Valley Southwoods Newsletter
West Des Moines Community Schools | December 21, 2020
2020 coming to an end!
The staff and administration at Valley Southwoods are excited to say that 2020 is coming to an end. In a year that has seen so many challenges, we have to remember and focus on the positives. There have been so many changes to how we operate as a school and how teachers instruct that is it hard to list but what we do know is that some of these new ways will stay around. One example is using technology to connect with each other. I never thought Zoom and Google Meets would be at the center of our learning but they definitely have changed our landscape. Many of the mitigation strategies we developed for staff and student safety will also stay with us in the future. Through it all, the world of education will forever be changed and we all have to thank our students and families for allowing us to grow and adjust every day. Bring on 2021!
Four Oaks Healthy Lifestyles Program Available to Support Struggling Students
West Des Moines Community Schools students may be experiencing academic, social, or emotional challenges this year. The district has partnered with Four Oaks to offer a proactive opportunity for students reacting to these challenges in unhealthy ways. The Four Oaks Healthy Lifestyles/Chemical Dependency program works with young adults to build healthy decision-making skills and reduce risk-taking behaviors like misusing alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other substances.
Adapted for social distancing and other COVID-19 safety measures, the program is now offered virtually. Education Liaison Darian Delaney works to build relationships with students and find out how to best connect and support them as they work towards making healthier choices and meeting their future goals. The Healthy Lifestyles program offers guidance and support without judgment.
Interested in connecting with Darian?
Students and parents can reach out at delaneyd@wdmcs.org or 515-633-4569. You can also reach out to a school counselor for a referral or more information.Valley Southwoods Roadmap to 10th Grade Registration
Please join us on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. for a live Zoom meeting. Valley Southwoods administrators and counselors will outline for all 9th to 10th-grade parents and students the registration process for selecting classes for the 2021-22 school year. This 45-minute Zoom Q&A will give parents an understanding of how the process works and will allow you to ask clarifying questions to our team before your students start the process.
Link for parents - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84007294443
Upcoming Events
- Winter Activities- They can begin on Dec. 22! Please have Family ID updated to participate which can be found on the button below.
- January 4th- Professional Development Day (No students)
- January 5th- First day back after Winter Break.
- January 6th- Road Map To Registration 6PM- Facebook event Link
- Mock Trial practice will start after break- Contact greinerl@wdmcs.org for more information.
Valley Southwoods Freshman High School
See past newsletters on our website.
Principal: Mitch Kuhnert
Associate Principal: Haley Hockensmith
Website: https://www.wdmcs.org/schools/valley-southwoods/
Location: 625 S. 35th St., West Des Moines, IA
Phone: 515-633-4500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wdmsouthwoods