🐾WHS ROAR REPORT🐾

Below is a important survey related to the selection of our next superintendent. This is a significant decision for the district, and your voice matters. Your feedback will be an important part of the Board of Education’s work as they move forward in this process.

I strongly encourage you to complete the survey. You can also visit the district website for the survey link and an overview of the search timeline.

Superintendent Survey

On Thursday all classes took time to think of someone or something they were grateful “4”. They wrote the person’s relationship to them in Spanish and told why they were grateful. It was a lesson in realizing we all have someone/something we appreciate in life. I learned one student is grateful for “El gato porque él es simpático.” Another wrote “Hermana Nina porque she keeps my secrets and she is comíca, I love her very much.” It was nice seeing the students write in Spanish!!

The Watervliet High School Esports team proudly competes in the Michigan High School Esports Federation. This year’s team members were Bryson Barr, Mason Knight, Nick Brewer, Koty Moore, Dakoda Morrison, and Eithan Nickell.

The team meets during the season on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, with weekly regular-season competitions held on Thursdays. Regional finals take place in November and March at Lake Michigan College (LMC), and this year the team also competed in the MEC Fiber Cup at Southwestern Michigan College (SMC).

In regular-season play, the team finished 8th overall, and went on to place 5th out of 6 in the regional tournament on November 14th. The next esports season will begin in January, and we’re excited to see how our Panthers continue to grow and compete! 🐾🎮

Dear Panthers and Parents--

We’re excited to share an opportunity that may be available to you called dual enrollment. This allows high school students to take college classes while still in high school, with help from the school district to cover some of the costs.

Under Michigan law (Public Act 160 and Public Act 258 of 2000), school districts can help pay tuition and certain fees for classes taken at eligible Michigan public or private colleges and universities.

Here are some key points about eligibility and how it works:

1. Who can participate?

   • Students in grades 9–12 may take up to ten (10) college courses while in high school.

2. How do I qualify?

   • Students can qualify for dual enrollment by taking one of the following assessments:
     PSAT, PLAN, EXPLORE, ACT, or MME.

   • There is a chart of required scores that helps determine eligibility for dual enrollment.

3. District support (Rule 5 (2))

   • Even if a student does not meet the scores listed in the law, a school district may still choose to support a student in taking college-level or career-preparation courses if it is in the best interest of the student.

4. Enrollment requirements

   • Students must be enrolled in both:

     • An eligible high school (public or private), and

     • An eligible college or university

   • This must occur during the regular school year, and students must be taking at least one high school class at the same time.

5. What kinds of classes are allowed?

   • College courses cannot be hobby, craft, or recreation courses.

   • They also cannot be in physical education, theology, divinity, or religious education.

6. What costs are covered?

   • School districts are required to pay an amount based on a portion of the statewide average foundation allowance, depending on how much of the school year you are enrolled in a college class.

   • Eligible charges may include:

     • Tuition

     • Mandatory course fees

     • Material fees

     • Registration fees

   • Costs not covered include:

     • Transportation or parking

     • Activity fees

Please review this information with your parent/guardian. If you think you may be eligible for dual enrollment, and you’re interested in taking a college course with tuition and fee support, please contact Mrs. Tyler in the counseling office for more information and next steps.

jessica.tyler@watervlietps.org

On Thursday, students in our PE and Health classes took part in a hands-on CPR training that supports both safety and state graduation requirements. In Michigan, all students must receive CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) instruction as part of their Health or PE credit so they leave high school better prepared to respond in an emergency.

To help meet this requirement, Nicole Lanning visited Watervliet High School to teach students the basics of hands-only CPR, how to recognize cardiac emergencies, and why quick action matters. Students practiced chest compressions on mannequins, learned how to call for help, and talked through real-life situations where CPR can save lives.

This session was engaging, practical, and empowering. We are grateful to Ms. Lanning for sharing her expertise and helping our Panthers build confidence in a lifesaving skill that can make a real difference in their communities.

