
Warrior Weekly
January 22 - 26, 2024

Los boletines se publican a través del sitio web de SMORE. El sitio web SMORE tiene una opción de "traducir" disponible, ubicada en la parte superior del programa. Si tiene preguntas o está confundido acerca de la información compartida en este boletín, comuníquese con nuestro intérprete del distrito al (608) 206-5730
The bulletins are published through the SMORE website. The SMORE website has a "translate" option available, located on the top of the program. If you have questions or are confused about the information shared in this newsletter, please contact our district interpreter at (608) 206-5730.
Semester Grades
Parents/Guardians/Students
Grades are currently not viewable in the parent or student portal. Each semester, the grades are locked until all grades are posted. Please be patient as we complete the grading process.
Join Us for an Exciting Robotics Journey
Learn, Build, and Grow!
We are excited to invite you and your family to an inspiring and informative session about starting a FIRST Robotics program in our Waunakee community! We will have representatives from FIRST, higher education, and BadgerBots to explain what FIRST is all about.
To make this session even more enjoyable and family friendly, we will be serving a pasta bar. Enjoy dinner while learning about this fantastic opportunity for your children!
Details of the Session
Date: February 1, 2024
Time: 6:00 pm
Venue: Waunakee Community High School Commons
Our session will introduce you to the three levels of the FIRST Robotics program:
1. FIRST LEGO League grades PreK-8: An introductory experience where young minds explore and experiment using LEGO technology, developing problem-solving skills.
2. FIRST Tech Challenge grades 7-12: Teams design, build, and program robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams.
3. FIRST Robotics Competition grades 9-12: A more advanced level where teams design, program, and build a robot starting with a standard kit of parts and common set of rules to play in a themed head-to-head challenge. Teams also build a brand, develop community partnerships for support, and work to promote STEM in their local community.
These programs are not just about robots; they are about opening doors for the future of youth in our community. Participants gain critical thinking and problem-solving skills, teamwork and collaboration, innovation and creativity, and technical skills. Dane County is the largest county in the United States with only one FIRST program (BadgerBots) and we are hoping to expand access to this high impact experience with your help.
This is more than an extracurricular activity; successful FIRST programs are community efforts. As a school district we want to introduce the possibility and provide support, but envision this as a community and family led initiative.
Please let us know if you will be attending by January 23 at this form. This will help us with meal planning. For more information, feel free to contact me at timschell@waunakee.k12.wi.us.
We are excited to see you there and to start this incredible journey together. Let's build a brighter future, one robot at a time!
Wisconsin Singers are coming to WHS!
Live Entertainment at its BEST!
Friday, January 26, 7:00 pm WHS PAC
Tickets $15 adults and $10 Student/Seniors - Available at Ace Hardware and the Waunakee Senior Center or by calling the box office at 608-886-6801
Can you help by donating food items or help to feed the Singers? Click this link to sign up to donate an item. Thank you to our cook, Wes Ray and our coordinator, Melissa Kietzman!
Be sure to visit the Performing Arts website for the complete calendar of future events at Waunakee Community High School.
Youth Apprenticeship Opportunities & Application Process
A Reminder to all 10th and 11th Grade Students and Families
The Youth Apprenticeship Program application process is now open until February 15, and students should check their school email for important information and links to apply.
Early College Credit Program and Start College Now Applications will be due to Mrs. McGlynn no later than March 1, 2024. Information on both programs will be shared to 10th and 11th grade student email accounts next Monday, January 29, 2024.
Parents/Guardians of Juniors & Seniors
If you are interested in giving permission for your student to have release during one of their study halls second semester, please fill out this link: Second Semester Release
Please note, that in order to be eligible, your student cannot have had any F's first semester, must have a GPA of 2.7, cannot have been suspended first semester, and cannot have any attendance issues. Your student should plan on attending Study Hall until their schedule is officially changed in Infinite Campus; otherwise, they will be marked absent.
= = COUNSELING CONNECTION = =
1️⃣ Attention Juniors & Seniors
A college representative will be available to meet with juniors and seniors in the Counseling Office during Contact Time on the following day: Thursday, February 1, 2024: UW-La Crosse
To attend, students must sign up in FlexiSched under Counseling Office on Monday, January 29.
2️⃣ Schedule Change Requests
Welcome to 2nd Semester! A reminder that no schedule change requests will be accepted, unless the student meets one of the following reasons:
- Schedule is incomplete (missing a course during a certain hour) or overbooked (more than one course is scheduled in the same hour.
- Two study halls on the same day.
- Failed the 1st semester of a year-long course.
- Enrolled in the apprenticeship or early college credit program(s) (ECCP) and need work release or release to attend outside classes.
