Wolverines News- October Newsletter
West High School - Sioux City, Iowa
October 2023
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A Message from the Principal...
Hello Wolverine Students, Staff, Family, and Friends!
It's hard to believe it's already October! Our fall activities are wrapping up and we are gearing up for the Winter activities to begin. Students are well into 1st quarter, and teachers will soon be sharing progress with our families during our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Attendance continues to be a priority for all of our students. Students who attend school are guaranteed success! Being at school consistently, and in classes on-time, allows for our teachers and support staff to provide the support and instruction students need to achieve positive social and academic progress.
As the leaves change, this time of year is the perfect time to reflect with your students on what positive changes are needed to keep things moving forward in the right direction!
I have had such fun watching our students and staff engaging in cool class projects, and fun events and activities... I look forward to watching all of the continued great things that make West BEST!
Sincerely,
-Ms. Rebecca Rieken
#WeAreWEST
Congratulations to these October WHS Students of the Month!!!
Congratulations to our WHS Staff Member of the Month, Mrs. Maria Francisco!!!
Mrs. Maria Francisco joined the West High family last year as an Interventionist who supports our students with their academics, behavior, and attendance.
Mrs. Francisco connects with students in a positive way, and is always willing to help whenever it is needed!
We are so fortunate to have her as a part of our team!!!
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
Our fall parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Monday, October 23, 8am-8pm and Tuesday, October 24, 3:05-5:45pm. Parents and guardians have three options for attending conferences this fall: virtually, by phone, or in person. Parents and guardians are invited to choose the option that works best for them and their families.
- In-Person Conferences
- Phone Conferences: Please be sure to provide the correct phone number for the teacher to call. Your student’s teacher will call you at that number at your designated time.
- Virtual Conferences: A link to connect with your child’s teacher will be sent to you in a confirmation email.
To view the conference schedules, please visit this link:
Senior Parent Meeting: Monday, October 23, 6pm
On Monday, October 23, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the West High School Auditorium, we will have a meeting for parents who have seniors at West High School. This will be an informative meeting on things students will need to do during their senior year of high school. Topics will include senior credit status and graduation requirements, applying to college, and FAFSA information. The FAFSA has been revised so it is important to come and learn about the new changes.
If you have any questions, please contact Anthony Zeliadt or Christina Still at the high school 712-279-6746.
WHS Student Council Hosts Trunk or Treat for WHS Families! October 23, 6pm-8pm
* No School on Friday, October 27 *
West High Red Ribbon Week Dress Up Days Begin Tuesday, October 24!
West High Red Ribbon Week Dress Up Days Begin Tuesday, October 24!
- Tuesday, October 24: Rally in Red! Stand up to Drugs!!
- Wed., October 25: Wacky Wednesday! Drug-Free from Head-to-Toe!!
- Thursday, October 26: Western! Give Drugs the Boot!!
- Monday, October 30: PJ's! Follow Your Dreams- Be Drug Free!!
- Tuesday, October 31: Costumes! We Aren't Scared to Be Drug-Free!!
Exciting Things Happening at West High!!!
New Classroom Furniture
WHS Students attended "Horses, Hoops, and Heritage" Event!
Western Iowa Tech Community College hosted a cultural event for Hispanic Heritage Month on October 11th!
Congratulations to the WHS Marching Band!!!
On Saturday Oct 7th the West High School Marching Band received a Division 1 rating at the Iowa High School Music Association’s State Marching Contest. The students had a fantastic marching season and we’re excited to watch them perform in the upcoming Winter Band activities such as Jazz Band and Pep Band!
Madrigal is Almost Here! Reserve your Tickets Now!!
Parents/Guardians must excuse all student absences within 24 hours of the absence occurring.
VARSITY BOUND INFO
The Sioux City Community School District and the Missouri River Activity Conference uses BOUND for tickets and season passes to all regular home high school athletic events.
