WHS - Summer Update #1!!

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying a fantastic summer!

As many of you know, I've always been Ms. Cara A. Hayden to our wonderful school community. But over Spring Break last school year, something truly special happened—I got married! 🎉💍

So, it’s with great joy and excitement that I reintroduce myself to you all as Mrs. Cara A. Gorham. I know its going to take a bit to transition, but to keep it simple, students and parents can call me Mrs. Gorham or Mrs. G. While my name has changed, my dedication and passion for our school and your children's education remain as strong as ever. I really just didn't want you to receive information from me and think to yourself, "who is this person!?"

At this point, you will start seeing more frequent updates from me (weekly and sometimes twice weekly) regarding Standard Operating Procedures, Scheduling Updates, and anything else that arises!

I look forward to continuing our journey together, supporting our students, and making this school year the best one yet!

Thank you for all your support and understanding. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Cara A. Gorham (formerly Ms. Cara A. Hayden)

All Assistant Principals are back from summer vacation. The easiest way to reach your Assistant Principal is via Email as they are rarely at their desks to receive phone calls. Assistant Principals will return your email within 24 -48 hours, depending on the volume. Most counselors are returning to campus on 7/29. All other faculty will be returning on 8/5. If you are in need of a counselor immediately, I do have a rotation of counselors on staff in the next couple of weeks. You can reach out to the main office (561-795-4900) and they will put you in touch with the counselor for that day.

For a FULL LISTING of Who to Contact, please see the attached document below or Click HERE!

9th GRADE TEAM

• Magda Dominique, Assistant Principal (magda.dominique@palmbeachschools.org)
• Malissa McAuley, Dean (malissa.mcauley@palmbeachschools.org)
• Brockton Boretti, Associate Dean (brockton.boretti@palmbeachschools.org)
• Megan Donnelley, School Counselor Last Names A-L (megan.donnelley@palmbeachschools.org)
• Timothy Mickens, School Counselor Last Names M-Z (timothy.mickens@palmbeachschools.org)

10th GRADE TEAM

• Mike Kozlowski, Assistant Principal (mike.kozlowski@palmbeachschools.org)
• Mark Boretti, Dean (mark.boretti@palmbeachschools.org)
• Mark Dubois, Associate Dean (mark.dubois@palmbeachschools.org)
• Travis Gray, School Counselor Last Names A-L (travis.gray@palmbeachschools.org)
• Julia Saye, School Counselor Last Names M-Z (julia.saye@palmbeachschools.org)

11th & 12th GRADE TEAMS

• Dr. Elizabeth Calvente-Torres, 12th Grade Assistant Principal (elizabeth.calvente-torres@palmbeachschools.org)
• Tonya Grant, 12th Grade Assistant Principal (tonya.grant@palmbeachschools.org)
• Dr. Eric Moore, 11th Grade Assistant Principal (eric.moore@palmbeachschools.org)
• Lee Tanton, Dean (lee.tanton@palmbeachschools.org)
• Andrew Saperstein, School Counselor Last Names A-D (andrew.saperstein@palmbeachschools.org)
• Danielle Fairclough, School Counselor Last Names E-K (danielle.fairclough@palmbeachschools.org)
• Laquania Morgan, School Counselor Last Names L-Q (laquania.morgan@palmbeachschools.org)
• Terry Roberto, School Counselor Last Names R-Z (terry.roberto@palmbeachschools.org)

Wellington High School has a 7 period day schedule with 2 lunches. 1st period is extended daily for morning announcements. Parents and students that do not have a 1st period can view the announcements daily on our YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@WHSWaveVideo).

Every Wednesday, we will have a slightly adjusted bell schedule, extending 3rd period by 30 minutes, in order to focus on state required resilience and wellness lessons, The Wellington Way (Respect, Ready to Learn, Responsibility), bullying prevention, safety & security, internet safety, graduation requirements, college and career support, National and State testing support, etc.

Additionally, during the 1st full week of school, we will be following the Wellness Wednesday schedule in order to ensure all students learn about our expectations, policies and procedures.

WHS Daily Bell Schedule

WHS Wellness Wednesday Bell Schedule

We are excited to announce that our New Student Orientation will be taking place in the theatre on Wednesday evening, August 7, 2024 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.

Additionally, we would like to see ALL of our incoming freshman at our WHS Freshman Invasion on Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 8:00am - 12:00pm. This event is for students ONLY.

• Students can be dropped off through the student drop off gate between 7:30am and 8am. Remember, it is a RIGHT IN and a RIGHT OUT!
• If you are coming from Southshore, you will go past the marquee and stop light, make a u-turn at Morning Glory Drive.
• If you are coming from Wellington Trace, stay in the right lane to merge into the entrance of the car loop!

