February 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.

Month of February: ELPA Testing - More info below

Thursday, February 12th: NO SCHOOL - Staff In-Service

Friday, February 13th: NO SCHOOL - Staff Comp Day for Conferences

Monday, February 16th - NO SCHOOL - President's Day

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

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. As the program becomes more established and activities formalized, you will be getting a initial voluntary survey on engagement activities outside of school offered at the middle school.

To help organize and stay up-to-date, here is a calendar of engagement activities offered at the middle school in the month of February:

February Activity Calendar - English - CLICK HERE

February Activity Calendar - Spanish - CLICK HERE

As a reminder, all middle school students can attend HOME middle school events for FREE. Thank you to our athletic department for offering this to our students. This is a great way to build our school spirit for now and in the future.

“Board Game Extravaganza” is an after school activity that has already started and open to students. Students are invited to join us on Tuesdays from 3:05–4:15 PM in the Middle School Library for another round of games, connection, and fun.

ELPA Testing will take place throughout the month of February for all students identified for the LIEP program in our district. This assessment measures students’ English language proficiency and helps guide instructional support, so regular attendance during testing days is important. Please look through the resources below to help your student prepare for the test so that they can do their very best.

Family Resources for ELPA - CLICK HERE

*ELPA Practice Tests - CLICK HERE

*To access to the practice tests, select "Continue as guest" and then "Guest Session". Then you will be able to access the drop down menu with different grade levels.

ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) will take place in April and plays an important role in helping our school understand student learning and growth. The data collected from this assessment helps guide instructional decisions for the future and ensures we can best support the needs of all students. Although it isn't for a couple of months, it is never too early for students to get practice with the tests and prepare. We are also sharing the dates of the tests early so that you can plan around them and prepare your students.

Tuesday, April 14th - Reading

Thursday, April 16th - Math

Tuesday, April 21st - Language usage/writing

Thursday, April 23rd - Science (5th & 8th)

ISASP Practice Tests: CLICK HERE

The tabs at the top of the window allow you to switch between subjects and the column on the left allows you to select a grade. Students will also be working on the practice tests during selected times as we get closer to the April dates.

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

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.