Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mrs. Anderson – Special Education Paraprofessional!
Mrs. Anderson is beginning her seventh year in education and her fourth year at West Minico. She loves supporting students each day and building meaningful relationships that help them succeed both in and out of the classroom.
One of Mrs. Anderson's favorite parts of working with middle school students is getting to know each student as an individual. Students quickly discover that she's fun, encouraging, and genuinely cares about them. She works to make sure every student feels supported, valued, and knows they have someone in their corner.
When she's not at school, you'll likely find Mrs. Anderson spending time with her family, playing softball, or heading out on a camping adventure.
🏔️ Mountains | 🌄 Sunset | 🎬 Movies | 🌮 Tacos | 🍪 Sweet
💙 Mrs. Anderson helps make West Minico a place where students feel seen, supported, and connected. We're so grateful she's part of the Warrior family!
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mr. Alves – Band Director!
Mr. Alves is beginning his fifth year in education and his fifth year at West Minico, where he directs our 6th–8th grade bands and percussion ensemble. His work with music extends beyond West Minico—he works with a variety of marching bands and community ensembles, and this fall he will also serve as an adjunct professor at ISU directing the ISU Civic Band.
One of Mr. Alves' favorite parts of teaching middle school is watching students grow in confidence, discover what they're capable of, and develop not only as musicians, but as people. His students quickly learn that he has high expectations, but he also loves to have fun! More than anything, he wants every student to feel like they belong, know that they matter, and leave his classroom more confident in themselves.
Outside of school, Mr. Alves enjoys playing pickleball, watching movies, and playing video games.
🏔️ Mountains | 🌄 Sunset | 🎬 Movies | 🌮 Tacos | 🍪 Sweet
💙 Mr. Alves has spent five years helping our Warriors find their confidence—and their sound! We're grateful for the energy, high expectations, and sense of belonging he brings to West Minico.
You Belong Here 💙💛
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Ms. Thompson – 8th Grade Civics!
Mrs. Thompson is beginning her 35th year in education and her third year at West Minico. After spending her entire career in the Minidoka School District, she continues to bring a passion for helping students learn and grow.
One of the things Ms. Thompson loves most about middle school is her students' willingness to learn new things. She enjoys seeing how accepting they are of one another and the way they're willing to lend a helping hand. Around West, you'll quickly discover that she's incredibly proud of her family, loves talking about her grandkids and four dogs, and is happiest when there's snow in the mountains.
When she's not at school, you'll likely find her hiking, camping in her new RV, or making memories with her 81-year-old mom and her dogs. She believes the best adventures are the ones shared with the people you love.
🏔️ Mountains | 🌄 Sunset | 📚 Books | 🌮 Tacos | 🍿 Salty
💙 We're so glad Ms. Thompson is part of the Warrior family and know she'll continue helping our students grow into thoughtful, responsible citizens!
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mrs. Andrew – 6th–12th Grade Orchestra!
Mrs. Andrew is beginning her 13th year in education, and all 13 of those years have included teaching our students at West Minico! She loves watching middle school students grow into themselves, develop confidence, and discover what they're capable of along the way.
Spend a little time in Mrs. Andrew's orchestra class and you'll quickly discover she has a big imagination! She can come up with a story for just about every piece of music her students are learning. More than anything, she loves seeing students work hard at something new and experience that moment when their effort turns into a personal victory. She wants every student to have opportunities to grow, contribute, and find their own place in the music they create together.
Outside of school, Mrs. Andrew enjoys reading, baking cakes, traveling, and long-distance running.
🌊 Beach | 🌄 Sunset | 📚 Books | 🌮 Tacos | 🍿 Salty
💙 Mrs. Andrew has spent 13 years helping our Warriors discover new talents, build confidence, and make some pretty great music along the way. We're so glad she's part of West Minico!
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mrs. Yore – 6th Grade Social Studies!
Mrs. Yore is beginning her 27th year in education and her sixth year at West Minico. She loves helping students discover the people, places, and cultures that make our world so unique.
