Panther Print for Parents 🐾

The arts have been a large part of my life for as far back as I can remember. As a teenager, the art room at Portage Central High School was my favorite place to be. The art teacher there made a huge impact in my life, and encouraged me to find a career path in the arts. After high school I attended Columbia College in Chicago where I earned a BA in commercial photography. I worked as an architectural photographer for several years and had images published in books and magazines.

After ten years of city life I moved back to Kalamazoo to get my teaching credentials and eventually my Masters from Western Michigan University. I have been teaching art at Watervliet High School since 2007. Currently I teach Art I, Art II and Sculpture.

My husband Brian also works in the visual arts, as a creative director for the Gilmore Car Museum. We have two daughters. Madeline, 14, who is in love with literature and theater. Natalie, 11, is passionate about cooking, her guinea pigs, and riding her bike until the sun goes down. We also have a cat named Rooney, who bites ankles when he's hungry.

I'm proud to be a Panther because we have an outstanding teaching staff that works hard to support one another and the students in our care. I also hope that I'm enriching students' lives by exposing them to the arts, with the aim that they will have a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

On Friday, September 27, 2024, 8 members of the HS Concert Choir traveled to Western Michigan University to participate in the Southwestern Michigan Vocal Festival Workshop. While there, they worked with Guest Conductor, Stacey V. Gibbs, in preparation for the large festival that will take place in Miller Auditorium on the campus of Western Michigan University in March, 2025.

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.

At Watervliet High School, we are constantly striving to provide a variety of opportunities for students to enrich and prepare them for life after high school. In addition to dual enrollment, technology center, advanced placement, and core classes, students also have the opportunity to take a course in our online learning lab where they may study a subject of interest beyond what is offered in the traditional classroom. This year we have 70 students enrolled in a variety of courses such as: American Sign Language, computer coding, career explorations in health care, emergency medical services, medical terminology, Japanese, entrepreneurship, construction careers, African-American History, mythology & folklore, marine science, digital photography, business law, and many more. Our online learning lab also offers students the opportunity to regain credit to remain on pace towards graduation. We are proud to provide these unique opportunities, and our students enjoy their independent learning.

The Student Advisory Council to the Principal held their bi-weekly meeting this week. Members of the team for the 24-25 school year are as follows:

Freshmen:

Jayden Brassard

Miranda Lowell

Katelynn Brown

McKaylen Laws

Sophomores:

Hailey Adams

Allison Poole

Norma Gutierrez

Hanna Lomoro

Mackenzie Birmele

Juniors

Natalaya Desjardin

Moeko Crago

Keira Tremblay

Abby Klopp

Seniors

Ayana Marshall

Alyssa Brown

Aubrey James

Jorge Zuniga

The team discussed the following:

1. Students who are in the media center for dual enrollment throughout the day are not to leave the media center during their scheduled time. Ms. Powers will visit with these groups of students and remind them that if they are coming late, leaving early, or leaving during their assigned time, they will be moved to the online classroom.

2. We reviewed the PBIS matrix of expectations. Students indicate that weekly lessons are not being taught in 3rd hour classes on a regular basis. Students on the SAC are not able to create educational videos this year due to time constraints for the rest of the student body but would like the opportunity offered out to any student groups who have interest in assisting. Ms. Powers will pursue this.

3. We reviewed the minutes from the last PBIS team meeting. All students are invited to join these meetings on the last Monday of the month at 3:15 in the media center. The team is working to complete each piece of the PBIS plan. Much of our meeting time today was reviewing the matrix, and the processes in the building for discipline and getting feedback from the SAC on those processes.

YOUR SAC meets every other Wednesday at 7:30 AM in the HS media center. If you have any building concerns that you would like to see addressed, you are welcome to reach out to any student member to share your concern.

My family includes me and my Mom, Melissa Smith. The family I tend to spend the most time with who don't live at home are my aunt (Vernell Wright), and her mother, my grandmother (Murlene Wolter).

My favorite class I'm taking now is AP Government w/ Mr. Linderman. It seems to really give a more in depth look at our government than in Civics last year as it is a college class and year long.

My favorite teacher is Mr. Linderman as he influenced the creation of some petitions that I have recently written as a part of my AP Government class.

I'm not involved in any clubs or sports but I have been thinking about joining golf when it starts in the spring, as I have been interested in golf and Mr. Andrews being the coach (he's my pick for president).

In my free time, I watch movies, listen to music (80's/70's rock is my preferable choice), and even research and even create presentations on that, with a lot of them surrounding history months.

