Waunakee High School Warrior Weekly
Monday, October 23 through Friday, October 27, 2023
Los boletines se publican a través del sitio web de SMORE. El sitio web SMORE tiene una opción de "traducir" disponible, ubicada en la parte superior del programa. Si tiene preguntas o está confundido acerca de la información compartida en este boletín, comuníquese con nuestro intérprete del distrito al (608) 206-5730
The bulletins are published through the SMORE website. The SMORE website has a "translate" option available, located on the top of the program. If you have questions or are confused about the information shared in this newsletter, please contact our district interpreter at (608) 206-5730
Important Calendar Reminder
No School for Students Thanksgiving Week
This year’s district calendar is a change from previous years, and we’d like to make sure you are aware of the school district calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. Please note that there are no school days for students on Monday and Tuesday, November 20 and 21, 2023, where in previous years students have had school. District staff will be engaged in professional development days on both Monday and Tuesday this week.
You can view the 2023-2024 family calendars on the school website, as well the 2024-2025 family school calendars. The calendars show the beginning and last days of school, early release days, and no school days.
View Family District Calendars I https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/about-us/calendars
2023-2024 Calendar Grid View I 2023-2024 Calendar Summary View
Not Feeling Well?
Dear Parents and Guardians,
- Anytime your student leaves school due to illness, we ask that they first check out through the health office rather than just the attendance desk.
- Health Staff will then contact the parent; the parent should not contact the Attendance Line.
- The student requesting to go home will still be sent home with parental permission, but this policy serves a couple of additional purposes. With only that brief contact, health staff has a chance to ensure the student is safe to leave the building on their own and they are also able to keep abreast of any of the usual trends in illness among the student population. We ask, for the sake of safety, that your student never leave the building without first properly checking out.
- If your student communicates with you that they're not feeling well and would like to go home, please remind them to "just check out through the health office first."
Thanks for partnering with us in the well being of your student/s!
Freshmen HOCO Dinner is a Success!
Another successful barn dinner in the books! Thank you to the HOCO Dinner Committee for their time and efforts in organizing this event. There were 311 freshmen who enjoyed time with their Class of 2027 prior to the Homecoming Dance.
A Special Offer by Lifetouch, Inc.
Smile!
Lifetouch, Inc. is offering in-house picture retakes on Monday, November 13th from 3-6 PM. Photos will be taken at their area office located at: 2821 Dairy Drive in Madison! Watch for the SignUpGenius link that will be shared soon.
From the Library Media Technology Center (LMTC)
Cricut Machine for Students Use
Are you tired of mixing up your new Stanley water bottle with everyone else's around this school? (Gross! It's cold and flu season!) Did you know that the LMTC has a Cricut machine for students to use? We have iron-on transfer materials, both removable and permanent vinyl for stickers, construction paper, and other supplies. Stop in during Contact Time or Study Hall to make and create.
Please email Mr. Schiemann ahead of time so he's ready to assist you.
Book Club Reads
The LMTC Book Club will meet again at the end of the month on either Tuesday October 31st or Friday November 3rd. The books we're reading this month are: Divine Rivals and I Kissed Shara Wheeler.
WHS 2023-2024 Building Goals
At Waunakee Community High School, we are committed to helping each student reach their full potential. To guide our efforts, our school improvement team meets annually during an activity we call our School Improvement Institute, or SII. During the summer of 2023, a team of teachers, administrators, and other school staff from Waunakee Community High School gathered together at SII to review data and create our School Improvement Plan for the 2023-2024 school year. Operating under the umbrella of our Waunakee Community School District’s strategic priorities, we developed two goals for continuous improvement for the 2023-2024 school year.
By spring 2025, all of the available data within the following indicators will be as high or higher than the 2019 (pre-pandemic) results:
% of ACT benchmark proficiency,
% of 9th grade students with 90% or greater attendance
% of 12th grade students with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher
% of students involved in co-curriculars
% of students that earn a “C” or better in an Advanced Placement course.
% of students earning a “C” or better in Dual Enrollment courses.
% of students earning a “C” or better in Advanced Algebra.
% of students that have completed more than 25 service hours.
Students enrolled in Work Based Learning and earning Industry Recognized Credentials.
