Panther Print for Parents 🐾

SENIORS: Memory Boards are due in Mrs. Tyler’s office on Monday. Email pictures that you want included in the video for the Baccalaureate Ceremony to Annie Saylor by this Monday as well.

SENIORS-a reminder that next Friday is Decision Day at 10 am in the auditorium. All seniors are asked to wear gear to the place they are headed next year. If you need a shirt, see Mrs. Tyler.

Prom tickets must be purchased by Tuesday in order to guarantee a shirt.

After prom permission slips are available in the guidance office. The cost is $10. Slips must be turned in by May 8!

Yearbook will be taking group photos at the beginning of 2nd hour. Please report directly to Mrs. Brant’s room after 1st hour.

Today all Peer to Peer mentors

Next Tuesday May 7 all Science Olympiad participants

Next Wednesday May 8 Debate Team participants

There’s an optional ASVAB test on May 6th. Additional information and permission slips are in the main office. The ASVAB is the test that you must take to enter the military. Students at any grade level can take the test. The test will start at 8:15 AM on Monday morning. You must have a parent signed permission slip turned in by that time to participate.

Prom tickets will be sold during lunch. Tickets are $30 each, seniors are free. Class dues must be paid in order to purchase tickets. Prom Guest Passes are now available in the HS office. Make sure to include a photo ID of your guest if applicable. The deadline to submit passes is Wednesday, May 8th. No late passes will be accepted after next Wednesday. No exceptions.

Junior Day at SMC is May 17th for most of the entire school day and we are sending a bus for interested juniors. Come pick up a permission slip in the counseling office if you would like to attend. This is counted as a school related absence.

February 13, 2024, The State of Michigan allows all 16- and 17-year-old citizens who are Michigan residents to pre-register to vote so that they are automatically registered to vote when they turn 17.5. They will then immediately become eligible to vote in the closest election following their 18th birthday.

Help Your Students Pre-Register: In 2023, Governor Whitmer signed House Bill 4569 into law, which allows future Michigan voters to pre-register to vote when they turn 16 years old.

Here’s how you can help your students pre-register:

● Use the online form - The online form is the easiest way to register and can be done on a computer or mobile device.

● Use the updated paper forms - This form must be completed and returned to your city or township clerk’s office. The pre-registrant can search for their clerk’s office by visiting Michigan.gov/vote.

Important Information:

● Pre-registration applicants must be at least 16 years old but not older than 17 and-a-half years old.

● Individuals can pre-register by including a statement confirming that they are at least 16 years old and have lived in the city or township in which they are applying for pre-registration for at least 30 days.

● Starting in 2024, the Secretary of State and the Michigan Department of Education will provide resources and educational materials to all public schools on how young people can pre-register to vote each year.

● Starting July 1st, the Secretary of State will contact all eligible individuals who haven’t pre-registered to vote and provide them with information about completing pre-registration forms.

The following students were officially inducted into the Watervliet High School Chapter of National Honor Society Thursday evening (May 2nd). These students have accomplished the following in their time at WHS: upheld at minimum a 3.2 cumulative grade point average, completed twenty hours or more of community service, participated in two extra curricular activities, and illustrated exemplary character.

New Inductees:

Keira Tremblay

Riley Preston

Moeko Crago

Kayden Harrington

Abigail Klopp

Natalaya Desjardin

Zack Gruszczyk

Chelsea Lange

Angel Nearpass

Our student of the month breakfast for the April 2024 recipients was held this morning. Thank you to Morgan Lowell for being our keynote speaker. April 2024 recipients from left to right are:

Gage Sirk, Natalie Hart, Natalie VanLente, Erick Jimenez, Melissa Cardozo-Aviles, Sophie Grear, and Grace Ripley. Not present: Vivienne Sexton.

Sixteen Watervliet High School senior athletes joined those from seventeen other schools in the Southwestern Athletic Conference at a luncheon today honoring this year’s SAC Senior Scholar Athletes. Scholar Athletes must have earned at least four varsity letters in at least two different sports and must have earned at least a 3.5 GPA. WHS was well represented by a great group of senior athletes who have worked hard to be their best selves not only on the field, track, or court but also in the classroom.

