Wolverines News December Newsletter

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On behalf of the staff, we want to wish the Wolverine community a safe and restful upcoming winter break. We are very proud of the efforts our students have shown during 1st semester, and look forward to returning with a strong end to the semester in January. We sincerely appreciate the support that is demonstrated by the West side families on a daily basis!. You are there to help our students and staff celebrate the successes, and are also there when times may be challenging. West High is truly a special place. The power of positivity is definitely seen here, and is always shining through!

Sincerely,

-Ms. Rebecca Rieken

#WeAreWEST

Students from West High said the following about Mrs. Kuehl:

One of the best teachers in the school. She's actually really chill bout things and well she's just cool, always tries to help by telling us every time in the beginning of class on what we doing, gives us heads ups on due date, and also if we have a project coming up.

She always has a smile on her face and is very helpful!

She is so kind and helpful, the environment in her classroom is welcoming and makes her students safe. I think she represents WEST well. 🙂

West High School senior, Kenny Lam, has been selected as a delegate for the 60th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Lam is just one of two delegates selected to represent the state of Iowa during the government and leadership education program, which will take place March 5-12 next year. Upon completion of the program, Lam will also receive a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship.

Lam was selected as a delegate for his exemplary leadership within the District’s School Improvement Advisory Committee and the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), a club for students wanting to pursue a career in health care. Earlier this year, Lam was elected to the HOSA State Executive Council to continue his work on a state-wide initiative to increase Iowa HOSA chapters and spread healthcare awareness. He volunteers for Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) by giving lectures to freshmen on sexual assault and other social issues. Lam also chaired the “Adopt-a-Family” committee at West High School providing over $1,500 for six local families.

Lam said, “I look forward to meeting like-minded people and people in higher leadership positions. I am excited to represent the state of Iowa.”

Lam plans to study health administration or health policy reform.

The United States Senate Youth Program is a national, nonpartisan initiative designed to provide talented high school students who have outstanding leadership abilities the opportunity to deepen their understanding of America’s political process and also provide a foundation of knowledge and encouragement to consider future careers in public service on the local, state or national level.

Established in 1962 and fully funded by the Hearst Foundations, the mission of the USSYP is to provide selected students with an opportunity to gain an in-depth view of the Senate and federal government as well as a deeper understanding of the interrelationship of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The annual program admits two student leader delegates from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity.

During Washington Week, delegates will attend briefings and meetings with senators, a Supreme Court justice, the president of the United States, Cabinet secretaries, an ambassador to the United States, and other federal agency leaders and senior members of the national media. Events include substantial question-and-answer sessions affording students direct and personal interaction with high-level leadership. Students also tour national monuments, memorials, and historic sites.

The West High Dance Team made the journey to Des Moines and had stellar performances.

Division One Rating: Hip Hop.

Division One Rating: Novelty.

Division One Rating: Hoopla and 3rd place overall.

Division One Solos: Jay Nguyen, Shelby Edwardson, Ella Jolin, Abby Hammer, and Kyrie Olorundami who placed 5th overall too.

West High Business Pathway students had a wonderful day visiting with the Briar Cliff students and staff learning about the world of Sports and Entertainment in early November. Some of the WHS students used ‘Cody Salker” (baseball coach that attends Briar Cliff) as their Kahoot challenge name, which they won!

Each student will receive a $2000 scholarship ($500 per year) for attending the Business and Sports Management day if they attend Briar Cliff.

On Saturday, December 11th, West High music students delivered a magical experience for all those who attended Madrigal!

Thank you to all of those who supported West High School by purchasing a cool treat during the Dairy Queen Battle of the Blizzards in November!

West High Student Council would like help from you to spread some holiday cheer. They have a GIVING TREE available in the Media Center. If you are in the giving spirit, please take any ornament from the GIVING TREE and purchase that item(s) on the ornament to grant a wish to a Westside family. We ask that you purchase the item on that ornament and return it, UNWRAPPED, to the FRESHMAN HOUSE with the ornament attached. Student Council will pick up all of the gifts and wrap them before giving to the child/family in need. We ask that you please make sure the gift is brand new.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Bernard in the Freshman House office.

The deadline to purchase and bring in a gift is: Wednesday, December 15th.

