Principal Update
Week Of September 7, 2026
Thursday, September 10 | 6:00–8:00 PM
We look forward to welcoming our WIHI & WIMA parents and guardians for Curriculum Night! This evening is an opportunity to strengthen our partnership with families and give you a closer look at the people, programs, and learning experiences that support your student each day.
Our Goal
We want every family to leave knowing that their student is known, supported, challenged, and cared for by educators who are passionate about teaching and learning. During the evening, you will have an opportunity to experience your student’s daily routine, meet their teachers, learn about course expectations and IB connections, and better understand how we can work together to support student success.
Curriculum Night IS an opportunity to:
- Meet your student’s teachers and school support team.
- Learn about each course, curriculum, and IB connections.
- Understand homework, grading, feedback, and classroom expectations.
- Learn how teachers communicate with students and families.
- Receive suggestions for supporting learning at home.
- Experience your student’s schedule and move through the building as they do each day.
Curriculum Night IS NOT:
- An individual parent-teacher conference.
- A time to discuss individual grades, assignments, behavior, or other student-specific concerns.
- A conference about another student.
- A time for lengthy conversations between class periods.
We know families may have important individual questions. Teachers will be happy to arrange a separate conversation or conference so your concerns can receive the time and privacy they deserve.
What to Expect
Parents/guardians will follow their student’s schedule, visiting each class for approximately 8 minutes, with a 4-minute passing period between classes. During your student’s scheduled lunch period, please report to the gym for an opportunity to connect with our counselors.
Because of space limitations, Curriculum Night is designed for parents and guardians only. Students will have an opportunity to take the lead during our Student-Led Conferences in November.
Curriculum Night Schedule
6:00–6:05 PM | Arrival & Transition to 1st Period
6:05–6:13 PM | 1st Period
6:13–6:17 PM | Passing Period
6:17–6:25 PM | 2nd Period
6:25–6:29 PM | Passing Period
6:29–6:37 PM | 3rd Period
6:37–6:41 PM | Passing Period
6:41–6:49 PM | 4th Period / 1st Lunch
6:49–6:53 PM | Passing Period
6:53–7:01 PM | 5th Period / 2nd Lunch
7:01–7:05 PM | Passing Period
7:05–7:13 PM | 6th Period / 3rd Lunch
7:13–7:17 PM | Passing Period
7:17–7:25 PM | 7th Period / 4th Lunch
7:25–7:29 PM | Passing Period
7:29–7:37 PM | 8th Period
Parking & Arrival Tips
We anticipate a busy campus and limited parking, so please allow additional time for arrival and parking.
For everyone's safety, please:
- Arrive early and allow time to find an appropriate parking space.
- Use designated parking spaces only.
- Do not park in or block driveways, fire lanes or building entrances/exits.
- Keep our main entrance and emergency access areas clear at all times.
- Use designated crosswalks when walking from parking areas to the building.
We are excited to welcome you into our classrooms and continue building strong school-family partnerships that help our students thrive.
NWEA Testing | Monday, September 14
Washtenaw International Families, our 6th–8th grade students will participate in NWEA MAP testing on Monday, September 14.
NWEA MAP is a computer-based assessment that helps us understand each student’s current strengths and areas for growth. The results provide our teachers with useful information to help plan instruction, identify needed supports, and monitor student growth throughout the school year. This is not a test students need to study for. We simply want each student to do their best.
How Families Can Help
- Make sure your student gets a good night’s sleep.
- Encourage them to eat breakfast and arrive at school on time.
- Remind them to take their time, read each question carefully, and give their best effort.
- Keep the pressure low this assessment is designed to show us what students know now and what they are ready to learn next.
SAVE THE DATE: Friday, September 18th 6:00–9:00 PM
One of our biggest and most celebrated community traditions is almost here! Please join us for the 14th Annual International Dinner, an evening of food, culture, music, a talent show, fashion show, and community.
Although I am new to the Washtenaw International community, I have always enjoyed events that celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and experiences that make a school community special. I am excited to experience my first International Dinner with the Pack!
