🐾WHS ROAR REPORT🐾

Blood Drive –Tuesday, September 16, NHS is hosting a blood drive! Sign up using QR codes around the building. If you are 16, make sure to pick up a parent consent form in Mrs. O'Toole's room.

If you are interested in Powderpuff Football or Powderpuff Volleyball for homecoming, pick up a permission slip in the Guidance office! They are due on Wednesday, September 10th.

Interact Club–Ms. Powers emailed all students about a high school interact club. This is a service organization. Check your email and respond if you are interested.

🐾Class of 2028 are selling PANTHER PRIDE SHIRTS. $15 each and they will be delivered to wear on homecoming Friday. The last day to order is September 9. The office has order forms.

🎓 College Fair at SMC
Wednesday, September 24th | 10 AM – 12 Noon
Juniors and Seniors, sign up in the counseling office if you’d like to attend. Colleges attending include: Central, Ferris, Grand Valley, Michigan State, Oakland, U of M, Wayne State, and Western Michigan.

🤖 Robotics Team Pantron-X #9758
Interested in joining the WHS Robotics Team for the 2025–2026 season? Scan the QR code on posters in the hallways or bathrooms to fill out the Google Form and get started.

College Application Month–Ms. Powers emailed all seniors the opportunity to plan this year’s activities. Respond to her if you are interested.

NO cell phones are permitted in any classes and no cell phones are permitted in the media center. If you are seen using a cell phone in the media center by an adult in the building, it will be taken.

Meeting Highlights – WEDNESDAY SEPT. 3rd

The Student Advisory Council met for the first time this year! This group meets every other Wednesday to share student concerns, give feedback, and suggest new ideas.

👥 Who’s on the Council

• Hailey Adams (11)

• Gianna Berry (10)

• Jayden Brassard (10)

• Katelyn Brown (10)

• Moeko Crago (12)

• Madison Darling (10)

• Natalaya Desjardin (12)

• Norma Gutierrez (11)

• Tyler Jarvis (9)

• Abigail Klopp (12) – Minute Taker

• Adisyn Lambright (9)

• McKaylen Laws (10)

• Cadence Phillips (10)

• Sophia Rader (9)

• Grace Ripley (12)

• Sarah Tarantino (12)

• Keira Tremblay (12) – Attendance Lead

• Caroline Weber (9)

• Nolan Weckwerth (10)

• Owen Williams (9)

• Alex Zuniga (9)

📌 What We Talked About

• Chromebooks – Long lines and class time disruptions this year. Students would like to go back to English teachers handing them out next year.

• Phone Policy – Reminder: phones must stay in lockers during class. Teachers are not searching for phones unless they are seen or heard.

• Hallway Flow – Keep to the right side and keep moving. No stopping in the middle to chat. This will be added to announcements.

• Late Hires – Ms. Powers explained why two staff were hired later than usual.

• Tech Bus – A student noted it was late yesterday.

• Parking Lot – Much smoother this year with fewer drivers.

• Lunch – Staying the same this year, no changes needed.

• Freshman Lockers – Spread around the building for good reason. Students said this now makes sense.

🚀 Next Steps

• Students reviewed a list of ideas for projects this year.

• At the next meeting (in 2 weeks), we’ll decide what to work on first!

📅 Upcoming Events at Watervliet High School

• September 8 – School Board Meeting | 6:00 PM

• September 10 – Debate Day League 1 (Simmons)

• September 15–19 – Homecoming Week 🎉

• September 16 – Blood Drive

• September 17 – Student Advisory Council | 7:30 AM

• September 17 – Early Release | 1:10 PM dismissal

• September 17 – Constitution Day 🇺🇸

• September 18 – Picture Day 📸

• September 20 – Homecoming Dance | 9:00–11:00 PM

• September 22–26 – Hispanic Heritage Week 🌎

• September 29 – PBIS Meeting | 3:15 PM

Thursday, September 4th

5:00 PM Cross vs Hartford @ Hartford

5:30 PM Soccer vs Hackett @ Hackett Catholic Prep

6:00 PM JV Football vs Decatur @ Decatur

Friday, September 5th

7:00 PM Varsity Football vs Brandywine @ Watervliet HS

Saturday, September 6th

8:30 AM Cross at Centreville High School

Monday, September 8th

6:30 PM Boys Soccer vs Black River @ Watervliet HS

Tuesday, September 9th

5:00 PM MS Football vs Allegan @ Allegan HS

5:30/6:30 PM JV & Varsity Volleyball vs Delton Kellogg @ Delton Kellogg

Wednesday, September 10th

5:00 PM Boys Soccer vs Bridgman @ Bridgman

5:00 PM Girls Cross @ South Haven (Warner Camp)

