

Warrior Weekly

Los boletines se publican a través del sitio web de SMORE. El sitio web SMORE tiene una opción de "traducir" disponible, ubicada en la parte superior del programa. Si tiene preguntas o está confundido acerca de la información compartida en este boletín, comuníquese con nuestro intérprete del distrito al (608) 206-5730
The bulletins are published through the SMORE website. The SMORE website has a "translate" option available, located on the top of the program. If you have questions or are confused about the information shared in this newsletter, please contact our district interpreter at (608) 206-5730.
Winter Formal: SnoCo
The annual Winter Dance is just around the corner! Student Council is hosting this event on Saturday, February 24 from 7pm-10pm in the High School Commons.
Please note the following details:
- Students arriving after 8:30 PM will NOT be allowed to enter.
- Guest forms are available in the main office and due back by Thursday, February 22.
- Tickets are $5. Log into the School Store on Infinite Campus to purchase your tickets before noon on Friday, February 23. Tickets will NOT be sold at the door.
- A school ID is required for entry.
Attendance Reminder
Student Absences
The state of Wisconsin allows parents to excuse their student’s absences for a total of 10 days per school year. (That’s 50 class absences for 9th -11th grades, or 45 class absences for seniors.) After that, school administration may require prior approval and submission of a medical note for any future absences.
To avoid ever reaching this limit you can submit documentation for certain absences to: (WHS_attendance@waunakee.k12.wi.us)
- Medical: Bring a note from the health care provider
- College: Bring some documentation showing the student's name and scheduled appointment / tour date OR submit a picture of your student in front of a recognizable college sign on campus
- Funeral: Parent should call or send a message to attendance
- Vacation: Send a note or email to attendance. Parents must be traveling with the student.
- Religious Holiday: Parent should call or send a message to attendance
If your student is ill during the day they should go directly to the health office to physically see the health assistant. Approval to leave for the day is obtained from that office and not through the attendance line or Infinite Campus parent portal.
Second Semester Course Fees
Course fees for second semester classes are being assigned now through next week. If your student qualifies for free or reduced lunches, please do not pay the fees. All adjustments should be made by March 1st.
Project Graduation
Attention Senior Families
Project Graduation is a fun, after graduation party organized by the parents and guardians of graduating seniors. This event was established to offer seniors a safe place to celebrate for FREE. However, to ensure the success of Project Graduation, securing volunteers is critical. The committee is currently looking to fill the coordinator/co-coordinator position. This responsibility includes scheduling and overseeing event activities (e.g., Volleyball, Dodgeball, Bags tournaments, Ping Pong; Photo Booth, etc.). If you are interested in volunteering in this capacity, or any other volunteer role, please email waunagradparty@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your name, email address, and phone number.
2024 Scholarship Fund Drive
Attention Seniors!
This year marks the 58th anniversary of the Waunakee Scholarship Fund Drive, one of our community's oldest standing traditions. There will be an important informational meeting about the 2024 Scholarship Fund Drive during Advisory on Monday, February 26th. Applications and other important information regarding this Scholarship opportunity will be sent out that day as well. Applications are due on Friday, March 8th.
Participating in the Scholarship Fund Drive is a great opportunity to earn scholarship money! Additional information can be found at: https://whs.waunakee.k12.wi.us/community/waunakee-scholarship-drive
Weekly Advisory
Our weekly Advisories allow students the opportunity to make connections with other students and staff. Here are some of the students in Mrs. Meinholz's Advisory.
Music Department
Solo and Ensemble Festival
Waunakee's Music Department is excited to host this year's Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, March 2nd at WHS. This event will feature soloists and small ensembles from choir, band and orchestra, grades 7 through 12. All are welcome to attend and help celebrate our community's young musicians. Volunteers are needed so please consider signing up here: https://signup.com/go/cRQRusn
Pathfinders Scholarship
Mountain Biking Opportunity for Students
Trek offers the Pathfinders scholarship that students can apply for to help provide access to the mountain biking sport where financial barriers may exist. This is a great opportunity to promote both inclusivity and equity as core values of the league. The scholarship provides a bike, helmet, and shoes as well as some assistance to register for racing.