🎟️ Admission: $10 per person. We will share the accepted payment options as we get closer to the event. If the cost presents a barrier for your family, please contact the appropriate grade-level Dean to request a waiver. At Washtenaw International (6–12), we are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming community. Cost will never determine a student’s or family’s ability to participate in our school community and events.
Admission is half off if you or your family brings a dish that serves at least 20 people.
There are several ways students and families can participate:
Share a Dish: Families are invited to share a food that represents their culture, family, or tradition. Please include ingredient/allergen information clearly labeled.
🎤 Join the Talent Show
Students interested in performing during the International Dinner Talent Show are encouraged to sign up.
🤝 Become a Sponsor
If you know a local business, organization, or community partner that may be interested in sponsoring or supporting the International Dinner, please contact me. We would love to partner with members of our greater community to help make this year's celebration special.
A special thank you to WIHI Student Government (StuGo) and the Muslim Student Association (MSA) for helping host this important community tradition.
➡️ International Dinner Food Sign-Up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4DA5A62EA2FCCF8-65270407-international#/
➡️ Talent Show Sign-Up:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_Ig9NkC3Jz6HtgkanXbp3cQVjE1iTUJq9Kc88wo_kwmT3kA/viewform
Help us make the 14th Annual International Dinner our biggest and best-attended yet!
Clubs & After School Expectations
Now that our clubs have officially started, we want to share a gentle reminder about after-school expectations and student supervision. The safety and security of our students and staff remain a priority.
Students participating in a school-approved club must report directly to their assigned club at the end of the regular school day. Students who are not participating in an approved after-school activity should exit campus within 10 minutes of dismissal and have a plan for transportation or pick-up.
Please keep in mind:
- Students may remain on campus after school only when participating in an approved, supervised club or activity.
- Students should report directly to their club location rather than remain in hallways, common areas, or outside the building.
- General student supervision ends with the staff contractual day. We are unable to provide supervision for students who are simply waiting on campus after school.
- Families should have a clear after-school transportation/pick-up plan in place for their student.
- Students should be picked up promptly when their club or activity ends.
📋 Approved Clubs & Contacts
Please review the WIHI & WIMA Club List 2026–2027 for our approved clubs, meeting information, and respective staff contacts.
Questions and inquiries should be made to Mr. Giddings at dgiddings@wihi.org.
New Students – PowerSchool Student Accounts
New students may now access their PowerSchool student account using the following credentials:
Username: Student ID Number
Temporary Password: changeme12
Upon logging in for the first time, students will be prompted to create a new password.
Students can find their Student ID Number on the printed schedule provided to them at school. If a student cannot locate their ID number or needs another copy of their schedule, they may stop by the Tech Center anytime beginning next week for assistance.
New Families – PowerSchool Parent/Guardian Accounts
Parents and guardians of new students will receive an email from our Technology Department during the week of August 31 with step-by-step instructions and login information for setting up their PowerSchool Parent/Guardian account. Please watch your email for this important information.
Returning Families – Annual Student Information Review
During the week of August 31, returning families will receive an email with a link to review and update the information currently on file for their student, including parent/guardian contact information, address, emergency information, and other important student records.
This year, we are using a new system called InfoSnap for this process. Your email will include step-by-step instructions and the information needed to access your student’s record.
Please review all information carefully, make any necessary updates or corrections, and complete the update process by Friday, September 11.
HS Student Device Checkout
New WIHI students who need to check out a school-issued device may visit the Tech Center according to the following schedule:
- New 11th Grade Students: Beginning the week of August 31
- New 9th & 10th Grade Students: Beginning the week of September 7
Students may stop by the Tech Center during the school day beginning with their designated week.
Middle Academy Chromebooks
All WIMA students will have access to Chromebooks for use in their classrooms. WIMA students do not need to check out a school device to take home on a daily basis.
For questions regarding PowerSchool accounts or student technology, please contact our Technology Coordinator, Mr. Utkarsh Shah, at UShah@wihi.org.
📵 Cell Phones & Personal Devices: Reviewing Our Practices
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Michigan public schools are required to establish policies addressing student use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices.
The legislation requires schools to restrict student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time, while allowing local school authorities to establish additional restrictions and procedures.
