Panther Print for Parents 🐾

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with Mr. Arter.

Tuesday with Mrs. Hunt.

Tuesday and Thursday with Mrs. O'Toole.

Tuesday with Mr. Dimino (MATH).

STUDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION HOME AT 4 PM.

REPORT TO THE TEACHER'S CLASSROOM BY 3:15 PM.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR WHS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2025!!!

Mike Lynch (class of 1975) was a 3-time All State Cross Country runner and was a Regional and Conference Champion in both Cross Country and Track. Additionally, Mike set a number of school and meet records during his time at WHS.

Ken Dietz served as the WPS Athletic Director from 2006-2024. Ken was instrumental in facilitating the 100 Year Football game vs. Coloma, starting yearly athletic themes, creating Impact Watervliet Day, led countless facility upgrades, and created the Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition to his AD responsibilities, he also coached every level of basketball, both boys and girls, varsity golf, and middle school track.

Mike and Ken will be honored at halftime of the Varsity Football game on Thursday, August 28th vs. Coloma.

#pantherpride

#victoryinourveins

The snow has stopped which means WE ARE PLAYING!!

Good luck to the JV / Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys Basketball teams as they hit the road to take on the Rams of South Haven and to the Panther Wrestlers who are traveling to St. Joseph HS tonight to compete in the Altman Girls and JV Greater Berrien Invite.

*Please note that events at South Haven HS are cash only.

#pantherpride

#victoryinourveins

Each senior received a $50 visa giftcard. Seniors have until March 1st to complete the FAFSA to earn their gift card.

Winterfest Dance--February 7th, 9-11 in the middle school gym, $5 admission. Guest passes need to be submitted to the office by February 5th. No students will be allowed a guest that has not been approved by the Principal. No jeans or shorts permitted.

Winterfest is Friday, February 7th. We will have hallway decorating on Saturday, February 1 from 10-3. We can set exact times once we figure out who wants to help. Our theme this year is Tangled: Light Up the Night. We need you students to come up with ideas and get them to Kelli and I by Monday. This way we can get any supplies needed in time for next Saturday. Also let us know if you plan to help decorate the hallway.

Thanks

Teresa and Kelli

I was born in Saint Joseph , Michigan. I attended and graduated from Watervliet Public Schools in 2016. After high school I attended the best school in the state, Michigan State University and obtained my bachelor's degree. In high school I participated in Football where I played under two elite coaches in Coach Tremblay and Coach Andrews. I also participated in golf.

My free time is often spent on sports. I try to go to as many games as I can. Cheering on the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Lions, and Michigan State Athletics take up a large chunk of my free time. I have recently just gotten into coaching and just completed my first season of 6th grade basketball where we finished with an 11-0 record. I look forward to continuing being a part of Watervliet basketball and potentially more sports in the future.

I have one brother Nick Stevens. Nick attended Watervliet himself and set a very high standard with his academic achievements that I attempted to follow. I owe much in my life to my parents and I am lucky to have the greatest parents in the world. My dad, Willy has contributed many years to Watervliet Athletics including his years as President of the Athletic Boosters and is the hardest working person I know. My mother, Cheryl is the most giving person I know. I know many past Watervliet students and friends of mine hold her in extremely high regards for her contributions throughout the years.

Watervliet Public Schools mean a lot to me. Watervliet played a big role in who I am today. I don't think you will find a closer community anywhere than Watervliet. I am happy to have an opportunity in playing a role in shaping the future of Watervliet and the outstanding students that come through our schools.

Congratulations! Your school, Watervliet High School, has earned College Board's AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). Through these diversity awards, the AP Program acknowledges 1,153 schools for their work toward improving female representation during the 2023-24 school year. Your school is one of only 847 schools to achieve this accomplishment for AP CSP.

