Wildcat Wisdom Weekly Newsletter
Wesley Chapel High School 11/8/2024
WCHS Vision
Wesley Chapel High School provides a community in which students become life ready citizens with confidence, empathy, and perseverance.
To ensure our students are college, career, and life ready, we are:
Accountable
Resourceful
Compassionate
Principled
Inspirational
Message from Mr. McDermott
Congratulations to our football team for their big win in the Boyette Brawl last night! Let's get to work and have an amazing 25-26 season. Progress reports for Quarter 2 will be released in myStudent on Friday, November 15. Please make sure you are checking on your child's progress so we can work together to ensure their success.
Boys Golf Wins Regional
Our Boys Golf Team won the regional championship and will be competing for a state title next week! Keep up the amazing work and good luck at states!
HELLO, XELLO! COLLEGE, CAREER, AND LIFE PLANNING!
XELLO: COLLEGE, CAREER, & LIFE READY STUDENTS
Pasco County Schools has partnered with XELLO, a customizable online planning tool for students in grades 6-12. With XELLO, students can discover personal interests & strengths, research career & college opportunities, & connect learning to academic goal setting & planning.
XELLO is an esteemed College, Career & Life Readiness program that will assist high school students plan for post-secondary success. It allows students self-paced opportunities to:
Learn about themselves – their strengths, interests, and learning styles,
Match careers, colleges and majors to their unique characteristics, academic profile and
preferences,
Build and revise their academic plan and analyze the rigor of their schedule/plan with that of their choice colleges’ entrance requirements or career plans (COMING SOON)
Create a resume showcasing their experience, skills, and goals.
Students can access XELLO anytime, anywhere by logging in through myPascoConnect Apps and clicking on the XELLO icon. An account has already been created for students.
I recommend beginning with the LEARNING STYLES AND MATCHMAKER assessments as well completing the CORE LESSONS (will change with each grade level). Please reach out to Mrs. Faysash with questions: kfaysash@pasco.k12.fl.us
Wildcat Spirit Store for the Holidays
Looking for spirit wear to support your student, great ideas for presents. See our school store at the following link, https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/chapel24
Senior Testing Information:
Please review the flyer for senior testing opportunities to meet the Reading and/or Algebra 1 testing requirements. The flyer gives:
- Testing Date
- Name of the Test
- Cost (if any) associated with the test
- The time students need to be in their testing room
- When to expect results to be reported
Students can also sign up for the SAT, ACT, or CLT exams to be taken outside of the school environment by going to the respective sites and registering:
- SAT = www.collegeboard.org
- ACT = www.act.org
- CLT = www.cltexam.com
Thank you to all who took the CLT on 11/7/24. Results are expected to be reported on Wednesday, November 13,2024. Once the results are in, Mr. Walensky will call students down to the Media Center testing office to go over their results and advise as to what the next steps are.
Upcoming Testing Dates:
Please make note of the below testing dates through the end of January. All tests will begin during 1st period, and we are asking all students testing on a particular day to arrive at their testing room at the start of the school day. Rosters have been posted throughout the school. Further testing date information can be found on the testing calendar, located at:
12/03/24 – F.A.S.T. ELA Reading Retake (1st Group)
12/04/24 – F.A.S.T. ELA Reading Retake (2nd Group)
12/05/24 – Biology, Geometry, and U.S. History EOC
12/06/24 – FAST ELA Retake and EOC Make-ups
12/09/24 – B.E.S.T. Algebra 1 EOC (1st Group)
12/10/24 – B.E.S.T. Algebra 1 EOC (2nd Group)
12/11/24 – 9th Grade F.A.S.T. ELA Reading PM2 – Mr. Beson & Mrs. Sloggett’s classes
12/12/24 – 9th Grade F.A.S.T. ELA Reading PM2 – Ms. Coppinger & Mrs. Salter’s classes
12/13/24 – Algebra 1 and EOC Make-ups
12/16/24 – 10th Grade F.A.S.T. ELA Reading PM2 – Mr. Beson & Ms. Billings’ classes
12/17/24 – 10th Grade F.A.S.T. ELA Reading PM2 – Ms. Cornell & Mr. Lau’s classes
12/19/24 – Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE)
12/20/24 – EOC Make-ups
01/07/25 – Semester 1 District Finals – 3rd & 6th Periods
01/08/25 – Semester 1 District Finals – 2nd & 5th Periods
01/09/25 – Semester 1 District Finals – 1st & 4th Periods
01/10/25 – Semester 1 District Finals Make-up Day
01/13/25 – 9th Grade F.A.S.T. ELA Reading PM2 Make-up Session
01/15/25 – ASVAB Testing (Media Center)
01/16/25 – 10th Grade F.A.S.T. ELA Reading PM2 Make-up Session
01/22/25 – WIDA Testing for ELL Students
01/23/25 – WIDA Testing for ELL Students
Extension for Senior Portraits for the Yearbook
Due to the recent storm, we have extended the deadline for senior portraits to November 15th to accommodate anyone who has not had their session with Gigante. Seniors, if you want your senior portrait to appear in the senior section of the yearbook, it must be taken by Gigante no later than November 15. If you need to rebook your appointment, contact the studio at 813-907-1078. Anyone who still needs to schedule their session should visit www.giganteproductions.com
Senior Ad Sales
Senior ads can be purchased now through December 23, 2025. Visit www.yearbookforever.com to view options and prices. You can design it yourself, upload a finished ad, or have us design it for you.
