Daily Announcements for 2/15

Black Day

Bus Transfer Students

Next Wednesday (Feb. 20), Valley High School will be running an alternative schedule. This will mean that Valley Southwoods transfer students will be staying at Southwoods for that day (students should report to forum study hall).

Valley Southwoods Drama

. . . is to present its FIRST EVER MUSICAL!!! Are you interested in being a part of a musical experience? Do you sing, dance, act, or do all three? Do you enjoy working behind the scenes on technical aspects, painting, building, or assisting with managing a production? Well, you NEED to be a part of our production!! See today’s announcements for additional cast and crew information.

· All cast and crew members are expected to register for the ZOMBIE PROM experience. The link to that form can be found here: ZOMBIE PROM REGISTRATION LINK. ALL STUDENTS must register if you want to be a part of this production. At the bottom of this form, there will be a link to sign up for an audition time for those wanting to perform.

· Packets of information and required materials will be available on February 15 in Mr. Penning’s room. All performers and crew members, please stop by and get this information.

· AUDITIONS will be held Monday, February 25 and Tuesday, February 26 from 3:30-5:30. Please sign up for a 5-minute audition time slot. Crew, please fill out your section below and we will be in contact.

· CALLBACKS will be held Wednesday, February 27 from 3:45 to 5:15 in Pod 1. A callback list will be posted outside of Mr. Penning’s classroom and on the website that morning.

· First read-thru and listen-thru meeting will be held Friday, March 1, 3:30-5:30.

· More information can be found at the following link: SOUTHWOODS DRAMA.

Sports News

Any girls interested in golfing this spring who have NOT ordered a polo, please contact Coach Moore (email click here) ASAP. Please note in your planner that there will be an information meeting at Valley High School (rm 1502) on March 7th at 3:45.

For the week’s complete schedule (click here)

“No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care!” Empathy-Pass It On!!

Notes to Parents & Guardians

No School Reminder: There is no school for students Monday (Feb. 18) as it is a Professional Development day. School resumes at regular times on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 (OO day). If you would like to view the District calendar for similar days in the future (click here).

Valley Gear & Boys’ Tennis Gear: Great stuff for both Tiger (general VHS options) and tennis fans (click here). Your support is appreciated! Order Closes on Feb 28th; gear will be here after Spring Break.

Parents and guardians, please take a moment to review your child’s grades and assignments in Infinite Campus. The information you gather here can help to facilitate conversations at home. It is a great opportunity to celebrate successes and encourage improvement.

If you do not have an Infinite Campus account (click here).

Experience the Eleventh Annual International Night Hosted by Valley’s World Cultures Club: Valley World Cultures Club is putting on the Eleventh Annual International Night from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School.

Each year Valley World Cultures Club holds International Night to showcase our community’s cultural diversity while raising money for charity. This year, the club has selected the theme of “Breaking Down Borders.” All proceeds from the event will go towards the American Refugee Committee, which provides opportunities and resources to refugees and displaced individuals around the world.

The event is open to the public and will include ethnic food, cultural activities, performances, and a fashion show. Performers include several musicians, singers, and dance groups from around the community. Admission is $5 for one person and $8 for two people.

District Wide Personal Care Drive (Feb. 11-15): It takes a lot of resources to give children and youth what they need to grow and learn. To help children in our community maintain good personal hygiene, schools in the WDMCS will be accepting personal care donations February 11-15. Most needed items are shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lip balm, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. Donations can be dropped off at school and placed in the donation box outside the main office. All donations will be given to families in our school community, Clive Community Services, and West Des Moines Human Services. For more information, contact Rosemary Brandt (email click here)

Free Sports Physicals are available every Monday evening 5:30-7:30 at Clive Community Services Free Clinic (2190 NW 82nd Street, Suite A). Athletes should bring their sports paperwork with them. Regular health clinic services are also available. Click here or call 257-8550 for more information.

Do you have a student that would benefit from this: Join us for “Bro Out,” a FREE 3-on-3 basketball competition for 9th-12th grade guys. Plus, enjoy FREE pizza and video games. Teams may have a minimum of three players and a maximum of five. $75 gift card prize for winning team. Register when you get to the Valley Community Center that night (Saturday, March 9; 7-10:00 pm); all team members must be present and registered by 7:15 PM. The tournament will begin at 7:30 PM. This is a guys’-only event. The Valley Community Center is just down the street from Valley Southwoods.

Parent Quest Classes

Is Your Student Future Ready?

What does it mean to be postsecondary, career, and life ready for WDMCS students? Join Lisa Remy, Ed.D., superintendent of WDMCS, as she explores this topic with panelists from the City of West Des Moines, Iowa Workforce Development, Des Moines Area Community College, and local business partners. Discussion will include information about current career trends in Iowa and what it means to be "Future Ready" in our state. In addition, participants will learn the importance of workplace learning in school so students and families can make informed decisions.

Tuesday, 2/26, 6-8 p.m., $0. Learning Resource Center – Community Room.

Register now (click here)!

Raising Culturally Competent Kids

Would you like your child to be a kind and empathetic member of society? Parents are kids’ first role model in learning to appreciate diversity. In this class, we’ll go over simple steps to teach your child how to broaden their perspective. Class led by Carrie Jacobs, WDMCS online learning coordinator.

Monday, 2/18, 6:30-8 p.m., $0. Learning Resource Center – Fairmeadows Room.

Register today (click here)!

Introducing Growth Mindset

Learn to have an open mind to your child’s growth! With practice, you can adjust how you think about mindset and achievement. Encourage your child to choose challenges that will grow their brains, making them smarter and stronger. Class led by Jeremy Mikesell, WDMCS teacher and coach.

Thursday, 2/21, 6:30-8 p.m., $0. Learning Resource Center – Fairmeadows Room.

Register today (click here)!

Parenting with the 3 Principles

In the face of increasingly busy schedules, peer pressure, and social media, parenting can feel like an uphill battle In this class, parents are invited to participate in an honest discussion about these difficulties. Using the framework of the 3 Principles (Mind, Consciousness, Thought), as well as their own personal experiences with both family and students, Mitch and Ben teach the power of choosing our own thoughts and how these choices can impact positive parent-child interactions. Class taught by Valley Southwoods Principal Mitch Kuhnert and WDMCS teacher Ben Stein.

· Register today (click here).

· Saturday, 2/23, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., $0. Learning Resource Center (3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines)-Community Room.

· ParentQuest is a free program of WDMCS Community Education. To learn more, visit our website (click here).