WBHS Family Newsletter
November 2023
Message from Administration
Dear WBHS Families,
As we approach the month of November, I would like to take this opportunity to share some important updates, reminders, and highlights from our school.
It's incredible to see how much our students have grown academically and personally during these past several weeks. As we conclude the first quarter, please take a moment to reflect on your child's progress. We encourage you to review their academic achievements and set goals for the upcoming quarters. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's performance, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teachers or the school's counseling department.
We also have a few fun things planned this month! Some highlights include (more information provided below):
November 2nd - Our Marching Band is hosting an indoor concert!
November 10th- Our quarterly WBSD Way Assembly will celebrate meeting our First Quarter goals! We will also be paying tribute to our veterans on this very special day.
November 16th - Our Juniors and Seniors will be able to opt in to hear former NBA player, Chris Herren, speak about his incredible journey!
As always, thank you for your partnership and dedication to your child’s success at our schools. From our school family to yours, we wish you all a happy and healthy month of November!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Potter
Executive Principal
West Bend High Schools
Important Dates
November 2: Indoor Marching Band Concert (see flyer for details)
November 3: End of Quarter 1
November 10: WBSD Way First Quarter Assembly
November 16: Chris Herren Presentation (for juniors & seniors)
November 22-24: Thanksgiving Break | No School
November 27: No School for StudentsReminders & Updates
Clinic Expectations, Reminders, & Updates
As a reminder to all students and families, here are the expectations for the clinic:
All students are required to have a pass to the clinic. Students should check in with their teacher first and get a pass to the clinic.
Students who enter the clinic during the passing period will be asked to check in with the classroom teacher and return with a pass. Students will need to report to their class before the bell rings or will be marked late. The clinic will not issue students a pass should they report during a passing period. The clinic will not excuse a tardy or late if students enter during a passing period.
If students are not feeling well at lunch, they should get a pass from the cafeteria.
Only required students should visit the clinic before school begins. If students are not feeling well prior to the start of the school day, they should report to the office to call home.
"Prevention Starts with All" Presentation
West Bend East and West juniors and seniors are invited to “Prevention Starts with All,” a presentation by former NBA player Chris Herren, on Thursday, November 16 at 1:00 p.m. Chris will deliver a brutally honest presentation on substance abuse prevention education.
Chris Herren was an All-American basketball star who broke scoring records and played in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics. But he lost his career and nearly his family to addiction. Since 2008, he has been alcohol and drug free and now shares his story with young people to help prevent drug and alcohol use. Mr. Herren’s appearance at East and West is made possible by Delta Defense and Horicon Bank.
Permission from a parent or guardian is required for attendance. If you would like to give consent for your student(s) to attend this presentation, please complete this Google Form no later than 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15: Prevention Starts with All Permission Form. Note: If you have more than one student to give permission for, please complete the form for each student.
While Mr. Herren’s message is about preventing substance abuse, he shares his personal history and that of family members, which includes details of drug and alcohol use, rehab stints, and being arrested for drugs. Some students may find these details disturbing or you may feel it is inappropriate for your child.
Juniors and seniors who have permission to attend will go to their 6th hour class for attendance and then go to the auditorium for the presentation after an announcement is made. It will end at 2:25 p.m.
Juniors and seniors who are not attending the presentation should report to their periods 6 and 7 classes as usual.
Please review the information about Chris Herren at https://herrentalks.com/.
Semester 1 Exams
Semester 1 Exams will take place on January 17, 18, & 19, 2024. More detailed information will be communicated in the December and January Family and Student Newsletters.
WBSD Way Pass
As a reminder, to continue to qualify for our WBSD Way Expanded Release Pass, Juniors and Seniors must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
Have 1st period, 7th period, or consecutive study halls and lunch periods off (students may also request only Period 0 off Tuesday through Friday)
Be on track to graduate
Maintain a C or higher in all classes at all reporting periods
Attend all scheduled classes
Attend Mandatory Monday homeroom unless excused
Exhibit positive behaviors (no major behavior referrals at any time)
Be up to date on all fees with the bookkeeper
Students who do not meet this criteria after our 1st Quarter reporting period will have this privilege revoked. An email to the student and parent/guardian will be sent acknowledging the loss of this privilege. Beginning the week of November 6th, mandatory attendance at school will be reinstated and student(s) will be expected to report to class.
If a student would like to discuss opportunities to earn the privilege back at the next reporting period, please schedule an appointment with Associate Principal Dave Uelmen. You can schedule an appointment in the main office.
AP Exam Registration
This is a reminder for all students who are taking an AP class to register for the AP exam before November 15. If you sign up after November 15th, you will be charged a $40 late fee for each exam. The 2023-24 AP Exam Registration & Timeline has details about payment information and canceling AP exams.
