

Warrior Weekly

PROM "Tangled"
- Prom is being held on Saturday, April 13th from 8-11 PM.
- Tickets must be purchased by noon on Friday, April 12th. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door.
- Junior & Senior students may purchase a maximum of 2 tickets each through the Infinite Campus School Store Portal.
- Freshmen and Sophomore students may attend Prom; however, only as a guest of a Junior or Senior WHS student.
- All students must present their student ID or driver's license to be admitted.
The Grand March will begin at approximately 8:45 p.m. This is the time of the evening when all students that choose to walk through the arch, down the red carpet, and have their names announced may do so. The Grand March concludes with the introduction of Prom Court and the revealing of this year's Prom Royalty. After Royalty has been announced, we ask that parents make their way to the exits and allow students to enjoy the rest of their prom experience.
Thank you for your cooperation during this time. We're looking forward to seeing our students having a great time.
Junior Prom Court Announced
Joshua Alfred, Jenna Abendroth, George Kind, Jeremiah Alfred, Connor Botham, Ethan Evans, Cameron Fanta, Erika Gregorich, Luke Hurlebaus, Catherine O'Brien, Gwyneth Trippie, and Lucy Troester.
Photo credits of Roberta Baumann, Waunakee Tribune
Lunch & Learn for Parents: Teens & Social Media
This Lunch & Learn will offer participants the opportunity to learn more information about social media and ideas to help teens as recommended by the Center for Humane Technology.
When: Friday, April 19th
Time: 11:00-11:30am
Location: Zoom- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86195723579
Facilitator: Nisa Giaquinto-Student Wellness Facilitator
RSVP Contact: ngiaquinto@ccmadison.org
**Nisa Giaquinto works as our Student Wellness Facilitator on Fridays here at the high school. Previously, she was a school counselor for secondary students and has spent over 20 years working with middle and high school students.
Recognizing our Top 10 Scholars Class of 2024
It's our pleasure to announce the Top 10 Scholars of Waunakee Community High School - Class of 2024!
- Parker Andreson
- Luke Chambers
- Vincent Chou
- Levi Christian
- Portia Grade
- Colin Grommon
- Mina Khalil
- Alexis Lingard
- Ish Patel
- Abigail Stringer
Congratulations to you all! Your hard work and dedication to your education is incredible!
Scholars will be recognized at the 30th Annual Badger Conference Top Scholars Banquet on Sunday, April 14th.
Doing Different - Instructional Coaching Corner
What is coaching: It can look many ways. One of the most impactful ways is to examine a specific practice over time. Here is our official model, though we can amend it as necessary to be most useful. What coaching is not: Evaluative. Public. Magic. Concept of the week: Fisheye Syndrome. It has to do with which students monopolize our discussion time. It was in this Cult of Pedagogy podcast. Current Book Study: Proficiency-Based Learning Other books of the moment: The Choreography of Presenting, Disrupting the Teacher Opportunity Gap, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps
Feel free to contact Michael Dreyer with any questions or to set up a coaching cycle.
Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
Shoutout to our Paras!
We thank our Paras here at the High School for their dedication, hard work, and the powerful impact they make in the life of our students.
On April 3rd, Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, lunch was provided in recognition of our aweseome team of paraprofessionals!
Chinese Instructor Receives Award
Congratulations Ms. Xiuping Zhu, HS/MS Chinese Instructor!
Ms. Zhu recently attended the CLTA Annual American Chinese Teachers Conference in St. Louis where she was awarded The Beijing Language and Culture University Press Award for K-12 Professional Development.
Bravo Ms. Zhu!
Library Media & Technology Center (LMTC)
Laptops Available in the LMTC
The LMTC has new HP Laptops available for checkout INSIDE while you're using the LMTC space (before school, study hall, contact time). So, if you're wanting a faster machine than your Chromebook while you're here, ask Mr. Schiemann or Mrs. Brown to check one out.
