The Wolfpack Edge

A new school year is almost here, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back! As families prepare for Monday, please know that Western’s board and staff have been praying for our students and families and for a great year ahead.

Our first day of school is Monday, August 24, with a noon dismissal. Buses will be running, and Monday’s schedule is included below.

It was great to welcome our freshmen for Freshman Orientation last night, and our JumpSTART students have already been busy learning and building new skills. Now we’re ready to have everyone back together!

We know the start of a new year brings plenty of excitement, anticipation, and maybe a few nerves, too. We’re grateful to begin the school year together and can’t wait to see our students Monday morning!

New to Western?

Be sure to explore our New Parent Mini-Handbook, a quick guide filled with answers to frequently asked questions, helpful tips, and resources to help your family get off to a great start.

Dr. Brian Verwolf

Head Administrator

Mrs. Karen Christians

Director of Discipleship

• Students requesting to Add/Drop classes will need to pick up a paper form from Mrs. Khang’s office. This form will need to be completely filled out with teacher and parent signatures in order to be reviewed. The last date to turn in forms to Add/Drop a class is Friday, August 28th, 2026.
• Classes begin August 25, 2026, for Dordt online classes. Check your emails for login information. The last day to add/drop is August 31, 2026.
• Students taking NCC online classes need to check their personal emails. NCC has sent information on how to log in. If you have any issues, please make sure to contact NCC. Classes began on August 20, 2026. The last date to drop or switch classes is September 2, 2026. Students who want to drop/switch a class needs to do it through NCC’s online form and email Mrs. Khang.

Regular attendance plays a key role in student success, and we want to make sure families have the essentials on hand.

Students who miss more than 10 class periods per course in a semester will not receive credit for that course. If your student is ill, has an appointment, or needs to miss school for another reason, please notify the office. A doctor's note is required for illness related absences. Pre-arranged absences (trips, appointments, etc.) need approval in advance, and students are responsible for coordinating with teachers ahead of time.

A few other quick reminders:

• Arriving 15+ minutes late counts as an absence, not a tardy.

• No more “freebie” late arrivals. Late arrivals are considered a regular unexcused tardy… 5 tardies = detention.

• Students must sign in/out through the office for any late arrival or early departure.

• Ill students should report to the office and may only leave with parent/guardian permission.

Thank you for partnering with us to help students build strong habits of punctuality and responsibility. Questions about a specific situation? Contact Klay Byker, Attendance Director, at klay.byker@westernchristianhs.com or attendance@westernchristianhs.com.

As we begin a new school year and welcome many first-time students to Western, we want to ensure we are prepared to protect and support every student well.

Our Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) is made up of Nate van Niejenhuis, Shawn DeStigter, Katie Rietsma, Abby Vanden Bosch, and Waylon Pollema (shown above L-R). Each member is certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED use.

To best serve our students, it is very important that the MERT Team is aware of any medical conditions within our student body. These may include (but are not limited to):

• Diabetes

• Asthma

• Epilepsy

• Allergies requiring an EpiPen

We kindly ask parents to share this information by emailing Kathy Mouw at kathy.mouw@westernchristianhs.com. Please include details of your child’s condition along with any instructions or helpful information for our team.

Thank you for partnering with us in keeping Western a safe and caring place for all students!

This past year we noticed some students opting to bring tablets or iPads as alternatives to laptops. While we understand the appeal, these devices essentially serve the same function as smartphones during the school day and are not recommended or compatible with our 1:1 laptop program.

iPads and tablets will not be permitted for student use during school hours. As you consider technology purchases ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, we ask that you keep this policy in mind. Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to create a focused, distraction-reduced learning environment for all students.

As we prepare for the new school year, please ensure that your laptop is fully updated and in proper working order. This includes installing all system updates, checking that antivirus protection is active, and making sure the device is running smoothly. A well-prepared laptop helps avoid disruptions and ensures you’re ready for a strong start on the first day of class.

- All student athletes are required to have a current completed sports physical on file PRIOR to the beginning of practices. Please complete & turn this in ASAP.

- Mark your calendars! Wolfpack Homecoming will be October 5-9. A home volleyball game is on the schedule for Thursday, October 8, followed by the home football game on Friday, October 9.

- Visit Bound here to purchase your season passes!

- Visit Bound here to find up-to-date schedules & events. Donwload the Bound app to get notifications right to your phone with updates & weather changes.

We would love your help keeping our teachers and staff caffeinated throughout the school year! If your family is willing & able, please consider donating a box of K-Cup coffee pods to help stock our supply. Feel free to drop these by the office at any time. Any flavor, roast, or brand is welcome—every donation is greatly appreciated!

At this time, Western Christian is actively recruiting multiple positions for the upcoming year:

- Custodial Staff (Hourly)

- Kitchen Staff Member (Hourly)

Please help us spread the word about these open positions! Any leads or inquiries can be directed to our Head Administrator, Dr. Brian Verwolf, at Brian.Verwolf@Westernchristianhs.com.

Western Christian High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs (if any exist), and athletic or other school administered programs.