WHS Newsletter
February 2019
Message from the Principal
Students will be signing up for their core classes and also the many elective opportunities available.
The following are the Graduation requirements:
- Language Arts - 8 credits
- Math - 6 credits
- Science - 6 credits
- Social Studies - 6 credits
- Fine Arts - 2 credits
- PE - required each semester
More details regarding these requirements and course descriptions can be found in the High School Course Guide.
High School students will be promoted to the next grade based on the number of credits earned:
- 9th grade: 0 - 9 credits
- 10th grade: 10 - 20 credits
- 11th grade: 21 - 29 credits
- 12th grade: 30 - 44 credits
If you have questions regarding courses and/or scheduling, please do not hesitate to reach out to our counseling office. 712-279-6746
Spring Activities Meeting Feb 18th
Girls Golf
Boys and Girls Tennis
Boys and Girls Soccer
Softball
Baseball
If you have any questions concerning activities, please call the activities office 712-279-6781.
West High Food Pantry Now Open!
Clothing and Hygiene items are also available.
Bear's Den is located in room 100 right inside door 13. Patrons can park in the back lot and enter through door 13.
Bear's Den is a joint project with the Food Bank of Siouxland, a generous donor, and our WHS Students. The iJAG students and Student Council have worked to create a welcoming space and we are ready to share this resource with those that need it.
We will be open during conferences:
Feb 27th 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Feb 28th 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up
https://myconferencetime.com/whs
You can also schedule a conference by emailing your student's homeroom teacher or calling the front office at 712-279-6772.
Conferences will be held Feb 27th 3:05 PM - 5:45 PM and Feb 28th 8 AM - 8 PM
Mentors Needed
The West High Freshman House is looking for current freshmen through juniors that would like to be mentors for the 2019-2020 school year. Mentors are assigned to freshmen homerooms and lead throughout the school year on topics like anti-bullying, dating violence, respect and positive culture. West High was one of the first high schools in Iowa to implement a full mentoring program. Currently 70 students serve as mentors to our freshmen students. The mentors follow the Mentors in Violence Prevention Curriculum. The application process is now open and interviews will begin on March 1st. Applications will be available in the Freshman House Office or you can apply here: Mentoring Application
District School Climate Survey Coming this month!
Every voice matters in Sioux City Community Schools. That’s why we need to hear from all parents and guardians in our District and School Climate Survey, which is coming in February
Parents should check their email for an invitation and survey link and will be able to take the survey in English or Spanish.
The survey asks for feedback on student and academic support, safety and behavior, school leadership, and family involvement. We will use the results to better understand our needs, determine our strengths, and identify opportunities for improvement.
All survey responses are strictly confidential. The district has partnered with independent research and communications firm K12 Insight to administer the survey and compile the results. No one from the district will know who participates or how they respond. Watch for more details to come!
After-Prom Fundraisers
Please contact Kat Pendleton at 712-899-4286 for ordering information.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
$12/dozen
- Chocolate Iced
- Lemon Filled
- Raspberry Filled
- Kreme Filled
$10/dozen
- Original Glazed
Pancake Breakfast/Silent Auction
Sugar Daddy's
100 Military Road
April 6th 7AM - 10AM
Graduation for the class of 2019
The Tyson Events center will be hosting all three high schools on this Saturday. Information regarding pictures and other details will come on upcoming newsletters.
Saturday, May 25, 2019, 02:30 PM
Tyson Events Center, Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA, USA
SCCSD High Schools to Host ACT Exam for all Juniors
On April 9, each of the three Sioux City Community School District high schools will host an ACT exam date for all 11th grade students, in order to encourage college readiness and preparedness for the work force.
Data from this exam will inform the District on how current curriculum aligns with the ACT, as well as suggest areas of improvement. It will also assist in providing students with a smoother transition into college and increase their potential for future success.
In order to eliminate distractions and secure proctors for the exam, 9, 10, and 12th graders will not have school on this date.
Driver Education Information
The Sioux City Community Schools plan to offer two, four weeks sessions of Traffic Education for the summer.
**SNOW DAYS USED BY THE SIOUX CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY AFFECT ACTUAL STARTING DATE.**
If further snow days are utilized, course dates will change accordingly.
