadline for February 10 Testing
23: West Basketball JVG, JVB, VG, VB vs. Randolph Away 4pm
23: MOY iReady Testing Date
23: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Amanda Gibbs!
25: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Bethany Matthews!
26: West Basketball JVB, VG, VB vs. Lauderdale County Home 4:30pm
29: West Basketball VG, VB vs. Brooks Home 6pm
30: Principal's Meeting
30: West Basketball JVB, VG, VB vs. Rogers Away 4:30pm
31: Counselors' Meeting
February
1: West Basketball VG, VB vs. Tanner Home 6pm SENIOR NIGHT
1: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Anita Kyle!
1: Instructional Supervisors' Meeting
2: Happy Birthday to Mr. Ryan Griffin!
2-8: Basketball Area Tournament
3: Happy Birthday to Mr. Doug Ezekiel!
4: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Nissi Clingan!
5-9: National School Counseling Week
6: Library Media Specialists Meeting
7: Progress Report
7: Leadership Meeting
8: PST Group A
8: Strong Leader: Strong Reader Meeting for Mr. Taylor
8: West Soccer vs Elkmont (A) 5pm 7pm
9-10: Sub-Regional
10: ACT Test Date
12: PST Group B
12: West Soccer vs Lee High (A) 5pm 7pm
12: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Sarai Bender!
13: West Soccer vs Danville (A) 5pm 7pm
14: Happy Valentine's Day!
15: FFA Donkey Basketball Game (More Details to come)
15: SRO Appreciation Day
15: Aspiring Administrators Academy
16-17: Soccer Tournament
17-24: FFA Week
17: Happy Birthday to Mr. Brad Dean!
19: Presidents' Day: No School
19: West Soccer vs Lee High (H) 5pm 7pm
19-21: Basketball Regional Tournament
21: Counselors' Meeting
23: West Soccer vs Haleyville (A) 5pm 7pm
23: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Kecia Maddox!
26: Basketball State Tournament
27: Principal's Meeting
27: West Soccer vs Mae Jemison (H) 5pm 7pm
29: West Soccer vs Elkmont (H) 5pm 7pm
29: Instructional Supervisors' Meeting
March
1: Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day
1: West Soccer vs Fairview (H) 5pm 7pm
4-8: Read Across America Week
4-8: National School Social Worker Week
4: ACAP Alternate Window Opens (Grades 6th-8th)
5: ACT WorkKeys Online Retest (Grade 12)
6: Leadership Meeting
6: Happy Birthday to Mr. Barry Ferguson!
8: End of the 3rd 9 Weeks
8: ACT Regular Deadline for April 13th Test
10: Daylight Savings Time Begins
10: Happy Birthday to Mr. Brayden Clem!
12: ACT with Writing (Grade 11)
12: Aspiring Administrators Academy
13: Strong Leader: Strong Reader Meeting for Mr. Taylor
13-14: FFA SLE State Livestock Contest
14: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Benita Andrews!
15: Report Cards
15: ACCESS Window Closes
15: FFA Tractor Driving/Speaking Contests
15: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Christi Bolton!
16: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Shelley Kennemer!
18: ACAP Summative Window Opens (Grades 6th-8th)
19: Spring Begins
19: Principal's Meeting
20: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Phyllis Malone!
20: Instructional Supervisors' Meeting
21: 1/2 Day for Students/Parent Conferences
21: PST Groups A & B
21: Prom @ The Cotton Gin
22: Professional Day: No School
22: Happy Birthday to Mr. Zach Linley!
22: ACT Late Registration Deadline for April 13 Testing
23-31: Spring Break
April
1-5: National Assistant Principal Week
3: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
4: School Librarian Appreciation Day
5: ACAP Alternate Window Closes
8: Happy Birthday to Mr. Tim Ferguson & Mr. Weston Stewart!
9: ACT with Writing Makeup
12: FFA Safety Day
12: Library Media Specialists Meeting
12: EL Team Meeting
13: ACT Test Date
16: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
17: Progress Report
18: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Stacy Cook & Mr. Russ Gant!
19: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Nancy Christopher!
20: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Lisa Davis!
20: Volunteer Recognition Day
21: Happy Birthday to Nurse Gina!
22: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Molly Fenn!
23: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
24: National Administrative Professionals' Day
26: District FFA CDEs
26: ACAP Summative Window Closes (Grades 6th-8th)
28: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Shirley Messer!
29: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Karen Murray!
