🐾WHS ROAR REPORT🐾

Beginning next week, you will notice that our WHS Friday Newsletter looks quite different from the newsletters you have been receiving throughout the school year.

Our district is required to use Thrillshare, a school communication platform that helps districts manage and share information with families while supporting compliance with legal requirements, including accessibility standards.

Because Thrillshare uses a different format and template, I will no longer have the same flexibility to design and personalize our newsletters as I have in the past. While I have really enjoyed creating the newsletters you've become accustomed to, the most important part will remain the same: keeping our families informed, connected, and involved in all the great things happening at WHS!

I will continue doing my very best to include the important updates, upcoming events, celebrations, and information you need each week.

Please continue taking a few minutes each Friday to read our newsletter, even though it will have a new look!

Thank you for your continued support and for staying connected with us! ❤️🐾

All sophomores who are in attendance at school on this Tuesday, November 3rd will participate in this field trip. As part of our commitment to college and career readiness, we provide students with one college campus visit each year of high school. These experiences are designed to expose students to a variety of postsecondary opportunities and help them make informed decisions about their plans after graduation. Students will travel by school bus and eat lunch in the university's cafeteria. Money is only needed if a student would like to buy something in the book store.

On Monday, all of our WHS juniors visited Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) for their annual college campus visit!

At Watervliet High School, we make it a priority for every student to visit at least one college campus each year throughout high school. These experiences help students explore their postsecondary options, envision their futures, and discover the many opportunities available after graduation.

Many of our students end up visiting several additional campuses through other opportunities offered throughout the year, but Monday's trip was our designated 11th-grade campus visit!

We love giving our Panthers opportunities to explore, dream big, and start planning for their futures! ❤️🐾

9TH GRADERS
McKinley Adams
Raegan Arndt
Mason Bradley
McKenzi Brayman
Brody Cahill
Amara Dodge
Kaitlyn Elliot
Allison Esparza
Adele Finehout
Kailyn Hinkelman
Noah Hutchins
Riley Kasun-Kiser
Whittaker Lewis
Parker Logsdon
Virginia "Nia" Vandewiele
William Varney
Austin Volk

10TH GRADERS
Emma Ausra
Jolie Bertuca
Hayden Billings
Emma Camp
Dallas Clark
Alayna Cowgill
Carter Davis
Ayvah Domingo
Makenzie Driver
Brenden Figlus
David Huff
Korvin Kirby
Marqus Liberto-Taylor
Jonathan Lopez-Rojas
Elloise Norman
Toni Perez
Paige Shafer
Mila Sirk

11TH GRADERS
Nicholas Brewer
Erica Burgos
Eathan Burnett
Lily Collins
Greyson Danneffel
Paityn Desjardin
Aiyanna Forrester
Anahi Howell
Lilly Kirby
Emma Kirksey
Steffi Lewison
Miranda Lowell
Joselyn Moreno
Dakota Morrison
Eithan Nickell
Branden Saucedo
Luis Villegas
Lucas Wilder

12TH GRADERS
Alexis Coburn
Ashton Coleman
Angel Cruz-Margarito
Makena Guzman
Norma Gutierrez
Alyssa Koch
Sarah Leoni
Olivia Mitchell
Jazmine Moses
Joelle Petznick
Gage Sirk

Advanced Woodworking students, Ethan Westfall, Luis Villegas and Deven Tavolacci, help Mr. Dennison add framing to artwork created by a graduate of WHS. This project was student led, they were responsible for everything from design to finishing.

Spanish 1 students finished this week by researching monarchs and their migration from the Northern Part of the United States to Michoacán in Mexico. This journey is important to the residents in Mexico because it happens to time up with Día de los muertos. For the Mexicans the arrival of butterflies symbolizes the return of their family members that have departed. Every year millions of monarch butterflies return to Mexico around the first of November, one of our students was lucky enough to see this, she stated it is one the coolest things she has seen.

Key points:

• This fall we had the highest number of athletes and highest percent of our student body participate in a fall sport since I have been here.
• 234 Athletes of 677 total students (6-12). 34.56%
• 112 Total Males participated which is the exact same number as last year.
• 122 Total Females participated which is the highest total since I have been at WHS.
• Over 40% of the following groups participated:
• Boys - 10th, 9th
• Girls - 10th (44.4% which is the highest), 8th, 6th
• 12.7% of the 6th grade class participated in a school sport but we do not allow 6th graders to play football. All other boys grades were over 30% participation.
• 11th Grade girls had the lowest participation at 27.08%. The class of 2028's female participation rate was 24.53% when they were sophomores.

GO PANTHERS!

We are excited to offer two on-site dual enrollment courses at Watervliet High School for Semester 2!

• AI Ethics – Offered through Lake Michigan College (LMC)

• Sociology – Offered through Southwestern Michigan College (SMC)

These courses provide students with an opportunity to experience college-level coursework and earn college credits while attending WHS!

Who is eligible? Students with a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA are eligible to register for dual enrollment.

Interested? Your first step is simple! Stop by and see Mrs. Tyler in the Counseling Office to begin the registration process.

Don't miss this opportunity to get a head start on college while still in high school! 🐾

School pictures are now available!

