Panther Print for Parents 🐾

Dear Senior Families:

The FAFSA is now open and able to be completed!

Students who can complete the FAFSA by December 20th (within the first 20 days that it is open) will receive a free goody bag from Ms. Powers. Students who complete the FAFSA by Spring Break will be able to participate in the Pie a Staff Member in the Face event, in which students get to pick the staff member of their choice to pie in the face before leaving for spring break.

Mr. Coburn, our certified FAFSA expert, will be meeting with your Senior in the next month to ask the following questions: (1) where have you applied? (2) where have you been accepted? (3) do you have your FSA ID?

If you would like to meet with Mr. Coburn to get assistance in completing the FAFSA, please reach out to him at christopher.coburn@watervlietps.org. He is available during and after the school day to meet with any parent who would like assistance.

It only takes 30 minutes to complete the FAFSA once you have all of the needed information: FSA ID for both parent and student, 2023 tax information, total current account amount for both parent and student, net worth of any businesses, SS # for both parent and student, and a list of all of the schools to which your Senior has applied.

It is our goal that 100% of the Class of 2025 completes the FAFSA this year. Whether your child is headed to post secondary training or not, plans can change over the summer. We want your child to be ready for whatever comes their way in the Fall of 2025 with a completed FAFSA! THANK YOU !

Wednesday's early release day provided a fun break from our serious art projects, allowing us to create art with frosting, graham crackers, and vanilla wafers. Art I students blended colors to make frosting color wheels, while Art II students recreated iconic masterpieces.

Berrien County Early Middle College (EMC) is a 5-year high school program where students can get a head start on college and their career by earning an associate degree or certificate for FREE!

Students have the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and one of the following at the same time:

• substantial transferable college credits
• technical or career certificate
• opportunity to begin a registered apprenticeship
• or an associate degree

Students apply for the program during their sophomore year of high school. If accepted, participants take college classes during 11th and 12th grades, and then attend college full time during their 5th year of high school to complete the program.

PARENTS OF 9th and 10th GRADERS are invited to an informational meeting on Thursday, December 5th at 6 PM in the high school media center.

All parents and students are invited to our monthly PBIS team meeting in the high school media center on Monday at 3:15 PM. We will be reviewing disciplinary data for the last month of the school year and comparing it to disciplinary data from the first two months of the school year. We will continue to progress forward in our PBIS framework, looking at the behaviors that comprise the different referral codes in Powershool. Students can put this time down as community service if attended and/or add it to a resume/college applications. See Ms. Powers with questions or interest.

The letter below has been mailed home to all families of eligible students who are not yet dual enrolled for the spring semester. Please reach out to us with questions.

We are ending our regular debate league season and wanted to update you regarding our final debate and our State Debate. Our final league debate is December 4. We will be holding a 7:30 a.m. practice next week,Tuesday, Nov. 25, and another practice Tuesday, Dec. 3, until 4 p.m. Please encourage your child to practice their speeches over the Thanksgiving break so they are best prepared for a great finish to our league debate! We will be debating these bills: “A Bill to Penalize Animal Abuse” and “A Bill to Place an Age Cap on the Presidential Election” (This means, anyone over 65 would not be allowed to vote; I’m looking for ways we can debate in affirmation. If you think of anything, please let me know!)

After our League, we have qualified to participate in the Michigan State Debate Finals at Wayne State University, Saturday, December 14th. All members of our team have indicated that they wanted to participate. Please send me an email confirming this as it is a financial commitment for us to do so. This is a long day. We will need to leave the school at 4:30 a.m., and, depending on the awards length, may not return to the school until 10 p.m. that day. Food and snacks will be provided. If you would like to send additional snacks, it would be greatly appreciated. I am attaching our schedule for that day. Students who are new to the state competition will be in the novice category so it will not be as intimidating for them. We have two members competing for the 2nd time.

Because State Debate will have at least ten bills we will be debating, we will then have a few marathon practices after school the week before the finals. We will have extended practices until 6 p.m. on December 10, 12, and 13.

Each of the debate team members was equipped with Ipads today. This is so they may deliver their speeches more effectively, allowing for movement with their speeches and without an audience barrier in the way that chromebooks do. I wanted you to be aware the purpose of the Ipads you may see is with your child.

Finally, fundraisers for our State Debate fees are due Nov. 25. Please consider purchasing or donating by that date! Check with your child for order forms.

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns,

Thank you,

Carolyn Simmons

On November 20th, Ms. Powers held the monthly PAC meeting in the high school media center. Please take a look at the items that were discussed. In addition to what you see here, parents also had the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns on any topic. Great discussions come out of these meetings. We encourage all parents to attend the next meeting on December 18th at 7 PM in the high school media center. A text reminder is sent to all parents on the day of the meeting.