There are dates set for the scholarship window:
- February 15, 2024: Application opens
- March 15, 2024: Application closes
- April 8, 2024: Scholarship recipients notified (at the earliest)
- June 1, 2024: Deadline for submitting scholarship information to receive bikes by the start of the season
- July 1, 2024: Final deadline for providing scholarship information, incomplete scholarships will be forfeited
Application link: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/pathfinder-scholarship/
More information on dates: https://nationalmtb.org/trek-nica-pathfinders-scholarship/
Counseling Office Connection
All Students:
UW-Madison’s School of Pharmacy is hosting the first ever Wonders of Pharmacy event for high school students. This interactive event is to showcase more about the pharmacy profession and will be held on the 2nd of March. Please visit the UW website for more information and to register. Stop by the counseling office with questions.
Sophomores & Juniors:
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is the Waunakee Rotary Club’s leadership training for youth people. RYLA will be held on May 17-19 at Camp Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells. This year, Waunakee Rotary will sponsor four students to attend. For more information and to register, please visit the rotary website.
Attention Seniors:
It’s time to apply for local scholarships. Most local scholarships are due the first week in April, and all scholarships can be accessed in Naviance. Login to your Naviance student account to apply! For more information about scholarships and the scholarship process, please view the WCHS Counseling Office Scholarship Newsletter.
DECA Food Drive
Library Media & Technology Center (LMTC)
Seeking Original Poetry
April is almost here and April means "National Poetry Month." We enjoy featuring student work in the LMTC and if you have any original poetry that we could share, please let Mr. Schiemann or Mrs. Brown know.
Monthly(ish) Book Club
LMTC Featured New Book
"Shipwrecked! is an adventure-filled nonfiction book for young readers about the most captivating shipwrecks from history. Combining new research, stunning archival material, and vivid storytelling, Shipwrecked! dives deep into the world of marine archaeology and shows young readers what each discovery reveals about the world before our time"--
2024 High School Spring Sports
Mark Your Calendars!
SOFTBALL: February 25 at 5pm (PAC)
TRACK & FIELD: February 27 at 6pm (HS Commons)
GIRLS SOCCER: March 1 at 6pm (Intermediate Cafe)
BOYS TENNIS: March 7 at 5pm (Small Aud)
Track & Field
Parent/Guardian/Athlete Meeting
Athletes interested in Track & Field should plan to attend the Parent/Guardian/Athlete meeting on Tuesday, February 27. Registration runs from 6-7pm; Coaches/Speakers 7:00-7:45pm.
The first day of practice is March 4th!
Please direct questions to Coach Grabarski at jennifergrabarski@waunakee.k12.wi.us.
HS Girls' Lacrosse
Attention Parents/Guardians/Athletes
The following is a reminder about the required meeting:
Girls' LAX Clinic
Spread the Word for Younger Interested Athletes!
What: Girls TryLAX Clinic (grades 2-8)
When: March 9, 2024 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Where: Waunakee Intermediate School Gym at 6273 Woodland Drive
Cost: $10
Visit http://www.waunakeegirlslax.com to register by March 1st.
This is a fun introductory experience put on by the Waunakee Girls Lacrosse Club. No equipment or experience necessary!
Taher Announcement
We are excited to announce that Regional Chef Amanda will be at the High School on Monday, March 18th. Chef Amanda will be serving Hawaiian Island Street Tacos during both lunches.
The cost for a meal is $6.00.
Pre-Prom Assembly
We are excited to share that Carlos Ojeda, Jr. will be our speaker for the Pre-Prom Assembly.
Carlos will present at two assemblies for students and staff the morning of April 10, 2024.
A clock schedule for the day will be shared at a later date.
Post Prom
Volunteers and Donations Needed
The junior parents/guardians in our community are organizing a Post Prom Event (April 13) for students at the Waunakee Village Center. The cost to attend will be $10 and details on how to purchase a ticket will come closer to the event.
