Regents Never Saw This Eighth-Grader's Plea Before Voting to Close Price Lab

Teachers from around the state attended UNI, including some working in the West Des Moines district. Officials are being criticized for not sharing dozens of letters in support of Price Lab School with the Board of Regent's office before a decision to clo

Letters Pleading on Behalf of UNI's Price Lab School Appear to Have Been Withheld From Board of Regents

It's possible dozens of emails meant for the Board of Regents never reached the decision-makers. The school's closure affects Iowans everywhere, with generations of teachers, including some in West Des Moines, earning their degrees at UNI.

Cultural Walls Fall as West Des Moines Students Raise $15,000 to Bury Classmate in Iraq

Valley senior Katie Baum worried the contentious relationship between the United States and countries in the Middle East might spill over into a fundraising campaign to help the family of a fallen classmate. That didn’t happen.

PHOTO GALLERY: West Des Moines Rotary Club Gives Bikes to Kids

West Des Moines residents and others donated used bicycles, which Rotary Club members refurbished, and new helmets to 25 students.

West Des Moines Schools Name New Jordan Creek Elementary Principal

Graham Jones, who began his career in West Des Moines as a sixth-grade teacher, will begin new duties July 1.

UPDATE: West Des Moines School Officials Aren’t Saying Much About Nude Home Movies

A substitute teacher who allegedly showed third-graders a video clip of nude adults playing Frisbee and consuming alcohol has been removed from the district's pool of substitute teachers.

Crossroads Park Substitute Teacher Allegedly Showed Video With Nudity, Drinking to Students

Parents of third-graders at Crossroads Park Elementary students received a note Tuesday about an inappropriate video shown to kids by a substitute teacher. The teacher said the video was from a family reunion.

Westridge Students Get a Lesson in Respecting the Flag from a Patriot Who Noticed Its Absence

West Des Moines Elks Lodge presents flag, joins in recognition of students with parents in the military.

ENCORE VIDEO: West Des Moines Elementary Gets Its 'Grand Old Flag'

The American Flag was Conspicuous by its absence when veteran Harold Christ visited Westridge Elementary School in November.

Valley Students Continue to Raise Money to Send Teen's Body Home to Iraq for Burial

As West Des Moines Valley students rally to help the family of Husam Abdul-Hameed, the deadline for donations has been extended, district officials said Monday. Donations can be dropped off at the Valley office during school hours through Wednesday.

Good to Know: Solar Flares Could Cause Your Gadgets to Go Haywire

A roundup of news you need in West Des Moines today.

Olympian Shawn Johnson, Mayor Steve Gaer Among Local Celebrities Reading to WDM Students Friday

West Des Moines Schools have Read Across America scheduled throughout the district.

West Des Moines Schools Discuss Bullying, Harassment Prevention

School district’s Tuesday Becoming a Learning Community Committee meeting is open to the public.

West Des Moines School Board to Present Initial Offer to Teachers' Union

Negotiations for the 2012-2013 teachers’ contract continue in the West Des Moines Community School District.

West Des Moines Youth Stars As ‘Stuart Little’ at Playhouse

Two Jordan Creek Elementary School students have roles in the upcoming Des Moines Playhouse production of the E.B. White classic.

5 Things for Your Weekend: Laugh About It, Walk For It, Get in the Swim and Don't Forget to Dance

Start out the weekend with the comedy of Augie Smith and Mike MacRae.

National Signing Day at West Des Moines Valley: Who's Going Where?

Student athletes sign national letters of intent.

Valley Hosts Coaches vs Cancer Games Tonight

The fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society

UPDATE: Anti-Semitic Tweets Taken Down

Take our Patch Poll: Should school have responded to anti-Semitic Tweets falsely sent under principal's name.

West Des Moines Valley's Ben Anderson Gatorade Runner of the Year

Junior Ben Anderson won the award for Iowa after claiming the Class 4A individual cross country championship with record-setting performance.

PATCH POLL ENCORE: Valley Bans Grinding at School Dances

West Des Moines Valley students overwhelmingly rejected the idea of a ban on grinding, a sexually explicit form of dancing, in a mock election last month. This week, school administrators said no grinding will be allowed at winter formal. What do you thin

5 Things for the Weekend: Pandemonium, Pagans, Meditation and Lots of Jazz

Patch's five picks for the weekend offer something for everyone.

Media Glare Doesn't Wither Valley Students at Rock the Caucus

Maddy Baker's butterflies had butterflies when she faced almost as many media as students as she made her Rock the Caucus campaign speech for healthier lunches and other issues.

The Week Ahead in West Des Moines High School Sports

Valley and Dowling Catholic both have full varsity schedules.

Valley High School Hires New Tennis Coach

Jay Fifield, part of the central Iowa tennis community for 36 years, will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Kirk Trow last spring.

At Rock the Caucus, Paul Breaks the Imaginary Applause-O-Meter

Valley High School students hear from four presidential campaigns and Ron Paul is clearly their favorite.

Valley Boys Face Undefeated Ankeny, Waukee This Week

The Valley boy's basketball team is 7-1 and ranked fourth in the state. That ranking will be put to the test starting tonight when they face second-ranked Ankeny, then again Friday night when they play sixth-ranked Waukee.

West Des Moines Valley Hosts Rock the Caucus

GOP candidates Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann bring their real-life campaigns to Valley High School as students participate in a mock caucus.

PATCH POLL: Should West Des Moines Schools Ban Grinding at Dances?

Valley High School students overwhelmingly said "no" in a mock election. What do you think?

UPDATE: Valley Students Overwhelmingly Reject Grinding Ban

Valley High School students like Ron Paul for president, say bullying is a problem, and believe same-sex marriage should be legal nationwide.

The Generosity of Strangers Makes This Christmas One to Remember

Westridge Elementary School staff rallies, raises more than $1,725 to help families two states away have a merry Christmas.

West Des Moines Community Schools Seek Input on Calendar

Survey is available to families to gether feedbck on 2012-2013 calendar.

Dowling Catholic Boys' Basketball Looks to Rebuild

Last season, the Dowling boys' basketball team finished 17-6 and was one game away from playing in the state tournament. The Maroons graduated six seniors and now start fresh.

Valley Boys' Basketball Features Top Talent, Is Favored in Conference

The Valley boys' basketball team, one of the favorites to win the Iowa Conference, features two Division 1 recruits and a host of talent in key positions.

Valley High School’s Bistro in a Classroom the Hottest Ticket in Town

Cafe V offers students real-life restaurant experiences.

Valley Wrestling One of State's Best; Boys' Swimming Starts Thursday

The boys' swim team tries to get back to its state champion form of two years ago. The wrestlers have the attention of their competition across Iowa with the wealth of state qualifiers returning.

Dowling Swimmers Aim For State Title; Wrestlers Seek Improvement

Jon Garvin is entering his fifth season as the head wrestling coach, and has improved the Maroons each year he's been there. Mark Crouch enters his 26th year at Dowling and his boys have their sites on a state championship.

Valley Students to Host Entrepreneurship Fair Tonight

The budding economic leaders will pitch ideas for a business plan to West Des Moines business leaders.

Fairmeadows Elementary to Train Students on How to Walk to School Safely

Fairmeadows students, staff members and families will have a snack together Wednesday morning before learning more about a program to teach kids and certified adults how to walk to school in groups. The program will start in the spring.

Westridge Elementary Students Thank Veterans in Song

Veterans Day concerts have been a tradition for a dozen years, the last two at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge.