Wolfpack Howler
Volume 19 Issue 13 - November 23, 2020
MAP Testing Information
West Valley Parents and Students, the current MAP testing window is open.
MAP Tests are usually given to 9th and 10th grade students three times a year in their academic classes. Most students have scores from these tests going back many years and their scores on these tests are compared to students across the country. We will be coordinating remote testing this year.
We will be conducting MAP testing on Wed Dec. 2 and 9. Please complete the following form to provide us information in delivering the best testing environment. https://forms.gle/AabLWcCMq87BbZ5J8
Thank you so much and stay safe!
Quarter 2 - Halfway Point!
If you're math minded, you can think to yourself that we are now three-eighths of the way through this school year.
What does Mid-Quarter Mean Now?
- This mid-quarter (Nov 18) means that we are HALFWAY through our quarter long classes. If we were in a traditional system, these grades would be like quarter grades.
- Final course grades for transcripts will be assigned at the end of the quarter, which is December 18.
- Now is a great time to sit down with your student and talk about their progress at this point - what is working, what isn't? Do they need more support and do they know how to get it? Have they contacted their teachers for more support?
- As a reminder, we have regular tutoring time available from 1:45-2:45 and office hours on Wednesday.
- We all want students to be successful and help them in whatever way we can!
Need to Contact a Teacher?
- Email them directly or give them a call - Our Staff Directory has emails and phone numbers
Mask-Up Student Contest: Nov 23 - Dec 7
NEA-Alaska and the Alaska Academy of Family Physicians is teaming up to offer teachers and students a challenge to promote mask wearing and other mitigation strategies to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Thinking of Switching Between Learning Models?
Are you in Remote Learning and want to switch to eLearning? OR are you in eLearning and looking to switch to Remote for next quarter?
Contact your counselor to talk about options - we need to know by December 1 if you are thinking of switching, so reach out today!
Counseling Office Contacts
The Counseling Department:
WVHS Counseling Office: 479-4221 ext. 46520
Mr. Blackburn - A-G (10th-12th) ext 46525 - willie.blackburn@k12northstar.org
- Ms. Everts - H-N (10th-12th) ext 46527 - paula.bettano-everts@k12northstar.org
- Ms. Gillis - O-Z (10th-12th) ext 46523 - karin.gillis@k12northstar.org
- Ms. Sprague - all Freshmen ext 46524 - anna.sprague@k12northstar.org
National PTA Podcast Resource - Surviving Quarantine with a Teenager
Upcoming Events:
Nov 26 & 27 | NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 2 | Remote MAP Testing - Register Now
Dec 9 | Remote MAP Testing - Register Now
Dec 16 | Regular Scheduled Classes
Dec 17 & 18 | Final Exams
- Period 1 | Dec. 17: 9:30am-11am
- Period 2 | Dec. 17: 12pm-1:30pm
- Period 3 | Dec. 18: 9:30am-11am
Dec 19-Jan 3 | Winter Break
Jan 4 & 5 | NO SCHOOL - Professional Development and Work Days
Jan 6 | Quarter 3 Begins
January 2021 | PSAT - More details to come
Clubs and Activities at West Valley:
Cross-Country Skiing:
- Start Date: TBA
- All athletes need to be cleared on Planet HS before participating. Returning athletes need to log on and update their account along with their guardian. New students and guardians need to create an account at www.planeths.com
- IMPORTANT: Please complete this Sign Up form:
Ski Team Sign Up: https://forms.gle/eS2aw6kn3sMWVvj38
For more information: Ski Team Email: wvhsskiteam@gmail.com
WVHS Virtual Assembly Planning Committee
In this unique year, students will have to reinvent how we do assemblies. There are a variety of ways to help including advertising, tech support, planning games and activities, etc. Please join the google classroom for more information on how you can be part of ensuring this tradition is maintained even though it will be virtual: pyo5z5d
Debate Club:
- Do you enjoy a good argument? Like following current events and solving the world's problems? Check out WVHS Debate Club!
- Email Mr. Genson or Ms. Moore for the Classroom Code, Meeting Link and Meeting Times
Drama Club:
- Never fear, (Radio) Drama Club is here!
- Every Wednesday at Lunch from 12:00-12:30 - Google Classroom Code: djhpvex
- Meetings will elucidate how to produce a full-length radio drama, tentatively based on the script 'Harvey,' by Mary Chase, with approximately 10 weeks of rehearsal and recording time.
- Performances will be recorded individually and edited together for the final product: a radio drama, which will be broadcast via KSUA 91.5FM around St. Patricks' Day.
- Email Mr. Bledsoe for more information.
GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance):
- GSA is starting up again! If you want or need a safe space to be yourself, explore LGBTQ+ identity, or want to be an ally and support the community, come check it out, all are welcome. We talk, play games, plan events, and raise awareness.
