High School Warrior Weekly

Another successful Freshmen Barn Dinner is in the books! Thank you to the HOCO Dinner Committee for their time and efforts in organizing this event. It was a great turnout with 292 students attending from the Class of 2028!

The celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month for all families in the district is being held Thursday, October 3 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The event is being hosted on the back playground at Heritage Elementary School. If you are able, please bring a chair.

• There will be live music starting at 5:30 p.m. The band is Son del Atlántico, who perform Vallenato, which is music from the coastal regions of Venezuela and Colombia.
• There will be a few food trucks (El Alegre--Mexican food, Latin Food--Nicaraguan food, Kona Ice--shaved ice treats) for those who would like to purchase food.

Cases of Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough, are increasing in Wisconsin and nationwide. WCSD has had a handful of positive cases since July. Pertussis is a very contagious respiratory illness that may begin like a common cold, but develops into a severe cough that can last for weeks.

To reduce the risk of transmission in our school buildings, the following is recommended:

• Stay home for 5 days while on antibiotic therapy for those who are diagnosed with pertussis or a medical provider is treating as a probable case

• Stay updated on vaccines, including DTaP and Tdap, which help protect against Pertussis

• Wear a mask when experiencing a cough or other respiratory symptoms

For additional information, click here. To report a positive case of Pertussis in your home, please contact your school’s health office.

Thank you for your support,

Jenny Sydow, RN

Waunakee Community School District (WCSD) is committed to supporting all students’ wellness and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). During the 2024-2025 school year, WCSD Student Services staff will facilitate universal screening for students in grades 5, 7, and 9. The screener, also referred to as a brief questionnaire or survey for grades 7 and 9, is called the BASC-3 Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BASC-3 BESS). It takes about five to eight minutes to complete. Students will be taking the screener during contact time.

The BASC-3 BESS is a tool that asks students to broadly rate their own skills in the following areas: Behavior and Emotional Risk Index, Internalizing Risk Index, Personal Adjustment Risk Index, and Self-Regulation Risk Index. This screener also includes questions to identify potential internalizing or externalizing mental health concerns. Because of this, the screener is confidential but not anonymous. Our student services staff may follow up with students and their families when a screener indicates an elevated concern.

Students complete the BESS in the fall during a contact time. If you would like to opt your 9th grade student out of participating in this screener, please complete the linked Google form or contact a WCHS School Psychologist no later than Friday, October 4, 2024. Students may choose to decline participation at the time the survey is administered. Lastly, upon request, a hard copy of the

screening survey is available at your child’s school.

Please reach out if you have questions.

Sincerely,

School Psychologists, Waunakee Community High School

Megan Galdes - megangaldes@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Marion Moffett - marionmoffett@waunakee.k12.wi.us

608-849-2100

High School DECA is selling tickets for Forward Madison FC for their Back To School Night on October 12th and a regular match on October 19th. The Back To School Night will have many fun activities for families. For every ticket sold, Waunakee HS DECA will receive a $5 commission. Here is a link to where the tickets can be bought.

For over 19 years, the Staff Appreciation Committee has been providing a meal for the teachers and staff on conference night. Please help by clicking the link and signing up for anything you can bring to help or volunteer to set up or clean up. Any help is appreciated! Please have your donation to the office by 2 PM on Monday, October 14 (no deliveries the week before please; if you need help getting your donation to school, reach out to one of the coordinators). October 2024 Staff Conference Meal Sign Up

If you would prefer to make a cash donation and have one of the coordinators do the shopping, please reach out to one of us (below) and we will provide the information needed.

Thank you for helping us treat the staff to a pre-conference meal!

Staff Appreciation Co-Coordinators

Melissa Meinholz tmzmein@yahoo.com

Maggie Ziegler maggieziegler22@gmail.com

If you are interested in helping to plan/organize the Post Prom festivities (April 12th, 2025), we will be meeting Wednesday October 16th at 6:00 p.m. at the Waunakee Village Center. If you are interested in helping out, but are unable to make the meeting, please contact Mr. Hernandez: (stevenhernandez@waunakee.k12.wi.us ) so that he can pass your name onto the Post Prom Planning Committee.

