Panther Print for Parents 🐾

Spanish classes have been learning about Hispanic Artists for Hispanic Heritage month. Each student found a piece of work by one, researched the artist and picked their favorite piece. They then drew their own perspective of the work. It’s easy to say we have some amazing artists here in Watervliet!!

In English 9, students designed their digital high school portfolio websites including required essays they acquire from all their classes. After reading Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, they wrote their own dream for their nation. Topics included dreams to end hatred, violence, discrimination, bullying and harassment. They learned to apply the vocabulary words they learned and infuse them into their essay meaningfully. These essays will be loaded into their student portfolio which houses their high school brag sheet, a list of all the activities, events, awards, and coursework they completed throughout high school.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/EPJETN6CQRAX?ref_=wl_share

*Class of 2028*

Here is an Amazon wishlist for our float building.
Every little bit helps so we can create an amazing float .

If parents would like to help provide food and drink - please reach out so we can make arrangements. We are going to have hungry teenagers coming in and out ALL DAY!

Float build location: 4702 Sadler Dr Watervliet

Our float building schedule is:
Saturday October 5th, 8am - 10pm
Sunday October 6th 8am - 6pm
Wednesday October 9th 6-8pm (only if needed)

Window decorating is:
Saturday October 5th 5-7pm

Hallway decorating is:
Saturday October 5th 10am-3pm.

Please communicate with Brittany Morsaw and myself, so we can specify times that groups of kids will be attending each of these locations.

Kassie 269-277-1618
Brittany 269-993-1254

Here are homecoming details.

Float building Braydon Collins’ house

65591 70th street Watervliet (same place as last year.

Hallway- Friday 3:30-5:30

Window -Saturday 3:30-4:30

Float -Saturday 12-8pm

Sunday 12-until needed

Will meet during the week if float is not complete on Sunday and will communicate that if it’s needed.

We will be doing our hallway decorating on the Friday after school before Homecoming. We will be holding float building the Saturday before homecoming from 10-9. Our float building will be at Querfurth's home. Details will also be on our facebook page. Thank you.

Do you want to know more about our standards based learning and grading initiative? Be sure to visit our informational page that explains how we assess and grade in the standards based system. If you have questions, please be sure to speak with your student's teacher or principal.

Mr. Coburn is meeting with all of the senior students individually and discussing their post-secondary goals, how to apply to colleges, and what pathways are available to them. Over the next month, we encourage all seniors to apply to multiple colleges, military branches, training programs, etc. and explore as many options as possible.

I'm reaching out as the Director of Eureka College’s Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Program (RLP). Eureka College, a small liberal arts college in central Illinois, offers diverse academic programs, international experiences, internships, Greek life, campus clubs, and Division III athletics.

Each year, we award four-year tuition scholarships to four students through the RLP. This program includes:

- An international travel experience (recent destinations include Spain and Ireland; next year’s is Sweden)

- A fully funded mentorship experience (abroad or domestic)

- Peer and professional collaboration and networking

- Hands-on leadership training

To be eligible, students need a minimum 3.30 high school GPA and must apply and be accepted to Eureka College. Qualified students will be invited to participate in one of two scholarship competitions this fall:

- Virtual Competition: Saturday, October 19 (via Zoom) – For students outside IL, IN, IA, WI, and MO.

- On-Campus Competition: Saturday, November 9 – Open to all.

Both competitions include interviews, socializing with current RLP fellows, and a group leadership activity. Finalists, selected based on competition performance, GPA, and other materials, will be invited for individual interviews in late November to determine scholarship recipients. We welcome applications from students of diverse backgrounds who have demonstrated leadership in various areas, such as academics, community service, business, athletics, religion, and family. The Reagan Leadership Program recognizes that leaders emerge in many different arenas, and we believe many of your students would be a great fit for our program.

Please share this opportunity with your students, faculty, and coaches. For additional details on the RLP, to review program requirements, and to begin an application, please visit this link. If you have any questions, please contact me at rlp@eureka.edu or 309-467-6879.

Best regards,

Cory Geraths, Ph.D.

Director, Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Program (RLP)

Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Studies

Eureka College | Eureka, IL

o: 301 Burrus Dickinson, Office #1

e: rlp@eureka.edu

p: 309.467.6879

pp: he, him, his

Schools are required to provide students with "the most recent analysis of in-demand occupations" produced by the state for their region as part of their EDP development and revision process. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget annually produces and updates these analyses of in-demand occupations. These publications highlight hot jobs and regional and state-wide career outlook prospectively (through the year 2030).

https://pathfinder.mitalent.org/resources

Useful information and links to supplement your experience using Pathfinder

This page has information included that is in compliance with the requirements of Michigan Compiled Law 380.1293 post-graduation opportunities informational packet. Information included in bold on this page is intended to fulfill the requirements of the law. These updates are provided through a partnership between the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and other statewide stakeholders.

PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. WHS has a building team of teachers, students, and parents who work to address PBIS initiatives that support a positive culture and climate int he building. The team meets the last Monday of the month at 3:15 PM in the high school media center. All students and parents are invited to attend. The next meeting for this team in Monday, September 30th at 3:15 PM.

