West Minico Middle School

08/18/2026

📣 Calling all 6th graders!

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! 💙💛

08/18/2026

You Belong Here 💙💛
Meet Your Warriors

⭐ Meet Mrs. Dayton – Paraprofessional!

Mrs. Dayton is beginning her fourth year in education and her second year at West Minico. She loves working with middle school students because they're at an age where they're discovering more about themselves, building independence, and still willing to have a little fun along the way.

Mrs. Dayton enjoys getting to know students and being someone they can count on for encouragement and support. She wants our Warriors to know that they don't have to have everything figured out—they have people at West Minico who care about them, believe in them, and are ready to help them succeed.

Outside of school, Mrs. Dayton enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and finding opportunities to travel and explore new places.

🏔️ Mountains | 🌄 Sunset | 📚 Books | 🌮 Tacos | 🍪 Sweet

💙 We're so glad Mrs. Dayton is part of the Warrior family and appreciate the care and encouragement she gives our students each day!

08/18/2026

You Belong Here 💙💛
Meet Your Warriors

⭐ Meet Mr. Anderson – Shop!

Mr. Anderson is beginning his fourth year in education and his second year at West Minico. He teaches shop at both East and West Minico, helping students build practical skills, confidence, and creativity through hands-on learning.

One of Mr. Anderson's favorite things about working with middle school students is creating a place where they feel comfortable learning, trying new things, and making mistakes. In fact, students quickly discover that he's "just a very old middle school student!" He believes some of the best learning happens when students take on a challenge, stick with it, and experience the satisfaction of overcoming it.

When he's not at school, you'll likely find Mr. Anderson camping, exploring the outdoors with his family, or coaching wrestling during the winter.

🏔️ Mountains | 🌄 Sunset | 🎬 Movies | 🌮 Tacos | 🍿 Salty

💙 We're grateful Mr. Anderson is part of the Warrior family and for the opportunities he creates each day for students to learn, grow, and build confidence!

08/17/2026

You Belong Here 💙💛
Meet Your Warriors

⭐ Meet Mrs. Ball – Librarian!

Mrs. Ball is beginning her 22nd year in education, with 2 of those years have been right here at West Minico! As our librarian, she gets to know students across every grade level and loves being part of their middle school journey.

One of Mrs. Ball's favorite things about middle school students is watching their personalities develop and seeing them become more confident in who they are. She loves helping students find a book they can't put down and making the library a place where every Warrior feels comfortable, welcomed, and like they have a place to be.

Outside of school, Mrs. Ball enjoys reading (of course!), camping, spending time outdoors, and being with her family.

🏔️ Mountains | 🌄 Sunset | 📚 Books | 🍕 Pizza | 🍪 Sweet

💙 For many of our students, the library is one of their favorite places at West—and Mrs. Ball is a big reason why. We're so grateful she's part of our Warrior family!

08/17/2026

You Belong Here 💙💛
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!

08/17/2026

Warrior Connection August 16, 202

One week to go, Warrior families! 💙💛 Our latest parent newsletter is here with important informatio...

08/16/2026

You Belong Here 💙💛
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.

08/16/2026

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!

08/15/2026

You Belong Here 💙💛
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!

08/15/2026

You Belong Here 💙💛
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!