Yearbook Sales: Yearbooks will be sold until January 23, 2025. You can make your purchase using the school quick pay site or by visiting our publisher's site, www.yearbookforever.com (if you want anything special like a name stamped onto the cover or a clear protective cover), you must make your purchase through our publisher's site.
Yearbook Sales
Preorder your yearbook now through January 23, 2025. Cost is $90. Make your purchase through the student quick pay portal or by visiting our publisher's website, www.yearbookforever.com. If you want anything extra, like a name stamped onto the cover or a clear protective cover, you must make your purchase through our publisher.
SENIOR INFO SESSION AND APPLICATION WORKSHOPS!
Seniors, our links are ready to sign up for PHSC Info Session and Application Workshops. Beginning in January, our PHSC Advisor will come to WCHS and walk us through the applications, help you submit, and waive the $25 application fee. She will also host a PHSC Information Session and Q&A on December 2. Sign up if you are interested in attending PHSC after graduation.
DEC. 2 (4TH PD.) PHSC INFORMATION SESSION/Q&A
Sign Up: https://forms.office.com/r/9byNyUvatj
APPLICATION WORKSHOPS (CHOOSE 1)
JAN. 23 (4TH PD.) PHSC APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Sign Up: https://forms.office.com/r/FNhS8ArP
FEB. 18 (3RD PD.) PHSC APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Sign Up: https://forms.office.com/r/qTWKdGkygY
MARCH 26 (3RD PD.) PHSC APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Sign Up: https://forms.office.com/r/rUWL5pdprp
**All students who complete an application but March 31 will be invited to attend "Senior Commitment Day" at PHSC in April. This will serve as orientation and course registration.**
SPRING DUAL ENROLLMENT REGISTRATION
Spring 2025 Registration
Eligible dual enrollment students should utilize the Spring 2025 Registration Worksheet to find important dates and to make plans for Spring dual enrollment coursework. In order for students to be able to register online during their assigned time, students and parents/guardians must meet the deadlines listed on the online registration worksheet. Below are a few important reminders when planning for Spring Dual Enrollment.
**Once a Dynamic Form has been approved, students will use the link sent by their counselor for registration for Pasco Eschool Dual Enrollment courses (new this semester).**
- Dual Enrollment students can only take courses during the Spring Term II (1/13 – 5/5).
- Dual Enrollment student cannot register for PHSC courses that conflict with their current high school schedule.
- The number of credit hours that can be accessed are:
- Ninth grade students may take courses at the high school and may choose to enroll in up to one 3 or 4 credit hour course offered online by PHSC per semester: fall (Term I), spring (Term II), and summer (Term III only).
- Tenth grade students eligible to take dual enrollment classes may choose to enroll in up to seven (7) credit hours of their maximum course load in sections of courses offered on PHSC campuses or online. They may access additional sections of courses, up to the maximum course load (sixteen (16) credit hours), on their high school campus per semester: fall (Term I), spring (Term II), with the permission of a high school counselor or administrator. In summer (Term III only) they may enroll in up to seven (7) credit hours.
- Eleventh grade students eligible to take dual enrollment classes may enroll in a maximum course load of sixteen (16) credit hours in the fall (Term I) and spring (Term II) semesters and up to eight (8) credit hours in the summer semester (Term III only).
