

Waunakee High School Warrior Weekly
Week of Monday, October 2 - Friday, October 6, 2023
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
Vol. 5 Design and Construction Updates
Senior Attendance Reminders
Attendance Notes for Seniors, Parents & Guardians
According to Board of Education policy, you must be in attendance for 90% of the time if you want to walk at graduation. That means missing no more than 45 PERIODS of instruction per semester. Each school day is made of 5 periods: 1st, Contact Time/HomeRoom, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Parent Request excused absences do count within the 45 absences.
The good news is that there is a way to make certain absences exempt from counting against your student.
- Medical appointment? Bring in a doctor's note.
- College visit? Bring in documentation of your trip. (An email with date of visit or a picture of your student on campus. But not just a school brochure.)
- Funeral? Have a parent call.
- Family Vacation? Bring in a handwritten note from a parent. (Parent/Guardian must be traveling with the student(s)!)
Please call attendance 608.849.2110 or email your student's assistant principal with any additional questions. Thanks for your help!
WHS Picture Day with Lifetouch Photography
The final picture day for High School students and staff will be Monday, October 2nd. The photographers from Lifetouch Photographer will be set-up on the Mezzanine near the main office from 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM. Please secure a picture time through SignUp Genius. There is no cost obligation to have a photo taken. Picture packets may be purchased through Lifetouch. Prior to picture day use the Picture Day ID EVTB3NV68 to order online.
WCSD and Lamers Bus Update
The Waunakee Community School District works in partnership with Lamers Bus Company to provide transportation to and from school for our families. All 4K-12 students that live within the transportation boundaries have access to school bus transportation.
This week, we are experiencing several bus route delays due to the ongoing bus driver shortage. Many communities and school districts across the country are in the same situation. Lamers and the school district are working closely together on a multi-faceted strategy to respond to the bus driver shortage, as well as navigating the challenges with alternate routes, delayed routes, schedules, etc. Our main goal is the safety of our students, as well as minimizing the impact on our students and families. We will always communicate with the school buildings and those families that may be impacted by the bus delays. We expect that bus driver availability will improve next week.
Urgent NEED for School Bus Drivers
Do you enjoy working with kids? Would you like a flexible schedule and better work-life balance? Does great pay with extra earning opportunities appeal to you? The Waunakee Community School District and Lamers Bus Company are in urgent need of new school bus drivers.
Even if you can’t drive, you can still help!
The school district is offering a $500 referral bonus and a $500 new hire bonus for all new school bus drivers (Contingent upon 90 days of service). Lamers is also offering an opportunity to earn up to $2,400 in additional incentive payments. Please note, if these positions are not filled, transportation service for the district will be impacted.
Interested in applying? Please call Lamers at (608) 850-5253 and ask to speak with Jeremy or Tom.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
From the School to Career Coordinator
Calling all local #WaunakeeWAY businesses!
Are you looking to connect with the future workforce and make a positive impact on young minds? Join us at Waunakee Community High School for our exciting program, "Waunakee Career Lunch Wednesdays!"
How to get involved? Just click on the link below to access more program details and sign up for an available date. Let's inspire the next generation of professionals together!
Link to Program Details and Sign-Up
https://waunakee.co1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_9MLK94i2AKRd4F0. Your participation can make a difference in shaping the future. We look forward to having you with us at Waunakee Community High School!
HOMECOMING WEEK AHEAD!
GAME ON!
What? Dodgeball! Seniors vs. Juniors
When? October 8th, 5-7 PM
Where? WHS Old Gymnasium
Come out and cheer on the players and support the classes.
Freshman HOCO Barn Dinner
All Freshmen are cordially invited to the Freshmen HOCO Barn Dinner on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm at The Barn, 6538 Schumacher Rd, Waunakee.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
→ 45 minutes of picture time for parents (after which parents are cordially invited to go home)!
→ Insta-Worthy backdrops for photos!
→ Photobooth with souvenir photo strips!
→ Taco Bar from The Lone Girl!
→ Desserts, Desserts, Desserts!
→ DJ to queue up your favorites!
→ Fun by the campfire!
A bus will be available to take you from the dinner to the Homecoming Dance. Please note, a ticket to the Homecoming Dinner does not include entry to the Homecoming Dance. A separate ticket is required for entry into the Homecoming Dance. The bus will make several trips to the high school, starting at 7:45pm. Students should not be picked up at The Barn. All students will ride the bus to the high school for pick up (whether or not they are going to the dance).
