Whitmer Word

Bells and Whistles

I would like to wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season. As we look to the New Year of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the progress our students have made so far this year and share some important updates as we continue the journey through the second semester.

Winter Break Reflections and Growth

It’s hard to believe that the first semester is behind us. Our students have worked hard and achieved so much, whether academically, socially, or personally. I encourage you to take time to review your child’s progress and celebrate their successes, while also identifying areas where growth is still needed.

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

There are several important events in the month of January that I want to highlight:

• January 6: First day of 3rd Quarter and First Day back from Winter Break

• January 20: No School MLK Day

• February 13: Family Contact 3:30-6:30 pm

• February 14: No School Family Contact 7:15-11:15 am

• February 17: No School Presidents Day

Family Contact provides an excellent opportunity to meet with teachers, discuss your child’s progress, and collaborate on how to best support their academic and personal development. Please contact your child’s teacher if you would like to schedule a family contact time.

Supporting Students Through the Winter Months

January can be a challenging time for many students. The days are shorter, the weather is colder, and the motivation to stay focused can dip. I encourage you to talk to your child about staying organized and managing their time effectively. Simple strategies like setting weekly goals, maintaining a consistent study routine, and taking regular breaks can make a big difference in their success.

Additionally, if your child is struggling with stress or anxiety related to school, please remind them that support is available. Our school counselors are always ready to assist with coping strategies or connect families to additional resources as needed.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership to educate your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming conferences, and I’m excited for all that we will accomplish together in 2025.

Go Panthers!

Mr. Bell

Click below to listen to the Scoop with Supt!

From the Counseling Center

College Credit Plus

The Washington Local School District wishes to inform all current 6th - 11th grade students, and their parents or guardians, of the College Credit Plus informational session for the 2025-2026 school year. This year the informational session will be available virtually from January 23, 2025 - March 31, 2025 on the Whitmer CCP website. The virtual informational session is required for any student who plans to take college coursework from May 2025 - May 2026.

Ohio’s College Credit Plus program allows students to earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking college level courses from colleges or universities. The purpose of this program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wide variety of options to college-ready students.

Class of 2025 Senior Information

Whitmer Class of 2025 Graduation Information

Transcripts

Complete the following form to send transcripts to colleges: Transcript Request Form 2024-25

FAFSA®

The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now OPEN!

How to Prepare for the FAFSA® Form

Scholarships

Check out the current scholarships posted: WHS Scholarship Information. This page is updated consistently, so bookmark it and continue to check it weekly throughout the school year. The Washington Local specific scholarships will be posted on this page on February 14, 2025 and will be due on March 17, 2025. Also, contact college financial aid offices directly for their scholarship opportunities.

UToledo will be offering two on-campus FAFSA and Scholarship Workshops facilitated by Rocket Solution Central on Thursday, January 16 and Monday, January 27. This will allow students and families the ability to receive personalized assistance with the completion of the online FAFSA application and navigating the UToledo Scholarship Manager portal. To learn more about the workshops, to include dates and times, visit utoledo.edu/financialaid/events/. Attached is a flyer for more information and to register, but walk-ins are welcome.

Students should bring the following items to the event:

* Your Social Security Number

* Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

* You and your spouse’s (if applicable) 2023 federal income tax returns, W-2 forms and other records of wages earned in 2023

* Bank statement, records of investment and business income (if applicable)

* Records of untaxed income (if applicable)

* Your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)*

Scheduling for 2025-26 School Year

The scheduling process will begin in February. A list of dates will be provided in the February Whitmer Word.

Course Failures

Seniors: If a required class for graduation is failed the first semester, it can be recovered online during the second semester. Any required classes failed the second semester will need to be recovered in the summer and the student will not walk in the commencement ceremony.

Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors: Students cannot retake current grade level courses failed until after the school year is over.

Employment

Students looking for Seasonal Employment? Here’s a list of companies looking for seasonal employees along with the link to apply.

Additional work opportunities for students: Click here.

Told solely through the stirring music and compelling lyrics of their greatest hits, including "Come Together," "Blackbird", and more, the staging and choreography propel the story forward allowing the focus to remain on the genius of The Beatles and the impact of their music. Let It Be proves The Beatles are just as relevant today, as yesterday. A winning title for schools, colleges, and community and professional theaters.

Illness and Injury Procedure

Students that are ill during the school day and need an early excusal should come to the nurse’s office to evaluate their symptoms.

If your child texts you to pick them up for illness, for the sake of student safety and to save you time, please remind them to go through the nurse and wait for me to call you. I will evaluate your child’s illness and call you to discuss your child’s illness/injury and arrange an early excusal plan with you or arrange a visit to the Whitmer Health Center for further evaluation of your child’s symptoms with your permission.

PARENTS OF JUNIOR STUDENTS:

Please talk to your child’s physician about getting their meningococcal A, C, W, and Y (MCV4). Please note this is NOT the meningitis B vaccine (which is a recommended, not required vaccine). The MCV4 vaccine or booster needs to be given AFTER your child’s 16th birthday but BEFORE the start of your child’s senior year.

Please bring in a physician statement to the nurse’s office indicating the date the vaccine was given so that I can update your child’s information and record them as being complete for the requirement.

January: New Year, New Beginnings

What better way to start the new year (and recover from the non-stop hustle and bustle of the holiday season) than with a reminder to recharge your mental health?

Research continues to show that your mental health significantly impacts your physical health. Individuals with chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes are more likely to experience depression or anxiety. The opposite is true as well: Positive mental health (along with other factors) can reduce your risk of heart attack and other serious conditions. Strong mental health also helps boost your immune system, reducing your risk of getting sick.