• Students will report directly to the gym where they will work with our junior and senior student leaders to learn the “Wellington Way”, meet new peers, learn about additional opportunities for clubs and athletics through Club Rush, receive a campus tour, get your chromebooks and ID's and purchase lockers if they wish.
• For student pick up, we will open the gates at 11:30am if you wish to start lining up. Students will be released at 12:00pm. Follow the directions of the staff!

I expect to see all of our freshmen here, bright and early, and ready to become Wolverines!

Student schedules will be visible on the portal beginning Tuesday, July 30 at 9:00am. In an effort to ensure stability and student success beginning on day 1, we will have face to face opportunities to adjust your schedules BEFORE school starts. Please click on the link below to determine when you will be invited to discuss adjustments with your counselor or administrator. We ask that you stick to this schedule so that EVERYONE can have equal opportunity. Please ensure you come on the date and time assigned by grade level and first letter of last name! If you are unable to come on the date noted, you may attend on the make up day. Only those that need a schedule adjustment based on the information below should attend!

Reasons for schedule adjustments include:

• Missing a class needed for graduation
• Missing a class needed to fulfill Academy requirements
• Parent and Student Request to take a more rigorous class (Honors, AICE, AP)
  
• Parent and Student Request to take a less rigorous class
  

Please Note:

Request for a specific lunch and/or teacher will not be entertained

Schedule Adjustment Timeline w/Counselors & Admin

To qualify and maintain a Wellington Community High School Parking permit all parking policies, procedures and rules must be adhered to throughout the year. Please read the attached and understand ALL rules policies as they pertain to your privilege to park on campus. Remember, parking on campus is a privilege, not a right.

Students MUST be on track to graduate with the following:

• MINIMUM 2.0000 GPA
• MAINTAIN 90% ATTENDANCE
• MINIMUM OF 10 COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS
• NO OBLIGATIONS

• MINIMUM CREDITS PASSED BY GRADE LEVEL
• 10th - 10 Credits
• 11th - 15 Credits
• 12th - 20 Credits

You may begin the process by clicking on the link below.... All forms needed are attached here AND linked in the form!

https://forms.gle/mNBFWfYg32wgK41a9

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Eric Moore, Assistant Principal (eric.moore@palmbeachschools.org)

College Applications are Officially Open!! Students can begin to work on the CommonApp: https://www.commonapp.org/

• Palm Beach State College Fall Dual Enrollment Deadline: August 15, 2024 3:00 pm
• Student College 101 Workshop: August 22 During Both Lunches

• Parent College 101 Workshop: August 29th at 6:00 pm. Location: TBA

Do you need Community Service Hours???

Remember, all students are required to complete 20 hours of community service in order to graduate from high school with a NON-Profit organization. In order to earn a full Bright Futures Scholarship, a student must complete 100 hours! Click on this link for volunteer opportunities available.

Community Service Opportunities

Current sophomores, juniors and seniors with a 3.65 weighted GPA or a 3.5. unweighted GPA are encouraged to apply National Honor Society for the 2024-2025 school year. Students will need to complete the application and upload evidence of 25 volunteer hours completed after May 17, 2024.

Applications and requirements are due by September 20th. Please join the Google Classroom (3ks54kw)and review the flyer for more information. You can also email Mrs. Barletta-Costello (crystal.barletta@palmbeachschools.org) with any questions.

If you are interested in any of the Fall Sports, please reach out to the coaches below!

Football - Ross Pryor
Girls Volleyball - Billy Irmiter
Swimming and Diving - Rich Whalen
Girls Golf - TBD
Boys Golf - Scott Riddle
Girls Cross Country - Duniel Viera
Boys Cross Country - Brendan Lenahan
Bowling - David Dorish

Wednesday, 7/24 from 5-6:30 in the gym.

Fill out this form to reserve a spot:

https://forms.gle/rVmZ3eAW45wqNr1W7

We are excited to announce our SAC dates below! Please join us so you can hear about the amazing things our students are doing and be involved!

Tuesday, August 27th @ 6:00pm

Tuesday, September 17th @ 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 15th @ 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 17th @ 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 14th @ 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 18th @ 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 18th @ 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 15th @ 6:00 p.m.

Wolverine Family,

We hope you are having an amazing summer! Be sure to check your email for our summer newsletter. We would like to welcome our new officers for the 2024-2026 school years!

Jennifer Abreu- President

Justina Mann- Secretary

Esmeralda Kemp- Treasurer

We encourage all of our Wolverine family, Alumni, & community members to get involved and join the PTSA. If you were already a member, it is now time to renew your membership for this upcoming school year. You may purchase your membership here:

https://flpta-whsptsa.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true