TICKETS will be available for purchase during both LUNCHES on September 28-29 and again on October 5-6. Cost: $20 per student either Cash or Venmo (@Erin-Larson-83, please include student(s) first and last name)
PARENTS: This wonderful event for our kids is only possible with your help! Please use this link to volunteer and/or donate! Signup Genius.
If your freshman is interested in coming to the dinner but doing so would be a financial hardship, we are collecting donations to be able to include everyone. In confidence, please contact Rose Nadler or Jessica Moehn at the high school.
History of the Waunakee Freshman Homecoming Dinner
The idea of having a Freshman Class dinner came about several years ago as a way to reduce the
overwhelming task of finding the perfect spot for pictures, going out to dinner, finding rides and all the extra planning that goes into Homecoming. It’s great to have a dinner and gathering place where EVERYONE IS INCLUDED; EVERYONE HAS THE SAME AMAZING EXPERIENCE, AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY NO ONE FEELS LEFT OUT! This has been such a success the past few years that we wanted to continue the tradition with the Class of 2027.
All information will also be posted on the CLASS OF 2027 Facebook Page. If you have additional
questions, feel free to reach at freshmanhocodinner@gmail.com.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you at The Barn!
Your Freshman Homecoming Dinner Committee
HOMECOMING SPEAKER
Our Homecoming Assembly Speaker will be at the High School on October 12th to present two sessions during the following times: 8:25-9:15 AM and 9:30-10:20 AM. Mr. Borowski will release classes to the PAC by announcement.
WINDOW DECORATING will happen on Sunday, October 8th between 9AM - 2PM. If your sports/club/organization is interested in decorating a paper banner to hang in the windows of a main street business for homecoming, sign up at this link. The deadline to sign-up is October 1st. Decorating will happen at the high school.
The Homecoming PARADE will be held on Friday, October 13th. Each participating sport/club/org will design a "float" - which can range in size from a little red wagon to a car, tractor, or trailer - and meet at the fire station parking lot between 4:00-4:15 PM. Homecoming court nominees and other members of their sport/club/org can participate in the parade to help pull the wagon, distribute candy (purchased ahead of time by the club), wave, etc. The parade route ends at the high school. Here are the safety rules and permission form for drivers. If any other club/org would like to participate, even if they did not nominate someone for homecoming court, please sign up at this link.
October 14: Dance starts at 8:00 PM; Concludes at 11:00 PM
All students in Grades 9-12 may purchase a Homecoming Dance ticket(s) through GoFan. The promo code is your student ID number. Any student bringing a guest from a different school, must turn in a completed guest form. Guest forms can also be picked up from the front office. All forms must be submitted on or before October 6th.
Raise it to the Rooftop: A Grand Piano Fundraiser
Save the date to hear some great music, eat good food and support the k-12 music department!
FORMATA's RAISE It To The ROOFTOP - Music, Food and Fun!
WHO: The Waunakee Music Boosters have changed their name to the Waunakee Family Organization for Music and Theater Arts (FORMATA). They are partnering with the Friends of Waunakee Performing Arts to host Raise It To The Rooftop: A Grand Piano Fundraiser.
WHERE: The Lone Girl, 114 E. Main St. Waunakee
WHAT: Featuring performances by music teachers and students including Ms. Sussanah Herrick and her band Finding North, Mr. Mike Steen and his band Whiskey Farm and the Waunakee High School Jazz Combo, Ice Cream Truck
WHY: Enjoy a night of music while supporting our vibrant music and theatre programs through financial support, advocacy, volunteer opportunities and helping with the purchase of a Yamaha S6X concert Grand Piano for the Performing Arts Center.
WHEN: Sunday October 8, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
DONATE TO OUR ONLINE AUCTION? Waunakee Formata is also hosting an online auction from October 6-8. We are looking for individuals who are willing to donate auction items. All funds raised will go toward the new grand piano for the PAC. If you would like to make a donation, please complete the 2023 Donation Auction Form. If you have any questions, please email Christina Metzger. Donation items are due Monday, October 2nd.
HOSA Hosts Fall Social
HOSA Future Health Professionals Club is hosting a fall social on October 12th at Kilkenny Park starting at 6:00 PM. There will be a fun fall movie projected on a large screen, apple cider, fall treats and pumpkins to carve! There might even be a quick pickleball tournament. All are welcome!
From the Library Media Technology Center (LMTC)
Peer Tutors
Our Peer Tutors are now open and available before school and during school. For more information, please visit our website to learn how to best access and use them for assistance.