The deadline to submit senior photos for the yearbook has been extended until December 22 when we go on Winter Break. JPG photos can be emailed to Mrs. Schiller at schillk@live.siouxcityschools.com or a physical copy can be dropped off in the library; Mrs. Schiller will scan the photo and get it back to you. If you would like the yearbook staff to take a photo of your senior, please have them stop by the library and talk to Mrs. Schiller.

Requirements:

Photos should be portrait-orientation (up and down and not wide) and high resolution. There should be no costumes, pets, props, or hand gestures in the photos. "Selfie" photos and photos with social media filters will not be accepted. Attire for photographs must comply with West High School’s dress code. Contact Mrs. Schiller with any questions.

Before you know it, graduation will be here and NOW is the time to get your orders in!!

When you click the link below there will be a tab where you can order online. It does automatically take you to a package, but please search the site if you are only interested in ordering a cap and gown. If you cannot order online, or if you have any questions, please stop by the Freshman House office and ask to speak to Ms. Bernard. Also, if you are in need of assistance to order a cap and gown, please come see her for more details.

Deadline to order is January 28th

https://app.hirenami.com/viewer/reach/ea528bb5-6689-4dc2-8dd0-afcd43ca5f49/5fe5d33e-76d8-48bd-a996-79ff6274853b/79f28c17-cc16-4d4f-9411-009b7c98e8a6?pk_campaign=5fe5d33e-76d8-48bd-a996-79ff6274853b

We continue to focus on increasing positive attendance at school...

**INCENTIVE OPPORTUNITY**

From December 6 until January 11, there is an incentive for attendance. To "be our BEST, be at WEST," if students have ZERO truancies and five or fewer tardies during this time, each student will earn a catered lunch. The winners will enjoy their award on Thursday, January 13 or Friday, January 14.

As parents and guardians are anticipating an absence for that school day, please call the school to report that absence, 712-279-6772.

In an attempt to find resolutions for unresolved absences, parents and students will be contacted within 24 hours to determine the reason behind the unresolved absence.

If a student is absence for more than 20 minutes of a scheduled block, and that absence is unexcused, it will be considered a truancy.

Students are expected to have a pass at all times during the instructional block if they are outside of their scheduled class.

West High School is a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave at anytime, including during the lunch block, unless they are traveling to/from an excused absence, or to/from another school campus.

Students may not bring outside food into the school building, or have food delivered to the school for pick up.

Recently, West High School became aware of several inappropriate social media sites targeting members of our school community including students and staff. We take the nature of these sites and the content on them very seriously. The sites are harassing in nature and violate Board Policy 504.4 which addresses bullying and harassment in the District.

We are committed to providing all students and staff with an environment in which members of our school are treated with dignity and respect. No student or staff member deserves to be the subject of hurtful, disrespectful, or inappropriate social media content. Bullying and harassment of any kind, including the content on these social media sites, are not tolerated. Any student found to be in violation of our board policy will be subject to appropriate discipline or other action pursuant to District policies.

We encourage any student who has created one of these social media sites to remove it immediately. Students are also discouraged from commenting on these sites as their comments could also be a violation of school policy.

The students and staff in our school have the right to a learning environment where they can believe, achieve, and succeed. They have a right to a supportive community. That starts with respect for one another.

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. Those in need may contact the school to arrange a time to select items they need, but we would also 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

West High Families may also reach out to the Sanford Center for additional food and clothing needs. On December 20th, the Sanford Center will be giving out hams on a first come-first serve basis, beginning at 10:00am. Families may call the center for more information regarding support at 712-255-0181, or email Coach B at holmesb@live.siouxcityschools.com

December 18th: Saturday School

December 23rd-31st: Winter Holiday Break (No School)

*1 hour early dismissal on December 23rd*

January 11th: Semester 1 Ends

January 12th: Teacher Workday (No School)

Students are asked to check the Lost & Found bins located in the main office. All items remaining when we dismiss for winter break on December 23 will be removed.

Students will not be allowed into the building until 7:15 am. Staff are not available to supervise student safety until that time. Students will be allowed to transition to the Den for breakfast at 7:25am. Students must exit the building by 3:15 unless they are involved in a supervised after school activity.

