Panther Print for Parents 🐾

The Watervliet Panther band came home this past Saturday as champions after securing first place in its division at the state finals in Detroit. Great job Panther Marching Band and Mrs. Jennifer Hollandsworth!

• It is time for a dual enrollment grade check. All dual enrolled students, please show Mrs. Tyler your grades as soon as possible.

• Boys’ Basketball tryouts are Monday! There will be teams at the Freshman, JV, and Varsity levels. Any interested students must be registered on Final Forms. See Mr. Linderman in Room 148 with any questions.

• Would you like the Seal of Biliteracy on your diploma? The Seal of Biliteracy is for students who know English and at least one other language. Sign-up to take the test in the office by Tuesday, November 14th. Juniors and seniors are eligible to take the biliteracy test in order to earn a seal on your diploma and wear a serape at graduation. If you are interested the testing is in November and you lust sign up in the main office. The only seniors permitted to wear a serape at graduation are those who pass this test.

• NHS members, please check Canvas for new volunteer opportunities that have been posted.

• Next Wednesday is an early release day. We will dismiss at 1:10 and students can wear PJ’s.

• Next Thursday all sophomores will take a field trip to Olivet College. If you are in school and you are a sophomore, you will be attending this trip. Dress for the weather as you will be walking around campus.

• Next Thursday is our annual military informational night at 6 pm in the high school media center. Students and their families at all grade levels are invited to attend. The branches of the military that will be represented are: Navy, Air Force, National Guard, and Marines Corps.

Recently the AP Computer Science class used legos to create algorithms. Groups built an object out of legos and wrote instructions on how to create the object. These algorithms were exchanged with another group and the goal was to recreate the lego build using the instructions. This activity demonstrates to students how humans and computers interpret instructions. Humans interpret instructions based on context, prior knowledge, and social cues. We understand ambiguous or vague instructions and can adapt to different situations. Computers on the other hand require precise and rule-based instructions; they follow a predefined set of rules and cannot adapt to changes in context.

I grew up just north of Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Utica High School. After high school, I attended Northern Michigan University and earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. I then spent time teaching in Alexandria, Virginia and Traverse City, Michigan before moving to southwest Michigan. Recently I also completed a master’s program in special education through Northern Michigan University. My husband and I have two sons in elementary school. We enjoy outdoor activities and hanging out with family and friends. Most of my off work time is spent with my children and their hobbies. However when I get a little free time, I enjoy reading, sewing, crocheting, and being outside. This year I am teaching Transitions, English, and a History class. One of the great parts about working at WHS are the people.

Another season is here, and we are starting practice this coming Monday Nov. 13th. Practices will be Monday through Friday 5pm- 7pm, unless otherwise told. Practice attire will be pocketless, zipperless, button-less, and string-less clothes. Athletes will bring shower stuff DAILY. That means towel, soap/shampoo, and clean clothes to change into. They WILL shower after each practice, if there is any issue with that please come speak to me and we will work something out. Athletes must be green in my final forms to practice, so make sure everything for final forms is complete. Like I said, practices will be 5-7pm. For the athletes, that does not mean walking into the room at 5. It means, on the mat ready to roll at 5. That being said, no one should fail any classes. Athletes should have plenty of time ro finish homework, or get the help they need before practice. On the other side, parents, practice ends at 7. But we do talk real quick after practice and the athletes will shower after practice, so they will probably be walking out of the building around 720. I am excited to start the season and hope you are too. If you have any questions please let me know at jisbrecht@watervlietps.org or 269-369-5667.

Thank you,

Joe Isbrecht

Watervliet High School Athletics

Students in Art I created a redesigned of the color wheel this week. They are learning color theory and brush work before moving on to larger choice based paintings.

All English classes 9-12 are currently completing classic novel studies. The benefits of studying these novels include building students' vocabularies and increasing analytical and critical thinking over complex themes. All classes will be applying comparison of various media forms for these novels. 9th grade is reading To Kill a Mockingbird; 10th grade is reading The Crucible; 11th grade is reading Death of a Salesman; and 12th grade is reading Night.