As official partners with Watervliet Schools, we are committed to keeping you informed about all upcoming events. We understand that sometimes not everything gets home to families

Graduation order packets will be passed out through your seniors English class. If you did not receive one extras are in the HS office or you can click the link below to place your order or see the graduation calalogue.

Jostens will be at school to collect graduation orders on December 8th during lunch. If you miss us you can order online or through the mail. Make sure you get your order placed by December 31st to take advantage of all discounted prices and senior promotions

There is always a special promotion exclusively for seniors! Senior Class rings start at $99 check out flyer. Check out the attached flyer for the new belt buckle program

Also this year Varsity Jackets are available online.

Get started early now click the link below and place your order

Senior Graduation Catalog

Watervliet Graduation order page

Jim Ross

Jostens of southwest Michigan

269-217-6936

Watervliet High School art students had an exciting opportunity this week when Patty Spencer, Admissions Counselor from the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, visited to share information about one of the nation’s top accredited art and design colleges.

CCS is a four-year, accredited art school with about 1,200 students, offering a big-city experience in a supportive, mid-sized environment. Ms. Spencer introduced students to CCS’s 11 Bachelor of Fine Arts programs, explaining each major and the career paths connected to fields like illustration, animation, graphic design, entertainment arts, product and transportation design, photography, fine arts, and fashion accessories design.

Students asked questions about admissions, scholarships, housing, campus life in Detroit, and how to prepare for creative careers. We are grateful to Ms. Spencer for visiting WHS and helping our students see the many paths their artistic talents can take.

Students in Mr. Andrews’ US History in Depth class had a powerful chance to extend their learning Thursday when they traveled to see the film Nuremberg, a historical drama about the post–World War II trials of Nazi leaders.

The trip directly tied into their current unit on the aftermath of WWII, international law, crimes against humanity, and the global impact of the Nuremberg Trials. Watching the film helped students visualize the historical figures, courtroom proceedings, and moral questions they’ve been studying, making the content more vivid and memorable.

Students represented WHS with maturity and curiosity, and many said the movie gave them a deeper understanding of this critical moment in world history. Thank you to Mr. Andrews for creating meaningful, real-world learning experiences that truly bring history to life.

The Watervliet Football Program is proud to announce that seniors Caleb Jewell, Cole Getz, and Dimetric White have earned Division 6 All-Region honors for their outstanding performances this season.

Quarterback Caleb Jewell led the Panthers’ offense with 1,606 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, and an additional 621 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns—showcasing his impact as a true dual-threat leader.

Wide receiver Cole Getz was a top playmaker in the region, totaling 50 receptions for 882 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Linebacker Dimetric White anchored the defense with 87 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles, consistently disrupting opposing offenses.

Watervliet congratulates these athletes for their dedication, leadership, and exceptional contributions to the program.

Practicing color theory and painting a color wheel is a classic Art I assignment, but doing it with frosting and vanilla wafers makes it even more memorable and delicious.

AP Biology students took part in a hands-on activity created by Mrs. O’Toole to help them understand the four levels of protein structure. Each level shows how a protein folds and organizes itself.

In the photo, students stand in a straight line to model the primary structure—the simplest level—where the protein is just a single chain of amino acids. Each student represented a different amino acid with its own R group.

In the next part of the activity, students grouped together to model the higher-level protein structures. They connected positive and negative charges, and arranged themselves so that nonpolar R groups clustered on the inside of the protein while polar R groups stayed on the outside—just like real proteins fold in the body.

This activity helped bring complex biology concepts to life in a fun and memorable way!

Seniors, we’re planning a trip March 5-8 to a Smoky Mountain retreat and waterpark in Tennessee.

Approx. cost: $300 (includes transportation and food)

On Wednesday, we completed our third evacuation drill of the school year. We are now using a new county-wide adopted safety app called Crisis Go, which allows us to instantly alert all staff in the building during an emergency. It also gives teachers the ability to take attendance quickly and account for every student in real time.

As with any new system, we are still working through a few small bugs, but each drill helps us make the process smoother and more efficient. We will continue using Crisis Go for all safety drills as we strengthen our procedures and keep student safety at the forefront.