ChatGPT
Our teachers and library lessons will include further discussion throughout the year about the advent of new AI tools like ChatGPT. As a reminder, our updated student handbook policy regarding academic honesty and plagiarism addresses this specifically to help guide you as you write and study. Academic Honesty: “Use of generative AI programs such as ChatGPT by students on graded assignments is prohibited, except with the express permission of the teacher, in which case the use of AI must be cited by the student. Unauthorized use of AI on graded assignments by the student will be treated as an academic honesty violation.”
COLLECTING CENSUS DATA
If you are a Waunakee Community School District resident and have children (birth through 18 years of age ) not currently enrolled in our district, we would like to hear from you. The census is different from registration. Do not include currently enrolled WCSD students. The benefit to you is that if you fill out the census, you are in our system and we are able to contact you with information appropriate for the age of your child(ren).
It helps us plan our future enrollment in our district. It also allows us to provide you with information appropriate for your child.
Fill out form here: https://tinyurl.com/WCSDCensus2023
PROJECT GRADUATION 2024
Project Graduation Needs Committee Members
Project Graduation is organized by the parents and guardians of the graduating SENIORS. This event was established to offer seniors a safe place to celebrate for FREE and we hope to continue providing it. However, without the help of parents and guardians, our 2024 event may be canceled. Currently, there is no committee and no committee chair.
If you are willing to help plan/organize Project Graduation, email waunagradparty@gmail.com to express interest . There will be a planning meeting on Wednesday, October 18th at 6 PM in the high school teacher's lounge. Thank you for your help and support in advance.
HALLOWEEN IN THE HALLS
Organized by National Honor Society / Sponsored by American Legion
Supporting our Families
Webinar for Dane County Parents, Guardians, and Students
Supports for Students at Edgewood College
Tuesday, October 24, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Learn about the differences in applying, qualifying, creating and using support after high school graduation. Common accommodations, alternatives to full-time courseload with on-campus living, and suggestions for developing self-advocacy will also be shared. This information also applies to other post secondary settings. Students with a physical or mental diagnosis, English Language Learner need, 504 or IEP plan, or a temporary health condition such as a concussion may qualify for support.
The webinar will be led by Patrick Godar, Director of Disability and Accessibility Services at Edgewood College, pgodar@edgewood.edu. Note: after the Webinar a recording will be available at EC DAS
COUNSELING CONNECTION
Juniors & Seniors
A college representative will be available to meet with juniors and seniors in the Counseling Office during Contact Time on the following dates:
Tuesday, October 3, 2023: Marquette University
Friday, October 6, 2023: St. Olaf College
To attend, students must sign up in FlexiSched under the Counseling Office on Monday, October 2, 2023.
Free Application Workshop for Seniors
Seniors, if you are planning to attend Madison College, you're encouraged to attend this application workshop on Tuesday, October 10th from 9:00-11:00 AM! Application fees are waived for students who apply during this great opportunity. Please stop in for a pass or register in FlexiSched under Mr. Landis. If you have any questions please stop by the Counseling Office.
Hello Freshmen!
The school counselors will be holding Meet and Greets with our freshmen. Looking forward to getting to know and supporting our freshmen this year!
2023-2024 Assessment Dates
PSAT/NMSQT: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 | 7:55 am-12:00 pm
Optional - Sophomores / Juniors
No make-up date
ACT: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 | 7:45 am-1:30 pm
Juniors
No School (Frosh, Sophomores, Seniors)
Accommodated window: March 12-22, 2024
Forward Exam: Wed., April 3 & Thurs., April 4 | US History & AP US History Class
Sophomores
PreACT: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 | 8:00 am-11:25 am
Freshman
3 Hr Late Start (Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors)
LINK (155 minutes test time + 15 minute break)
PreACT: Thursday, April 18, 2023 | 8:00 am-11:25 am
Sophomores
3 Hr Late Start (Freshmen, Juniors, Seniors)
LINK (155 minutes test time + 15 minute break)
**NOTE: Students with multi-day testing accommodations will need to be at school for both testing days.
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM): WI test window March 18-April 26, 2024
AP Exams: May 6 - 17, 2024 | AM: 7:45 am-12:00 pm | PM: 11:45 am-4:00 pm
See detailed course listing below
Late Testing - May 22-24, 2024
Address: 301 Community Drive, Waunakee, Wisconsin, USA
To contact the High School, please call: (608) 849-2100. To reach the Attendance, press 1; Health Office, press 2; Counseling, press 3; Main Office, press 0