Cyclone Storm Sheets

We are proud to recognize this month's recipients of our Faculty of the Month award. Our students selected two outstanding teachers as our certified faculty representatives. First Sergeant Jonathan Lemasters is one of our JROTC instructors and Ms. Deidre Bjorson is our drama/theater instructor.

We are also honored to recognize Deputy Trujillo as one of our faculty of the month. Deputy Trujillo serves as our school resource officer but does so much more for our students than her expected duties.

Thank-you and congratulations to all of you.

At Pueblo West High School, we are thrilled to spotlight our dynamic construction program, a cornerstone of our curriculum that equips students with valuable skills and industry-recognized certifications. This program not only prepares students for successful careers in construction and provides them with hands-on experiences that set them apart in the job market. As part of this, students build various projects that are for sale to the public. Proceeds from the projects go directly back into the program, helping students also learn about business. Currently, the program has 8 X 10 sheds for sale, pictured to the side. For more information, please email todell@district70.org. One of the standout features of our construction program is the opportunity for students to earn certificates from the Home Builders Institute (HBI) and OSHA 10. The HBI certification provides students with essential knowledge in various areas, including carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and masonry. This certification not only boosts students' resumes, but also prepares them for apprenticeships and entry-level positions in the construction field. In addition, because safety is paramount in the construction industry, the OSHA 10 certification ensures that students understand workplace safety standards and practices. Completing this training helps students cultivate a safety-first mindset, which is crucial for their future careers and ensures compliance with industry regulations. These credentials are highly respected in the construction industry and significantly enhance students' employability.

New This Year: Geometry in Construction We’re excited to announce the addition of Geometry in Construction to our curriculum this year. This innovative course allows students to learn geometric concepts through the practical application of building various projects. By integrating math with hands-on construction, students can see firsthand how geometry plays a vital role in design and construction processes. In this course, students will engage in projects that require measurement, calculation, and spatial reasoning, all of which are essential skills in the construction industry. This real-world application not only reinforces their understanding of geometry, but also prepares them for challenges they may encounter in their future careers.

Work-Based Learning Opportunities In addition to earning industry certifications, our students benefit from exciting work-based learning opportunities through the District 70 Maintenance Department, funded through a grant from the Watts Foundation. Students who participate in this program have the chance to work alongside skilled maintenance professionals, gaining hands-on experience in various trades, including electrical, plumbing, and general maintenance. This not only reinforces their classroom learning, but also allows them to apply their skills in a practical setting, building confidence and competence. Thank you to the Watts Foundation for their contribution and support of our program and students. And, thank you to Alfonso Maes, Rick Romero, Matt Oreskovich, and George Nevole of the District 70 Maintenance Department for being a part of the program. Currently, Rion Frakes, Nicholas Hund, Caden Ingo, and Caleb Mayer are our four Watts Foundation Apprentices at PWHS.

It is a busy time of the year for our students in the performing arts and it is only getting busier. Our choir had their premier performance at our Renaissance Assembly on September 26th. They helped start the event with their performance of the National Anthem as our JROTC color guard presented the colors. Choir will have their first full concert on Tuesday, October 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the PWHS auditorium.

You can not only find our awesome marching band performing at all of home football games but also participating in competitions throughout the state. On Saturday, September 28th, they participated in the Legend Marching Band Festival in Parker, CO. This year they made 7th place in the prelims and moved on to a final place of 6th overall in the 4A division. The best part of the event was that they beat their own high record score. On October 16th, the Marching Cyclones will participate in the Colorado Bandmasters Association Southern Regionals at Fountain Fort Carson. Concert Band will hold their first concert on Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in the PWHS auditorium.

The drama program is getting into their swing as well. Drama club has been meeting after school. In addition, Ms. Bjorson will be holding auditions for the second semester theater production. Please be watching and listening for more information as those should happen around the end of October.

Information being offered will be helpful for 9th grade parents with helping your child's be successful in their transition to high school. We will be covering various supports for students and parents, programs and activities offered at PWHS. Please join us on Thursday: October 24th PWHS Auditorium Coffee provided!

