Sheyenne Ninth Grade Center - West Fargo Public Schools

Sheyenne Ninth Grade Center
School News to Parents
Sheyenne Ninth Grade Center Mission Statement:
To teach lifelong learning skills that develop responsible citizens, respectful of self and society in an ever changing world.
Vol. XXII, No. 1 Oct. 2012
Sheyenne Ninth Grade
800 40 th Ave E
West Fargo, ND 58078
356-2160
Dr. Greg Grooters, Principal (A-K)
Dr. Pam Cronin, Assistant Principal
(L-Z)
Jessica Raile, Counselor (A-K)
Erin Spies, Counselor (L-Z)
356-2160 Office and Attendance
356-2169 Office Fax
Dear Parents,
We have had a great start to the 2012-
2013 school year at Sheyenne. It’s
great to get to know a new group of
students.
We would like to remind parents of
some upcoming calendar events.
There will be no school on Monday,
November 12, as this is when
Veterans Day will be observed.
Thanksgiving break is November 21-
23.
Our second parent-teacher conferences
have been scheduled for Thursday,
December 6 from 4:00-7:45 PM.
Once again, our staff will be
contacting you to schedule a time for
your student-led conferences.
Final Test Schedule
Please be aware that final tests will be
scheduled for January 10 & 11,
March 18 & 19, and May 22 & 23.
Please be aware of these dates as you
schedule family plans.
SCHOOL HOURS AND
ATTENDANCE CALLS
Our Block 1 classes begin at 8:22. It is
very important that students arrive
early to avoid being tardy to class.
Every other time a student is tardy to
their first class, he/she will be
assigned lunch detention (this includes
car problems). If a student is absent,
we need a parent or guardian to call
the office (356-2160) before 9:00
AM. If we have not received a call by
that time, our Attendance
Administrative Assistant will attempt
to call a parent at home or work.
Library / Media Center
The Library /Media Center at
Sheyenne will be open from 7:40-4:25
each day. Students may come in
before or after school to complete
homework, work on computers, or
find some good books to read.
BUS
Only students assigned to a bus will be
allowed to ride. Bus riders are not
allowed to bring friends on the bus.
All riders will be required to get off at
their own stop unless they have a note
from their parent.
YEARBOOK
Sheyenne students are included in the
WFHS yearbook. The 2012 yearbook
is still available to order online at
www.myyear.com and by selecting
West Fargo High School. The price of
the yearbook is $60.00.
Sheyenne
Parent
Group
The Sheyenne Parent - Teacher
Advisory Committee continues to
meet on the first Monday of every
month. The focus of this group will
be to address all items related to
growing Sheyenne into a 9-12
building. Our next meeting is
Monday, Nov 5. The Sheyenne
Booster Club will meet at 6:00 and the
PTAC will meet at 7:00. For agendas
and meeting notes check the Sheyenne
website under PTA.
Text-A-Tip
A new program has been launched in
the school regarding getting
information to your school SRO
(School Resource Officer). The
program is Text-A-Tip. This is an
opportunity for students to share
information about a bullying, theft,
vandalism, or weapons in your school.
If one has information like this they
can text it to SRO Pearson at 701-541-
7815. There are posters with this
information posted around the school.
Electronics
With changes in school policy on
electronics there are more electronics
present than ever. If these items are
stolen or lost, having the serial number
and information is important for
administrators and SRO Pearson. On
the school district website under
students there is a title MY STUFF.
This is an area where a student or
parent can register the information on
your electronics. It’s easy and quick
to do and provides important
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information to those helping in the
situation.
WFHS THEATER
2012-2013 SEASON
Fall Musical - MARATHON 33 (33)
This musical will be presented to the
public November 9 & 10 at 7pm and
Nov. 11 at 2:30pm, in the High
School Theater.
The online Box Office
(www.WestFargoTheatre.com) will
open Monday, October 29 with tickets
available by phone (701-356-2050)
beginning Wednesday, November 1,
2012.
STORYBOOK BREAKFAST
Join us on Saturday, December 1,
from 9am-12pm for breakfast, games,
crafts and more with your child’s
favorite storybook characters.
Scheduled to appear are: Belle,
Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and her
seven little friends, the Big Bad Wolf,
the Three Little Pigs and other famous
literary heavy-hitters guaranteed to
please. There will even be a special
appearances and photo opportunities
throughout the day with Santa Claus
himself.
