🐾WHS ROAR REPORT🐾

Below you’ll find our current enrollment and student participation data for this semester of the 2025–26 school year at WHS. These numbers give a quick snapshot of how many Panthers are enrolled and how actively they’re engaging in classes, programs, and activities. We use this information to celebrate progress and make sure supports match student needs.

2025 WHS Mural Competition – Results Are In!

Thank you to everyone who voted—200+ ballots were cast!

3rd Place: Sienna Harris

2nd Place: Cadia Raines

Congratulations to Jaylee, and kudos to all students who submitted creative proposals. In the coming months, Art 2 students, guided by Mrs. Hunt, will bring Jaylee’s design to life on the large maroon board outside the high school main office. We can’t wait to watch it take shape!

Gabe Richards, a Senior at WHS, is in Van Buren Tech's Advanced Manufacturing Program. He became the first student to complete a project on their new 5-axis CNC machine. Through the Titans of CNC Academy, Gabe drew, programmed, setup, cut, and inspected his part using Mastercam and the YCM Alliance CX4, achieving a professional -grade mirror finish with support from Kennametal Inc.

Titan Gilroy, CEO of TITANS of CNC, personally congratulated Gabe for his achievement, calling it "a massive milestone that redefines what's possible for high school students in manufacturing."

Student Advisory Council (SAC) — Key Decisions & Notes

• Phones in Class (for instruction):
  Use is at the teacher’s discretion. Teachers may allow phones for specific instructional tasks; otherwise, devices stay put away.

• After-School Bathroom Use:
  Athletes should change in the locker rooms, not the main restrooms, immediately after school. This keeps the main bathrooms available for students who simply need to use the restroom and reduces hallway congestion.

• Mural Competition:
  Winner announced Thursday (announcements/socials). Huge turnout—1st place awarded; 2nd & 3rd recognized as well.

• Future Wall Space (near Mrs. Adams’s room):
  SAC will brainstorm uses for later this year.

• Hallway Themes Project:
  Explore student-painted athletic & academic themes along the main hallway (historic-to-current highlights). Sample mottos: “Trust the Process,” “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” etc.

• College Fair (Friday):

  • Every student receives a college list + room locations.

  • If a student has the same teacher twice, they may attend a different room that period to maximize exposure (teachers still take attendance).

• Red Ribbon Week: (last week of October)
  Shared theme-day ideas and an assembly concept; SAC will finalize plan and speaker options.

• Outdoor Learning Space (next to the Woodworking Lab):

  • Ms. Powers has applied for a $2,500 grant to revitalize this area; additional grant applications will continue throughout the year.

  • Planning will take place in March (student input welcome!).

  • Ms. Powers also has access to another $2,500 grant focused on mental health, STEM, literacy, or community service/action. This proposal must expand something we already do.

    • Call for ideas: Please email Ms. Powers your concept and how it builds on existing work.

• SAC meets every other Wednesday to discuss building programming and initiatives.

Questions or ideas? Send them to Ms. Powers—thanks for helping shape our school!

📘 Classroom Spotlight: Mr. Andrews’ CKH in Action

Tuesday Mrs. Lefor is spicing up the morning welcome with high fives from her tiny hand In the pic, she’s giving Marqus a five on the way in—instant smiles, instant connection.

Why we do it (CKH style): greeting at the door helps every student feel seen and valued, sets a positive tone for learning, and creates a smooth start to class. Small moments = big impact.

#CapturingKidsHearts #PantherPride #RelationshipsFirst #WHS

Overall: Participation is stable year over year.

At-a-Glance

• Total student-athletes: 218 (last year: 223)

• Participation rate: 32.25% (last year: 33.94%)

• Dual-sport athletes: 10

Grade-Level Trends

• Most classes saw a small dip (typical year-to-year pattern).

• Class of 2027 increased participation +7 points (38%, up from 31.7%).

• Class of 2030 (current 8th grade) saw the largest decline (37.8%, down from 45%).

By Sport (MS + HS combined)

• Football: 68 (up from 57) ✅

• Volleyball: 67 (down from 69)

• Cross Country: 38 (down from 47)

• Cheer: 19 (down from 22)

• Soccer: 36 (down from 38)

Note: 6th-grade rec volleyball, football, and cheer are not included in these totals.

How You Can Help

• Encourage students to try a sport, even if they’re new—most teams welcome beginners.

• Watch for winter/spring sign-ups and coach contact info in upcoming newsletters.

• Questions? Reach out to the Athletic Office—we’re happy to help match students with a team.

At WHS, we use PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)—a schoolwide approach that teaches, practices, and recognizes positive behaviors so every student can learn in a safe, respectful environment. This week, all students will review our cafeteria expectations during their 2nd-hour classes and practice what this looks like at lunch (entering calmly, cleaning up, using kind voices, and following staff directions). Please take a moment to review these expectations at home with your child and talk about how they can help keep our cafeteria welcoming for everyone. Thank you for partnering with us!

