Panther Print for Parents 🐾

We hope you're enjoying a fantastic summer! As we eagerly anticipate the return of our Panthers in the coming weeks, we're excited to streamline this year's enrollment process for you and your family.

In previous years, returning students were required to complete a stack of paperwork during the initial days of school. This year, and moving forward, we have simplified this process by allowing you to complete all necessary forms directly from your phone or online device. These forms are essential for ensuring the safety and security of our students and staff, as well as maintaining the most accurate information for each student.

Attached, you will find detailed instructions on how to access and complete these forms. Should you have any questions or need assistance navigating the website, please do not hesitate to contact your child's school.

We look forward to a successful and smooth start to the school year!

Best regards,

Watervliet Public Schools

Additional Resources:

Forgot My Username or Password

https://docs.google.com/.../1yAUZVLfLpKioHX8Lwc7V.../edit...

How to Create a Parent Account in PowerSchool

https://docs.google.com/.../1OgGEvKhvZOEJ25Hp455Y.../edit...

In order for your child to receive his/her Chrome Book on the 2nd day of school, these enrollment forms must be completed. Please call our main office if you need assistance. Thank you.

• The cafe side of the building opens at 7:45 AM. Students may wait outside of the cafe doors until 7:45 AM when the building is unlocked.
• Students will wait in the cafe until 8 AM; schedules will be available for students who need them there. Breakfast is free to all students in the cafe from 7:45-8:10 AM.
• Students will have all 7 classes on the first day of school and dismiss at 11:40 AM.
• Students are encouraged to grab a sack lunch on their way out of the building on Monday.
• Student will find out their lunch hour on the first day of school. All breakfasts and lunches are free to all students.
• Students who would like a schedule change can pick up a schedule change form from Mrs. Dawson in the counseling office. We do not change any schedules for any reason after the first week of school. We do not change schedules for the purpose of changing lunch periods.
• Students who need a Chrome Book, must return the tech use agreement on the second day of school and have completed returning student paperwork done online by a parent. The tech use agreement form will be given to students by their English teacher on Monday. If your child is a Senior and does not have an English class in the building, he/she can pick up a tech use agreement in the main office.
• Student drivers must have a parking pass to park in the student parking lot. It can be picked up in the main office at no cost. A second pass for a second car costs $5. Passes will be checked for all car after the Labor Day holiday. Car without parking passes, will be ticketed. If you have already registered your car a previous year, you are not required to register again, unless you are driving a new or different car.
• There is no student pick up or drop off in front of the high school building. Drivers who park in the red zone in front of the building risk being ticketed.
• If your child has any medication that needs to be taken during the school day, the parent must personally deliver it to the main office and complete paperwork. DO NOT SEND ANY MEDICATION INTO SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD.

All families are invited to join us for our annual open house on Wednesday, August 21st between 4-6 PM. Enter through the cafe/gym side of the building. There you will pick up your child's schedule, locker information, and a map of the building. Dinner will be provided in the cafe. Teachers will be in their individual classrooms and are excited to meet and welcome your child to the new school year!

Check out the needed supplies for each of the classes at the high school. If your child has difficulty obtaining any needed supplies for the start of the new school year, please reach out to Mrs. Dawson, the School Counselor, at jdawson@watervlietps.org for assistance. Supplies are not needed on the first day f school. Your child can wait until attending all of these classes, before getting needed supplies.

Mrs. Simmons English 9. notebook/pens/pencils

Mrs. Simmons AP Seminar. notebook/pens/pencils

Mrs. Riedinger English 9. spiral or composition notebook/pencils/folder

Mrs. Riedinger English 10. spiral or composition notebook/pencils/folder

Mrs. Riedinger English 11. spiral or composition notebook/pencils/folder

Mrs. Bruce English 11. spiral notebook/pens or pencils/colored pencils

Mrs. Bruce English 12. spiral notebook/pens or pencils/colored pencils

Mrs. Bruce Creative Writing. notebook or journal/pens or pencils/colored pencils

Mrs. Lefor Spanish 1 and 2. spiral notebook

Mrs. Girton Transitions. pencils/spiral notebook

Mr. Arter Transitions. pencils (non mechanical) 6 spiral notebooks

Mrs. Sibley AP Computer Science. folder or 3 ring binder/pencils/pens

Mrs. Sibley Pre-Calc. 5 subject notebook with folder pockets inside/pencils/folder