Jostens is the official partner of Watervliet HS and we work with Sophomores for their Class Ring program. We are trying to keep parents and families informed about the Class ring Program.

Now a days you can design and order your class ring online at Jostens.com, or place your order in school like the old days. Class ring design packets were passed out at school through you sophomore English classes. Make sure you check out the exclusive sophomore ring promos that are valid during your order window. Save $$ and get a free class of Hoodie. We will be in school to take class ring orders on Dec. 2nd to take class ring orders size fingers and display all rings. The class ring promo will end on December 16th. You can order later but the promo will not be valid. We wanted to send you this email so you can get started.

Click on the social media link below for how to videos and order dates.

You can always call my office anytime if you have questions. Hope to see you on Dec. 2nd during lunch on class ring order day

Jim Ross/Jostens

269 217 6936

Watervliet HS Class ring design videos and order shop

Don’t forget to check out the new Tradwinds collection at a lower price

Jim Ross

Jostens of southwest Michigan

269-217-6936

Kelly Dargus / Berrien County RESA

The Chi Kappa Zeta Chapter of ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY, INC. in Benton Harbor, Michigan offers scholarships to young African American women and men who are candidates for graduation from Berrien County area high schools.

Attached is the 2024 - 2025 scholarship application and instructions. Please disseminate to all Berrien County high schools. The application should be completed and submitted no later than midnight Friday, March 07, 2025.

Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact Penny Killebrew-Pollard at (269) 449-3467 or Susan Gillespie at (269) 325-3624

Sincerely,

Penny Killebrew-Pollard

Scholarship Chairperson

Chi Kappa Zeta Chapter

PKillebrew@sbcglobal.net

Susan Gillespie

President

Chi Kappa Zeta Chapter

KobyKaylag@netscape.net

STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD PICK UP AN APPLICATION IN THE COUNSELING OFFICE.

Jostens is the official partner of Watervliet HS and we work with Seniors for their Graduation, C&G and senior rings. We are trying to keep parents and families informed about the upcoming graduation and C&G order deadlines. Now a days you will place your online at Jostens.com. We will be in school to take orders on Dec. 2th to take class ring orders and show all new senior apparel. Remember this is not just a C&G order. Everything we do is custom for you school and this graduation year, so make sure you are planning on how you will celebrate your seniors accomplishments. All prices are reduced when you place your order while the class window is open. You class window is open now and will close on Dec. 20th We wanted to send you this email so you can get started.

Click on the social media link below for how to videos and order dates.

You can always call my office anytime if you have questions.

Jim Ross/Jostens

269 217 6936

Watervliet HS Graduation and C&G order information and how to videos

Jim Ross

Jostens of southwest Michigan

269-217-6936

I grew up in Temperance, Mi and graduated from Bedford High School. After graduating, I went to Grand Valley State University (Anchors Up!) and studied Business Administration as well as Spanish. I am starting my third year teaching Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 at WHS.

In my free time I like to read and camp. I also have been enjoying our yearly family trips to Pittsburgh to watch the Steelers play football!

I am married to my husband, Dave and we have four amazing children, Jacob, Alex, Ryan and Lilly! This year I got a bonus daughter when my youngest son Ryan married Baylee.

I am proud to be a Panther because I can see how staff and students support each other in times of need.

Saturday, November 23

TBD Girls JV & Varsity Basketball Scrimmages at Lawton

TBD Boys JV Maroon & Varsity Basketball Scrimmages at Marcellus

10:00 AM Boys JV White Scrimmage at Countryside Academy

Monday, November 25

4:00/5:00 PM 7 th & 8 th White Boys Basketball at Lakeshore

Tuesday, November 26

6:00 PM JV & Varsity Girls Basketball Scrimmage Home vs. Decatur

Saturday, November 30

12:00 PM JV Maroon Boys Basketball vs. Hackett at Kalamazoo College

1:45 PM Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Hackett at Kalamazoo College

We are working hard to decrease the number of tardies in the building this year. If you have had a student who was tardy to class or school in the last few weeks, you would have received a text/email at the end of the day making you aware of this. This message states that you have a student at the high school who was tardy to one or more classes. If you receive this message, please talk with your child about the cause for the tardy. Students get 2 free tardies each nine weeks with no consequence, but the third tardy and every tardy after that will result in a detention. Thank you for supporting WHS in this endeavor to encourage all students to get to class on time.