Thursday, September 11th

5:30 PM JV & Varsity Volleyball vs Lawton @ Lawton

6:30 PM JV Football vs Delton Kellogg @ Delton Kellogg

October is College Application Month, and we want to make it all about YOU. This is your chance to shape the events, activities, and support we offer—so it’s actually useful, exciting, and worth your time.

We’re putting together a Senior Planning Team, and I want YOUR voice in the mix! We’ll meet weekly during the remainder of September via Google Meet in the evenings (so everyone who wants to join can be there).

Why should you join?

• You’ll get to decide what’s included in College Application Month.

• You’ll make sure seniors get what they really need—whether it’s help, fun events, or both!

• You’ll earn community service hours for your time and effort.

• And most importantly—you’ll leave your mark on senior year.

If you’d like to be part of the planning team, please reply to this email by the end of this week.

Let’s make College Application Month something that celebrates YOU and sets you up for success. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop, Seniors!

PLEASE EMAIL MS. POWERS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE.

Mr. Tiefenbach is the tech superhero of WHS. He makes sure every student and staff member has the right device in hand to start the year strong. From organizing and distributing Chromebooks, to helping teachers with their laptops, to swooping in to troubleshoot every tech hiccup—Mr. Tiefenbach is always there to save the day.

He doesn’t just fix problems—he keeps our whole school moving forward. Without Mr. Tiefenbach’s dedication and patience, we’d be stuck in “loading…” mode all year long. 💻⚡

Thank you, Mr. Tiefenbach for going above and beyond and showing us what Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop looks like in action. You keep WHS connected, supported, and unstoppable!

Watervliet High School is proud to share that we have a 98–100% success rate with our Panthers successfully completing their dual enrollment courses. One reason for this success is that we set clear expectations and review them with students each semester.

If your student is currently dual enrolled, please take time to review these expectations together at home. It is important that families and students understand the following:

• If a dual enrollment course is failed, the family is responsible for the cost of the course.

• A student who fails a dual enrollment class will not be eligible to dual enroll the following semester.

• The failing grade will appear on your child’s official college transcript as their first college grade.

By working together, we can continue to ensure the success of all our Panthers in these important college-level opportunities.

Dual Enrollment Expectations

At Watervliet High School, we are committed to ensuring that dual enrollment is a successful and rewarding experience for students. Please review the following expectations carefully:

• Attendance & Communication

• Students are expected to attend their dual enrollment class every day and arrive on time.
  

• If a student must be absent, they are required to notify their college instructor in advance using the contact information provided.
  

• Students should email or meet with their college instructor whenever they have questions or concerns and are encouraged to build a strong connection with their instructor early in the semester.
  
  

• Use of Online Lab/Designated Classroom

• When not in their dual enrolled class but present at school during that time, students must remain in the online lab or designated classroom.
  

• They are expected to use this time productively to work on their dual enrollment coursework.
  

• Students may not leave the lab/classroom without permission from the main office.
  

• Please note: there is no cell phone use permitted in the media center this year.
  
  

• Academic Performance

• Students must earn at least a C in their dual enrollment course to remain eligible for district-funded dual enrollment the following semester.
  

• Any student who earns below a C will:
  

• Not be permitted to dual enroll again at the district’s expense.
  

• Be required to reimburse the district for the cost of the course.
  
  

• Attendance & Enrollment Status

• Students who do not maintain positive attendance at the high school may lose future dual enrollment eligibility.
  

• Students may not drop a dual enrolled course without first speaking to the counseling office.
  

