Panther Print for Parents 🐾

Quarter auction to benefit class of 2027

When: September 22, 2024

Time: 4:30 preview @ 4

Where: Coloma FOP Lodge 3470 angling rd

We appreciate your support.

A small group of students elected to attend the 7th annual Michigan Youth Voting Summit at Wayne State University today. Our Panthers join college students learning more about the following topics:

--threats to democracy

--outcomes of the election

--mock voting

--navigating the ballot

--how to become a poll worker

Overall our Panthers learned about the POWER OF THEIR VOTE!

no voice, no say, no choice

Thank you to Mrs. Simmons for supervising the trip!

We have a student advisory group to the Principal in the building that meets every 2 weeks to give input and ideas into the HS. The students below are the members of the team:

Freshmen

Jayden Brassard

Miranda Lowell

Katelynn Brown

McKaylen Laws

Sophomores:

Hailey Adams

Allison Poole

Norma Gutierrez

Hanna Lomoro

Mackenzie Birmele

Juniors

Natalaya Desjardin

Moeko Crago

Keira Tremblay

Abby Klopp

Seniors

Ayana Marshall

Alyssa Brown

Aubrey James

Jorge Zuniga

This week the team reviewed the October College Application Month Plan and shared the following concerns:

1. Ongoing door lock issues in the bathrooms that Ms. Powers will continue to address.

2. Potential input into the school menu--Ms. Powers will address with Mrs. Adams (Director of Nutrition Services).

3. Ms. Powers will also re address the student behavior in the media center for those students who are dual enrolled. If these students can better manage their own behavior, they may not be moved to a teacher's classroom.

4. The infrequency at which dress code issues are addressed by staff continue to be an ongoing concern.

The team will meet again in 2 weeks. If you are a student with any concerns/ideas that you would like to see shared, please feel free to reach out to any member of the team.

There is going to be a Homecoming committee meeting Saturday, September 21 @ 1pm at

Hay’s Park. Parents and students are welcome to attend. We will need all the support and

participation to make this an AMAZING homecoming!

We also have our first fundraiser coming up, but it will not be possible without the help of our

parents. We are doing pulled pork dinners at the football game Homecoming night. We need to

find a few parents that are willing to take the lead on this. We will discuss this also at the

meeting on Saturday.

Any questions please contact Kassie Thomas 269-277-1618 or Brittany Morsaw 269-993-1254.

Last week Ms. Irmen's classes went outside to design their own science experiments. This is for them to learn the scientific method and think like a scientist!

Friday, September 20

7:00 PM Varsity Football Home vs. Parchment

Saturday, September 21

9:30 AM Varsity Cross Country at Bangor Invitational

10:00 AM Varsity Soccer at Lawton

10:00 AM MS Cross Country at Hacket Meet at KVCC

Monday, September 23

6:30 PM Varsity Soccer at South Haven Ratcliffe Field

Tuesday, September 24

5:30 PM MS Cross Country SAC Meet at Home

5:30/6:30 PM JV & Varsity Volleyball Home vs. Bridgman

Wednesday, September 25

5:00 PM HS Cross Country SAC Meet at Schoolcraft

7:00 PM Varsity Soccer at Coloma

Thursday, September 26

5:00 PM JV Football at Kalamazoo Christian

5:30/6:30 PM JV and Varsity Volleyball at Galesburg-Augusta

Friday, September 27

7:00 PM Varsity Football Home vs. Kalamazoo United

Saturday, September 28

9:00 AM MS & HS Cross Country at St. Joseph Riverview Park for Berrien County Invitational

My husband and I have been married for 8 years. Caleb works as a building inspector for the city of St. Joe and also volunteers as a firefighter. We have a wonderful seven-year-old son named Cooper, who attends Lakeshore and enjoys playing hockey at the Garden Ice Arena.

In terms of my education, I completed my undergraduate studies at Grand Valley State University, where I earned my Bachelor's of Science in Science Education, with a minor in History. I later pursued my Master's degree in Learning Design and Technology from Central Michigan University.

Currently, I teach Biology, Anatomy, and AP Biology. I love the variety of classes I get to teach and the chance to reconnect with some students as they become upperclassmen. Additionally, I co-advise the National Honor Society alongside Mrs. Dawson.

In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors and spending quality time with my family. Recently, we built a Ninja course in our backyard, which has been a lot of fun for all of us. I am also an avid reader, and at the moment, Cooper and I are diving into the Harry Potter series together.

I take great pride in being a Panther, knowing that my colleagues are dedicated to helping our students grow and succeed.

Homecoming themes have been selected; they are as follows: Seniors have Cap’n Crunch, Juniors have Lucky Charms, Sophomores have Fruity Pebbles, and Freshmen have Froot Loops.

Student Council is looking for EMPTY cereal box donations for homecoming. If you have any empty cereal boxes at home please bring them in and take them to Mrs. Tyler's Office. Your donations will be greatly appreciated.

Need a pencil, pen, eraser? The school store is open before school, after 1st hour, and after school in Dr. Mosher’s room.

There is a permission slip in the counseling office for an Oct 4th field trip to The Maximum Mold Group in Benton Harbor. Juniors and Seniors interested in Engineering, Tooling, Machine Technology, and welding are encouraged to attend. The bus leaves at 9:15 and you will be back by 11:45.

Watervliet Standards Based Learning Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL3F-r21kuDz2t_9EGazVD8fzc6fKRr_Q

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.

The Maximum Mold Group of Companies believe in giving students an in depth look at the manufacturing trade early on. Tradesmen at the Maximum Mold Group of Companies enter the workforce as apprentices. They pay 100% of student tuition at Lake Michigan College and give students on the job training that they pay them for.

Their Open House is for any student that is interested in Engineering, Tooling, Machine Technology, Welding, etc.

They will provide light refreshments and provide eye protection (if students do not already wear glasses). Closed toe shoes are mandatory.

The event will take place at our location of

Max 3

360 Urbandale Ave.

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

269-925-2044

This opportunity is open to current Juniors and Seniors.

Students will be transported by school bus. They will leave the school at 9:15 AM and return by lunch time. A school employee will provide supervision for students who attend.

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 BATHROOM 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.

SEPTEMBER

30 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 30

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)

Oct 17 Financial Aide Planning Night for parents of Seniors

Oct 17 So My Child Has an IEP? (intended for parents of students with IEPs)

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)