- Meeting Thursdays @ 1: 45 - Google Classroom Code: 3euzq6s
Virtual Choir Club:
- NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY
- Students will be learning their music over Zoom and M. Brazier will put it together into a virtual choir performance. There are no tryouts or fees (other than a choir shirt).
- Just copy and paste the link below to the Google form and fill it out to join.
https://forms.gle/CD5BitcY9hyPhQBb9 - Meetings are Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00PM
- If you have any questions, please e-mail gwendolyn.brazier@k12northstar.org
Dungeons & Dragons:
- Email Ms. Hilchey for additional information and meeting times
Model United Nations:
- Meetings: Tuesday at 1:45pm. Google Classroom Code: tdgrvob
- Contact Mrs. Damario or Mrs. Sprankle
Yearbook Club:
- Meetings: Mondays from 1:45-2:45 and Fridays from 8:15-9:15
- Contact Mr. Meritt for the Google Classroom Link
ACA DECA:
- Meetings: Lunch (11:55-12:20) Tues - Fri by Zoom while remote.
- Please email Ms. Ashlock or Ms. Rindlisbacher if interested.
New Smithsonian digital education resources on Alaska Native cultures
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center in Alaska (ASC) (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/anthropology/programs/arctic-studies-center/asc-alaska-office), in partnership with the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access (SCLDA) in Washington, D.C., is pleased to announce the creation of a series of free digital resources for the Alaska education community.
The content is available through the award-winning Smithsonian Learning Lab (https://learninglab.si.edu) platform, an interactive website for the discovery and creative use of the Smithsonian’s digital resources, including images, videos, audio recordings, texts, lesson plans, and activities.
Alaska Native heritage is woven from the beliefs, values, knowledge and arts of the Iñupiaq, Athabascan, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Yup'ik, Unangax̂, Sugpiaq, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. Their diverse languages, cultures, and histories are the foundation for contemporary lives. ASC collaborated with Alaska Native Elders, culture-bearers, scholars, artists, and educators to create comprehensive, authoritative educational resources for teachers, students, parents, and lifelong learners—all without cost—via the internet on a new Learning Lab education page, Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center in Alaska: https://learninglab.si.edu/org/sasc-ak.
From this page, learners will find:
- Comprehensive collections connecting historic museum objects to contemporary Elders discussions and histories for each of the Alaska Native culture groups;
- Multi-disciplinary distance learning lesson plans and activities reflecting the values, knowledge, and lifeways of Alaska Native peoples; and
- A community videos section documenting and teaching Alaska Native artistic traditions and languages, with connections to their contemporary importance.
We invite all teachers, students, parents and lifelong learners to explore Alaska Native cultures, museum objects, videos and educational resources shared at https://learninglab.si.edu/org/sasc-ak. Learn about the peoples of this northern world from Elders, culture-bearers, scholars, artists and educators. We hope that you will forward this announcement to other educators in your organization and beyond.
Sincerely,
Dawn Biddison
Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, Alaska office
Learning Lab site | YouTube channel
Need Help? Learning Lab is designed to be self-directed and assistance with using the site is available in the Learning Lab’s Help Section (https://learninglab.si.edu/help), in the online Getting Started Guide (https://learninglab.si.edu/help/for-teachers/discover) or by joining the weekly online “Help Desk” Online Office Hours with Learning Lab staff held live on Tuesdays at 4pm-5pm EST (go to https://learninglab.si.edu/#sll-learn to find the schedule and access links).
The Library is OPEN
West Valley Students
“Check-out” some of the new books in your library
(check back later for even more new books)
https://destiny.k12northstar.org/
Click on West Valley Library
S # and school password
Place a book on Hold or select and read an e-book online
Questions? Send us an email!
Wolf's Den Remote Styling -
Complete the form with some general information and our personal stylists will put together a selection of clothes for you to try - all for free!
The form is restricted to only West Valley Students - if you're signed into your FNSBSD Google Account try following this form link.
We have a wide variety of items - so if you're looking for something new, here's your chance!
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Current Risk Level = HIGH
GENERAL SAFETY PROTOCOLS:
- All visitors, students and staff in the building must wear a mask and maintain social distancing at all times.
- The student daily decision tree is posted below, but students should not come to school if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, have traveled outside of Alaska or have had close contact with a positive COVID-19 case within the last 14 days, or has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days.
- At the bottom of this email, Dr. Anne Zink explains in a video the different between quarantine and isolation in case you've wondered what those terms mean.
- If you have any questions or concerns - please call our school nurse, Corinne Roe (x46540).
INDOOR ACTIVITIES:
- At the High Risk Level, no spectators are allowed for indoor events
ALL ACTIVITIES:
- For all activities, both indoor and outdoor, all spectators must wear masks covering nose and mouth at all times while at the activity.
West Valley High School
Email: contact-wvh@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org/westvalley
Location: 3800 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: (907)479-4221
Facebook: facebook.com/wvhWolfpack/
Twitter: @wvhWolfpack