The West Valley Wolfpack Howler
Summer 2017 - Volume 16 Issue 1
Welcome Back Wolfpack
We are looking forward to another fantastic year at West Valley High School. Starting my second year as principal, I am definitely still learning a lot, but now I feel as though I have my feet beneath me. We have been busy getting ready for your students to once again fill our halls with with laughter and smiles. Below is information to get you ready for the upcoming school year.
We look forward to welcoming our freshmen and new students on Thursday, August 17 at 7:45am.
Come join your students that night to meet their teachers and get their locker just for coming to Open House (no structured bell schedules to follow, just time to say hello and see what your student's day will look like). Please bring a picture of your student's schedule on your phone, to save paper we will not be printing schedules, but can if needed that night. Below we also have a list of informational sessions that will be offered that evening. Attend, one, two or none - staff will be available to answer questions and provide information.
All returning upperclassmen will join everyone else with our first full day of school on Friday, August 18th.
Finally, we will be expanding our social media presence this year in an effort to connect more with our families and students. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @WVH_Wolfpack and on Facebook @wvh.wolfpack.
See you soon!
Sarah Gillam
Principal, West Valley High School
WVHS Open House
Highlights and Information:
- Get your locker and combination a day early if you attend Open House
- Take a picture of your student's schedule to visit their teachers and classes
- Tutor.com Representative to sign-up families - 5-7pm in room 110
- Distance Delivery Orientation - 5:30pm in the Library
- Freshmen & New Parent Information - 6:30pm in the PAC
- Canvas for Parents Training - 7:00pm in the Library
- Activities Q&A - 6:30pm in the DeWild
Thursday, Aug 17, 2017, 06:00 PM
3800 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK, United States
Dates/Times to Remember:
- School starts at 7:45am
Thursday, August 17 -
- IGNITE - First Day for Freshmen & New Students
- Open House - 6:00-7:30pm
- Freshmen Parent Orientation - 6:30pm in the PAC
Friday, August 18 -
- First Day for all returning Students
August 29-31 -
- School Pictures
September 15-16 -
- West Valley Homecoming
School Supplies
Last spring we surveyed student data regarding their use of the school provided planner.
- 61% of students stated they used their planner rarely, if ever.
- 44% of students reported that the most important part of the planner is the hall passes.
Based on this feedback from students, West Valley will NOT be providing students with a daily planner this year.
The student handbook can be found online here: WVHS 2017-2018 Student Handbook
Who is your counselor?
WVHS Counseling Office: 479-4221 ext. 46520
Mr. Blackburn - A-G (10th-12th) ext 46525 - willie.blackburn@k12northstar.org
Ms. Gillis - O-Z (10th-12th) ext 46523 - karin.gillis@k12northstar.org
Ms. Everts - H-N (10th-12th) ext 46527 - paula.bettano-everts@k12northstar.org
Mr. Mitchell- all Freshmen ext 46524 - bryan.mitchell@k12northstar.org
Back to School Fall 2017 - Notes from Nurse Heather
email: heather.hartman@k12northstar.org
phone (907) 479-4221 ext 46540
fax (907) 474-8901
Welcome back to school! Starting off right is important so here are a few things to remember as you prepare for the 2017-18 school year:
Check yourself. Make sure you log in to the parent portal on PowerSchool and make sure your all of the contact information is accurate and up to date for yourself, your student, and any emergency contacts.
Complete the health history and OTC medication permission for your student. Please also use the parent portal on PowerSchool to log into CareDox and register your student there (parent login>Health & Nutrition>CareDox) Your student’s health history and permission to receive over-the-counter medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, TUMS, and benadryl) is done online here. CareDox is the electronic medical record currently used but the Fairbanks North Star Borough and is accessible to both myself and you, the parent/guardian, so that we can monitor your student’s health needs together. If you have difficulty logging into CareDox, please let me know.
Check your student’s immunization record. This can be done in CareDox as well. All shots must be current and up to date for your student to start and remain in school. I do run immunization reports as I am able and notify parents when noncompliance is imminent but it is your responsibility as the parent/guardian to keep track of your student’s immunizations, both keeping them up to date and making sure updated records are on file with the school.
Report any health concerns/chronic health conditions. This is another thing for CareDox. If your student has any chronic health condition for which they receive medical care, please document this in their health history and provide a current plan of care (action plan) from your medical provider (it can be uploaded to CareDox or delivered to me here at school). This includes a list of medications taken, whether at home or at school. This information is necessary for providing the best care to your student at school.
Action plans specific to allergies, asthma, and diabetes can be found on the district website: Go to the home page, click on OurDistrict>Departments>Nursing Services then click on the specific condition that applies to your student to access these forms. Please consult these forms and take them with you to your provider to make sure all the pertinent information is included in the plan of care for your student. For other conditions, the provider action plan should include any and all information needed for me to care for your student on a daily and emergency basis.
