West Families,

It is hard to believe that we are already a month into the school year! Students are back into the routine of school and there is some great learning happening at West Middle School. Thank you for sending your child(ren) to us every day; it is a joy to have them in our halls and classrooms.

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your partnership,

Gwynne Chase- Principal

• 9/30- PJ Dress-up Day
• 10/1- Hawaiian Dress-up Day
• 10/2- Jersey Dress-up Day
• 10/3- USA Dress-up Day
• 10/3- Virtual Conferences, 3:30-7:30pm
• 10/4- Black-out Dress-up Day
  
• 10/8- In-person Conferences, 3:30-7:30
  
• 10/15- Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse, 3:30-10:00 (10% of sales donated to WMS for student scholarships for field trips)
  
• 10/16- No school for students- Professional Development for Staff
• 10/17-10/18- No School for Students or Staff, Fall Break
• 10/25- Picture retake Day

In the week leading up to the Homecoming Football game, West students and staff will have a little fun by dressing up throughout the week.

Fall virtual conferences- Thursday, October 3, 2024

Virtual conferences are held via video conferencing through Meet the Teacher. The ability to sign-up will remain open until 6:00 pm on 10/2 (the evening before virtual conferences). You will go to Meet The Teacher to log in and set up your conference times with your students’ teachers. THIS LINK has full instructions for you.

Fall In-Person Conferences- Tuesday, October 8, 2024

In-person conferences are arena style. All teachers will be in the West Middle School cafeteria and gymnasiums. You will receive a sheet with the locations of all teachers when you arrive.

Students are welcome to attend their conferences with their guardian, whether they are done virtually or in-person.

We look forward to meeting with you!

All of the money that comes back to West will me used for student scholarships towards field trips and other school events/activities.

If your child is planning on attending a Shakopee Saber event, the following video explains our district-wide expectations.

If your child reaches out to you during the school day to let you know that they are not feeling well, please instruct them to go to the Health Office. This streamlines the process and ensures that all necessary steps are met including accurate documentation in Infinite Campus regarding attendance.

Dropping your student(s) off:

• Enter and exit off of Spencer.
• Please do not drop off on 10th Ave. This interferes with bus drop-off.

• Students will remain in the front vestibule until 6:30 when the front doors are unlocked.
• From 6:30-7:20, students may enter the building, but will be held in the commons area outside of the auditorium.
• At 7:20, we will open doors for all students to access the rest of the building.

*If a student has arranged to meet with a teacher before school, they just have to show a staff member a note or email on their iPad to be let through.

The school day begins at 7:45. If your student arrives late, they must check in at the Greeter's Desk at the front door.

Students are dismissed for the school day at 2:25 pm.

Guardians who pick-up, must either do so from the main parking lot (just like drop-off in the morning) or on 10th Avenue, but after all of the busses have left (2:35 or later).

Shakopee Public Schools’ current Capital Projects Levy, often referred to as a ‘technology levy’ or ‘safety & technology levy’, was approved by voters in 2015 for ten years. Renewal of the existing Capital Projects Levy was approved on June 24, 2024 to be on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot. Early voting starts September 20, 2024.

This levy is scheduled to expire at the end of the 2025-26 school year, unless voters approve to continue the same levy at the same tax rate and same terms, for another ten years. If renewed, the levy will continue to provide:

• Strong safety and security for all schools.
• Critical support that allows staff to provide quality instruction.
• Tools students use for learning today, and leading tomorrow.

All Shakopee Public Schools staff, students and family members have the opportunity to participate in the 2024 fall flu shot clinic led by Homeland Health Specialists.

Four (4) vaccine options will be available:

• Quadrivalent flu shot
• FluMist (limited supply)
• Senior Dose (limited supply)
• COVID

Canvas is the official Learning Management System (LMS) for Shakopee Public Schools. Canvas is primarily used at grades 6-12. Teachers at the secondary level use Canvas for sharing information and resources with students, posting assignment, giving assessments, communicating with students through daily announcements.

As an observer in Canvas, parents can see course materials, grades, feedback students receive on their assignments, and view a calendar that shows due dates for all of their classes.

Go here to learn how to connect with your child's account as an observer. If you need help retrieving a pairing code (necessary to connect), email your child's advisor or email the technology help desk (parenthelp@shakopee.incidentiq.com) to retrieve a code.

Picture RETAKES are on 10/25 during the school day. This is the last chance for school pictures to be taken. We ask that all students get their picture taken for their student ID and the year book. Purchasing school pictures is optional.

If your child ever needs assistance with acquiring clothing, personal hygiene, or school supply items, they can visit our Saber Nation Station. All items are free. All district Saber Nation Station's are made possible through generous donations.

There is a donation box just inside West's front entrance.

• Call the attendance line: 952-496-5753 (this is a 24 hour line, leave a message at any time, it gets checked continuously throughout the day)
• Enter an absence online through Parent Portal. This is a helpful guide on how to do this below.

The Virtual Student Library Card partnership ensures all K-12 students have access to digital and print resources from the Scott County Library.

Now Hiring Part-Time/Full-Time Paraprofessional Positions, Food Services and more

Training is provided, job share responsibilities and weekend/summer/school breaks off. Click here for a list of positions and to apply.