Parent Update

Greeting WHS families,

As we reflect on the incredible year we've had together, I want to share my sincere gratitude for your ongoing support of our students, staff, and greater WHS community.

Your efforts have made 2024 a truly remarkable year for WHS. From academic achievements to extracurricular success, you have played a huge part in making 2024 a year to remember for our students and staff. I am proud of all we have accomplished!

As we look forward to 2025, I'm excited about the many exciting opportunities that lie ahead. We will continue to strive for excellence while creating lasting memories for the students we serve.

On behalf of the WHS staff, thank you once again for making 2024 so special.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

So many highlights and great work by students in 2024! It has been so rewarding to get to work with so many students at WHS this year and I am so excited to see what you all can accomplish in 2025! I hope your break is relaxing and you all come back ready to do great things in 2025. Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and GO GOSLINGS!

Course Selection Rollout is right around the corner! In homerooms, WHS students will have the opportunity to choose classes for the 2025-2026 school year, beginning January 9, 2025. Course selection will be due by January 24, 2025. While WHS staff members have already begun conversations with students regarding post-secondary plans, please ask your child what interests they have and encourage them to seek out classes to help them achieve their goals. Not sure what classes connect with their plans? The WHS Coursebook is the place to go for course offerings and descriptions. As always, WHS counselors are happy to help clarify any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to this collaboration every year :)

The WHS local scholarship information was released to senior students this week during ELT. Please check out the WHS scholarship webpage as it is updated frequently with more offerings. If families have any questions, please contact Ms. Pirkel, WHS Scholarship Chairperson, at pirkelk@mywusd.org.

Attention 11th Grade Families

WHS continues to prepare 11th grade students for the statewide ACT test on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Junior students began accessing digital ACT resources during homeroom this week on Monday, December 16th through IXL. Students received their results from the Spring 2024 PreACT in homeroom to complete the Goal Setting Student Handout, input their scores into IXL, and IXL developed a personalized skill plans to guide ACT practice. IXL is a resource that WHS 11th grade students can use as much as possible before the ACT exam on March 12th.

In January and February, students will be given information about using myact.org as another resource to prep for the test. Families are encouraged to communicate with their student about their ACT goals, progress on IXL test prep, and the importance of putting maximum effort into the ACT exam day on March 12th, 2025. Thanks in advance for your support as we help our students take advantage of as many career opportunities as possible by demonstrating academic excellence on the ACT!

“Why do I need an ACT Score?”

WHS staff will continue to share important resources with students but want to also equip families with as much information as possible in preparation for the 2025 ACT exam. One helpful resource for understanding the value of the ACT can be found here. Note the article is written for educators, but it is more important than ever for our students and families to understand the value of the ACT test regardless of future career path.

An additional resource WHS staff will share with students is “What Can the ACT do for you?”.

Junior students interested in government, leadership, and meeting other juniors from around the state, are encouraged to check out Badger State Boys and Badger State Girls! It is an all-expense paid week long opportunity at UW-Eau Claire for Boys and UW-Oshkosh for girls. It also looks great on a high school resume. If interested, see Ms. Pirkel in the Main Office.

Gosling Flight Feather Winners

On Wednesday during a pep rally, we recognized 67 students and 20 staff members all who received a Gosling Flight Feather for doing good things around WHS! Five students and five staff were chosen to receive a small prize for their good work!

Elizabeth Verriden, grade 12

Malaki Kueffer, grade 9

Cindy Sanchez, grade 10

Johnathan Rousseau, grade 11

Joseph Oestreich, grade 11

Savanah Smith, WHS Support Staff

Jerry Williams, WHS Support Staff

Jana Strobel, WHS Teacher

Paige Large, WHS Support Staff

Linda Steffan, WHS Support Staff

Endeavor Charter School

Endeavorans really channeled their holiday spirit this year, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, making cookies for charity, staff (and their own holiday party), and planning a week of dress up days!