Panther Print for Parents 🐾

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS IN MRS. O'TOOLE'S ROOM WITH HELP FROM NHS MEMBERS.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY THIS WEEK WITH MRS. HUNT.

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND THURSDAY THIS WEEK WITH MR. ARTER.

THURSDAY THIS WEEK WITH MR. DIMINO FOR MATH ONLY!

Meet Zack, a senior at Watervliet High School and a second-year student in Van Buren Tech's Graphic Design program. Zack’s decision to pursue Graphic Design at VBT came after a tour of the program. “As soon as I walked into the classroom, I just felt comfortable,” he recalls. It was the welcoming, creative environment that drew him in and made him realize that this was the right path for him. Zack has always enjoyed drawing in his free time and he wanted to take his skills to the next level by learning more about the digital side of art. Graphic Design seemed like the perfect fit for him.

Zack speaks highly of his teacher, describing her as "very nice and extremely helpful," which has made his learning experience even better. One of his favorite projects so far was designing a logo for Career Camp during his first year at VBT. He enjoyed the opportunity to apply his creativity to a real-world task and learn how to create professional-level designs.

Recently, Zack has been diving deeper into the world of 3D design. He’s been learning how to calibrate and fix 3D printers, which he finds both challenging and rewarding. Zack also enjoys helping classmates who may be confused or need assistance, as he feels a sense of fulfillment when he can share what he’s learned with others.

One of the things Zack loves most about his time at VBT is the sense of community. He feels like he’s met many people who share similar interests, which has made him feel comfortable and at ease in the classroom. The environment is collaborative and supportive, helping Zack thrive in both his individual work and group projects. The Graphic Design program at Tech blends hands-on learning with computerized tools, allowing students like Zack to explore both traditional and digital methods of design.

One of Zack’s recent projects was painting buckets for the Salvation Army. This was an especially meaningful project for him because it allowed him to expand his passion for artwork into a new medium—painting. It was an opportunity to use his design skills for a good cause, and Zack enjoyed the creative challenge of bringing the project to life. As Zack continues his studies at VBT, he’s excited to keep developing his skills in Graphic Design. With his passion for art and his growing technical expertise, Zack is well on his way to a successful career in design.

A BIG THANK YOU to Fleming Brothers Oil and the Local Watervliet Shell Station for their recent donations totaling $3,384.44 to the WPS District. The donation reflects a portion of the proceeds over four months from The Giving Pump at the Watervliet Shell Station near the I-94 on/off ramps. And thank you also to everyone who makes it a point to fill up at The Giving Pump. Watervliet Public Schools appreciates the generous support for our District.

In chemistry class this week, the students had the opportunity to do a lab called “Flame Tests.” Using various salts, they observed how different periodic elements produce unique colors when placed in a flame. From the rich red of lithium salts to the bright green copper compounds, the lab not only sparked students’ curiosity but also helped them understand how heat causes atoms to release energy in the form of light!

The Michigan DNR Salmon in the Classroom program helps hundreds of third through 12th grade classrooms across the state to raise, learn from and release young Chinook salmon in approved waterways. Tens of thousands of students learn to appreciate these great natural resources each year.

The program provides countless opportunities for students to connect with Michigan's natural resources. Teachers are equipped with professional development, a classroom activity guide, a program manual and video playlists to support the program in their classrooms.

This week the salmon eggs began hatching in Mr. Corkins' classroom!

I grew up just north of Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Utica High School. After high school, I attended Northern Michigan University and earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. I then spent time teaching in Alexandria, Virginia and Traverse City, Michigan before moving to southwest Michigan. Recently I also completed a master’s program in special education through Northern Michigan University.

I am in my seventeenth year of teaching special education. During that time I have taught as a special education teacher in English and history classes at the middle and high school levels. This year I am teaching Transitions and co-teach in English classes. One of the great parts about working at WHS are the people.

My husband and I have two sons in elementary school. We enjoy outdoor activities and hanging out with family and friends. Most of my off work time is spent with my children and their hobbies. However when I get a little free time, I enjoy reading, sewing, crocheting, and being outside.

Student Council sponsored a Food Drive to help families in our area for the holidays. Our Panthers stepped up donating 947 items to the Watervliet Free Methodist Food Pantry. Thanks to all who contributed to the drive!

Saturday, November 30

12:00 PM JV Maroon Boys Basketball vs. Hackett at Kalamazoo College

1:45 PM Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Hackett at Kalamazoo College

Tuesday, December 3

5:30/7:00 PM Girls JV & Varsity Basketball at Hartford

5:30/7:00 PM Boys JV Maroon & Varsity Basketball at Schoolcraft

Wednesday, December 4

6:00 PM Varsity wrestling at Galesburg-Augusta

Thursday, December 5

5:30/7:00 PM Boys JV White & JV Maroon Home vs. South Haven

Friday, December 6

4:30/6:00/7:30 PM Girls JV, Girls Varsity. Boys Varsity Basketball Home vs. South Haven

Saturday, December 7

9:00 AM Varsity Wrestling at Zeeland West HS Invitational

Dear Senior Families:

The FAFSA is now open and able to be completed!