One of Mrs. Yore's favorite things about middle school students is the energy they bring each day. She loves that they're full of life and eager to learn about the world around them. Her students quickly discover that she encourages them to stay organized, work hard, and take pride in doing their best. She strives to create a classroom where every student feels welcomed as they explore new countries, cultures, and perspectives together.
When she's not at school, you'll likely find Mrs. Yore spending time with her kids, caring for her horses and dogs, or heading out for a little fishing.
🌊 Beach | 🌄 Sunset | 📚 Books | 🌮 Tacos | 🍪 Sweet
💙 Mrs. Yore helps our Warriors see the world through new perspectives, and we're so grateful she's part of the Warrior family!
Most student schedules are now complete! Students and families may begin seeing their schedules in PowerSchool.
A few things to keep in mind:
💙 New students: If you are new to West Minico, your schedule may not be completed until next week.
💛 Schedule changes: Our classes are very full this year, so we will have very limited ability to accommodate schedule change requests. Some schedules may still change as we make final adjustments to balance class sizes.
📝 Schedule Change Requests: If you would like to request a schedule change, the Schedule Change Request Form can be found on the West Minico website. Please remember that submitting a request does not guarantee that a change can be made.
📄 6th Grade: Students will receive a printed copy of their schedule at 6th Grade Orientation on August 20. We'll spend time practicing schedules and helping students learn where their classes are.
📄 7th & 8th Grade: Printed schedules will be available on the first day of school, August 24.
We're getting close, Warriors! We can't wait to have everyone back in the halls! 💙💛
One school. One community. You belong here.
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mrs. Hawkes – 7th Grade Language Arts!
Mrs. Hawkes is beginning her 20th year in education and her second year at West Minico. She loves helping students discover the power of reading and writing while building the confidence to express themselves.
One of Mrs. Hawkes' favorite things about middle school students is their sense of humor. She loves that they understand sarcasm, can laugh with her, and make every day a little more fun. Her students quickly learn that she's firm but fair, and she's committed to creating a classroom where they feel supported as they grow into confident readers and writers.
When she's not at school, you'll likely find Mrs. Hawkes spending time with her family, working in her garden, or caring for her many pets.
🏔️ Mountains | 🌄 Sunset | 📚 Books | 🌮 Tacos | 🍿 Salty
💙 Mrs. Hawkes brings high expectations, a great sense of humor, and a genuine love for her students. We're so grateful she's part of the Warrior family!
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mr. Jarvis – Assistant Principal!
Mr. Jarvis is joining West Minico this year as our part time Assistant Principal! He brings 10 years of experience in education, including nine years teaching science and social studies at Minidoka Junior High and one year serving as principal.
One of the things Mr. Jarvis enjoys most about middle school is that every day is different—and anyone who spends much time in a middle school knows just how true that is! Students will quickly learn that Mr. Jarvis is straightforward and believes in helping them build the confidence to handle challenges, make good choices, and recognize what they're capable of.
Outside of school, Mr. Jarvis enjoys fishing and ultra marathons—which means he clearly isn't afraid of a challenge himself!
🏔️ Mountains | 🌅 Sunrise | 🎬 Movies | 🌮 Tacos | 🍿 Salty
💙 We're excited to welcome Mr. Jarvis to West Minico and for our students and families to get to know him. Help us give our newest Warrior a warm welcome!
Friday Feature
Turning Up the Volume
If you've ever attended an assembly at West Minico, you know one thing we've been hoping to improve...
The sound. 😊
We're excited to share that our gym now has a brand-new sound system! This long-awaited upgrade means students, staff, families, and visitors will finally be able to clearly hear announcements, performances, presentations, and celebrations during assemblies and events.
Even better, the new system is integrated with our large screen scoreboard, giving us features like game buzzers and a smoother experience for athletic events, concerts, and school activities.
A project like this doesn't happen without great partners. We are incredibly grateful to our West Minico PTO, whose continued support helped make this upgrade possible. They are one of our school's greatest champions, and we're thankful for the many ways they invest in our students and staff.
