🐾WHS ROAR REPORT🐾

Estimadas familias:

Queremos asegurarnos de que todas nuestras familias tengan la oportunidad de comunicarse con los maestros y recibir información sobre el progreso académico de sus hijos.

Contamos con el apoyo de Abigail Maldonado, quien habla español y puede ayudar con la interpretación durante las conferencias de padres y maestros.

Si necesitan un intérprete para las conferencias de padres y maestros, podemos programar una reunión para otro día y a una hora que sea conveniente tanto para ustedes como para la intérprete.

Para coordinar una reunión, pueden comunicarse con:

Abigail Maldonado

📧 abigail.maldonado@watervlietps.org

Queremos que todas nuestras familias se sientan bienvenidas, escuchadas e informadas. ¡Gracias por formar parte de nuestra comunidad escolar!

🐾 College Fair at WHS! 🎓

Today, our Panthers had an incredible opportunity to explore their future options during our WHS College Fair! Every classroom welcomed a college representative, military representative, or former WHS graduate who shared valuable information about education, careers, and opportunities after high school.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to inspire and guide our students!

A special shout-out to our former WHS graduates who returned to share their experiences:

• Lilly Summers – Michigan State University

• JD Zuniga – Western Michigan University and The University of Oklahoma

• Ella Harris – Lake Michigan College and Western Michigan University

• Kimmie Romero – Washington University (Saint Louis)

• Riley Preston – Palette School of Cosmetology

We love seeing our Panthers return to help the next generation dream big and plan for their futures! Once a Panther, always a Panther! ❤️🐾

Other schools and institutions represented can be seen below!

Wesco and Pepsi are teaming up for the sixth year to donate $20,000 to local high schools, including Watervliet High School!

From October 26–December 30, two cents from every qualifying fountain drink purchased at participating Wesco locations will go toward supporting local schools. WHS is guaranteed at least $100, with the opportunity to earn more based on sales.

Grab a fountain drink at Wesco and help support our Panthers! 🐾

Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign dedicated to educating students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and encouraging healthy, drug-free lifestyles. Throughout the week, WHS students will participate in fun dress-up days, hear important facts during daily announcements, and celebrate making positive choices. Our goal is to remind students that their futures are full of possibilities and that the choices they make today matter. Let's come together as Panthers to promote healthy choices, support one another, and celebrate living drug-free! 🐾

All WHS juniors will visit Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) on Monday, October 26, for a campus tour and college exploration experience!

The bus will depart at 9:00 AM and students will enjoy lunch at SMC before returning to WHS at approximately 1:00 PM.

All juniors who are at school on Monday are required to attend this trip, with one exception:

Tech Center Students: Juniors who attend the Tech Center are encouraged to participate, and their Tech Center absences will be excused. However, they are not required to attend the trip and may choose to follow their regular Tech Center schedule instead.

We are excited to give our juniors this opportunity to explore college life and start planning for their futures!

Get creative, Panthers! Students are welcome to wear Halloween costumes to school on Friday, October 30! We can't wait to see everyone's creativity and Halloween spirit!

A few important reminders: Costumes must follow the school dress code, no weapons of any kind (real or fake) are allowed, and students wearing masks must remove them if asked by a teacher during class.

Other than that, have fun, be creative, and show us your best costumes! We can't wait to see what our Panthers come up with! 🐾🎃

This week, Art II students gave presentations on artists who use their work to bring attention to issues affecting individuals, communities, and the world. Through these presentations, students explored the question: Can artists use their artwork to raise awareness, communicate a message, and inspire people to think differently about important issues?

As the next step in the project, students will choose a cause that is personally meaningful to them and create an original work of art that raises awareness, communicates a message, or encourages viewers to think more deeply about the issue.

We have noticed an increase in horseplay among some of our freshmen at Watervliet High School. This includes behaviors such as poking, tapping, jabbing, pushing, kicking, and other forms of physical contact that students often view as harmless fun.

While these interactions may begin playfully, they don't always end that way. What one student considers a joke may not be received the same way by another. A student may be having a difficult day, may not appreciate being touched, or may interpret the behavior as aggressive. Unfortunately, what starts as friendly horseplay can quickly escalate into a physical confrontation.

We are reminding our students that Watervliet High School is a hands-free building. This means keeping their hands and feet to themselves, respecting personal space, and avoiding physical horseplay—even among friends.