We will continue to develop and foster a positive and inclusive school climate so that the percentage of students who report a positive social and emotional well being is maintained or improved by June of 2024 as measured by the WCHS Student Climate Survey comparing yearly concurrent months.
We believe these two goals will help create an environment where all students can thrive academically and develop as independent learners. To achieve this, we value the support and involvement of parents. Please reach out to your child's teachers to learn more about how you can support learning at home. Please visit the district website for additional information and resources related to our school improvement efforts this year.
With our dedicated staff and engaged families working together, we know we can make great progress to support each student's growth and success this school year!
WCSD DISTRICT GOALS
WCSD METAS DEL DISTRITO
From the School to Career Coordinator
Do you work for a biotech company? No matter what role you might play, if you are connected to a biotech company, please consider connecting with the Dane County School consortium and BTCI regarding your organization. We are in need of biotech companies who are willing to partner with local school districts, like Waunakee, to mentor high school apprenticeship students pursuing a career in the biotech industry. Please contact Michelle McGlynn (michellemcglynn@waunakee.k12.wi.us) for more information!
Did you know that Waunakee High School has a growing Youth Apprenticeship program? Students in grades 11 and 12 have the opportunity to apply and add this fantastic career experience to their educational experiences. Students can participate in a variety of career program areas - our most popular areas this year include health science (from dental to vision and nursing to pharmacy), construction (from plumbing to electrical and even HVAC), and marketing. We also have students in finance, broadcast journalism, vet tech, automotive, and more! Students or families should reach out to Mrs. McGlynn with questions. Application materials for next school year will be sent to student emails in January.
Staff Appreciation Committee
The High School staff and administration extend a huge thank you to the HS Staff Appreciation Committee, parents, and guardians for supplying a wonderful pre-conference dinner. Your time, efforts, and contributions are appreciated! A special thanks to the Staff Appreciation Co-Coordinators, Shawna Schalk and Melissa Meinholz for taking the lead on the dinner arrangements.
Post Prom Planning Committee
Post Prom: April 13, 2024
Attention Junior Parents/Guardians,
The Post Prom Planning Committee met on October 17th to begin planning for the April 13, 2024 Post Prom. If you were unable to attend but are interested in helping out, please email Steve Hernandez at stevenhernandez@waunakee.k12.wi.us.
Post Prom is organized by parents/guardians and offers a wonderful opportunity for our students following Prom.
Thank you for your help and support in advance.
Project Graduation 2024
Keeping Traditions Alive!
Project Graduation is a fun, after graduation party organized by the parents and guardians of the graduating SENIORS. This event was established to offer seniors a safe place to celebrate for FREE!
We are currently in need of a treasurer, as well as committee leads/co-leads and volunteers for Corporate Donations, Food, Prizes & Entertainment. If you are willing to help with Project Graduation, email waunagradparty@gmail.com to express interest.
There will be a planning meeting on Wednesday, November 15 at 6:30 PM in room 1400 at the high school.
Thank you for your help and support in advance.
Community Coat Drive Registration
Providing Warmth. One Coat at a Time
Is your family in need of winter coats? Waunakee Neighborhood Connections will be distributing coats on Saturday, October 21st from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Peace Lutheran Church, 701 South Century Avenue, Waunakee.
Please click WNC Coat Drive Sign Up to register for a time. Due to limited space, if you arrive early, you may have to wait until your scheduled time.
Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
Please join Principal Borowski for the next High School Parent Advisory Committee Meeting on Monday, October 23rd at 6:00 PM, via Zoom. Please email cindyrichardson@waunakee.k12.wi.us to request the Zoom link.
Topics of discussion include:
- Homecoming
- Graduation on a Sunday (senior parents/guardians are encouraged to participate)
- Social Media (other forms of communication vs. email)
- Fall Conferences
- Other Updates
Yearbook Updates
- Senior yearbook items are being collected right now; you can find more information (HERE) at the bottom of the web page.
- To check the list of what has been submitted you can check the link (HERE). Remember that the submission of the senior portrait is no cost. The submissions of "Senior Profile" items requires a 25.00 payment to include that information in the book.
- Deadline to submit all senior items is November 30th. If you need Mr. Willauer to scan a baby photo please have your senior sign up for a contact time in the Innovation Center before 11/30/23.