Friday, January 24

5:00 PM JV/Varsity Girls Wrestling at St Joseph

4:30/6:00 PM JV/ Varsity Girls Basketball at South Haven

7:30 PM Varsity Boys Basketball

Saturday, January 25

9:00 AM Varsity Wrestling at St Joseph High School (Greater Berrien County Invite)

5:00/6:30 PM JV & Varsity Girls Basketball vs Constantine (rescheduled form 1/20/25)

Monday, January 27

4:00 PM JV White Boys Basketball at Fennville

6:00 PM Varsity Wrestling at Galesburg-Augusta (rescheduled from 1/20/25)

Tuesday, January 28

4:00 PM Freshman Girls Basketball at St Joseph

5:30/7:00 PM JV & Varsity Girls Basketball vs Michigan Lutheran

5:30/7:00 JV Maroon Boys/Varsity Boys Basketball at Howardsville Christian

Wednesday, January 29

6:00 PM Varsity Wrestling Dual vs Gobles & Lawton

Thursday, January 30

4:00 PM Freshman Girls Basketball vs Lakeshore

5:30/7:00 PM JV Girls & JV Boys Maroon Basketball vs Allegan

The Class of 2028 is selling Carnations & Hershey Bars for a Valentine's Day fundraiser. Flowers are $3 each and candy bars are $2 each. Students may place orders during all lunch hours with their class advisors beginning Tuesday, 1/21. Orders are due January

28th to ensure delivery by Valentine's Day. Flowers and candy will be distributed to students on Valentine's Day during 3rd hour.

Jan 31st Deadline to order cap and gown

Feb 1st Deadline for Berrien Foundation Scholarship application

Mar 1st Deadline to earn $50 gift card for FAFSA completion

Mar 10th Local scholarship applications available

Mar 27th Deadline for Teacher Pie in the Face for FAFSA completion

Mar 28th Senior picture due to yearbook

April 11th Local scholarship applications due

April 25th community service hours are due to Mrs. Richcreek to wear a cord at graduation

May 1st Decision Day 10 am auditorium

May 5th Memory Board Poster due to the HS

May 6th Senior class photos due for Baccalaureate presentation

May 10th Prom 8-11 PM Union and Social St. Joe

May 11th After Prom 12 AM -5:30 AM Mishawaka

May 14th Senior Scholarship/Academic Awards 6 PM Auditorium

May 16th Graduation speeches are due to Ms. Powers for review

May 20-23 Senior Exams

May 21st Senior check-out sheets are due to Mrs. Richcreek

May 23rd 3:10 Deadline for grades and passing all classes to walk at graduation

May 23rd All fees and fines due

May 23rd 10 AM process through school buildings

May 23rd Car Parade 4 PM Old Mill Site

May 23rd Senior Sunset Silver Beach

May 28th Baccalaureate 6 PM Auditorium

May 29th Senior Field Day

May 29th Senior Picnic 2 PM

May 29th Graduation Practice 3:15 PM in the media center (required in order to walk at graduation)

May 30th Graduation– Students meet in the media center by 5:30 PM; group photos begin at 5:45 sharp, graduation start at 6:30 PM in the stadium

MEC has a couple opportunities for area high school students I wanted to make you aware of:

1. NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association) Washington D.C. Youth Tour. MEC will send two area high school students as delegates to attend this all-expenses-paid trip in June. They will join nearly 1,800 other high school students from across the country for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The deadline to apply is January 27. More information can be found at: Youth Tour - MEC - Midwest Energy & Communications
2. Scholarships. MEC is once again offering scholarships to area high school seniors whose families receive MEC service at their primary residence. This year we are asking students to create a video commercial. They can pick from one of our main services: electric, propane or fiber internet and create a 60-90 second video promoting it. Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 17. Detailed information as well as the application can be found online at Scholarships - MEC - Midwest Energy & Communications.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Lori

Lori A. Ruff

Community Relations Specialist

Midwest Energy & Communications

60590 Decatur Road

Cassopolis, MI 49031

269-445-1139

The deadline to place all cap & gown orders is January 31st.

