WINTER LAKES HIGH SCHOOL

Dear Winter Lakes High Students and Families,

Winter Lakes High School will be hosting the upcoming Pre-ACT for all 10th grade students.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 20th

WHERE: Winter Lakes High School, Room #4

TIME: Arrive @ 7:45 AM

The Pre-ACT is a practice ACT test. The ACT is a standardized test often required for admission to colleges and universities. This Pre-ACT opportunity provides Winter Lakes students with early exposure to the ACT. This helps students get comfortable with the standardized testing experience and understand how they are doing in core subjects.

The Pre-ACT Test is normed for sophomores (10th grade students). Pre-ACT measures the assessments in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science and is scored on a 1-36 ACT scale. These scores help direct students to an interest inventory to start thinking about possible career paths. Parents/guardians and counselors can use the data to help students choose high school courses most relevant to career areas of interest. More information about the Pre-ACT can be found at www.act.org/preact.

Since this is a practice test, Pre-ACT test scores are not shared with colleges and will not be included on a student’s transcript. Once school counselors receive the scores in the winter, they will meet individually with each student to explain their scores and career interest results. The students will then bring the scores and information home for their family to review.

The Day of the Test:

● On the morning of the test, students arrive by 7:45am and go to Room #4.

● Students should bring pencils and a calculator. The calculator restrictions are: not your cell phone, not with a keyboard, not on a watch…simple functioning only.

● Students can bring snacks and/or water bottles, which will only be accessed during formal breaks.

● The test will take approximately up until 12:00 pm, unless a student is eligible for extended time, which may result in an extra hour.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Winter Lakes High School.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Clapper

Winter Lakes High School Principal

• MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Important Dates for October
• Picture Day
• Fall Conference Week
• Planning to go to College? Attend This Upcoming Event
• SWOCC Expanded Options: Winter Term Advising & Registration
• Checking in with the Attendance Office
• Secrets to Academic Success
• Meet Our New Social Worker!
• October 4-10: Mental Illness Awareness Week
• October is Bullying Prevention Month
• My Student is Sick, Should I Keep Them Home?

Don't forget to stop by WLHS on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27th between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM for your annual school photo!

Both in-person and online-only students are all welcome to have their picture taken.

Place your school photo prints order using order code #EVTZM8Q8S at https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/

October 5th-8th is our Fall Conference Week. This is a really critical time to meet up with your Learning Specialist to find out what kind of start your student has had so far this year. Making conferences a family priority can help to set the tone for how the rest of the year plays out for your student. We highly encourage our parents/grandparents/guardians to get involved in their student's education by reserving a time slot.

Conferences will take place during the day (7:30 - 5:00), Monday through Thursday, with evening timeslots available on Thursday as well (5:00 - 7:00). Please contact your Learning Specialist to reserve your spot.

Can't remember who your Learning Specialist is? Contact the front office at (541)824-0115

Are you interested in learning more about your dual-credit options to get a head start on your college education? Already an Expanded Options student, but not sure what you'd like to enroll in for Winter Term?

Make an appointment to meet with Ms. FitzHenry and Rebecca Javorsky from SWOCC on advising day, Wednesday, October 21st from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Contact Ms. FitzHenry at sfitzhenry@coquille.k12.or.us or (541)824-6902 to reserve your timeslot.

***Please note that ALL students wishing to enter the Expanded Options program must make an in-person advising appointment to review program requirements and complete a program contract before course scheduling can begin. It is advised that your parent or guardian attend this meeting with you.

As we approach the end of our first official month in school, overall attendance numbers are looking good! Meaningful engagement has been taking place daily and productivity is up! Keep up the good work engaging on a daily basis, Monday through Thursday. Way to go Winter Lakers!

There is always room for improvement though! As Winter Lakes students, be mindful that you are completing AT LEAST one of the following EVERY DAY:

• Participate in Office Hours by dropping in for help from a teacher
• Communicate directly with your Learning Specialist via phone call, text, or email. Tell them what you're working on today, and what you could use an extra hand with. Keep the conversation flowing!
• Posting completed assignments via your Edgenuity account - Students should spend a minimum of 5 to 7 hours per day engaged in their coursework.
• Participate in an in-person class session on campus

Ideally, you should be logging in and completing several lessons every school day. However, if there is the occasional day where you will not be able to complete any school work, it is extremely important that you still contact your Learning Specialist and communicate to them why you will not be completing any work on that particular day. Much like an employee "calls in" when they cannot make it to work.

If you've been marked absent for a couple of days, don't be alarmed if you receive a friendly reminder call from Mrs. Jaggers in the Attendance Office, reminding you that it's time to re-connect with your Learning Specialist.

