Wildcats News
West Middle School
Principal - Angela Bemus / Assistant Principal - Rachelle Wiersma / Assistant Principal - Mike Tillo
April 2021 Newsletter
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Note from the Principal...
Happy Spring! We are busy getting ready for ISASP, our state-wide assessments, working through this last quarter and enjoying spring! We will be sending out a newsletter soon focused on ISASP. We look forward to seeing all the hard work your students have been doing all year! - Angela Bemus
Upcoming Events
March 31 - 1:45 P.M. Early Dismissal for Spring Break
April 1-5 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
April 7 - Soccer Practice Starts - a free bus will be available at 4:30 P.M. to drop at feeder schools
April 8 - Track Meet @ Olsen Stadium 3:30 P.M.
April 12 - Track Meet @ Memorial Field 3:30 P.M.
April 15 - Sioux City Relays @ Dakota Valley (time tbd)
April 20 - 8th grade Tours @ WHS (during the day) - tentative
April 26 - ISASP Testing @ WMS
April 26 - Track Meet @ SBL 3:30 P.M.
April 26 - Girls' Soccer @ EMS 4:00 P.M.
April 26 - Boys' Soccer @ Heelan 4:00 P.M.
April 27 - ISASP Testing @ WMS
April 27 - Choir Concert @ West HIGH 6th gr. @ 5:30 / 7th gr. @ 6:30 / 8th gr. @ 7:30 P.M.
April 28 - ISASP Testing @ WMS
April 28 - Boys' Soccer @ WMS vs. NMS 3:30 P.M.
April 29 - ISASP Testing @ WMS
April 30 - Snow Make-up Day - School WILL BE in session
April 30 - ISASP Testing @ WMS
Yearbook Order Site Now OPEN
West Middle School yearbooks are now available to order for only $20.
Buy online with credit card, debit card, or PayPal at:
https://yearbookforever.com/schools/west_middle_school_buy_yearbook_9797/655UZ6Mg2k4KNHmbXK5YU4RA
Order now, so you won’t miss out when the yearbooks are distributed at the end of the school year!
MARCH'S STUDENTS of the MONTH
West Middle loves to recognize students for their positive behavior. The following students were recognized as March's Students of the Month. Congratulations!!
6th grade - Leland Lundgren
7th grade - Ofelia Rivera
8th grade - Cael Kilberg
Virtual Student of the Month - Ashton Zautke
Megaminx Cube, anyone?
Check out what Jaida Douch (7th grader) accomplished in enrichment! She solved this megaminx, a dodecahedron-shaped face-turning twisty puzzle similar to the classic Rubik's Cube. We are all amazed and perplexed at how she did it! Way-to-go, Jaida!
6th Grade Math Bee
On Tuesday, March 23, West Middle participated in a Virtual math bee, and the NWEA 6th grade Math Bee results are in. Andy Lam, from West Middle, won the contest and Riley Heck, from West Middle, finished in the top 20. The WMS Team A made up of Andy Lam, Riley Heck, Isabel Weber, Trenton Baker and Nathan Vaul finished third. This is the first time WMS had a team finish in the top three. Congratulations to all the participants!! You made us proud!
7th Grade Immunization Requirements
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.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a very contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. 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.
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. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
Free Tutoring Available...
Tutoring room (356) is now open!
Before school starting at 7:00 A.M., and every day after school until 3:30 P.M. (2:30 on Mondays). All students are welcome.
Spring Fitness Suggestions
1) Change-up your workout playlist...new songs could equal greater motivation.
2) Set a goal to walk somewhere every day, even if it's just around your block.
3) Acquire fitness gear and shoes that are comfortable. Nothing can ruin a workout session faster than ill-fitting clothing or shoes that hurt your feet!
4) Join a friend and get moving. Having an exercise partner can encourage you to reach your goals by holding you accountable (and of course you can help them be accountable, too!)
5) Be willing to try new outdoor activities. How about trying a 3K run or kayaking for the first time?
6) Change up the scenery. Plan a day trip or a weekend getaway to a place that offers better scenery. Hiking or biking in a new and/or different location can be very refreshing.
**suggestions adapted from Leadvilleraceseries.com
Hy-Vee Receipts
$CHOOL BUCK$ PROGRAM RULES 2020/2021
All receipts must be from the Sioux City or South Sioux City Hy-Vee’s or the Hy-Vee Mainstreet Store.