This year’s SAC Senior Scholars are:

Front:

• Taylor Woollett
• Ellie Golden
• Grace Chisek
• Abby Whorton
• Julia Pepple
• Marleigh Schultz
• Tia Caldwell
• Morgan Lowell

Back:

• Lauren Laws
• Wyatt Epple
• Jacob Schaefer
• Reise Bulat
• Connor Zwar
• Chase Tremblay
• Alex Hicks

Ella Harris (missing from photo)

Ms. Fletcher is excited to announce that Kimerblery Romero-Chairez has been accepted into the QuarkNet particle physics program and will be joining me in the research program. She was one out of the 13 students selected and only 1 of the two from Michigan (there were 32 applicants).

QuarkNet is an educational program sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE) whose aim is to support science education in schools by establishing a nationwide network of science teachers. It provides opportunities for teachers to learn firsthand about cutting-edge physics research at universities and establish mentoring relationships with physicists at universities and national laboratories.

QuarkNet centers are connected to high-energy physics experiments operating at CERN in Switzerland, at Fermilab in Illinois, at SLAC in California, and others.

• Investigating particle physics through live, online data
• Learning fundamental physics, from energy and momentum to the structure of matter
• Collaborating with physicists, teachers, and students worldwide.

Please see attached a flyer for Hiring Combines the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights will be holding at our Detroit and Wayland Training Facilities. Detroit’s on Saturday May 18th and Wayland’s on Saturday June 1st. These combines are designed to show contractor your attitude and hustle. The course will be made up of stations to show enter level skills, like moving materials. Our contracting partners will be on site looking to hire Carpenters, Floor Layers, and Millwrights. These jobs include excellent pay and benefits including a pension, retirement annuity account, and healthcare.

Please share the attached flyer with graduating students, past students, or anyone else you think this might be a great opportunity for. They will need to RSVP. They RSVP by scanning the QR code on the bottom of the flyer, or visiting mrcc.link/combine, and filling out the information. For any questions please contact Traci Longenbarger (734) 419-3823 traci.longenbarger@hammer9.com

Friday, May 3

4:30 PM Varsity Track Rotary Invitational at St. Joseph

Saturday, May 4

8:00 AM Golf at Lawton Invitational – Lake Cora

10:00 AM Varsity Softball at Petoskey Tournament

Monday, May 6

5:00 PM Varsity Soccer Home vs. South Haven

5:30 PM JV Softball DH Home vs. South Haven

Tuesday, May 7

12:00 PM High School Track SAC Conference Meet at Gobles

4:30 PM Varsity Baseball and Varsity Softball DH at South Haven

4:30 PM JV Baseball DH Home vs. South Haven

Wednesday, May 8

Soccer and Track Senior Night – Before the HS Game

4:30 PM JV Softball at Eau Claire

6:00 PM Varsity Soccer Home vs. Lawton

Thursday, May 9

4:30 PM Varsity Baseball DH at Buchanan

4:30 PM JV Baseball DH Home vs. Buchanan

4:00 PM Golf Home at Paw Paw Lake Golf Course

Friday, May 10

4:30 PM JV Softball at Decatur

4:00 PM HS Track at Berrien Springs Invitational

Monday May 20 period 7

Tuesday May 21 periods 5 and 6

Wednesday May 22 periods 3 and 4

Thursday May 23 periods 1 and 2

The deadline for attendance for 3/B and 5/A for EACH exam is that SENIORS have to be here up until the day BEFORE that exam.

Your check out sheet will be turned in by Friday May 24th at 10:30 am to Mrs. Richcreek so that you can get your cap and gown and board a bus to process through the other buildings in the district.

Come to school everyday so that you do not have to take exams this semester.

If you want to know the status of your attendance email Ms. Powers.

You must be passing all classes needed to graduate at 3:10 on May 24th in order to walk at graduation. The final countdown has begun !

Let's go Seniors!!

Guest sheets are due by Wednesday end of the day NO EXCEPTIONS.

Kaiden Bierhalter has signed his NJCAA Letter of Intent to play basketball at Southwestern Michigan College next year.

Coach Davis added, “We are happy Kaiden has decided to become a Roadrunner. He is an ultra-competitive player that will give us great effort on both ends of the court. He is a natural scorer from all three levels and is a knockdown shooter from deep. His length will allow him to be a great perimeter defender.”

Congratulations, Kaiden!

