Whitmer Word
February Edition
From the Whitmer Counseling Center
College Credit Plus
The Washington Local School District wishes to inform all current 6th-11th grade students, and their parents or guardians, of the College Credit Plus informational session for the 2025-2026 school year. This year the informational session is currently available virtually from January 23, 2025 - March 31, 2025 on the Whitmer CCP website. The virtual informational session is required for any student who plans to take college coursework from May 2025 - May 2026. Q&A zoom sessions will be offered on February 20th (UT & Lourdes Reps) and February 25th (BGSU & Owens Reps) starting at 6:30pm. Any student that has completed the virtual informational session will receive an email invitation with the links to the Zoom Q&As. Please contact Mrs. Shively at sshively@wls4kids.org with any questions.
Ohio’s College Credit Plus program allows students to earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking college level courses from colleges or universities. The purpose of this program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wide variety of options to college-ready students.
GRADUATION
Whitmer Class of 2025 Graduation Information
Course Failures
Seniors: If you failed a required class for graduation the first semester, it can be recovered online during the second semester. Any required classes failed the second semester will need to be recovered in the summer and the student will not walk in the commencement ceremony. If you failed a required course for graduation during the first semester, see your counselor immediately to get enrolled in credit recovery!
Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors: Students cannot retake current grade level courses failed until after the school year is over.
Transcripts
Complete the following form to send transcripts to colleges: Transcript Request Form 2024-25
FAFSA®
The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is now OPEN!
How to Prepare for the FAFSA® Form
Toledo Tomorrow is also hosting a number of FAFSA workshops in the next few weeks. See dates and locations in FAFSA Toledo Tomorrow. Help will be available for college, scholarship, and FAFSA applications.
Also, please check out our new site: Financial Aid Basics. It’s a one-stop resource for financial aid, scholarship, and graduation information!
Scholarships
Check out the current scholarships posted: WHS Scholarship Information. This page is updated consistently, so bookmark it and continue to check it weekly throughout the school year. Also, contact college financial aid offices directly for their scholarship opportunities.
The Washington Local Schools scholarships will open February 14, 2025 - March 17, 2025. Seniors will receive an email with the link to apply for these scholarships from Valentine’s Day to St. Patrick’s Day.
Military
Students interested in obtaining more information about the military can email Mrs. McNamara at amcnamara@wls4kids.org to schedule an appointment with a branch recruiter. If you have enlisted and are graduating this year, please email Mrs. McNamara to let her know for graduation purposes.
Scheduling for 2025-26 School Year
Class meetings for scheduling will occur during Advisory on the following dates:
February 4: Class of 2026
February 5: Class of 2027
February 7: Class of 2028
February 10: Class of 2029 (These meetings will take place all day at Washington)
Scheduling forms will be emailed to students after their class meetings. Scheduling forms should be submitted by February 14 at 3:00PM.
Counselors at Whitmer will be available to meet during Advisory on February 11 & 12 to answer any questions. Please review course descriptions in the online curriculum guide found on the Counseling Center page.
PreACT 2025
Sophomores at Whitmer High School can take the PreACT free of charge. The test will be held on March 12, 2025 from 8:00-12:30. A Google Form application was sent to all tenth grade students via email on January 24, 2025. This Google Form is due by February 13, 2025. By completing and submitting this form, the student will be registered to take the PreACT.
Students will report to school at the usual time and testing will begin promptly at 8:00. Morning and midday busing will be provided. Breakfast and lunch will be available.
This is the first year the PreACT will be administered electronically, so all testers must report with a fully charged, school-issued Chromebook or they may not be able to complete the assessment.
For more information about the PreACT you may view the following:
Employment
Students looking for Seasonal Employment? Here’s a list of companies looking for seasonal employees along with the link to apply.
Additional work opportunities for students: Whitmer Job Board. The job board is updated on Wednesdays by 2:45pm.
From Julie Worstell, RN, School Nurse, Whitmer High School
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Teen dating abuse affects nearly 1.5 million high school students every year. One in three teens in
the U.S. is a victim of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. In addition, only one third of those teens
who were in a violent relationship ever told anyone about the abuse. Establishing open lines of
communication with your child is one of the most important things you can do to help prevent or
rescue your teen from an unhealthy relationship. You can also help your child by being a good role
model by treating your children and others with respect. Talk to your children early about healthy
relationships- before they start dating.
Tips to assist you in helping your child with teen dating and dating violence prevention:
Share signs of a healthy relationship built on:
Trust- makes them feel safe emotionally and physically
Honesty- being open and truthful in their communications
Equality- partner respects their opinion
Fairness- partner listens to their feelings
Share signs of an unhealthy relationship where their partner;
Constantly puts them down
Is jealous and possessive and isolates them from family and friends
Exhibits an explosive temper and has mood swings
Checks their cell phone, social media, or email without permission
Tells them what to do or wear
Learn more about teen dating violence prevention:
The National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 is a 24 hour national telephone hotline
to help teens 13-18 years old experiencing dating abuse.
Or access loveisrespect.org for information and tools for you and your child on
relationships.
https://www.loveisrespect.org/get-involved/tdvam/
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/teen-dating-violence-factsheet-
a.pdfhttps://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teen_dating_violence.html
February is Dental Health Month!
