Wolfpack Howler
Volume 20 Issue 13 - Feb 2, 2022
Notes on In-Person Learning this Year:
This school year has been just as much, if not more, of a roller-coaster as last year and I am so proud of the way that our school community has handled all the changing guidance, quick pivots, and every other unexpected changes. The district shifted back this year to focusing on in-person instruction in our school buildings, but continued to offer options to those families that embraced or felt more comfortable with full-time eLearning or homeschool programs. However, one big change this year has been getting back into the groove of in-person learning after having hybrid and online instruction be such a focus last year.
First and foremost - please follow our Symptom Free Schools Guidelines - as a reminder you should stay home if you are not feeling well. Teachers know that we will continue to have student absences for illness, and will continue to support students through those absences and their return. Students should not be anxious about missing a few days here and there - work will be available and able to be made up.
However, we've started to notice that some students are absent for an extended period of time for other reasons and looking for an online way to access classes or a hybrid option, and that is not how our instruction is focused this year, so we wanted to share some notes with families about how staff have been working hard to organize classes and support students with this significant change.
We are here to SUPPORT you.
- We know that the transition from fully remote or hybrid to fully in-person is hard and has brought with it many stressors for students and families. We also acknowledge, that for some students there can be a lot of anxiety attached to coming back fully in-person. We are here to help and support you as we firmly believe that our community is stronger with you here and our staff are best able to support you here in their classrooms.
- There is no hybrid or remote instruction offered this year. Instruction is focused on the activities in the classroom and while we know it's sometimes not possible for students to attend (sick, caring for someone sick, isolating, quarantine, etc.) every day, they will need to check in with teachers when out and on their return to make sure they know what they've missed.
- Teachers may post general instructions and assignments for the week, unit, or day for absent students to review and work on at home. Again, students will need to check in with teachers when planning for absences as well as on their return to get caught up in classes.
- I know that being absent and the stress of getting caught up can be a lot to overcome on it's own, I struggled with this myself as a student, but we are here to help support your return and find ways to make it more manageable.
- Additionally, if there is another learning option that may be a better fit for your student and family, we can discuss those options with you to find the best way to meet their individual learning needs.
Lastly, I am so proud of this community - our staff and students are committed to learning and growing alongside one another every day. We all know how difficult the last two years have been, but together we have continued to support each other in ways my heart is deeply grateful for.
Take care,
Sarah Gillam
Senior Ball 2022 Information: February 12, 8-11pm @ West Valley HS
Senior Ball 2022 February 12, 8-11pm @ West Valley HS
- Ticket Sales: Jan 25-Feb 4 **Any out of school (non-WEST VALLEY) guests MUST have tickets purchased by Feb 2** In the Nurse’s Hallway at Lunch Time
Tickets will be $25 for an individual ticket and $40 for a pair of tickets
Only Seniors will be allowed to buy tickets (One for themselves and one for a guest. Guests may be from any grade level.)
Any student attending must be cleared of all fines and fees prior to buying tickets
GUESTS cannot enter the dance until their West Valley Senior sponsor arrives the night of the dance
All students must arrive by 9pm - No Students will be allowed INTO the dance after 9pm
Senior Ball is a goodnight dance, once a student leaves, they are not allowed back into the dance
The Dance Contract will need to be signed and completed to purchase tickets
--The Dance Contract includes testing consent and permission form. They are available in the front office.
Anyone attending will be required to have ONE negative COVID test in the three days before the dance.
Testing will be available at West Valley on Wednesday and Thursday (Feb 9 & 10) before school, lunch, and after school. More information to come.
Students can also provide negative test results from Feb 9-11 from another verified testing lab (i.e. Beacon) to administration.
If a student tests positive for COVID and cannot attend - their ticket cost will be refunded
YEARBOOK Info for Seniors!
Submit Your Baby Photo (optional)
Same method as senior photos: https://snap.yearbookforever.com/snap/index.html#/upload/1-23J-17797
Access Code: wolfpack
HARD DEADLINE (no late photos accepted): February 28
Consider a Senior Ad or inform your parents of the options
Design or upload and purchase @ www.yearbookforever.com
Purchases of a full-page ad receive a free yearbook!
DEADLINE: February 28
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
FEB | Black History Month
FEB 1 | School Board Regular Meeting: Vote on Building Utilization Scheduled / 6:00 pm / Zoom & In-Person
FEB 1 | Off-Season Conditioning - (Spring Sports)
FEB 12 | Senior Ball - 8-11pm @ West Valley HS
FEB 14 | (If Needed) School Board Special Meeting / 6:00 pm / Zoom & In-Person
FEB 14 | School Board Work Session / 6:30 pm / Zoom & In-Person
FEB 15 | School Board Regular Meeting / 6:00 pm / Zoom & In-Person
FEB 16 | Elizabeth Peratrovich Day
FEB 18 | NAACP Black History Month Contest Submission Deadline
FEB 21 | NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day
FEB 22 | NO SCHOOL - Parent-Teacher Conferences
FEB 23 | NO SCHOOL - Parent-Teacher Conferences
FEB 28 | (If Needed) School Board Special Meeting / 6:00 pm / Zoom & In-Person
FEB 28 | Public Hearing & School Board Work Session / 6:30 pm / Zoom & In-Person
MARCH 11 | EARLY RELEASE - End of Quarter 3
MARCH 14-18 | NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
MAY 12 | GRADUATION!
Families can bring COOKIE donations to the front office!
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, but parents must be present for their testing.
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