Exciting news from the WHS Art Department! At the recent Box Factory High School Show, where 14 different schools showcased their talent, Watervliet stood out for its exceptional students. Courtney VanLente and Natalie VanLente were honored with the collaboration award for their outstanding truck painting. Nicole Bender's abstract painting earned her a $50 art scholarship from Berrien RESA. Additionally, eighth grader Kendra Goss, who takes art classes at the high school, also received a Berrien RESA scholarship. Congratulations are also in order for the 32 other talented art students whose work was featured in the show. The exhibition runs until May 5th.

English 9 completed the novella Animal Farm. They learned about allegory, allusions, and satire, and the universal theme of the corruption in power and the importance of all to remain vigilant of the decisions made by those in power. As a culminating assessment, students created mandala projects, a creative art project that addresses the parts of the novel including characterization, plot, conflict, setting, allegory, and satire. Up next, in the final weeks of English 9, students will be completing a poetry unit that utilizes literary terms they've learned all year.

I have two sisters, one being in 7th grade and the other one being 3, 1 brother who just turned 2, 1 doberman and 1 tuxedo cat. I don't really have a favorite teacher because I like them all. I normally do either football or track and in my free time I like to either sleep, or go outside, or spend time with family. After high school I plan on being a welder or an engineer and I am proud to be a WHS Panther.

My brother is a Junior in Watervliet, My Dad works in Indiana as an engineer, My mom works at a daycare and is the Township Clerk of Keeler Township. I don't have a specific favorite teacher since so many have helped me in my school career such as Mrs. Lefor, Mr. Grear, Mrs. Henderson, and Mrs. Zuniga. I participate in the marching band and as of recently Track& Field as a thrower. I like to listen to music, read, and visit my family in my free time. I am not sure what I plan to do after high school, but I know for sure I'd like to go to some higher form of education. I am proud to be a WHS Panther because the people can be welcoming and competitive at the same time and it creates this great environment.

I'm fortunate enough to have been blessed with a family that I can rely on. At my mom's house, it's just the two of us & Batman, our cat. My mom is a principal at a small school in Riverside. She models a hard work ethic and encourages me to show up as the best version of myself. My dad is remarried to my "bonus" mom, Amber. I also have a little brother named Dawson who's four. They encourage me to create and maintain strong friendships and to learn as much as I can about everything. My dad has been a professional drummer and in several bands my whole life. Because of that, I grew up loving music too. My favorite teacher is my Biology teacher, Mrs. O'Toole. I love having her as a teacher because she builds individual relationships with each of her students and she's easy to talk to. I appreciate her grading system because she usually grades almost immediately after you've handed in your work and she allows us to re-do assignments. It makes me feel good to walk away knowing my grade directly reflects my effort. My favorite class is Choir with Mrs. Brush. I love having her as a teacher because of her dedication to her classes and the opportunities she provides us with that allow us to explore a music career outside of the classroom. I've built my strongest relationships on a musical foundation, I love being able to connect with others in that way. I've been a Cheerleader on Varsity for 2 years now. In my free time, I like to spend quality time with the people I care about. I love going to the beach, doing artsy things, and singing on the worship team at my church. After high school, I plan to go to college and get my bachelors degree in Mortuary Science. I'm proud to be a WHS Panther because of the way the staff encourages us to get out of our comfort zone and try new things- it usually opens up a whole lot of other opportunities.

In my family there’s my dad my mom and my sister my dad works at the school as a math teacher and my mom is an executive director for a company called Moody’s. My sister is working in a pharmacy and going to school online. My favorite teacher is Mrs.Hollandsworth because I’ve been in her class for 6 years and it’s not just a class I’ve learned so much not just about instruments but about leadership, building connections, and just having fun. There’s never a bad mood in that class and no fights and it’s not just the kids Mrs.H does so much more behind the scenes that keeps the class together and that’s why she’s my favorite teacher. I’m in band/marching band and sometimes I take pictures for yearbook. In my free time I like to sleep, playing video games with my friends, and art. After high school I’m gonna go to a community college for social work. I’m proud to be a WHS panther because of our community.

My family consists of my Mom, Dad, older sister and brother, my twin sister, and my younger brother. My favorite teacher has been Mr. Andrews because he makes his class fun. My favorite class has been art because I like seeing what I can make and it is relaxing. I play volleyball, basketball, and soccer. In my freetime I like to read and go outside. After high school I want to become a Physical Therapy Assistant. I am proud to be a WHS Panther because there are plenty of dual enrollment opportunities.