Your teeth are one of your best assets! Taking care of your teeth is vital to how you look and feel. Teeth play a vital role in how you eat and digest food, they help you to talk and speak clearly, and help give your face its shape. Good dentition helps you to feel good, giving you confidence affecting all aspects of your life!
Good dental hygiene prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease causes bacteria from your mouth to enter the bloodstream, which produces a protein allowing your blood to thicken, increasing your risk of a heart attack and stroke. Gum disease is also linked to the development of diabetes and some forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain type of cancers.
It pays in so many ways to take care of your teeth!
Buy soft-bristled toothbrushes to prevent damage to your teeth and gums. Brush your teeth twice a day, using soft pressure, for two minutes. Toothbrushes with mixed bristle heights and angled bristles clean better than a flat toothbrush. Change your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles are bent or splayed. Toothpaste with the ADA seal of acceptance has fluoride to protect the teeth and most will clear away the bacteria and acids from food and drinks. Flossing daily helps clear food and plaque from around teeth, preventing tartar buildup and gingivitis. Get regular dental exams every six months. Limit sweets, sugary drinks, and carbonated beverages.
February is HEART HEALTH MONTH!
From The Ohio State University: From the HELENE FULD HEALTH TRUST NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN NURSING AND HEALTHCARE
Here is information for parents and guardians regarding your heart health:
”The average heart beats about 100,000 times a day, 35 million times a year, and 2.5 billion times in a lifetime, which is why we need to do all we can to protect it. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. Further, heart health is connected to brain health."
The great news is that the majority of heart disease can be prevented with just a few evidence-based healthy lifestyle behaviors, including:
· Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week. If you reduce just 3 meeting times during each work day from 60 minutes to 50, you can engage in a brisk walk, do jumping jacks, or climb stairs to meet this evidence-based recommendation.
· Eat at least 5 fruits and veggies per day.
· Don’t smoke.
· If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start; if you do, limit it to one standard drink a day.
· Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night.
· Practice regular stress reduction, such as mindfulness, imagery, a daily dose of Vitamin G for gratitude, and/or cognitive-behavioral skills.
· Stand more, sit less and move more as even 3 hours of sitting daily increases your cardiac risk and drains your energy.
In addition, make an appointment with your healthcare provider for an annual health assessment that includes blood pressure, lipid levels, and hemoglobin A1C for diabetes risk.
Most people don’t change their behaviors until crisis happens or their emotions are raised. Don’t wait until you have a heart attack or stroke to do something different regarding your healthy lifestyle behaviors. Start today! It takes 30 to 66 days to make or break a new habit. Today can be your January 1 to start reducing your risk for heart disease, so make a firm commitment to improve one healthy lifestyle behavior change today. Inch by inch, it’s a cinch; yard by yard, it’s hard. You can do it!”
Click below to listen to the Scoop with Supt!
YouScience
You Science is an online platform that helps students discover their natural talents and connect them to personalized career and education opportunities. Every student at Whitmer is enrolled in YouScience. They can access their account and begin by playing some aptitude quizzes by following the User Guide linked here. Below is a flyer with some additional information for caregivers. If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact Ms. Becca Lee - blee@wls4kids.org or Mr. Thom Ziems - tziems@wls4kids.org.
Important Announcement: Updated Electronic Device Protocol
Dear Families and Students,
We hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer break! As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to inform you about an important update to our school protocol regarding the use of electronic devices. We believe that this updated protocol will help students stay engaged in their studies and reduce distractions.
Starting August 21, 2024, we will be implementing an updated Electronic Device protocol designed to create a more focused and productive learning environment for all students. Here are the key points you need to know:
Devices Permitted:
Personal Electronic / Communication Devices including earbuds, cell phones, smart watches, tablets, pads, laptops, etc. may be brought to school but can only be used at designated times.
No over-the-ear devices are permitted in the school building, including in the cafeteria.
Restricted Spaces:
Devices are not permitted for use in the learning space including classrooms, Learning Lab, and during assemblies.
Earbud devices are not permitted to be worn in the building with the exception of the cafeteria (only one is permitted to be worn).
Usage Guidelines:
Cell phones may only be used before and after school, during the student lunch break, and in between classes as long as they don’t create a distraction, disruption or otherwise interfere with the educational environment.
Students must place smaller electronics (cell phones, earbuds, etc.) in the device pocket holder when entering the classroom. Items will remain in the pocket until the end of the class period, including when leaving to use the restroom.
In an emergency (such as a lockdown), students will be permitted to collect their devices to communicate home to families.
Consequences:
Any misuse of devices will result in the device being confiscated for the remainder of the day.
First offense will result in a warning and the student will be permitted to pick up the device from the ARC at the end of the day.
Repeated violations will lead to further progressive disciplinary actions. In addition, the guardian will need to pick up the confiscated device.
As a reminder, The Board assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage to, misuse or unauthorized use of PCDs brought onto its property.
The full board policy can be referenced HERE.
We appreciate your support in ensuring a smooth transition to this updated policy. Please feel free to review the Whitmer Device Confiscation Form with your student.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Warm Regards,
Whitmer Administration