Sophomores heard from Ana Maack from the Van Buren Tech Center regarding all of the programming available at the Tech Center for Panthers starting in their Junior year. The Sophomore Class visit to the Tech Center will be December 8th. Students can attend in either the AM or PM and WHS provides bus transportation to and from the Tech Center if needed!

On Tuesday of this week, the eight October 2023 Students of the Month enjoyed a special breakfast on their behalf. Families were invited. Senior, Grace Chisek spoke at the event. A bio of each student was shared with all participants and families. Students received certificates and took a group picture. Students of the Month will also receive a yard sign.

Pictured below back row from left to right are:

Riley Preston 11th, Julie Rudell 12th, Grace Macmillan 12th, Austin Smith 11th

Pictured below front row from left to right are: Moeko Crago 10th, Mark Birmele 10th, Claire Moore 9th, Hanna Ice 9th

Junior Daniel Mandujano raced against the best in the state and finished 24th overall in the Division 3 State Finals race in Brooklyn, Michigan. His finish earned him All-State honors. His time of 16:25 was a new personal best and equaled the fastest time by a Watervliet runner in the past 30 years. It was a great race and capped off a great individual season.

Morgan Lowell ran a personal best time of 20:26 at the State Finals Cross Country meet in Brooklyn, Michigan. She finished in 75th place overall which was a big improvement from last year’s 142nd place finish. She finishes her high school cross country career as the 3rd-fastest Panther of the last 30 years, a two-time state qualifier, and a three-time All-Conference member.

Our WSJM Sports Player of the Week is Grace Chisek of Watervliet Panther Volleyball. During the week, Watervliet swept all three matches in their home quad with a 2-1 win over Lakeshore, and 2-0 wins over Dowagiac and Hopkins. The Panthers closed out the season with at 27-3-1 record.

During this week Grace recorded her 2,500th career assist.

Grace is currently a senior at Watervliet and has a 4.15 GPA

Panthers came out strong in the Championship District match against Bangor. Panthers served tough (13 team aces), passed well and ran a solid offense (36 team kills). The Panthers won in three straight sets. This group of athletes continue to learn and grow as a team focused on a common goal. Thank you to all the Panthers fans for your continued support.

Panthers will head to Fennville to play Muskegon Western Michigan Christian in the semi-final match of Regionals on Tuesday, 11/7/23 at 5:30pm.

Any student with an 80% or higher in a class that also has 3 or fewer absences from that class is exempt from a semester exam in that class. Please remind your student of this added value of being in school everyday!

Each week, the high school teachers take some time out in their 3rd hour classes to review the expectations in an area of the building. This coming week we will focus on THE CAFE IN THE MORNING. Please review these expectations with your child. Students can enter a PBIS raffle in the main office anytime a raffle ticket is earned for demonstrating SAFETY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY at school!

New for the 23-24 school year is Enrollment Express Forms through our student information system., Powerschool. We will not be sending home paper forms this year for returning students. All forms will be updated and/or completed online through Watervliet PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Below are the instructions to complete the registration/enrollment process for the new school year.

Step 1: Set up a PowerSchool account. If you do not already have a PowerSchool account, you can set up one by doing the following:

A. Open the Internet browser on your computer.

B. Type https://watervlietpowerschool.berrienresa.org/public/home.html into the address bar.

C. Click on the CREATE ACCOUNT tab. You must create a parent account.

D. Fill in the information requested for your desired username and password. You will need to confirm your email before you move to the next step.

If you already have a parent account, log into it and select ACCOUNT PREFERENCES and add student on the student tab. Their Access ID and Access Password will also need to be ttyped exactly s it appears on the welcome letter.

If you forgot your username or password, click on Forgot Username or Password on the parent portal sign in screen.

Step 2: Complete Enrollment Forms

In PowerSchool, select the student you are enrolling and click on the FORMS link with the left navigation menu. Click ENROLLMENT. You will navigate through several forms. Please make sure that you complete all forms.

Step 3: Provide Documentation

If you are unable to upload documentation vis the document upload elements on the form, please bring the following documentation to your school office from 7:30 AM -3:00 PM.

