Panther Print for Parents 🐾

Prince is Freshman Ayden Domingo, son of Natasha Crenshaw

Princess is Junior Emy Baldwin, daughter of Chad and Ashely Baldwin

King is Logan Schaefer, son of Brad and Lyndsey Schaefer

Queen is Alyssa Brown, daughter of Dave and Staci Brown

Float Building Results:

4th place: Sophomores

3rd place: Juniors

2nd place: Freshmen

1st place: Seniors

Window Painting Results:

4h place: Sophomores

3rd place: Juniors

1st place: tie between Seniors and Freshmen

Hall Decorating Results:

4th place: Sophomores

3rd place: Seniors

2nd place: Juniors

1st place: Freshmen

In chemistry class this week, we did an experiment called “Elephant Toothpaste.” The kids got to learn about reactants, products, catalysts, and exo/endothermic reactions. They combined hydrogen peroxide, yeast, dish soap, and food dye to create the reaction.

Please share this MEA Scholarship application with qualifying students at your high school. Our eligibility criterion is listed below:

• Dependent of MEA member or MEA‑Retired member in good standing
• Graduate of a Michigan public high school or private high school that has an MEA bargaining unit. Diploma must be received in the

application year.

• Will attend or is currently an undergraduate student of a Michigan public community/junior college, four‑year degree‑granting

institution, or vocational training institution that grants a degree, certification, or license. These private institutions ONLY are also

eligible: University of Detroit‑Mercy; Adrian College; Finlandia University; Albion College.

• Note: Children of MEA officers, fund trustees, and MEA staff are not eligible.

(A child of an MEA, MESSA or MEA-FS staff person is eligible if the other parent is an MEA member in good standing.)

• Beginning in 2022-2023, MEA will offer an additional scholarship meant to encourage and support the continued education of members of the

BIPOC (African American/Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic/Latinx) community to further the belief

that a diverse society enriches all individuals. Applicants for the BIPOC Scholarship must identify as a member of a defined BIPOC group as

listed above. If you are such a member and would like to be considered for the BIPOC Scholarship.

Selection Criteria

Priority is given on the basis of:

• academic achievement
• extra-curricular activities
• school and community service

Last year, MEA awarded 42 scholarships totaling $61, 200 ($1,800 scholarships to 26 new winners and $900 scholarships to 16 returning college students). The dollar amount for the 2025 scholarships and number of scholarships to be awarded has not been determined.

Please direct eligible applicants to https://mea.org/mea-scholarship/ to access the application. The application can be typed into, saved, and then printed for signatures to be emailed with the required documentation. If applicants are unable to fill out the application electronically. Legible handwritten application is acceptable. Applicants may also email all materials in a PDF format to MEAScholarship@mea.org.

Please discard any 2024 applications you might have. We will note be able to accept applications that are submitted on outdated forms.

The application deadline is Monday, February 10, 2025 - this is the date that applications need to be received by MEA. A postmark does not constitute as being received. No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Please stress timely submissions of the application to students, the parents and school personnel. There will no extensions granted due to weather delays, snow days or power outages.

If you have questions regarding the application or scholarship, please contact Sofia Henderson at MEAScholarship@mea.org or 517-203-3522.

Thank you very much for your assistance. We look forward to receiving applications from you students in your high school.

Sofia Henderson

Human Resources Generalist

Michigan Education Association

1350 Kendale Blvd, P.O. Box 2573

East Lansing, MI 48823-2573

This team met this morning and reviewed the following:

1. The College Fair Plan for Friday

--if you have a dual enrolled class, pick up a schedule in the main office so that you can head to the class of your choice on Friday.

--if you have already heard a speaker on Friday and you have the same speaker in another class, ask the classroom teacher if you can check out another speaker in another room so that you do not have to hear the speaker twice.