Classes will be held Monday thru Friday at each of the three public high schools East, North and West. Registration for Summer Traffic Education will begin the 1st week in March. Cost for the class will be $385. (School waivers are accepted for Summer School. Make sure if you are on free or reduced lunch you have submitted a fee waiver to the bookkeeper).
In order to get registered,
1. You must be 14 years of age.
2. You must have a valid learner’s permit and it must be shown at time of registration in order to complete child’s registration.
3. A complete deposit for the class fee must be made to the high school you are registering at in order to be completely registered.
Registration openings are limited at each school. Students will be accepted for the course based on the number of openings available at each school and the date in which the student completes the registration form. If you have any questions you may contact John Torno, at North High School, phone # 712-898-3505 or for quicker responses tornoj@live.siouxcityschools.com
Students and Staff of the Month
Freshman – Cameron Cline
Sophomore – Bionka Quezada
Junior – Aidan O'Connor
Senior – Daniela Alcala
Staff – Donna Dvorak
Immunization Information for Class of 2020
Iowa Immunization law requires that all students entering 7th grade have both a Meningococcal vaccination and a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis/whooping cough) vaccination before school starts in the fall.
Iowa law requires that all students entering 12th grade have a Meningococcal vaccination. The requirement is 2 doses of meningococcal (A,C,W,Y) vaccine for students in grade 12, if born after September 15, 1999; or 1 dose if received when students are 16 years of age or older are required before school starts in the fall.
The Tdap requirement has been in place since the 2013/14 school year and requires a booster dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis containing vaccine for students entering 7th grade, regardless of the interval since the last Tetanus/Diphtheria containing vaccine. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe.
The meningococcal vaccine has been required since the start of the 2017/18 school year. Meningococcal disease is a life threatening illness that is caused by bacteria that infects the brain, blood, and spinal cord. It easily spreads in crowded settings. The vaccine is required prior to both the 7th and 12th.
What does this mean for you? You will need to call your physician’s office to make an appointment for these vaccines. You will need to check your home records or call your physician’s office to see what your student’s status is. If you do not have insurance, you can contact the Siouxland District Health Department at 279-6119. Please send a copy of your student’s updated immunization record to the school nurse prior to the first day of school in August 2019. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
After School Tutoring
Seal of Biliteracy
We are excited to announce, beginning this academic year, the Sioux City Community School District (SCCSD) will offer a Seal of Biliteracy to graduating students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages, one of which being English. Students in SCCSD that complete requirements for AP Language and Culture, pass the AP language and culture exam with a minimum score of 3, and complete district determined requirements will be awarded the Seal of Bilteracy on their diploma, and receive a certificate of completion.
Being able to know and use more than one language is a critical skill for the 21st century. The seal of biliteracy recognizes the value of language diversity & cultural identity, prepares students with 21st century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society, and provides employers, universities, and grant/scholarship providers with a method to recognize applicants for their dedication to attainment of biliteracy.
The Seal of Biliteracy, designated by the Iowa Department of Education, will be recognized statewide. The honor focuses not on “seat time” or completion of language courses; it relies on demonstrating proficiency in a given language.
Additional information can be found at https://educateiowa.gov/pk-12/instruction/biliteracy-seal. Questions about the Seal can be directed to Victoria Albright, world languages coordinator for the Sioux City Community School District.
Maintaining A Safe and Healthy Environment
The Sioux City Community School District is committed to providing an environment where students and staff members are treated with dignity and respect. We recognize that we are not unique, in that we experience the challenges of school and community-based bullying, yet we want to be unique in serving as a District that works to make a significant and positive difference in this arena. Please, join us in the effort to maintain a safe and healthy school environment. Visit our website, www.siouxcityschools.org/anti-bullying-harassment-hazing/, to learn more about our anti-bullying policy, view resources to help us combat bullying, or report concerns. We also welcome your feedback. Consider sharing your ideas or concerns using the Let’s Talk tool on our website.
Let's Talk
Non-discrimination Statement
The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to 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. Inquiries or grievances, including Section 504 grievances and grievances under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075,gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.
Sioux City West High School
Website: http://www.siouxcityschools.org/west-high-school/
Location: 2001 Casselman Street, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 7122796772
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiouxCityWestHighSchool/
Twitter: @WHS_Activities