If you have questions, please call the school office at 269.463.0730 between 7:30 AM -3:00 PM, Monday -Friday.

We want all of our parents to be able to access their child's grades and progress in Canvas at any time. Please follow the directions below in order to access Canvas for your child this year !

For information and directions on how to use your parent Canvas account to check grades, view assignments or message teachers, visit www.watervlietps.org and click on the Canvas for Parents Link in the middle of the homepage.

Here is the direct link too. https://www.watervlietps.org/o/wps/page/canvas-resources

Nov 15 Early Release Day

Nov 15 SAC 7:30 AM

Nov 16 Military Informational Night 6 pm

Nov 16 Sophomore Trip to Olivet College

Nov 22 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF

November 23/24 Thanksgiving Break

Nov 27 FAFSA Informational Night 7 pm

Nov 29 Early Release Day

Nov 29 PAC 6 pm

Nov 29 SAC 7:30 AM

Nov 30 Blood Drive

Dec 1 Progress Reports

Dec 1 November Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

Dec 6 Early Middle College Informational Night 6 pm

Dec 13 Early Release Day

Dec 13 Career Fair

Dec 13 SAC 7:30 AM

Dec 14 Winter Band Concert

Dec 18 Winter Choir Concert

Dec 20 PAC 6 pm

Dec 25-Jan 5 Winter Break

Jan 8 Return to School

Jan 10 Early Release Day

Jan 10 SAC 7:30 AM

Jan 12 December Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

Jan 17-19 Half Days for Exams

Jan 22 Start of Semester 2

Jan 24 Early Release Day

Jan 24 SAC 7:30 AM

Jan 24 Senior /Scholarships Informational Night 6 pm

Jan 31 Early Release Day

Jan 31 PAC 6 pm

Feb 2 January Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

Feb 5-9 Winterfest Week

Feb 7 SAC 7:30 AM

Feb 8 Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-7 pm

Feb 9 Half Day Start of Mid Winter Break

Feb 12 No School Mid Winter Break

Feb 15 Pre Festival Band Concert

Feb 19 MCTI/Project Search Informational Night 6 pm

Feb 21 SAC 7:30 AM

Feb 22 Pre Festival Choir Concert 6:30 pm

Feb 23 Progress Reports

Feb 28 Early Release Day

Feb 28 PAC 6 pm

Mar 1 February Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

Mar 6 SAC 7:30 AM

Mar 12 LMC Accommodations Informational Night 6 pm

Mar 13 Early Release Day

Mar 20 SAC 7:30 AM

Mar 21 Van Buren Tech Informational Night 6 pm

Mar 27 PAC 6 pm

Mar 27 Early Release Day

Mar 28 End of MP 3

Mar 29 Good Friday No School

Mar 29-Apr 5 Spring Break

Apr 8 School Resumes

April 11 Work Keys testing for Juniors

Apr 12 March Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

Apr 17 Early Release Day

Apr 17 SAC 7:30 AM

Apr 18 SAT for JUNIORS, PSAT for 9th and 10th Graders

Apr 19 MSTEP for Juniors (Science and Social Studies)

Apr 22 Dual Enrollment Informational Night 6 pm

Apr 24 PAC 6 pm

May 1 Early Release Day

May 1 Decision Day 10 am (Seniors)

May 1 SAC 7:30 AM

May 3 Progress Reports

May 3 April Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

May 9 Blood Drive

May 11 PROM 7-11 PM; place TBD

May 15 Early Release Day

May 15 Senior Awards Night 6 pm

May 15 SAC 7:30 AM

May 16 Spring Band Concert

May 22 PAC 6 pm

May 21-23 Senior Exams Days

May 23 Spring Choir Concert

May 24 Seniors’ Last Day

May 24 Car Parade

May 27 Memorial Day; No School

May 29 Baccalaureate 6 pm (Seniors)

May 29 SAC 7:30 AM

May 30 Senior Picnic/School visits and grad practice

May 31 May Student of the Month Breakfast 8:15 AM

May 31 Graduation 6:30 pm

June 3 Underclassmen Awards; time TBD

June 4-6 Half Days for Exams

June 6 Last Day of School