- Has an IEP or 504 plan in which your case manager recommends a change.
Questions or concerns may be discussed with your counselor. Thank you for understanding as our school community continues to grow.
3️⃣ Course Registration Reminders
All current 9th, 10th, 11th Grade Students and Parents/Guardians: In an effort to make information available to students and families, all registration materials can be found on our Counseling Department Website, including the 2024-2025 Course Guide, the Course Registration Timeline, and Course Information by Grade.
- Counseling staff will be available for students on Tuesday, January 30 and Wednesday, January 31. Meet in the PAC during Contact Time for Course Registration questions or support. Students may sign up in FlexiSched under Counseling.
- The Course Registration window for students to SUBMIT their Course Planner in Xello is January 24 through February 9.
📢 Please Note: There will NOT be an opportunity for students to change their course requests once the window of registration is completed so staffing can be appropriately planned for the 2024-2025 school year.
= = Library Media & Technology Center (LMTC) = =
Sora to Read eBooks and Audiobooks Review
How frequently are Wisconsin students using Sora to read eBooks and Audiobooks? Look at the 2023 year in review.
Weekly Featured New Book
This coming-of-age story for teens who have to grit their teeth as they pursue their dreams follows Effie, a determined protagonist who must decide which college is right for her. As Effie makes her way through her senior year of high school, she tests the waters of new romance, fights with friends, and deals with an apathetic school administration. Amidst all these changes, Effie must ask herself what she wants. Forrest's debut is a mirror for teens with disabilities, highlighting the joys and struggles of everyday life: Effie, who uses a wheelchair, has to adjust to new adaptive tech, vocalize IEP requirements, and just deal with disappointments that nondisabled student do not have, like a lack of accessibility at a dream school. Readers with disabilities will empathetically recall similar experiences and cheer Effie along on her journey. With its themes of friendship, identity, and community, this is an ideal novel for readers who are readying for college and for whatever comes next in life. -Booklist Reviews
Boys' Lacrosse Parent/Player Meeting
Interested in playing boys lacrosse this Spring? No experience necessary - come and learn more about lacrosse, the upcoming season, and meet the returning State Runner-Up Champions! There will be a Parent/Player meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7 p.m. for all interested players. The meeting will last one hour and be held in the Performing Arts Center (PAC). If you are interested in more information or cannot attend the meeting, please email Coach John Gengler at johngengler@waunakee.k12.wi.us or the HS Boys Lacrosse Booster Club at waunakeeboyslax@gmail.com.
Girls' Lacrosse Meetings
📣ATTENTION ALL GIRLS INTERESTED IN PLAYING LACROSSE! You are invited to attend the Girls Lacrosse Player Info meeting in the Small Auditorium on Wednesday, January 31st during Contact Time. Please sign up in Flexi under the AD: Nick Conrad. We would love to have you join us for our inaugural WIAA year!
If you are unable to attend, email Coach Moran at erinmoran@waunakee.k12.wi.us. Mark your calendar for February 22nd for the Parent/Player Meeting @ 6:30 pm in the Small Auditorium.
Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration
A Celebration You Don't Want to Miss!
The Chinese Club is holding a Chinese New Year Celebration! The event will take place on Saturday, February 17 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM in the High School Commons. Come one-come all!
Class of 2024 Graduation
Planning for Commencement Services
Here are some details to help you plan for this exciting event.
- When: Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 3:00 PM
- Where: Waunakee High School - Field House
- Field House doors will open at 1:30 PM.
- Seating is based on a first come-first serve basis. Reserving seats with blankets, signs, etc., is prohibited and the items will be removed.
- The number of guests each graduate may invite has not been set due to the large seating capacity in the Field House. However, please be considerate in the number of guests you invite.
- Stadium seats (seat cushions with backs) are acceptable and may be used for your seating pleasure.
- Honor Cord/s: Students who achieve academic honors may wear the acceptable honor cord(s) of purple, silver, white or gold. All other cords are not permitted and may not be worn in commencement services. Seniors who earn honor cords will be notified February/March.
- Handicap seating is available upon request. Please call 608-849-2100, ext. 2046 to make arrangements.
- Link for the Live Stream will be made available prior to the event.
- Empire Photography will again photograph commencement ceremonies. Each graduate is photographed as they receive their diploma and a solo portrait is taken after they exit the stage. Proofs will be sent to graduates and their families within 48-hours of the ceremony.
- Diplomas will be distributed in the High School main office immediately after the ceremony for graduates to pick up. Diplomas will not be mailed.
- Additional information will provided in our Warrior Weekly newsletters leading up to the event.