Mr. Coburn is the Michigan Adviser college adviser that is assigned to work with seniors in both the Watervliet and Coloma school districts. He has already met with each Senior at least one time this year in order to establish how can assist each in achieving their plans for life after high school. Seiors and their parents can meet with him as needed. Feel free to reach out to him at christopher.coburn@watervlietps.org.

Wesco is honored to be part of every community in our 55 locations and is fortunate enough to give back to them. Through our relationship with Pepsi, $20,000 of fountain profits will be donated to local public high schools like yours.

Every Wesco location will donate three cents from each fountain drink sold to local public high schools during November until the $20,000 donation goal is reached. Each Public High School will receive a minimum of $100. The rest of the $20,000 pledge will be distributed according to sales.

As one of the high schools selected, you will be notified of the amount collected from your local Wesco in early January. We are excited to work with Pepsi on this generous giving program for our local public education.

Sincerely,

Bryan Link
Marketing Director
Wesco Inc.

Do you want to know more about our standards based learning and grading initiative? Be sure to visit our informational page that explains how we assess and grade in the standards based system. If you have questions, please be sure to speak with your student's teacher or principal.

Parents will receive a Monday night phone call if a student is failing any class as of Monday morning. This will occur every week of the school year. If you receive this call, please talk with your child. Ask to see your child's grades in Canvas or log into Canvas yourself.

1. What work is your child missing?

2. What is your child struggling with?

3. Does your child need to complete missing work from being absent?

4. Does your child need to meet with Mrs. Dawson to get extra assistance?

Email or call Mrs. Dawson, the School Counselor, if you do not know how to help your child with failing grades. jdawson@watervlietps.org.

Each week of the school year, the faculty at the high school will review with your child the expectations in one area of the building. The purpose of teaching and reviewing these expectations with your child is to 1. Make sure they understand the expectations in the building and 2. Assist them in having success at the high school. Please review the LOCKER expectations with your child. The expectations below will be reviewed during this coming week.

Students and their families looking to secure more financial aid for college are encouraged to register for an informational webinar about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which is the newest State of Michigan scholarship program expected to impact the majority of students.

Participants will be able to gather the following information:

• Information about the NEW Community College Guarantee
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
• Important action items for students and families
• Additional resources and program information

All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Register for one session only, as space is limited.

Closed captioning will be provided. If you need special accommodations to attend this meeting, contact mistudentaid@michigan.gov two business days prior to the scheduled webinar. Requests received after that date cannot be guaranteed, but every effort will be made to provide the accommodation requested.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is not affiliated with National Merit Scholarship Corporation or its registered trademarks National Achievement®, Achievement Scholarship®, or Achievement Scholar®.

Take a look at the high school calendar dates for the first half of this school year. Additional dates have been added since the last time this calendar was sent home. Feel free to contact the high school office with any questions or concerns. This calendar will continue to be updated and included weekly in our parent newsletter.

NOVEMBER

25 PBIS Mtg. 3:15 PM

27-29 Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

4 SAC 7:30 AM

4 Debate League Competition

5 Early Middle College Parent Presentation 6 PM

11 Early Release 1:10 PM dismissal

11 Career Fair

16 Winter Band Concert 7 PM

16 PBIS Mtg. 3:15 PM

18 SAC 7:30 AM

18 PAC Mtg. 7 PM

19 Winter Choir Concert 7 PM

23-31 Winter Break

JANUARY

1-5 Winter Break

6 Students and Staff Return

8 SAC 7:30 AM

10 SOTM Breakfast 8:15 AM

15-17 Exams; 1/2 days 11:40 AM dismissal

17 End of Semester 1

20 No School for Students (MLK DAY)

22 SAC 7:30 AM

27 PBIS Mtg. 3:15 PM

29 PAC 7 PM

29 Early Release 1:10 PM dismissal

Parent/guardian input and feedback is always important at the high school. We are always in search of parents to serve on the Student Advisory Council to the Principal for the 24-25 school year. All meetings are held in person. Any high school parent is welcome to attend anytime. Mark your calendar now to attend these meetings and provide your input. All meetings are held at 7 PM in the high school media center.

December 18

January 29

February 26

March 26

April 30

May 21

Each month, the high school hosts and provides educational sessions for parents on a variety of topics aimed at preparing students for life after high school.These presentations will again take place during the 24-25 school year. Mark your calendar for these important sessions. All sessions are held at 6 PM in the high school media center

December 5 Early Middle College Presentation (intended for the parents of 9th and 10th graders)

Feb 25 Van Buren Tech Informational Night (intended for the parents of 9th-11th graders)

March (date to be determined) Accommodations in College Night (intended for the parents of students with IEPs and 504 plans planning on post secondary training)

April 23 Dual Enrollment Night (intended for parents of 9th-11th graders interested in earning college credit free while in high school)