Wolverines News

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The month of December often brings reflection of a year gone by; thoughts of happy times and times of sorrow, along with memories of accomplishments, which in turn spur goals for the New Year. As I reflect on 2020 as principal of West High, I am reminded of what unexpected changes we were faced with last Spring. One day we were all in school, and the next we were not. I am reminded of our May graduates and how their high school career did not end in a way that they always imagined. Despite the ending, they remained positive and strong, and I was so proud of them. I am reminded of our students who returned to high school this fall faced with new safety procedures and protocols, and how well they have done learning in their new environment. I am reminded of our parents and guardians and how supportive and gracious they have been as we've navigated through this unique school year. I am reminded of our West High staff, and how they've adapted and grown as they learn to teach in different modalities in order to support all of our students, both onsite and at home.

In close, I am reminded most of how grateful I am to be a Wolverine. The West community truly is a special group of people. Having experienced 2020 alongside each of you reminds me that together we can truly get through anything! #WeAreWEST

Sincerely,

-Ms. Rebecca Rieken

riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com

Congratulations to our November Staff Member of the Month, Mr. Logan Kuchera!

Students at WHS had these things to say about Mr. Kuchera...

• “This teacher is very helpful and understanding towards all students. He helps whoever needs it and makes things easy to understand."

• "He makes class interesting and builds relationships with all students. He is really kind to everyone and is just an overall nice human being."

All teachers have worked to create and maintain a common CANVAS home page. The week will be represented Monday through Friday, and within each day, teachers will detail the activities and assignments for that day.

If a student is absent, or will be gone for an extended absence, it is our hope that this common design will assist student and families as they access the activities and assignments that were assigned when the student was not able to attend class. If a student falls behind, they can also search back through archived weeks to locate assignments that are past due.

Attention Seniors!

The deadline for the Senior Diploma Form has been extended through December 18. If your form is missing, feel free to stop by the main office and ask for another copy. Please turn in your completed form as soon as possible.

Cap & gown and other graduation item orders have also been extended through December 18. Stop by the freshman house with any questions about cap & gown ordering, or please call 1-800-Jostens with any other questions.

It is time to submit your Senior Pictures for the yearbook. Senior pictures are due by Jan 15th. Please read the following requirements for the senior pictures to be used in the yearbook.

1. The yearbook photograph must portrait and not landscape. (up and down and not wide)

2. High resolution

3. Costumes, pets and props such as hats must be approved.

4. No hand gestures in the photos.

5. “Selfie” photos will not be accepted.

6. No social media filters.

7. No masks

8. Attire for photographs must comply with West High School’s dress code.

Senior pictures can be delivered to Ms. Stephens in room S108 before school or sent via email:

stephet@live.siouxcityschools.com

Electronic submission is preferred but not required. The final date for accepting senior pictures will be January 15, 2021.

The West High 20-21 yearbooks are being sold now!

November 17-January 31: $45

February 1-March 31: $50

April 1-15: $55

You can purchase books in person with cash or check in Ms. Stephens' Room S108 before school or during 1st period. You can buy yearbooks using a debit or credit card online at www.yearbookforever.com

If you forgot to order your 2019-2020 Yearbook, there are still some remaining, the cost is $50. Please email Ms. Stephens to inquire about availability and purchasing, stephet@live.siouxcityschools.com

Any student learning remotely via an Edgenuity course must complete all test before the end of 1st semester in order to receive credit for the course.

Virtual students need to make arrangements with Mr. Bemus to take their tests onsite. Night school hours are available for students who do not want to visit campus during normal school hours.

Night School hours are:

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:00-7:00

Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00

Night School is located in the WHS Media Center. For any questions related to Edgenuity courses, please contact Mr. Bemus: bemusb@live.siouxcityschools.com

ACT
West High will be hosting the ACT on Saturday, December 12th. The deadline to register for the December 12th ACT was November 6th.

The next ACT testing date will be February 6th. The deadline to register for the February 6th ACT is January 8th.

Please contact your school counselor for assistance with registering for the ACT.

2021-2022 Registration Process

Counselors have started to meet with students to discuss their requests for courses regarding the upcoming school year. This initial stage of the registration process will continue through the month of December. West High encourages parents and guardians to have conversations at home with students about their future plans and ideas of courses to pursue.

This coming school year brings many new opportunities for students to pursue college credit courses through WITCC, which are paid by the school district, as well as career pathway courses which may lead to certifications in certain fields of study. We hope that many of our West High Wolverines take advantage of these offerings. Students may inquire more about these opportunities when they meet with their counselors, and families are also invited to contact our counseling department or administrative staff with questions.

West High School is currently seeking interested and qualified staff for the following employment opportunities:

• Special Education Instructional Assistants (Compass Academy & Foundations)
  
• Teaching Substitutes
  

For more information about these positions, please contact Ms. Rieken: riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com

To apply, please visit:

https://www.applitrack.com/siouxcity/onlineapp/default.aspx

All SCCSD high schools operate closed campuses. This means that students are not allowed to leave campus unless they are scheduled out of the building, or unless they are attending an off-campus class.

Students are not allowed to bring outside food back into the building, and students are not allowed to have outside food delivered. Food that is delivered will be held until after school for pick up.

After school tutoring, Night School, and Saturday School are all located in the WHS Media Center.

