🐾WHS ROAR REPORT🐾

Every single day, the staff at Watervliet High School shows up for kids with passion, dedication, heart, and Panther Pride. From the classroom to the sidelines, from early mornings to late nights, this team goes above and beyond to support, challenge, encourage, and care for our students.

We are incredibly proud of the culture, relationships, opportunities, and energy that our staff brings to WHS each and every day. Their commitment to students and to one another is what makes this building special.

Thank you to our amazing WHS staff for all that you do for our students, families, and community.

🐾 Panther Pride!

🔥 Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop! 🔥

This morning, our eight Student of the Month recipients were recognized with a special breakfast alongside their families at Watervliet High School. These students were selected by faculty and staff for their hard work, leadership, positive attitude, and for serving as role models within our school community. It was wonderful to celebrate their accomplishments and recognize the support systems behind them as well. Congratulations again to these outstanding Panthers! 🐾

Pictured from left to right: Mason Knight, Alejandro Jimenez, Froylan Flores, Brianna Shriver, Paige Shafer, Leah Melton, and Brianna Zwar. Alina Bell not present.

Dear 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade Students,

Watervliet High School is looking for students who are interested in serving on next year’s Student Advisory Council (SAC) to the Principal.

The SAC meets every other Wednesday at 7:30 AM in the media center with Ms. Powers. Students on the council help provide feedback about what is happening at the high school, share concerns and ideas, and work together to help make WHS an even better place for students.

As a SAC member, you may:

• Participate in staff interviews
• Give tours to prospective families
• Share student voice and concerns
• Help review school ideas and practices
• Brainstorm ways to improve the high school culture and environment

This is a great leadership opportunity and an excellent addition to a resume, college application, or scholarship application. It also helps students understand how policy works and the inner workings of a school system.

If you are interested in serving as a student representative next year, please email Ms. Powers by Wednesday, May 13. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY AT 7:30 AM.

🐾 Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop! 🐾

This will cover Plumber/Pipefitter, HVAC service techs, and Sheet Metal workers. Will also have some information for anyone wanting to just get their foot in the door as a general laborer.

Would you like to earn certifications in OnShape CAD or Java Programming? Watervliet High School Robotics, Pantron-X #9758 is hosting CAD/Programming Camp on Tuesday, June 16th through Friday, June 19th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at South Elementary School. The training will focus on foundational skills for utilizing OnShape CAD and Java Programming. If you are interested in taking part in this learning opportunity, reserve your spot before May 27, 2026. The attached flyer has additional information. Please reach out to Tiffany Wendt at twendt@watervlietps.org if you have any questions!

You can register and view the complete training description using the following link: https://forms.gle/jihF9tNvwoFFn6YZ6

WHS Wood Shop students recently had the opportunity to visit the Millwright Training Center in Wayland to learn more about careers in the skilled trades. During the visit, students explored the training facility and learned about the work millwrights do, including installing, maintaining, repairing, and moving large industrial machinery and equipment used in factories and manufacturing plants. Students were able to see hands-on training areas, hear about apprenticeship opportunities, and gain insight into high-demand careers that combine mechanical skills, problem solving, precision, and teamwork. It was a great opportunity for students to explore potential career pathways in the trades.

My favorite teacher is Mrs. Hollandsworth. Her class is fun, and I love playing music. My favorite class this year is between Art 1 and Band because I love learning new art skills, but I also enjoy playing music and marching. I am involved in robotics in the spring and marching band in the late summer and fall. In my free time, I enjoy drawing and listening to music. I plan on going to college after high school, but I am currently undecided. I am proud to be a Panther because we work hard no matter the circumstances.

My favorite teacher is Mr. Adongo because he makes learning enjoyable and always takes the time to help students. His patience, kindness, and sense of humor make his classroom a positive place to be.

My favorite class is Social Studies because I enjoy learning about history, cultures, and how the world works today. I am involved in Track and Field, which helps me stay active, build confidence, and push myself to improve every day. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games and helping my dad with landscaping work during the summer. Landscaping has taught me responsibility and hard work.

After high school, I plan to either pursue a career in business or become a mechanic because I enjoy hands-on work and learning valuable skills for the future. I am proud to be a Watervliet High School Panther because of the teamwork, support, and opportunities our school provides.

My favorite teacher is Mr. Dimino because he makes references to video games.

My favorite class has been Creative Writing because having an excuse to be creative is nice.

While the season was ongoing, I was part of the Esports team.

In my free time, I mostly watch YouTube and play video games.

My plans after high school are to either become a game programmer or a YouTuber.

I’m proud to be a WHS Panther because of the friends I’ve made during my time here.

I don’t have just one favorite teacher—I have a few. To name some, Mrs. Brush, Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Riedinger, and Mr. Andrews. I really love the class environment, and I like how accommodating they are. They all really helped me this year. My favorite classes have been Choir, English, Art, and History because I feel like I can relax a bit in their classes, and I enjoy each of them.