Students who can complete the FAFSA by December 20th (within the first 20 days that it is open) will receive a free goody bag from Ms. Powers. Students who complete the FAFSA by Spring Break will be able to participate in the Pie a Staff Member in the Face event, in which students get to pick the staff member of their choice to pie in the face before leaving for spring break.

Mr. Coburn, our certified FAFSA expert, will be meeting with your Senior in the next month to ask the following questions: (1) where have you applied? (2) where have you been accepted? (3) do you have your FSA ID?

If you would like to meet with Mr. Coburn to get assistance in completing the FAFSA, please reach out to him at christopher.coburn@watervlietps.org. He is available during and after the school day to meet with any parent who would like assistance.

It only takes 30 minutes to complete the FAFSA once you have all of the needed information: FSA ID for both parent and student, 2023 tax information, total current account amount for both parent and student, net worth of any businesses, SS # for both parent and student, and a list of all of the schools to which your Senior has applied.

It is our goal that 100% of the Class of 2025 completes the FAFSA this year. Whether your child is headed to post secondary training or not, plans can change over the summer. We want your child to be ready for whatever comes their way in the Fall of 2025 with a completed FAFSA! THANK YOU !

Berrien County Early Middle College (EMC) is a 5-year high school program where students can get a head start on college and their career by earning an associate degree or certificate for FREE!

Students have the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and one of the following at the same time:

• substantial transferable college credits
• technical or career certificate
• opportunity to begin a registered apprenticeship
• or an associate degree

Students apply for the program during their sophomore year of high school. If accepted, participants take college classes during 11th and 12th grades, and then attend college full time during their 5th year of high school to complete the program.

PARENTS OF 9th and 10th GRADERS are invited to an informational meeting on Thursday, December 5th at 6 PM in the high school media center.

The letter below has been mailed home to all families of eligible students who are not yet dual enrolled for the spring semester. Please reach out to us with questions.

Jostens is the official partner of Watervliet HS and we work with Sophomores for their Class Ring program. We are trying to keep parents and families informed about the Class ring Program.

Now a days you can design and order your class ring online at Jostens.com, or place your order in school like the old days. Class ring design packets were passed out at school through you sophomore English classes. Make sure you check out the exclusive sophomore ring promos that are valid during your order window. Save $$ and get a free class of Hoodie. We will be in school to take class ring orders on Dec. 2nd to take class ring orders size fingers and display all rings. The class ring promo will end on December 16th. You can order later but the promo will not be valid. We wanted to send you this email so you can get started.

Click on the social media link below for how to videos and order dates.

You can always call my office anytime if you have questions. Hope to see you on Dec. 2nd during lunch on class ring order day

Jim Ross/Jostens

269 217 6936

Watervliet HS Class ring design videos and order shop

Don’t forget to check out the new Tradwinds collection at a lower price

Jim Ross

Jostens of southwest Michigan

269-217-6936

Jostens is the official partner of Watervliet HS and we work with Seniors for their Graduation, C&G and senior rings. We are trying to keep parents and families informed about the upcoming graduation and C&G order deadlines. Now a days you will place your online at Jostens.com. We will be in school to take orders on Dec. 2th to take class ring orders and show all new senior apparel. Remember this is not just a C&G order. Everything we do is custom for you school and this graduation year, so make sure you are planning on how you will celebrate your seniors accomplishments. All prices are reduced when you place your order while the class window is open. You class window is open now and will close on Dec. 20th We wanted to send you this email so you can get started.

Click on the social media link below for how to videos and order dates.

You can always call my office anytime if you have questions.

Jim Ross/Jostens

269 217 6936

Watervliet HS Graduation and C&G order information and how to videos

Jim Ross

Jostens of southwest Michigan

269-217-6936

We are working hard to decrease the number of tardies in the building this year. If you have had a student who was tardy to class or school in the last few weeks, you would have received a text/email at the end of the day making you aware of this. This message states that you have a student at the high school who was tardy to one or more classes. If you receive this message, please talk with your child about the cause for the tardy. Students get 2 free tardies each nine weeks with no consequence, but the third tardy and every tardy after that will result in a detention. Thank you for supporting WHS in this endeavor to encourage all students to get to class on time.

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.

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.

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 Career Fair

16 Winter Band Concert 7 PM

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.

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

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)