Freshman parents, we would appreciate your help! Please take a few minutes to have a conversation with your child about these expectations. Remind them that even when their intentions are harmless, they cannot control how someone else will react. The safest and most respectful choice is to keep their hands to themselves and save the horseplay for outside of school.

Our goal is to help our freshmen develop positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and contribute to a school environment where everyone feels safe and respected.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep WHS a safe and welcoming place for all Panthers! 🐾

This week in physical science students went on a quest to find their perfect “pair” in a speed dating activity. Students had a lot of fun while learning about chemical bonds!

Each October, Watervliet High School invites a military recruiter to speak with our juniors and seniors about postsecondary opportunities and the many pathways available after graduation. For the past several years, we have welcomed a representative from the Michigan National Guard. This year, we were pleased to welcome Staff Sergeant Roman from the United States Marine Corps.

Staff Sergeant Roman shared information about the history of the Marine Corps, enlistment requirements, educational benefits, career training, and the wide variety of job opportunities available through military service.

Our goal is to ensure students are exposed to a variety of postsecondary pathways, including college, skilled trades, apprenticeships, military service, and direct entry into the workforce, so they can make informed decisions about their futures.

Thank you to Staff Sergeant Roman for taking the time to educate our students about another pathway to success after high school!

🎃 Halloween Costumes – October 30

Students may wear costumes as long as they follow the school dress code. No real or fake weapons are permitted, and masks must be removed if requested by a teacher.

🎓 College Fair

SAC members will welcome presenters, escort them to classrooms, and provide water. Dual-enrolled students may request a session schedule from the office. Students who have the same teacher twice may request a different session for their second class.

🚻 Bathroom Conditions

Students raised concerns about unflushed toilets and perfume being sprayed in hallways. Ms. Powers will address these issues in announcements. Maintenance will continue bathroom repairs, and custodians will conduct daily checks.

🧢 Dress Code Proposal

SAC members are developing a proposal to allow beanies and durags. Ms. Powers will provide a template, and students will present their proposal to the superintendent.

👋 Meet the Superintendent

Students suggested that the new superintendent visit English classes to introduce himself and share his background and goals. Ms. Powers will extend the invitation.

❤️ Red Ribbon Week – October 26–30

SAC members will share drug and alcohol awareness facts during announcements.

• Monday: Wear Red

• Tuesday: Crazy Socks

• Wednesday: Pajama Day

• Thursday: Twin Day

• Friday: Extreme Maroon & White or Halloween Costumes

Students who participate can visit Ms. Powers in the office during passing time to earn a Caught in the Act ticket.

🐾 Caught in the Act Program

• Five winning tickets will be drawn daily.

• All tickets remain eligible for future drawings and are never discarded.

• Students should place their tickets in the main office collection box.

• SAC encourages more teachers to recognize positive student behavior.

• Future ideas include rewarding the teacher who issued a winning ticket and allowing students to recognize outstanding teachers.

Your Student Advisory Council Representatives

9th Grade: Teegan Green, Amaya Payton, Reagan Arndt, Olivia Kinzler

10th Grade: Olivia Lurkins, Marqus Liberto, Alex Zuniga, Jolie Bertuca

11th Grade: Katelynn Brown, Madison Darling, Miranda Lowell, Jayden Brassard

12th Grade: Shelby Schlipp, Norma Gutierrez, Mackenzie Birmele, Hanna Ice

Ten of our Panthers attended the Character, Development, and Leadership Summit at Bangor High School on Thursday. Students learned what it means to be a person of character and picked up techniques on how to lead. They participated in this event with 13 other schools from Southwest Michigan.

Last Friday, our WHS freshmen attended the annual Career Pathways Day at Lake Michigan College, supported by Berrien RESA!

This event gave students an opportunity to explore a variety of career pathways, learn about future education and training options, and begin thinking about the many possibilities available to them after high school.

At WHS, we believe it's never too early to start exploring your future! Experiences like Career Pathways Day help students discover their interests, recognize new opportunities, and begin connecting their education today with their goals for tomorrow.

A big thank-you to Berrien RESA and Lake Michigan College for helping our Panthers explore what's possible! ❤️🤍

School pictures are now available!

To see if your child's pictures are available to view, please log in to your account at mylifetouch.com. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one using your email address.