Post Prom is organized by parents/guardians and offers a wonderful opportunity for our students following Prom.

Thank you for your help and support in advance.
Waunakee Community High School Administration Team

Check out our website to explore and find the answers that matter to you!

• Learn More: https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/community/fall-2024-referendum
• Email: wcsd_fall2024referendum@waunakee.k12.wi.us

#WaunakeeWAY

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 29 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for the annual Waunakee National Honor Society "Halloween in the Halls" event! This is a fun (and climate-controlled) trick-or-treat night at the high school. All children from preschool through sixth grade are invited to attend. Several high school clubs will provide treats and activities throughout the halls. Admission is free. Families should enter the high school through Door #1/Main Entrance. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. See the flyer for more information and be sure to share it with your neighbors. Questions, email caitlynnhoff@waunakee.k12.wi.us.

Project Graduation is a fun, after graduation party organized by the parents and guardians of the graduating SENIORS. This event was established to offer seniors a safe place to celebrate for FREE and we hope to continue providing it.

If you are willing to help plan/organize Project Graduation, email waunagradparty@gmail.com to express interest . There will be the initial planning meeting on Tuesday, October 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the high school staff lounge. Thank you for your help and support in advance.

School safety is a priority in the Waunakee Community School District. We take several steps to ensure each child is safe and each school is secure. An important component of this work is that we participate in monthly safety drills using our Standard Response Protocol (SRP) methods for evacuation (fire), shelter (tornado), secure (danger outside the building), lockdown (danger inside the building), and hold (medical event, student crisis, etc. in the building). Our staff teach students about our safety drills in a matter-of-fact and developmentally appropriate manner, and explain that we participate in these drills as a way to stay safe so we know what to do in an actual emergency, even though the chances of a real incident are rare.

During the week of October 7, Waunakee Community High School will be participating in the Evacuation drill. Prior to the drill, school administration and your child’s teacher will prepare your child for the drill, including answering any questions they have. During the drill, the safety protocol measures in SRP will be followed. Following the drill, students will be reminded that schools are some of the safest places to be and that the skills students and staff learn about safety can be applied anywhere, both in school and out of school. The law enforcement officers and school administrators will discuss what went well and areas to improve. We will then send you a message that same day so you are aware the drill took place.

We thank you for supporting our work to keep our school safe. For additional information about our SRP procedures, please feel free to visit the Standard Response Protocol website: SRP ♥ The "I Love U Guys" Foundation or our school district Safety and Security website. If you have any questions about the drill or school safety procedures, please feel free to contact your child’s building administrators at any time.

As we enter the second year of utilizing Visitor Aware, we want to take a moment to remind you of this important Visitor Management System in our K-12 school buildings. Visitor Aware continues to streamline the check-in process for visitors while enhancing the safety of our students, staff, and families.

Key Features to Remember:

• Initial Check-In: If you are visiting our schools for the first time this year, please remember to bring a state ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) for verification. This allows us to ensure a safe environment by checking visitor identities against national databases.

• Facial Recognition Technology: After your first visit, checking in will be quick and easy - just use your photo at the front office kiosk. Visitor Aware employs facial recognition technology to identify registered visitors efficiently.

• Enhanced Accountability: By tracking who is in our schools in real-time, we can improve our emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Visitors must also indicate where they are going in a building.

• Strengthen Staff and Visitor Communication: Visitor Aware promotes clear communication among front office staff, principals, and visitors. If a visitor is unrecognized or requires further review, a discreet notification is sent to prompt the front office to contact the principal or the Office of School Safety. This system utilizes technology similar to facial recognition used in mobile phones to document and authorize entry for all visitors.

• Support for Families: Our school office staff are always available to assist you, especially if you have questions about the check-in and check-out process or need help with your first visit.

Visitor Aware plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe and welcoming atmosphere for our school community. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support in helping us ensure the safety of our learning environment.

If you have additional questions or to view additional resources for Visitor Aware, please visit our Safety and Security district website.

