🐾WHS ROAR REPORT🐾

Our seniors officially kicked off their final year at WHS by gathering together for Senior Sunrise! Pictured is the Class of 2027 as they begin what we hope will be an unforgettable final year as Panthers.

A special thank you to senior class advisers Mrs. Teresa Collins and Mrs. Kelli Lomoro for helping make this special tradition possible for our students!

To the Class of 2027: This year will go by faster than you can imagine. Make it count. Take the pictures, show up for each other, try something new, appreciate the little moments, and make this year meaningful in whatever way matters most to you.

This is your year, seniors. OWN THE MOMENT! We wish each and every one of you an incredible senior year! ❤️🐾🎓

Did you notice some of our staff members sporting Varsity Football jerseys at school today? There’s a special reason why!

This season, WHS staff members had the opportunity to “Adopt a Varsity Football Player.” Each participating staff member was matched with one of our players and will be cheering them on and supporting them throughout the season. On game days, you may even see staff proudly wearing their adopted player’s jersey around school!

Check out the list below to see which staff members adopted which Panthers!

We are incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and commitment our student-athletes put into representing Watervliet High School. This is just one more way our staff can show them that we see their effort and we are behind them!

Go Panthers! 🐾🏈

Do you know why these Sophomores are wearing glasses? Ask Mrs. Simmons or one of them to find out!

During these first weeks of school, your child’s teachers are working with students to create Social Contracts in each of their classes. A Social Contract is a set of expectations that students and their teacher create together for how they want to treat one another and how they want their classroom to feel.

Rather than simply giving students a list of rules, teachers ask students to think about questions such as: How do you want to be treated by your teacher? How should we treat one another? How should we handle conflict? Students have a voice in developing the answers, which helps create a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for the classroom environment.

Throughout the year, teachers will refer back to these contracts to reinforce positive behavior, address concerns, and remind students of the commitments they made to one another.

Check out the Social Contract below created by students in Mr. Andrews’ 3rd-hour class! It is a great example of our students having a voice in creating the kind of classroom community they want to be part of.

🐾 Strong relationships and clear expectations help create classrooms where students feel comfortable, connected, and ready to learn!

You may hear your child mention “Good Things” at school. At WHS, our teachers begin each class period by giving students an opportunity to share something positive happening in their lives.

Why do we do this? Relationships matter. Taking just a few minutes to celebrate a win, share something students are looking forward to, or simply hear something positive from a classmate helps build connections between students and their teachers. It also creates a welcoming classroom environment and helps students transition into class with a positive mindset.

Not every student shares every day—and that’s okay! The goal is to create a classroom where students feel known, valued, and connected before we ask them to dive into learning.

It may seem like a small thing, but we believe taking time for Good Things can make a big difference in building a positive school culture. 🐾

If you visit WHS during the school day, you may notice teachers standing at their classroom doors and personally greeting students as they arrive. This is intentional!

A simple greeting gives our teachers an opportunity to connect with every student, every day. It helps students feel noticed and welcomed while also giving teachers a quick opportunity to check in and see how a student may be doing before class begins.

Greeting students at the door also helps create a positive transition into the classroom and sets the tone for learning. It sends a simple but important message to our students: We’re glad you’re here, you belong here, and we’re ready to learn together.

It only takes a few seconds, but those few seconds can make a difference in building the strong relationships and positive school culture we want at WHS. 🐾

SMC College Fair | Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

We are excited to host our College Fair again this year and give students the opportunity to connect with representatives from a variety of colleges and universities. We currently have 44 institutions registered, and we are looking forward to another great event!

If you are interested in attending with your students, please let me know and provide the number of students you plan to bring. To help with the flow of traffic this year, we will have staggering school arrival times. Your school will be assigned an arrival time of either 10:00 or 10:30 a.m. Everyone who confirms their attendance will receive a follow-up email with additional details in the next couple of weeks.

Student Registration for the College Fair

One additional update is that StriveScan now provides counselors with a way to register their students before attending a college fair. This allows students to arrive with their barcode already prepared, making the check-in process much smoother. StriveScan does not sell or share student data with third parties.

You can register students here: Rapid Registration

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 Hallway Expectations with their 2nd-hour teacher.

We encourage you to take a few minutes to read through the hallway 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! 🐾

Welcome Class of 2030 Students and Parents!

It is going to be a fun, memorable Freshman Year and we are all so excited for this experience with our outgoing class and parents!

* Class dues are $20.00 a year or you are Welcome to pay the $60.00 for the entire High School duration.

* Class Tee Shirts are $15.00, we would love everyone to have a shirt, if you need assistance with a shirt please reach out to Mrs.Dawson. We will be taking a Freshman Class Photo sometime during Homecoming Week wearing these.

Class dues can be paid by check or cash to the High School Counseling Office, you can also pick up your Class T shirt here. Please see Mrs.Tyler or Mrs.Dawson. They are available in the mornings before school, lunch period or right after school gets out.

Meet your Freshman Leaders!

A huge Thank You to these Students for volunteering their time and leadership skills to our Class!

Noah Hutchins

Aubrey Pratt

Daniel Perez

Braidyn Dawson

Olivia Kinzler

Gabriella Lane

Amaya Payton

Elizabeth Ledesma

Maci Griffin

Amiah Apreza

Candace Zyla

Kaitlyn Hinkelman

Virginia Vandewiele

Madelyn Pomeroy

These leaders will meet and plan all your class events. We highly encourage students to reach out to them with thoughts or ideas!