FRIDAY, Watervliet High School will come alive with laughter, smiles, and hundreds of high fives during our very first High Five Friday Challenge!

Each student will start the day with five stickers. Whenever a staff member initiates a high five during passing time or lunch, students hand over a sticker, and staff proudly wear them throughout the day. The halls will be full of quick, positive interactions that built connection and school spirit.

At the end of the day, staff will report to the Main Office to have their stickers counted. The most “stickered” staff member will be crowned our High Five Friday Champion and received a gift card for their enthusiasm and Panther Pride!

High Five Friday isn't just about winning—it is about joy, connection, and making sure every student feels seen. Check out the WHS facebook page at the end of the day to see the most stickered adult!🐾💛

• On Friday, WHS wrapped up Indigenous Peoples’ Week with a powerful and joyful celebration.

  A huge thank-you to Marley Alsup, her parents, and her little brother for sharing their cultural heritage through stories and traditional Woodland dances. Their teaching about the Pokagon Potawatomi people, on whose land we learn today, was meaningful and deeply appreciated. Students and staff loved listening, learning, and even joining in on the dance floor.

  Throughout the week, our theme was Mno Bmadzewen – “Living in a good way” with respect, understanding, and unity. Students:

  • Learned Potawatomi greetings and daily reflections

  • Honored the Medicine Wheel colors and their meaning

  • Wore red for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People

  • Wore orange to remember Indigenous children taken to boarding schools

  • Wore pajamas on Campfire Day to focus on stories, connection, and community

  We were reminded that Indigenous cultures are present, vibrant, and evolving today—and that we can help dismantle stereotypes by learning, listening, and honoring these voices.

  Thank you to Marley, our student leaders, and all Panthers who participated with curiosity, respect, and heart. This week wasn’t just about history; it was about how we choose to live in a good way every day. 💛🐾

  
  

Please join us in congratulating the five students who auditioned and earned a place in this year's MSBOA District VI High School Honors Band!

Ben Ruland, trombone

Marissa Lowell, flute

Isabella Bultema, clarinet

Sophie Grear, flute

Gabriel Martinez, percussion

They will begin rehearsals this week at Niles High School from 6–9 p.m., continue with a full day of rehearsals on Friday (9:00–5:00), and conclude with a performance on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. We are very proud of the hard work and preparation that earned them this opportunity.

Tuesday, Dec 2

4:00 PM JV Basketball White vs Brandywine @ Brandywine

6:00/7:30 PM JV & Varsity Boys Basketball vs Howardsville Christian @ Watervliet HS

Friday, Dec 5

4:00/5:30/7:00 PM JV/Varsity Basketball vs South Haven @ South Haven

5:00 PM Varsity Wrestling @ Bangor HS

Saturday, Dec 6

9:00 AM Wrestling @ Coloma HS

HORATIO ALGER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

SENIORS

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be enrolled full time as a high school senior in the United States

• Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at one of the target colleges/universities on our website (complete list can be found here: Senior Scholarships)

• Demonstrate financial need ($100,000 or lower household income)

• Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities

• Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity

• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

• Be a United States citizen

A huge thank-you to our amazing art teacher, Mrs. Marcella Hunt, for the beautiful, ongoing displays of student artwork throughout the building. The showcases are always filled with creativity, color, and talent—and they truly brighten our hallways.

✍️ Six-Word Stories in English Class

This week, students explored the power of storytelling through Ernest Hemingway’s famous six-word story: “Baby shoes for sale, never worn.” Using this as inspiration, students created their own six-word messages—short, impactful stories that capture big emotions and ideas in just a few words.

Students brought theirs to life through corresponding artwork, creating powerful visual pieces that express humor, hope, reflection, and creativity.

These pieces are now featured in our art display cases, so be sure to take a look the next time you’re in the building. Our students did an incredible job telling meaningful stories with just six words!