Statistically, Prom night has been one of the most dangerous nights in a high school student’s life. To reduce this risk, the Waunakee High School Post Prom Committee is intended to provide students with a chaperoned event that offers fun activities, great prizes and entertainment in an environment free from drugs and alcohol.
This inclusive party is completely funded through donations from individuals, community organizations and businesses. This has been such a success the past few years, we wanted to continue the tradition with the Class of 2025. This is not a school sponsored event and we could NOT provide it without your HELP & SUPPORT! Please review the available slots below to SIGN UP.
If you are unable to volunteer, but would prefer to give a donation, please mail your donation to Waunakee Post Prom, c/o Gwen Olson, 1002 Millies Way, Waunakee, WI 53597 or Venmo @Gwen Olson @Post-Prom2024. Any additional donations will be gifted to the Project Graduation Class of 2025 event. If you have any questions, please reach out to waunakeepostprom@gmail.com
Thank you for your time, talent and donations,
Class of 2025 Post Prom Committee
Community Education Workshop
Adult Custom Sign Workshop
Unlock your creativity and join us at the WCHS Innovation Center for a hands-on workshop that is perfect for beginners and design enthusiasts alike. Participants will dive into the world of design to craft a personalized sign from start to finish. No prior experience is necessary as instructors will teach and assist participants. All supplies and materials will be provided, and participants will leave the class with completed projects.
- Where: Waunakee High School Innovation Center
- When: Night 1: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 6-8 PM; Night 2: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, choice of 4-6 PM or 6-8 PM (to be determined on Night 1)
- Cost: $45 per participant
- Instructors: Kayla Burgess & Jeff Willauer, WHS Instructors
Seating is limited to the first 12 registrants. Electronic payment is required at registration. Please use the Waunakee RevTrak button to register. Fees will only be refunded if the class does not take place.
View the workshop flyer (English/Spanish)
Registration information along with additional class details can be found on the Community Education page of the district website under Innovation Center Classes.
We look forward to seeing you at the WCHS Innovation Center!
2024-2025 Open Enrollment
We are thrilled to share that open enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is now open!
Families are encouraged to apply for open enrollment in our school district now through Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Visit our website for more information https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/about-us/registration-and-enrollment/openenrollment
Contact our District Registrar: wcsd_registrar@waunakee.k12.wi.us with questions.
Juneteenth Flags - February
The Waunakee Community School District Board of Education (BOE) approved a resolution to commemorate Black History Month in February.
In 1926, Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson organized National Negro History Week to promote and celebrate the achievements of Black Americans, which has grown into today's "Black History Month."
It was a move designed, then and now, to counter negative and racist stereotypes ingrained in American culture by having school history classes be more factual and accurate. Where in the past minority contributions and history were left out or marginalized, Black History Month increases all students' knowledge of America's history.
The Waunakee Community School District strives to create welcoming, safe, secure, and inclusive environments for all students, and recognizing Black History Month is an important part of realizing that goal.
Additionally, to accompany this resolution, a donation of Juneteenth flags was made to the school district in 2021 to be flown at each school building during the month of February in honor of Black History Month. While the Juneteenth flags are typically flown during June, this flag was chosen to be flown during Black History Month since school is not in full session in June.
Juneteenth is honored and celebrated on June 19th, commemorating the day the last group of enslaved Black Americans was made aware of their liberation in Galveston, Texas in 1865 - more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Driver Education Classes
CESA2 Driver Education has some exciting changes to announce to the families at Waunakee High School! A recently launched new website will make registering your teen a quick and simple process. Visit the CESA2 Driver Education website to create an account. Upcoming classes are listed below:
March 6: Zoom Class (Mon/Wed)
March 12: Zoom Class (Tue/Thur)
July 8: In-person Class (Mon-Fri)
Class of 2024 Graduation
Commencement is set for June 2, 2024
Here are some important details about graduation for you to note:
- When: Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 3:00 PM
- Where: Waunakee High School - Field House
- Field House doors will open at 1:30 PM.