- Twelfth grade students eligible to take dual enrollment classes may enroll in a maximum course load of sixteen (16) credit hours in the fall (Term I) and spring (Term II) semesters. They may take dual enrollment classes at the high school, on PHSC campuses, or online. They are not eligible to take dual enrollment classes in the summer of their graduating year.
- All new DE students must complete the DE orientation in Canvas. Click here for more information on how to complete this.
If you have questions about the dual enrollment registration process, please contact your school counselor. For more information, please visit the PHSC website.
PHSC Dual Enrollment Information Sessions
PHSC will be hosting virtual sessions around general information regarding dual enrollment on the below dates. Each of these events will be through zoom beginning at 5:30pm.
- Wednesday, November 13
- Wednesday, December 11
Students and families can register by going to the link below: https://phsc.edu/about/events/campus/virtual-dual-enrollment-information-sessions
Testing Update:
PHSC Testing Services administers common placement tests on campus and through virtual proctoring. Students may schedule an exam at https://testing.phsc.edu/schedule-exam/exam. Click here for FAQs.
Click here for directions on completing the online registration process
6 SPOTS LEFT! WCHS JUNIOR FLORIDA COLLEGE TOUR!
Juniors, we are happy to announce that our Florida College Tour registration is open! We had a great time on our inaugural tour last year and can't wait to bring the Class of 2026 along this time! Visit the majority of our state universities in three full days! Spots are limited so please email me if you are interested (kfaysash@pasco.k12.fl.us). Deposits of $200 will open soon and I need your name to add you to the Rycor payment button. (The final payment will be due by January). Due to space constraints, we will not have room for parent chaperones but five staff will accompany students. This is a great opportunity to see our schools before you apply senior year! (Priority will be given to students with a 3.0 or above due to public university admissions requirements.)
FLORIDA FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION NOW OPEN (BRIGHT FUTURES)
Seniors, the Florida Financial Aid Application is now open! This application is used to qualify for Bright Futures, the 100% Military Disability Scholarship (parent), and a few others. If you are pursuing Bright Futures, please take ten minutes to fill this out. You do not need to have met all BF requirements to fill out the application--it just gets it on file for you. See Mrs. Faysash with any questions.
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPHome/SAPHome?url=homeLinks to an external site.
Look under First Time Applicants to "Create an Account"
Once you create the account, a blue screen will appear and then it will load the short application.
NEW BRIGHT FUTURES REQUIREMENTS: CLASS OF 26 (TEST SCORES)
Volunteer Programs Update
All volunteers will be required to complete a Level 2 background screening every 5 years. This background screening will review records in the state of Florida as well as the national FBI database. The cost for this screening is $41.25 and volunteers will be responsible for paying this cost. The District will pay the yearly monitoring fee for each volunteer. You can access the 2024-2025 Volunteer Programs Application on July 1st, 2024. This application will be posted on the Volunteer Programs page of our website at the following link: https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/hreq/page/volunteer.
We encourage you to complete your volunteer application and background screening early as the average review time is 30 days. Questions regarding the volunteer application and background screening process can be directed to volunteers@pasco.k12.fl.us.
Attention Class of 2025!
You can start making their appointments for your senior portraits. You will need to have your senior portraits done by Gigante no later than November 1, 2024 in order to make it into the senior section of the yearbook. More information will be heading your way soon!
Wesley Chapel High School Clubs
Testing Central
WCHS COLLEGE AND CAREER S'MORE
Are you College and Career Ready? Check out Mrs. Faysash’s Smore for events, scholarships, and planning resources for all grade levels!
Free SAT prep available through Khan Academy
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WCHS ABC Program
If your family needs supports or has any needs from the WCHS ABC program, please fill out the following form. If you would like more information about the ABC program, the flyer is attached and/or call the front office, 813-794-8702.
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Wesley Chapel High School
School Information
Principal:
Mr. Matt McDermott
30651 Wells Road
Wesley Chapel, FL 33545
Phone: (813) 794-8700
(352) 794-8700
Fax: (813) 794-8791
Office Hours:
M-F 7:00AM – 3:30 PM
Website: https://wchs.pasco.k12.fl.us/
Location: 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
Phone: 813-794-8700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildcat.pride.63
Twitter: @WCHS_Wildcats