Featured Weekly New Book
"Marco Calvo always knew his grandfather, affectionately called Papoo, was a good man. He was named after him, after all. A first-generation Jewish immigrant, Papoo was hard-working, smart, and caring. When Papoo peacefully passes away, he expected the funeral to be simple. However, he is caught off guard by something unusual. Among his close family and friends are mourners he doesn't recognize-Japanese-American families-and no one is quite sure who they are or why they are at the service. How did these strangers know his grandfather so well? Set in the multicultural Central District of Seattle during World War II and inspired by author Josh Tuininga's family experiences, Don't Let Us Down explores a unique situation of Japanese and Jewish Americans living side by side in a country at war. Following Marco's grandfather's perspective, we learn of his life as a Sephardic Jewish immigrant living in America and his struggles as he settles into an America gearing up its war efforts. Despite the war raging just outside America's borders, Papoo befriends Sam Akiyama, a Japanese man who finds his world upended from President Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066. Determined to keep Sam's business afloat while he and his family are unjustly incarcerated, Papoo creates a plan that not only changes the lives of the Akiyamas, but of the entire Nihonmachi community. An evocative and beautifully illustrated historical fiction graphic novel revealing the truth of one man's extraordinary efforts, Don't Let Us Down converges two perspectives into a single portrait of a community's struggle with race, responsibility, and what it truly means to be an American"--Provided by publisher.
Summer Camps 2024
Waunakee Community School District offers many amazing athletic opportunities for our youth in grades K-12. A complete schedule of the camp offerings for the summer of 2024 can be found on our district website. Registration for all programs will be through GoFan.
Course Offerings I Click Here
Course Offerings/Spanish I Click Here
Register Via GoFan I Click Here
Summer Camps Website I Click Here
Student Financial Assistance I Click Here
Thank you for supporting our student-athletes, coaches, and programs at Waunakee Community High School!
Rotary Exchange Host Families Needed
The Waunakee Rotary Club will be hosting a high school girl from Spain for the 2024-2025 school year. They are seeking families who would be willing to host this student for next school year. Rotary would like three families to share this responsibility so the student receives three different experiences during their stay, and it keeps the stay at any one home to about four months. If you are interested in being a host family, or want to discuss this opportunity and learn more, please contact Carol Bleifield from Waunakee Rotary at dfbleifield@yahoo.com. Thanks for considering.
Be Informed
The Waunakee Community School District Board of Education (BOE) met on Monday, April 8, 2024. View the Updates Here for items the Board of Education took action on during that meeting.
June 2024 Lifeguard Training Class
American Red Cross Blended Learning Lifeguard Training Classes will be offered at the Waunakee High School.
Please open the attachment for complete information on this opportunity.
Boys' Volleyball Open Gym
There will be an open gym on Friday, April 12th for any boys who are interested in trying out for volleyball. Meet at the Intermediate School from 7-9 PM. FREE of charge!
Please contact Sean Gehrke @ 608-658-3720 or seankylene@gmail.com with any questions.
Lights, Curtains, Action!
The Waunakee High School Drama Department will present Alice by Heart on May 2, 3, & 4. Performances will be held in the Small Auditorium beginning at 7:00 p.m. Purchase your tickets through Waunakee.Booktix.com.
Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
The next High School Parent Advisory Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, April 15th at 6 PM. Topics of discussion: Prom, Direct Admit, SEE Week, School Goals, and Graduation.
To receive the ZOOM meeting link, please email cindyrichardson@waunakee.k12.wi.us by 3:30 PM on the 15th.
Alternate Clock Schedule
The following schedule is for the week of April 15-19. Please note that on the testing days buses will run on their regular schedule; please plan accordingly.
- April 15: A-Day
- April 16: B-Day
- April 17: PreACT Testing* for freshmen
- April 18: PreACT Testing* for sophomores
- April 19: A-Day
*We wish all students taking the PreACT the best of luck. Thank you to all students and parents for your cooperation during these testing days.
Counseling Office Connection
Hello Seniors
Senior Scholarships and Awards Night will be held on Wednesday, May 15th at 7:00 PM in the PAC. Students who will be awarded scholarships and/or other awards will receive invites for this event. If you applied for scholarships, check your email for an invitation in early May. You’ll receive a link to RVSP, as well as other information.
