Panther Nation Newsletter #26
April 2, 2021
A Message from our Principal
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
Class of 2021 ATTENTION!! Important Graduation information
GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENT DELIVERY
Seniors! Jostens will be here to deliver graduation announcements on Monday, April 5. They will be in the commons during lunch.
Remember to bring your balance to pick up your order.
If you have not yet ordered your cap and gown, make sure to stop by and see the Jostens representative on this day.
Graduation for the Class of 2021
When: May 28th - 5:00 pm
Where: WPHS Football field*
The ceremony will be live streamed.
Graduate parade to follow the ceremony
*Spectator access to the graduation ceremony will be determined by Teller County CoVid restrictions closer to the day of the event. Tickets will be required for entry. Graduates will be given a limited number of tickets.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be help in the WPHS gym with LIMITED to NO spectators, dependant on CoVid restrictions.
At this time, all traditional senior events including but not limited to Tea and Capping, Scholarship Night, Prom, and Senior Skip Day are ON HOLD until decisions can be made with the TCPH. Decisions will occur CLOSER to the event dates (late April early May). Please be patient as we work to make the best decisions for the safety and health of our community.
APRIL 2 - come out and see the wonderful art work our students have in this show 5 pm - 8pm
Colorado Virtual Career Fair
Date: April 19-22, 2021
Time: 4:00pm to 6:30pm each evening (4-5p Career Panel, 5-6p Career Panel & 6-6:30p Special Topic Presentation)
Format: via Zoom
No-cost
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD BROADLY!!
This explorative & informative fair for youth will feature career panels representing a wide variety of industries throughout the state. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for youth attendees, parents, educators, and potential career panelists via the website: www.youthcareerfair.org!
The Colorado Virtual Career Fair is a collaboration between the Colorado State Youth Council, Colorado Workforce Development Council, Colorado Association of Career & Technical Education, other Colorado professional education agencies & organizations; and many Colorado school districts.
The design of this fair has an intention of facilitating access and awareness of career path opportunities to students who may or may not have been able to access the options before. Beyond the barrios of geographic location, beyond zip code, beyond regional location and beyond school district - students & families, youth & individuals of any age or grade level are welcome to attend. Explore more: www.youthcareerfair.org
Panelists will represent diversity of backgrounds, ethnicities and races and are intentionally recruited to help our students ‘see themselves’ in that future career.** If you are interested or know of others (think of your own friend, family and contacts) who would be a perfect fit, please see the attached Panelist Flier AND extend the ‘application’ here: https://forms.gle/6Gf1mFtZ1N64jvfm8
Equity and Mental Health within our youth communities is an investment the design committee wanted to focus on and the Attendee Registration form reflects this.
· Educator/Adult/Family Registration form: https://forms.gle/dmFeLaFnG41YqWHy8
· Youth Registration form: https://forms.gle/Ud9BMuHqtCcfg7GB6
· See the attached fliers!
· Visit: www.youthcareerfair.org
Follow us on Social Media!
Via Twitter: @career_youth.
Also, hashtags to follow: #OwnMyFuture, #YouthCareerFair, and #ColoradoYouth.
Looking forward to ‘seeing’ you and your students & families there!
If any questions arise, please contact: admin@youthcareerfair.org