Panther Print for Parents 🐾

TUESDAY and THURSDAY with Mrs. Hunt.

TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY with Mr. Dimino. (math)

Students should be in one of these rooms by 3:15 and need their own transportation home at 4:00 PM.

This Thursday Juniors will have their last day of state testing for the 24-25 school year. A reminder that Juniors need to complete all state testing as a graduation requirement at WHS. If your child missed any of the 3 days of testing, that day must be made up. Students who do not make up the testing this year, are stuck to do it as a senior, which is never any fun. Please make sure that your junior is well rested and ready to test this Thursday.

🧪 M-STEP Science (Grade 11)

Assessment Format:

• Structure: The science assessment is a fixed-form test comprising seven clusters. Each cluster presents a real-world phenomenon followed by 5–8 related questions.

• Content Areas: The test covers three main domains:

  • Physical Science

  • Life Science

  • Earth and Space Science​

Calculator Policy:

• Students are permitted to use a scientific calculator.

Question Types:

• Multiple-choice questions

• Constructed-response items

• Technology-enhanced items (e.g., drag-and-drop, graphing)​

Practice Resources:

• Sample items and practice tests are available on the M-STEP Online Practice page.

M-STEP Social Studies (Grade 11)

Assessment Format:

• Structure: The social studies assessment is a fixed-form test consisting of:

  • Independent items

  • Context-based item sets: Each set includes a stimulus (e.g., a historical document or map) followed by 3–4 related questions.​

Content Areas:

• The test evaluates knowledge in the following disciplines:

  • U.S. History and Geography

  • World History and Geography

  • Civics and Government

  • Economics​

Question Types:

• Multiple-choice questions

• Constructed-response items

• Technology-enhanced items​

Practice Resources:

• Sample items and practice tests are available on the M-STEP Online Practice page.​State of Michigan | Michigan.gov+1State of Michigan | Michigan.gov+1

This is an application opportunity for 8th grade students who are currently placed in Algebra 1 or Geometry as their math class. Principal, Tonya Snyder, will be at WHS on April 22nd at 7 pm to talk with 8th grade parents about the opportunities at the Math and Science Center, which is located on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs. If you and/or your child have interest in this opportunity for next year, please come to this meeting to learn more. Accepted students attend the Center half of a day and the high school the other half. WPS provides all of the transportation. She will also be making a presentation directly to students in their math class later this mointh.

Due to a number of factors and a busy end of the year schedule, we have struggled to land on a final date and time for our annual Decision Day celebration. I am happy to announce that we are scheduled for this awesome celebration on MAY 7th at 10 AM. All senior parents and family members are invited. The program has been planned by the Senior class. It will last about an hour. All Junior students will be in attendance as well. If your senior has another sibling at the high school or middle school that you would like to see in attendance, you are welcome to sign that student out of their building to attend. This event will be a celebration of the future plans of the members of the Class of 2025.

🎓 What is Decision Day?

• An initiative led by former First Lady Michelle Obama.

• Celebrates high school seniors for their post-secondary education plans, whether it's college, vocational school, the military, or another path.

• Part of the larger Reach Higher initiative, which encourages all students to pursue education beyond high school.

📅 When is Decision Day?

• Typically held on or around May 1st, which is the traditional college decision deadline.

• Schools may host their own events anytime in late April or early May.

🎯 Purpose and Goals

• Promote a college-going culture in schools.

• Encourage students to set goals and take steps toward their future.

• Increase visibility and support for all post-secondary pathways.

• Help students feel recognized and celebrated for their achievements.

🎉 Key Features of a Decision Day Celebration

• Students wear college or career gear (shirts, hats, etc.).

• Schools host assemblies, pep rallies, or ceremonies.

• Announcements of where students are going next (college, military, trade school).

• Teachers and staff wear gear from their own alma maters to show support.

• May include guest speakers, music, food, or student performances.

• Recognition for first-generation college students.

Students, are you seeking a place to grow in your faith and connect with fellow Christians? Join us at the Virtue Club! We meet every Friday at 7:30 AM in the cafeteria. This is a student-led group where we encourage and support each other in our faith journey. For more info, feel free to see Mrs. Adams or Ms Shannon. See you this Friday !

Michigan officials launched a "Ticket to Tuition" giveaway April 16 that will give students pursuing higher education the chance to win up to $50,000 to cover education expenses by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

The form unlocks both federal and state support for college-bound students, as well as those headed to career schools. The Michigan sweepstakes will give 10 students the chance to win $50,000 and 40 students a chance at $10,000. The cash prize will be held in a Michigan Education Savings Program account for winning students to use to pay for a range of education expenses, including tuition, textbooks and room and board.

"Filling out the FAFSA makes you eligible for tens of thousands of dollars of in-state and federal scholarships, and with today's sweepstakes, you can earn some extra money, too," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said during a launch event at Eastern High School in Lansing.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential partnered with the Michigan College Access Network — a nonprofit that aims to increase the number of Michigan students that complete college — on the giveaway. Democratic lawmakers in 2024 approved the funds for the incentive program, encouraging students to complete the FAFSA form. The winning funds are already set aside in the current state budget approved in the last legislative session. The funding is one-time, and lawmakers have not decided whether to set aside similar funding again in the next state budget for another sweepstakes in the future.