Attention Seniors
PreACT Secure Assessment
Wisconsin students in 9th and 10th grade will be participating in the PreACT Secure Assessment as part of the required state assessment system. This will be administered in-person at the high school on:
- Wednesday, April 17 from 8:00-11:15 AM for Freshmen
- Thursday, April 18 from 8:00-11:15 AM for Sophomores
Students need to bring their school issued Chromebook fully charged and their power cord. Students should arrive between 7:45-8:00 AM on their testing day.
Please note, if you have multi-day testing accommodations for this assessment, you may need to attend both days, check your email for further instructions.
These two days will be 3-hour late start days for high school students who are not testing. After school activities will take place after school, as scheduled. Please reach out to Mrs. Varney, testing coordinator, at 608.849.2100 x2330 or katherinevarney@waunakee.k12.wi.us with any questions.
Mountain Bike Team (Grades 7-12)
There will be an informational Mountain Bike Team meeting on Thursday, April 25 at 6:00 PM in the High School Commons for any students/families interested in joining for the 2024 fall season.
Yearbook Storage Closest Pre-Sale
As the Tech Ed department prepares for a remodel this summer the Print Pub staff would like to invite you to a yearbook storage closet pre-sale. We will be selling our overstock books for a one time only low price of $10.00 per book for any yearbook in our storage room. You can see a live list of books available HERE. This would be a wonderful time to either start, build on or fill in gaps to your collection. Having a yearbook is a wonderful way to look back on the years spent here at WHS. Books can be purchased with either Cash or Check made out to WCSD. Please have your student stop in room 1405 and talk to Mr. Willauer to purchase a book. We plan on going live with this sale to the community in the next few weeks. Please help us give these books a home so we don't have to move them for our remodel.
School Guidelines / Attendance Policy & Procedures
Attendance Tips Reminder
The state of Wisconsin allows parents / guardians to excuse their student’s absences for a total of 10 days per school year. (That's a maximum 50 class absences for students in grades 9-11, or 45 class absences for seniors.) After that, school administration may require prior approval for any future absences. To avoid ever reaching this limit, submit documentation for certain absences at WHS_attendance@waunakee.k12.wi.us
College: Bring some documentation showing appointment/tour date and time OR submit a picture of your student in front of a sign.
Funeral: Parent should call or send a message to attendance.
Vacation: Send a handwritten note with dates of travel. Paren ts must be traveling with the student.
Religious Holiday: Parent should call or send a message to attendance.
Project Graduation Volunteer Assistance
Attention Senior Families
It's hard to believe that Graduation is less than 2 months away!
We hope to host Project Graduation following Graduation on June 2 from 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM. This substance-free party is a long standing Waunakee tradition and FREE for our graduating seniors! It was designed to provide our graduates with a safe place to celebrate while keeping them from drinking and off the roads.
We want to thank you for your generous donations which will go towards lots of fun activities, food and prizes including cash. See event schedule below.
HOWEVER....in order to make this night happen, we need your help! We have lots of VOLUNTEER shifts in varying lengths. We ask that you PLEASE SIGN UP by April 30. If we do not fill the majority of these slots by April 30, we may have to consider canceling the event or paring back on activities. We DO NOT want to spend the month of May pestering you for help, so sign up today!
Senior REGISTRATIONS are due on May 31. Any senior under 18, must have a parent/guardian complete a permission slip. All attendees must stay until the event is over. The Project Graduation Committee will collect keys and securing them for the night.
Project Graduation Event Schedule:
- 6:00 - 7:00 PM: Registration/Check-In (You may NOT enter after 7:00 pm), Food, Game Room, and Tournament Sign Up
- 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Hypnotist Show
- 8:30 PM - 12:00 AM: Activities (Volleyball, Dodgeball and Cornhole Tournaments; Digital Photo Booth; Caricature Artist; Temporary Tattoo Artist; Ping Pong; Dance Club; Karaoke; Game Room; and Food)
- 12:00 - 1:00 AM: Price is Right Game Show and Check Out
Thank you,
The Project Graduation Team
Neighborhood Town Hall Meeting
New Heritage Elementary
The Waunakee Community School District continues to work with our referendum partners to design and construct the facilities approved by the voters in 2022. Projects include a new Heritage Elementary School (opening Fall 2024) and Waunakee Community Middle School (opening Fall 2026).