• If a student is struggling, they should meet with the counseling office immediately to discuss options.
  

• Students who withdraw outside of the official college withdrawal window must reimburse the district for the cost of the course and will not be eligible for dual enrollment the following semester at district expense.
  
  

• Parent & School Communication

• Students are responsible for keeping their parents informed of their grades and progress throughout the semester. There should be no surprises at the end of the course regarding whether the student passed or failed.
  

• Students are required to share grade updates with the counseling office when requested.
  
  

• Course Materials & Assessments

• If the school has rented textbooks for the course, the student must return them at the end of the semester.
  

• If a student purchased their own textbook, they may be reimbursed for the cost once they pass the class and provide proof of purchase to Mrs. Tyler.
  

• All speeches, assessments, or assignments must be completed during the student’s dual enrollment class time.
  

• Students may not leave other high school classes to work on dual enrollment coursework, nor may they remove other students from class for any reason.
  
  

• Student Responsibility

• Dual enrollment courses are college-level courses, not high school classes.
  

• The responsibility for success rests with the student. This includes completing all assigned work, meeting deadlines, and taking ownership of their progress.
  
  

In Personal Finance this week, students created advertisements to illustrate their knowledge of the pros, cons, and differences among traditional banks, online banks, and credit unions. Here is an example of their work.

¡Estamos unidos! In Spanish class, we all decorated a hexagon and put six things about us - one-by-one we placed them on the board, finding a single connection to another student. By the end of the day every single student connected to another. It was a great way to see that even as different as we all see ourselves, we do have common ground.

As part of Capturing Kids’ Hearts, each class will work together to create a Social Contract this week in all classes—a shared agreement between students and teachers about how everyone wants to be treated and how they will treat others.

The contract is built around four key questions:

• How do we want to be treated by our teacher?

• How do we want to be treated by each other?

• How do we think our teacher wants to be treated by us?

• How will we handle conflict and misbehavior when it happens?

This process gives students ownership of their classroom environment, builds mutual respect, and creates a positive culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and accountable.

CHECK OUT THE CLASS SAMPLES BELOW!

Beginning this Monday, families will receive a phone call and text message if their child is failing any class as of Monday morning. This communication will continue every Monday throughout the entire school year.

If you receive a call or text, please ask your child to show you their grades in PowerSchool. If you have questions about a specific grade, students should reach out to their teacher directly for clarification.

This practice is designed to keep families informed and to help students stay on track for success.

Hey Panthers,

We’re launching the WHS Interact Club – a brand-new service and leadership club sponsored by Rotary! 🎉

Here’s what it’s all about:

• Make a difference: Take part in community service projects that matter.

• Build leadership skills: Step up as an officer or lead a project.

• Have fun with friends: Work as a team and earn volunteer hours along the way.

• Connect with Rotary: Get access to mentors, scholarships, and even global service opportunities.

💡 Meetings will be held twice a month. Any WHS student (grades 9–12) can join—no experience needed, just bring your energy and ideas!

If you’re ready to lead, serve, and make an impact, this is the club for you.

Stay tuned for our first interest meeting coming soon—you won’t want to miss it!

🐾 Panther Pride. Service Above Self.

Email Ms. Powers if you have interest!

Guest passes for the Homecoming Dance are now available in the office. Please read the entire form carefully before completing it.

• ✅ Completed forms must be turned in to the office by Wednesday, September 17th at 3:00 PM.

  • No late forms will be accepted. If your application is turned in even a few minutes late (for example, at 3:10 PM), your guest will not be approved to attend.

• ✅ Guest Eligibility:

  • Guests must be current high school or college students.

  • Guests cannot be over the age of 20.

• ✅ All guests must be approved through the application process.

  • If you arrive at the dance with a guest who does not have an approved pass, they will not be admitted.

• ✅ Attendance Requirement:

  • WHS students must be in school all day on Friday, September 19th in order to attend the dance on Saturday, September 20th.

Monday: Back to the Future, Throwback decades

Class of 2026: 2000s

Class of 2027: 1980s

Class of 2028: 1990s

Class of 2029: 2010s

Tuesday: Harry Potter, Rep Your House Colors!

