WBHS Family Newsletter

September 2024

Message from Administration

Dear WBHS Families,

I am thrilled to welcome you to the start of another exciting school year! As we start this journey together, I want to emphasize our theme for the year: Better Together.

In the spirit of collaboration, we believe that when students, families, and educators come together, we create an environment where everyone can thrive. This year, our team is working on building stronger connections, supporting one another, and working collectively to ensure every student reaches their full potential.

One of the exciting initiatives we are introducing this year is our grade level assemblies. These assemblies will provide students with opportunities to engage with their peers, build a sense of community, and participate in activities that reinforce our theme of being better together. These gatherings will also allow us to address important topics relevant to each grade, helping our students grow both academically and personally.

We are eager to see the positive impact these assemblies will have on our school culture, and we look forward to your support in making them a success.

Together, we will make this a year of growth, learning, and connection. Let’s make this year unforgettable—because we are truly better together!

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Potter

WBHS Executive Principal

Important Dates

September 3: First Day of School

September 4 & 5: Picture Days

September 6: 9th & 10th Grade Assemblies (during the school day)

September 13:

PreACT Testing (Grades 9-10) (during the school day)
Grade Level Assemblies (Grades 11-12) (during the school day)
Frosh Fest (4:30-6:30 p.m. - see flyer for details)

September 15: 10th Annual Butterfly Run/Walk 5K (see flyer for details)

*Click upper corner of photos to enlarge.

Important Reminders & Updates

First Day of School

Below you’ll find a copy of the high school bell schedule. Students start each day in resource. Students can find their resource teacher listed as their advisor in Skyward. Homebase teacher lists can also be found here: East | West.

Traffic Patterns

As you may know, there is currently construction that is causing back-ups at the intersection of Main Street and Decorah Road. If you or your child is driving to or from school using that intersection, please consider getting to the school another way. If that is not possible, please allow for some extra time due to the lane closures and traffic. We have been told that the construction should last about one more month.

If your child walks to school or home through that intersection, please advise them of this information from the City of West Bend engineer:

The West Bend Police Department will have a crossing guard at this corner as they have in past years along with extra staffing on site to help.
The south crosswalk (corner where Kwik Trip is located) will be closed for several weeks. Pedestrians can reach and go through all sides of the streets by using the north, east, and west crosswalks.

WBSD Way Expanded Release Pass

We are excited to continue our Junior and Senior Expanded Release Plan available for your students with your permission. Participation in this program is optional, allowing our Juniors and Seniors in good standing the flexibility to manage their free periods effectively. Below are the key details and requirements for students who choose to take part:

Participation Details:

On-Campus Option: Students who opt to remain at school during their off periods will be assigned to the cafeteria and sign in with the staff member on duty.

Eligibility Criteria:

Scheduling Requirements:

Students must have 1st period, 7th period, or consecutive study halls and lunch periods off prior to the start of the school year.
Students may also request Period 0 off from Tuesday through Friday if they meet all the requirements below.

Academic Requirements:

Juniors must be on track to have 18 credits by the end of their junior year.
Seniors must be on track to graduate.
Students must maintain a B- (79.5%) or higher in all classes at all reporting times (mid-quarter and report card).

Behavior and Attendance Requirements:

Students must carry their student ID and pass at all times and present them to any staff member upon request.
Entry and exit must be in and out of the main West doors only. Any student who violates this is subject to have their pass removed for the remainder of the year.
Attendance in scheduled classes, homeroom classes, and assemblies is mandatory unless excused by a parent/guardian.
Requests for teacher or class changes to obtain a release pass are not permitted.
Students must not engage in any behavior that results in any major behavior referral including personal technology violations.

Students must acknowledge that they have no outstanding fees or are on a payment plan for any fees owed.

Please review these requirements with your student to ensure they understand their responsibilities if they choose to participate in the Expanded Release Plan. We believe this opportunity can help students develop independence and time management skills, contributing to their overall success. We will issue passes beginning the week of September 16th. Students may submit a request for a pass to the attendance office beginning the week of September 9th. Printed applications will be available in the Attendance Office (Room 1415), or you may download and print your own here: WBHS Expanded Release Form 2024-25.

