Westword
December 2019 - Volume 4, Issue 97
MISSION STATEMENT
Working toward career and college readiness,
Engaging students in quality learning,
Sustain culture of respect and a
Tradition of excellence
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
ADMINISTRATION HAS ASKED THAT YOU WOULD DO YOUR BEST TO CALL AHEAD FOR APPOINTMENTS AND EARLY RELEASE TIMES. PLEASE CALL YOUR STUDENTS DIVISION AT LEAST 1 HOUR PRIOR TO THE TIME OF RELEASE FROM CLASS.
DIVISION 1, A-K (438-4005)
DIVISION 2, L-Z (438-4004)
MAIN OFFICE (438-4000)
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL DUSTIN DICK
As we wind down to the close of this semester I want to thank all of you for your continued support of Topeka West. We have had, what looks to be, another great semester! Finals are coming up in the next couple of weeks and hope that your students are preparing to do well as we end the semester. Last year we had great success with students passing classes at the end of the first semester and hope that this year is no different. In an effort to help with this as we returned from Thanksgiving break we have continued with “Pizza to Pass” on after school, check the school calendar for pizza to pass on the schedule, the next one is Tuesday, December 3 before Late Night. Students can stay after school to get tutoring help or support to get caught up with class and work towards passing all of their classes. Students who come and need assistance or have work to complete will be given pizza while there. We have specifically targeted those students who have a failing grade, but all students are welcome. As always if I can be of any assistance to you or your student please let me know. I hope you all have a great holiday season, and enjoy a restful winter break.
DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tues. Dec. 3rd - Jostens Class Ring Delivery - A Building - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Tues. Dec. 3rd - Late Night in the Dub Zone - Main Gym - 6:00 PM
Wed. Dec. 4th - Boys Dive/Swim - Captiol Federal Natatorium - 1:30 PM & 4:00 PM
Wed. Dec. 4th - Emma Ramberg Softball Signing - Media Center - 3:15 PM
Thurs. Dec. 5th - Wrestling Dual - South Gym - 5:30 PM
Mon-Fri. Dec. 9th-13th - Bowling Tryouts - Westridge Lanes - 3:15 PM
Wed. Dec. 11 - Cocoa and Cram - Main Gym - 3:30 PM-5:30 PM
Wed-Thurs Dec. 11-12 - Players Fall Project - 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Thurs. Dec. 12 - Kay Club Blood Drive - LDR Center - 8:00 AM
Fri. Dec. 13 - Basketball vs Highland Park - Both Gyms - 4:30 PM - 9:45 PM
Sat., Dec. 14 - ACT Test - B Building - 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Tues. Dec. 17 - Basketball vs Ottawa - Both Gyms - 4:30 PM - 9:45 PM
Wed. Dec. 18 - Winter Concert - White Concert Hall, Washburn University - 7:00 PM
Wed. Dec. 18 - Wrestling Duel - South Gym - 5:30 PM
Thurs., Dec. 19 - JROTC Rescue Mission Visit - 3:15 PM
Sat., Dec. 22 - JROTC Let's Help Visit - 3:00 PM
WINTER BREAK
Friday, Dec 20, 2019 until Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Mon., Jan. 6 - Staff on Duty - No students
Tues., Jan. 7 - School Resumes - All Students Report SKINNY DAY
Tues., Jan. 7 - Basketball @ Seaman - 4:30 PM - 9:45 PM
TWHS MORNING ANNOUCNCEMENTS
SEARCH: Topeka West Television Vid
SELECT CHANNEL BOX: TWTV (Purple and Gray)
SELECT VIDEO: Labeled Announcements (today's date identified)
MATH TUTORING
3:00-4:30 pm
Media Center - MIC Room
JROTC SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT
Monday, Dec 2, 2019, 08:00 AM
Topeka Rescue Mission, North Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS, USA
LATE NIGHT IN THE DUB ZONE
FULL CONCESSIONS
SPIRIT WEAR SALES
LOCATION: MAIN GYMNASIUM
Tuesday, Dec 3, 2019, 06:00 PM
2001 Southwest Fairlawn Road, Topeka, KS, USA
COCOA & CRAM
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2019, 02:30 PM
2001 Southwest Fairlawn Road, Topeka, KS, USA
WESTSIDE BANK HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
Location: South Alcove - Cafeteria
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019, 11:45 AM
2001 Southwest Fairlawn Road, Topeka, KS, USA
KAY CLUB BLOOD DRIVE
JROTC Building - Topeka West Campus
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019, 08:00 AM
2001 Southwest Fairlawn Road, Topeka, KS, USA
WINTER CONCERT
The ensembles will perform music from around the world and across the centuries.