Attendance Updates
Did you know that missing 10%, or 2 days a month, over the course of the school year, can affect a student’s academic success. There have been 40 days of school so far this year. If your child has missed 4 or more days of school, please check their grades in Skyward and help them connect with their teachers if they are struggling with grades or missing work.
Updates from the WBSD Way Team
WBSD Way Goals
The 1st Quarter goal for the WBSD Way Team was to have 90.5% or more students with 0-1 major referrals (not including attendance). As of 10/9, 98.5% of students had 0-1 major referrals, which surpasses our goal! Way to go WBHS students!
WBSD Way November Lesson
The WBSD Way team is focusing on Respect for the month of November. This is one of our 4 WBSD Way expectations (Respectful, Responsible, Safe and Ready). On November 6 and November 20, homebases will have classroom discussions on respectful behaviors and giving thanks.
Staff is always on the lookout for students meeting our monthly expectations. Students demonstrating respectful behaviors will be celebrated by receiving a purple WBSD Way ticket. These tickets can be dropped off in the main office for the chance to win any of the monthly prizes.
In addition, we will be celebrating our responsible students from September and October during our First Quarter assembly on Friday, November 10. We will show respect and gratitude for our Veterans during this assembly as well. See below for the altered bell schedule for November 10. November 10 will also be a Spirit Day for all students and staff! Please dress in your favorite red, white, & blue gear!
Counseling Office Updates
College Application Time
This letter was sent to families on 10/18/23 through Skyward regarding college applications. Please review the slideshow for more information and reach out to your student’s counselor with any questions.
October and November are prime months for seniors to send out applications for colleges / tech colleges. If seniors have questions or need any help with their applications, please encourage them to visit the Career Readiness Center during their study hall, lunch, or Resource (they can sign-up via Flexi).
End of Quarter 1 – Add / Drop Policy
Reminder: Friday, November 3 is the end of Quarter 1. This is also the last day dropped classes will result in a “W” (withdrawal) on students' permanent transcript. After November 3, students will receive an “F” for the semester for any dropped classes.
Click HERE for the full WBHS Add/Drop policy.
Career Readiness Center Updates
Scholarship Information Meeting
Seniors, mark your calendars! The High School Scholarship Info Meeting will be Monday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.
College Application Help Available
The Career Readiness Center is available for seniors looking for help and support with college applications and letters of recommendation. Students may stop in during their lunch or free period or email Mrs. Barnes (abarnes@wbsd-schools.org).
Upcoming Visits & Workshops
Here are the upcoming recruiter visits for all students in the Career Readiness Center:
- 11/2 - UW Green Bay - Lunch hours
- 11/6 - Moraine Park 8:30am-2:30pm
- 11/7 - Marine Corps - Lunch hours
- 11/9 - Army - Lunch hours
Career Readiness Workshops:
- Calendar of Workshops
- Career Readiness Session Signup Form
- 11/9 - MTPC Spotlights - Business & Entrepreneurship Program 10:30-11:45
Automotive Career Fair for Students
WBHS and ADAMM are partnering for an automotive career fair for Washington & Ozaukee county automotive students on January 18, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. Students can contact Mr. Sorce in Room 1311 with questions.
WBHS Highlights & Celebrations
Aaron Sohm and Tore Schemelin competed in a two-hour automation challenge using various industry equipment (which they have learned about in their high school classes).
Helpful Links for Families
WBHS Contact Information
Address:
1305 E. Decorah Road
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone Numbers:
(262)335-5530 (East Office)
(262)335-5570 (West Office)
(262)335-5550 (Attendance)
(262)335-5580 (Counseling Office)
Athletics Websites: East | West
Administration
Jared Kiesow- East & West Assistant Principal Grade 9
jkiesow@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5587
Laura Krause-Emerick- East Assistant Principal Grades 10 - 12
lkrauseemerick@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5571
Dave Riley - West Assistant Principal Grades 10 - 12
dsriley@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5532
Susan Saric - East & West Assistant Principal
ssaric@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5569
Dave Uelmen - Associate Principal
duelmen@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5592
Jennifer Potter- Executive Principal
jpotter@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5629
Counselors
Kara Phillips - East students with last names A-G
Stephanie Stuve - East students with last names H-O
Kris Kemp - East students with last names P-Z
Matt Coyle - West students with last names A-G
Jenni Hanni-Schmitz - West students with last names H-P
jhannischmitz@wbsd-schools.org
Nicole Miller - West students with last names Q-Z
Juliana Delgado - Freshmen Transition Coordinator, 504, and Virtual Learning
Michelle Cattelan - School Psychologist