Friday, December 7, 2012

Sportsmanship

Parents,

We, like many schools, continue to work on our sportsmanship at home events.  At a recent home game, actions and words from some people in our crowd were not appropriate and did not represent West Hancock in a positive way.  We really want all of our students and our community members to do their best to be positive and supportive at all of our events. 

Cheers that are mean spirited, harassing or directed at team members or fans of the opposition are not appropriate.  Harassment of the game officials is also not appropriate. We want our fans to focus on all of the positive things our teams are doing.  We have a lot to be proud of here at West Hancock and we do not want the actions of a few, to overshadow all of the great things that we have going for us!

 Athletic contests are fun, intense and competitive.  This is true for the participants and the spectators.  If we all act appropriately and respectfully we will have a great season.  Lets do our best to show everyone all of the great things about our school, teams, fans and community here at West Hancock!

Advisory Delivery December 7th


Mr. Peterson and Mr. Clark's advisory groups delivered paper products to the Britt Food bank. We continue this project each month.

It has been a nice activity for our advisory program.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Good Luck to Ed Dewall!

After sixteen years of keeping our school clean and running efficiently Ed Dewall is retiring.  Ed has done a great job as our night custodian and has been a valued employee.  Thank you to Ed for all of his years of service.  If you see Ed around town thank him and wish him well.  I know he is looking forward to retirement. 

Please welcome Jim Puffer as Ed's replacement.  Jim has gotten started and Ed has been able to show Jim the ropes.  If you see Jim around school welcome him and make him feel at home.

Over the years I have heard many comments about how clean our school is and how shiny our floors are.  Our custodians do a great job!  Thank you to all of them for their hard work!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Algebra II Project

Mrs. DeHarts Algebra II class participated in a very good project the last few days.  They had to use the math skills they were learning to create a presentation and market their idea to a panel of adults.  The students did a great job!  They dressed professionally, created great presentations and did a great job selling their product! Thank you to Mr. Kronemann, Mrs. Kudej and Mr. Doug Weiland who all helped out as committee members for the presentation!

These were the two groups from Wednesday.  There were six presentations over the course of three days.


Natasha, Nicole, Sam, Robert, Allan

Paige, Chloe, Melissa, Jacob 

This was a great example of real world relevance being used in the classroom!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Congratulations All State Football Players!

Congratulations to Chris Schleuger, Pat Smith, and Seth Goepel who were selected first team All State in football.

Coach Sanger, Pat Smith, Chris Schleuger, Seth Goepel

District FCCLA Day

Some of our FCCLA students accompanied Mrs. Trulson to the district  meeting at GHV high school last week in Garner.  Rachel Francis was district Vice President from the previous year and helped plan the event. Alyssa Wood was elected Secretary/Treasurer.  The students did a variety of activities and listened to Britt High School alum Bob Steenlage speak about character and leadership.

Another speaker spoke about Hayden's law and how that was passed through legislature this year.

It was a very good day and the girls had a lot of fun.





Maribel, Rachel, Cassie, Alyssa, Sam
Lizzy, Emma


 
Rachel and Alyssa
Mr. Steenlage


Rachel and last year's president
Minute to win it!




Induction ceremony
Maribel and Sam


 


School Spirit Bib Overalls

We ordered some new school spirit bib overalls that fans can wear for games or other times they want to show off their school spirit.  If you are interested in a pair please contact Mr. Peterson.

Go Eagles!

These students modeled the new bibs at school one day.


Kamille, Brice, Melissa, Connor, Ashley, and Miriam

 

6 Non College Reasons Why High School is Important

Parents, 

This is an interesting link.  Not every student will be going to college, and we do not expect all of them to.  Here are some very good reasons why high school is very important.

http://t.co/KW63Xwz4

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Tecmo Bowl - Super Mario and Bases Loaded II!

These three video games took up much of my brothers and I time back in the early 90's.  We would fire up the Nintendo when we got in from doing farm chores at night and had some great battles.  Video games can be a part of growing up and can be a lot of fun.  However, when video games begin effecting other parts of student's lives we need to be careful. 

As many of you are aware, the new Call of Duty game came out recently.  Many of our students are big fans of this game.  Last year when the new Call of Duty game came out,we had some students miss school because they were too tired from playing the game all night.  This is not a good choice and it is not an excused absence. We had other students who were doing very poorly in school but openly told me about the 10 hours they had spent the night before playing COD. I would hate to see a new video game coming out hurt a student's academic progress.  As long as students are keeping up in their school work and duties at home or work, video games can be a good form of entertainment.

