Wolverines News- Nov. Newsletter
West High School - Sioux City, Iowa
November 2023
A Message from the Principal...
Hello WHS Families, Students, and Staff,
November has brought with it many exciting things going on at West High! Our Winter Activity Season is off and running and there are all kinds of special events and competitions planned throughout this season. We encourage all of our families, students, and staff to come join the fun and support our amazing West High students as they share their talents, skills, and interests!
November and December will also have some extended breaks built in which will hopefully give all of our West High family the opportunity to rest and enjoy time with loved ones. Students will have no school on November 23 and 24, and students will have no school during Winter break from December 22-January 2. With those breaks, the end of the 1st semester will arrive quickly! The 1st semester ends on January 11th. We encourage students to focus on their academic progress, and ask for help if they need assistance getting caught up. We have many great opportunities for students to receive extra help through our after school program, study hall intervention, and advisory/homeroom.
November is a month to reflect on what we are all thankful for. I am so thankful that life path led me to West High. Our students are amazing and thoughtful, our staff is dedicated and caring, and our families are remarkably supportive- WEST is TRULY BEST!!!
Sincerely,
-Ms. Rebecca Rieken
#WeAreWEST
Congratulations to these November WHS Students of the Month!!!
Congratulations to our WHS Staff Member of the Month, Ms. Tina Nearman!!!
Ms. Tina Nearman joined the West High family this year as our new Bookkeeper. She is always willing to lend a helping hand, even saving the day by volunteering as a last minute chaperone! Tina demonstrates our school values of Welcoming, Engaged, Safe, & Trustworthy on a daily basis!!!
We are so fortunate to have her as a part of our team!!!
Congratulations to Keegan Cummings, October 2023 Rotary Student of the Month!!!
West High School senior, Keegan Cummings, was recently chosen as the Siouxland October Rotary Student of the Month! Keegan has a 4.26 GPA and is an AP Scholar. He’s been involved with Mentors in Violent Prevention, is a president for the National Honor Society and is the vice president of the student council. He’s also done volunteer work, including being the secretary for Siouxland for Period Project.
IMPORANT INFORMATION
Schools will have a 12:55pm, 2-hour Early Dismissal on Wednesday, November 22nd
Career Academy 2-Hour Early Out Schedule
Student Schedules 2024-2025
2024-2025 Class Schedule Registrations Begin Nov. 28
Beginning November 28th School Counselors will start to meet with students to gather their interests and requests for what courses they would like to take during the 2024-2025 school year. Some of their schedule will be filled with required courses for graduation, but each year students have the opportunity to choose what elective courses they would like to take. We encourage students and families to discuss these elective options. Students have the opportunity to take electives at their home high school building, to take courses at the Career Academy, and to even take dual college credit courses through Western Iowa Tech Community College, which are all paid for by the school district.
All of our course options are described in our High School Course Guide. We encourage students and families to explore our Course Guide by accessing the link below:
Exciting Things Happening at West High!!!
Fall Play- New Dates! *December 14, 15, & 16 @7pm*
Madrigal is Almost Here! Reserve your Tickets Now!!
WHS Focus Groups attend the Every Child Matters 1K with the Ponca Tribe of NE
That's art-tastic!
Our West High School art students recently hosted artist Amanda Browder for a discussion about a large-scale fabric installation she will be creating for the Sioux City Art Center. The students even had the opportunity to pin and sew fabric for the project which will be on display in 2024.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WEST HIGH CHOIR!!!
4 singers from our West High Choir advanced into the 2023 Iowa Allstate Choir!!!
Cadynse Franklin - Soprano 2
Isabel Weber- Soprano 1
Nakita Trujillo - Soprano 1
Alexander Lucero - Tenor 2
AP AP Language students are reading The Crucible...
Tic Tac Toe Boards in Industrial Arts Tech!
Students are working on their tic tac toe boards in IA Tech class. Students received one 2x4x8 and measured out all the pieces to build a frame and playing pieces. Currently, they are sanding with 150 and 220 grit sandpaper.
WHS Student Council Members Attend the State of Iowa Leadership Conference!
The students networked with other student councils across the state, listened to guest speakers, and learned leadership skills! Thank you to Mr. Kuchera and Ms. Nearman for attending with them!!
Come support our WHS Stuco as they are participating in the Festival of Trees!
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 November & December West High Events...
NOVEMBER HOME EVENTS:
November 21: Boys Swimming @5pm
November 21: Girls JV Basketball @5:30pm and @7:30pm
November 28: Wrestling @5:30pm
November 30: Winter Band Concert @7pm
November 30: Boys Swimming @5pm
DECEMBER HOME EVENTS:
December 1: Boys and Girls JV Basketball @4pm / Girls Varsity @5:30pm / Boys Varsity at 7pm
December 4: Wrestling @5:30pm
December 4: Freshman Boys and Girls Basketball @6pm and 7:15pm
December 8: Madrigal @7pm
December 9: Madrigal @7pm
December 11: Freshman Boys and Girls Basketball @6pm and 7:15pm
December 11: Boys Swimming @5:30pm
December 12: Boys and Girls JV Basketball @4pm / Girls Varsity @5:30pm / Boys Varsity at 7pm
December 14, 15, & 16: Fall Play @7pm
December 16: JV / Varsity Girls Basketball @1pm
December 19: Boys and Girls JV Basketball @4pm / Girls Varsity @5:30pm / Boys Varsity at 7pm
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.
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 will no longer have clothing except for homecoming and prom dresses, thank you!
Current Items Available:
Diapers-newborn
Deodrant-mens and women
Hot sauce
Spaghetti noodles
Canned corn
Parmesan alarm wing sauce
Canned green beans
Canned beef ravioli
Mandarin oranges
Vegetarian refried beans
Cups of applesauce
Keto friendly granola bars
Chicken leg quarters-frozen
Ground turkey-one pound packages-frozen
Canned condensed tomato soup
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
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.
MySchoolBucks Program Fee
Families using MySchoolBucks may notice a Fall 2023 Program Fee of $2.50 on their next transaction. The fee will only be charged in connection with the first payment made during November and December 2023. MySchoolBucks is charging the fee to help offset increased costs related security and privacy on its platform.
If you have any questions about the program fee, please contact MySchoolBucks directly at 1-855-832-5226
Main Office: 712-279-6772
Email us: CommWHS@live.siouxcityschools.com
Head Principal: Rebecca Rieken
Assistant Principal: Brant Bemus
Assistant Principal: Pam Husk
Activities Director: Gabe Hoogers