Scarlet News and Notes
June 9, 2020
Assuring Learning Excellence and Readiness for a Changing World
Thank you!
What. A. Year. This year brought challenges we never imagined. I am so grateful to be working with a staff who met those challenges with grace and dignity, an amazing can-do attitude, and one who kept our students at the center of everything we did.
I wish I could tell you what next school year will look like, but we don't know yet. We will continue to follow the guidance of MDH and MDE and should know more in later July...stay tuned.
I am also grateful for the work we have done in regard to racial equity. Your engagement in Life Journey has helped us examine our biases and raised our attention to the things we do that support our students of color, and also the things we do that perpetuate racial inequality. We have more to learn, important work to engage in, to continue our journey in making West High School a school where all feel valued, have a sense of belonging, while we close the opportunity/achievement gap.
You are a special group of people. Our work is hard, and this year was hard in ways we never imagined. I am very proud and honored to work with each and every one of you. I hope this summer brings you days of relaxation, time with family and friends, and fun.
Graduation
Graduation was very different this year, but special in its own way. Here you can view the ceremony. Thank you to those of you who volunteered your time in helping with the graduation ceremony and the senior drop off/pick up days. It was also great to see so many of you participate in the Senior Parade.
Next Year
Here is the plan for the daily schedule for next year. Please note this may change, and changes will be communicated to you as soon as we are aware of any changes.
Access to Building
As you know, there is very limited access to the building this summer. The office is open, so if you need to stop in the office, please call and we will arrange to have someone meet you at the door. If there are unique circumstances and you need to access your room, please call to arrange a day and time for that to happen.
Thank you for your understanding!
Staff Changes
I have shared some of the staff changes for next year, but here is an overview of what we know:
Thank you and good luck to these special Scarlets who will be moving on to new adventures:
Stephanie Arvidson
Ashley Braun
Amy Forseth
Kim Hermer
Kristin Olinger
Rachel Palmer
Taylor Wasvick
Becca Zenk
Welcome to these new Scarlets who will be joining us:
Ashley Richarson - counseling secretary
Gaudence Uwamahoro - French
Olivia Wiesbecker - English
Jessica Kuch - Social Studies
Sara Tostenson - Social Studies
Dylan Ek - Social Studies
Anna Nelson - ASD Sped
Kayla Ruch - Business
Danny Heath - Phy Ed/Health
Important Dates
August 26, 27
Kick Off Days
August 24-26
New Teacher Orientation
August 31 - September 3
Workshop Week
Birthdays this Summer
June
Anita Anderson - 8th
Sam Udermann - 14th
Kai Sill - 17th
July
Matt Weichert - 8th
Molly Fox - 9th
Sam Stier - 13th
Deb Green - 14th
Andy Krause - 22nd
Jeff Ehmke - 25th
August
Allison Beck - 5th
Meredith Mayra - 9th
Becca Zenk - 25th
Cassie Kolhoff - 30th