Wildcats News
West Middle School
Principal - Angela Bemus / Assistant Principal - Rachelle Wiersma / Assistant Principal - Mike Tillo
June 2021 Newsletter
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Note from the Principal...
Happy Summer!
I just want to thank all of our West Middle families for allowing me to be a part of their children’s lives this year. I have enjoyed my year at West Middle and am pleased to introduce Mr. Joe Hardin as the new principal for the 2021-2022 school year. Joe was a former teacher at West Middle and is excited to be back in the role of the head principal. I know he will enjoy his time at West Middle just like I did! Enjoy the break!
- Angela Bemus
Upcoming Events
June 1 - Last Day of School / 1:45 P.M. Early Dismissal / End of 4th Quarter & 2nd Semester
June 2 - Teacher Workday
June 7 - July 2 - Summer School @ WMS 8:00 A.M.-12:20 P.M. M-F (lunch served at 12:00) - Parents will be notified if their student needs to attend. Summer School is by invitation only.
June 9 - WMS Office Officially Closes for the summer - the office will be open at random times and days throughout the summer. Please call ahead before stopping in.
Looking ahead to the 21/22 School Year...
Aug. 9 - WMS Office Officially Opens for the school year - 7:00 A.M.-3:30 P.M.
Aug. 18 - Teachers return to school
Aug. 19 - Back to School Night @ WMS (time TBD)
Aug. 20 - Para Professionals return to school
Aug. 23 - Students return to school for 1st day- 7:45 A.M.-2:45 P.M.
Sept. 6 - No School / Labor Day
Sept. 8 - Instrument Rental Night in the WMS Commons 4:00-7:00 P.M.
Sept. 16 - Picture Day
Oct. 4 - Conferences / No School for students
Oct. 5 - Conferences after school
Oct. 8 - No School / Conference Exchange Day
Oct. 26 - Picture Retake Day
Nov. 2 - No School for students
Nov. 25 & 26 - No School / Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 23-Jan. 2 - No School / Winter Break
Jan. 12 - No School for students
Feb. 21 - Conferences / No School for students
Feb. 22 - Conferences after school
Feb. 25 - No School / Conference Exchange Day
March 18 - Snow Make-up Day if needed
April 14-18 - No School / Spring Break
April 29 - Snow Make-up Day if needed
May 26 - Last Day of School
May 27 - Teacher Workday
May 30 - Memorial Day
Yearbooks Still Available
We have a limited supply of 2020/21 West Middle School yearbooks still available in the office for only $20. Please call ahead if coming to purchase one. (712-279-6813)
MAY'S STUDENTS of the MONTH
West Middle loves to recognize students for their positive behavior. The following students were recognized as May's Students of the Month. Congratulations!!
6th grade - Cecily Taylor, Kyice Reuney, Melanie Limon, Nathalie Maeda, Tommy Nguyen
7th grade - Jim Hartman, Keiry Estrada-Perez, Leaila Godfrey, Logan Topete, Maddie Farrens
8th grade - Angelica Reed Aguirre, Charlotte Greene, Daniel Melgoza, Hailey Kotalik, Hannah Burge, Harmony Perez, Kinsey Marston, Kohen Koch, Lilly Whiteshirt, London Vergith, Makenna Cook, Rayanna Frazier, Zach Foland
Virtual Student of the Month - Margaret Masua
Band Ends the Year with Some Fun and Creative Lessons
In Band, they discussed some ideas of Science of Sound/Music. In the picture the kids are doing an experiment with string - including conductive vibrations, length/pitch correlation, tension/pitch correlation, etc. They love this activity.
Experiments were scheduled for the last day of school that included "playing" wine glasses, tuning water glasses to play a simple song, and playing a record with a pushpin and a cup.
Sixth grade Band members did a "joy of music-ing" activity and they all did a folk dance.
Of course there were some groans and "Do we have to?" (YES!) By the middle of the song there was a lot of smiling and laughing and at the end of the song several asked to do it again!
Future DJ's?
Mrs. Weltz's Digital Music class got to enjoy some end-of-the-year fun by playing with the DJ board. This was a reward for those who had completed their final project. They plugged in the speakers and mixed songs for everyone to hear! Mrs. Weltz lamented the fact that she couldn't convince her students that Bon Jovi is where it's at.
Star Wars Genetics
Sixth grade did a fun lesson on genetics. Mr. Hadachek has always been a huge Star Wars fan so he introduced some Star Wars Lore and used the Krayt Dragon that lives on Tatooine to demonstrate dominant/recessive traits. He used an example of thick-skinned dragons and thin-skinned dragons, and how the traits can be denoted as dominant or recessive. The students were taught about genetics in an interesting new way.
Farewell to the Following Staff
Andrea DeRocher (moving to WHS)
Angela Bemus (moving to ESC)
Carmen McNaughton (moving to virtual school)
Chuck Newton (moving to WHS)
Cindy Joffer (moving to virtual school)
Jen Pottorff (moving to Dakota Valley)
Jessica Becker (moving to LeMars)
John Fitch (rotating out)
Jose Nesselhuf (moving to WHS)
Kaitlin Haukap (leaving the district)
Karen Bestgen (retiring)
Kenny Strand (moving to Loess Hills)
Larry Bowman (retiring)
Laura Stokes (moving to Dakota Valley)
Linsey Dumkrieger (moving to NHS)
Michelle Rustwick (moving to NHS)
Rachelle Wiersma (moving to ESC)
Rosie Munoz (moving to WHS)
Roxanne Sexton (retiring)
Sam Irish (moving to WHS)
Selena Cruz (moving to Liberty)
Tiffany Stephens (no longer splitting time at WMS)
Bussing for next year
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://fs2.formsite.com/siouxcitycommschools/form2/index.html
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 it may take 4-5 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 for $15.50 for a 10 punch ticket. If your child only requires an occasional ride on the city bus, he or she can pay $1.55 directly to the city bus each time they ride (exact change is needed).
Summer Activities
Summer is a great time to get those bodies moving. Active families tend to thrive, and most children are happiest when they are engaged and busy. Whether that's participating in a sport, walking the dog, going for a bike ride or helping with chores around the house or garden, it doesn't really matter as long as they are moving. Involve your children in the activities of day-to-day living and reward them with periods of entertainment as a treat for their hard work and help. Spending time together as a family is very rewarding and the more that time revolves around physical activities the healthier it can be! Just as a friendly reminder: please use protective safety gear, sunscreen and bug repellant when participating in outdoor activities. Have a great summer!!
Attention Parents: Student Medication for End of 2020/2021 School Year
Student medication and/or medical supplies will be sent home with your child on the last day of school. If you would like to make other arrangements, please contact the school office before the last day of school. Any unused medication that remains at school will be disposed of in compliance with federal and state law or will be given to the School Resource Officers for proper disposal.
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 your 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.
Community Resources
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/
SCCSD Virtual Backpack
From camps to sports leagues to family services, the SCCSD Virtual Backpack serves as a link between non-profit community partners and our students and families.
Would you like to get weekly updates about events? Sign Up for the Virtual Backpack email list here.
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