Wolverines News

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This morning I had an opportunity to have a meeting with our class of 2021. It was exciting to acknowledge the four years of accomplishments our seniors have made. I expressed to them my wish that they end their final weeks of high school by making fun memories in the time that is left with the specials events that are planned. It will always be the memories that last. I truly hope the memories of this pandemic fade, and the life-long relationships that were created, and the fond memories of their high school, are what remain. That is also my hope for ALL of our students, staff, and families of West High. You have all accomplished so much this year! I am so proud to be a Wolverine!

#WeAreWEST!

Sincerely,

-Ms. Rebecca Rieken

riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com

"Congratulations to our March Staff Member of the Month, Mrs. Bridget Knepper!

Students at WHS had these things to say about Mrs. Knepper...

• "This teacher is so nice and respectful to everyone. If a student misses a day, she is always ready to help them get caught up. She is so welcoming and makes all students feel safe"

• "This teacher takes her time to form one on one relationships with her students and she makes each of us feel valued and cared for. She is the true embodiment of "We Are West." She earns the trust of her students by being honest, consistent, and forming personal relationships with them."
  

The West High administration team invites parents and guardians to connect with them so we can partner with you as we guide your students to success. We are available Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:00pm. Please 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, principal- riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com

11th grade, Allan Pace, assistant principal- pacea@live.siouxcityschools.com

10th grade, Brant Bemus, assistant principal- bemusb@live.siouxcityschools.com

9th grade, Steven Green, assistant principal- greens@live.siouxcityschools.com

DIPLOMAS-

The deadline for the Senior Diploma Form has been extended, 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-

For all questions related to cap and gown ordering, please contact Ms. Angela Bernard, or visit with her in the freshman house office: bernara@live.siouxcityschools.com

PROM-

West High School will host prom this year on Saturday, May 15th at the Sioux City Convention Center. The theme will be "A Dance in the Clouds, A Night Full of Wonder".

-Grand March will also be held at the Sioux City Convention Center from 7:00pm-8:00pm, with student check-in beginning at 6:30pm. To practice social distancing, each prom ticket purchased will receive 2 family tickets for family members to attend Grand March. Grand March will also be shared through Facebook Live via the WHS Facebook page.

-The dance will follow from 8:00pm-10:00pm. Mr. Patterson will be the DJ at this event.

-In order to attend prom, students must be passing all of their classes by Thursday, March 13th, and students may not have been issued any ISS/OSS during 4th quarter beginning on March 29th.

-Student may purchase tickets for prom for $15 beginning on May 10th in the main office, before and after school.

-Students may invite guests, but their guests must be of high school age, and no older than 20. Students must have their guest complete a form located in the WHS main office.

AFTER PROM-

Parents, please contact Kat Pendleton if you would like to assist with planning After Prom:

kadillac4@live.com

LAST DAY FOR SENIORS-

Friday, May 21st.

SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT-

West High School will honor senior achievements on Wednesday, May 26th in the WHS Gym beginning at 7:00pm. To practice social distancing, each senior student invited will be given 6 guest tickets for this event. Students will need to arrive early for check in beginning at 6:00pm. This event will be shared through Facebook Live via the WHS Facebook page.

GRADUATION PRACTICE-

All graduating seniors are asked to be present at the Tyson Events Center on Friday, May 28th at 12:30pm to practice for graduation.

GRADUATION CEREMONY-

West High School will recognize all graduates on Saturday, May 29th at the Tyson Events Center beginning at 2:30pm. Each graduating senior will be allowed 4 guest tickets to this event.

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.

Any student learning remotely via an Edgenuity course must complete all tests before the end of the 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

Kenny Lam is our West High representative to the Iowa American Legion Hawkeye Boys State which is scheduled for June 13-18 at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa. Congratulations Kenny!

The next ACT is April 17th. The Deadline to register was March 12th.

There are many scholarship opportunities available. Please watch for information shared by the counseling department regarding those opportunities.