Students are not allowed to bring blankets to school. If any student needs assistance with obtaining warmer clothing, or winter coats, please contact West High school so we may support those needs.

You can now check Canvas or Infinite Campus for your student's grades. The marking period or quarter grade is not the final grade, but a progress grade that will continue to update until the end of the semester. The Semester grade is the final grade that will show up on a transcript.

This school year students will be not allowed to turn in past missing work after the assessment of that unit of work has passed. If a student has been absent due to illness, or another excused reason, they will have additional make-up time for completing assignments. Students will be allowed to re-take district common assessments, or unit assessment to improve their grade. Teachers will communicate these updates to students, and will be continuously informing students of the next assessment date by posting the date in the classroom, on CANVAS, and in-person.

Parents and guardians are asked to visit with their children about respectful and responsible lunchroom behavior. Our food service staff work very hard to provide all of our students with healthy meal options, and a clean lunchroom environment. We need our students help. Please remind them to throw their food away in appropriate trash containers before they leave the lunchroom, and to not leave food behind on tables, or left on the floor. Thank you for supporting these positive student behaviors!

If your contact information has changed since registration, please call West High School, 712-279-6772, with an update of the information. Emergency contact information is also highly recommended. Being able to successfully communicate with our families is very important to us!

During the school day, any WHS student with a study hall in their schedule will have opportunity for academic intervention with WHS teachers. Students who are failing a course will be expected to work with a designated teacher during study hall until their grades are passing.

After school tutoring will be available for any WHS student from 3:00-4:00 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the WHS Media Center. Busing home will be available to students leaving WHS at 4:15 and dropping off at the nearest feeder elementary school.

Night School is available to any student working on credit recovery/acquisition via Edgenuity. Night School will be 3-7pm Tuesdays & Thursdays, and 3-5pm on Wednesdays in the SWS/AEC classroom, Room 265.

Saturday School will be available to any WHS student on the following dates from 9am-12pm in the WHS Media Center:

• 12/18
• 1/8
• 1/29
• 2/5
• 2/19
• 3/5
• 3/19
• 4/9
• 4/23
• 5/7
• 5/14
• 5/21

As parents/guardians are waiting to pick up students after school, please do not parking in the driving lanes. When this happens, it disrupts the flow of traffic, and prevents those that are parked and attempting to leave, exit their parked location. Please find an empty parking space to park in while you are waiting for your student to come to your vehicle, thank you.

Following dismissal, we have many students traveling towards the corner of W. 19th and Casselman who are jay walking, and doing so in front of moving traffic. This presents a serious safety concern for both the pedestrian student, and the driver and their passengers. Parents and guardians, if your child is traveling this course after school, please encourage them to follow safety expectations. Students who are observed jaywalking may be cited by our resource officers on duty.

We want to thank our WHS students for their cooperating in starting the year strong with following our district and school expectations regarding not wearing hats, or having hoods on once they enter the school building.We will continue with these expectations as the school year continues.

If other concerns regarding dress appearance arise, WHS administration will address those with students individually and contact parents and guardians.

To order transcripts:

Students need to go into the Clever account

Click on the Kuder account

On the left column, go to "order transcript" and enter college (s) for submission.

Transcripts are processed within 48 hours

FAFSA Application:

Opens up October 1st

Our team invites parents and guardians to connect with them anytime throughout the school year so we can partner with you as we guide our students to success. All are welcome to call West High School to schedule an appointment, or email the grade level administrator directly:

West High School, 712-279-6772

12th grade, Rebecca Rieken, Head Principal- riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com

11th grade, Steve Green, Assistant Principal & Activities Director- greens@live.siouxcityschools.com

10th grade, Brant Bemus, Assistant Principal- bemusb@live.siouxcityschools.com

9th grade, Pam Husk, Assistant Principal- huskp@live.siouxcityschools.com

Girls Basketball:

December 13th: 9th grade verse Bishop Heelan at West Middle School 4:30 pm.

December 14th: JV and Varsity verse Bishop Heelan at West High School JV at 4:00 pm and Varsity at 5:30 pm.

December 16th: 9th grade verse Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln at CB Abe Lincoln High School at 5:00 pm.