After school tutoring-

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays 3:00-4:00

Night school-

Tuesdays 3:00-7:00

Wednesday 3:00-5:00

Thursday 3:00-7:00

Upcoming Saturday School Dates-

December 5th, 9:00-12:00

December 12th, 9:00-12:00

January 9th, 9:00-12:00

The West High School Food Pantry & Clothing Closet is available to meet the needs the West side community. We can assist families with meals, clothing, toiletries, and some household goods. We are limiting building access at this time, but would be happy to prepare a pick-up order to meet your needs. Please call West High School with any requests, 712-279-6772, or email Mr. Van Buren: vanburm1@live.siouxcityschools.com

Please keep students home and contact West High School if:

• student is experiencing symptoms related to COVID
• student is awaiting the results of a COVID test
• student has been exposed to someone in the home who has tested positive for COVID
• student has been in close contact (less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with someone who has tested positive for COVID and they were not wearing a mask during that time
  

All students, staff, and guests entering the building must be wearing a mask or face covering that covers both the mouth and nose at all times. If someone needs assistance with obtaining a mask, please communicate those needs with the school.

Administration will be contacting parents/guardians regarding any student who does not come to school prepared with a mask or shield. Students who repeatedly come to school without a mask or shield, or who do not comply with these expectations, may be sent home.

Winter activities across the State of Iowa this year will have many different restrictions due to COVID-19, and many of those restrictions will apply to all activities at West High School. The Missouri River Conference has created guidelines that will be in place for all home and away events which include our music programs, athletic teams, as well as our drama and speech departments. Please contact West High School with any questions.

Winter Spectator Protocols

• All spectators are responsible for screening their own health before attending events. If you feel sick, please stay home.
• Masks must be worn at all times in all indoor MRC venues.
• Each player/participant will be allowed two spectators for their contest.
• Each set of 2 spectators will social distance from other spectators.
• Spectators can arrive no more than 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of their competition.
• Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.
• Failure to follow guidelines may result in removal from the event.

Winter Break:

December 23-January 1st (School resumes on Monday, January 4th)

End of 1st Semester:

January 13th

No School on January 14th

Beginning of 2nd Semester:

January 15th

We are no longer allowing students to move from On-Site: Elected Learning to Virtual School unless the student, or a student's same-residence family member, has a medical need and can provide documentation of that need from a medical provider. For requests to discuss these considerations, please contact Assistant Principal, Mr. Bemus:

bemusb@live.siouxcityschools.com

To request technology assistance or learn about solutions and information regarding CANVAS, we encourage students and families to visit the SCCSD Freshdesk.

As a partner in your child’s education, we remain committed to keeping you informed about the school boundary discussions that may affect current and future students. Last school year, boundary discussions began with initial changes agreed upon for some of our elementary boundaries. Now, our work continues as we consider changes to boundary areas for the middle and high schools.

Take a moment to view the video on our boundary planning progress, view the current boundary maps, and consider new boundary map options. Share your feedback now using our online portal, ThoughtExchange. Access the ThoughtExchange portal. Through this portal, you can provide feedback, see the feedback from fellow responders, and even weigh in on portal discussions with comments or ratings. Feedback can be submitted through ThoughtExchange until December 13. If you have questions or need assistance with this process, please call our school.

The District is committed to connecting our students and families to important community resources. View a comprehensive list of local services including information about food access, housing assistance, and mental and physical health resources. Learn more: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/community-resources-in-sioux-city/

The Sioux City Community School District is currently hiring for the following positions:

· Substitute School Bus Drivers and Substitute Bus Assistants

· Substitute Building Service Technicians

· Substitute Teachers and Substitute Instructional Assistants

· Substitute Food Service Workers

The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. To learn more about job qualifications and our available opportunities, please visit our website: www.siouxcityschools.org

With cold weather upon us, it’s important to plan for inclement weather. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the colder weather. Suggested apparel includes a warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves. If a student needs access to these cold weather apparel items, please contact the school office.

Even during the winter season, the District allows recess and outdoor activities to continue as usual. However, if a student does not have appropriate winter clothing, a school official may ask a student to remain inside.

When the atmosphere reaches a temperature that feels like 15 degrees or less, then all students are kept inside for recess/activities. The “feel” of the temperature is determined based on the National Weather Service’s report.

Thank you for helping us keep students safe and warm this season.

The winter in Iowa provides us with some days that make it a challenge to hold classes at the regular time, and sometimes we must close our schools early, late, or for the entire day. As you know, our weather is not only challenging at times, it is constantly changing.

Please remember that parents and guardians have the right to decide to keep their child home on any day that they feel it is unsafe for their student to be in school because of weather conditions. If you believe the weather provides a genuine reason why you may have to keep your students at home, or take your student home when classes are scheduled to continue, you as a parent or guardian will simply need to contact your child’s school to let them know.

If a decision is made on the day of school to cancel classes or to have a late start, a call goes out at 6:00 AM to all parents and guardians. Parents can also check the following sites for closure information.

1. GovDelivery https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IAEDU6039/subscriber/new?qsp=CODE_RED
2. District’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SiouxCityCommSchools
3. District’s Twitter @siouxcityschool
4. All media outlets

If the schools are dismissed early or if school is called off entirely, there will be no evening activities. If you have before and after school care, please check with your provider about their procedures.

The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.

The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The District is required by Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs, activities, or employment.

Inquiries or grievances under Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education/Title IX Coordinator at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations to the District may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, or both. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.

Contact us!

Principal: Rebecca Rieken

Website: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/west-high-school/
Location: 2001 Casselman Street, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6772
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiouxCityWestHighSchool/
Twitter: @WHS_Activities