I would like to possibly attend college after high school. I don't like to say 100% sure what I want to do as a career but with my interest in history, probably a history teacher like the one, the only, Mr. Andrews.

I'm proud of being a WHS Panther because of the amazing staff. The staff seems pretty welcoming and tries to help the students as much as possible.

I have 2 older brothers and 2 younger sisters. Both my brothers are marines and my dad owns Ray's Towing. I'm very proud of my family, especially my mom. She is smarter than pretty much all of us and is the glue in our family.

My favorite class this year is welding. I weld the first 2 hours of the day and it is always so much fun and starts my day off right.

My favorite teachers this year are Mr. Dimino and Mr. Steele. Mr. Dimino is really good at what he teaches and he's always positive. Mr.Steele is one of my funniest teachers and always keeps class interesting.

I am on the Debate Team. This is my second year on the Debate Team and this year I am serving as the president on our team. I'm extremely excited for our state debate.

In my free time I like to read, practice welding and hangout with friends or family.

After high school I plan to find an apprenticeship in welding, get my career started and hopefully move further up north.

I have a mom and dad, two dogs, a cat, and two older siblings. My favorite class is HS Band Band, because we get to go to competitions and watch other bands perform. My favorite teacher is Mrs. Hollandsworth. She has pushed me to be a better person and a better leader. Is band a club? If it is, it's band. If not... Well, I'm not in any clubs.

In my free time, I like to sit at my $1,000 computer and game the night away. And I like to play my trombone.

After high school, I would like to try and get into a good college after I learn to drive.

I am proud to be a WHS Panther because this school has offered plenty of good people and good opportunities.

My family consists of my mom, my dad, my brothers Tony and Braxton and my sister,. Lilly. Right now my favorite teacher and class would have to be US History with Mr. Andrews. He works to make sure that everyone in the class understands the material. After high school, I would like to attend a trade school to pursue a career in the automotive trade. In my free time I like to play sports, be outside, hunt, and fish.

I live with my mom and younger sister, Charley. My favorite class has been Spanish I & II because it comes easy to me and I feel like I learn usable skills in the future there. My favorite teacher so far is Mr. Lindeman. He lays his lesson out very simply and easy to understand in a way that I retain the information. He's always been very helpful, ready to give out extensions when needed, and overall a great teacher. I don't participate in any school activities. My main activities outside of school are playing video games, taking my cat on walks outside, and hanging out with friends. I'm planning on going to college after high school, either majoring in engineering or a law degree. I am proud to be a WHS panther because this school has helpful teachers and an environment that far surpasses any other that I went to.

My Dad (Tom) works at a logistics group named Dicastal, where he has worked for years and has climbed a long ladder. My dad started as a casual forklift driver, but after hours and hours of work he got to a Senior Supervisor position where he basically runs the place. My Mom (Sarah) Works at a gas station named Shell where she has worked for over 6 years. She basically knows everything in there and both my parents work really hard to support my family. I also have a sister and a brother named Callie and Zach.

I really love my woodshop class. In this class I know I can bring my creativity into light and build whatever comes to my mind. I love hands-on working and trying to fight any challenge that comes along the way. My favorite teacher so far throughout my years at Watervliet has definitely got to be Mr. Steele. He makes learning something a lot more clearer to me while also making it entertaining at the same time. Mr. Steele gave me the confidence to go out of my way and try to learn something new when others told me I couldn't. I am not currently in any sports or clubs but one day I hope to play either basketBall or football.

In my freetime, I love to ride my bike around Watervliet, listen to music in my room, or just spend time with my family. After high school, I want to go to a trade school for Welding. Welding has always been a passion to me ever since my first year at Coloma. I really enjoy messing around with fire and Welding is a safe way to do it. I really want to make a living out of welding.

I am proud to be a WHS Panther because I know at Watervliet I can be whoever and whatever I'd like to be and I would have no judgement. I'm really glad to be a Watervliet Panther.

Ava Bentley lives with her mom and brother. Her favorite teachers are Mr. Dimino and Mr. Linderman because they work hard to help her in class. In her free time she likes to do nails and after high school, she hopes to further her nail business.

Tori Hayes likes to read, cross stitch, and quilt in her free time. After high school, she plans to pursue a career in the medical field.

Kimberly is a senior and the leading runner on the Panther girls cross country team and also runs on the. track team in the spring. She finished 11 th at regionals last season and qualified for the state finals, but. chose instead to attend the marching band state finals, where she was a key member of the Flight V. state champion.