The Bucky Book offers 50% OFF at 300+ businesses and you only need to redeem a few coupons--and in many cases, just one--between now and September 30, 2025 to recoup your contribution while you are supporting Waunakee DECA & FBLA. As you know, businesses have increased their prices and using the Bucky Book pays you back. There are 50% OFF coupons you can use right now from car washes, groceries, golf (now & next season), pizza, fast food, oil changes, pet food, carpet cleaning, shopping, home services and so much more. The Bucky Book makes an excellent gift to anyone in the Madison area!

BONUS! You will also receive a bonus flyer of Hy-Vee 50% OFF coupons for groceries valued over $50 in addition to TWO FREE GAMES at Pinseekers in DeForest for mini bowling & golf just by purchasing your book(s) from our organizations! These bonus inserts will cover the cost of your Bucky Book (and more)!

If you have kids, you'll save on half off birthday parties, bouncy houses, bowling, ice cream, UW games, Dane County Fair, swimming, amusement parks, etc.

If you want to purchase a book, please email sandrameinholz@waunakee.k12.wi.us or colleenserum@waunakee.k12.wi.us or purchase from any student member of either organization. Books can be delivered or picked up at Waunakee Community High School.

If you want to order online, please use the link https://www.buckybook.com/waunakee-high-school-deca-fbla to purchase your book(s) or the QR code below.

If you want to make a donation to offset our DECA & FBLA traveling costs, you may do so through Classmunity. THANK YOU for your continued support of our co-curricular programs!

In June of 2025, a group of Waunakee students are embarking on an educational trip to Sweden and Denmark to study and experience the world’s best examples of Sustainability, Conservation, Clean Energy, and Environmental Engineering. In line with our mission and vision, we are offering our services to care for yards and properties to raise finances for all group members.

WHEN? October 19-20

WHO? High School students enrolled in this trip, teacher chaperones, and parent volunteers.

WHERE? Any property or business in the Waunakee area or north/west of Madison

WHAT? We can offer any of these services:

• Rake and bag leaves
• Plant trees/bulbs/plants/seeds
• Pull/cut weeks
• Lawn mowing
• Lawn fertilizer application
• Pot plants for indoor use
• Remove oil/paint/metals/etc. (taken to proper Dane County recycling facility)
• Paint or stain a deck or fence
• Other: What do you need accomplished….?

COST? Donate any amount to our district-sponsored Classmunity fundraising page.How do I request services? Make a request online and donate OR scan the QR code:

The 2023-2024 yearbooks were distributed in classrooms for students in grades 10-12. Students who were not in their advisory should check with their advisory teacher for their yearbook. For questions regarding a yearbook order, please email Mr. Willauer at jeffwillauer@waunakee.k12.wi.us.

Extra yearbooks are available to purchase in the main office. Books will be sold for $75.00 and can be paid for in cash or a check. There are a limited number of over-run books and sales are based on a first come-first served basis.

Graduated senior yearbooks are available in the main office and can be picked up during the office hours of 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Please note that students who are currently enrolled at the High School can pick up a book for their graduated sibiling.

In order to keep costs down will not be ordering extra books beyond our sales campaign. While there may be a slight chance there are a few extra books due to over-run at the time of printing please make sure you order as soon as possible to ensure the lowest price and that you will get your copy!!!

There will be three levels of pricing for the 2024-2025 yearbook:

• From now until December 31, 2024 the base price of the book will be $60.00 with all extra options available.
• From January 1, 2025 until March 31, 2025 the base price will be $70.00 with all options available.
• From April 1, 2025 until the yearbook plant closes its order window the price of the book will be $80.00. Optional items may still be available but the plant does cut off orders at various points to ensure delivery is on time.

The Waunakee Community School District is committed to ensuring that all students and families can participate in their school communities regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Financial assistance may be available to anyone looking to purchase a yearbook. Please contact Teri Reible at 608-849-2000 or a high school social worker to learn more about the student financial assistance fund. If you need assistance in a language other than English, please call the district interpreter/translator at 608-849-2000 option 2.

Placing your order is quick and easy: ONLINE ORDER PLACEMENT IS PREFERRED AT www.yearbookordercenter.com. Enter school code 3927. If you would like to purchase a book with cash or paper check please email Mr. Willauer at jeffwillauer@waunakee.k12.wi.us

Senior mug shots must be submitted by Friday November 29. This date will not be extended and no late submissions will be accepted. Please note that most photographers take 4-6 weeks to complete senior picturess so please plan accordingly.