To see if your child's pictures are available to view, please log in to your account at mylifetouch.com. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one using your email address.

To locate your child's photos, you'll need their Student ID or Portrait ID and Access Code. If you don't have this information, you can:

• Check your inbox for an email from Lifetouch that may contain your access credentials and a direct link to your child's images.
• Contact the Lifetouch Help Center for assistance

Please note that pictures may not become available for all students at the same time, so check back later if you don't see your child's images yet.

Attention Watervliet High School students! Varsity Winter Cheer tryouts will be held November 9th and 10th in the auditorium from 3:30 - 5:00 PM. Anyone interested in trying out must add Winter Cheer to Final Forms and have a current physical on file before Nov. 9th. Please wear comfortable athletic clothing and tennis shoes, and bring a water bottle. We look forward to seeing you there! Go Panthers!

At Watervliet High School, all seniors are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of their graduation requirements.

Not planning to attend college next year? You should still complete the FAFSA! Plans can change, and completing the FAFSA helps students explore financial opportunities they may not even know are available. The FAFSA can open doors to grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and financial assistance for community colleges, universities, and eligible trade and technical programs.

Even if a student plans to enter the workforce, join the military, or take time off after graduation, completing the FAFSA keeps future educational options open. Completing the FAFSA does not obligate a student to attend college, accept financial aid, or take out student loans.

Our goal is to make sure every WHS graduate leaves with as many opportunities available to them as possible. We encourage all seniors and their families to complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available and reach out to our counseling office if they need assistance.

🐾 Panthers, your future is full of possibilities—don't leave money or opportunities on the table!

Yearbook students traveled to Western Michigan University for the Varsity Yearbook Fall Conference. There they learned about theme development, writing captions, the role of AI in yearbook production, and important elements of yearbook design. It was a fun-filled, informational day capped off with a stop for lunch and team bonding. The yearbook staff is excited to begin developing the 2027 yearbook with all of the new ideas they learned.

Fill out your profile here if you have not done so already !

https://match.appily.com/student/start?source=michigandirectadmit

Michigan's Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) helps eligible students pay for college or career training after high school. TIP can cover tuition at participating Michigan colleges for qualifying certificate and associate degree programs, with additional financial assistance available toward a bachelor's degree.

How does a student qualify? Students must have received Medicaid coverage for at least 24 months within a 36-month period between age 9 and high school graduation. Families may not realize their student qualifies, even if they no longer receive Medicaid!

Students must also complete the FAFSA, meet Michigan residency and other eligibility requirements, graduate within the program's age limits, and begin using TIP within four years of graduation.

Not sure if your student qualifies? Visit Michigan's MiSSG Student Portal or call 888-447-2687 to check eligibility.

🐾 Don't miss out on money for college! We encourage WHS families to explore this valuable opportunity and contact our counseling office with questions.

Oratorical Contest:

Visit Our Oratorical Website

Scholarship Opportunities for Students

Guy M. Wilson Scholarship – $1,000

Visit our Scholarships Website!

American Legion Skilled Trades Scholarship

The American Legion Department of Michigan offers the Skilled Trades Scholarship to support Michigan residents, ages 17–21, pursuing careers in construction/building, automotive, advanced manufacturing, or energy. This scholarship assists students enrolled in post-high school trades training/apprenticeship programs or earning a two-year degree in a skilled trade that leads to state or federal certification.

Skilled Trades Scholarship Website

Please take the time to nominate one K-12 teacher from your school for our 2026- ‘27 “Teacher of the Year Awards.” Each award is a $500 grant to the winning teacher for an education project of his or her choice at their school and a recognition plaque presented by our State Commander. Five teachers will receive awards statewide annually.

Visit our Teacher of the Year Website!

We encourage you to share these opportunities with your students, colleagues, and families. Together, we can inspire leadership, honor service, and support the next generation.

I am thrilled to share that applications are now open for Girls Who Code's Spring Pathways program!

Pathways is a free, virtual program that empowers high school girls and non-binary students of all experience levels to explore AI, Game Design, Cybersecurity, and more, while learning how to build tech for good. The program is entirely flexible in how participants choose to learn and requires no prior coding experience. Students complete courses at their own pace over seven weeks, from March 1st to April 18th.

Beyond coding, students gain real-world insights through Partner Events with leading tech organizations, connect with peers through Girls Who Code’s private Discord community, and join optional Student Hours for live support. Participants earn a certificate for each completed course and join Girls Who Code’s lifelong alumni network, gaining access to mentorship, internships, and career opportunities in tech.

Students can apply by October 28th for priority consideration. The application closes on December 16th.

All WHS students have access to Relay 12 through the Clever link on their school-issued device. Relay 12 provides students with another way to report serious safety concerns directly to building administrators.

If a student is concerned that someone may harm themselves or someone else, or becomes aware of another serious safety concern but does not feel comfortable talking with or emailing a teacher or administrator, they can click the Relay 12 link anytime to submit a report.

Please encourage your child to remember: If you see or hear something concerning, say something. We want our students to feel safe asking for help—for themselves or someone else. 🐾

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! 🐾

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! 🐾

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 – Panther Legacy Walk

• May 18 -- Senior Awards Night

• 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