Host Family Opportunities
Students from France
Each summer Language & Friendship welcomes students from France for 3-4 weeks for an immersion family stay program in June/July. The goal of this program is to allow American families the opportunity to welcome an international visitor into their home.
If your family is interested in hosting a student from France for the weeks of June 15-July 8, 2024, click on this link to learn more.
Improving Test Taking Skills
Attention Juniors taking the ACT
The state-required ACT test will take place on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 for all junior students statewide at no cost. This will be an in person paper/pencil test at Waunakee High School. Please note: All Juniors are automatically registered for the March 12th test. Directions and additional information will be coming in February. In preparation for the 2024 Spring State ACT test, there are several test prep options available to you.
Your Naviance Account also offers a resource for test prep practice. Test Prep is located on the bottom of your Naviance home page in the Resources to get ready section and you may access it by clicking on Naviance Test Prep. Once in the Naviance Test Prep section, click on Study Task to help you navigate the Test Prep section. There are practice test questions, along with games, lessons, flashcards and more to aid in your preparation. Click here for instructions on how to access/sign in to your Naviance account.
ACT has a variety of test prep resources available. This page features a variety of paid resources, and this page includes ACT's free resources, including a free study guide, practice tests, online practice and test prep events, and sample classes.
Mr. Dreyer and Ms. Doucette are offering an ACT Test Prep course in February-March at Waunakee High School. More information will be sent out closer to when registration opens.
If you have further questions or need assistance, you may contact Ms. Varney, HS Testing Coordinator, or your counselor. Thank you!
Community Education - ACT Test Prep
👉The ACT® test is the leading US admissions test, measuring what students learn in high school to determine academic readiness for college. The ACT tests include: Reading, Math, English, Science, Writing. Follow this link to register or for more ACT Test Prep information.
Dates to Calendar
January 26: Wisconsin Singers at 7:00 PM, Performing Arts Center
February 1: First Robotics Session at 6:00 PM, WHS Commons
February 9: Course Registration Deadline
February 17: Chinese New Year Celebration, 11am-3pm at WHS
February 22: Parent/Guardian/Player Girls' Lacrosse Meeting
February 24: Winter Formal - WHS Commons from 7-10 PM
March 1: No School/Staff Development
March 12: State Required ACT Test (Grade 11)
March 18: Parent Teacher Conferences (4-8 PM)
March 22: No School/Parent Teacher Conferences (8 AM – 12 PM)
March 25-29: No School/Spring Break
April 3-4: Forward exam (administered in class)
April 13: Prom (details to be shared in the WW at a later date)
April 16: Jostens to distribute Graduation orders
April 17: PreACT for Freshmen (3-hour late start for the students not testing)
April 18: PreACT for Sophomores (3-hour late start for the students not testing)
May 20: No School/Staff Development
May 27: No School/Memorial Day
May 28-29: Senior Final Exams
May 30: Seniors, please note the following:
- 8:30-9:30 AM: Senior Walk-thru at Elementary Schools (transportation provided)
- 9:30-10:30 AM: Graduation Rehearsal in WHS Field House
- 10:30 AM: Senior Brunch in the Commons (free for all Seniors!)
June 2: Class of 2024 Commencement at 3:00 PM in the High School Field House
June 3-6: Final Exams for Underclassmen
June 24: Summer School Begins (by teacher recommendation only)
The 2024 Homecoming Dance is set for September 28, 2024 (details will be shared in the WW at a later date).
Inclement Weather & Cancellations
Weather Information
This is information regarding inclement weather and cancellations of school.
Communication - Snow Day Procedures 2023-2024
Our website is updated, as well.
https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/families/school-closingsweather
Scholarships or Payment Plans Available
Scholarships or payment plans are available to any student who has been approved for the free/reduced meal program and may be available to any student whose families have a financial need due to unique circumstances.
https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/families/student-financial-assistance
Please contact Teri Reible at 608-849-2000 to learn more about these opportunities. If you need assistance in a language other than English, please call the district interpreter and translator at 608-849-2000, option 2.
Waunakee Community Cares Coalition
The Waunakee Community Cares Coalition (WCCC) is dedicated to keeping Waunakee healthy and resilient. To receive updates of all of the trends, resources available, and community initiatives in the spaces of alcohol/drug prevention and mental health, please sign up for their monthly newsletter.
Link to sign up to receive newsletter: https://www.waunakeecares.org/contact
Link to our resource pages: https://www.waunakeecares.org/resources-1
Lunch Menus
Contact Information
Waunakee Community High School
301 Community Drive
Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone: (608) 849-2100
Website: whs.waunakee.k12.wi.us