I am not currently involved in any sports or clubs, but I would like to join cheer, so I plan to attend the meeting in the weight room. My plans after I graduate are to go to college or trade school.

I am proud to be a WHS Panther because you get a lot of help from the staff, and I also have a little bit of fun here too.

My favorite teacher is Mrs. Girton because she always helps with anything. My favorite class is my 7th hour because, thankfully, I finished a little early, so I can use that hour to help catch up with my other classes. I am not involved in any sport. I enjoy playing video games in my free time and hanging out with friends. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do after high school, but I have an idea.

I don’t believe I could choose just one favorite teacher because there are so many that I have enjoyed, but if I had to narrow it down to two, I would choose Mrs. Simmons and Mrs. Lefor. They are two of my favorites because they are constantly supporting me in everything I do in and outside of school.

Some of my favorite staff members who aren’t teachers but whom I enjoy are Mrs. Terry and Mrs. Shannon. They have such high energy and are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

My favorite class would be my FST class because it is such a small, interactive class, and Mr. Adongo is always making sure students are understanding and engaged.

I am involved in soccer, Virtue Club, NHS, and debate.

When I graduate high school, I plan on having an associate’s degree in psychology through dual enrollment. After high school, I plan to go to a community college for one year, then transfer to an out-of-state college to earn my master’s degree in psychology and become a child therapist.

I am proud to be a WHS Panther because of the strong sense of community.

Linderman’s AP U.S. History class has been my favorite overall. I find the class engaging and a genuine challenge. Linderman has also taken first place as my favorite teacher. He makes class fun while still prioritizing the learning experience.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing video games, and taking care of my cats. After high school, I am going to finish my associate’s degree and then transfer to either Grand Valley or Ferris.

My favorite teacher has been Mr. Linderman for making history fun. He always made projects more enjoyable while still pushing us to learn and work hard.

My favorite class has been U.S. History in Depth because of all the new information I have learned and the interesting field trips. The food projects have given me more understanding of different time periods and cultures. He is a great teacher, and I have always enjoyed learning history.

I have done volleyball and track all four years. I did cross country this fall just for fun and really liked it! Sports have always helped me stay active and meet new people.

In my free time, I like to read or hang out with my friends. Getting food or shopping is always fun. I also go on walks with my mom sometimes.

My plans after high school are to go to CMU and study biomedicine to become a PA for family care. My goal in life is to help people in any way, which is what I plan to do. I also hope to move somewhere warmer and support my family.

I’m proud to be a Panther because of all the amazing people who support students every step of the way. Whenever I needed something, Ms. Tyler was always willing to help. All the teachers try their best to support kids and push them beyond their abilities.

The Virtue Club had a wonderful turnout for the National Day of Prayer. Approximately 70 people gathered to come together in prayer for our schools, lifting up our students, staff, and leadership. It was a meaningful time of unity and support for our school community.

Students in Pre-Calculus explored conic sections through a hands-on string art activity. Using mathematical concepts and equations, students created visual models of conic sections while connecting geometry, algebra, and creativity in a fun and engaging way.

Panther Boys Track Competes at Gobles Invitational

The Panthers traveled to Gobles for the second of three straight meets there, battling cold and windy conditions throughout the day. Despite the weather, the team turned in several strong performances, personal records, and top finishes.

A special thank you goes out to April Yeske for helping run the girls high jump, along with Ayden Domingo and Kaden Leiter for assisting as well.

Field Events

• Shot Put: Landon Layer led the Panthers with a throw of 34’4”, followed by Eli Alsup at 27’8”.
• Discus: Landon set a new PR with a throw of 109’7”, narrowly missing a placing spot by just two feet. Eli threw 79’3”.
• Long Jump: Cole Getz battled through prelims before jumping 19’2” on his final attempt to earn 4th place.
• High Jump: Kyle Domingo-Sturgeon cleared 5’8” for a 3rd place finish.
• Pole Vault: Gabe Martinez recorded a no height while battling through injuries.

Running Events

• 4x800 Relay: Tony Perez (2:16), Froylan Flores (2:21), Gavin Leiter (2:35), and Zeke Cardoso-Aviles (2:25) combined for an 11th place finish.
• 110 Hurdles: Alvin Jones ran 18.31.
• 100 Dash: Cole Getz narrowly missed finals with an 11.92, while Jayden Brassard ran 12.44.
• 4x200 Relay: Neco Washington, Alvin Jones, Kyle Domingo-Sturgeon, and Tyler Woodson ran a season-best 1:38.72.
• 1600 Run: Sam Casiano placed 10th in 4:45, while Tony Perez finished in 5:10.
• 4x100 Relay: The Panthers ran a season-best 46.46 for 7th place with Neco Washington, Alvin Jones, Tyler Woodson, and Cole Getz.
• 400 Dash: Kevin Johnson ran a PR of 55.68, while Jayden “Slam” Brassard clocked 57.91.
• 300 Hurdles: Alvin Jones earned a new PR of 44.16 and placed 8th.
• 800 Run: Froylan Flores ran a PR of 2:15, followed closely by Tony Perez at 2:21.
• 200 Dash: Cole Getz ran 24.27, while Jayden Brassard finished in 25.33.
• 3200 Run: Sam Casiano ran a season-best 10:33 for 8th place, while Zeke Cardoso-Aviles finished in 11:54.
• 4x400 Relay: Kevin Johnson, Kaden Leiter, Froylan Flores, and Gavin Leiter finished in 4:21.