WEAR COLLEGE GEAR ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1st to school. Students wearing college gear will be counted in their 2nd hour class. The 2nd hour class with the highest proportion of students in college gear will get donuts!

TEACHERS TELL THEIR COLLEGE STORIES to their classes. Where did your teacher go? Why did they choose that college? How did they pay for college? What activities did they participate in? These questions and more will be answered by the following teachers this week !

Tuesday, Oct 1 Mrs. Hollandsworth and Mrs. Brush

Wednesday, Oct 2 Mrs. Simmons

Thursday, Oct 3 Mrs. Riedinger

Friday, Oct 4 Mrs. Bruce

COMPLETE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS in English 12 on October 4th! All seniors will take time in English classes to complete college applications (LMC, SMC, and the Common App, including any other applications)

DAILY COLLEGE TRIVIA on the announcements. Students are encouraged to listen carefully and participate in the daily challenge.

You are invited to join Ms. Powers for the first WHS Parent Advisory Council meeting of the 24-25 school year at 7 PM on MONDAY, Sep. 30th in the high school media center. Topics to be covered are: enrollment, important dates, college application month, the Panther hotline, tier 2 supports, our PBIS team, and our student advisory council. Join us to learn more about each one of these initiatives. Bring your questions and ideas!

Each month, all faculty and staff at the high school have the opportunity to nominate students of the month. Nominations are based on students going above and beyond expectation in the classroom AND improved effort. Check out the nominees for the first month of the 24-25 school year. Winners at each grade level will be announced in next week's newsletter.

FRESHMEN:

Nolan Weckwerth

Erica Burgos

Karina Short

Aiyanna Forrester

Tori Hayes

Katelyn Brown

Kaylee Bartee

Payton Yeske

Miranda Lowell

Ava Bentley

Mattie Medlin

McKaylen Laws

Chloe Womac

Madison Darlng

Johari Cruz Ocampo

SOPHOMORES:

Sofie Schafer

Liz Leblang

Kenzie Webster

Sienna Harris

TJ Hess

Alyssa Koch

Joelle Petznick

Elliott Worley

Kyle Domingo

Javion Veal

Hanna Ice

Maycie MEdlin

JUNIORS:

Jonah Thon

William Sherrard

Chris Parkhurst

Mya Hood

Aiden Bryan

Dylan Collins

Eli Alsup

Ava Sprague

Jaylee Havenaar

Jadon O'Brien

Zeke Cardozo

Addison Smith

SENIORS:

Logan Schaefer

Hayden Arnosky

Lilly Summers

Amber Robbins

Kim Romero

Alyssa Brown

Destiny Warren

Carter Krohn

Nic Terry

Keegan Pownell

Kendra Washington

Austin Smith

Erick Jimenez

Gabby Wisdom

Noah Bentley

Wyatt Kendall

Friday, September 27

7:00 PM Varsity Football at Kalamazoo United

Saturday, September 28

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

Monday, September 30

5:00/6:30 PM Varsity Boys Soccer at Fennville

Tuesday, October 1

5:30/6:30 PM JV & Varsity Volleyball at South Haven

Wednesday, October 2

5:00 PM HS Boys Soccer at Kalamazoo Christian High School

Thursday, October 3

5:00/6:30 PM Varsity Boys Soccer at Bangor

5:30/6:30 PM Varsity Volleyball at Hartford

6:00 PM JV Football Home vs. South Haven

Friday, October 4

7:00 PM Varsity Football at South Haven

Saturday, October 5

9:00 AM HS Cross Country at Portage West Middle School

I am originally from Battle Creek, Michigan, which makes me pretty much a lifelong panther. I graduated from Western Michigan University with a BS in Geology and earned my USATF level 2 certification through the Villanova Track and Field Program. Which helped launch my success as a track and field coach.

Family is very important to me, and the reason I moved back to Michigan from my 13 years spent in Florida. I recently married Rhonda Purcell, who works in language acquisition for the Potawatomi Tribe. We have two children who are very active in sports and attend Mattawan High School.

I currently teach AP Environmental Science, Earth Science, and Marine/Freshwater Science. I currently coach middle school cross country which won their first regional title. I am also the Boy's Head Track coach position which will mark my 15th year as a head coach.

I am proud to be a WHS Panther because it allows me to do what I love. Despite briefly working as a UPS driver, my heart has always been in teaching and coaching. I am grateful for an opportunity to help our students and athletes achieve great success. In summary, I am a proud member of the WHS community, passionate about teaching, coaching, and supporting my students and athletes.

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, or a Chromebook charger? 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.

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 LOCKER 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 7 PM

30 PBIS Mtg. 3:15 PM

OCTOBER (COLLEGE APPLICATION MONTH)

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

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 7 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

18 Financial Aid Night for Senior Parents 6 PM

19 Blood Drive

20 PAC Mtg. 7 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. 7 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 7 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 7 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 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)

Nov 18 Financial Aide Planning Night for parents of Seniors

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)