West Middle School PAWS -PTA-, Rapid City, SD

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

Need to find out what is for lunch or when after school activities are scheduled? Check out West Middle School's Daily Announcements page for the most up to date information.

WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS TUESDAY, ...

08/25/2026

🔹️Attendance Changes🔹️

Rapid City Area School District has adopted new attendance policies that will affect how your child's attendance is recorded. Please read below to see what this will look like.

In previous years, families may have used the "Verified Personal" absence category. Under the updated attendance policy, Verified Personal is no longer an excused absence category. There is now an important distinction between reporting an absence and the absence qualifying as excused. An absence that is reported by a parent/guardian but does not fall within an excused category will be recorded as unexcused. For example, a parent reported personal day does not, by itself, qualify as an excused absence under the updated policy.

For an absence to be considered excused, it must be reported within the required timeframe (no later than one full school day following the absence), AND the reason must fall within one of the District's identified excused absence categories as follows:

🔹️Family emergencies
Family leave, including weddings, vacations, and non-District sponsored club or sporting events, up to five days per academic year
🔹️️Participation in state or nationally recognized youth programs of educational value, up to five days per academic year.
🔹️️Student illness or illness in the student's immediate family. Medical appointments or treatment. South Dakota Department of Health exclusions
🔹️Working as an election official if the student is 18
🔹️Cultural or religious observances
🔹️Bereavement
🔹️Military obligations
🔹️Inclement weather impacting transportation

We would like to make sure our families are aware of this change going forward.

As always, regardless of the reason, please call and let us know when your child will be late or absent, as we want their whereabouts and safety to be our top priority.

Thank you!

08/24/2026

Welcome Back Wolves!! A few reminders for today's drop off. The bell rings at 7:48 AM. The tardy bell rings at 7:55 AM.
The 6th grade students gather in front of the glass hallway and can be dropped off using the church parking lot across the street.
The 7th & 8th grade students gather behind the Community Gym in the Courtyard and can be dropped off in the front drop off loop or the Community Gym Parking Lot.
We are so excited to welcome students back to school and for everyone to have an amazing first day!

08/19/2026

Stop by the PAWS PTA Booth tonight at open house and purchase a new West Middle School T-shirt! New year-New Spirit- New Shirt. :)

Open House is tonight from 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

07/29/2026

➡️Our first West Middle School PTA meeting of the 2026/2027 school year is almost here—and we have a new meeting time!
🗓️ Tuesday, August 4
🕕 6:00 PM (New Time!)
📍 West Middle School
Come meet our new principal, learn what's ahead for the new school year, and hear about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved. Whether you're a returning parent or new to West, we'd love to have you join us!
Together, we can make this an amazing year for our students. 🐺💙

07/24/2026

West Parents- If your student is already participating (or planning to participate) in sports or activities at Stevens High School, this is for you!
The Raider Nation Booster Club is hosting a mixer and would love to meet you. This is a great chance to learn how the booster club supports our high school athletes and activity students, hear about membership options, and find simple ways to get involved that fit a busy family schedule.
Whether you’re brand new to Stevens or already have older kids there, you’re welcome. Come ask questions, meet other parents, and see how easy it can be to stay connected as your student transitions to high school.

05/17/2026

Let's finish out the school year with some fun!