The Panthers return to Gobles again on Friday as postseason competition continues.

This week, Watervliet High School celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during our annual Senior Awards Night. Throughout the evening, students were recognized for their achievements in academics, athletics, leadership, service, scholarships, extracurricular involvement, and postsecondary readiness. The awards highlighted the hard work, dedication, and growth of our seniors throughout their high school careers. The recognitions shared this week represent just a sampling of the many awards and honors distributed to our outstanding graduating class. We are incredibly proud of all of our seniors and look forward to celebrating them even more as graduation approaches. 🐾

Van Buren Tech is celebrating 50 years of Career and Technical Education with a 50-Year Celebration Open House on Wednesday, May 27, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at our campus in Lawrence.

Former students, current students, staff, and community members are all invited to attend. Guests can tour the building, view program showcases, and see student displays throughout Van Buren Tech. Food trucks will be on site with food available for purchase.

From 6:00 to 7:00 PM, current and former staff are invited to a Staff Legacy Recognition Hour.

RSVP and full event details can be found here: https://site.corsizio.com/event/69d3df93fd52002c54b53ed3

Now is a good time to make a final request to families to turn in straggling permission forms via social media platforms, robo calls, newsletter, etc.

Website for Parents to Enroll:

https://www.myschooldentist.com/EECA7C_schsrm

< High School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to share that the Smile Program will be bringing a mobile dentist to our district! This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to receive dental care right at school in a safe, familiar environment.

Great news! Your child can receive dental services during the school day—and in most cases, there is no cost to you if your child is insured through Medicaid or CHIP. Private insurance and affordable self-pay options are also available.

Easy & Convenient
Having your child seen by the in-school dentist saves you valuable time. Licensed, local dental professionals will provide care at school, including:

• Complete dental exam

• X-rays

• Cleaning

• Fluoride treatments

• Sealants (when needed)

• Basic restorative care, such as fillings (if necessary)

Keep Your Child Healthy
Regular dental care helps reduce the risk of:

• Early tooth loss caused by decay

• Gum disease

• Heart disease

• Impaired speech development

Taking care of your child’s teeth is an important part of their overall health and well-being.

Program Dates:

• North School: May 18–19

• South School: May 20

• Middle/High/Way School: May 21

To participate, please complete and return the consent form that was sent home with your child. You may also sign up online at myschooldentist.com or by scanning the QR code located on the application.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office.

Warm Regards,

Mary Spaulding BSN RN

District Nurse

Watervliet Public Schools

269-463-0890

mary.spaulding@watervlietps.org

As we return from spring break, we want to take a moment to reset and recommit to our school expectations so that everyone can learn in a focused, respectful environment.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve provided reminders and grace as students adjusted to the dress code. Beginning after spring break, those reminders will transition to consistent enforcement. If a staff member observes a dress code concern—such as a visible midsection, belly button, or clothing worn off the shoulder—it will result in a referral and a detention.

Our goal is not to be punitive, but to ensure clarity and consistency for all students. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a positive and distraction-free learning environment.

Thank you for doing your part, Panthers—let’s finish the year strong! 🐾

We want to give you a heads-up and help everyone get prepared for an upcoming change. A new state law will require that cell phones are not allowed in classrooms at any time—for any reason. This includes before the bell rings as class is starting.

To help everyone adjust smoothly, we are asking you to begin practicing this expectation now. Please keep your phone in your locker and turned off during class time, and do not bring it into the classroom.

This is about creating the best possible learning environment for everyone, and we appreciate your effort in getting ahead of the change.

Let’s be proactive and lead the way, Panthers! 🐾

📚 After-School Homework Help – Tuesday–Thursday

We encourage all students to take advantage of our after-school homework help program, which is available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 4:15 PM.

This support time provides students with a quiet, structured environment to complete homework, study, and receive extra help when needed — all with no interruptions. The location is announced daily during morning announcements, so students know exactly where to report.

We strongly recommend helping your child build this into their routine early in the semester. Developing the habit of staying after school for focused work time can make a big difference in organization, stress levels, and academic success.

If your child needs a calm place to work, extra academic support, or simply time to stay caught up, after-school homework help is a great option!

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.

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