I have 2 older brothers and 1 older sister, they all have already graduated from high school and are near their end of their time in college. And I still have my support from my parents in my home. I have two favorite teachers, Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Hickman. I like them because their classrooms always felt welcoming and I liked the fact that they had left after I had my time with them. My favorite class is the same from before, Mr. Hickman and Mr. Hoffman. They had best classmates, having many memories from those classrooms. The Sport that I play in is soccer, but I'm planning to take other sports later in my senior year, like track and maybe basketball but probably not. In my free time, I like to do things that are fun to me. For example, playing video games. I am also picking up soccer and things that help with my fitness. After school, things that I would like to do is to do my dream job, content creation, but another thing as my backup job would be to take on a trade/skill or get a career in something with chiropractor. I am proud to be a WHS panther because of memories that I had made and the fact that I have been here since Pre-school.

Grant and Wendy Hart are my parents and I have one sister named Hannah.

My favorite teacher is Mrs. Brant because she is always there for me when I need someone and she is an amazing leader.

My favorite class is Yearbook because it is so fun to be able to capture all of our school year memories in our yearbook.

I played Varsity volleyball for all four years of High School.

In my free time I love to play with my new puppy Lucy.

After graduation I am attending the University of Alabama to pursue a career as a Nurse Anesthetist.

I am proud to be a WHS panther because this is place where I established who I am as a person and made all of my best friends.

My family is just my parents, my four siblings, and me. My parents are hard workers who have done everything possible for me to succeed. I am grateful for all they have done. My siblings are just as motivated and hard-working as me. My favorite teacher has been Mr. Grear. He is a very good teacher and I have learned a lot of new things in his class. My favorite class has been Girl's Weight Training because it has been very fun. I have that class with my friends and I enjoy every day when we are lifting weights or playing a game. I do not participate in any sports or clubs. In my free time, I like to spend time with my family whether it be inside or outside. I always have a blast with them and we always have a good time. After high school, I plan to attend Michigan State University to study pre-veterinary medicine. I am proud to be a WHS Panther because of the opportunities I have and the people.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SENIOR FAMILIES

**SENIORS have received a SENIOR SLIDE to be completed before the end of this month. We are celebrating one senior each day through social media and in our parent newsletter with these slides.

**Prom tickets are now being sold during lunch. Tickets are $30 each, seniors are free. Class dues must be paid in order to purchase tickets. Prom Guest Passes are available in the HS office. Please submit a current photo ID of the guest if applicable. Deadline to submit passes is Wednesday, May 8th. Late passes will not be accepted.

**The After Prom venue has changed and will now be at Airway Fun Center in Kalamazoo. The buses for After Prom will leave promptly at 12am from the gym doors and return to the school at 5am. You can get your form where prom tickets are sold or from Mrs. Tyler. Please fill out your form (including your parents signature) and money ($10) and turn it in where prom tickets are sold. If you are in a hardship situation for the cost, please talk to Mrs. Tyler. We will work it out.

**If you wish to earn a Community Service honor cord to be worn at graduation, you must complete 40 hours of community service. The deadline to submit those hours to the HS office is April 30th.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS AND FAMILIES

May 6 Graduation board/poster due

May 6 email photos to annie.rae.say@gmail.com for Baccalaureate

May 10 Decision Day

May 11 Prom 8-11 PM Hidden Pointe

May 12 After Prom

May 15 Seniors Awards Night 6 PM Auditorium

May 15 Senior Trip Meeting 5:30 in WHS Cafeteria

May 18 Senior Trip

May 21-24 Senior Exams

May 24 11 AM DEADLINE to turn in check out sheets to Mrs. Richcreek–once you turn this in, you will get your cap and gown from her.

May 24 Procession through buildings 11 AM

May 24 3:10 PM–Seniors must be passing all classes to walk at graduation

May 24 Car Parade 4 PM

May 24 Senior Sunset

May 29 Baccalaureate 6 PM Auditorium

May 30 Senior Field Day

May 30 Senior Picnic

May 30 Graduation Practice 3:30 PM MANDATORY

May 30 3:30 PM DEADLINE for cap decoration approval by Ms. Powers

May 31 Graduation 6:30 PM

Dear Senior Parent:

You are invited to Decision Day 2024!