So, how can you improve your mind-body connection? View some simple tips below.

Establish emotional balance

Emotional or mental wellness doesn’t mean you always have to be happy. That’s just not realistic. Part of the beauty of being a human is experiencing and learning from all emotions – the ups and downs, the good and the bad.

Emotional balance is the act of being aware of and experiencing your emotions instead of bottling them up inside. Here’s how it works:

• Acknowledge body and emotional changes. Take a moment to notice that you’re experiencing some type of emotion. You don’t have to identify it right away.

• Feel your feelings. Close your eyes and take a deep breath to help you identify your feelings. Do you have butterflies in your stomach? Do you feel a warmth or glowing feeling inside?

• Name the emotion. Words have power. By simply saying, “I feel anxious” or “I feel happy” you can start to respond productively instead of reacting unconsciously.

• Practice mindfulness. Being mindful can help you find emotional balance. Try meditation, yoga or breathing exercises to stretch your mindful muscle. The more you practice, the easier it will become to notice and name your emotions.

Find a purpose

A purpose in life – whether it’s in work, service, hobby or family – can help improve your mind-body connection. In fact, having a sense of purpose offers many benefits, including:

• Being happier;

• Living longer;

• Sleeping better;

• Improved heart health;

• And many others.

So, how can you find your purpose? It’s easier than you think. Below are a few examples:

• Explore your interests;

• Volunteer at local organizations important to you;

• Consider what you love to do;

• Talk to friends and family;

• Try new experiences.

Having a purpose doesn’t mean you need to climb Mt. Everest or start a non-profit. It simply means finding a passion or purpose that helps you live your life. It allows you to focus on the things that matter most.

Keep healthy habits a priority

Physical health and mental health are interconnected. You have to take care of your body in order to take care of your mind. Here are a few healthy habits that should always be a priority:

• Eat healthy. Small changes, a balanced diet and plenty of fresh fruits and veggies are a strong foundation to any diet.

• See your doctor. Wellness visits and preventive screenings ensure you stay healthy. Sick visits help you recover from illness or injury sooner.

• Sleep well. A good night’s sleep allows your body to rest, recharge and function properly.

• Manage stress. Long-term stress takes a serious toll on your mental and physical health. Keep stress in check with some simple strategies

Our mental health plays an important role in our physical health. Focusing on habits that improve our mental and physical health makes us all healthier, happier and stronger.

Credit to: WellBeingTrust (WBT) on Mental Wellness Month

In addition to mental health, the new year is a time to reflect on all areas of yourself that can impact your physical and emotional well- being. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has a toolkit that identifies these areas and offers specific ways to improve the areas of your mind, body, relationships, disease prevention, feelings and surroundings.

Here is a link to the NIH toolkit!

Happy New Year!

Class of 2027 Whitmer Career & Technology Program Information

Sophomore students will have an informational meeting about programs available at Whitmer Career and Technology Center on Tuesday, December 10. Sophomore students will be emailed a link to sign up to tour two programs after the meeting (They will pick their top three). Tour sign up will need to be completed by Thursday, December 19. Program tours will take place on Monday, January 6, 2025. Applications for Whitmer Career and Technology Programs will take place on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 during advisory.

YouScience

You Science is an online platform that helps students discover their natural talents and connect them to personalized career and education opportunities. Every student at Whitmer is enrolled in YouScience. They can access their account and begin by playing some aptitude quizzes by following the User Guide linked here. Below is a flyer with some additional information for caregivers. If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact Ms. Becca Lee - blee@wls4kids.org or Mr. Thom Ziems - tziems@wls4kids.org.

Important Announcement: Updated Electronic Device Protocol

Dear Families and Students,

We hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer break! As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to inform you about an important update to our school protocol regarding the use of electronic devices. We believe that this updated protocol will help students stay engaged in their studies and reduce distractions.

Starting August 21, 2024, we will be implementing an updated Electronic Device protocol designed to create a more focused and productive learning environment for all students. Here are the key points you need to know:

Devices Permitted:

• Personal Electronic / Communication Devices including earbuds, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, pads, laptops, etc. may be brought to school but can only be used at designated times.

• No over-the-ear devices are permitted in the school building, including in the cafeteria.

Restricted Spaces:

• Devices are not permitted for use in the learning space including classrooms, Learning Lab, and during assemblies.

• Earbud devices are not permitted to be worn in the building with the exception of the cafeteria (only one is permitted to be worn).

Usage Guidelines:

• Cell phones may only be used before and after school, during the student lunch break, and in between classes as long as they don’t create a distraction, disruption or otherwise interfere with the educational environment.

• Students must place smaller electronics (cell phones, earbuds, etc.) in the device pocket holder when entering the classroom. Items will remain in the pocket until the end of the class period, including when leaving to use the restroom.

• In an emergency (such as a lockdown), students will be permitted to collect their devices to communicate home to families.

Consequences:

• Any misuse of devices will result in the device being confiscated for the remainder of the day.

• First offense will result in a warning and the student will be permitted to pick up the device from the ARC at the end of the day.

• Repeated violations will lead to further progressive disciplinary actions. In addition, the guardian will need to pick up the confiscated device.

As a reminder, The Board assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage to, misuse or unauthorized use of PCDs brought onto its property.

The full board policy can be referenced HERE.

We appreciate your support in ensuring a smooth transition to this updated policy. Please feel free to review the Whitmer Device Confiscation Form with your student.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Warm Regards,

Whitmer Administration