February Newsletter

They say February is the shortest month of the year, but looking at our school calendar, it might just be our busiest!

While the days are fewer, they are packed with opportunities. Between engaging classroom projects, winter athletics, dances, performances and events, this month is set to fly by. I want to encourage everyone to embrace the "fast forward" feel of February and dive into the excitement of everything we have planned.

Why This Month is Special

We have a lot to look forward to as we move deeper into the second semester:

• Deepening Our Learning: Students are hitting their stride in their core subjects, tackling more complex concepts and collaborative projects.

• Extracurricular Energy: From mid-winter performances to crucial season-end games, our students’ talents will be on full display

• Community Events: We have several school-wide activities, from our Multicultural Week to our AVID Dance along with our Panda Express Dine Around Night, that bring us together and make school memories that last.

Staying Grounded

Because the month moves so quickly, it’s easy to feel a bit rushed. I encourage our students to stay organized, keep a close eye on their deadlines, and—most importantly—take a moment to enjoy the process. For our parents, thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students motivated and on track during these high-energy weeks.

Let’s make every one of these 28 days count. I look forward to seeing all the incredible things our students will achieve this month!

Learning Intention of Multicultural Week (Our goal this week)

We are learning about other cultures so that we are aware of diversity in our community.

The Success Criteria (How we reach our goal):

1. I can explain how cultures are represented.

2. I can research & learn more about a culture with my class.

3. I can describe a cultural experience that I saw.

7th Grade Volleyball starts on Feb. 26th. All paperwork must be completed before student can participate in the sport.

Please contact our Athletic Director, Mark Miller, mark.miller@boiseschools.org with any questions regarding athletics.

The next meeting for the PTBC is Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:00 in the library. (This is also the night of our AVID Dance. So if you are wanting to see what a junior high dance looks like, this would be the perfect meeting to attend. While we encourage everyone to attend, we especially need our Freshman parents there to help plan and organize the Freshman Farewell that will be on May 7th.

Don't forget to order your yearbook. Prices increase after Feb. 20th. You may order your yearbook at the following site.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1076773/West-Junior-High-School/

Freshman Parents-you have an opportunity to put your kids baby picture in the yearbook. You can add a short up to 7 word quote with your kids baby photo if you want to. You will email the digital picture and the quote to 29Kate.Cavanaugh@boiseschools.net

The deadline for the photos is March 2nd , if you turn in the photos late sadly we only have so much space so first come first serve.

Feb. 2-6-Multicultural Celebration Week

Feb. 4-AVID College Day-Wear your college attire

Feb. 11-AVID College Day-Wear your college attire

Feb. 12-All 8th graders will attend the presentation at the Morrison Center from

Feb.12-AVID Dance from 6:00pm-8:00pm (See dance expectations below)

Feb. 12-PTBC Meeting in the library at 7:00pm

Feb. 16-No School-Enjoy the 3 day weekend

Feb. 18-AVID College Day-Wear your college attire

Feb. 19-PTBC Dine Around Night at Panda Express

Feb. 19-Choir Quad Concert at Borah-7:00pm

Feb.23-27-Hope Squad Week-More information to follow

Feb. 25-AVID College Day-Wear your college attire

Feb. 26-7th Grade Girls Volleyball begins

Through a generous donation, the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and the Morrison Center Foundation will again be having a human rights presentation for all 8th graders in the Boise School District.

The date of the presentation is February 12th 10-11am at the Morrison Center. West students will be leaving school around 9:15am and returning to school around 11:30am. Please make sure to add this to your calendar so you do not make appointments or try and pick up your child during these times.

This year's presentation will focus on Japanese internment camps. Within the Silence: Experience the impact of Japanese American incarceration during World War II. In 1941, Emiko is an ordinary American teenager whose life is upended when her family is imprisoned following the signing of Executive Order 9066. There are curricular resources for teachers around the program. Dani and Faith will be sending out information to teachers.

Get Ready to Dance!

Dances are a highlight of the year for our students, and we want to ensure everyone has a safe, fun, and memorable evening. To make sure the night goes smoothly, please review our dance expectations and details below.