Students who qualify for an Academic and Career Readiness Release pass for academic or work-related release, such as Youth Apprenticeship, Co-op, CNA or EMT classes, WBVA/Hybrid, ECC, SNC are not subject to the stipulations or timeline above and will be granted approval for early release through out Career Readiness Center. For any questions on the Academic and Career Readiness Release pass, please contact Brenda O’Brien or Amy Barnes in the Career Readiness Center or your student’s counselor.

Exam Exemptions

Last year, we piloted semester exam exemptions for the second semester. We are happy to be able to continue to offer this reward for excellent academic, attendance, & behavior performance, students who meet eligibility requirements will be able to exempt up to 2 exams. In order to qualify, students must meet the following parameters:

The student has no more than 1 unexcused absences from the exempted course for the semester.
The student has no more than 2 unexcused tardies to the class for the semester.
The student has earned an 89.5% or higher in the class at the time of exemption request.
The student has zero major behavior referrals for the semester.
The student may exempt up to two exams for the semester.

*Technical Credit and Advanced Placement courses are subject to different requirements. Please work directly with the classroom teacher for more information in these courses if exemptions are allowed.

Forms will be made available to students further into the first semester.

Grade Level Assemblies

New this year, we will be hosting monthly grade level assemblies led by your student’s administrative, counseling and WBSD Way teams. These will traditionally take place once a month per grade level during the last week of each month. To start the year strong, we will have an additional assembly for each grade level as well. The dates for September are as follows:

September 6: 9th & 10th Grade
September 13: 11th & 12th Grade
September 24: 12th Grade
September 25: 11th Grade
September 26: 10th Grade
September 27: 9th Grade

Personal Technology Expectations

To maintain an effective and distraction-free learning environment, the use of personal technology devices by students is prohibited from 7:15 a.m. to 2:25 p.m in all learning environments. This includes all classrooms, the gym, and study hall. Students are only permitted to use their devices during lunch or passing periods.

Additionally, we are committed to ensuring the safety and privacy of all individuals in our school. Therefore, the use of audio/visual recording devices, including cell phones, is strictly prohibited in bathrooms, locker rooms, and dressing areas. Everyone has the right to a safe and secure environment, and we will not tolerate any violations of this expectation.

For more information on personal technology please see board policy 443.5.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to create a positive and respectful atmosphere for all.

Attendance Process

We are committed to ensuring that every student attends school regularly and on time, as consistent attendance is key to academic success. To support this goal, we are focusing this year on early intervention and enhanced communication with families.

This approach includes closely monitoring attendance patterns to identify and address issues promptly. Similar to previous years, when your student misses any unexcused learning time throughout the day, families will be contacted that day. New to this year, if a student misses any learning time multiple days within the same week, our student support teams will work with the students and families to begin providing support and resources to help overcome possible attendance barriers and to help student’s stay current on their learning.

We believe that strong partnerships with families are essential to make this happen. As part of our updated process, we will proactively reach out to parents and guardians to discuss attendance concerns, collaborate on solutions, and keep you informed about your child’s attendance status. You will receive regular updates and notifications via phone, email, and our Skyward messenger, ensuring you are always in the loop.

If you have any questions or need assistance with attendance matters, please do not hesitate to contact our attendance office.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Picture Days

WBHS Picture Days are September 4 or 5. Students may have their picture taken on either day in the auditorium. Photographers are available from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students should plan to go before school, during a free period or lunch, or after school. Click here for picture ordering information.

Picture retakes will be taken on October 25 from 7:00-3:00 in the auditorium. Network photography requires that all online photo orders be placed no later than September 10 regardless of if you will be having pictures taken in September or on the retake day. Pre-paid orders are guaranteed to be sent to the school without a shipping charge. Any orders mailed, called in, or turned in to their office after the initial photo shoot date are subject to a shipping/handling charge and will be mailed directly to the home.

Network Photography Contact Information:

Website: https://networkphoto.net/

Phone: 262-677-8662

Email: info@networkphoto.net

Senior Photos

Senior Photos are due in mid January. Please watch for information and a link to upload your senior’s photo from the yearbook advisor later in Fall.

Counseling Office Updates

We are looking forward to a New School Year! WIth that comes changes in our Department. We want to welcome to New faces to the counseling office!