December 17th: JV and Varsity verse Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln at CB Abe Lincoln High School JV at 4:00 pm and Varsity at 5:30 pm.

December 18th: Varsity verse Spirit Lake at the Tyson Events Center at 12:30 pm.

Boys Basketball:

December 13th: 9th grade verse Bishop Heelan at West Middle School at 6:00 pm.

December 14th: JV and Varsity verse Biship Heelan. JV at West Middle School at 4:00 pm and Varsity at 7:00 pm at West High School.

December 16th: 9th grade verse Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln at 6:30 pm at CB Abe Lincoln High School.

December 17th: JV and Varsity verse Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln. JV at 4:00 pm and Varsity at 7:00 pm at CB Abe Lincoln High School.

Wrestling Boys & Girls:

December 13th: JV Tournament at Long Lines Family Center hosted by Sgt. Bluff-Luton at 5:00 pm.

December 16th: Triangular at West High School verse CB Bluffs Abe Lincoln and Sgt. Bluff-Luton at 5:30 pm.

December 18th: Varsity Tournament at Glenwood, Iowa at Glenwood High School at 10:00 am.

Bowling Boys & Girls:

December 13th: JV and Varsity Triangular at Plaza Bowl verse SC North and OABCIG at 1:00 pm.

December 15th: JV and Varsity Quad at Plaza Bowl verse Sgt. Bluff-Luton/SC North/SC East at 1:00 pm.

Boys Swimming:

December 13th: JV and Varsity Dual verse Carroll at Sioux City West Pool at 5:00 pm.

Make sure to follow Twitter https://twitter.com/WHS_Activities and the West High Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SiouxCityWestHighSchool/ with important announcements that we provide to our West High School students and families.

Winter Break: School will dismiss one hour early on Wednesday, December 22. School will not be in session from December 23 through December 31 for winter break, resuming on Monday, January 3.

Stay up-to-date on the latest community events and information by signing up for Virtual Backpack. From camps to sports leagues to family services, the SCCSD Virtual Backpack will connect you with helpful tools for your family. Sign up today!

With the cooler temperatures upon us, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the colder weather. Even during the winter season, the District allows recess and outdoor activities to continue as usual, so it is important that students have the right winter weather clothing. When the temperature feels like 15 degrees or lower, then students are kept inside for recess and activities. Students should be prepared for the cooler weather with a warm coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. If your student does not have access to cold weather apparel, please contact our school office.

The weather in Iowa can be unpredictable. If the weather requires us to delay the start of our school day, cancel school for the day, or dismiss school early, information will be sent to families through Blackboard, our communication system. In addition, this information is posted to our social media sites and the District website.

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

Instructions on accessing ISASP scores are available on our website at https://www.siouxcityschools.org/parents/isasp-scores/. Families can translate the instructions in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Somali on our website through Google Translate.

Every student in our building has given a rapid COVID-19 testing form to take home to their parents/guardians. A student must have a signed consent form on record as well as verbal consent from their parent/guardian prior to the administration of a rapid test. Rapid tests should be available to students who start displaying COVID symptoms during the school day, around the second week of October.

Have you filled out a free and reduced meal application for the 2021-2022 school year? If you haven’t, please take a few moments to fill out the application today. While meals are free to all students due to the pandemic, the information collected on the free and reduced meal application is needed for program funding within the District. Families who qualify for free or reduced meals may also qualify for P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits carry over for 30 days in the school year or until a new application is filled out for the new school year. The free and reduced meal application is available on the SCCSD website. (Graphic for use with the free and reduced meal application reminder is attached.)

Convenience at your fingertips! Download our new mobile app for easy access to the school calendar, events, and all the information you need about the Sioux City Community School District. The app is available to download now in the app store on your mobile device.

An engaged community makes our District stronger. That is why we have made it easy for you to connect with us whenever it is convenient for you. We encourage you to take advantage of Let’s Talk!, our 24/7 online submission site. Reach out with your ideas, questions, concerns, and praise. To make a submission, please visit http://www.siouxcityschools.org/lets-talk/.

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 Dr. Dora Jung, Director of Student Services & Equity Education/Title IX Coordinator at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, jungd@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