Principal Update
August 31, 2026
International Baccalaureate (IB) in Action
As we step into our second week of school, I want to take a moment to commend everyone for an outstanding start. Your energy, resilience, and dedication have set a positive tone for the year ahead. In over 5,600 IB schools across the globe, students and educators alike are embracing the principles of lifelong learning and international-mindedness just as we are here at Washtenaw International.
At IB World Schools, from preschool through 12th grade, we emphasize Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills that help students become confident, independent, lifelong learners. These skills are integrated across subjects, providing a shared language for discussing how learning happens.
Creative Thinking is... the ability to generate new, original ideas and approach problems with fresh perspectives. Creative thinkers are open-minded, flexible, and adaptable, balancing critical thinking as part of the problem-solving process. As Albert Einstein wisely said, "You cannot solve a problem from the same level of thinking that created it."
Encourage your student to reflect on their learning by asking:
How are you creative in your learning? By fostering these conversations, we can help students unlock and embrace their creative potential.
Find Your Interests, Meet New People, and Get Involved
We offer a wide variety of clubs, including academics, service, culture, music, athletics, student leadership, and more.
WIHI Club Fair: Tuesday | 7:40–8:00AM
WIMA Club Fair: Thursday | 7:40–8:00 AM
Location: Cafeteria
What Is the Club Fair?
The Club Fair is an opportunity for students to learn about the many clubs and activities available at WIHI & WIMA. Students can meet club members, explore their interests, and find ways to connect, lead, serve, and get involved in our school community. Students are encouraged to explore and find something that interests them. There is something for everyone!
Questions and inquiries should be made to Mr. Giddings at dgiddings@wihi.org.
New Students – PowerSchool Student Accounts
New students may now access their PowerSchool student account using the following credentials:
Username: Student ID Number
Temporary Password: changeme12
Upon logging in for the first time, students will be prompted to create a new password.
Students can find their Student ID Number on the printed schedule provided to them at school. If a student cannot locate their ID number or needs another copy of their schedule, they may stop by the Tech Center anytime beginning next week for assistance.
New Families – PowerSchool Parent/Guardian Accounts
Parents and guardians of new students will receive an email from our Technology Department during the week of August 31 with step-by-step instructions and login information for setting up their PowerSchool Parent/Guardian account. Please watch your email for this important information.
Returning Families – Annual Student Information Review
During the week of August 31, returning families will receive an email with a link to review and update the information currently on file for their student, including parent/guardian contact information, address, emergency information, and other important student records.
This year, we are using a new system called InfoSnap for this process. Your email will include step-by-step instructions and the information needed to access your student’s record.
Please review all information carefully, make any necessary updates or corrections, and complete the update process by Friday, September 11.
WIHI Student Device Checkout
New WIHI students who need to check out a school-issued device may visit the Tech Center according to the following schedule:
- New 11th Grade Students: Beginning the week of August 31
- New 9th & 10th Grade Students: Beginning the week of September 7
Students may stop by the Tech Center during the school day beginning with their designated week.
WIMA Chromebooks
All WIMA students will have access to Chromebooks for use in their classrooms. WIMA students do not need to check out a school device to take home on a daily basis.
For questions regarding PowerSchool accounts or student technology, please contact our Technology Coordinator, Mr. Utkarsh Shah, at UShah@wihi.org.
Authorization Form Attached
Families of students who will need to take medication during the school day should complete the form and bring it, along with any required medication, to the Front Office during the first week of school.
📵 Cell Phones & Personal Devices: Reviewing Our Practices
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Michigan public schools are required to establish policies addressing student use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices.
The legislation requires schools to restrict student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time, while allowing local school authorities to establish additional restrictions and procedures.
Michigan Legislative Reference: House Bill 4141— Wireless Communications Device Policy Families may review the legislation directly through this link. https://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2025-2026/billanalysis/House/pdf/2025-HLA-4141-KH6Z2PTQ.pdf
Our previous WIHI/WIMA cell phone policy required students to keep cell phones and earbuds off or silent and put away during class time. The policy also established a progressive response to repeated violations, beginning with reminders and teacher support and escalating to administrative follow-up for repeated incidents.
Walk Your Wheels @ School
For everyone’s safety, please walk bikes and scooters while on school property. Skateboards should be carried, not ridden.
Please lock bikes at the designated bike rack, use crosswalks, and follow all bike and pedestrian safety expectations. Thank you for helping keep our campus safe for everyone.
