🐾WHS ROAR REPORT🐾

Next Wednesday, October 1st, is Count Day in Michigan. This day is very important because our school funding is directly tied to the number of students present.

We ask that, if at all possible, your child be in school for the entire day. If medical or other appointments can be scheduled for another time, we would greatly appreciate it.

If your child must be absent, we are required to collect written documentation explaining the reason, which creates extra steps for families and the school. Having all of our Panthers here makes the process much smoother—and most importantly, it ensures our school receives the funding needed to support students.

Thank you for helping us make Count Day a success!

This week, a group of WHS students had the opportunity to attend the Kalamazoo Tools & Trades Expo held at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center. The event ran from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and featured over 50 exhibitors from building trades, apprenticeship programs, tool and materials vendors, and industry professionals.

While exploring, students connected with skilled professionals, learned about equipment and technologies used in trades, and discovered hands-on career opportunities available right now in our region.

We are grateful for this real-world learning experience and thank Mr. Dennison for organizing and chaperoning the trip. Events like this help our Panthers envision a future in trades and technical pathways they may not have known about.

At the end of each month, Watervliet High School celebrates our Students of the Month. This recognition program allows any faculty or staff member to nominate students who have shown extra effort, improvement, or gone above and beyond in the classroom.

Nominees are recognized for their hard work and positive contributions to our school community. From that group, two winners at each grade level will be selected and announced. Families of the winners will also be contacted directly to celebrate their student’s achievement.

We are excited to share this month’s nominees below, and we look forward to celebrating the outstanding Panthers who are setting an example of excellence at WHS!

Freshmen Nominees

As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, it’s crucial for us to come together to support the mental health and well-being of our students. Adolescence can be a challenging time, and sometimes our teens may struggle with feelings they don’t know how to express. Knowing the signs of distress and having resources available can make a real difference.

Signs to Watch For:

• Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed

• Sudden changes in behavior, mood swings, or irritability

• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

• Talking about death or expressing a desire to "escape"

• Changes in sleep or eating patterns

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to approach your child with empathy and understanding. Let them know that their feelings are valid and that you’re there to support them.

Support and Resources:

If you’re concerned about your child or would like assistance in navigating these difficult conversations, Jamie Dawson, our school counselor, is available to offer guidance, resources, and referrals to mental health professionals. You can reach out to Jamie Dawson directly at jdawson@watervlietps.org or 269.463.0730.

In addition, here are some important resources available to students, parents, and families:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate support, available 24/7.

• Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 for free, 24/7 text-based support.

• Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ youth): Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678.

• Teen Line: Call 1-800-852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863 for confidential peer support.

Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness—it’s an important step in protecting the mental health of our students. We are here to support every student and their family through challenging times. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

One of the most important skills in drawing is learning to truly see. Often, we draw from memory or assumptions, which can lead to less than spectacular results.

The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open! Filling out the FAFSA is the key to unlocking thousands of dollars in financial aid for college or career training.

By completing the FAFSA, students can access:

• The Michigan Achievement Scholarship

• The Community College Guarantee

• Federal Pell Grants

• Scholarships and aid from colleges and universities

✅ Completing the FAFSA is the #1 step to making college more affordable. It’s especially important for:

• Students who will be the first in their family to attend college

• Students from low-income households

• Students from underrepresented backgrounds

Don’t wait — get started today at:
👉 https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Completing the FAFSA now means more options later. Take the first step toward your future!

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.

This week, Watervliet High School conducted a Hold Drill as part of our ongoing safety procedures. During a Hold, teaching and learning continue as usual inside classrooms, but students and staff remain in place and hallways are kept clear until the situation is resolved.

A Hold might be used in situations such as:

• A medical emergency where a student or staff member needs assistance and privacy.

• A spill or maintenance issue in the hallway that requires cleanup.

• An incident in the building where we need to keep hallways clear for safety or quick access by first responders.

Practicing this drill ensures that everyone knows what to do, stays calm, and keeps learning uninterrupted while allowing staff and emergency personnel to manage the situation efficiently.

Safety is always our top priority, and drills like these help us maintain a safe and secure learning environment for all of our Panthers.

On Wednesday, Watervliet High School juniors and seniors had the opportunity to attend a College Fair at Southwestern Michigan College (SMC). With over 50 colleges and universities represented and nearly 400 students in attendance, it was a valuable chance for our Panthers to connect directly with admissions representatives and explore their future options.

Mrs. Dawson accompanied our students and shared how engaged they were in learning about the wide range of opportunities available to them after high school.

We are so thankful for the strong partnership we share with SMC. Their team always does a fantastic job of organizing meaningful events like this and making sure students feel welcomed and supported.

Next week, Watervliet High School will join schools across the country in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Week. We are proud to have a sizeable Latino and Hispanic student population, and this celebration is one way we show how much we value and honor them.

What makes this week extra special is that all of the events and activities have been created and planned by our Latino and Hispanic students themselves. They have worked hard to design a week that showcases their cultures, traditions, and pride in meaningful ways.

At WHS, we love our kids and are committed to making sure every student knows they belong here. National Hispanic Heritage Week gives us the opportunity to shine an extra spotlight on our Hispanic and Latino Panthers and celebrate the diversity that makes our school stronger.

At Watervliet High School, we use PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) to help create a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment. PBIS means that we don’t just correct behavior—we also teach, model, and review expectations with students the same way we do with academics.

