WBHS Student Newsletter

November 2024

Message from Administration

Hello WBHS Students!

As we head into November, I want to give a shoutout to each of you for the positive energy you've brought to school this year! It’s been great seeing so many of you at our Homecoming dance, cheering on our sports teams, and joining all kinds of clubs and activities. It’s been an even greater reward to see the efforts you are putting in for your education.

November is always a busy month here at the high school. We're already halfway through the first semester, and now’s the time to keep pushing toward your goals. Remember, your teachers, counselors, and all of us here are ready to help you succeed—don't hesitate to reach out!

Our grade-level assemblies at the end of the month give everyone a chance to reflect on how we’re doing as a class and school. Each grade is on track to meet its goals, which is amazing! As a school, we're seeing positive progress too. In fact, 98% of our students have one or fewer major referrals in the “Be Respectful” category. Thanks for making respect a priority and for showing up for each other!

Let’s make November a great month together!

Best,

Ms. Potter
Executive Principal, WBHS

Important Dates

November 1: End of Quarter 1

November 4: Registration Deadline for AP Exams

November 15: Cosmetology Fair (see below for more details)

November 15, 16, & 17: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Fall Play (see flyer for showtimes & ticket info)

November 27-29: No School - Thanksgiving Break

December 1: West Bend Christmas Parade featuring WBHS Bands and various athletics teams and clubs (starting at 5:00 p.m. at North Main St. & Silverbrook Dr. and ending at South Main St. & Oak St.)

December 12: WBHS 2024 Blood Drive (6:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

*Click upper corner of photo to enlarge.

Important Reminders & Updates

Expanded Release Updates

Expanded Release GPA Requirement Update

We are excited to announce an update to the academic requirement for Expanded Release eligibility! Moving forward, Juniors and Seniors will now qualify for Expanded Release if they maintain a B- grade point average (GPA) for the grading period, rather than needing a B- in every individual class. This change allows students greater flexibility while still prioritizing academic achievement. We believe this update will support students in balancing their workloads while continuing to meet our high academic standards.

Additionally, we will now honor “early” passes each semester for students who have met all of the requirements for the Expanded Release the semester prior. For example, students who maintained eligibility this semester will be able to apply early for second semester and avoid waiting the two weeks to begin the term. Another example is that sophomores and juniors who meet eligibility requirements in the second semester will be eligible for an early pass to begin the first day of school next year. Keep up the great work!

Expanded Release Schedule Indicators

In order to have students’ schedules appropriately reflect the type of expanded release pass they have, we will be updating Skyward with new codes in lieu of the general “Early Release/Late Arrival” code.

Starting in November, students and families will see any of these codes in their student(s)’ schedules if they are on an expanded release pass of any type:

WBSD Way Expanded Release: For students utilizing the WBSD Way Expanded Release program for certain periods throughout their day.
YA Expanded Release: For students who are in a Youth Apprenticeship program that requires them to miss time during the school day.
Academic Expanded Release: For students in educational programs that schedule them to be out of the building for certain periods.
WBVA Expanded Release: For students who are full-time virtual or hybrid in the West Bend Virtual Academy.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your principal or counselor.

Senior Photo Information

Senior Photos are due by January 10, 2025. Please review these directions and guidelines for submitting your photo.

New this year, senior photos will be submitted directly to Jostens (our yearbook company). Here are the links to submit your photo:

East: https://photos.jostens.com/YD6U8N
West: https://photos.jostens.com/6JEYX7

*Click upper corner of photo to enlarge.

WBHS 2024 Blood Drive

The annual Blood Drive organized by the WBHS Student Council will take place on Thursday, December 12, from 6:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Any students, staff, or community members who are 17 or older can sign up donate. Students who are 16 may donate with parental consent form and must meet the height & weight requirements (on slide 5 of this slideshow). STUCO's goal is to have 300+ pints donated!

If you are interested in signing up to help save lives, please click here!

Special thanks to the following students for sharing their talents to help promote the 2024 Blood Drive: Mackenna Steiner (poster design), Kiana Overman (digital artwork), Natalie Walter (t-shirt design drawing), & McKennah Orth (informational slideshow).

Counseling Office Updates

Reminder about Resources Available to Students

As the first quarter comes to a close, this is a reminder that the high school offers several resources to support students who need additional assistance with coursework. High school is also the time for you to begin advocating for yourself, as well as learning to communicate your needs. Think about how you can benefit from these resources.

Flexi: Flexi is offered during Resource time, first thing in the morning. This 30 minute block for students is specifically designed to offer support. Students may sign up to meet with their teachers, Tuesday through Friday, for additional help. All students are strongly encouraged to sign up with their teachers each week.
Math Lab: The Math Lab is staffed by certified math teachers in the building for hours 1-4A, & 7 (closed 7th hour on Thursdays).
Reading/Writing Lab: The Reading/Writing Lab provides assistance with English courses (writing assignments, studying for assessments, etc.) and is staffed by Literary Specialist, Leslie DeLain. Students may sign up during Flexi/Resource time, lunch, or a study hall/off hour. The link to to schedule online is: https://ldelain.youcanbook.me/.

If these resources do not provide the needed support, please contact your teachers. At times, they may be available to meet outside of class or after school.

Thank you for continuing to utilize the High School supports.

Career Readiness Center Updates

Cosmetology Fair - November 15

Interested in a career in Cosmetology? Join the Cosmetology Fair in the Silver Lining Center at West Bend High School on November 15 from 9:30 - 11:30 to hear from professionals in the beauty industry or ask questions of technical college or trade school recruiters about the education needed to have a successful career in this exciting and growing industry!

Aveda School
Moraine Park Technical College
Healing Elements Day Spa
Paul Mitchell
VC Beauty School

We will host the same fair in the spring - mark your calendar for May 9, 2025.

Local Scholarship Kick-Off

Seniors mark your calendars. Monday, December 2, is the Local Scholarship Kick Off event. Columns will be presenting information on scholarship opportunities for our graduating seniors.

WBSD Way Team Updates

What is the WBSD Way?

The WBSD Way is a framework for supporting students' behavioral, academic, and social/emotional needs. The WBSD Way teaches students the expectations and importance of being Respectful, Responsible, Ready and Safe here at school and reinforces behaviors through use of rewards and incentives.

The WBSD Way is also a district-sponsored community outreach program. Students are now able to receive positive reinforcement for meeting the expectations of being Respectful, Responsible, Ready, and Safe both at school AND in the community. Local businesses have teamed with the West Bend School District and will be handing out WBSD Way coupons to students in grades K-12 who are caught meeting the four expectations. If your student earns one of these coupons, they should write their first and last name on it and bring it to the High Schools’ main office to enter a monthly raffle and be recognized for their behavior. Businesses participating in this program will have a WBSD Way poster visible in their establishment. Please review these expectations with your student and discuss what meeting these expectations in the community might look like.

Here are ways that students and staff are rewarded for following the WBSD Way:

WBSD Way 2024-2025 Goal Progress

This school year, one of the goals for East and West High Schools is to increase the number of Freshmen and Sophomores with 0-1 “major” behavior referrals in the "Be Respectful" category (Insubordination, Disrespect, Inappropriate Language, etc.). The goal is set at 93% and through October we are at 97%! Great work!

WBHS Highlights & Celebrations

Students in Physics classes recently participated in the annual Egg Drop Experiment. They used the information they’ve learned in class to design protective carriers for their egg to remain intact after being dropped from the WBHS roof!