One of the greatest strengths of Watervliet High School is the strong sense of community that fills our classrooms every day. This week, we captured a wonderful moment of Mrs. Hunt demonstrating a lesson with her students gathered closely around her—an image that perfectly reflects the benefits of being part of a small school.

Because of our size, students regularly receive individualized and small-group attention that helps them feel supported, connected, and confident. Teachers know their students well, and students know they have caring adults who are invested in their success.

Moments like this remind us that WHS isn’t just a school—it’s a community where every student matters and every relationship counts.

On Friday during 4th hour, Mrs. Girton led her Transition students through a calming mindfulness activity that blended creativity with emotional regulation. Students spent time doodling in cursive around a blank page, then coloring in selected sections to create a peaceful, personalized design.

This simple activity encouraged students to slow down, focus their minds, and express themselves through color and movement—an excellent example of how we support the Capturing Kids’ Hearts mindset. By giving students space to breathe, reflect, and reset, we help them build the self-awareness and self-management skills that strengthen relationships, improve engagement, and create a more connected classroom community.

A beautiful moment of creativity, calm, and CKH in action!

On Friday, our school counselor Mrs. Jamie Dawson met with all juniors during their English classes to review their PSAT/NMSQT scores. She walked students through the presentation linked below, helping them understand what their scores mean, how to interpret each section, and how their results connect to future opportunities.

The PSAT is an important assessment for several reasons:

• It gives students an early look at the format and expectations of the SAT.

• It identifies academic strengths and areas to grow before the real SAT.

• It connects students to free practice resources and personalized study plans.

• For some students, it can open the door to the National Merit Scholarship program.

This review helps our juniors understand where they are on their college-readiness journey and what steps they can take next.

A reminder to all families:
The official SAT for all juniors is April 16th. Preparing early makes a big difference, and we will continue supporting students every step of the way.

We are grateful to Mrs. Dawson for dedicating time to guide our students through this important process!

Last Friday, Ms. Irmen treated her JMG class to hot chocolate as a special thank-you for their outstanding participation in Rake a Difference Day on Thursday.

These students spent the day serving our community—working hard, showing kindness, and representing WHS with pride. Their dedication and teamwork did not go unnoticed, and this warm reward was a small way to recognize their big effort.

Thank you to our JMG students for giving back, and thank you, Ms. Irmen, for celebrating their service and leadership!

At WHS, we’re committed to a positive, focused learning environment. As part of our PBIS work, we teach, model, and recognize behaviors that help everyone use technology responsibly and respectfully.

This week in 2nd hour, students will review Technology Expectations and what they look like in real time:

• Bring devices charged and ready to use for learning.

• Use technology only when directed by the teacher.

• Stay on assigned websites, apps, and activities.

• Keep phones, earbuds, and smartwatches put away during instruction unless they are part of the lesson.

• Use school-appropriate language and content online at all times.

• Take care of devices and report any damage or issues right away.

Please talk with your student about how using technology responsibly helps keep our classrooms focused, safe, and ready for learning.

Thank you for partnering with us to support positive culture and learning at WHS! 🐾💻

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.

• • • 
      

      Wed, Nov 26
      🍂 Thanksgiving Break — No School

      Thu, Nov 27
      🦃 Thanksgiving Day — No School

      Fri, Nov 28
      🍂 Thanksgiving Break — No School

      December at a Glance — WHS 🎄

      Mon, Dec 1
      👀 Freshmen Vision Screening
      🎓 JMG Class Visit to LMC

      Wed, Dec 3
      🗣️ Debate Day

      Fri, Dec 5
      🏅 Student of the Month Breakfast

      Mon, Dec 8
      🎓 LMC Lunchtime Visit
      🚌 10th Grade Visit to Van Buren Tech Center
      🏫 School Board Meeting — 6:00 PM

      Wed, Dec 10
      ⏰ Early Release — Dismissal at 1:10 PM

      Mon, Dec 15
      🏫 Early Middle College (EMC) Parent Informational Night — 6:00 PM (Media Center)
      🎺 Band Concert — 7:00 PM

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! 🐾

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