Seniors may use the school’s portrait photographer (Lifetouch) or a professional photographer of their own choosing. Students will incur the cost of the portraits. Appropriate attire is required and the student’s face should be clearly visible. Senior portraits may not display anything that is inappropriate, of poor taste and must follow the school dress code. This includes, but is not limited to firearms, other weapons, drugs, tobacco or alcohol.

• You (or your photographer) should submit a FULL COLOR digital image file with a resolution of 300 dpi VERTICALLY ORIENTED (think taller not wider). The digital file should be uploaded via this link: http://www.hjeshare.com. You will need to enter some basic information and the code waunakee2024. You will not receive a confirmation email from the eShare site. If something is wrong eShare will tell you. Senior digital images can also be submitted on a flash drive to the main office in an envelope "attn: yearbook staff" - Please note that these items will not be returned. If your photographer would like more info on this process - have them contact Mr. Willauer directly. PLEASE MAKE SURE THE FILE IS NAMED WITH THE STUDENT’S LAST NAME THEN FIRST NAME. EX (SMITH_JOHN.JPG) WE WILL NOT BE COLLECTING PHOTOS VIA EMAIL AS THEY QUICKLY FILL UP OUR INBOX. ALL EMAILED PHOTOS WILL BE DELETED.
• Here is the LINK for the list of people that have submitted their senior photos. In the upper right corner you will see the date that it was last updated. Please check this list periodically as your photographer may be submitting the photo on your behalf. Local photographers traditionally wait and send them in groups as they have many clients from WHS. Please make sure you are following up with them if you do not see your photo submitted.
  

• Unable to submit a digital file? Then you must submit two wallet sized full color photos to the yearbook staff, in person, in a sealed envelope with your full name on both the photos to room 1405. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON BOTH THE PHOTOS AND THE ENVELOPE! Digital photos that are printed out on photo paper do not scan well and will not be accepted - the original sized digital image is required. Please talk to your photographer and have that submitted using the directions above. Important to note: We do not collect photos for the Tribune. Seniors are responsible for submitting their photo directly to the Tribune.

Any senior who wants to be in the yearbook but does not want to go through a professional photographer, here are some options:

1. A twenty four hour turnaround time photographer offers a quality headshot for a minimal sitting fee with the option to purchase whatever sizes and quantities desired.
2. Use photos from major department store studio.
3. Use the school photographer, Life Touch, for your senior portrait as well - students receive a free sitting at registration with no obligation to purchase. Just be sure that you let us know so that we may obtain a copy from them. Please remember that photos that are not of sufficient quality will not be included in the yearbook. Please let Mr. Willauer know if you plan to use this option.

Note: The traditional senior profile section for the yearbook has changed. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting change!

At the high school level we ask that all parental absence requests be made only through the Infinite Campus parent portal or on the 24/7 voicemail machine. We understand that this is a different policy than the other schools within the district, but past experience tells us that high schoolers are more able to use parental devices to get themselves out of classes via email.Therefore, high school administrators have asked the attendance desk to not accept email absence requests.

Thanks for your understanding with this matter.

Waunakee High School (and Middle School) are using Schoology Learning, an integrated learning management solution that provides course management, mobile learning, and support for system-wide communication. Schoology enables our students, parents, and teachers to engage with learning materials and their school community from the classroom and beyond. With Schoology, students can digitally submit homework assignments, review grades, participate in interactive discussions, receive announcements/feedback, take tests, write academic blogs+more.

As a guardian, you will be able to view your child’s activity within the platform.

Login instructions:

1. Go to https://app.schoology.com/login

2. Enter the full email address associated with your infinite campus account.

3. Click on “Forgot your Password”

4. Schoology will send you an email with instructions and a link to reset your password.

5. Click link & set a "new" password

6. Login again using the link above with the "new" password

7. Your student(s) will already be associated with your schoology account.

We value your participation in your child’s education, and we encourage you to read Schoology’s Privacy Policy & Terms of Use at https://www.powerschool.com/privacy-statement-overview/. Student progress and activity will be monitored by faculty to ensure a safe, secure, and controlled environment. In addition, parent resources for Schoology can be found here. If you have questions or feedback regarding Schoology please email us!