Join us for a Neighborhood Town Hall Meeting on May 29th from 6-7 PM to learn about the school district's construction projects in the neighborhood along South Street.
View invitation here. Visit our website for more information.
Class of 2024 Graduation
Commencement is set for June 2, 2024
Here are some important details about graduation for you to note:
- When: Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 3:00 PM
- Where: Waunakee High School - Field House
- Field House doors will open at 1:30 PM.
- Seating is based on a first come-first serve basis. Reserving seats with blankets, signs, etc., is prohibited and the items will be removed.
- The number of guests each graduate may invite has not been set due to the large seating capacity in the Field House. However, please be considerate in the number of guests you invite.
- Stadium seats (seat cushions with backs) are acceptable and may be used for your seating pleasure.
- Honor Cord/s: Students who achieve academic honors may wear the acceptable honor cord(s) of purple, silver, white or gold. All other cords are not permitted and may not be worn in commencement services. Seniors who earn honor cords will be notified May.
- Handicap seating is available upon request. Please call 608-849-2100, ext. 2046 to make arrangements.
- Link for the Live Stream will be made available prior to the event.
- Empire Photography will again photograph commencement ceremonies. Each graduate is photographed as they receive their diploma and a solo portrait is taken after they exit the stage. Proofs will be sent to graduates and their families within 48-hours of the ceremony.
- Diplomas will be distributed in the High School main office immediately after the ceremony for graduates to pick up. Diplomas will not be mailed.
Dates to Calendar
APRIL
April 16: Distribution of Graduation Orders
April 17: PreACT for Freshmen (3-hr late start for Grades 10-12)
April 18: PreACT for Sophomores (3-hr late start for Grades 9,11,12)
April 24: Open Enrollment Deadline
April 24: Scholarship Fund Drive Night (5-8 PM)
MAY / JUNE
May 2-4: "Alice by Heart" Performances in PAC at 7PM/$12 ticket
May 20: No School/Staff Development
May 27: No School/Memorial Day
May 28-29: Senior Final Exams
May 30: Seniors, please note the following:
- 8:30-9:30 AM: Senior Walk-thru at Elementary Schools *(Transportation provided by Lamers)
- 9:30-10:30 AM: Graduation Rehearsal in WHS Field House
- 10:30 AM: Senior Brunch in the Commons (free for all Seniors!)
June 2: Class of '24 Commencement, 3PM, HS Field House
June 3-6: Final Exams for Underclassmen
June 7: Community Open House: Randy Guttenberg Retirement
June 24: Summer School Begins (by teacher recommendation only)
2024-2025 School Calendar
Mark your calendar for the Homecoming Dance on September 28, 2024.
Scholarships or Payment Plans Available
Scholarships or payment plans are available to any student who has been approved for the free/reduced meal program and may be available to any student whose families have a financial need due to unique circumstances.
https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/families/student-financial-assistance
Please contact Teri Reible at 608-849-2000 to learn more about these opportunities. If you need assistance in a language other than English, please call the district interpreter and translator at 608-849-2000, option 2.
Waunakee Community Cares Coalition
The Waunakee Community Cares Coalition (WCCC) is dedicated to keeping Waunakee healthy and resilient. To receive updates of all of the trends, resources available, and community initiatives in the spaces of alcohol/drug prevention and mental health, please sign up for their monthly newsletter.
Link to sign up to receive newsletter: https://www.waunakeecares.org/contact
Link to our resource pages: https://www.waunakeecares.org/resources-1
Lunch Menus
Contact Information
Waunakee Community High School
301 Community Drive
Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone: (608) 849-2100
Website: whs.waunakee.k12.wi.us