Here is a great place to start looking for scholarship opportunities. You can find scholarship funds under any field or trade. It is updated on a regular basis.

Pueblo West High School is excited to celebrate Chase Browne, Aubree Gecewicz, David Krenz, Chloe Milligan, Jonas Pickerill, William Zeck, and Zachary Zenner for being one of more than 90,000 students from across the country who earned academic honors from College Board’s National Recognition Program! They were named AP Scholars, which recognizes exemplary college-level achievement, for scoring 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. Sophie Shure earned the title of AP Scholar with Honor which recognizes exemplary college-level achievement, for scoring an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and a score of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. The National Recognition Programs honor the strong academic achievements of underrepresented students and are a great way for students to showcase their hard work in high school.

In addition, Pueblo West High School would also like to celebrate two students who have earned recognition for their performance on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. There’s so much that makes students like Giang Duong and Elias Niemet unique and future assets to colleges and postsecondary programs. Through the National Recognition Programs, students can verify their eligibility every year on BigFuture ® : GPA of B+ (equal to at least 3.3 or 87%-89%) or higher; top10% of PSAT/NMSQT ® or PSAT™ 10 assessment takers in each state for each program or have earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP ® Exams by the end of 10th grade; attend school in a rural area or small town, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, or a first-generation college student. Students can submit during their sophomore or junior year and are awarded at the beginning of the next school year. Congratulations to all of these Cyclones!

Great news! Sophomore Payton Odell published a piece of work in the Denver Westerners Roundup! Her research paper was titled Steel City Strong: The Creation of the Pueblo Steel Mill and its Effects on Pueblo This published work came from a History Day research project Payton completed freshman year. Congrats to Payton!

The Speech and Debate team is off to a roaring start. We have 53 registered team members and are looking forward to our first varsity congress at the Air Force Academy High School. This event is the Halloween Congress! It's looking like a great year for the team!

Mock Trial will begin our season October 15th and we are excited for our case to come out on Halloween at Midnight. Each year the Colorado Bar Association meets to write a case for teams around the state to use in regional and state competitions. All are welcome to join our team! Find out more after school October 15th in Mrs. Sloan's classroom!

Check our online activity calendar to find information on upcoming games, concerts, conditioning and more. You can access the calendar through our school website or here.

May 2025 IBDP Exams

• Complete the IB Exam Notification form by Sept. 30, 2024
• Fees: $123 per subject, due to Mrs. Wilson on or before Nov. 1, 2024
• IB Exam Schedule - View the May 2025 IB Exam Schedule. Let Mrs. Wilson know of any
• conflicts that may interfere with sitting for the exam. Exams consist of multiple papers taken on multiple days.

TOK (Theory of Knowledge)

Each week, there is a school-wide TOK question teachers and students are asked to consider:

• Questions of the Week for October
• Why is the possibility of doubt needed for knowledge?
• Is there any knowledge that a person or a society has a responsibility to
• acquire, or not to acquire?
• Are some types of knowledge less open to interpretation than others?
• How do we know if results are accurate?

• October ATL and LP
• ATL - Research
• Information literacy skills
• Inquiry Focus: How can students demonstrate information literacy?
• Description: Finding, interpreting, judging, and creating information
• Media literacy skills
• Inquiry Focus: How can students demonstrate media literacy?
• Description: Interacting with media to use and create ideas and information
• LP - Thinker - We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.

• IB Theater SL/HL
• The IB Diploma Programme theatre course is a multifaceted theatre-making course of study. It gives students the opportunity to make theatre as creators, designers, directors and performers.
• The theatre course encourages students to appreciate that through the processes of researching, creating, preparing, presenting and critically reflecting on theatre— as participants and audience members—they gain a richer understanding of themselves, their community and the world.
• Words from the instructor: “This course allows candidates a chance for self expression and to step out of their comfort zone, whether that be performing on stage for an audience for the first time or pushing their creativity in design. IB Theatre allows students to be themselves while building skills that will follow them no matter the path they choose in life.”

Have questions about IB?