Courtney Lovell (courtneylovell@waunakee.k12.wi.us), High School Educational Tech

Rick Franz (rickfranz@waunakee.k12.wi.us), Director of Technology

💻Mark your calendar for Parent/Teacher Conferences being held on October 14 from 4-8 p.m. and October 18 from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Watch your email for information that will be shared soon.

We invite you to participate in upcoming informational sessions for the Waunakee Community School District to share more about the upcoming 2024 school district referendum.

The school district will be hosting additional information sessions throughout our community. All sessions will begin with a welcome, short district presentation, and will conclude with questions/answers discussion with participants.

October 16: Waunakee Public Library (Living Room) at 2:00 p.m.

October 22: Waunakee Village Center at 1:00 p.m.

October 29: MNM Coffeehouse at 9:00 a.m.

You can view more information on our district website to learn more. If you have additional questions or would like to schedule a time to talk with our referendum team, please email us or call us at (608) 849-2000.

Thank you for your support of the Waunakee Community High School’s athletic activities. We highly encourage you to purchase passes and/or tickets prior to the games being held at the Waunakee Community High School. Tickets and Activity Passes are now available on the GoFan website. The GOFAN App is FREE to download on your mobile device (iOS and Android) and also allows you to purchase single game tickets for $5 + processing fees at any Home Varsity/Junior Varsity events we charge admission to.

Purchase of Single Game Tickets are available only during the season for the following events:

Fall: Football, Boys Soccer, and Volleyball

Winter: Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Gymnastics, Boys Hockey, and Wrestling

Spring: Girls and Boys Lacrosse, and Girls Soccer

Items to Note:

• Family Passes are available to purchase for $150.

• High School students can purchase a Student Activities Pass for $50.

• Families that have more than 6 immediate family members will need to contact the Athletics Department for a special code to purchase.

• If families need assistance with ticket prices or student passes, please consider reaching out to the Student Financial Assistance Fund.

• If the app is not loading your ticket at the gate, we can look up the name of the ticket holder for you on our system. If you are using a family pass, we will need to know the name of the person in the family that bought the passes.

Grandparents/Senior Citizen Pass - Golden Card Club

Senior citizens of the District (persons 62 years of age or older) are eligible for lifetime membership in the Golden Card Club which shall permit them to attend all K-12 activities of the schools, including athletic events, free of charge. This does not apply to WIAA tournament events, musicals or plays. Application for membership must be made in person at the Waunakee Athletic Office at Waunakee Community High School or at an admission gate when tickets are sold. These guest passes shall represent a small token of appreciation from the District for all that the District’s senior citizens have done for the schools over the years.

Click on the following videos to learn more about GoFan:

• How to purchase passes/tickets on GoFan

• How to access/share GoFan tickets

As a reminder, we will not accept cash for ticket sales. Cash is accepted at concession stands. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

If you have any questions, please contact the High School Athletic Office at 608-849-2103 or 608-849-2100 or visit our Waunakee Athletic website.

Go Warriors!

The Waunakee Community School District Student Financial Assistance Fund (SFAF) ensures ALL students in our school district can participate in district programs and activities, as well as community organized programs and activities.

The Waunakee Community School District is committed to ensuring that all students and families can participate in their school communities regardless of a family’s financial situation and ability to pay. Scholarships or payment plans are available to any student who has been approved for the free/reduced meal program, and may be available to any student whose families have a financial need due to unique circumstances.

PLEASE CONTACT: Your School Social Worker for more information on these opportunities with the Student Financial Assistance Fund.

Taher's goal is to provide high quality, safe and healthy meal options to every student. Students need good nutrition to feed their minds and bodies to enable them to learn during the day.

To view their daily menus, please click on the following link: https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/departments/food-services

Email: waunakeehighschool_schooloffice@waunakee.k12.wi.us
Website: https://whs.waunakee.k12.wi.us
Location: 301 Community Drive, Waunakee
Phone: (608) 849-2100