Here's the link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/packageBrowse/1063120/WATERVLIET-HIGH-SCHOOL/Graduation/2437132725/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/PACKAGES

Parents and/or students can reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

SENIORS PICTURES FOR THE YEARBOOK!

It's time to submit Senior Portraits to ring in the 2025 graduates in our Yearbook. Our deadline is March 28, 2005 (Spring Break)

Please upload your portraits through https://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=49098

Senior portraits must be a VERTICAL headshot, but hands and/or upper body may be visible if desired. No props, hats that obscure the face, or distracting backgrounds, please.

Portraits must be of professional quality, at least 300 DPI, and 500 KB or larger. We CANNOT accept screenshots, proofs, links to photographer’s websites or portraits with the photographer’s logo.

Below is a help in navigating the upload process.

We will take a group of interested students by school bus on this trip. Look for a permission slip in the guidance office soon.

We are excited to announce that 2025 Yearbooks are now on sale. Dec. 1 - 20.

Discounted presale price is $45 which includes a free name stamp on the cover. Students may purchase during school from a yearbook staff member or Mrs. Brant. Make checks payable to Watervliet Public Schools.

Yearbooks can also be purchased online through this link: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/2956

After Dec. 20, yearbooks will be $50 and optional name stamps an additional $5.

Dear Senior Families:

Mr. Coburn, our certified FAFSA expert, will be meeting with your Senior in the next month to ask the following questions: (1) where have you applied? (2) where have you been accepted? (3) do you have your FSA ID?

If you would like to meet with Mr. Coburn to get assistance in completing the FAFSA, please reach out to him at christopher.coburn@watervlietps.org. He is available during and after the school day to meet with any parent who would like assistance.

It only takes 30 minutes to complete the FAFSA once you have all of the needed information: FSA ID for both parent and student, 2023 tax information, total current account amount for both parent and student, net worth of any businesses, SS # for both parent and student, and a list of all of the schools to which your Senior has applied.

It is our goal that 100% of the Class of 2025 completes the FAFSA this year. Whether your child is headed to post secondary training or not, plans can change over the summer. We want your child to be ready for whatever comes their way in the Fall of 2025 with a completed FAFSA! THANK YOU !

Mr. Coburn is the Michigan Adviser college adviser that is assigned to work with seniors in both the Watervliet and Coloma school districts. He has already met with each Senior at least one time this year in order to establish how can assist each in achieving their plans for life after high school. Seiors and their parents can meet with him as needed. Feel free to reach out to him at christopher.coburn@watervlietps.org.

Do you want to know more about our standards based learning and grading initiative? Be sure to visit our informational page that explains how we assess and grade in the standards based system. If you have questions, please be sure to speak with your student's teacher or principal.

Each week of the school year, the faculty at the high school will review with your child the expectations in one area of the building. The purpose of teaching and reviewing these expectations with your child is to 1. Make sure they understand the expectations in the building and 2. Assist them in having success at the high school. Please review the MEDIA CENTER expectations with your child. The expectations below will be reviewed during this coming week.

Parent/guardian input and feedback is always important at the high school. We are always in search of parents to serve on the Student Advisory Council to the Principal for the 24-25 school year. All meetings are held in person. Any high school parent is welcome to attend anytime. Mark your calendar now to attend these meetings and provide your input. All meetings are held at 7 PM in the high school media center.

February 26

March 26

April 30

May 21

Each month, the high school hosts and provides educational sessions for parents on a variety of topics aimed at preparing students for life after high school.These presentations will again take place during the 24-25 school year. Mark your calendar for these important sessions. All sessions are held at 6 PM in the high school media center

Feb 25 Van Buren Tech Informational Night (intended for the parents of 9th-11th graders)

March (date to be determined) Accommodations in College Night (intended for the parents of students with IEPs and 504 plans planning on post secondary training)

April 23 Dual Enrollment Night (intended for parents of 9th-11th graders interested in earning college credit free while in high school)