December Newsletter

West Liberty Middle School

Principal Andrew Genz

Secretary: Annie Gerstbrein

Secretary: Angie Gingerich

Email: agenz@wl.k12.ia.us
Website: www.wl.k12.ia.us
Location: 203 E 7th St, West Liberty, IA 52776
Phone: (319) 627 - 2118
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestLibCSD

If you wish to view the newsletter in an alternative language, please navigate to the Translator tab at the top of this page and select your preferred language.

Si desea ver el boletín en un idioma alternativo, vaya a la pestaña Traductor en la parte superior de esta página y seleccione su idioma preferido.

Below is a quick rundown of important dates covered in the newsletter.

Friday, Dec. 19th - Early Dismissal - Students dismissed at 1:35

Monday, Dec. 22nd - Friday, Jan. 2nd - NO SCHOOL - Holiday Break

Monday, Jan. 5th - Students return to school

Wednesday, January 14th: 4:00 - 8:00pm - Parent/Teacher Conferences - Info Below

Wednesday, January 14th: 5:00 - 6:00pm - 8th Grade Science Fair - WLMS Cafeteria

Every Monday: 3:05 - 4:30 - WLMS Library Open for Homework Help

Every Tuesday: 3:30 - 4:30 - West Liberty Public Library Homework Help

Every Wednesday: 1:40 - 2:40 - Al Exito - WLMS Cafeteria

We will be having an early dismissal on Friday, December 19th. Students will dismissed at 1:35 pm similar to a Wednesday early out schedule.

Conferences will be held on Wednesday, January 14th. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect directly with teachers, discuss student progress, and strengthen the partnership between home and school.

All Grades will be walk-in conferences

Parent/guardians will not need a prior appointment and can simply show up during the scheduled hours (4:00 - 8:00) to speak with teachers. These sessions are designed to be flexible and accessible, making it easy for parents/guardians to get quick support, ask questions, or discuss concerns without formal scheduling. To respect other parents/guardians, please limit walk-in conferences to 5-10 minutes. You can schedule an additional meeting with teacher(s) for a later date if needed. When you walk in to the main entrance of the school, you will be given your students grades and classes. 5th Grade will also be walk-in conferences. Note that this is different from the fall.

Before or after conferences, come check out the 8th Science Fair in the Cafeteria from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. More information below.

One of the components of a well-balanced science curriculum is managing a long-term project. The 8th grade is currently working with a partner to answer a scientific question demonstrating their knowledge of the scientific inquiry process and scientific method. The school provides display boards, opportunities for them to print at school, and basic tape, glue, etc. There is no required spending or cost on the students part.

To celebrate this learning process, WLMS will be holding a Science Fair Open House Night on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm in the MS cafeteria. All are welcome to attend.

This year, the WLMS Student Engagement team launched a new initiative focused on building meaningful connections outside the classroom. The goal is simple: create fun opportunities for students to socialize, try new activities, and strengthen our school community. The Student Engagement Team has developed a growing list of events and is currently in a trial period to see what resonates most with students.

Our first “Board Game Extravaganza” after school has helped us test the waters for interest. We’re excited to host another! Students are invited to join us on Tuesday, December 16th from 3:05–4:15 PM in the Middle School Library for another round of games, connection, and fun. As the program becomes more established and activities formalized, families can look forward to a monthly activities calendar outlining upcoming opportunities. More information to come in the January newsletter.

The WLMS Student Council hosted a Canned Food Drive from November 10–25. The school goal was 450 items total.

We are happy to report that WLMS brought in a TOTAL OF 630 ITEMS for the food drive! This smashed our goal for this year. EXCELLENT JOB by everyone involved and for donations. A special shout out to our student council and Megan Rex (Student Council Supervisor) in collecting, organizing, and delivering the items. The 5th grade class brought in the most with a total of 232 food items. A prize is being awarded this week to 5th grade with a movie being shown during lunch and a special treat at the end of the lunch. We are very proud of this accomplishment by our school.

Do you love the spotlight? or would you rather be the one making it shine? Join Dorianne Rees, our high school Theatre Director, as she helps launch the Middle School Theatre Club! This after-school club gives 5th - 8th grade students the chance to explore acting, stage design, and all the creative magic that happens behind the scenes. Whether you dream of performing or prefer working backstage, there’s a place for you in theatre!

When: Thursdays from 3:05 - 4:15

Where: Middle school cafeteria.

