Panther Nation Newsletter #27
April 9, 2021
A message from our Principal
After a year of carefulness, cancellations, postponements and creativity, we are nearly through the 2020-2021 school year. We are excited to be making tentative plans for annual spring events such as Graduation, the Musical and Prom. We have those events scheduled and have laid out the contingency plans for each. Much communication will be forthcoming in this newsletter and those to come, as well as direct emails and in-person communication with students here at school. Nevertheless, please feel free to ask us when you have questions.
With just about 7 weeks of school left we are continuing to remain vigilant in keeping our students and staff healthy right down to the last days. Unfortunately, with the warmer weather and things beginning to "open up," we've been forced to deal with four new cases of positive CoVid tests. Those positives have put about 80 students and one staff member into quarantine. This is the first time that we've had four cases at once. All four cases were contracted outside the school. We have been very blessed to have nearly all of our staff fully vaccinated so they are free from quarantine.
It's important for all of us to remain very dedicated to our CoVid protocols. Wear masks. Remain socially distanced and please, please, please - keep students home when they cannot pass the CoVid self-screener AND when other family members are showing symptoms.
We desperately want normal activities to resume. We want our students to experience Prom and Graduation and our Musical and our concerts and athletics...and everything. The only way those things happen is when we keep our numbers of positive cases manageable. We are at or near being classified as an "outbreak" site. That distinction will play heavily on decisions to continue many of the activities listed above. We continue to need your help in keeping things under control. The best way to help is to observe the stated protocols - get your vaccinations and encourage others to do the same.
Thanks for your help this year. We're almost through it. Keep up the commitment to making our school year as good as it can be. Until next time. Take care.
Mr. Burr
Testing! Testing! 1-2-3
This year, we will administer the PSAT to all 9th and 10th grade students, and the SAT to all 11th grade students. While the PSAT will prepare students for the SAT, it also acts as the achievement test used by the state of Colorado. Teachers will be using scores to adjust what they teach and counselors will be using them to help guide students’ class selection and post-secondary career & college direction. In addition, in order to earn a diploma from WPHS, all students need to show their proficiency in math and reading. Many students do this by earning a 500 in Math and 470 in Reading on the SAT.
Test Dates are:
Juniors: SAT Test April 13th (make-up April 27th)
Sophomores: PSAT 10 April 14th (make-up test April 28th)
Freshmen: PSAT 8/9 April 14th (make-up test April 28th)
**grade levels not testing should stay home and get caught up on their demonstrations of learning.
For the majority of Juniors, SAT testing will conclude around 1:00pm and they will be excused from campus once the test is completed.
For the majority of Freshman and Sophomore students, testing will conclude around 12:45pm and they will be excused from campus once the test is completed.
Students will need to arrange a ride home after the test or wait in the library until the busses run the regular route at 2:00. Busses run regular routes in the morning for a 9:00AM start time. Lunch will also be available in the cafeteria after testing via the A La Carte.
Reminders for Testing:
Please bring a calculator. For the SAT, we will have various calculators in each room, but it is best for students to bring one they are comfortable using.
Please pack a snack, there will be break opportunities for you to eat during testing.
Khan Academy is a great place to get some additional practice before the test www. khanacademy.org
Please encourage your student to do his or her best.
Get a good night’s sleep and eat a nutritional breakfast.
Cell phones/ iPods/devices are not allowed
Please adjust any doctor or dentist appointments so there are no scheduling conflicts.
Please talk with your student about your preferences in regards to sharing demographic data. For the SAT, The College Board collects data to match students with potential colleges or scholarships. Learn details here
Students received information in their advisory classes, but more information on the SAT is available at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/sat-student-guide.pdf
A word about Testing:
We believe that parents know what is best for their children and recognize that parents have the right to refuse state assessments. With that being said, please know that these assessments are used for a variety of purposes here at school such as teacher effectiveness ratings, class offerings, student placement and college recommendations. When a high percentage of students do not take the assessments, schools tend to get lower scores which are reported in the media. Meeting a minimum requirement percentage of tested students is required by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) for our school’s accreditation.
If you choose for your student to not take the state assessments, you must sign the district refusal form in the front office. No exceptions can be made. This document is required by the CDE. Students will not be able to request these forms. Students that do not test must stay home on SAT or PSAT days. If you would like to discuss state assessments in more depth, please email a member of the administrative team.
Thank you for your support and cooperation,
Kevin Burr, Principal
Micaela Davidson, Testing Coordinator
WPHS EVENTS
Click the picture above for Live Stream link
Hello Panthers! It's THAT time of year. And one of our great WPHS traditions of springtime is this Friday at 7pm. This year, MR. PANTHER will be live-streamed.
To DONATE and VOTE for Mr. Congeniality:
1. OPEN or DOWNLOAD Venmo
2. Search for user name mrpanther2021
3. In the FOR section you MUST include COVID RELIEF and the name of the Panther in whose name you are donating/voting
Thank you for supporting WPHS!
Counselors' Corner
Updates for the class of 2021
Class of 2021 YARD SIGNS
Graduation and Class of 2021 UPDATES
PROM
Prom 2021 - click HERE for DETAILS regarding PROM
After a year of cancellations and uncertainty -WPHS is excited to announce that our Panthers will be celebrating a traditional HS spring event this year: Prom
Vaccine eligibility is now available for everyone 16 years and older!
Once your child has received the 2nd dose of the vaccine followed by 2 weeks- they ARE NOT required to quarantine if exposed to a positive individual. Please provide a copy of the vaccine documentation to the school nurse.