To locate your child's photos, you'll need their Student ID or Portrait ID and Access Code. If you don't have this information, you can:

• Check your inbox for an email from Lifetouch that may contain your access credentials and a direct link to your child's images.
• Contact the Lifetouch Help Center for assistance

Please note that pictures may not become available for all students at the same time, so check back later if you don't see your child's images yet.

Congratulations to the Watervliet Marching Band who finished 2nd place last weekend at the MCBA State Qualifier at Rockford HS! The band also attended MSBOA District 6 Marching Band festival last Tuesday at St. Joseph HS and received straight Division 1 Ratings!

The band travels to Portage Northern this Saturday for their last MCBA State Qualifier. Performance time is 4:00 pm!

🎓 Missed College Admissions Night? We've Got You Covered!

Last night, our 11th and 12th grade students, along with interested parents, had the opportunity to learn more about the college admissions process and preparing for life after high school. If you weren't able to attend, we've included some important slides from the presentation below! We encourage all families to take a look and start having conversations about their student's future.

Attention Watervliet High School students! Varsity Winter Cheer tryouts will be held November 9th and 10th in the auditorium from 3:30 - 5:00 PM. Anyone interested in trying out must add Winter Cheer to Final Forms and have a current physical on file before Nov. 9th. Please wear comfortable athletic clothing and tennis shoes, and bring a water bottle. We look forward to seeing you there! Go Panthers!

At Watervliet High School, all seniors are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of their graduation requirements.

Not planning to attend college next year? You should still complete the FAFSA! Plans can change, and completing the FAFSA helps students explore financial opportunities they may not even know are available. The FAFSA can open doors to grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and financial assistance for community colleges, universities, and eligible trade and technical programs.

Even if a student plans to enter the workforce, join the military, or take time off after graduation, completing the FAFSA keeps future educational options open. Completing the FAFSA does not obligate a student to attend college, accept financial aid, or take out student loans.

Our goal is to make sure every WHS graduate leaves with as many opportunities available to them as possible. We encourage all seniors and their families to complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available and reach out to our counseling office if they need assistance.

🐾 Panthers, your future is full of possibilities—don't leave money or opportunities on the table!

Yearbook students traveled to Western Michigan University for the Varsity Yearbook Fall Conference. There they learned about theme development, writing captions, the role of AI in yearbook production, and important elements of yearbook design. It was a fun-filled, informational day capped off with a stop for lunch and team bonding. The yearbook staff is excited to begin developing the 2027 yearbook with all of the new ideas they learned.

Fill out your profile here if you have not done so already !

https://match.appily.com/student/start?source=michigandirectadmit

Michigan's Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) helps eligible students pay for college or career training after high school. TIP can cover tuition at participating Michigan colleges for qualifying certificate and associate degree programs, with additional financial assistance available toward a bachelor's degree.

How does a student qualify? Students must have received Medicaid coverage for at least 24 months within a 36-month period between age 9 and high school graduation. Families may not realize their student qualifies, even if they no longer receive Medicaid!

Students must also complete the FAFSA, meet Michigan residency and other eligibility requirements, graduate within the program's age limits, and begin using TIP within four years of graduation.

Not sure if your student qualifies? Visit Michigan's MiSSG Student Portal or call 888-447-2687 to check eligibility.

🐾 Don't miss out on money for college! We encourage WHS families to explore this valuable opportunity and contact our counseling office with questions.

Oratorical Contest:

Visit Our Oratorical Website

Scholarship Opportunities for Students

Guy M. Wilson Scholarship – $1,000

Visit our Scholarships Website!

American Legion Skilled Trades Scholarship

The American Legion Department of Michigan offers the Skilled Trades Scholarship to support Michigan residents, ages 17–21, pursuing careers in construction/building, automotive, advanced manufacturing, or energy. This scholarship assists students enrolled in post-high school trades training/apprenticeship programs or earning a two-year degree in a skilled trade that leads to state or federal certification.

Skilled Trades Scholarship Website

Please take the time to nominate one K-12 teacher from your school for our 2026- ‘27 “Teacher of the Year Awards.” Each award is a $500 grant to the winning teacher for an education project of his or her choice at their school and a recognition plaque presented by our State Commander. Five teachers will receive awards statewide annually.

Visit our Teacher of the Year Website!

We encourage you to share these opportunities with your students, colleagues, and families. Together, we can inspire leadership, honor service, and support the next generation.