For some students who are struggling, video games can be a good privilege that could be taken away if things are not going well at school.  If a student is failing a class or two should they be spending hours each night playing video games? That is a discussion for you and your student. 

I really hope our students can develop good habits and make good choices about the use of their time.  I like to tell students that we all get 24 hours each day.  How we choose to spend those hours is up to us.  If a student is falling behind in their school work, maybe they need to re allocate some of their time.

Hex 2 Grade Reports

Parents,

Hex 2 grades were handed out at lunch on Wednesday.  If your student did not get a report have them stop in the office.  As a reminder these are just a snap shot of the progress that has been made since August.  They are 2/3 the way through their first semester courses.  Everything starts over after the holiday break.

If you have any questions about your students grades do not be afraid to contact their teachers.  Many of  our students are doing great, but some could put more effort into their course work. Please speak with your son or daughter and have a discussion about their grades.  Whether good or bad, sometimes its good for your children to know you have an interest in them and want them to do well.

Grades are always available on line https://jmc.whancock.org:4430/Parent/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fParent%2fdefault.aspx

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Mr.Recker

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Congratulations Football and Cross Country teams!

Congratulations to the football team on a great season!  They accomplished many great things!

Congratulations to Kamille Kronemann who was a four time State Cross Country Qualifier!

Congratulations to the Boys Wolfpack GHVWH team for qualifying for State!

College Fair - FAFSA Meeting- Conferences

Parents and students,

Thursday November 1st we will have a great night of information for you and your future!  The college fair will be from 4:30 - 6:00 pm in the gym.  We will have a FAFSA information meeting from 6:00 - 7:15 in the HS cafeteria.  Conferences will also run that night from 4:00 to 7:45 in teacher classrooms.

Just a few notes, the FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  It is necessary to fill this out to receive any financial aide.  It is best to get this filled out as soon as your tax information is complete after the first of the year.  The earlier you apply, the better your chances of receiving a good package.  You can put several colleges on your application and your FAFSA information will be sent to all of the schools. 

For the college fair we will have several colleges represented and branches of the armed services.  It is a great chance to gain information about prospective colleges.  If you and your student ever have questions about college selection do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Clark. College websites have also become very good.  There is an abundance of information including virtual tours, online applications and all sorts of different FAQs.  Encourage your student to learn as much as they can about any and all colleges that they have interest in.  That will be the best way for you and your student to make an informed decision. 

Conferences will be on Thursday and Tuesday night from 4:00 to 7:45.  Please make plans to attend.  Some parents like to bring their students along, some do not either way is fine with us.  We hope to see all of you on Thursday November 1st or Tuesday November 6th.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Lions Club Supper

The Britt Lions Club will be hosting an omlette supper on Tuesday night November 6th from 4-8 at the Britt Fire Station.  This is also election night.  All proceeds will go to the West Hancock Ambulance Service. 

Please come out and support the Lions.  I know their president and he is a heck of a nice guy :)

Busy week for Activities

There has been a very busy week for our activities. 

State Cross Country will be tomorrow.  Kamille Kronemann will run for our Girl's team at 12:00 and the Wolf Pack boys will run at 12:30. Good luck!

The 7-12 vocal concert Thursday night was very good.  Our choirs did a nice job!

The football team hosted Woodbury Central on Wednesday night and defeated them. We will play Monday at 7:00 pm against Akron Westfield at home.  Admission is $6.00 for everyone. 

Play practice continues and the play will be November 3rd at 7:00 pm and November 4th at 2:00 pm. Ice Cream will be served at intermission of both shows.

There are many positive things going on at West Hancock!

Please send TP!

This month's advisory donation to the Britt Area Food bank is Toilet Paper.  We have some, but would like much more.  Please send a package to school with your student.  This will be delivered next Friday!

Thanks!

The Advisory Committee

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Mr. Francis wins the Golden Apple Award!


Congratulations to Mr. Francis who won the Golden Apple award from KIMT!  Way to go Mr. Francis!  We had an assembly on Tuesday morning to honor this achievement!

Here is the link to the broadcast: http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/Golden-Apple-Paul-Francis-10-16-12/0tlg1-O12EyZOs23LGxNzA.cspx

Friday, October 5, 2012

Food Bank Delivery #1

Today two of our advisory groups delivered the tooth paste and tooth brushes that we had collected during September.  Thanks to everyone who brought in items.  Each month different groups will get the chance to to make the delivery so they can learn about the food bank and what they do.  October's item is toilet paper!


Cody Schmit Fundraiser

Just a reminder that the Cody Schmit scholarship group will be doing a pork burger supper tonight before the game.  They will be selling on both the north and south ends.