Extra copies of the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 yearbook are available for purchase in the main office. Each copy is $75.00 and can be paid with cash or a check made payable to WCSD. These books are sold on a first come, first served basis. We will start updating the order list regularly. Your online purchase will send you a digital receipt.
Whipurwauna
Reserve Your 2024 Yearbook Today!
Our 2023-2024 yearbooks are for sale at the order center.
Click the link HERE to purchase.
Enter School Code 3927.
$55 until 12/31/2023; $65 until 05/01/2024; $75 until 07/06/2024; Personalization Sales end 05/01/2024; All Online Sales End 07/06/2024. Quantitites are limited. Don't Miss Out!
Dental Care Right at School
Preventative Dental Services Include: Fluoride Varnish, Silver Diamine Fluoride, Dental Cleaning, Sealants, Oral Screening, Referral Assistance.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- CLASS RING ORDER: Place your class ring order by October 19th to receive $20 off when using promo code RING20. Ring sizer packets are available in the main office. Click Here to Access WCHS's Online Ring Builder QUESTIONS? Call 608-526-2100 or EMAIL: keiler.countryman@jostens.com
- GRADUATION PACKAGE: Click on the link below to order a graduation package to fit your needs or an individual cap/gown/tassel unit. Order by October 31st to avoid any late fees. Click Here to Order Waunakee Community High School Graduation Supplies QUESTIONS? 608-526-2100 or EMAIL: keiler.countryman@jostens.com
COUNSELING CONNECTION
Attention Seniors
The high school counselors are offering college application help sessions each week through October. We are here to help you achieve your postsecondary goals, whether that be with application assistance, transcripts requests, and/or other supplemental items. Sign up in FlexiSched under Mr. Landis.
A college representative will be available to meet with juniors and seniors in the Counseling Office during Contact Time on the following day:
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 - UW-Madison
To attend, students must sign up in FlexiSched under the Counseling Office on Monday, October 23, 2023.
ACT Test Prep for Juniors
The ACT® test is the leading US admissions test, measuring what students learn in high school to
determine academic readiness for college. The ACT tests include: Reading, Math, English, Science,
Writing. Follow this link to register or for more ACT Test Prep information.
Important Note for Seniors/Parents/Guardians
According to Board of Education policy, you must be in attendance for 90% of the time if you want to walk at graduation. That means missing no more than 45 PERIODS of instruction per semester. Each school day is made of 5 periods: 1st, Contact Time/HomeRoom, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Parent Request excused absences do count within the 45 absences.
The good news is that there is a way to make certain absences exempt from counting against your student.
- Medical appointment? Bring in a doctor's note.
- College visit? Bring in documentation of your trip. (An email with date of visit or a picture of your student on campus. But not just a school brochure.)
- Funeral? Have a parent call.
- Family Vacation? Bring in a handwritten note from a parent. (Parent/Guardian must be traveling with the student(s)!)
Please call attendance 608.849.2110 or email your student's assistant principal with any additional questions. Thanks for your help!
2023-2024 Assessment Dates
ACT (Juniors): Tuesday, March 12, 2024 | 7:45 am-1:30 pm
No School (Frosh, Sophomores, Seniors)
Accommodated window: March 12-22, 2024
Forward Exam (Sophomores): Wed., April 3 & Thurs., April 4 | US History & AP US History Class
PreACT (Freshmen): Wednesday, April 17, 2024 | 8:00 am-11:25 am
3 Hr Late Start (Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors)
LINK (155 minutes test time + 15 minute break)
PreACT (Sophomores): Thursday, April 18, 2023 | 8:00 am-11:25 am
3 Hr Late Start (Freshmen, Juniors, Seniors)
LINK (155 minutes test time + 15 minute break)
**NOTE: Students with multi-day testing accommodations will need to be at school for both testing days.
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM): WI test window March 18-April 26, 2024
AP Exams: May 6 - 17, 2024 | AM: 7:45 am-12:00 pm | PM: 11:45 am-4:00 pm
See detailed course listing below
Late Testing - May 22-24, 2024
Community Events
Click on the following link to see what’s happening in and around the Waunakee district: https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/community/community-events
Menus for the Month of October
See the healthy lunch menu from TAHER FOOD SERVICES healthy lunch offerings.
To contact the High School, please call: (608) 849-2100. To reach the Attendance, press 1; Health Office, press 2; Counseling, press 3; Main Office, press 0