Panther Print for Parents 🐾

Freshmen in Mr. Linderman's World History classes partner groups are creating 3D models of the triangular trade and the Columbian Exchange. Students are using small toys and other household items to show the raw materials and goods that were traded across the continents during the Age of Exploration. In his U.S. History class, students were engaged in a heated debate over whether the United States was justified in dropping the atomic bombs on Japan to end World War II. Students took on varying roles in the debate and showed tremendous skill in research, document analysis, and public speaking.

Meanwhile, in Mr. Andrews U.S.. History classes, students have been focusing on WWII. Five major themes have been or are being focused on: the start of the war, life at home during the war, the Holocaust, fighting and winning the war, and the aftermath. Analyzing, debating, and grading the decisions made throughout different aspects of the war has been the main focus of this unit.

Juniors and Seniors taking U.S. History In-Depth with Mr. Anddrews decided to start this semester focusing on the Holocaust. They have recently been looking at a number of primary sources, including pictures, documents, and first hand accounts of the Holocaust and how it happened. Additionally, many students taking the In-depth class will be travelling to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit as well as visiting the Ford River Rouge plant. The Ford Museum covers a wide variety of U.S. History topics and has many historical artifacts. The Rouge Plant gives great insight into the history of the automotive industry as well as how a modern auto factory operates.

Mr. Weber's Economics students have been focused on some broad topics early on in the class, including the basic approaches to economics and covering the foundations of economics. After examining the characteristics and advantages and disadvantages of the many different economic systems, the students will be ready to take a deep dive into how the market-based, capitalist United States economy operates at both the macroeconomic and microeconomic levels.

223 Panthers completed our annual student survey this year. In each parent newsletter for the remainder of this school year, you will see a few results included, until all of the results have been shared. The Student Advisory Council to the Principal (SAC) have reviewed all of the results and feel positive overall regarding what the survey shows. The results have also been reviewed with the WHS staff and will also be reviewed at the next PAC meeting this week!

I grew up in the U.P. and eventually moved down state to graduate from Schoolcraft High School.

I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Major in PE and a Minor in Health and also have my Master's Degree in Administration

My wife Wendy is a Jr. High Principal. Our kids attend Watervliet Schools - Chase is a Senior, Keira is a Sophomore and Ryder is in 5th Grade

I am the Varsity Football and Varsity Baseball Coach as well as a MS/Rec Basketball Coach for a lot of different ages.

I enjoy the outdoors in my free time - Hunting / Fishing / Camping

As a Coach I am very proud of the way our athletes and teams compete and the successes we've seen with both our Boys and Girls Sports over the years along with our Community support. As a Teacher and a Parent I am proud of the Academic programs and other teachers and how they prepare our kids for whatever comes next in their young adult lives.

People might be surprised to know that growing up we owned a Restaurant called Mr. T's - Where we won the "UP's Best Pasty" Award one year.

Your Middle School Interact Club is in its final week of the Al-Van Humane Society Adoption & Community Education Center service project. To date, the club has collected 341 pounds of food, litter, and toys that will be donated to the animals at Center on March 1st. The team is making one final push in the last week of February to get additional items donated. The winning advisory will earn an ice cream and soda party. Right now, Mrs. Overacker's class is in the lead, with Mrs. Henderson's class in second place and Mrs. Brush's class in third place. Please send any donations with your middle school student this week! The animals at the Al-Van Humane Society Adoption & Community Education Center need our help! THANK YOU !

Next week, WHS art students will receive notifications regarding the acceptance of their artwork into the Kalamazoo Institute of Art High School Show. This esteemed juried competition attracts numerous entries from nine counties across Southwest Michigan. The students who eagerly submitted their art to the competition include Natalie VanLente, Courtney VanLente, Lyvia Summers, Addison Smith, Ava Sprague, Aiden Bryan, Nora Billings, Angelica Daisy, Susannah Weckworth, Claire Moore, Jordan Peek, Hector Salguero, Ella Harris, Hailey Hutchens, Sophie Grear, Kendall Goodrich, Riley Preston, Adalynn Richards, Jane Rudell, Jaylee Havenaar, Nicole Bender, Sienna Harris, Taylor Green and, Zoe Thornsbury. Here are a few examples of their work.

Students in Transitions class have been making gains since we have reorganized for subject specific groups to meet different days of the week. Homework completion has increased and as a result they have done better on assessments.