The WHS counseling department staff is available for any questions related to college and career planning, financial aid, and registration for the upcoming school year.

This school year, the District will again offer the ACT to all students in the junior class. Please mark your calendar. The test will be administered during the regular school day on Tuesday, April 20. All junior students are required to attend school and participate in the ACT exam. Students in the freshman, sophomore, and senior classes will not have school on this day. Virtual High School will also not have class on April 20. There will be no fee for juniors to participate in this exam. The ACT is being provided courtesy of the District. The data from this exam will allow the District to analyze how the curriculum aligns with the ACT, and in turn, help educators continue to prepare students for success. If you have any questions, please contact West High School.

We have just a couple of months left in the 2020-21 school year. Please note if your child plans on playing softball or baseball, make sure they will have a current physical and their paperwork all turned in to the activities office. We will get out a schedule of summer events and open weight room and open gyms times in the next few weeks. We want to take a few moments and leave you with some thoughts to finish the year strong.

Please encourage your students to stay positive. Surviving the last two months of testing, learning and good weather outside can be overwhelming—keep them focusing on the positive and staying motivated will help. Keep learning. Although it is easy to start thinking about summer, remember you are setting the stage now, for the following year. Take this time to finish strong. Ask your students what they need to do to finish strong. Continue to look at Canvas at least once a week to know where your students are, and to know what they need to do, as well as the helpful hints and reminders that teachers post on their Canvas pages. Finally, have fun. After countless homework assignments, reports, essays, and tests, with COVID 19 this year, both you and your students deserve to have some fun. It’s not too late to come out and watch some high school sports and activities. We have orchestra, band and choir concerts still to come this spring. We have a wonderful musical coming up. We have spring girls’ golf, soccer, tennis and track going on, come out and want an event.

Contact the activities office if you have questions about any item related to activities at West High School.

Follow us on Twitter at:

Sioux City West High School@WHS_Activities

In times like these, we could all use a laugh. Come join the West High Theatre Department as our students put on our Spring Musical: Little Shop of Horrors. The show is rated PG-13 for comedic violence and mature themes and language. Performance dates run April 22-24 with doors opening at 7:00 pm and show starting at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $8 for children (12 and below) and $10 for adults. Get ready to laugh and scream!

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

• Compass Academy Classroom Special Education Instructional Assistant
• Special Education Co-Teacher (Strategist I)

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 3:00-5:00

Night school-

Tuesdays 3:00-7:00

Wednesday 3:00-5:00

Thursday 3:00-7:00

Saturday School will take place every Saturday from 9:00-12:00 according to the following dates:

Saturday, April 17

Saturday, April 24

Saturday, May 1

Saturday, May 8

Saturday, May 15

Saturday, May 22

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.

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

Paying School Fees is Quick and Easy Online

Do you have school fees that need to be paid? Visit www.siouxcityschools.org and click on the “Parents” tab to pay your fees online. On the drop-down menu of the “Parents” tab, you can select “Pay Curriculum and Meal Fees.” Both links will take you to “My School Bucks” to complete the payment transaction. Payment for curriculum resource fees can be made under the “School Store” by selecting “Categories” and then “Curriculum Fees.” If you have any questions, please contact our school’s bookkeeper. Thank you.

Immunization & Screening Requirements

Before next fall, make sure your child’s immunizations, dental screenings, and vision screenings are up-to-date. According to law, there are requirements for children entering kindergarten, third grade, seventh grade, ninth grade, and twelfth grade. Visit our website to learn more.

Have you heard?

The Sioux City Community School District launched a new website that provides timely information for parents. Everything you need to know is at your fingertips. Access tools, resources, and tips, all specifically designed to support you and your child.

From the Homepage You can Access:

· School Menus

· Infinite Campus

· Canvas

· Let’s Talk

· News

· Events

· Our Photo Gallery

· Students Spotlights

Dig a Little Further to Fin New Features Including:

· Parent Guide to Student Success

· Tools to Stay Connected

· Online High School Course Guide

· And so much more!

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

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