Wildcats News
West Middle School
Principal - Angela Bemus / Assistant Principal - Rachelle Wiersma / Assistant Principal - Mike Tillo
October 2020 Newsletter
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Upcoming Events
Oct. 1 - Fresh Fruit Fundraiser Starts - Order online / shipped in Dec. from Florida directly to your house / https://www.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/1020861
Oct. 5 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M. - NO SCHOOL for students
Oct. 6 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 2:55-5:35 P.M.
Oct. 7 - Healthy Iowa Annual State Walk
Oct. 7 - Cross Country Meet @ Sertoma Park 4:00 P.M.
Oct. 8 - 7th Football Game 4:00 P.M. / 8th Football Game 5:15 P.M. @ Riverside Field
Oct. 9 - No School District-wide (Conference Exchange Day)
Oct. 12 - Volleyball Game @ WMS 4:00 P.M.
Oct. 13 - Volleyball Game @ NMS 3:30 P.M. (C Teams)
Oct. 13 - 7th Football Game 4:00 P.M. / 8th Football Game 5:15 P.M. @ Riverside Field
Oct. 14 - NWIA Orchestra Festival @ WITCC
Oct. 15 - Volleyball Game @ WMS 3:30 P.M. (A Teams)
Oct. 16 - Picture Day @ WMS (revised date from Sept.) / Retakes scheduled for Nov. 18 / order site www.inter-state.com/flyerentry/53944H Order code 53944H
Oct. 17 - NWIBA Honor Band Auditions @ Storm Lake
Oct. 27 - End of 1st Quarter
Oct. 27 - 6th grade Orchestra Concert @ NMS/NHS 6:00 P.M.
Oct. 30 - Fresh Fruit Fundraiser Ends - all orders are due online for December home delivery from Florida
Note from the Principal...
Dear West Middle Families,
It is that time of year where we are starting to get settled into the school year. It is very important that during these strange times that you communicate with us any questions or concerns that you may have regarding anything school related. It is also very important that during these strange times that you have a current email address and phone number on file. I send out emails and calls to families weekly regarding new changes in policies with Covid, reminders of school events, and other important information. I also post need to know information on our school Facebook page. Please feel free to call the office at 279-6813 if you want to verify your current information.
I look forward to a great year! - Angela Bemus
Check Out our NEW All School Fundraiser and Order Yourself a Box of Winter Sunshine
Be sure to check out West Middle's New All-school Fundraiser! Oranges, Grapefruits, & Mandarins sent straight from the tree in Florida to your front porch. How awesome is that?!?! And, if you need a gift for your best friend, your boss, or Great Aunt Betty who lives in another state, you can send a box straight to their houses, too. It's super simple. Go online to https://www.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/1020861, pick your selections, enter the destinations you want the boxes delivered to, pay via debit or credit card, and then sit back until your order arrives in December. The order window will be open October 1-30, 2020. Don't miss out...order a little sunshine (and delicious tasting vitamin C) for yourself and others!
Picture Day at WMS
Free Tutoring Available...
Tutoring room (356) is now open!
Before school starting at 7:00 A.M., and every day after school until 3:30 P.M. (2:30 on Mondays). If you just need to finish up a few math problems, or want to work on any assignment, you are welcome to stop in before and/or after school. All students are welcome.
School Fees & Lunches
The middle schools fees for the 20/21 school year are $100 per student regardless of whether your child is attending virtually or in person. If a family's income falls within certain guidelines, the fee can either be reduced to $50 or cancelled out completely.
Payments can be made online or at West Middle. For online payments go into My School Bucks at www.siouxcityschools.org and use your credit or debit card. Payments made at West Middle must be made via cash or check only.
Fee Waivers can be filled out online or we have paper copies in the West Middle office. If you think you qualify, a new waiver MUST be completed each year regardless of whether you qualified in the past. Please keep in mind that if you fill out a paper copy you must submit one to EACH of the schools your children attend.
Payments & Adjustments Recorded in Infinite Campus - You will be able to see when your child's account has been credited with a payment, a reduction, or an exemption by looking in Infinite Campus under the FEES tab. You will also be able to see if your child still owes for past years as well. You may pay past years' fees at West Middle with cash or a check. If you feel that your family may have qualified for a reduction or exemption that year, please feel free to fill out a fee waiver form for that year.
We sincerely appreciate it when fees are taken care of in a timely fashion. Thank you so much!
Free Breakfast & Lunch - West Middle continues to be a Title 1 School, therefore a basic breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge to each student. Ala Carte items are available at an additional cost. We kindly ask that NO FAST FOOD be brought into the school at lunch time.
Busing Information
Free busing is provided for all students living 2 or more miles from West Middle, however, you must apply so the district knows where your child lives in order to arrange for appropriate pick-up and drop off locations. You can fill out a bus application online @ https://www.siouxcityschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/709-E-Transportation-Request-Form-19-20-All-Languages.pdf or pick up a paper copy at the West Middle office. The sooner you can get the application turned in the better.
Students who live LESS that 2 miles from West Middle may ride the bus for $28 per month IF space is available. Any student willing to pay for busing MUST fill out an application. Please note that submitting an application, either online or at the school, does NOT guarantee a spot on the bus. These seats are approved only if there is room left over after all the students living over 2 miles away have been assigned to a bus. We apologize for any inconvenience, but these seats are very limited this year and it may take several weeks after the start of the school year before your child is granted permission to ride at the reduced rate.