Mrs. Sibley Algebra 2. 3 subject notebook with folder pockets inside/pencils/folder

Mrs. Mosher Geometry. spiral bound notebooks/pencils/folder

Mr. Linderman World History. folder and notebook

Mr. Linderman AP Government folder and notebook

Mr. Weber Civics. folder

Mr. Weber Psychology folder

Mr. Tremblay PE/Health. gym clothes

Mr. Tremblay Weight Training. gym clothes

Mr. Corkins Earth Science. colored pencils/graph composition notebook/markers/pencils/pens/highlighter

Mr. Corkins Marine/Freshwater Science. colored pencils/graph composition notebook/markers/pencils/pens/highlighter

Ms. Irmen Chemistry. pencils/pens/notebook/folder

Mrs. O'Toole Biology. pencils/3 ring binder with loose leaf paper or folder and notebook

Mrs. O'Toole Biology 2. pencils/3 ring binder with loose leaf paper or folder and notebook

Mrs. O'Toole AP Biology pencils/pens/highlighters/composition notebook/3 ring binder with lose leaf paper/graphing paper or folder and spiral notebook

Mrs. Hunt Art 1, Art 2, Ceramics and Sculpture. box of pencils

Mrs. Brush Treble and Concert Choirs. box of pencils

Mrs. Brush Theatre. pencils/folder/spiral notebook/earpods

Mrs. Hollandsworth Band. pencils/3 ring binder

Mrs. Hollandsworth Jazz Band. pencils

Information for a change in transportation must be submitted to the transportation office no later than 12:00pm on the day needed for approval.

The bus garage will no longer accept changes to a drop off location if it comes in after 12:00pm. This causes unnecessary stress on our drivers. If the change is to be for several days or permanent, we will note the change starting the next day and give the driver the information when they return from their route.

Once the buses leave from the high school, they will no longer stop to let someone who missed the bus on. If this happens, the student will need to come to the office and call home. This is a safety issue for all students and drivers. This is especially dangerous at the MS/HS bus loop.

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be released by December 1, 2024 to all students looking to secure financial aid for Academic Year 2025-26.

The Department also announced that they will roll out a testing period to a select number of students beginning October 1, 2024. The testing period is being put in place to identify and fix any software issues to ensure a smooth rollout when the application is open to all students in December. It is unknown how this selection process will be determined and we encourage you to promote the December 1, 2024 date as the date your students can start completing their FAFSA.

Federal Student Aid outreach tools and resources that typically accompany the form will be released in advance as well. MI Student Aid will be sure to share these resources as they become available.

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®.

PBIS TEAM

WHS facilitates a PBIS team that includes parents, students, teachers, staff, and administrators. The team meets monthly on the last Monday of each month at 3:15 PM to implement Tier 1 PBIS support. All high school students are eligible to participate!

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

The National Honor Society gives special recognition to students who have distinguished themselves in the four areas of scholarship, leadership, character, and service. The purpose of NHS is to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to encourage the development of character. New members (students going to be JUNIORS and SENIORS for the following school year) are chosen each spring by a committee of five faculty members. The selection committee chooses new members based on the above mentioned areas.

STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE PRINCIPAL

Each year, representatives from each class are identified to meet with the principal collectively in the form of the student advisory council to the principal on a regular basis to review and give input into the policies and procedures at WHS. Student representatives for the 24-25 school year have already been selected.

STUDENT COUNCIL

The Watervliet High School Student Council is the elected student government that is the main voice of the student body recognized by the faculty and administration. They coordinate all student activities. Committees are formed to facilitate Homecoming, Winterfest, Red Ribbon and Teacher Appreciation Weeks, and other activities for which this student group has responsibility. The Student Council is responsible for promoting school spirit through Spirit Weeks. Students must show exemplary citizenship, possess a good work ethic, have a willingness to work well with others, and participate in all activities including the annual fundraiser. Student representatives for the 24-25 school year have already been selected.