29: EOY Reading & Math Benchmark Assessment (Grades 6th-10th) Window Opens
30: Principal's Meeting
May
1: School Principal's Day
2: Instructional Supervisors' Meeting
3: School Lunch Hero Day
3: ACT Regular Deadline for June 8th Test
6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week
8: School Nurse Day
10: EL Team Meeting
13: Happy Birthday to Mr. Lee Francis!
15: EOY Reading & Math Benchmark Assessment (Grades 6th-10th) Window Closes
17: ACT Late Registration Deadline for June 8 Testing
18: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Magan Stewart!
18: National Speech Language Pathologist Day
20: Happy Birthday to Deputy Cody Lewter!
21: Graduation at Clements (5pm) and West Limestone (7pm)
21: ACT Late Registration Deadline for July 13 Testing
23: Last Day of School
23: Report Cards
23: Graduation at Tanner (5pm) and East Limestone (7pm)
23: Happy Birthday to Mr. Brady Clay!
24: Teacher Workday
24: Graduation at Elkmont (5pm) and Ardmore (7pm)
27: Memorial Day
June
1: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Tina Coats!
3: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Olivia Hardy!
7: ACT Regular Deadline for July 13th Test
8: ACT Test Date
9: Happy Birthday to Mr. Bryan Jach!
15: Happy Birthday to Mr. Austin Hyde!
17: Happy Birthday to Mr. Jaret Britt!
18: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Eric McGee!
19: Juneteenth
20: Summer Begins
July
4: Happy 4th of July!
4: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Sharon Wallace!
9: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Tammy Jones!
13: ACT Test Date
18: Happy Birthday to Mrs. LeeAnn Reed!
20: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Heather Gough!
22: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Alex Chrisman!
25: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Jennifer Freeman!
29: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Cheyenne Bonner!
30: Happy Birthday to Mr. Hunter Camp!
31: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Laura Black & Mrs. Jessica Colbert!
August
1: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Andria Francis!
12: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Karen Carter!
13: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Lunetta Reyer!
28: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Traci Daniel!
September
5: Happy Birthday to Coach Justin Taylor!
7: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Leigh Carter!
12: Happy Birthday to Coach Kim Cooper!
14: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Dedi Rolin!
16: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Tracy Jackson!
17: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Ashley Pressnell!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WLHS IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Main Line: 256-233-6687
Fax Number: 256-233-6673
CONTACT INFORMATION
You may find a complete list of our staff on our website www.westlimestonehigh.org. There are direct links to each staff member to help make it easier for you to communicate with any one of them.
ARRIVAL TIMES
7:20am: Earliest arrival time - Students arriving on campus must either go to the gym or cafeteria until 7:45.
7:45am: Bell Rings to go to 1st Period
7:50am: Tardy Bell Rings
DISMISSAL TIMES
3:00pm: Dismissal Bell
STAY UPDATED
To stay updated on what's happening at West Limestone High School or any Limestone County school, please keep your child's information up-to-date in PowerSchool when you enroll and throughout the school year. If your phone number or email changes throughout the year, please email Anita Kyle at Anita.Kyle@lcsk12.org to make those corrections.
LUNCH PRICES
Breakfast: FREE for all students
Student Full Paying Lunch: $2.60
Student Reduced Lunch: $0.40
Visitor Lunch: $5.00
NEW PAY SYSTEM: If you need to add money to your child's account, please use the following link: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home
TITLE I STATUS
We are a Title I School. Our status as a Title I School is determined by the percentage of students who qualify for free/reduced lunch. Title I Schools are provided federal money based on their rank of the percentage of free/reduced lunches within our school district. This money provides schools with the necessary funds to hire staff to reduce classroom sizes or interventionists who work with students to close achievement gaps. Some schools use the money to purchase software, provide professional development, or provide other instructional materials needed.
Based on last year's free-reduced lunch count, our school will receive about $148,824.12 which will be used to hire two teachers and two interventionists. Of that amount, $2276.17 will be used for Parent & Family Engagement.
These funds are highly beneficial to our school, so please complete the free/reduced lunch application today at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict. The link is found on our webpage www.westlimestonehigh.org and on the District webpage www.lcsk12.org. Choose "Alabama" and then choose "Limestone County BOE" for our school district to start the application.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: If you feel your child could use some school-based counseling or you would like some recommendations for outside services, please see our school counselors Mr. Bob Watson or Mrs. Velvet Black.