City Transit Bus - If no seats are available on a school bus at the reduced rate of $28 per month, you may purchase city transit student fare tickets at the Bus Terminal (509 Nebraska St.) for $1.55 per ticket. If your child only requires an occasional ride on the city bus, he or she can pay $1.55 cash directly to the city bus each time they ride (exact change is needed).
West Middle Bell Schedule 2020/21
Monday In-person Schedule
7:45-8:28 Period 1
8:31-9:11 Period 2
9:14-9:54 Period 3
9:57--10:28 Period 4 6th gr. lunch
10:31-11:02 Period 5 7th gr. lunch
11:05-11:36 Period 6 8th gr. lunch
11:39-12:19 Period 7
12:22-1:02 Period 8
1:05-1:45 Period 9
Tuesday-Friday In-person Schedule
7:45-8:38 Period 1
8:41-9:31 Period 2
9:34-10:24 Period 3
10:27-10:58 Period 4 6th gr. lunch
11:01-11:32 Period 5 7th gr. lunch
11:35-12:06 Period 6 8th gr. lunch
12:09-12:59 Period 7
1:02-1:52 Period 8
1:55-2:45 Period 9
Virtual Classes - Monday
7:45-8:15 Period 1
8:20-8:50 Period 2
8:55-9:25 Period 3
9:30-10:00 Period 4
10:00-11:10 Lunch
11:10-11:40 Period 5
11:45-12:15 Period 6
12:20-12:50 Period 7
12:55-1:25 Period 8
Virtual Classes Tuesday - Friday
7:45-8:25 Period 1
8:30-9:10 Period 2
9:15-9:55 Period 3
10:00-10:40 Period 4
10:40-11:50 Lunch
11:50-12:30 5th period
12:35-1:15 6th period
1:20-2:00 7th period
2:05-2:45 8th period
Health/Fitness Tip...Free Outdoor Family Fun for Fall
There are lots of free, fun, fall activities your family can enjoy while still social distancing and staying safe. Why not try a few of these this week?
Bicycle Riding - Ride around your neighborhood or try a little more challenging ride at Stone State Park, the Riverfront or Bacon Creek Park. Remember to wear your helmet and protective gear!
Hiking - Stone State Park, Hillview Park (Hinton), & the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center all have great trails. Pack a healthy lunch and enjoy a picnic while you're out there. You could even have a scavenger hunt looking for different types of trees, birds, insects and animal prints. Don't have time for a hike? Don't worry, scavenger hunts work on a nature walk around your neighborhood, too.
Backyard Activities - Flag football, Ladder Toss, Freeze Tag, & child-safe Lawn Darts can be a fun way to get exercise and do some quality family bonding at the same time. Try making your own obstacle course with items from around your home or set up a backyard volleyball net or croquet course and divide into teams.
Fall Clean-up - You're probably thinking that yardwork seems more like WORK than play, but if everyone helps out the work gets done fast, you all burn a few calories, and no one really minds raking twice if they can jump & play in the leaves in between.
Regardless of the activity you choose, the most important thing is to just get out there and move while you're having fun as a family. Enjoy...your kids are only young once!
Hy-Vee Receipts
$CHOOL BUCK$ PROGRAM RULES 2020/2021
All receipts must be from the Sioux City or South Sioux City Hy-Vee’s or the Hy-Vee Mainstreet Store.
Receipts must be dated August 1, 2020 – April 26, 2021.
Please Note: No fuel, postal, money order, Western Union, lottery, Quest, Mid American or gift card receipts will be accepted. If any of these receipts are found in any of the bundles the entire bundle amount might not be counted and will not go towards our school total. Please pay for these items separate from your grocery order. Pharmacy receipts DO count so save those. Please ask the whole family to save their receipts...grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, we'll take them all! The PBIS team at West Middle thanks you.
Box Tops for Education
Box Tops for Education has gone online! The app is super easy. Download the app. Then answer a few, short questions. Make sure to select West Middle School. You can use our zip code, 51103, to find the school. Then, when you go to the store and see the box top picture on the top of an item you bought, upload the receipt in the app by taking a picture. If you use Ibotta, Shopkicks, Checkout 51, or similar apps, the process is the same.
Ask any friends, neighbors, or coworkers you have to do this for West Middle School if they do not have any kids at home. The app is free. People buy items all the time that have Box Tops on them. Let's capture some of this money to give back to West Middle.
Box Tops for Education (continued)
The West Middle PBIS team is the receiver of the money. This team uses the money to fund monthly breakfasts for the PBIS students of the month and their families. The money is also used for weekly drawings of prizes for WEST cards. Students earn WEST cards a variety of ways. The money is also used for supplies for different games that are played at the PBIS assemblies. In other words, the more money raised through Box Tops and Hy-Vee receipts the more we can do for our students. Thanks for doing this for your children. Thanks for spreading the word to your friends, coworkers, and extended families. We truly appreciate your help.
Calling All Subs...You Are Needed!
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
Winter Weather Information
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.
School Closure Information
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.
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 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.
Let's Talk
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/.
Communication and Preparedness
Student and staff safety is of paramount importance in the Sioux City Community School District. For this reason, the District exercises a host of crisis prevention and planning tactics. Should an emergency occur, the school notifies you through our Blackboard phone system. In an emergency, the system calls every phone number associated with your child in order to reach you. The message will give you details about the emergency and provide directions on when/where to pick up your child if the normal school day is altered. Learn more about school safety.
Focus 2022 Strategic Plan
West Middle School
Principal: Angela Bemus
Website: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/west-middle/
Location: 3301 West 19th Street, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6813
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scwestmiddleschool/
Twitter: @wildcatswms