Wolverines News

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As we are now well into first quarter, I want to take this opportunity to express the pride I have for the students, parents, and staff of West High School. Our students returned to school with a dedication for learning. They have shown responsibility and respect regarding all of our new COVID safety procedures. Our parents have been supportive, gracious, and understanding as we navigate through the start of this unique school year. The staff of West High School were excited to welcome back students, and have worked tirelessly towards creating learning opportunities that continue to engage and challenge our students.

I look forward to watching this school year continue, and am so honored to be a part of this amazing West High family!

Sincerely,

-Ms. Rebecca Rieken

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held for West High School on Monday, October 5th, 8:00am-8:00pm, and on Tuesday, October 6th, from 3:05pm-5:45pm. There will be no school for students on Monday, October 5th, and no school for students on Friday, October 9th.

Parents and Guardians are encouraged to participate by phone, or virtually through Microsoft TEAMS, however we will also allow for in-person conferences. In order to practice appropriate social distancing and safety procedures, we are asking that all conference types be scheduled in advance by accessing the following links:

Students who have elected for On-site: Elected Learning at West High School-
https://www.myconferencetime.com/wearewest/

Students who have elected for Virtual School-
https://www.myconferencetime.com/careeracademy

If you do not have internet access, and are unable to schedule a conference by visiting this website, please call West High School 712-279-6772.

Student school issued laptops have access to Microsoft TEAMS for those families requesting virtual conferences.

For families requesting an in-person conference, only two adults may attend conferences with the student. All other family members will not be allowed at this time.

All conferences will be scheduled for 10 minute increments of time. Conferences do not need to be scheduled with the homeroom teachers this year. Parents and guardians are encouraged to schedule a time with any teacher that they are interested in visiting with regarding their child's progress in a certain class.

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-

October 10th, 9:00-12:00

October 24th, 9:00-12:00

November 14th, 9:00-12:00

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: vanburem1@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.

West High will be hosting the ACT on October 17. While the deadline has passed for the October test, student can still sign up for the December 12th test, also at West High. The deadline for the December 12 ACT is November 6.

We have had a great start to the school year with our Fall Activities! We encourage and welcome all students to attend our activity events and support their peers. As a reminder, all student code of conduct expectations apply to any students who are in attendance at our activities. Elementary and Middle School students are expected to be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all activities.

We are no longer allowing students to move from On-Site: Elected Learning to Virtual School unless the student, or a student's immediate 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 the grade level principal:

12th grade, Ms. Rieken: riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com

11th grade, Mr. Pace: pacea@live.siouxcityschools.com

10th grade, Mr. Bemus: bemusb@live.siouxcityschools.com

9th grade, Mr. Green: greens@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.

Congratulations to our September Staff Member of the Month, Mr. Gabe Hoogers!

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

• "This teacher brightens up everyone's day in homeroom. He makes us happy even when our day didn't start so well. He is also always there to see how we are and help us when we need it."
• "This teacher always welcomes us happily and is so nice."

• "This teacher is very understanding. He takes his time to teach and makes sure everyone understands. He is the best teacher."

Counselors invite families to join them on social media and to like their Facebook page Sioux City West High Counseling Dept. for updated information. Counseling news and a calendar of counseling related events can also be accessed on the Counselor link of the West High School website. Students are encouraged to stay informed of testing opportunities, parent nights, and college and financial aid information. Many upcoming events are accessible through virtual opportunities.

Our senior parent night will be held on Oct. 5th at 6pm in the WHS Media Center to share information regarding post-secondary planning including the process for applying to college, finding scholarships, and applying for financial aid. There will be a Facebook live feed of this event on the Sioux City West High Counseling Dept. Facebook page.

Congratulations to our West High Counseling Department for being designated as the 2019-2020 FAFSA CHALLENGE WINNER which was awarded by Gear Up Iowa for showing the largest growth in FAFSA filing!

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