Mrs. Jamie Thomas–She has been working at West Bend High Schools as a Student/Family Liaison for 8 years and we are excited about her joining our team as a school counselor!
Mrs. Anna Timmers–We are excited for her to be one of the first to greet you, whether at the front desk in the counseling office or when answering the phone!

Additionally, as administration has shared in previous communications, we have shifted our caseloads to partner up with the Assistant Principals in creating teams to support each grade Level. Counselor Caseloads are as follows and are sorted by Student’s Last Name:

9th Grade

A-Ha Mrs. Kara Phillips

He-Z Mrs. Jenni Hanni-Schmitz

10th Grade

A-Ha Mrs. Kara Phillips

He-Z Mrs. Kris Kemp

11th Grade

A-P Mrs. Jamie Thomas

Q-Z Mrs. Nicole Miller

12th Grade

A-P Mr. Matt Coyle

Q-Z Mrs. Nicole Miller

All Students Grades 9-12 with a 504 Plan or who have any WVS virtual Courses

Ms. Juliana Delgado

**Mrs. Delgado is currently on family leave until Mid-November. To find out which counselor is supporting your student in her absence please reach out to our counseling office at 262-335-5580.

Schedule Changes

Schedule changes can be made up through 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 5 as long as the request fits within the WBSD course change policy which can be found on page 21 of the Course Planning Guide.

Schedule Requests can be made/accommodated in the following ways:

Complete the Schedule Change Request Form
Email your Counselor
Schedule an Appointment or Stop into the Counseling office during a free period (Study Hall, Lunch, Before/After School)
Counselors will be available after school until 7:00 p.m. on both September 4 & 5

Seniors Applying to College

Most College Applications have opened. We encourage you to begin the application process if you haven’t already.

If you are utilizing CommonApp or any other platform that requires your counselor’s information, please ensure you provide the accurate Name/Email based on the new caseloads shared above.
If you need a counselor recommendation for CommonApp or other college application, please complete a Letter of Recommendation Request form. Additionally, please allow a minimum of 2 weeks to complete the request. The same is expected when asking teachers/other staff to write letters of recommendation.

Career Readiness Center Updates

College & Career Readiness Information and College & Job Fair

We are excited to announce an event specifically dedicated to our Juniors and Seniors to provide valuable insights into career paths and college options. The goal of the event is to help guide our students as they prepare for the next steps in their educational and life journeys. As part of this event, our juniors and seniors will attend specific presentations tailored to help plan for their futures. Sessions are included below:

Seniors:

Career Pathways in Manufacturing (Federal Tool and Engineering)
Career Pathways in Healthcare (Aurora)
Scholarships (COLUMNS)

Juniors:

Course Offerings
Career Exploration Opportunities at West Bend High Schools

Youth Apprenticeships
Job Shadowing
AP/Dual Enrollment
Career Fairs
Career Exploration Tools

Additionally, we are excited to invite parents and guardians to our College and Job Fair on Friday, September 13th, from 7:15-10:20 a.m. in the WBHS South Gym. This event is a wonderful opportunity for our students and their families to explore potential career paths and college options. Representatives from various colleges, universities, trade schools, and local employers will be available to share valuable information about admissions, programs, scholarships, internships, and job opportunities. Students will have the chance to ask questions, gather resources, and gain insights that will help them make informed decisions about their futures.

Students can attend the fair before or after their morning presentations. Please check with your student for a more specific time they will be at the fair if you would like to attend together or feel free to attend on your own.

Event Details:

Seniors: 7:15 AM - 8:50 AM (attendance time specific based on morning schedule)
Juniors: 8:50 AM - 10:20 AM (attendance time specific based on morning schedule)

If you are interested in attending the fair, please RSVP here so we can include you on the guest list.

For more information, feel free to contact Amy Barnes at abarnes@wbsd-schools.org.

Parents/guardians who plan to attend will need to bring a photo ID to check in at the greeter's desk. Please plan on parking in the West Parking Lot and entering the high school through the West Entrance.

We look forward to seeing you there!

WBHS Highlights & Celebrations

We were excited to have the incoming freshmen & new students attend our annual Mini Day to familiarize themselves with our building and begin their journey as Suns & Spartans!

Thank you to all of the students & families who were able to attend our Open House event! It was a great way to get everyone ready for the 2024-2025 school year.

Be sure to check out the East and West Facebook pages for more highlights of the great things happening here at WBHS!