InformalineDec. 4, 2017

Learning Resource Center | 3550 Mills Civic Parkway | West Des Moines, IA 50265515-633-5000 | www.wdmcs.org

Important DatesDec. 16: Jammin’ for Joe Turner Benefit, 6 p.m.Dec. 21-Jan. 1: No School—Winter BreakDec. 25-26 & Jan. 1: District Offices Closed

Join WDMCS at “Jammin’ for Joe Turner” BenefitThe Stilwell Junior High Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is hosting a benefit for WDMCS colleague Joe Turner at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16, in Valley High School’s Staplin Performing Arts Center.

The event is free, and the PAC will be accepting free-will donations. Proceeds will support Turner and his family as he undergoes aggressive treatment for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

The silent auction will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a concert at 7 p.m. The concert will feature several performers including Faculty Lounge, the Stilwell Faculty Band, the Valley High School Jazz Orchestra, and the Des Moines Big Band.

Please join us in supporting the Turner family on Dec. 16!

WDMCS Students Give Thanks for Local Police Partnering with a generous community family, the West Des Moines Community Schools helped give thanks for the officers who keep our community safe just in time for Thanksgiving. Elementary students wrote and decorated thank you notes for local police officers in early November. The notes were delivered by the community members at a breakfast for police during the week of Thanksgiving.

Get Ready for Winter with WDMCSDespite recent warm temperatures, winter break is almost here! This year, there will be no school Dec. 21–Jan. 1. All district offices are closed Dec. 25, Dec. 26, and Jan. 1. Classes will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

As we head into December, families should be prepared for potential winter weather. To review our weather closings procedure, please visit our “Weather Closings” webpage at bit.ly/wdmcs-weather-closings.

If school is canceled, delayed, or dismissed early because of weather conditions, announcements will be provided:• through the district weather hotline at 515-633-5555• on the district website (www.wdmcs.org)• on the district’s Facebook page and Twitter account• through local TV and radio stations• through the Infinite Campus notification system

Families can choose to be notified by phone, text message, and email. Please make sure your preferred contact information and methods are entered into Infinite Campus. Directions can be found at bit.ly/wdmcs-campus-info. Changes may take up to 48 hours to appear.

Art by Stilwell Junior High eighth-grader Taylor Coe.

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Four Valley High School Students Earn Top ACT ScoresValley High School senior Varun Myneni earned a top composite score of 36 on the ACT test, according to ACT, Inc. This is the highest score possible on the college readiness exam. The national number of students earning a composite score of 36 varies from year to year, but only about one-tenth of 1 percent of students receive a top score.

In addition, Valley junior Ryan Staub earned a perfect score of 36 on the English portion of the test, and seniors Zoe-Ella Anderson and Rebecca Stockham earned scores of 36 on the reading section.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a composite score is the average of the four test scores.

Congratulations to these accomplished students!

Board Policies Now on eBoardsWDMCS Board policies were recently transferred to eBoards, an online system the district has used for Board meetings for several years.

Policies can be accessed at www.wdmcs.org/district/school-board/policies or at bit.ly/wdmcs-policies-eboards. You do not need an eBoards login to access the policies.

Please contact Board Secretary Peggy Epstein at 515-633-5025 or epsteinp@wdmcs.org with any questions.

Community ActivitiesSubmit a Project Idea for AFS Intercultural Programs USA Scholarship, grades 8-12, due Dec. 17Polk County Conservation Winter Activities—Hike and Bird Feeder Workshop, all ages, 515-323-5359

New District and Community Activities!The district, along with its non-profit community members, is happy to bring you new district and community activity information! Informational flyers are posted on our website at www.wdmcs.org/district/virtualbackpack.

Visit the Instructional Materials Center at Its New Location! The Carol Taggart Instructional Materials Center (IMC) is a resource center available to West Des Moines Community Schools volunteers, educators, and staff, as well as educators of other school districts, nonprofits, churches, and daycares.

This summer, the IMC relocated to the WDMCS Operations Building, 2102 Delavan Drive, West Des Moines. Visit the new location to use die cuts, bookbinders, laminators, magnet sheets, and much more. All work must be education-based or for the benefit of the organization, not personal. Only WDMCS employees can use the IMC for personal work.

The IMC hours are: • Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays: 8:30-11 a.m.• Wednesdays: 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-6 p.m.• One Saturday each month: 8 a.m. to noon• Closed Fridays

Get the full hours, a price list, and more at bit.ly/wdmcs-imc.

Questions? Contact Marcia Sims at 515-633-5062.

Survey: West Des Moines Housing Needs AssessmentThe City of West Des Moines is currently developing a Housing Needs Assessment todetermine if the city offers the right mix of housing for residents and individuals who may be planning to move to the community. Information gathered from this survey will guide the housing investment policy and actions over the next several years. You are invited to take a few moments and answer an online survey so the city will have strong representation from all areas of West Des Moines. Your comments will remain anonymous, and all survey responses will be compiled by an outside vendor. The City of West Des Moines thanks you for taking the time to help ensure there are appropriate housing options available for residents in the years ahead.

Take the survey at https://www.research.net/r/WDM_HNS. _

The West Des Moines Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment

practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator Carol Seid, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50265; Phone: 515-633-5037; Email: seidc@wdmcs.org.