Admission to Storybook Breakfast is
$5 per person with tickets available at
the door the day of the event.
Professional photographs with Santa
will also be available for $3 per print.
All proceeds from this fundraising
event will benefit WFHS Theatre’s
continued efforts to update sound and
lighting technology.
Winter Musical
CRAZY FOR YOU
Cast auditions for the Gershwin hit
musical comedy, CRAZY FOR YOU,
are tentatively scheduled for the week
of November 26. Pit orchestra
auditions will occur in mid-November
at a time TBA. Applications to be a
part of the technical crews will be
available starting November 26 as
well. Students of all backgrounds and
abilities are encouraged to take part in
the many opportunities afforded
through the annual winter musical.
Performances are February 15, 16, 22
& 23 @ 7:30pm and February 17 & 24
@ 2:30pm. Watch for information
about ticket reservation details
including advanced ticketing
privileges through our annual “WFHS
Theatre Supporter” button campaign.
For additional information about
WFHS Theatre or to utilize our online
Box Office, please visit
www.WestFargoTheatre.com or
contact WFHS Theatre director and
advisor, Adam Pankow, at 701-499-
1834 or apankow@westfargo.k12.nd.us
with any questions.
Backpack Program
Sheyenne Ninth Grade Center, in
partnership with the Great Plains Food
Bank, is involved with the Backpack
Program. This program provides a
backpack full of kid-friendly, shelf
stable food for children over the
weekend.
If you would like your child to
participate in the Backpack Program,
or you would like to give a donation to
the program, please contact Ms. Raile
at Sheyenne.
Sheyenne Student
Council Roster 2012-
2013
Congratulations to the following
students who were selected to
participate in the Sheyenne Student
Council and Fuel Up to Play 60
committee.
Ally Carson
Abigail Harford
Kaitlyn Kuntz
Melissa LaPort
Olivia Larson
Derrick Morris
Tammie Pearson
Samantha Sanford
Dustin Stedman
Logan Volk
Keely Walker
Alyssa Zeien
Makayla Ryan
Alex O’Connell
2012-2013 TSA
This year’s Technology Student
Association group (TSA) has already
begun with a great start! Many more
people have joined TSA, and there is
nothing more fun than participating in
the variety of activities we hold. TSA
members take part in things dealing
with multi-media such as, moviemaking,
creating songs, graphic
designing and crafting mechanics, and
much more. The TSA officers for this
year are:
President – Logan Volk
Vice President – Rose McNamee
Secretary – Karli Schulz
Treasurer – Allison Inman
Reporter – Samantha Sanford
Sergeant at Arms – Makayla Ryan
Feel free to contact any of the officers
named above, or the TSA supervisor,
Mr. Cwikla.
Counseling Center
The mission of the Sheyenne Ninth
Grade Center Counseling Department
is to provide a comprehensive
developmental counseling program
addressing the academic, career,
personal, and social development of
all students. School counselors
provide a support system to ensure all
students have access to the tools
enabling them to become responsible
citizens. Confidentiality will be
maintained within all legal
limits. The Sheyenne Counselors are:
Jessi Raile, student last names A-K;
and Erin Spies, student last names L-Z
and AVID.
Winter Sports
Winter Sports Starting Practice
Dates
Athletes and parents are reminded that
in order to practice and participate in a
winter sport, we must have on file the
clearance form from this year’s
physical.
The Parents meeting for all winter
sports is set for October 30, at 7pm
at WFHS. If you attended the fall
parents meeting on August 1, you do
NOT need to attend this meeting. If,
however, your student’s coach is
holding a separate meeting that
evening, pertinent to your sport, you
will want to attend that portion of the
evening.
Boys Hockey
First day of practice November 5
Coach Troy Miller, 281-8553
Coach Tim Capouch, 282-5158
Wrestling
First day of practice November 5
Coach Kayle Dangerud, 371-6086
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Girls Hockey
First day of practice November 5
Coach Pat Johnson, 499-1863
Boys Basketball
First day of practice November 26
Coach Greg Limke, 499-1811
Girls Basketball
First day of practice November 26
Coach Barb Metcalf, 499-1849
Boys Swimming
First day of practice November 26
Coach Marsha Dahl, 499-1563
WF Girls Basketball
The West Fargo Girls’ program offers
two youth programs for girls grades K
– 6. The West Fargo Youth Girls’
Basketball League (WFYGBB) is for
girls’ grades 3 – 6 and starts October
17 at Cheney Middle School Gym.