To enter the sweepstakes, Michigan students and parents must create an account on studentaid.gov to fill out the FAFSA form and then the student must text "CASH" to 855-50K-TICKET or 855-505-8425. Students who have already completed their FAFSA form can also participate by sending the text message. Students can also mail an entry form available at tickettotuition.com and send it to: Ticket to Tuition Entry, c/o Güd Marketing, 1223 Turner St., Suite 101, Lansing, MI 48906.

This week, Art II students focused on completing their tiny acrylic landscape paintings. Meanwhile, Art I students got their first look at their clay creatures fresh from the kiln—more creature photos coming next week!

REMINDER: If you want to purchase a senior yard sign, you must submit your senior picture electronically to the yearbook https://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=49098 and turn in $25 to Mrs. Brant or Mrs. Scheetz by April 20th. Thank you,

Julie and Michelle

Please use the link below to select the size for your Senior T-shirt. Please select your size by Monday April 14th.

https://forms.gle/2D1Nry8nQq8BApmf7

Panthers,

Are you interested in representing Watervliet High School at the state level?? If so please consider applying to be on the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Student Advisory Council.

SAC APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 21

I hope you all were able to get some rest over Spring Break and are ready to attack this last school sports season. Over the past few years, the need to hear the student’s voice has never been greater. We hope you will help us by forwarding this message to the leaders in the class of 2027 as we seek the next eight members of our MHSAA Student Advisory Council.

Applications are due by Monday, April 21 - TWO WEEKS FROM YESTERDAY. The application can be downloaded from MHSAA.com and emailed directly to sac@mhsaa.com. Finalists will be interviewed via Zoom, and we will announce the new class by the end of May 2.

• DOWNLOAD application: PDF | WORD
• MORE INFORMATION about the role of the council

If you have any questions please let me know!

If your child has a concern regarding anyone's safety in the building (student or staff), the Panther Hotline is an anonymous way to report the information to the building principal immediately. It is always preferred that the student come to the office to talk face to face about the concern, however if that is not possible, the Panther Hotline is the best way to get the information to building administration immediately. All students have been emailed this link. It is also posted around the school building.

https://forms.gle/iy8Nep5DZDjZYwsF7

Once completed, the information comes directly to the principal in the form of an email.

Permission Slips be available when purchasing Prom tickets and Mrs. Tyler will also have copies. Once the permission slips have been signed by a parent/guardian & the student, the students can turn them in with their money to Mrs. Tyler.

Secondly, the After Prom has a raffle

Raffle to support the After Prom - $20 per ticket. Winners will be drawn at the After Prom event.

Contact Teresa Collins at 269.325.4446 or Carrie Wilder at 260.750.2607 to purchase tickets.

Seniors:

If you are planning on enrolling at LMC:

LMC is coming to Watervliet for on-site advising and course registration. This is an opportunity to meet with an LMC adviser and register for classes

If interested, your senior has been sent a sign up.

If you are planning on enrolling at SMC:

Mr. Coburn is leading a field trip to SMC's campus for their orientation on May 15. This is an opportunity to complete SMC's in-person orientation, meet with an adviser, sign up for classes, and familiarize yourself with campus.

This is a joint field trip with Coloma. Transportation and lunch will be provided.

If interested, please pick up a permission slip in the guidance office and return it by May 5.

If you have any questions, please see Mr. Coburn.

Thank you.

The National Guard will be hosting a Meet the Guard Event on Tuesday April 22nd @ Fort Custer over in Battle Creek. This is a great experience for students to experience what the National Guard is like, what jobs we offer, get to explore different vehicles that we have. The day is designed for the students to visit a Military base and become more educated on what the Military is like.

We have a thing we call a petting zoo where they get to wear certain equipment we wear and get to be inside the Military vehicles we have.

What it boils down to is this is basically a giant career fair but military style.

PICK UP A PERMISSION SLIP IN THE COUNSELING OFFICE. YOU HAVE TO BE PASSING ALL OF YOUR CLASSES ON THE DAY OF THE TRIP IN ORDER TO ATTEND.

OUTSTANDING SENIOR BOY/OUTSTANDING SENIOR GIRL CLASS OF 2025

Application Deadline: Monday, April 28th at 3:10 PM

YOUR NAME: __________________________________________________________________

1. Attach your BRAG SHEET to this document.

1. Explain and attach in 250 words or less what this honor means to you and why you are applying to be a recipient for the Class of 2024. Attach that to this document.

1. Please submit a senior photo of yourself in JPEG format and email it to: trichcreek@watervlietps.org.

These are the items that the voting faculty are looking for in your application.

1. Academic Performance

1. Maintained a 3.0 g.p.a. (recommended)

2. Degree of difficulty of courses taken

1. Citizenship

1. Participated in extracurricular activities including fine arts, athletics, student

government, and social activities.