I am thrilled to share that applications are now open for Girls Who Code's Spring Pathways program!

Pathways is a free, virtual program that empowers high school girls and non-binary students of all experience levels to explore AI, Game Design, Cybersecurity, and more, while learning how to build tech for good. The program is entirely flexible in how participants choose to learn and requires no prior coding experience. Students complete courses at their own pace over seven weeks, from March 1st to April 18th.

Beyond coding, students gain real-world insights through Partner Events with leading tech organizations, connect with peers through Girls Who Code’s private Discord community, and join optional Student Hours for live support. Participants earn a certificate for each completed course and join Girls Who Code’s lifelong alumni network, gaining access to mentorship, internships, and career opportunities in tech.

Students can apply by October 28th for priority consideration. The application closes on December 16th.

All WHS students have access to Relay 12 through the Clever link on their school-issued device. Relay 12 provides students with another way to report serious safety concerns directly to building administrators.

If a student is concerned that someone may harm themselves or someone else, or becomes aware of another serious safety concern but does not feel comfortable talking with or emailing a teacher or administrator, they can click the Relay 12 link anytime to submit a report.

Please encourage your child to remember: If you see or hear something concerning, say something. We want our students to feel safe asking for help—for themselves or someone else. 🐾

As part of our Tier 1 PBIS plan, students receive a brief review each week of our schoolwide expectations for a specific area of the building. These weekly reminders help ensure that all students clearly understand what it looks like to be respectful, responsible, and safe throughout Watervliet High School.

Next week, students will review our CLASSROOM Expectations with their 2nd-hour teacher.

We encourage you to take a few minutes to read through the CLASSROOM expectations below and review them with your child at home. When school and families reinforce the same expectations, it helps us create a positive, safe, and successful environment for everyone.

Thank you for partnering with us! 🐾

As we prepare to welcome students back, we want to remind everyone of a few WHS dress code expectations. Our goal is to keep expectations simple and ensure students come to school dressed appropriately for a learning environment.

A few of the most common dress code concerns to remember:

• Crop tops are not permitted. Shirts should provide appropriate coverage of the midsection.
• Undergarments should not be visible. This includes tops worn off the shoulder that expose bra straps.
• Shorts must provide appropriate coverage. Shorts should completely cover the buttocks at all times, including when sitting, bending, or moving.
• Pajamas are reserved for Early Release Wednesdays. Students should wear regular school-appropriate clothing on all other school days.

We appreciate families reviewing these expectations with students before the first day of school. Starting the year with everyone understanding the expectations helps us keep the focus where it belongs—on learning, relationships, and having a great school year!

Thank you for your support, Panthers! 🐾

October

🧠 CKH Theme: Think • Choose • Act (Self-Direction)

• October 26–30 – Red Ribbon Week

• October 26 – PBIS Team Meeting (3:15 PM) All students and staff invited

• October 26 – Senior Campus Visit to Southwestern Michigan College

• October 28 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

• October 30 – Progress Reports Sent Home

November

🤝 CKH Theme: Better Together (Teamwork)

• November 4 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• November 4 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

• November 4 – Debate Competition #3

• November 6 – SMC RoadRunner Day (Juniors Only)

• November 6 – Student of the Month Breakfast (8:15 AM)

• November 9 – High School Cheer Begins

• November 9 – Picture Retake Day

• November 11 – High School Boys Basketball Begins

• November 16–20 – Indigenous Peoples Week Celebration

• November 18 – High School Girls Basketball Begins

• November 18 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• November 18 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

• November 25–27 – Thanksgiving Break (No School)

• November 30 – PBIS Team Meeting (3:15 PM) All students, parents and staff invited

December

⭐ CKH Theme: Do Your Part (Responsibility)

• December 2 – Debate Competition #4

• December 2 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• December 4 – Student of the Month Breakfast (8:15 AM)

• December 7–11 – Kindness Week

• December 7 – Blood Drive

• December 9 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

• December 14–18 – Holiday Fun Week

• December 16 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• December 17 – Early Middle College Parent Presentation (6:00 PM)

• December 17 – Winter Choir Concert (7:00 PM)

• December 21–January 1 – Winter Break (No School)

January

🫶 CKH Theme: Honor Me, Honor You (Respect)

• January 8 – Student of the Month Breakfast (8:15 AM)

• January 11–15 – Winterfest Week

• January 13 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• January 15 – Winterfest Dance 8-11 PM