She described one of her favorite sports memories at Watervliet as “The moment I crossed the finish

line at the 2023 regional meet, I hugged [teammate] Morgan Lowell, and our dream of being state

qualifiers together came true. We even got matching sweatshirts with all the qualifiers on the back,

which was cool!”

Outside of running she is part the Science Olympiad team at school. “I had the opportunity to present a

gummy bear bond model for the North School Science Olympiad to start “A Moment of Science With

Kimberly,” where I present science labs to students, hoping to plant a seed of interest in STEM.”

She also participated in a research program this summer at the Notre Dame QuarkNet Center learning

about particle physics. Kimberly plans to attend a university after graduation and to major in biology or

chemistry. “Pursuing higher education is important to me because it’s a beacon of possibility, a chance

to pursue what my generation didn't have the opportunity to do and make my parent’s sacrifices worth. it.”

Congratulations, Kimberly!

Friday, October 4

7:00 PM Varsity Football at South Haven

Saturday, October 5

9:00 AM MS & HS Cross Country at Portage West Middle School

Monday, October 7

5:00 PM Boys Varsity Soccer Home vs. Allegan – SENIOR NIGHT

Tuesday, October 8

5:30/6:30 PM JV & Varsity Volleyball Home vs. Allegan

Thursday, October 10

4:30 PM Varsity Cross Country SAC Finals at US 31 Motorsports Park

6:00 PM JV Football at Allegan

Friday, October 11

7:00 PM Varsity Football Home vs. Allegan – HOMECOMING

Saturday, October 12

10:00 AM MS Cross Country at Portage West MS Invitational

Based on this season's performances, the varsity soccer team has earned a home first round game in this year's district tournament!

We will host Dowagiac at 7:00pm at home on Thursday, October 10th.

Once a month, Ms. Powers hosts a Parent Advisory Council meeting. Parents at every grade level are invited to attend. Meet in the media center at 7 pm for these informational meetings. Below you will find the presentation from September. The next meeting is OCTOBER 30th at 7 PM.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/EPJETN6CQRAX?ref_=wl_share

*Class of 2028*

Here is an Amazon wishlist for our float building.
Every little bit helps so we can create an amazing float .

If parents would like to help provide food and drink - please reach out so we can make arrangements. We are going to have hungry teenagers coming in and out ALL DAY!

Float build location: 4702 Sadler Dr Watervliet

Our float building schedule is:
Saturday October 5th, 8am - 10pm
Sunday October 6th 8am - 6pm
Wednesday October 9th 6-8pm (only if needed)

Window decorating is:
Saturday October 5th 5-7pm

Hallway decorating is:
Saturday October 5th 10am-3pm.

Please communicate with Brittany Morsaw and myself, so we can specify times that groups of kids will be attending each of these locations.

Kassie 269-277-1618
Brittany 269-993-1254

Here are homecoming details.

Float building Braydon Collins’ house

65591 70th street Watervliet (same place as last year.

Hallway- Friday 3:30-5:30

Window -Saturday 3:30-4:30

Float -Saturday 12-8pm

Sunday 12-until needed

Will meet during the week if float is not complete on Sunday and will communicate that if it’s needed.

Saturday Oct 6 - hall decorating at 10am followed by going to Eisen’s Farm (where we were the last two years) for float building. We will then do window painting at 5pm downtown at Ace Hardware. Sunday Oct 7- float building starting at noon until finished or 7pm. If not completed we will have to work on it Monday-Tuesday after school.

We will be doing our hallway decorating on the Friday after school before Homecoming. We will be holding float building the Saturday before homecoming from 10-9. Our float building will be at Querfurth's home. Details will also be on our facebook page. Thank you.

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 7th 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)

7-11 Homecoming Week

11 Homecoming Assembly, Game, Dance

14 No School for Students (Professional Development for Teachers)

15 PSAT/NMSQT Testing all Juniors/voluntary Sophomores

16 SAC 7:30 AM

16 College Admissions Night for Parents 6 PM

17 ½ Day for students; 11:40 AM dismissal; Parent/Teacher Conferences 12:30-3 PM and 4-6 PM

18 ½ Day Students and Staff 11:40 AM dismissal

18 College Fair

21-25 Red Ribbon Week

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

Oct 16 College Admissions Night (understanding the college admissions process)

Oct 17 So My Child Has an IEP? (intended for parents of students with IEPs)

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)