WFYGBB is designed to promote
individual player development in
practices and instruct and encourage
positive play at Saturday morning
Packer league games. West Fargo
girls’ coaching staff, high school
players, and former Packer standouts
will be on hand to provide instruction
to league players and future West
Fargo travel team/parent coaches. The
final WFYGBB league games will be
held December 3 at 9 am in the West
Fargo High School Gym. All
WFYGBB league players are invited
to attend the WFGBB Varsity team
scrimmage that same day.
The Packer Pals program is geared
towards girls grades K–2 and held in
January. Packer Pals players will be
taught in the following “fundamental”
areas: defense, shooting, dribbling,
passing, rebounding, and screening.
The Packer Pals program tentative
dates include: Dec. 29, Jan. 5, 12, 17.
All girls’ basketball camp registration
forms are found at:
www.westfargo.k12.nd.us/schools/wfhigh/activit
ies/basketball/girls
Please email Coach Metcalf your
questions:
metcalf@westfargo.k12.nd.us
or call 701-499-1849
Thanks for supporting WFGBB. See
you in the gym!
Packer Boys Basketball
West Fargo Fall Basketball League
Grades 2-6 will start Oct. 23
Location: Cheney Middle School
Gym
Grades 2-3 from 7:15-8:05 pm
Grades 4-5-6 from 8:05-8:55 pm
Registration forms available at:
www.westfargo.k12.nd.us/schools/wfhigh/activit
ies/basketball/boys
Packer Pals Basketball
Grades K-2
Dates: Dec.1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Location: Cheney Middle School
Gym
Grades and Times
K 9:00-9:45 AM
1-2 9:50-10:35 AM
Registration will be sent to schools or
you can find it at: www.westfargo.k12.nd.us/schools/wfhigh/activit
ies/basketball/boys
If you have any questions contact
limke@westfargo.k12.nd.us
Open Gyms are taking place this fall.
Check with Coach Limke for times
and locations.
Music Concert Dates
Thursday, November 29, 2012
EDC Band Solo Festival
All Day in Valley City
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
9-12 Holiday Choir Concert
Sheyenne Commons 7:30 pm
Monday, December 10, 2012
9-12 Orchestra Concert
WFHS Theater 7:30 pm
Monday, December 17, 2012
9-12 Band Concert
WFHS Theater 7:30 pm
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
All-City Band
Fargo Civic Auditorium 7:00 pm
Activities Website:
All freshmen and varsity activities will
be listed on the calendar on the
Sheyenne home page. Click on the
green calendar just below our mission
and vision statements. This site will
be updated with the most current
information. THIS CALENDAR
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED YOUR
MOST ACCURATE SOURCE OF
INFORMATION REGARDING
PACKER/MUSTANG ACTIVITIES!
Fans and parents can sign up for
automatic email notification or text
notification when a change is made to
activity schedules that you are
interested in. On our website, you will
find the link to this site along with a
quick reference guide. If you have any
questions or concerns, please contact
Tonya at 701-499-1806 or
vetter@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
FCCLA
The Sheyenne Family, Career, and
Community Leaders of America
(FCCLA) are hosting a Vendor
Blender at the Ninth Grade Center on
Thurs., Nov. 15 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.
Get a head start on your holiday
shopping while supporting our
members. There will be several
companies represented such as
Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple,
Scentsy, Watkins, Norwex,
Tupperware, Jamberry, Clever
Container, Miche Bags, and many
more.
This FCCLA group has set a goal of
$1,500 for our Children’s Miracle
Network fundraiser! Over the next
five years, ND chapters have pledged
to raise $100,000 to sponsor a room in
the pediatric unit of the new hospital.
Members have been selling RIPS
Frosty Fruit pouches and have had a
bake sale to raise money. They are
planning to have a booth of
homemade items to sell at our Vendor
Blender to help them reach this goal.
If your son/daughter is interested in
joining FCCLA, have them stop by
room 2200 for more information.