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2019, 07:00 PM
White Concert Hall, Southwest Jewell Avenue, Topeka, KS, USA
TOPEKA WEST LEADERSHIP STUDIES COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECTS
Please Join us for the Fall 2019 Topeka West Leadership Studies Community Action Project Presentations.
Students have selected a non-profit organization to join forces with to make an influential impact of the school and town community. Through the semester they have both planned and implemented their projects in their small groups. Please join us as they present their completed project results, their successes, and leadership journey through this process!
Friday, Dec 20, 2019, 08:30 AM
2001 Southwest Fairlawn Road, Topeka, KS, USA
JROTC SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT
Sunday, Dec 22, 2019, 03:15 PM
Topeka Rescue Mission, North Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS, USA
CRIME PREVENTION AND SAFETY TIP
SOCIAL HOSTING
Social Hosting or unlawfully hosting is general defined as providing and/or serving alcohol to a young person who is under the minimum legal drinking age. It can take place in a party-like atmosphere or by any adult simply providing alcohol to young people and their peers for them to drink. It can even extend to parents and homeowners who are not on the premises and/or did not provide the alcohol.
Social host liabilty refers to laws that hold non-commerical individuals responsible for underage drinking events on property that they own, lease or otherwise control.
You may not need to actually serve or provide alcohol to underage guests to violate these laws.
The penalties for breaking this law include possible jail time, and the potential for criminal or civil lawsuits, as well as public humiliation for breaking the law.
By violating the law, you are sending every child you know a message that can have risky consequences.
TPS Sergeant Donnie Kennedy (785.438.4002)
TPS Officer Jack Reynolds (785.438.4058)
TOPEKA WEST BOWLING TRYOUTS
See Coach Thompson in B201 for additional information or questions.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Second Semester Enrollment for Seniors: Seniors may elect to enroll in a shortened schedule. To be eligible for honor roll, students must be enrolled in five “letter-graded” classes. “Classroom Assistant” is not a letter-graded class. A student must be enrolled in five classes to participate in competitive activities and be considered a full-time student.
Second Semester Courses: Students should be visiting with their counselor now to update their second semester schedule. The last day to make schedule changes for second semester is Monday, December 16, 2019.
College Classes: It’s not too late! On Monday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Topeka West Media Center students can still sign up for concurrent credit courses on the Topeka West campus for second semester. A junior or senior must have a cumulative 3.00 g.p.a.. In addition, a subscore of 22 on the math section of the ACT is required for College Algebra. The deadline to submit for a
concurrent enrollment form or drop a course is January 31, 2020
TWHS/Washburn Tech. Connection: Your student has the opportunity to participate in programs at Washburn Institute of Technology while they are attending Topeka West. Eligible students must be at least 16, classified as a junior or senior, and have sufficient credits to graduate with their class. No tuition charges are assessed students in high school. It is on a first come/first served basis. Students are required to take the Accuplacer entrance exam. The test is given on the Topeka West campus through the year. If you have questions contact Rose Cantrell. (rcantrell@tps501.org)
LOCATION: TOPEKA WEST HIGH SCHOOL
REPORT BY 7:45 P.M.
If testing location questions: please call Megan Sturm, counselor 438-4036
Topeka West High School Code: 172-928
TWHS CENTER CODE: 176190
Students must bring photo I.D., calculator, #2 pencils, and their admission ticket.