Courtney Van Lente

Sophie Wigent

Kelsie Gaston

Emmett Williams

Dylan Collins

Aiden Wolford

Marleigh Schultz

Julia Pepple

McKenna Kirksey

Natalie Hart

Not pictured: Aleigha Jackson

Aiden Bethea

Reise Bulat

Wyatt Epple

Not pictured: Ian Coleman and Caden Burdick

Students in Debate Class finished with their first Debate, receiving certificates for the top finishers. Students conducted Congressional Debate in which they prepared speeches to pass a bill in the same format used with the National Debate League. They were judged by Mrs. Lefor and Mrs. Simmons. The results included: Top Speaker: Amber Robbins; 2nd Place: Brianna Shriver; 3rd Place: Evihn DeJonge; 4th Place: Emy Baldwin; 5th Brenden Strong; 6th Place Jonah Thon; Novice Speaker Award: Daijahnae Hatcher; Top Presiding Officer Amber Robbins; 2nd Place: Emy Baldwin; Novice Presiding Officer: Jonah Thon

This week’s Press Box Player of the Week is Riley Hess.

Riley just completed his senior wrestling season and recently joined an exclusive list of Panther wrestlers to win 100 or more matches. That 100 th win was special and also the fastest pin of his career, a 14 second win in the team district tournament.

Riley has a distinguished career at Watervliet, starting in his freshman season when he went 21-8,

finishing third in the district tournament and making his first annual trip to the regionals at 170 pounds.

As a sophomore he went 22-6, again finishing third in districts. His breakout season was in 2023 when

he went 20-8 and finished second at districts, then finished fourth at regionals to qualify for the state

tournament. This season he won a couple regular season tournaments on his way to a 40-8 record at

175 pounds, finished second at districts, then lost a heartbreaker in his final regional match to bring his

high school wrestling career to a close.

His favorite part of wrestling at Watervliet was having fun at practice with his teammates and coaches,

and getting to know his opponents over the years.

Not many wrestlers make it to regionals four times but Riley was one of those rare ones who did it, and

did it in a weight class that’s typically tough the first two years. When he’s not wrestling he enjoys

reading, fishing, and deer hunting, usually a few hours north in Walhalla. He’s looking forward to playing

both golf and track in the spring. After graduation he’s planning to attend a college with a wrestling

program and continue the sport as long as he can.

Congratulations, Riley!

Dear Community Referral Partner,

Do you know a teen who is experiencing challenges such as school disengagement, low self-esteem or needing direction? We’ve helped nearly 5,000 “at-promise” youth get back on track and see their full potential since 1999.

The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy is accepting applications for youth desiring admission to our next cycle, which begins July 14 (residential portion will end December 14). Participation in a Discover MYCA Information Session for both the youth and at least one parent/guardian is a mandatory step in the application process, with early application providing the best chance of admission. Information sessions are offered in-person around the state. Please visit https://www.michigan.gov/myca/events to locate and register for a session in your area.

Deadline for application is no later than June 14, 2024.

Statewide Information Session Schedule

Wednesday, February 21

Saturday, February 24

Tuesday, February 27

Wednesday, February 28

Saturday, March 2

Monday, March 4

Wednesday, March 6

Saturday, March 9

Tuesday, March 12

Wednesday, March 13

Thursday, March 21

Monday, April 8

Thursday, April 18

Friday, April 19

Wednesday, April 24

Tuesday, April 30

Saturday, May 4

Thursday, May 9

Friday, May 10

Saturday, May 11

Saturday, May 18

Tuesday, May 21

Saturday, June 1

Wednesday, June 5

Boldfaced dates not available for registration until later in recruiting cycle.

Congratulations to Ella Harris and Lauren Lovell, who participated in the MSVMA District 6 Solo and Ensemble Festival held at Southwestern Michigan College on Saturday, February 17, 2024.

They both received Division 1 ratings for their solo performances, qualifying them for the MSVMA State Solo and Ensemble Festival.

Ella and Lauren represented Watervliet High School and the Watervliet Choir Program in such a positive way! ❤️

We want you accessing your child's Canvas account! Please take the following steps so that you can be checking on his/her grades on a regular basis.

1. Steps for parents to create a parent Canvas account.

   1. Obtain Student Pairing Code

   2. Sign up for an account through your phone app or on the computer using an email address.
      

2. Parents should go to www.watervlietps.org and click on the link "Canvas for Parents" in the middle of the homepage. Here is the direct link: https://www.

   watervlietps.org/o/wps/page/

   canvas-resources. Here you will find the screenshot instructions, a 7 slide presentation and brief videos on navigating the parent portal, checking grades, viewing assignments and accessing teacher feedback.

3. Students need to create the pairing code for their parents and it is only valid for 7 days.

4. If you are having difficulty obtaining the student pairing code, teachers have access to this information within their course by going to People and clicking on the 3 dots in the upper right corner and choosing Export Pairing Codes. Again, these pairing codes are only good for 7 days. Quick way for teachers get this code to a parent when communicating with them.

5. Instructions are online AND shared every Friday in the high school parent newsletter.

Please reach out to us in the high school office if you have questions or concerns about accessing your child's Canvas account. We need and want your support at the high school!

IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS TRANSPORTATION HOME, HE/SHE MUST EMAIL MS. POWERS IN ADVANCE OF THE DAY THAT YOUR CHILD IS STAYING.

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

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