Sioux City Community School District season athletic passes provide entry to sporting events at East High, North High, and West High —excluding postseason games and postseason activities (concerts, plays, performances, etc.). A pass can be used for all home events for the school in which the pass was purchased.
Pass options and prices are as follows:
- Student Pass (K-12) - $30
- Adult Pass (18+) - $100
- Senior Citizen Pass (62+) - $30
- Family Pass (2 Adults and Children) - $240
Individual tickets for all high school athletic events are also available for $7/each.
All season athletic passes and individual tickets can be purchased through gobound.com or in the BOUND App. Fans can download the BOUND App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Once a purchase is made, the ticket or pass will appear in the BOUND App. The ticket or season pass must be presented in the BOUND App at each athletic event for entry.
Two parents/guardians and children (K-12) living at the same residence are eligible for the family season pass. When placing an order online, families should indicate the number of family members in the "Number of Tickets Needed" box. Once a family pass is purchased, passes must be assigned to each family member in the BOUND App.
Fans who are unable to make a purchase online or through the BOUND App are encouraged to visit the main office at East High, North High, or West High from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday through Friday for assistance.
Join an Activity or Club!
West High Students are encouraged to become involved and join an activity or club! If you have questions about our activity and club offerings, please email our Activities Director, Mr. Gabe Hoogers: hoogerg2@live.siouxcityschool.scom
Remaining October Events...
October 16 - Fall Choir Concert
October 18 - District Cross Country Meet @ Ames
October 19 - Volleyball Regional Game @ Council Bluffs AL
October 20 - JV/Varisty Football @ Denison-Schleswig
October 26 - Sioux City Metro Conference Swim Meet
Preorder your 2023-2024 yearbook now!
You can order online at www.yearbookforever.com or see Mrs. Schiller in Room 236 before school, during Homeroom, or after school.
The cost is $40 right now and increases $5 at the end of every quarter. Sales run until April 30, 2024.
Now-October 25: $40
October 26-January 15: $45
January 16-March 19: $50
March 20-April 30: $55
Attention Seniors! Senior Photos are Due December 21st!
Senior photos are due to Mrs. Schiller by 3 pm on December 21 in order to be included in the Yearbook: schillk@live.siouxcityschools.com
Photo requirements:
- Portrait-orientation (up and down; not wide)
- High resolution JPG file
- No costumes, pets, props, or hand gestures in the photos
- No "selfie" photos or photos with social media filters
- Attire for photographs must comply with West High School’s dress code
Seniors- Time to Order your Graduation Cap & Gown!
Orders due by December 20th. Fee will increase after that so order TODAY!
For Questions or Assistance, please see Ms. Chauncey in the Main Office.
West High Food Pantry
The West High School Food Pantry is available to meet the needs of the West side community. We can assist families with food, limited toiletries, and diapers.
Please call West High School with any requests, 712-279-6772 ask for Mr. VanBuren or Mrs. Husk.
*We are no longer will have clothing except for homecoming and prom dresses, thank you!
Attention Families and All West High Student Drivers
We are observing some concerns with the flow of traffic after school dismisses, as well as the speed at which some cars are driving. We would like to share the following reminders:
- Student drivers- please use caution at all times and reduce your speed when driving through parking lots. If concerns with your driving arise, you may risk losing your privileges to drive on our campus.
- Families who pick up their students after school: Our buses that pick up students in the back of West High must be able to leave and drive East out of the drive that borders the back of our building. Please do not use this road after school from 2:45-3:15 so that our students may board the buses safely and the buses may leave safely. Thank you!
School Safety Update
A priority of our school must be student safety, both emotional and physical safety. Students must feel and be safe at all times, both in and out of school.
It is important to remind our students and families of our student handbook which outlines district expectations for our student code of conduct. In this code of conduct, item 12 states:
12. Disobeys Classroom Rules or Engages in Disorderly Conduct or Fighting — Classroom and/or school rules include written rules, teacher and/or administrative instructions, and the general educational prohibition against all forms of cheating, fighting, or material disruptions to the learning environment.