- Seating is based on a first come-first serve basis. Reserving seats with blankets, signs, etc., is prohibited and the items will be removed.
- The number of guests each graduate may invite has not been set due to the large seating capacity in the Field House. However, please be considerate in the number of guests you invite.
- Stadium seats (seat cushions with backs) are acceptable and may be used for your seating pleasure.
- Honor Cord/s: Students who achieve academic honors may wear the acceptable honor cord(s) of purple, silver, white or gold. All other cords are not permitted and may not be worn in commencement services. Seniors who earn honor cords will be notified mid-March.
- Handicap seating is available upon request. Please call 608-849-2100, ext. 2046 to make arrangements.
- Link for the Live Stream will be made available prior to the event.
- Empire Photography will again photograph commencement ceremonies. Each graduate is photographed as they receive their diploma and a solo portrait is taken after they exit the stage. Proofs will be sent to graduates and their families within 48-hours of the ceremony.
- Diplomas will be distributed in the High School main office immediately after the ceremony for graduates to pick up. Diplomas will not be mailed.
Dates to Calendar
Feb. 22: Girls' Lacrosse Parent/Guardian/Athlete Meeting
Feb. 24: Winter Formal: Sno Co Dance, WHS Commons, 7-10 PM
March 1: No School/Staff Development
March 2: Solo & Ensemble Festival
March 12: State Required ACT Test (Gr.11); No school Gr. 9, 10, 12
March 18: Taher Chef at HS (see flyer above)
March 18: Parent Teacher Conferences (4-8 PM)
March 22: No School/Parent Teacher Conferences (8 AM – 12 PM)
March 25-29: No School/Spring Break
April 3-4: Forward Exam (administered in class)
April 9: Community Ed Workshop (see flyer above)
April 10: Assembly Speaker Carlos Ojeda Jr. (see flyer above)
April 13: Prom (details to be shared in the WW at a later date)
April 16: Jostens Distributes Graduation Orders
April 17: PreACT for Freshmen (3-hour late start for the students not testing)
April 18: PreACT for Sophomores (3-hour late start for the students not testing)
April 24: Open Enrollment Deadline
May 20: No School/Staff Development
May 27: No School/Memorial Day
May 28-29: Senior Final Exams
May 30: Seniors, please note the following:
- 8:30-9:30 AM: Senior Walk-thru at Elementary Schools (transportation provided)
- 9:30-10:30 AM: Graduation Rehearsal in WHS Field House
- 10:30 AM: Senior Brunch in the Commons (free for all Seniors!)
June 2: Class of 2024 Commencement at 3:00 PM in the High School Field House
June 3-6: Final Exams for Underclassmen
June 7: Community Open House: Randy Guttenberg Retirement
June 24: Summer School Begins (by teacher recommendation only)
The 2024 Homecoming Dance is set for September 28, 2024 (details will be shared in the WW at a later date).
Scholarships or Payment Plans Available
Scholarships or payment plans are available to any student who has been approved for the free/reduced meal program and may be available to any student whose families have a financial need due to unique circumstances.
https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/families/student-financial-assistance
Please contact Teri Reible at 608-849-2000 to learn more about these opportunities. If you need assistance in a language other than English, please call the district interpreter and translator at 608-849-2000, option 2.
Waunakee Community Cares Coalition
The Waunakee Community Cares Coalition (WCCC) is dedicated to keeping Waunakee healthy and resilient. To receive updates of all of the trends, resources available, and community initiatives in the spaces of alcohol/drug prevention and mental health, please sign up for their monthly newsletter.
Link to sign up to receive newsletter: https://www.waunakeecares.org/contact
Link to our resource pages: https://www.waunakeecares.org/resources-1
Lunch Menus
Contact Information
Waunakee Community High School
301 Community Drive
Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone: (608) 849-2100
Website: whs.waunakee.k12.wi.us