Decision Day is part of the National College Signing Day initiative, and is focused on recognizing high school seniors for their postsecondary educational plans and encouraging younger students and families to prepare early for postsecondary education/workforce. Decision Day is held annually on or around May 1 and is designed to coincide with the date that most seniors must inform a college of their plans to enroll.

Because of the delay in the FAFSA this year, we postponed our Decision Day celebration to Friday, May 10th at 10 AM in the high school auditorium. The program should take no more than an hour.

This celebration is in the form of a school assembly. All juniors and seniors will be in attendance. All senior families are invited as well. We will be announcing the post secondary plans for all of our seniors, whether that is college, the workforce, or the military.

Decision Day is a celebration of the time, effort, and hard work you and your Senior have put into researching and planning for life after high school. We encourage any and all family members of Seniors to attend. If your Senior has siblings at the middle school and/or high school, they are invited to attend as well.

Please join us on Friday, May 10th at 10 AM in the high school auditorium for this very special and fun event. Enter through the front main doors of the building and check-in at the main office. I look forward to celebrating your Senior at Decision Day 2024!

With Panther Pride,

Christina Powers, Principal

Watervliet High School

The Concert Choir and Treble Choir members are hard at work preparing their music for the spring concert on Thursday, May 22, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The theme this spring is “SONGS FROM THE SILVER SCREEN”, and will contain pieces from popular movies including, THE HUNGER GAMES, Disney’s, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and ANASTASIA, MAMMA MIA, and THE BARBIE MOVIE.

Come out and support our choirs and enjoy an evening of fun music!

If your child has failed a class this year, summer school is needed to recover the credit to keep your child on track towards graduation. You will receive a letter in May that specifies what classes are needed for your child. Check out the plan below so that you can plan ahead for summer school for your child.

Session from June 17 - July 25 (July 3 and 4 off)
8:15 am-12:15 pm
Monday - Thursday

Students have to physically be in attendance everyday.

Breakfast, lunch, and transportation provided.

Students must complete work at home in addition to at school in order to recover lost credit during this time.

Red Hawks Rise Summer Bridge Program!

This immersive 12-day non-residential summer program is designed to prepare students for their first semester! Starting college can be daunting, and many students benefit from a boost to be college-ready. Michigan's community colleges, in collaboration with state partners, are committed to helping students transition smoothly from high school to college-level academics and campus life.

Additional Details: https://bit.ly/3TGtvI0

-Red Hawks Rise is completely FREE with no cost for tuition or textbooks.

-Learn about the many resources available to students.

-Free LMC gear, learning materials, and classroom supplies.

-Free daily breakfast and other refreshments.

-Free access to LMC resources, labs, and WiFi hotspots while in the program.

-Free laptop, based on program completion.

-Opportunity to take free English 101 and Co-Req for college credit*.

223 Panthers completed our annual student survey this year. In each parent newsletter for the remainder of this school year, you will see a few results included, until all of the results have been shared. The Student Advisory Council to the Principal (SAC) have reviewed all of the results and feel positive overall regarding what the survey shows. The results have also been reviewed with the WHS staff and will also be reviewed at the next PAC meeting this week!

We want you accessing your child's Canvas account! Please take the following steps so that you can be checking on his/her grades on a regular basis.

1. Steps for parents to create a parent Canvas account.

   1. Obtain Student Pairing Code

   2. Sign up for an account through your phone app or on the computer using an email address.
      

2. Parents should go to www.watervlietps.org and click on the link "Canvas for Parents" in the middle of the homepage. Here is the direct link: https://www.

   watervlietps.org/o/wps/page/

   canvas-resources. Here you will find the screenshot instructions, a 7 slide presentation and brief videos on navigating the parent portal, checking grades, viewing assignments and accessing teacher feedback.

3. Students need to create the pairing code for their parents and it is only valid for 7 days.

4. If you are having difficulty obtaining the student pairing code, teachers have access to this information within their course by going to People and clicking on the 3 dots in the upper right corner and choosing Export Pairing Codes. Again, these pairing codes are only good for 7 days. Quick way for teachers get this code to a parent when communicating with them.

5. Instructions are online AND shared every Friday in the high school parent newsletter.

Please reach out to us in the high school office if you have questions or concerns about accessing your child's Canvas account. We need and want your support at the high school!