This may seem like a simple improvement, but it's one that will enhance countless moments in our gym—from pep assemblies and performances to basketball games and student celebrations. We can't wait to experience those moments together this year.
💙 One school.
💛 One community.
💙 You belong here.
Only 10 days until the first day of school!
Have you completed registration? Checked your school supplies? Started getting back into your school routine?
We can't wait to welcome our Warriors back on August 24!
💙 One school.
💛 One community.
💙 You belong here.
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mr. Madrigal – Social Studies & Weights!
Mr. Madrigal is beginning his 10th year in education, and every one of those years has been right here at THE West Minico! If you know Mr. Madrigal, you know there's a reason he puts a little extra emphasis on the THE.
One of his favorite things about middle school is that no two days are ever the same. Mr. Madrigal works hard at teaching, but he works just as hard at making sure there's some fun along the way. He wants students to learn, challenge themselves, and work hard while also knowing that school can be a place where they enjoy being and feel like they belong.
Outside of school, Mr. Madrigal loves coaching football and golf and spending time working with cattle.
🏔️ Mountains | 🌄 Sunset | 🎬 Movies | 🍕 Pizza | 🍿 Salty
💙 Mr. Madrigal brings plenty of energy, hard work, and fun to THE West Minico, and we're glad he's been part of the Warrior family from the very beginning of his teaching career!
Join us Thursday, August 27, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. as we welcome our Warrior families back to school!
Come:
Meet your teachers
Get help with PowerSchool and ParentSquare
Learn about after-school opportunities and GEAR UP
Purchase West Minico spirit wear
Cheer on our girls’ volleyball team
Admission to the volleyball game will be FREE for West Minico students and their families. Plus, Ma’s Custard will be available for the first 200 people!
We can’t wait to welcome you back. You belong here! 💙💛
You Belong Here 💙💛
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mrs. Hernandez – 8th Grade ELA!
Mrs. Hernandez is beginning her 17th year in education and her second year at West Minico. After teaching elementary school for many years, she has embraced the adventure of middle school and loves helping students grow during such an important time in their lives.
One of Mrs. Hernandez's favorite things about middle school students is watching them discover who they are while finding the confidence to try new things. She also appreciates their wonderfully random sense of humor! Students quickly learn that she truly loves teaching and works hard to create a classroom where everyone feels accepted, supported, and comfortable being themselves—with a little silliness and even a few dinosaurs mixed in along the way.
When she's not at school, you'll likely find her tending to her flower garden, working on a puzzle, reading a good book, baking, hiking, or enjoying a board game with family and friends.
🏔️ Mountains | 🌅 Sunrise | 📚 Books | 🌮 Tacos | 🍪 Sweet
💙 We're so glad Mrs. Hernandez is part of the Warrior family and can't wait to see the impact she'll continue to make with our 8th graders this year!
Parents and guardians, an invitation has been sent to the email address you have listed with the school. Please follow the link in that email and complete these steps:
Activate your ParentSquare account.
Enter your email address or phone number.
Click Get Started.
Confirm your information.
Confirm each child connected to your account.
If everything is correct, click Yes, This Is Me.
Download the ParentSquare app.
ParentSquare will be used for communication from the school, teachers, athletics and activities, and the district. Please activate your account and download the app so you don’t miss important information.
Once you complete these steps, you will be ready to start using ParentSquare! 💙💛
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mrs. Fowler – 7th Grade, Advanced & 8th Grade Math!
Mrs. Fowler is entering her 10th year in education and her fifth year teaching math at West Minico. She loves the humor, enthusiasm, and passion middle school students bring with them, and she especially enjoys helping them grow as learners, thinkers, and problem-solvers.
Mrs. Fowler describes herself as a lifelong learner. She is always studying, adapting, and challenging herself to grow, and she brings that same mindset to her students. She wants every student to feel valued and supported while also being challenged to discover just how much they are capable of. Few things are better than that moment when a difficult math concept finally clicks after plenty of hard work and persistence!