Each week, all WHS teachers review expectations in a specific area of the building. Next week, our focus will be the hallways. Please take a moment to review these expectations with your child at home as well.

For our freshmen in particular, please emphasize that hallways are for moving to class, not for standing in groups and socializing. By keeping traffic flowing and staying to the right, our hallways remain safe and accessible for everyone.

Together, we can ensure our Panthers are set up for success every day!

October is recognized as College Application Month, and here at Watervliet High School we are excited to support our students as they begin planning for their futures. This month is important because it gives students the chance to learn about college and career opportunities, explore different pathways, and take concrete steps toward their goals.

This initiative is part of a statewide effort through the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) to ensure every student has the tools and support needed to pursue education beyond high school. You can learn more about this initiative at www.micollegeaccess.org.

Throughout October, WHS will be hosting a variety of initiatives and activities for all students in grades 9–12. From hands-on application days for seniors, to college visits, career exploration, and classroom activities for underclassmen, every Panther will have opportunities to engage in planning for life after high school.

Take a look at the list of upcoming events below, and join us in encouraging our students as they dream big and prepare for bright futures!

📅 DateEvent

Friday, September 26th

7:00 PM Varsity Football vs Hackett Catholic Prep @ Mayors Riverfront Park

Saturday, September 27th

9:00 AM MS/V Cross Country Berrien County Invite @ Riverview Park

10:00 AM Boys Soccer Bangor Invitational @ Bangor HS

Tuesday, September 30th

6:00/7:00 PM JV/Varsity Volleyball vs Fennville @ Fennville HS

Wednesday, Oct 1st

5:00 PM Varsity Soccer vs Constantine @ Watervliet HS

Thursday, Oct 2nd

5:30/6:30 PM JV/Varsity Volleyball vs Hackett @ Watervliet HS

Friday, Oct 3rd

7:00 PM Varsity Football vs South Haven @ Watervliet HS

Saturday, Oct 4th

TBA MS & Varsity Cross Country Portage Invite @ Portage West MS

2:00 PM Friends & Family Band Performance

We’re excited to announce that after-school homework help is now available for our students. Students can stay for one hour after school 3:15-4:15 PM to get extra support or simply have a quiet place to focus on assignments.

• Tuesdays: Work with Mrs. Simmons

• Wednesdays: Work with Mr. Dimino (MATH ESPECIALLY)

• Thursdays: Work with Mrs. Brant

No sign-up is required—students can just stop by the teacher’s classroom after school to participate. This is a great way to catch up on work, get extra help, or stay on top of assignments.

👉 Please note: Students will need to arrange their own transportation home after the session.

We hope many of our Panthers will take advantage of this opportunity for extra support! 🐾

9th Grade Campus Visit – Southwestern Michigan College

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Watervliet High School is pleased to offer each grade level one facilitated college campus visit each year. This year, the Freshman Class (9th grade) will be visiting:

Destination: Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) – Dowagiac, Michigan
Date: Monday, October 28
Departure: The bus will leave WHS at 8:15 a.m.
Return: Students will return by 11:30 a.m. — in time for lunch and part of 4th hour.

The visit will be supervised by WHS teachers and a school counselor. Because this is the scheduled freshman class campus visit, if your child is in school that day, he/she is expected to attend.

• 🚌 Students will travel by school bus.

• 🍎 Snacks will be provided.

• 👟 Students should wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, as there will be lots of walking and students will be outside for part of the morning.

• ⚠️ Students who are inattentive, disrespectful, or disruptive during this trip will not be allowed to attend future trips.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Powers at the high school office.

Thank you for supporting this opportunity for our Panthers to begin exploring college and career pathways!

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop – Panther Pride! 🐾

AGENDA FOR THE VISIT

9:00am Arrival
9:15am Presentation at the Library

9:45 am Kahoot (Prizes Top 3)

10:00am Break into 3-4 groups for tour
11:00-11:15 am Return to the library/Departure

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Watervliet High School is pleased to offer each grade level one facilitated college campus visit each year. This year, the Sophomore Class (10th grade) will be visiting:

Destination: The University of Olivet– Olivet, Michigan
Date: Thursday, November 6th
Departure: The bus will leave WHS at 8:15 a.m.
Return: Students will return by 2:30 PM —students will eat lunch at the university.

The visit will be supervised by WHS teachers and a school counselor. Because this is the scheduled sophomore class campus visit, if your child is in school that day, he/she is expected to attend.

• 🚌 Students will travel by school bus.

• 👟 Students should wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, as there will be lots of walking and students will be outside for part of the morning.

• ⚠️ Students who are inattentive, disrespectful, or disruptive during this trip will not be allowed to attend future trips.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Powers at the high school office.

Thank you for supporting this opportunity for our Panthers to begin exploring college and career pathways!

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop – Panther Pride! 🐾

AGENDA FOR THE VISIT

Arrival: 9:45am

Welcome/Presentation: 10:00am

Campus Tour: 10:30am

Lunch: 11:30am, and then you can head back once your group is finished eating

Here you'll find a list of all public and private, 2-year and 4-year colleges in Michigan. You can find institution-specific information, such as admissions and financial aid, using the links below.

https://sites.google.com/micollegeaccess.org/cavacollegeguide/home

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