1. Demonstrated integrity, sincerity, and responsibility.

1. Leadership

1. Held positions of leadership in organizations such as team captains, class officers, etc.

COME GET YOUR APPLICATION IN THE MAIN OFFICE!

How to Compare Financial Aid Offers Video for Students and Families

As colleges and universities begin processing and sending award offers to students, we thought it would be helpful to share a short video created by MiLEAP's Office of Higher Education. We know award offers can be confusing, so the How to Compare Financial Aid Offers video is focused on helping students and families understand and compare award offers in order to find the best financial fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWwrVquMAYQ&t=9s

Mr. Coburn can also meet with seniors and families to compare and discuss financial aid offers.

Kelsey’s Law Scholarship Provider: MichiganAutoLaw.com
Amount: $2,000
# of winners: 4

MIR Foundation Academic Scholarship Provider: Big Future
Amount: $1,500
# of winners: Varies

MAPA Educational Development Scholarship Provider: Big Future
Amount: $1,000
# of winners: 1

Char Doerr Memorial Scholarship Provider: Shamrock Invitational
Amount: $2,000
# of winners: 1

Michigan Retailers Association Scholarship Provider: Michigan Retailers Association
Amount: $3,500
# of winners: 13

Darooge Family Scholarship Provider: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Amount: Varies
# of winners: Varies

Ernest J. Bohn Education Scholarship Provider: North Central Regional Council (NCRC)
Amount: $1,000
# of winners: Varies

MI NAHRO Scholarship Provider: National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
Amount: $500
# of winners: Varies

Wallace and Joann Ozog Scholarship Provider: Big Future
Amount: Varies
# of winners: Varies

download full list (csv) SEE LIST ON GOING MERRY

Prom's theme is "Light up the Night"

Tickets are $40 each. Seniors are free if they paid their dues. There will be a S'mores and Pretzel bar available also. Prom is at Union & Social in Saint Joseph from 8-11pm on May 10th. Freshmen are not permitted to attend. Sophomores can attend as a guest of a Junior or a Senior. All foreign exchange students are invited to attend. Guest forms should be picked up in the main office and returned. WAY students can only attend as a guest of a WHS Junior or Senior.

Prom tickets will be on sale during lunch 11:30-12:30 Tuesday for $40. Seniors are free if dues were paid. Seniors still need to pick up tickets if they are going. Forms for people that do not come to our school needs to be turned in to Ms. Powers asap. Thank you

April 11th Local scholarship applications due

April 17th--NO SCHOOL FOR SENIORS DUE TO TESTING INTHE BUILDING

April 25th community service hours are due to Mrs. Richcreek to wear a cord at graduation

May 5th Decision Day 10 am auditorium DATE CHANGE!!

May 5th Memory Board Poster due to the HS

May 6th Senior class photos due for Baccalaureate presentation

May 10th Prom 8-11 PM Union and Social St. Joe

May 11th After Prom 12 AM -5:30 AM Mishawaka

May 14th Senior Scholarship/Academic Awards 6 PM Auditorium

May 16th Graduation speeches are due to Ms. Powers for review

May 20-23 Senior Exams

May 21st Senior check-out sheets are due to Mrs. Richcreek

May 23rd 3:10 Deadline for grades and passing all classes to walk at graduation

May 23rd All fees and fines due

May 23rd 10 AM process through school buildings

May 23rd Car Parade 4 PM Old Mill Site

May 23rd Senior Sunset Silver Beach

May 28th Baccalaureate 6 PM Auditorium

May 29th Senior Field Day

May 29th Senior Picnic 2 PM

May 29th Graduation Practice 3:15 PM in the media center (required in order to walk at graduation)

May 30th Graduation– Students meet in the media center by 5:30 PM; group photos begin at 5:45 sharp, graduation start at 6:30 PM in the stadium

SENIORS PICTURES FOR THE YEARBOOK!

It's time to submit Senior Portraits to ring in the 2025 graduates in our Yearbook. Our deadline is March 28, 2005 (Spring Break)

Please upload your portraits through https://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=49098

Senior portraits must be a VERTICAL headshot, but hands and/or upper body may be visible if desired. No props, hats that obscure the face, or distracting backgrounds, please.

Portraits must be of professional quality, at least 300 DPI, and 500 KB or larger. We CANNOT accept screenshots, proofs, links to photographer’s websites or portraits with the photographer’s logo.

Below is a help in navigating the upload process.

We are excited to announce that 2025 Yearbooks are now on sale. Dec. 1 - 20.

Discounted presale price is $45 which includes a free name stamp on the cover. Students may purchase during school from a yearbook staff member or Mrs. Brant. Make checks payable to Watervliet Public Schools.

Yearbooks can also be purchased online through this link: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/2956

After Dec. 20, yearbooks will be $50 and optional name stamps an additional $5.

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.

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 expectations below with your child. The expectations below will be reviewed during this coming week.

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.

April 30

May 21