Go Eagles!

MAP Results and Progress Reports

Parents,

Today at lunch we handed out MAP results and Progress reports.  Students should bring these home for you. 

The MAP results show how the student did over the course of a few years.  The hope is that the numbers continue to go up each time the student takes the test.  If there is a fall off from Spring to fall that is understandable.  However if your student did better on the test their freshman year than their junior year a conversation about effort may be appropriate.  We did have some students re test because of very sharp drops.  If you have any questions about these results please let us know. 

We also sent copies of progress reports based on the end of the hex which was last Friday.  Peg will be sending letters home for those students who are ineligible based on this grade check.  As a reminder you and your student can always go on line to check students progress.

Parent access link: https://jmc.whancock.org:4430/Parent/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fParent%2fdefault.aspx

We offer the following interventions and services for students who are falling behind or struggling:

- All teachers available from 7:50 AM until the start of school.
- All teachers available from the end of school until 3:30
- Many teachers available before and after the above posted hours by request or appointment.
- Success Center from 3:30 - 4:30 every night with a certified teacher.
- Small group study hall for those students really struggling (if you would like your student placed here please let us know and we will work with you on this)

If there are other things you feel would help your son or daughter that we can do, please let us know!  Many of our students are doing GREAT, but some are struggling and we will do everything we can to help!

Thanks!

Mr. Recker

Healthiest State Walk

 On Wednesday the West Hancock High School and Elementary Schools participated in the Iowa Healthiest State Walk.  It is an effort to draw awareness to exercise and a healthy lifestyle for all Iowans.  Mrs. Kudej and Mrs. Jass spearheaded the organizational efforts in their respective buildings.  Thank you to our sponsors Hancock County Public Health and HCHS.  Bananas and water bottles were provided following the walk!  This was a great activity and the weather was excellent!












Friday, September 28, 2012

Little Eagles!

Even little eagles like Homecoming!

Color Day!

Today was Color Day!


Freshmen - Orange


Sophomores - Pink
Juniors - Blue

 
Seniors - Black
 
Staff - Yellow

Thursday, September 27, 2012

FFA BBQ!

Every year on Thursday of Homecoming, our FFA grills pork burgers and hot dogs for the high school students and staff!  Thank you to Mr. Hauge and the FFA students for this and thanks to our kitchen staff for working with the FFA.

It always a great meal!

Tristen Eden, Jacob Hejlik, Derek Thilges, Scott Glawe, Drew Redenius. Our chefs for the day!




Zach Paulus joins the Marines

Zach Paulus has signed up with the United States Marine Corps.  Zach will be shipping out for San Diego in August.  Good luck Zach and Semper Fi!



Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Student Vehicles and Parking Lot Driving

Parents and Students,

Please remember to use extra caution when driving in our parking areas especially before and after school.  There are many cars and people coming and going.  The east entrance of the north parking lot is especially dangerous.  Many times cars dart out into traffic and sometimes northbound cars from 9th avenue enter the parking lot quickly without looking.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, the speed limit for the whole school zone is 15 mph on the raod and the speed limit in the parking areas is 10 mph.  We do not want auto accidents for any of our students or community members.  Please use extra caution when driving in these busy areas.  Many of our drivers are new drivers, it never hurts to remind your son or daughter what your expectations are so they will be a safer driver.

Thanks!

Mr. Recker

Monday, September 24, 2012

BEACH DAY!

FRESHMEN


JUNIORS


SOPHOMORES


SENIORS


Homecoming 2012 "Endless Summer"

Happy Homecoming!

This will be a great week full of school spirit and exciting activities!

Please encourage your students to participate positively in all of the events and festivities.

The decorations done by the pep club members look great!



















The schedule for the week will look like this:


Weekly Calendar

Monday – CC – Home – Garner Country Club – 4:15
                    JV FB @ North Union – 6:00

Tuesday – VB – H – NI – 6:00 - Senior night

Wednesday

Thursday – CC @ Hampton – 4:30
                     Coronation – 7:30

Friday – Pep Rally – 2:30 - on the football field and track
               FB vs. Lake Mills – 7:00

Saturday – Algona Band Days
                    Dance – 8:30-11:30  

Dress up days will be as follows:


Monday- Beach Day (School Appropriate or you will be asked to change)

Tuesday- Costume Day (No Masks)

Wednesday- P.J. Day

Thursday – Class Color Day

·         Seniors- Black

·         Juniors- Blue

·         Sophomores- Pink

·         Freshmen- Orange

·         Faculty/Staff- Yellow/Gold

Friday- Spirit Day (Red and White)

I will try to post more pictures throughout the week.