• January 18 – Professional Development Day (No School for Students)

• January 19 – Early Release Schedule; Semester Exam – Period 7 (1:30–3:10 PM)

• January 20–22 – Semester 1 Exams (Half Days – 11:40 AM Dismissal)

• January 20 – Exams: Periods 1 & 2

• January 21 – Exams: Periods 3 & 4

• January 22 – Exams: Periods 5 & 6

• January 25–29 – Financial Literacy Week

• January 25 – PBIS Team Meeting (3:15 PM) All students, parents and staff invited

• January 26 – Required Dual Enrollment Meeting

• January 26 – Semester 1 Report Cards sent home

• January 27 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• January 27 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

February

💙 CKH Theme: Spark the Heart (Kindness)

• February 8–12 – Career Exploration Week

• February 10 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• February 11 – Parent-Teacher Conferences (4:00–7:00 PM)

• February 11 – Pre-Festival Band Concert (7:00 PM)

• February 12 – Half Day (11:40 AM Dismissal)

• February 12 – Annual Career Fair

• February 15 – Mid-Winter Break (No School for Students)

• February 16 – Pre-Festival Choir Concert (7:00 PM)

• February 17 – Blood Drive

• February 18 – Senior Class Meeting (All English Classes)

• February 18 – Senior Parent Meeting (6:00 PM)

• February 22–26 – Black History Celebration Week

• February 22 – PBIS Team Meeting (3:15 PM) All students, parents and staff invited

• February 24 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

March

💪 CKH Theme: Step Up (Courage)

• March 3 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

• March 10 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• March 10 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

• March 15 – Spring Sports Begin

• March 15–19 – Women's History Week Celebration

• March 18 – All-Day Choir Competition

• March 22 – PBIS Team Meeting (3:15 PM) All students, parents and staff invited

• March 24 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• March 24 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

• March 25 – Half Day (11:40 AM Dismissal)

• March 25 – Pie in the Face Event for Seniors Completing the FAFSA

• March 25–April 4 – Spring Break (No School)

April

🏁 CKH Theme: Finish Strong (Perseverance)

• April 7 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• April 7 – Progress Reports Sent Home

• April 9 – Student of the Month Breakfast (8:15 AM)

• April 19–23 – Mental Health Awareness Week

• April 20 – Dual Enrollment Parent Meeting (6:00 PM)

• April 21 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• April 26 – PBIS Team Meeting (3:15 PM) All students, parents and staff invited

May

⭐ CKH Theme: Be Leadworthy (Integrity)

• May 1 -- PROM Lake Arvesta South Haven 8-11 PM

• May 3 – Decision Day Celebration (10:00 AM)

• May 5 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• May 7 – Student of the Month Breakfast (8:15 AM)

• May 11 – Blood Drive

• May 12 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

• May 17 – Panther Legacy Walk

• May 18 -- Senior Awards Night

• May 19 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• May 20 – Spring Choir Concert (7:00 PM)

• May 24 – PBIS Team Meeting (3:15 PM) All students, parents and staff invited

• May 24–28 – Senior Final Week

• May 25 – Senior Exams (Periods 6 & 7)

• May 26 – Senior Exams (Periods 4 & 5)

• May 27 – Senior Exams (Periods 2 & 3)

• May 28 – Senior Exam (Period 1)

• May 28 – Senior Checkout Sheets Due (10 AM)

• May 28 – Senior Farewell Tour of District Buildings (10 AM)

• May 28 – Senior Car Parade (4:00 PM)

• May 28 – Senior Sunset (6:00 PM)

• May 31 – Memorial Day (No School)

June

🎓 Finish the Year Strong!

• June 1 – Underclassmen Awards Program (6:00 PM)

• June 2 – Baccalaureate (6:00 PM)

• June 3 – Senior Picnic (1:00–3:00 PM)

• June 3 – Mandatory Graduation Practice (3:00 PM)

• June 4 – Graduation Ceremony (6:30 PM)

• June 8 – Early Release Schedule; Semester Exam – Period 7 (1:30–3:30 PM)

• June 9–11 – Semester 2 Exams (Half Days – 11:40 AM Dismissal)

• June 9 – Exams: Periods 1 & 2

• June 10 – Exams: Periods 3 & 4

• June 11 – Exams: Periods 5 & 6

• June 11 – Last Day of School

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