Mrs.Bartee has kindly offered her room for all Frashman Class meetings. If you see her around school, Please tell her Thank You!

Get ready to hit the ground running Class of 2030!

This year we asked each Class to take a bulletin board in the building and make it their own. Students and their advisors did an amazing job!! !

Students in the second year art classes kicked off the year by helping create a collaborative art piece using the 2026–27 motto, “Own the Moment.” Students drew, doodled, and added color to the large scale piece, creating a vibrant work of art that will brighten the building and inspire our school throughout the year.

At Watervliet High School, we are proud to offer students a variety of opportunities to explore their interests, build leadership skills, make connections, and get involved beyond the school day.

If your child is interested in any of the clubs, organizations, or leadership groups listed below, encourage them to reach out to the group’s advisor for more information. There is something for everyone, and we would love to see more students get involved!

🎭 Coming this spring: WHS will also be presenting a musical in March! There will be many opportunities for students to participate both on stage and behind the scenes, so be on the lookout for more information as we get closer.

Encourage your Panther to find something they enjoy and GET INVOLVED! 🐾

🏆 Coaching Roles

We are grateful to these staff members for the extra time, energy, and commitment they give to our students throughout the school year. These programs and opportunities help our students find connections, develop leadership skills, receive additional support, and become more involved in the WHS community. ❤️🐾

🐾 CLASS OF 2028 PANTHER PRIDE T-SHIRTS! 🐾 This is our Class’s first fundraiser for the year! Get ready for Homecoming and support the Class of 2028 at the same time! 👕 $15 each 🖤 Black T-shirt with our “WE ARE PANTHERS” design 📏 Youth Small through Adult 3XL Orders are due September 14th so we can have them back in time for Homecoming! Order forms can be turned in with payment to Brittany Morsaw or Kassie Thomas or to the school! Checks can be made payable to: Watervliet Public Schools/Class of 2028 Grab one for your student, yourself, family members—or the whole crew! 🐾 Let’s fill the stands with Panther Pride this Homecoming!

📣 Class of 2028 T-Shirt Sponsors! 🐾

If you are interested in purchasing Panther gear of specific teams, check out our Fall Team Shops found at the following links:

Cheer

Cross Country

Football

Soccer

Volleyball

GO PANTHERS!

What: Miss/Mr.Watervliet Scholarship Pageant informational meeting

When: Sunday, September 13, 2026 @ 11am

Where: Next Door Events

The pageant will be Saturday November 14, 2026.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczMUBFP0qh60b7q_9aAzG_Hg60S4amQ4cNqxKhl9LEt_XSgw/viewform

As we begin the new school year, we want to make sure families know about an important change regarding communication for WHS sports teams, clubs, classes, and other school-sponsored activities.

There will no longer be separate social media pages associated with individual WHS teams, clubs, classes, or programs. Instead, coaches and advisors will use SportsYou to communicate directly with students and families.

If your child participates in a sport, club, or activity, you should receive information from the coach or advisor explaining how to download the SportsYou app and join the appropriate group. We strongly encourage parents/guardians to join their child's group as well so that you receive the same important announcements, schedules, reminders, changes, and updates.

Our goal is to make sure families have direct and consistent access to communication from the programs in which their children participate.

If your child is involved in an activity and you have not received information about joining the appropriate SportsYou group, please reach out directly to your child's coach or advisor so they can help get you connected.

Thank you for helping us streamline communication and keep our Panther families informed! ❤️🖤🐾

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! 🐾

September

❤️ CKH Theme: Connect with Heart & Empathy

• September 3 – Home Football Game – Hall of Fame Night

• September 4–7 – Labor Day Weekend (No School for Students)

• September 9 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• September 15 – Blood Drive

• September 16 – Debate Competition #1

• September 21–25 – Homecoming Week

• September 22 – Debate Team and AP Government Classes Trip to the State Capitol

• September 23 – Student Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting (7:30 AM)

• September 23 – Early Release (1:10 PM Dismissal)

• September 26 – Homecoming Dance 8-11 PM

• September 28–October 2 – Hispanic Heritage Celebration Week

• September 28 – PBIS Team Meeting (3:15 PM) All students and staff invited

October

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

• October 1–30 – College Application Month

• October 1 – Freshman Vision Screening (during the school day)

• October 2 – Student of the Month Breakfast (8:15 AM)

• October 5 – College Admissions Presentations (Grades 11–12)

• October 7 – Count Day

• October 7 – AP Literature Field Trip to the Shakespeare Festival

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

• October 9 – No School for Students; PD Day for Faculty

• October 12 – Early Middle College Presentation (10th Grade)

• October 13 – Picture Day (all students will have a picture taken)

• October 14 – Debate Competition #2

• October 15 – PSAT/NMSQT Testing (11th Grade)

• October 16 – Senior Campus Visit to Lake Michigan College

• October 19 – Fall Band Concert (7:00 PM)

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

• October 22 – Half Day (11:40 AM Dismissal)

• October 22 – Parent-Teacher Conferences (12:30–3:00 PM & 4:00–6:00 PM)

• October 22 – College Admissions Presentation for Parents (6:00 PM)

• October 22 – Choir Concert (7:00 PM)

• October 23 – Half Day (11:40 AM Dismissal)

• October 23 – Annual College Fair

• October 23 – Senior Football Night

• 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 29 – MCTI Field Trip (Selected Students)

• 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 – Senior Awards Night (6:00 PM)

• 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