Class of 2026: Gryffindor (Scarlet)

Class of 2027: Slytherin (Green)

Class of 2028: Ravenclaw (Blue)

Class of 2029: Hufflepuff (Yellow)

Wednesday: Mean Girls.

On Wednesdays we wear pink.

Thursday: Happy Madison Day

Dress like Adam Sandler characters

Friday: Friday Night Lights:

Maroon and White

The Homecoming Dance will take place in the middle school gym from 9-11 on

Saturday, September 20. The dress code is semi-formal; no jeans or jean shorts are

allowed. Dresses must be school appropriate and shoes or socks must be worn at all times. The

cost of the dance is $5 to get in. Please let your students know that anyone

who crowd surfs or participates in a mosh pit will be ejected from the dance.

October is College Application Month, a statewide initiative designed to support seniors as they take important steps toward their future. Throughout the month, WHS will provide opportunities for students to:

• Get help completing college applications

• Work on financial aid and scholarship forms

• Explore career and postsecondary options

• Celebrate their progress and next steps

To make these events meaningful, Ms. Powers has reached out to the senior class asking for volunteers to help plan. Seniors who join the planning team will also receive community service hours for their work. Their input will help ensure that College Application Month activities are engaging, relevant, and supportive of what our students truly need.

SENIORS WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD RESPOND TO MS. POWERS VIA EMAIL.

That time again! Miss Watervliet and Mr. Watervliet. I have attached a google doc link for anyone interested in signing up. Also attached is the flyer with the informational meeting with date, time, and location. Would you mind sharing this out to your juniors and seniors?

Thanks again for always supporting us!

Karla

2026 Miss/Mr. Watervliet interest form

All freshmen are required to have and use an assignment notebook to keep track of their daily work in every class. Teachers check these regularly and expect students to write down homework, projects, and upcoming assessments. This practice not only helps students stay organized but also builds responsibility for managing their own learning. Parents are encouraged to ask to see the assignment notebook in the evenings so they know exactly what homework their child has and can help ensure it is completed on time. Freshmen are held accountable for using their notebooks consistently, making it an essential tool for success during the school year. Assignment notebooks were distributed in English classes this week.

The Michigan State Police is hosting a FREE Teen (ages 16-19) Defensive Driving Course at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor on September 14, 2025. There are two session 8a-12p and 1p-5p. Each session is limited to 21 students. Student will be driving state patrol vehicles during the course.

This course my lower car insurance on the teen driver. The teen must have their level 2 driver’s license. If you have a student that lives out of state (Indiana), we will take a valid driver’s license from that state. Please share this opportunity with your students and parents. If they have any questions or would like to register, contact Tpr. Higgs at Higgsh@michigan.gov or https://forms.gle/Hj7kkFbr7J27X7v7A.

Thank you,

Holly

Tpr. Holly Higgs

Community Service Trooper

Grants and Community Service

Michigan State Police Niles Post

1600 Silverbrook Ave

Niles, MI 49120

Tx: 269-683-4411

Cell: 269-845-6183

Fax: 269-683-3133

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We want to make sure your student doesn’t miss out on valuable scholarship opportunities that can help fund their post-secondary education or training. Scholarships are free money that does not need to be repaid—an incredible resource for your family!

I will be emailing scholarship opportunities on a regular basis, so please encourage your student to check their email frequently and review each one to see if they are eligible.

If your student needs help understanding or applying for a scholarship, Mrs. Tyler and Mrs. Dawson in the main office are available to assist them.

📌 Important notes:

• Scholarships are a great way to reduce the cost of college or technical training

• Each has a specific deadline, so it’s important to stay informed

• We’ll also share these opportunities in the weekly high school newsletter and email them directly to families

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We’re here to support your child in pursuing their goals!

Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Time: 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
1st Source Fieldhouse (Dowagiac Campus). This is primarily for groups of juniors/seniors.

The SMC College Fair is about a month away and we are excited to hopefully have your high school juniors/seniors participate in our fair! The College Fair will take place on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 10:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M in the 1st Source Fieldhouse.

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