The Details

7th Grade-80's

8th Grade-90's

9th Grade-2000's

• When: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Where: West Small Gym

• Admission: $5.00 (Cash Only)

• Who: Currently enrolled West students only. No "date" required—come with your friend

Fuel Your Fun

Our concession stand will be open and stocked with pizza, soda, and candy. Please remember that concessions are Cash Only, and no outside food or drink is permitted.

Important Entry Requirements

To get through the door, students must meet the following criteria:

1. School ID: A current West Junior High ID card is required for entry.

   • Need a replacement? See Mrs. Leasure in the main office before the day of the dance.

2. Attendance: Students must be in attendance for the entire school day to participate.

3. Behavior: Students with In-House Detention or Suspension on the day of the dance are not eligible to attend.

Safety & Expectations

We want a great environment for everyone, so we ask that students follow these guidelines:

• Dress Code: Outfits must be school-appropriate. For safety and identification reasons, face and body paint are not allowed.

• Bag Policy: No bags or purses allowed in the gym. Any bags brought to the event must be checked into the main office for the duration of the dance.

• Stay Inside: Once a student leaves the building or goes outside, they are not allowed back in and must head home.

• Conduct: Our staff and parent volunteers are there to help. Inappropriate behavior will result in a phone call home for immediate pickup.

Departure & Pickup

• Parent Pickup: Please be at the school by 8:00 PM sharp. Late pickups may result in the student being unable to attend the next dance.

• Walkers: Students walking home must leave campus immediately following the conclusion of the event.

If you would like to donate items for the dance, please click on the link below. Thank you in advance for supporting West Junior High.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F49A4A722A1FE3-61961232-dance

The West Music Department is excited to offer a shirt and sweatshirt fundraiser! Any music student at West is welcome to purchase one—these designs represent all of our music programs, including band, choir, orchestra, guitar, and piano.

Shirts are $30 and sweatshirts are $40. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to the choir fund to help purchase sheet music, licensing rights, and essential classroom materials that support student learning and performances.

Orders and payment are due by the end of the school day on February 13th. You may order a shirt or sweatshirt here: Choir Fundraiser Order link. Please turn in all money to the school bookkeeper.

Questions? Contact Lindsay Niezgoda at lindsay.niezgoda@boiseschools.org.

Student Counsel is currently hosting our Triple Threat Drive as our Service Learning Project. The last two weeks have focused on bringing canned food for the Idaho Food Bank. Beginning Monday, Feb. 2 the collection will focus on new or gently used books that will be donated to Book It Forward Idaho. These items will be collected from Feb. 2 until Feb. 13th. The third part of the Triple Threat Drive will be collecting school supplies that will be donated to Operation School Supplies. That will begin on Feb. 20th and go until Feb. 27th. Thank you for helping support our community.

Preventing Youth Vaping is another opportunity for parents and guardians to learn skills and tools to talk with youth about not only the dangers of vaping but strategies to start conversations and additional resources.

West has a 24 hour food and hygiene pantry that available for any members of our community at any time. It is completely stocked by donations from our families. We are very proud of this student-centered project. Items we are always in need of include:

Granola Bars

Cereal

Canned Goods (tuna, soup, fruit and vegetables, etc.)

Pasta

Single serve mac and cheese

Single serve apple sauce

Please no home-canned goods or expired items. Donations can be dropped off in the main office. Also, look for our "parking lot drop off" events happening throughout the year. Thanks again for making our community stronger by helping our neighbors.

Students love to use the flexible seating we have in our main hallway and would love to have more flexible/comfortable seating throughout the school.

If you would like to help contribute to our flexible seating, please scan the QR Code or click on the link to donate.

https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form?svcid=renxt&formId=54380edf-3073-43b8-b9e2-8e85c9face6a&envid=p-SdsX_pjE80CDMOl1UUUVDA&zone=usa

Thank you

The Boise School District complies with federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) as it relates to the release of student directory information to the public. To learn more, log on to www.boiseschools.org and navigate to Parents & Patrons > Parent Information > FERPA Form. Or, please call the Clerk of the Board at 208-854-4123 to obtain a copy of the FERPA form.

https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/PolicyListing.aspx?S=36030877

Janet Cherry - Principal

Jon Zwainz - Assistant Principal

Website: https://west.boiseschools.org/
Location: 8371 W. Salt Creek Ct., Boise, ID 83709
Phone: 208-854-6450