QUIZ BOWL

This club is open to all students who want to compete in an academic setting. As part of academic challenge, quiz bowl participants practice and compete in several tournaments during the school year. Some travel and weekend commitments are involved.

ESPORTS

Electronic sports, e-sports, or eSports is a form of competition using video games Esports takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, between players and teams. See Mrs. Overacker in the middle school if you are interested.

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD

Students have the opportunity to explore topics that often they would not experience in their normal school day. For some activities, the experience is very “hands-on”, as students create designs, solve problems and learn the importance of teamwork. Science Olympiad activities culminate in a tournament, which adds the excitement of competition. In each of the High School divisions, there are 23 separate events in which a student may participate. A tournament is like a track meet, so an individual student should expect to compete in several different events. Those events range from anatomy to astrophysics to aeronautics. See Dr. Mosher if you are interested.

ROBOTICS

High School Robotics is a club that will meet periodically throughout the year until the season officially starts. The season starts at the beginning of the year and runs until mid April. Robotics involves planning, design, building, electronics, engineering, marketing, coding, and operating a robot that accomplishes specific tasks. There are 2 regional competitions and if you finish with enough points, you are invited to attend the state competition. You will work with power tools Attendance is mandatory and usually meets 2-4 times each week and several Saturdays to ensure the robot is ready for the start of the season. Marketing involves getting sponsorships and fundraising and promoting the team. See Mr. Kindt at the middle school if you are interested.

FRESHMEN MENTORS

Each year, Junior and Senior mentors are identified by the principal to mentor students in the Freshmen Class. Mentors attend annual training and participate in activities throughout the year supporting and assisting freshmen students. Mentors are selected in the spring. If you are interested, reach out to Ms. Powers.

INTERACT

INTERACT is a service organization supported by the Paw Paw Lake Rotarians. The members of the club meet regularly and complete several service projects each year. See Ms. Powers if you have interest in participating.

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.

AUGUST

19 Mentor Training/Freshmen Orientation Day

21 WHS Open House 4-6 PM

NO CHROME BOOKS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED UNTIL THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

IF YOUR CHILD DOES NOT COME TO FRESHMEN ORIENTATION OR OPEN HOUSE, YOUR CHILD WILL GET HIS OR HER SCHEDULE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

21 Fall Sports Parent Meeting 6 PM - Auditorium

23 Impact Day for Athletes

26 First Day of School ½ day for students; 11:40 AM dismissal

30 No School Students and Staff (Labor Day Break)

SEPTEMBER

2 No School Students and Staff (Labor Day Break)

4 SAC Mtg. 7:30 AM

11 Debate League Competition

13 Home Football Hall of Fame Game 7 PM

16 Parent Presentation: So My Child Has an IEP? 6 PM

17 Standards Based Grading Night for Parents 6-8 PM 17 Constitution Day

17 Blood Drive

18 SAC 7:30 AM

18 Early Release 1:10 PM dismissal

19 Picture Day

25 PAC 6 PM

30 PBIS Mtg. 3:15 PM

OCTOBER (COLLEGE APPLICATION MONTH)

1 FAFSA Opens for Senior Families

2 Count Day

2 Debate League Competition

2 SAC 7:30 AM

4 SOTM Breakfast 8:15 AM

7-11 Homecoming Week

11 Homecoming Assembly, Game, Dance

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

17 Financial Aid Night for Senior Parents 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 6 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

19 Blood Drive

20 PAC Mtg. 6 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. 6 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 6 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 6 PM in the high school media center.

September 25

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

September 16 So My Child Has an IEP? (intended for parents of students with IEPs)

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

Oct 17 Financial Aide Planning Night for parents of Seniors

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

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)

WHAT IS DUAL ENROLLMENT?

Dual enrollment is the process by which a high school student completes a college course or courses during the school day while also earning credit toward his/her high school diploma. These college courses are completed at the cost of Watervliet Public Schools. Dual enrollment at WHS is in partnership with Lake Michigan College and Southwestern Michigan College. The dual enrolled courses typically count towards your child’s required elective credits.

