WBHS Family Newsletter

August 2024

Message from Administration

Dear WBHS Families,

I hope this message finds you well and you are enjoying a wonderful summer break with your children. As August kicks off, we are eagerly preparing for the return of our students and the start of another exciting school year. We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of some important information and share some early updates as we gear up for a successful September.

First Day of School

Our first day of school is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3. We are so excited to welcome back all of our students and look forward to a great year ahead. More information is included below on our open house information.

Grade Level Assemblies

New this year, we will be hosting monthly grade level assemblies led by your student’s administrative and counseling team. We are looking forward to touching base with each of you each month!

Extracurricular Activities

We offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, and arts programs. Participating in these activities can greatly enrich your child’s high school experience. If you have any questions about extracurricular activities, please contact our Athletic Directors for more information:

East Athletic Director: Molly Hengst (also oversees Clubs and Co-Curriculars)
West Athletic Director: Erin Felber

Communication

Effective communication is key to a successful school year. Please make sure your contact information is up to date so you can receive important updates. Stay connected with us through our social media channels for real-time news and events.

We are looking forward to a productive and rewarding school year. Your partnership and support are crucial to our success, and we are grateful for your involvement in our school community. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Have a safe and rejuvenating August!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Potter, WBHS Executive Principal

Dave Uelmen, WBHS Associate Principal

Kelsey Petersen, Senior Assistant Principal

David Riley, Junior Assistant Principal

Bob Feldkamp, Sophomore Assistant Principal

Jared Kiesow, Freshman Assistant Principal

Important Dates

August 28:

12:00 - 3:30 p.m.: Freshmen/New Student Mini Day (see below for details)
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.: Open House (see below for details)

September 3: First Day of School

September 4 & 5: Picture Days

September 13: Frosh Fest

Important Reminders & Updates

Freshmen/New Student Mini Day

The student group CREW will be hosting a freshmen mini day for all incoming 9th grade students on Wednesday, August 28 from 12:00 - 3:30 p.m. Doors open at 11:45 a.m.

CREW consists of 119 junior and senior leaders dedicated to positively impacting the transition of incoming freshmen to high school. Each homebase group of freshmen will be mentored by two to five CREW leaders during the mini-day and throughout the 2024-25 school year. CREW’s ultimate vision is to build community through connection. At West Bend East and West High Schools, this starts with a warm welcome for our new freshmen and helping in their successful integration into high school life.

On the mini-day, CREW leaders and freshmen homebase teachers will guide the new students through activities designed to build connections, familiarize them with the school building, and boost their confidence in navigating their schedules before the first day of classes.

Schedule:

11:45 a.m.: Doors Open/early check-in
12:00 p.m.: Check-in
12:25 p.m.: Welcome Assembly (fieldhouse)
12:50 p.m.: Lunch
1:30 p.m.: Team Building, Tours, Walk Schedules
3:30 p.m.: Dismissal

A lunch consisting of a piece of pizza, apple, water, and cookie will be provided. Riteway Busing will be running all bus routes for any freshmen that take the bus.

Open House

Open House for all students will take place on Wednesday, August 28 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Families and students will be able to pick up their schedules and chromebooks, pay fees, tour the building, meet their teachers, and check out many of the opportunities that WBHS has to offer our students!

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

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.

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.

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.

New Chromebook Pick-Up for Freshmen

All incoming freshmen will be able to pick up their chromebooks and chargers during the Open House on 8/28. Please stop by the library to pick these up.

Counseling Office Updates

2024-2025 Student Schedules

Student schedules will be available for viewing in Skyward Family Access beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 15.

Direct Admit Wisconsin Updates

Students from the Class of 2025 who opted into the Direct Admit Wisconsin program in May are now able to view their letter in Skyward which indicates which UW schools they’ve been provided direct admission for as well as next steps that they should take to enroll within the UW system. Students who did not participate in the Direct Admit Wisconsin program may apply for schools through the traditional admissions process as of August 1, 2024.

AP Test Results

East & West High Schools had the highest number of students taking AP tests in the spring of 2024 in the last 5 years. There were a combined total of 507 students who took 910 AP tests. Of these students, 444 scored a 3 or higher on their tests! Congratulations to all of these students for their major academic accomplishments!

Student Support Teams

As mentioned in the June Family Newsletter and an email shared with families in July, we are excited to announce that each grade level will have a support team consisting of one assistant principal and two counselors to support students throughout their 4 years of high school. Below, you will find the breakdown of the counselors and assistant principals supporting each grade level. Please reach out to your student’s counselor or assistant principal for any additional questions.

Career Readiness Center Updates

On the morning of September 13th, our 9th and 10th graders will participate in the Pre-ACT Assessment, which reports both academic and career indicators helped to design and identify strengths and areas for improvement.

While this testing is underway, 11th and 12th graders will attend a grade-level assembly led by their student support team of administrators and counselors. This assembly will focus on outlining the goals and expectations for the school year, ensuring our upperclassmen are well-prepared for their upcoming challenges and opportunities. Additionally, juniors and seniors will have the chance to explore future pathways by attending an on-site college and job fair, providing them with invaluable resources and information for their post-high school plans.