Receipts must be dated August 1, 2020 – April 26, 2021.
Please Note: No fuel, postal, money order, Western Union, lottery, Quest, Mid American or gift card receipts will be accepted. If any of these receipts are found in any of the bundles the entire bundle amount might not be counted and will not go towards our school total. Please pay for these items separate from your grocery order. Pharmacy receipts DO count so save those. Please ask the whole family to save their receipts...grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, we'll take them all! The PBIS team at West Middle thanks you.
Box Tops for Education
Box Tops for Education has gone online! The app is super easy. Download the app. Then answer a few, short questions. Make sure to select West Middle School. You can use our zip code, 51103, to find the school. Then, when you go to the store and see the box top picture on the top of an item you bought, upload the receipt in the app by taking a picture. If you use Ibotta, Shopkicks, Checkout 51, or similar apps, the process is the same.
Ask any friends, neighbors, or coworkers you have to do this for West Middle School if they do not have any kids at home. The app is free. People buy items all the time that have Box Tops on them. Let's capture some of this money to give back to West Middle.
Box Tops for Education (continued)
The West Middle PBIS team is the receiver of the money. This team uses the money to fund monthly breakfasts for the PBIS students of the month and their families. The money is also used for weekly drawings of prizes for WEST cards. Students earn WEST cards a variety of ways. The money is also used for supplies for different games that are played at the PBIS assemblies. In other words, the more money raised through Box Tops and Hy-Vee receipts the more we can do for our students. Thanks for doing this for your children. Thanks for spreading the word to your friends, coworkers, and extended families. We truly appreciate your help.
Paying School Fees is Quick and Easy Online
Do you have school fees that need to be paid? Visit www.siouxcityschools.org and click on the “Parents” tab to pay your fees online. On the drop-down menu of the “Parents” tab, you can select “Pay Curriculum and Meal Fees.” Both links will take you to “My School Bucks” to complete the payment transaction. Payment for curriculum resource fees can be made under the “School Store” by selecting “Categories” and then “Curriculum Fees.” If you have any questions, please contact your school’s bookkeeper. Thank you.
Immunization & Screening Requirements
Before next fall, make sure your child’s immunizations, dental screenings, and vision screenings are up-to-date. According to law, there are requirements for children entering kindergarten, third grade, seventh grade, ninth grade, and twelfth grade. Visit our website to learn more.
Calling All Subs...You Are Needed!
The Sioux City Community School District is currently hiring for the following positions:
· Substitute School Bus Drivers and Substitute Bus Assistants
· Substitute Building Service Technicians
· Substitute Teachers and Substitute Instructional Assistants
· Substitute Food Service Workers
The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. To learn more about job qualifications and our available opportunities, please visit our website: www.siouxcityschools.org
Community Resources
The District is committed to connecting our students and families to important community resources. View a comprehensive list of local services including information about food access, housing assistance, and mental and physical health resources. Learn more: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/community-resources-in-sioux-city/
SCCSD Virtual Backpack
From camps to sports leagues to family services, the SCCSD Virtual Backpack serves as a link between non-profit community partners and our students and families.
Would you like to get weekly updates about events? Sign Up for the Virtual Backpack email list here.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW.
The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not 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. The District is required by Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs, activities, or employment.
Inquiries or grievances under Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act may be directed to Jen Gomez, Director of Student Services & Equity Education/Title IX Coordinator at 627 4th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 279-6075, gomezj2@live.siouxcityschools.com. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations to the District may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, or both. Please see District Board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.
Let's Talk
An engaged community makes our District stronger. That is why we have made it easy for you to connect with us whenever it is convenient for you. We encourage you to take advantage of Let’s Talk!, our 24/7 online submission site. Reach out with your ideas, questions, concerns, and praise. To make a submission, please visit http://www.siouxcityschools.org/lets-talk/.
Communication and Preparedness
Student and staff safety is of paramount importance in the Sioux City Community School District. For this reason, the District exercises a host of crisis prevention and planning tactics. Should an emergency occur, the school notifies you through our Blackboard phone system. In an emergency, the system calls every phone number associated with your child in order to reach you. The message will give you details about the emergency and provide directions on when/where to pick up your child if the normal school day is altered. Learn more about school safety.
Focus 2022 Strategic Plan
West Middle School
Principal: Angela Bemus
Website: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/west-middle/
Location: 3301 West 19th Street, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6813
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scwestmiddleschool/
Twitter: @wildcatswms