Panther Print for Parents 🐾

Can you donate a dinner dish for our staff on the evening of parent teacher conferences? If so, please reach out to Ms. Powers as soon as you are able at cpowers@watervlietps.org. We would like to provide a yummy dinner to our faculty during parent/teacher conferences!

Last week, a small group of juniors and seniors, volunteered to visit MX 3 in Benton Harbor. Thank you to Mr. Steele for supervising the visit. Max³ LLC is a custom builder of plastic molds, which include thermoplastic injection molds, injection thermoset & compression molds, and extrusion blow molds. Students learned what is needed to enter the workforce at MX3 immediately after graduation.

MONDAY --NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS--THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY FOR TEACHERS.

TUESDAY--WEAR YOUR COLLEGE GEAR FOR A SECOND HOUR COMPETITION!

ALL JUNIORS WILL TAKE A MANDATORY PSAT FROM 8:10 AM -12:30 PM. NORMAL CLASSES FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. A small handful of 10th graders have elected to test as well. They have already registered and know who they are.

WEDNESDAY--COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PRESENTATION in ENGLISH 12 CLASSES. Seniors who do not have English in the building are invited to join a presentation either 3rd hour for Mrs. Riedinger or 7th hour for Mrs. Bruce.

PARENT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PRESENTATION at 6 PM for ALL PARENTS in the HS MEDIA CENTER.

THURSDAY--1/2 day for parent/teacher conferences. Dismissal is at 11:40 AM. We do not provide transport to the tech center on half days.

CONFERENCES 12:30-3 AND 4-6 PM

FRIDAY--1/2 day for all students and staff

COLLEGE FAIR from 8:10 AM -11:40 AM

FRESHMEN FIELD TRIP to LMC 8-10:15 AM

AP Seminar students are synthesizing information they gathered from their individual research projects. Originally, they selected a theme, then separated their theme into various perspectives, or lenses, in order to complete in-depth research. For example, this group chose the theme of "Social Media's Effects on Young Adults." Each member then looked at this theme for the various lenses such as mental health, environment, cultural, and educational lenses. Here, they are working intensely to bring the data from their research to formulate a presentation of their findings.

On October 9, high school students, who are English Learners, visited Michigan State University in Lansing. The purpose of the trip was to inspire them to think about college as a post-secondary option. They visited the campus, heard former WPS students talk about their experiences, and were treated to lunch at Brody cafeteria where they met with more MSU students.

Students building spaghetti noodle triangles in Geometry to show congruent triangles when given SSS.

I have a wonderful boyfriend named Zack, and 16 month old son named Max, and two, 3-year-old cats named Kylo and Rey. In our free time, we like to take Max to different nature preserves to go on long walks, play flag football, volleyball, and softball, while also fitting in the occasional movie or two. Max is in his “x-games mode” phase where he loves to climb, jump, and run just about anywhere he is not supposed to.

I graduated from Portage Central High School in 2017, then from Western Michigan University in 2021. I have a B.S in Biomedical Science through the Lee Honors College at WMU. Upon completion, I am also a published author in the field of Biochemistry for my research on GDNF proteins in Crayfish and the impact on human medicine while defending my thesis in both English and American Sign Language.

A surprising fact is I am a competitive flag football quarterback in my free time. Zack and I play on the same team with games every Thursday with the occasional weekend tournament. We are usually known as the team to beat.

I am proud to be a panther because of the fantastic students, supportive staff and administration, along with the welcoming community. Being new to Watervliet, I have felt incredibly supported which is something I hope I am transferring to the students as well.

The After Prom Committee is looking for Parents to volunteer and help! The After Prom is only made possible by volunteers, donations and fundraising. We are looking for volunteers to help with activities to allow the Juniors and Seniors a fun and safe activity after their Prom.

The meeting will be held at the High School on Wednesday October 23rd at 6pm, in the Media Center.

Any questions, please contact Teresa Collins or Carrie Wilder.

Friday, October 11

7:00 PM Varsity Football Home vs. Allegan – HOMECOMING

Saturday, October 12

Marching Band at Rockford MCBA Competition

Tuesday, October 15

5:30/6:30 PM JV and Varsity Volleyball at Coloma

Thursday, October 17

5:30/6:30 PM JV & Varsity Volleyball Home vs. Martin – SENIOR NIGHT

Friday, October 18

7:00 PM Varsity Football Home vs. Constantine - SENIOR NIGHT

Saturday, October 19

10:00 AM Varsity Cross Country at Kalamazoo Christian Elementary School

TBD Varsity Volleyball at St. Joseph Tournament

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.

WEAR COLLEGE GEAR ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15th to school. Students wearing college gear will be counted in their 2nd hour class. The 2nd hour class with the highest proportion of students in college gear will get donuts! The first college gear day was won by the 2nd hour class of Ms. Irmen!

TEACHERS TELL THEIR COLLEGE STORIES to their classes. Where did your teacher go? Why did they choose that college? How did they pay for college? What activities did they participate in? These questions and more will be answered by the following teachers this week !

DAILY COLLEGE TRIVIA on the announcements. Students are encouraged to listen carefully and participate in the daily challenge.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS NIGHT and ENGLISH 12 PRESENTATION Ben Spencer from SMC will make a presentation to parents in the evening (6 PM MEDIA CENTER) and to seniors in their English class during the school day on the college admissions process form beginning to end. This information is not specific to SMC. The evening presentation is open to students and parents at all grade levels. Students who do not have English 12 in the building are invited to join the 3rd hour English presentation with Mrs. Riedinger or the 7th hour English presentation with Mrs. Bruce.

COLLEGE FAIR October 18th from 8:15 AM -11:40 AM. All students will participate.

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.

OCTOBER (COLLEGE APPLICATION MONTH)

14 No School for Students (Professional Development for Teachers)

15 PSAT/NMSQT Testing all Juniors/voluntary Sophomores

16 SAC 7:30 AM

16 College Admissions Night for Parents 6 PM

17 ½ Day for students; 11:40 AM dismissal; Parent/Teacher Conferences 12:30-3 PM and 4-6 PM

18 ½ Day Students and Staff 11:40 AM dismissal

18 College Fair

21-25 Red Ribbon Week

21 Fall Band Concert 7 PM 23 Early Release 1:10 PM dismissal

24 Fall Choir Concert 7 PM

28 PBIS Mtg. 3:15 PM

30 Picture Retakes

30 SAC 7:30 AM

30 PAC 7 PM

NOVEMBER

6 Early Release 1:10 PM dismissal

6 Debate League Competition

6 Military Parent Informational Night 6 PM

8 SOTM Breakfast 8:15 AM

13 SAC Mtg. 7:30 AM

18 Financial Aid Night for Senior Parents 6 PM

19 Blood Drive

20 PAC Mtg. 7 PM

20 Early Release 1:10 PM dismissal

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 Winter Band Concert 7 PM

11 Career Fair

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.

October 30

November 20

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

Oct 16 College Admissions Night (understanding the college admissions process)

Nov 6 Military Informational Night (recruiters from all branches of the military present to talk with interested families)

Nov 18 Financial Aide Planning Night for parents of Seniors

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)