We’re so grateful for our long-standing partnership with Southwestern Michigan College (SMC). On Thursday night, SMC admissions representative Ethan Saylor delivered an excellent, family-friendly overview of the college admissions process—an event we host every October. If you couldn’t make it this year, we hope you’ll join us next fall. In the meantime, feel free to browse highlights from Ethan’s slide deck below to catch the key takeaways.

At Watervliet High School, student safety is our top priority. We want every Panther to feel safe and supported while at school.

To help with this, we have created the Panther Hotline — a simple way for students to report a safety concern if they ever feel uncomfortable speaking directly to an administrator or teacher.

By clicking the link below, students can anonymously share their concern. As soon as a report is submitted, Ms. Powers receives an immediate email notification so that the situation can be addressed quickly.

🔗 https://forms.gle/YH6RG4pnJzsZBHtj9

Please encourage your student to use this resource if they ever feel unsafe or see something concerning. Together, we can ensure that WHS continues to be a safe place for all of our Panthers.

📅 DateEvent

We’re excited to announce that after-school homework help is now available for our students. Students can stay for one hour after school 3:15-4:15 PM to get extra support or simply have a quiet place to focus on assignments.

• Tuesdays: Work with Mrs. Simmons

• Wednesdays: Work with Mr. Dimino (MATH ESPECIALLY)

• Thursdays: Work with Mrs. Brant

No sign-up is required—students can just stop by the teacher’s classroom after school to participate. This is a great way to catch up on work, get extra help, or stay on top of assignments.

👉 Please note: Students will need to arrange their own transportation home after the session.

We hope many of our Panthers will take advantage of this opportunity for extra support! 🐾

9th Grade Campus Visit – Southwestern Michigan College

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Watervliet High School is pleased to offer each grade level one facilitated college campus visit each year. This year, the Freshman Class (9th grade) will be visiting:

Destination: Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) – Dowagiac, Michigan
Date: Monday, October 28
Departure: The bus will leave WHS at 8:15 a.m.
Return: Students will return by 11:30 a.m. — in time for lunch and part of 4th hour.

The visit will be supervised by WHS teachers and a school counselor. Because this is the scheduled freshman class campus visit, if your child is in school that day, he/she is expected to attend.

• 🚌 Students will travel by school bus.

• 🍎 Snacks will be provided.

• 👟 Students should wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, as there will be lots of walking and students will be outside for part of the morning.

• ⚠️ Students who are inattentive, disrespectful, or disruptive during this trip will not be allowed to attend future trips.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Powers at the high school office.

Thank you for supporting this opportunity for our Panthers to begin exploring college and career pathways!

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop – Panther Pride! 🐾

AGENDA FOR THE VISIT

9:00am Arrival
9:15am Presentation at the Library

9:45 am Kahoot (Prizes Top 3)

10:00am Break into 3-4 groups for tour
11:00-11:15 am Return to the library/Departure

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Watervliet High School is pleased to offer each grade level one facilitated college campus visit each year. This year, the Sophomore Class (10th grade) will be visiting:

Destination: The University of Olivet– Olivet, Michigan
Date: Thursday, November 6th
Departure: The bus will leave WHS at 8:15 a.m.
Return: Students will return by 2:30 PM —students will eat lunch at the university.

The visit will be supervised by WHS teachers and a school counselor. Because this is the scheduled sophomore class campus visit, if your child is in school that day, he/she is expected to attend.

• 🚌 Students will travel by school bus.

• 👟 Students should wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, as there will be lots of walking and students will be outside for part of the morning.

• ⚠️ Students who are inattentive, disrespectful, or disruptive during this trip will not be allowed to attend future trips.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Powers at the high school office.

Thank you for supporting this opportunity for our Panthers to begin exploring college and career pathways!

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop – Panther Pride! 🐾

AGENDA FOR THE VISIT

Arrival: 9:45am

Welcome/Presentation: 10:00am

Campus Tour: 10:30am

Lunch: 11:30am, and then you can head back once your group is finished eating

Full Day

Period 1 8:10-9:02 (52 min)

Period 2 9:07-10:01 (54 min to include announcements)

Period 3 10:06-10:57 (51min)

Lunch A 10:57-11:27 (30 min)

Lunch A Class 11:32-12:23 (51 min)

Lunch B 11:27-11:57 (30 min)

Lunch B Class 11:02-11:22/11:52-12:23 (51 min)

Lunch C 11:53-12:23 (30 + 5 min passing time)

Lunch C Class 11:02-11:53 (51 min)

Period 5 12:28-1:19 (51 min)

Period 6 1:24-2:15 (51 min)

Period 7 2:20-3:10 (50 min)

Half Day Schedule

Period 1 8:10-8:36

Period 2 8:41-9:06

Period 3 9:11-9:36

Period 4 9:41-10:07

Period 5 10:12-10:38

Period 6 10:43-11:09

Period 7 11:14-11:40

Early Release Schedule

Period 1 8:10-8:45

Period 2 8:50-9:24

Period 3 9:29-10:03

Period 4 10:08-10:42

Period 5

A Lunch 10:47-11:17

A Class 11:17-11:51

B Class 10:47-11:21

B Lunch 11:21-11:51

Period 6 11:56-12:30

Period 7 12:35-1:10