Two weeks prior to test. Students must upload their photo to ACT.org
SAT: Saturday, March 14, 2020 (www.collegeboard.com)
DECEMBER COLLEGE & CAREER EVENTS
12/3- Hutchinson Community College to visit Topeka West in the Library during Charger time
12/3- Highland Community College to visit Topeka West in the Library during Charger time
12/4- Washburn Tech Orientation for students beginning a program Spring 2020. Will take place at Washburn Tech (5724 Huntoon, Topeka KS 66604), Building A, check in starts at 5:30pm. Orientation begins at 6:00pm.
12/10- Washburn University to visit Topeka West in the Library during Charger time
12/12- Accuplacer given at Topeka West Library 9:00am
Washburn Tech Rep will be available to meet with students on 12/5, 12/12 and 12/19
**Attention Washburn Tech Students: The Bryden Scholarship is a $100 scholarship opportunity for anyone attending during the Spring 2020 semester who qualifies for free or reduced lunch. Please see your counselor for more information and an application.**
FAFSA Help
If you need help applying for Financial Aid there will be assistance at the TW Library December 11th, from 3-6pm
AfterSchool @ Verge
Need Help with Homework?
VERGE @ West Ridge Mall
Finished Homework = Free Tea
Monday-Thursday 3:30-5:30
- Free Small Tea at Cafe Barnabas when you finish your homework
- Earn Raffle ticket for having NO late or missing homework
- Earn Raffle ticket for NO absences during previous 5 school days
- Weekly Raffle drawing for gift card to popular Topeka businesses
Fitness @ VERGE - Monday nights 6:00-7:00 PM
ArtLab @ VERGE - 2ND & 4TH Tuesday Nights 5:30-7:00 PM
KANSAS HONOR SCHOLARS 2019
Each year the Kansas Honor Scholars Program recognizes a select group of high school seniors across the state of Kansas. Since 1971, the KU Alumni Association has sponsored the Kansas Honor Scholars Program. At this time, we would like to honor the top 10% in class for superior academic achievement at Topeka West High School. Mr. Dustin Dick, principal of Topeka West High School, will present each student with their certificate designating these seniors as Kansas Honor Scholars.
Kaya Beitz
Emmy Bidwell
Claire Coultis
Boaz Drain
Sydney Frederick
Hugo Gonzalez
Christopher Hargreaves
Trevon Harris
Lindy Karrer
Alyssa Keating
Britney Kiamco
Morgan Kuhn
Breann Manderino
Mickalla McVay
Charles Pershall
Seth Phelps
Luke Phelps-Roper
Emma Ramberg
William Ramberg
Robert Ramberg
Jina Ramos
Reagan Rohr
Kaitlyn Shima
Samantha Smith
Ashley Wilson
Oscar Zapata
POST PROM
What is Post Prom? In the not-so-distant past, prom-goers found ways to celebrate until sunrise. Unfortunately, much of what they did during those pre-dawn hours was dangerous, even deadly. In an effort to reduce reckless behavior, including drinking and driving, Topeka West created Post-Prom to give kids a safe, chaperoned alternative.
When is Post Prom? An after Prom event held from 11:00 pm to 3:00 am. Once students enter they may not leave and re-enter. There are USD 501 and Topeka Police present as a deterrent to any undesirable attendees or student behavior. Students must have bought a ticket in advance ($5) and present their student ID to enter. They do not have to attend prom to attend post-prom.
What will students do all night? Have lots of fun! There will be
music, good food, fun activities, and great prizes!
How can you help? We need parent volunteers at our fundraiser events. We are also in need volunteers to help plan Post Prom. We need parent volunteers the evening before prom to help with decorating and set-up. And of course, we need parent volunteers for the actual event.
Meeting location/dates: Mon., December 9 (7:00–8:30 pm.)
Media Center. All parents welcome, please join us! Jan. 13, Feb. 10
Saturday, May 2, 2020, 11:00 PM
2001 Southwest Fairlawn Road, Topeka, KS, USA
STUDENT LUNCH ACCOUNTS
Thank you.
Susie Wells, Cafeteria Manager