Outside of school, Mrs. Fowler enjoys staying active through walking, kayaking, hiking, and camping. She also loves traveling with her family and experiencing different cultures, foods, and history.
🏔️ Mountains | 🌄 Sunset | 🎬 Movies | 🌮 Tacos | 🍿 Salty
💙 Mrs. Fowler helps our Warriors see that challenges are opportunities to grow, and we're grateful for the encouragement and belief she brings to West Minico!
We have a special first day planned just for you on Thursday, August 20! This morning will give you a chance to become familiar with West Minico before all students return.
🕗 School begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 11:00 a.m.
🚌 Buses will run their regular routes for pickup and drop-off.
🍽️ Lunch will not be served.
During orientation, students will:
Receive a copy of their class schedule
Learn school expectations
Practice opening their lockers
Walk through and practice their schedules
Parents, if you will be dropping off or picking up your student, please watch our social media pages for information about how the parent drop-off and pickup lanes work at West Minico. Please do not park or leave your vehicle unattended in these lanes, as this creates significant traffic issues.
We are excited to welcome our newest Warriors and help them feel confident and ready for middle school.
You belong here! 💙💛
You Belong Here 💙💛
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mrs. Mercado – GEAR UP Coordinator!
Mrs. Mercado is beginning her fifth year in education and her second year at West Minico. She loves helping students explore their interests and discover the many opportunities waiting for them after middle school.
One of Mrs. Mercado's favorite things about working with middle school students is their creativity. She loves that they're still at an age where they believe they can do anything and are willing to try new things. She enjoys encouraging students to dream big, explore their strengths, and realize that their future is full of possibilities.
When she's not at school, you'll likely find Mrs. Mercado teaching dance. She's been dancing since she was four years old and loves sharing that passion with others.
🌊 Beach | 🌄 Sunset | 🎬 Movies | 🌮 Tacos | 🍿 Salty
💙 Mrs. Mercado is helping our Warriors discover what's possible beyond middle school, and we're so grateful she's part of the Warrior family!
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mrs. Madrigal – 6th–8th Grade P.E.!
Mrs. Madrigal is beginning her 40th year in education, all of them teaching Physical Education, and her third year at West Minico. After 40 years, she still loves what matters most—getting to know her students and making P.E. a place they want to be!
Mrs. Madrigal loves the fun and competitive spirit middle school students bring. She knows that underneath it all, students simply want to feel valued and know that someone cares about them. She works hard to create games and activities that get everyone involved, build teamwork, and give students a place where they can have fun, challenge themselves, and belong.
Outside of school, Mrs. Madrigal loves all things sports—especially Boise State football! She also enjoys playing golf, tackling DIY projects, and even mowing her lawn.
🌊 Beach | 🌅 Sunrise | 🎬 Movies | 🌮 Tacos | 🍪 Sweet
💙 After 40 years in education, Mrs. Madrigal still brings energy, fun, and a genuine love for kids to school each day. We're so glad she's part of our Warrior family!
Meet Your Warriors
⭐ Meet Mrs. Johnson – Art, Computers & 8th Grade ELA!
Mrs. Johnson is beginning her sixth year as a teacher and her third year at West Minico. Before becoming a teacher, she spent three years as a paraprofessional while earning her teaching degree, and she's loved helping students learn and grow ever since.
One of Mrs. Johnson's favorite things about middle school is her students' sense of humor. She loves the relationships that are built both inside and outside the classroom and enjoys cheering students on at extracurricular activities. Students quickly discover that she's caring, compassionate, and committed to making sure every student knows they matter.
When she's not at school, Mrs. Johnson enjoys making things by hand. Whether she's sewing, crocheting, or cross-stitching, she loves turning creativity into something special.
🌊 Beach | 🌄 Sunset | 🎬 Movies | 🍕 Pizza | 🍪 Sweet
💙 Mrs. Johnson helps our Warriors express their creativity, discover new skills, and know they are cared for. We're so grateful she's part of the Warrior family!