If you have any questions, contact our Attendance Secretary, Shanda FitzHenry at (541)824-6902 or sfitzhenry@coquille.k12.or.us

Do you feel like you have been checking in, but that you are still being marked absent? It may be that you are not communicating in a way that satisfies attendance rules. Make sure that your emails and text messages are thoughtfully composed, use appropriate language, and are meaningful to your education and progress. Below are some examples of what does or does not count for daily attendance.

Success in an online-based high school like WLHS requires strong personal accountability, a structured daily routine, and proactive communication with your teachers.

SET UP YOUR SPACE & TECH:

• Create a dedicated workspace: Choose a quiet desk or specific corner in your home used only for school. Keep it clean and free from clutter.
• Minimize digital distractions: Turn off phone notifications, close extra browser tabs, and minimize time on social media during class hours.
• Prepare your tools: Keep a notebook and pen nearby for handwriting notes and use headphones for better focus.

MASTER YOUR TIME:

• Stick to a daily schedule: Start and end your school day at the same time each day.
• Use a calendar: Write down all important dates in a digital or paper planner.
• Break tasks down: Divide large projects into small, daily goals.
• Take screen breaks: Rest your eyes using short intervals away from the monitor.

STAY ENGAGED AND CONNECTED:

• Participate actively: Ask questions, visit Office Hours for extra help, follow your in-person schedule.
• Talk to your teachers: Visit Office Hours, call, or send emails early when you feel confused or stuck on an assignment.
• Check In Daily: Monday through Thursday, make direct contact with your Learning Specialist by phone call, email, text message, or in-person attendance.

Hi everyone! My name is Logan Ziegenhagen, but you can call me Mr. Logan! I’m so excited to be joining you this school year!

I’ll be serving as your School Social Worker, and I’m here to support you and your family with any resources, guidance, or support you may need throughout the year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out; I’m looking forward to getting to know you and being a part of your school community!

A little about me: I grew up in Long Beach, California, and earned my Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Philosophy before completing my Master’s degree in School Counseling at the University of Southern California (USC).

Outside of school, I enjoy hiking, building computers, watching movies, and playing recreational sports. I’m always up for trying something new and finding ways to stay active and connected.

I’m so excited to be a part of your lives this year and look forward to getting to know each of you and your families. Here’s to a wonderful school year!

• FACT: 1 in 5 children ages 13-17 have, or will have a diagnosed serious mental illness (CDC.gov)
• FACT: More than 50% of students with a mental health condition age 14 or older drop out of school - the highest dropout rate of any disability group (behavioralhealthnews.org)
• FACT: 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 (nami.org)
• Those with a mental illness experience a lot of challenges living their everyday lives. They may often face the stigma of rejection, bullying, and discrimination. This can make their journey to recovery longer and more difficult
• Navigating life with a mental illness can be tough; and the isolation, blame, and secrecy that is often encouraged by stigma can create barriers to getting needed supports, and living well. There is help though! Speak to a school counselor or other trusted adult. Talk with your doctor. Tell a trusted friend. Simply confiding in another person is a step in the right direction!

RESOURCES:

• Coos Health & Wellness: (541)266-6700
• Coos County Mental Health: (541)751-2500
• Waterfall Community Health Center: (541)756-6232
• North Bend Medical Center: (541)267-5151

Bullying is behavior that hurts, harms, or humiliates another person, and puts their physical and emotional safety at risk. Bullying comes in all forms, from verbal to physical, to emotional and cyberbullying. In our hyper-connected, busy society, it's hard to avoid. But that also does not make it okay, ever. The effects of bullying can be brutal. Kids who are bullies can experience depression and anxiety, health complaints, decreased academic success, and more.

School staff are able to do a great deal to prevent bullying and protect students. But we can't do it alone. Parents and youth have an enormous role to play in preventing and stopping bullying in school.

PARENTS:

• Observe your child for signs that they are possibly being bullied
• Teach your child how to handle being bullied
• Educate your children about bullying and that it can have legal consequences
• Set boundaries with technology
  
  

STUDENTS:

• Immediately report bullying of yourself or another student to a trusted adult (teacher, parent, principal, secretary, counselor, coach)
• Don't bully back - Two wrongs DO NOT make a right
• Avoid people and situations that can potentially lead to bullying

SIGNS OF BULLYING:

• Unexplainable injuries
• Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
• Frequently feeling sick or faking an illness
• Changes in eating habits
• Difficulty sleeping
• Declining grades
• Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
• Feelings of helplessness
• Self-destructive behavior

SIGNS A CHILD MIGHT BE BULLYING OTHERS:

• Getting into physical or verbal fights
• Having friends who bully others
• Increasingly aggressive
• Blame others for their problems
• Don't accept responsibilities for their actions
• Have unexplained extra money or new belongings

Fall means kids going back to school after the long Summer Break. It also means kids sharing germs! As we enter our second month of the 26/27 school year, sniffles abound. Does this mean your student should stay home form school for a day or two? Check the guidance below to find out!