Panther Print for Parents 🐾

On Wednesday the Boys' Varsity Basketball Team traveled to YMCA's Camp Eberhart in Three Rivers for a team-building field trip. The boys' were challenged throughout the day in a variety of activities that tested their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. It was an amazing way to kick off what will be an outstanding season.

National Novel Writing Month:

For the month of November, Ms. Bruce's Creative Writing class has been participating in the youth writing program for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). They spent October planning, outlining, and setting personal word choice goals. Together, they have set a goal of reaching 238, 722 words by November 30th.

On behalf of the Watervliet EAA chapter #585 we'd like to thank you and the National Honor society students for all their help at the pancake breakfast and Chili hop.

The EAA chapter would like to donate $100 towards the National Honor society/and or scholarship. My husband and I have decided to match this $100 gift.

Please let us know where and how to make out checks. Total of $200.

Appreciate all your help.

Thanks so much!

Linda, Mark & EAA 585

All high school parents are invited to this monthly update about the high school with Ms. Powers in the high school media center. Bring your questions and concerns and come to hear about what happening at the high school.The meeting is from 7-8 PM.

There is a blood drive this Tuesday. Sign up at lunch. Scan the QR code in the building to sign up as well. If you are 16 or younger, get a parent consent form from Mrs. O'Toole.

Mr. Coburn will be presenting on Scholarships and Financial Aid for college on Monday, November 18th for seniors that have not received the presentation already during 3rd and 7th hours in the Media Center. Mr. Coburn will also be giving the presentation again for students and families at 6pm on Monday in the Media Center.

I am a lifelong resident of southwestern Michigan having grown up in St. Joseph. After graduating St. Joseph High School, I attended Western Michigan University. Upon graduating from college, I was fortunate to be hired by Watervliet and have now taught at the high school for 27 years. I have also been the cross country coach during all of those years and coached track for quite awhile as well. In the classroom I currently teach Civics, Economics, Sociology, and Psychology. Other courses I have taught include World History, U.S. History, AP European History, World Geography, and Street Law.

My two sons, both in their early twenties, are graduates of WHS. I live with my wife , who is also an educator, and her three children. In my free time I enjoy reading, listening to music, and watching European soccer. I have a lot of pride in being part of the Panther community due to the many great students and families that we have. I am also proud of the many great individuals that I have been able to teach alongside over the years.

Mr. Coburn is the Michigan Adviser college adviser that is assigned to work with seniors in both the Watervliet and Coloma school districts. He has already met with each Senior at least one time this year in order to establish how can assist each in achieving their plans for life after high school. Seiors and their parents can meet with him as needed. Feel free to reach out to him at christopher.coburn@watervlietps.org.

The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy is coming into the home stretch w/ Information Sessions for our upcoming cycle (beginning January 12, 2025). We have upcoming sessions in both Benton Harbor (Nov. 20) and Kalamazoo (Nov. 25). Info sessions are an opportunity for prospective applicants and parents/guardians to learn about the MYCA. Attendance at an in-person session is a mandatory step in the application process for those who choose to apply.

Interested stakeholders are welcome to attend as well (no need to register, only potential applicants should register).

Attendees should register to attend at: https://www.michigan.gov/myca/events

Wesco is honored to be part of every community in our 55 locations and is fortunate enough to give back to them. Through our relationship with Pepsi, $20,000 of fountain profits will be donated to local public high schools like yours.

Every Wesco location will donate three cents from each fountain drink sold to local public high schools during November until the $20,000 donation goal is reached. Each Public High School will receive a minimum of $100. The rest of the $20,000 pledge will be distributed according to sales.

As one of the high schools selected, you will be notified of the amount collected from your local Wesco in early January. We are excited to work with Pepsi on this generous giving program for our local public education.

Sincerely,

Bryan Link
Marketing Director
Wesco Inc.

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.

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.

NOVEMBER

18 Financial Aid Night for Senior Parents 6 PM

19 Blood Drive

20 PAC Mtg. 7 PM

20 SAC Mtg. 7:30 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.

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 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)