Medication administration: Please see the district policy regarding medication administration at school. Please note that there is a Request for Medication Administration form required for all prescription medications to be taken at school that must be signed by both you and the provider. This includes asthma inhalers and epi pens that students may carry and self-administer per provider discretion (other medications must be administered by the school nurse).
That covers the paperwork piece of being prepared for the school year ahead. Now for the other stuff:
Be available to your student. High schoolers are definitely ready to start exhibiting some independence but they also definitely still need their parents/guardians. Make sure your student knows you are available to them. Talk to them. Hug them. Know where they are.
Encourage hydration. Hydration is an important component of a healthy body and mind. I encourage everyone to carry a water bottle around with them at school and to drink water frequently. Dehydration is a major contributor to both headaches and stomach aches so make that water bottle a priority on the school supplies list! (And water should be the source of hydration, not soda, energy drinks, or coffee drinks.)
Encourage proper nutrition: Encourage the fruits and veggies, discourage the chips and candy! Proper nutrition is also key to a healthy body and a healthy mind which lend well to increased capacity for learning! Keep the sugar and fat and processed foods to a minimum...lean more toward the fresh and simple.
Encourage adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation leads to all sort of issues such as inability to concentrate, slow response time, and many acute and chronic health problems. Please encourage your student to allow 8-10 hours of sleep per night (it may be 8 hours on weeknights and more on the weekends). That may mean taking the phone and computer away to get them to bed (and these should not be used within an hour of sleep) so encourage them to prioritize their after-school time so that homework gets done ASAP.
Encourage frequent exercise. Exercise is is just smart. It helps improve focus, increases capacity for learning and retaining information, and regulates mood. Exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, increase creativity and productivity, improve your willpower and your academic achievement. Who does not want all of that?
I look forward to serving your kids at school this year and hope that it is a great one for all of us! If you have any questions or concerns about anything health related at anytime during the year, please feel free to contact me (see information above).
2016-2017 Activities Season Recap
Out of 20 possible Regional Championships, the Wolfpack took 16 (and many multi year)! We had two state championships and three runner-ups - Way to go Wolfpack!
Boys - Swim and Dive (multi-year)
Girls - Swim and Dive (multi-year)
Boys - Tennis
Girls - Tennis
Volleyball (multi-year)
Boys - XC running (multi year) (runner up at state)
Girls - XC Running (multi year) (state champions)
Flag Football (Region Champs - second year)
Boys Basketball (multi year)
Hockey (multi year)
Girls XC Ski (multi year)
Boys XC Ski (multi year)
Girls Soccer (multi year)
Boys Soccer (multi year) (State Runner up - first time for this program's history)
Girls Track and Field (multi year) (State runner up)
Boys Track and Field (multi year) (State Champions - first time in the school history)
PowerSchool Parent Forms
The parent portal will provide links to important required documentation concerning your student that was previously provided on paper:
- Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA);
- Responsible Technology Use Agreement (RTUA);
- Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook; and,
- Concussion Policy
Your student will not be able to fully participate in the district’s technology-rich educational environment without the online completion and/or acknowledgement of these forms and documents.
Be sure you have a PARENT PowerSchool account. The PowerSchool website is located at: https://premier.k12northstar.org
Free & Reduced Lunches
Each new school year brings thousands of applications for the free and reduced meal program. Our goal is to provide those benefits to our qualified students as soon as possible!
Information required for the online applications is the same as the paper application. Gather the following to apply online:
- Listing of all household members
- Total household size
- Income for all household members (determine the frequency of payment)
- Student Name(s)
- Student Birthdate(s) (helpful but not required)
- Student FNSBSD identification number (helpful but not required)
- Student Official Enrolled School (helpful but not required)
- Student ID (helpful but not required)
We encourage you to submit your application online for many benefits! Questions regarding the process can be directed to (907) 451-1004 or email foodservice@k12northstar.org. Please feel free to provide us feedback on the online process so we may better serve your needs.
Sincerely, Helena Schreder, Assistant Director Nutrition Services
No Shots = No School
Please be sure your student is up to date on their immunizations before school starts -
August 17 (Freshman & New Students) August 18 (returning upperclassman)
FNSBSD Strategic Plan and Personalized Learning
If you are interested in learning more, below there is a link to the school district's information page on Personalized Learning as well as a link to the updated Strategic Plan that includes the personalized learning initiative. If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
School Hours:
Building: 7:00am - 3:00pm
Classes: 7:45am - 2:15pm
Office: 7:15am - 3:15pm
**Unless in the presence of a teacher or activity advisor, students must leave the building by 3:00pm**
West Valley High School
Email: contact-wvh@k12northstar.org
Website: http://www.k12northstar.org/westvalley
Location: 3800 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK, United States
Phone: (907) 479-4221
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wvh.wolfpack/
Twitter: @WVH_Wolfpack