Last Session: Thursday, December 18th

Shannon Schneider, West Liberty Public Library Youth Services Librarian, wants to let you know about the the Homework Help program offered at the library! It is every Tuesday at the WL public library in the downstairs meeting room at 3:30, and open to all ages. They offer a large space with free snacks. Contact Shannon directly with questions at: sschneider@wlpl.org

Al Éxito started this month at the Middle School! Al Éxito is a statewide 501(c)3 that serves Latinx youth. Its mission is to promote academic achievement and leadership through programming focused on college and career readiness, civic engagement, and cultural pride. In West Liberty, Al Éxito has a weekly after-school program at the middle school which is free and open to all 5th-8th grade students. The meetings take place Wednesdays from 1:40 - 2:40 pm in the cafeteria and are facilitated by Dana Dominguez and Greg Wickenkamp. Al Éxito in West Liberty is grateful to partner with Dream Catchers.

This year, our district is implementing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), an exciting new way for educators to collaborate, share ideas, and strengthen instruction. In PLCs, teachers meet regularly to review student progress, explore effective teaching strategies, and plan lessons that support every learner.

For students, this means more engaging lessons, smoother transitions between subjects, and stronger academic and social support. When teachers work together, they can quickly identify learning needs, celebrate growth, and create consistent experiences across classrooms.

Our long-term goal is to build a culture of continuous improvement where both students and teachers grow together. Through collaboration and reflection, our staff is committed to helping every student succeed, academically, socially, and emotionally, while preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of high school and beyond.

Every Monday after school, students are welcome to a quiet study table in the library until 4:30 p.m. They can work on homework, review for classes, or study with support from a teacher. Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging transportation after school. Students who are not using their time productively will be kindly asked to leave the library. We hope this time provides helpful support for our students.

Registration is now open for local youth sports! Getting kids involved helps build confidence, friendships, and healthy habits that last a lifetime. The link below can provide information on upcoming sports and activities. Please reach out to West Liberty Parks and Recreation with any questions.

https://wlparksandrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program

Community Event:

Sign up to learn what it is like to compete for Muscatine County Fair Queen and Princess with the 2025 Fair Queen and Princess, Kaylynn and Harper. Scan the QR code to register and additional information.

When: Sunday, January 4th

Time: 1:30 - 3:00

Where: Muscatine County Fair Grounds - Floral Hall

Cost: $15

RSVP: Register by December 20th

Questions: Contact current Fair Queen at mcfq2025@gmail.com

Every school day matters! Consistent attendance helps students stay on top of their learning, build strong connections with classmates, and develop positive habits that set them up for success both in and out of the classroom. Each lesson builds on the one before, and missing even a single day can make it harder for students to keep up with new material.

We understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable due to illness or emergencies. If your student is unable to come to school, it is VERY IMPORTANT TO CALL OR EMAIL THE OFFICE as soon as possible. Here are the methods to report an absence:

Office Phone: (319) 627-2118

Absence Email: msabsence@wl.k12.ia.us

Emailing is a new way to report a student absence. You may email at anytime. The office may contact you to confirm absence on a case-by-case basis.

Reporting absences helps us keep accurate records, ensures your child’s safety, and allows teachers to provide any missed work in a timely way. Together, by making attendance a priority, we can support your child’s learning and growth.

Our Student Handbook is an important resource that outlines expectations, policies, and procedures for the school year. It includes information on attendance, behavior, grading, extracurricular activities, and much more. Reviewing the handbook with your student is a great way to ensure they understand what it means to be a positive and responsible member of our school community.

The handbook is available through the links below and can also be requested through the main office. We encourage every family to take time to read through it together and reach out with any questions. By working together, we can create a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all students.

English Version - CLICK HERE

Spanish Version - CLICK HERE

The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. In order to maintain a secure environment, all visitors are required to check in at the office with school personnel and receive a visitor badge before entering any part of the building during the school day (7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). This process helps us know who is in the building at all times and ensures a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

If you would like to meet with a teacher or administrator, we kindly ask that you email ahead of time to set up an appointment. This allows us to make sure the person you wish to see is available and prepared to meet with you. We truly appreciate your cooperation and support in keeping our school a safe place for learning.

Did you know that both parents and students have access to Infinite Campus? This online portal is a great tool for staying connected and informed. Through Infinite Campus, you can view class schedules, check grades, monitor attendance, and see important updates throughout the school year.

If you need help getting set up with an account or logging in, please don’t hesitate to contact the main office, we’re happy to assist. There is also Infinite Campus information in both Spanish and English attached below. Regularly checking grades and attendance on Infinite Campus is one of the easiest ways to stay up to date on your student’s progress and provide support at home when needed.