Transition Plan for
WFHS and WFSHS
Listed below are the steps to find the
transition information on the web:
• http://www.westfargo.k12.nd.us/parents/
>> see the
link for “Transition Plan for WFHS
and WFSHS”
• http://www.westfargo.k12.nd.us/district/registration/
>> see the link (same as above) under
the Parent Registration Forms section.
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District Office – 207 West Main Ave. – West Fargo ND 58078
October 11, 2012
Parents of West Fargo Public School students,
Kay Kiefer .............................................................Board President
Patti Stedman ............................................. Board Vice President
Angela Korsmo ..................................................... Board Director
Judy Kvaale ............................................................ Board Director
Karen Nitzkorski ................................................... Board Director
Dave Olson ............................................................ Board Director
Jeff Shirley ............................................................. Board Director
Dr. David Flowers ................................................ Superintendent
Louise Dardis....................................... Assistant Superintendent
Beth Slette ........ Director of Assessments & Federal Programs
Marian Bell ....................................... Special Education Director
Pete Diemert ................................ Building & Grounds Director
Robin Hill .......................................... Human Resources Director
Robert Kaspari ............................................ Technology Director
Mark Lemer ...................................................... Business Manager
Brad Redmond ...................................... Transportation Director
Jan Sliper ................................................... Food Service Director
As our region prepares for its first true taste of winter weather this season, it is important to
review our district’s inclement weather procedures. We hope that the contents of this letter,
formatted as a Q&A, prove useful to you as you prepare your children for the upcoming winter
weather.
What Factors Are Considered When Making The Decision To Close Schools?
The decision to have or not have school due to inclement weather will be based on the safety
of the students attending the district’s schools. The decision whether or not to close school will
be based on the best information available. Parents may choose to pick up their child at school
or not to send them to school anytime they feel that the weather is a threat to their child’s safety.
In deciding whether children will be safe, we look at the following factors:
Visibility and current/expected wind conditions
Road conditions (current, anticipated, and the status of city and county road crews)
The time precipitation starts and the current/expected amount
Expected duration of the storm
Alert level from National Weather Service
Temperature and wind-chill
Who Is Watching The Weather?
The superintendent and many other school administrators carefully watch weather conditions.
Where Do They Get Their Information?
The superintendent makes every effort to remain completely informed, using contact with the
National Weather Service, personal observation, telephone contact with individuals living in the
rural areas of the district, law enforcement agencies, and city/county/state road maintenance
personnel. Road conditions and visibility on bus routes are tested beginning as early as 4:00
am.
Who Makes The Decision To Close Schools?
The superintendent of schools makes the decision based on the above factors and input from
others.
Phone: (701) 356-2000 Website: www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us Fax: (701) 356-2009

When Is The Decision Made To Close Schools?
On rare occasions, the decision will be made the night before by 9:30 pm, which allows
sufficient time to notify the local media before the 10:00 pm news. Most often, the decision is
made no later than 6:30 am. A delay or cancellation after 6:30 am is possible, but because
buses must be enroute by 7:00 am, later decision-making is undesirable.
What If A Storm Develops During The Day?
This is usually the most difficult decision for the superintendent to make. Consideration must
be given to the desirability of sending students, particularly very young students, home to an
empty house. While we have dismissed school early and sent buses out early in the past and
will likely do so sometime in the future, please understand that we are also concerned about the
safety of your children if you are not home or find it impossible to get home.
Students living within reasonable walking distance will be dismissed to walk home only at the
discretion of the principal. Questionable cases will be handled with a telephone call between
parent(s) and the building principal.
At times, students in kindergarten through grade eight may be kept at school until their
parents or other designated adults come to pick them up. In cases of very severe weather, high
school students could also be required to stay until individual arrangements have been made
with parents. It is appropriate for you or another authorized adult to pick up your children at
school when weather conditions have gotten progressively worse during the day. Please be
assured that your children will be safe and well cared for in the event that it is not safe for you to
come to pick them up.
How Is The Public Notified?
All storm announcements relating to West Fargo Public Schools will be: reported to local radio
and television stations; communicated to parents and guardians by the Connect-ED messaging
system; and be posted to the school district’s website (www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us). Please
check more than one source, as on occasion we are unable to make contact with all media
sources due to their capacity to handle all incoming calls or we may not have an accurate
telephone number for a family in the Connect-ED system.
Sincerely,
David Flowers
Superintendent
Phone: (701) 356-2000 Website: www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us Fax: (701) 356-2009