2. The master sheet that is maintained for all seniors completing college applications. No issues or concerns.

3. The PSAT that took place on Tuesday. No issues or concerns.

4. It was decided that Homecoming in 2025 will take place in September and a date has already been reserved for September.

5. More information and guidance is needed for Juniors before they get to Sep/Oct of their Senior year where they are expected to start applying to colleges. Ms. Powers will pursue more support for juniors.

6. The team discussed providing college application support in Personal Finance as not all seniors have an English class in this building. This will be pursued by Ms. Powers.

Below are the members of the team and their attendance for this morning:

If you have questions or concerns about anything in the building, you are welcome to bring those to any member of this team.

Freshmen:

Jayden BrassardX

Miranda LowellX

Katelynn Brown X

McKaylen Laws X

Sophomores:

Hailey AdamsX

Allison PooleX

Norma GutierrezX

Hanna Lomoro AB

Mackenzie Birmele AB

Juniors

Natalaya DesjardinX

Moeko Crago X

Keira TremblayX

Abby Klopp AB

Seniors

Ayana MarshallX

Alyssa Brown X

Aubrey JamesX

Jorge Zuniga X

MONDAY--FALL BAND CONCERT 7 PM IN THE AUDITORIUM

WEDNESDAY-- EARLY RELEASE; 1:10 DISMISSAL and STUDENTS CAN WEAR PAJAMAS.

THURSDAY--FALL CHOIR CONCERT 7 PM

FRIDAY-- COLLEGE APPLICATION DAY IN ENGLISH 12 CLASSES (Seniors who do not have an English class in the building but want any assistance with college applications can join either 3rd hour with Mrs. Riedinger or 7th hour with Mrs. Bruce)

My wife Wendy is a Junior High Principal. Our oldest son Chase is a Freshman at the University of Michigan. Our daughter Keira is a Junior at the High School and our youngest son Ryder is in 6th Grade. I graduated from Schoolcraft High School. I got my Bachelor's Degree from Central Michigan University and have a Master's degree in Administration as well. This is my 23rd year teaching Physical Education and Health classes (15th at Watervliet). I am also the Head Varsity Baseball and Football Coach. "Free Time" - What's that?? Just joking - When I am outside of the sports world I really enjoy the outdoors (Hunting / Fishing / Camping). My kids and family have grown up here and have been a part of the Watervliet community for a long time now - We are all proud to be Panthers and really appreciate the small town and its tremendous support in all that we do.

The After Prom Committee is looking for Parents to volunteer and help! The After Prom is only made possible by volunteers, donations and fundraising. We are looking for volunteers to help with activities to allow the Juniors and Seniors a fun and safe activity after their Prom.

The meeting will be held at the High School on Wednesday October 23rd at 6pm, in the Media Center.

Any questions, please contact Teresa Collins or Carrie Wilder.

Friday, October 18

7:00 PM Varsity Football Home vs. Constantine - SENIOR NIGHT

Saturday, October 19

Reeths –Puffer MCBA Marching Band Competition @ Grandville

10:00 AM Varsity Cross Country at Kalamazoo Christian Elementary School

TBD Varsity Volleyball at St. Joseph Tournament

Monday, October 21

7:00 PM Fall Band Concert, HS Auditorium

Tuesday, October 22

5:30 PM Varsity Girls Volleyball Crossover Game @TBA

Wednesday, October 23

5:30 PM JV Girls Volleyball Crossover Game@ TBA

Thursday, October 24

7:00 PM Fall MS/HS Choir Concert, High School Auditorium

Friday, October 25

7:00 PM Varsity Football at Saugatuck

Saturday, October 26

MCBA Marching Band Prelims

10:00 Am Varsity Cross Country Regional Tournament@ Portage West MS

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.

WEAR COLLEGE GEAR ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 21 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! The first college gear day was won by the 2nd hour class of Ms. Irmen!

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 !

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

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.

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.

OCTOBER (COLLEGE APPLICATION MONTH)

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.

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

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)