Here are some reminders for drivers:
Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
Do not stop on or over the crosswalk.
Please remember that WIHI does not have its own athletic teams.
Students attending WIHI generally participate in athletics through the district they are registered through to attend WIHI, subject to that district’s requirements and MHSAA eligibility rules.
If your student plans to participate in a fall sport, we strongly encourage you to contact the Athletic Department for their operating district as soon as possible, as practices and tryouts may begin before the first day of school.
WIMA Sports: Students attending WIMA are eligible to participate in sports and extracurricular activities offered through Ypsilanti Middle School.
Please open the attached YCS and AAPS athletic information for school-specific details, requirements, and contact information. WIHI also offers many clubs, activities, and student organizations throughout the school year.
Traffic Patterns at WIHI WIMA
Please do NOT stop and wait at the Mansfield and Grant stop sign if the pick up line is backed up. If the lot is full, please circle the block (left on Grant, Owendale, Sherman, and back on Mansfield) and the lot will open up within 5 minutes.
Please pull up all the way to the end of the circle driveway/sidewalk when picking up and dropping off students. This helps to reduce traffic backups and accidents on Mansfield street.
Please be patient and avoid honking and yelling at other drivers. Let’s model care and compassion.
Please do NOT block driveways and do NOT drive on lawns or property.
STOP at the stop signs and yield to students crossing the crosswalks.
Do Not Idle: Please turn off your vehicle while waiting. Exhaust fumes can enter the building and impact air quality.
New Updates
Welcome Back Ice Cream Social Volunteers
Please help us make the Welcome Back Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, September 2nd a success by volunteering some time. We need help with set up at 5:15 and clean-up immediately following. If interested, please email the PTO at pto@wipto.org.
PTO Meeting
PTO meetings are the second Monday of the month, September – May. Please join us virtually for our first meeting on Monday, September 14 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
PTO Positions
Do you want to get involved but would like to ease into a leadership role? We are searching for a future president and two treasurers. This would be a year of transition and shadowing to prepare for the role in the 2027-2028 school year.
Please email pto@wipto.org with questions or to learn more.
President-Elect:
What do we do?
The WI-PTO President-Elect shadows the president to take over the following year and fills in if the president has to miss a meeting. The president prepares the agenda for the PTO meetings, presides at general and executive board PTO meetings, helps develop content for the newsletter, serves as the official representative of the PTO, and retains all official records of the PTO
What is the time commitment?
The overall time commitment is estimated as 2-4 hours per month. This includes the monthly meeting prep and the meeting. Most work can be completed on your schedule.
How will this benefit you?
It's a great opportunity to interact with WIMA-WIHI administrators and staff. The president-elect role along with all executive Board positions offers an opportunity to weigh in and make decisions that will be beneficial to the WIHI-WIMA community.
Why do we need you?
The WI-PTO supports both WIMA and WIHI, which represent seven grade levels, a student body of 700+ students, and 70+ staff members. While our school is small in size, we have considerable needs as we work to support the school's goal of health and wellness for students and staff. Without this leadership role, we are unable to guarantee the continuity needed to keep the PTO going.
Treasurer:
What do we do?
The WI-PTO Treasurers are the custodians of the WI-PTO 501(c)(3) account. We help develop the annual budget, collect funds, make deposits, make payments (check or bank card) for purchases and reimbursements, record entries in our financial management tool, create monthly financial reports, and maintain the WI-PTO Treasury Team email box.
What is the time commitment?
The overall time commitment is estimated as 2-3 hours per month. This number can be higher or lower depending the availability of the other members of the treasurer team. Most work can be completed on your schedule.
How will this benefit you?
It's a great opportunity to interact with WIMA-WIHI administrators and staff. The treasurer role along with all executive Board positions offer an opportunity to weigh in and make decisions that will be beneficial to the WIHI-WIMA community. For example, issuing "Fairy Fund" grants to support economically disadvantaged students.
Why do we need you?
The WI-PTO supports both WIMA and WIHI, which represent seven grade levels, a student body of 700+ students, and 70+ staff members. While our school is small in size, we have considerable needs as we work to support the school's goal of health and wellness for students and staff. Given the responsibilities and importance of the treasurer role, it is necessary for this role to be facilitated by a team of co-treasurers. This allows us sufficient backup during vacations, work-related travel, etc. We believe we are optimal with a team of two co-treasurers.
PTO Linktree
To view up-to-date PTO invitation please view the PTOLinktree.