Michigan Legislative Reference: House Bill 4141— Wireless Communications Device Policy Families may review the legislation directly through this link. https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billanalysis/House/pdf/2025-HLA-4141-KH6Z2PTQ.pdf
Our previous WIHI/WIMA cell phone policy required students to keep cell phones and earbuds off or silent and put away during class time. The policy also established a progressive response to repeated violations, beginning with reminders and teacher support and escalating to administrative follow-up for repeated incidents.
Traffic Patterns at WIHI WIMA
Please do NOT stop and wait at the Mansfield and Grant stop sign if the pick up line is backed up. If the lot is full, please circle the block (left on Grant, Owendale, Sherman, and back on Mansfield) and the lot will open up within 5 minutes.
Please pull up all the way to the end of the circle driveway/sidewalk when picking up and dropping off students. This helps to reduce traffic backups and accidents on Mansfield street.
Please be patient and avoid honking and yelling at other drivers. Let’s model care and compassion.
Please do NOT block driveways and do NOT drive on lawns or property.
STOP at the stop signs and yield to students crossing the crosswalks.
Do Not Idle: Please turn off your vehicle while waiting. Exhaust fumes can enter the building and impact air quality.
New Updates
Welcome Back Ice Cream Social Volunteers
Please help us make the Welcome Back Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, September 2nd a success by volunteering some time. We need help with set up at 5:15 and clean-up immediately following. If interested, please email the PTO at pto@wipto.org.
PTO Meeting
PTO meetings are the second Monday of the month, September – May. Please join us virtually for our first meeting on Monday, September 14 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
PTO Positions
Do you want to get involved but would like to ease into a leadership role? We are searching for a future president and two treasurers. This would be a year of transition and shadowing to prepare for the role in the 2027-2028 school year.
Please email pto@wipto.org with questions or to learn more.
President-Elect:
What do we do?
The WI-PTO President-Elect shadows the president to take over the following year and fills in if the president has to miss a meeting. The president prepares the agenda for the PTO meetings, presides at general and executive board PTO meetings, helps develop content for the newsletter, serves as the official representative of the PTO, and retains all official records of the PTO
What is the time commitment?
The overall time commitment is estimated as 2-4 hours per month. This includes the monthly meeting prep and the meeting. Most work can be completed on your schedule.
How will this benefit you?
It's a great opportunity to interact with WIMA-WIHI administrators and staff. The president-elect role along with all executive Board positions offers an opportunity to weigh in and make decisions that will be beneficial to the WIHI-WIMA community.
Why do we need you?
The WI-PTO supports both WIMA and WIHI, which represent seven grade levels, a student body of 700+ students, and 70+ staff members. While our school is small in size, we have considerable needs as we work to support the school's goal of health and wellness for students and staff. Without this leadership role, we are unable to guarantee the continuity needed to keep the PTO going.
Treasurer:
What do we do?
The WI-PTO Treasurers are the custodians of the WI-PTO 501(c)(3) account. We help develop the annual budget, collect funds, make deposits, make payments (check or bank card) for purchases and reimbursements, record entries in our financial management tool, create monthly financial reports, and maintain the WI-PTO Treasury Team email box.
What is the time commitment?
The overall time commitment is estimated as 2-3 hours per month. This number can be higher or lower depending the availability of the other members of the treasurer team. Most work can be completed on your schedule.
How will this benefit you?
It's a great opportunity to interact with WIMA-WIHI administrators and staff. The treasurer role along with all executive Board positions offer an opportunity to weigh in and make decisions that will be beneficial to the WIHI-WIMA community. For example, issuing "Fairy Fund" grants to support economically disadvantaged students.
Why do we need you?
The WI-PTO supports both WIMA and WIHI, which represent seven grade levels, a student body of 700+ students, and 70+ staff members. While our school is small in size, we have considerable needs as we work to support the school's goal of health and wellness for students and staff. Given the responsibilities and importance of the treasurer role, it is necessary for this role to be facilitated by a team of co-treasurers. This allows us sufficient backup during vacations, work-related travel, etc. We believe we are optimal with a team of two co-treasurers.
PTO Linktree
To view up-to-date PTO invitation please view the PTOLinktree.