WHAT ARE BENEFITS TO DUAL ENROLLING? Dual enrolling in high school increases the likelihood that your child will enroll in post secondary coursework after high school. It eases the transition from high school to college as students get to experience what it is like to take college courses while still in high school. Because students are taking college courses in high school, it lessens the time that is needed on a college campus to complete a degree after high school. Dual enrolling in high school lessens the cost of a college degree as Watervliet Public Schools assumes the cost of college courses while a student is in high school. Dual enrollment also allows students to explore classes they might be interested in outside of the traditional high school offerings and can provide more rigorous coursework when needed.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED? If your child has interest in pursuing this option for the fall semester, please call, email, or come into the counseling office this week to seek out more information. The counseling secretary (Mrs. Tyler) will get your child started in this process by looking at a course catalog at the offerings available at LMC and SMC. In addition to classes offered at the Benton Harbor campus (for which we will be providing a bus this year), there are also online classes that can be taken here at WHS.

This past semester, 95 Panthers are dual enrolled in a total of 120 courses while also working toward their high school diplomas at Watervliet High School. We would like to see your child take advantage of this opportunity as well, if he/she is eligible. Students need a cumulative 3.0 GPA to be considered for dual enrollment. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns on the topic of dual enrollment. We are eager to make the opportunity available to eligible students with interest.

On Monday, August 19th, our annual Freshmen Orientation will take place at the high school. All freshmen parents have been emailed individually about this event. Freshmen should report to the cafe/gym side of the building between 1:30-1:45 PM. Junior and Senior mentors will be present to meet and greet the incoming Class of 2028. Freshmen will get their schedules, lockers, a tour of the building and the lowdown on how life operates at the high school. If your child needs transportation to the high school for this event, please contact the high school office. Parents are invited to join us at 5 PM for dinner and at 5:30 for a family assembly in the auditorium. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT ALL FRESHMEN ATTEND THIS EVENT!

We have an outstanding and incredibly hard working faculty and staff at WHS. They can be reached by email or phone as needed. As a team, we look forward to supporting you and your Panther this school year!

Office Staff

Ms. Christina Powers--Principal

Mrs. Jamie Dawson--School Counselor
Mrs. Jessica Tyler--Counseling Office Secretary

Mr. John Guillean--Athletic Director

Mrs. Nancy Scowcroft--Athletic Secretary

Custodial Staff

Mr. Tony Carter

Ms. Tammy Clark

Mrs. Mary Stapleton

Kitchen Staff

Cathy Culver

Nicole Hood-Higgins

Bell Jackson

Rosemary Prillwitz

Kate Rodell

Special Education Dept.

Mrs. Heather Cram--Director of Special Education

Mrs. Tracy Sheffer--Special Education Secretary

Mr. David Arter--Special Education Instructor

Mrs. Devon Girton--Special Education Instructor

Mr. Quinten Johnson--Paraprofessional

Mr. Dylan Raucci--Paraprofessional

English Dept.

Mrs. Amanda Bruce--English 11, English 12, Creative Writing

Mrs. Bailey Riedinger--English 9, English 10, English 12

Mrs. Carolyn Simmons-- English 9, English 10 AP Seminar, Speech/Debate

World Language Dept.

Mrs. Kristine Lefor--Spanish 1 and Spanish 2

Math Dept.

Dr. Donya Mosher--Geometry

Mrs. Mary Sibley--Algebra 2, Pre-Calc, AP Computer Science

Social Studies Dept.

Mr. Jeremy Andrews--US History and US History in Depth

Mr. Zack Linderman--World History and AP Government

Mr. Aaron Weber--Civics, Economics, Psychology, Sociology

Science Dept.

Mr. Bryan Corkins--Earth Science and Marine/Freshwater Science

Mrs. Lauren Irmen--Chemistry

Mrs. Nicole O'Toole--Biology, Biology 2, AP Biology

Fine Arts Dept.

Mrs. Sarah Brant--Online Learning, Peer to Peer, Yearbook

Mrs. Tami Brush--Treble Choir, Concert Choir, Theatre

Mrs. Jen Hollandsworth--Marching Band and Jazz Band

Mrs. Marcella Hunt--Art 1, Art 2, Sculpture and Ceramics

Mr. Allen Steele--Woodworking

Mr. Josh Tremblay--PE, Health, and Weight Training