If students engage in fighting at school they will receive school consequences. Such consequences may include being suspended from school until an intermediate school hearing at which night school may be recommended. Students who are found to be promoting school fighting by posting about school fights on social media may also receive school consequences.
West High School is a school all should be proud of, and a place where all should be safe. Our students, families, and staff should not be tolerant of school fighting. We need to work together to continue to demonstrate West High Pride by engaging in behaviors that are Welcoming, Engaged, SAFE, and Trustworthy.
Please help our school achieve this safety in the following ways:
- When students, families, or staff become aware of unsafe situations, they will notify the school administration and staff immediately.
- If unsafe situations arise, students will seek school staff assistance immediately and they should not be a bystander who encourages or records such unsafe situations.
West High School Administration always welcomes communication regarding school safety. Staff may call the school during school hours at 712-279-6772, or they may email school administration directly:
Rebecca Rieken, principal: riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com
Gabe Hoogers, assistant principal hoogerg2@live.siouxcityschools.com
Brant Bemus, assistant principal: bemusb@live.siouxcityschools.com
Pam Husk, assistant principal: huskp@live.siouxcityschools.com
Reminder that all Sioux City Community High School campuses are closed. This means that students may not leave for lunch, and students may not have food delivered (not even by a parent/guardian.)
Student Code of Conduct
Attention all 9th and 12th Graders
Iowa law requires that children enrolling in 9th grade are required to provide proof of a dental screening to their school. As an update on the screening rules, please note the following:
- A screening for 9th grade is valid if it occurs one year prior to enrollment to four months after the enrollment date.
12th grade students must have their meningitis vaccination up to date before starting school. If you have questions regarding this, or any other health related matters, please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Mary Mason: masonm@live.siouxcityschools.com
Upcoming Testing Dates- See your School Counselor for More Information!
Attention Sophomore and Junior students:
-
PSAT/NMSQT is on the 18th and 19th for Sophomores and Juniors. 8-11 Media Center
- ASVAB is scheduled for Thursday, November 2nd @ 8 AM.
West High School Counseling Team and Support Model
West High School Counseling Team
Ms. Caroline Chauncey, Counseling Secretary
Mrs. Chris Still, TAG Counselor
Mrs. Steph Hames, 9th Grade
Ms. Josie Pratt, 10th Grade Counselor
Ms. Ashley Benson, 11th Grade Counselor
Mr. Anthony Zeliadt, 12th Grade Counselor
West High School Administration Team
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 administrator directly:
West High School, 712-279-6772
11th & 12th grade primary contact, Rebecca Rieken, Head Principal- riekenr@live.siouxcityschools.com
Gabe Hoogers, Activities Director- hoogerg2@live.siouxcityschools.com
10th grade primary contact, Brant Bemus, Assistant Principal- bemusb@live.siouxcityschools.com
9th grade primary contact, Pam Husk, Assistant Principal- huskp@live.siouxcityschools.com
Mr. Gabe Hoogers, Activities Director
Mr. Brant Bemus, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Pam Husk, Assistant Principal
High School Bell Schedule
What’s Happening in Siouxland
Stay connected with family-friendly activities, programs, and clubs in the community through Virtual Backpack. The e-newsletter, which includes information from various Siouxland organizations, is sent out monthly to all district families. Or, view the most up-to-date lists of events and activities on the Virtual Backpack website.
Important Reminders for School Meals
If your student qualifies for free or reduced meals, you will need to complete the online application if you have not done so already.
Families that do not qualify for free or reduced meals can deposit money into their student’s MySchoolBucks account. Information on meal prices for the 2023-2024 school year is available on the District’s website.
For questions or assistance with school meals, please contact the District’s Food Service Department at 712-279-6860 or 712-279-6862.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
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.
West High School
Principal: Rebecca Rieken
Website: https://west-high.siouxcityschools.org/
Location: 2001 Casselman Street, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6772
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestHighSchoolSCCSD
Twitter: @WHS_SCCSD