Panther Print for Parents 🐾
WEEKLY UPDATE FROM THE PRINCIPAL MAY 20, 2022
OKAY2SAY
We believe Watervliet High School is safe, but no community is immune from the threats of violence and drugs that endanger students and schools in Michigan.
OK2SAY is a student safety initiative available to Michigan students in grades K−12 which enables students to confidentially report potential harm or criminal activities aimed at students, teachers, staff, or other school employees.
The nationally recognized program is run through the Michigan State Police, state agencies, schools, local law enforcement, and community mental health. Tips can be submitted 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.
• Telephone: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)
• Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
• Email: ok2say@mi.gov
• Website: ok2say.com
• OK2SAY Mobile app: Available in the Apple Store or Google Play.
OK2SAY tips have helped thousands of students and saved many lives because students are stepping up and speaking out when they are concerned about a friend or peer. There are 31 tip categories to choose from when submitting a confidential tip. Most tips were related to bullying, cyberbullying, self-harm, anxiety, stress and depression, and suicide. Other top tips include drug/alcohol use, weapon possession, or assault.
Upon receipt of a tip, specially trained OK2SAY technicians address the immediate need and forward the information to the appropriate responding law enforcement agency or organization. Tips go to schools, local law enforcement agencies, community mental health agencies or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
To ensure tips are acted upon, agencies receiving tips are asked to submit outcome reports detailing how the tip was handled. Annual reports on the program’s impact detail the types and numbers of tips handled. Annual reports are available on the OK2SAY website.
More information is available on the OK2SAY website (ok2say.com).
IMPORTANT END OF THE YEAR REMINDERS
Students MUST earn a 60% or higher in each class by June 9th in order to pass the class and earn credit.
If a student does not earn a 60% or higher in a class or classes by June 9th, that means that the class will have to be taken AGAIN either this summer in summer school or in school next year.
Failing a class or classes, can put your child off track towards graduation with his/her class.
Please encourage your child to pass all classes now. There is after school homework help on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 4:15 for the remainder of this school year.
It is very important that your child be in school everyday for the remainder of the school year. Students should be completing and turning in all missing work from quarter 4--now. Students should be reaching out to teachers either in person or via email for classes that are currently being failed.
Below is the exam schedule for the end of the semester. Exams count for 20% of the student's semester grade. It is important that students prepare in advance for all exams. Failing an exam can cause a student to fail a class for the semester.
EXAM SCHEDULE
June 6th Normal school day; 1st hour exam
Underclassmen Awards Assembly in the auditorium June 6th 2 pm. Students who are receiving an award will be sent home a letter in the mail. Parents are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend virtually, this is the link:
meet.google.com/ftz-andz-vfj
June 7 Half Day 11:40 AM dismissal exams in periods 2 and 3
June 8 Half Day 11:40 AM dismissal exams in periods 4 and 5
June 9 Half Day 11:40 AM dismissal exams in periods 6 and 7
THANK YOU OFFICER THORNSBURY
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
SUMMER OPPORTUNITY AT ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
CONGRATULATIONS BRENNAN AND MIA!
CONGRATULATIONS to your 2022 WHS Prom KING and QUEEN
Brennan Bornas and Mia Ryan!
ALL 8TH GRADE PARENTS ARE INVITED...
To join us for a very important informational session regarding expectations at the high school for next year. You can meet with us face to face for the event, or use the link below to join us virtually. This is the only orientation session to the high school that will take place for the Class of 2026.
2022-2023 Calendar Dates
Take a look at the list of high school calendar dates for next year. These are both the building and district dates. Additional dates will be added for state testing and parent informational nights. This list will be updated and included in all newsletters going forward.
SUMMER SCHOOL
DUAL ENROLLMENT
Dual enrollment is the process by which high school students can take college course through Lake Michigan College during the school day at little or no cost to the family. Presentations have been made to all students on the topic of dual enrollment. Letters were mailed home this week to all eligible Panthers. If your child has interest in dual enrolling in the fall, he/she MUST go to the counseling office this week to talk to the School Counselor, Mrs. Dawson.
Dual enrolled classes can be taken virtually, at Lake Michigan College, and/or on site at the high school. The onsite class that will be offered in 22-23 are:
POSC 101 (National Government)
- CRN 13509
- 2:20 pm – 3:10 pm
- Mondays and Tuesdays
- Erik Gustafson
COMM 101 (Intro. to Public Speaking)
- CRN 13425
- 2:20 pm – 3:10 pm
- Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Kyle Kelly
MUSI 109 MUSIC APPRECIATION
- 2:20-3:10
- M-TH
- Jen Hollandsworth
HOMEWORK HELP CONTINUES...
On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday until 4:15 PM in the high school media center. Please have your child join us to complete homework, get extra help, or just for a quiet place to work.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIOR PARENTS!
Semester 2 Exams--May 25th, 26th, 27th
Parade through elementarys and middle school May 27th 10 AM
Last official school day for Seniors--Friday, May 27th
Car Parade--May 27th 3:30PM
Baccalaureate--Wednesday, June 1st 6:00PM
Class Picnic--Thursday, June 2nd 2:00PM
Graduation Practice--Thursday, June 2nd 3:30PM (mandatory to walk at graduation)
Graduation--Friday, June 3rd 6:30PM
FINAL EXAMS FOR SENIORS
Exams will take place on May 25, 26, and 27.
Wednesday, May 25th Periods 5, 6, and 7; this is a full day of school for all seniors
Thursday, May 26th Periods 3 and 4; student will pick up their cap and gown after their 4th hour exam; seniors should be in school all morning through 4th hour
Friday, May 27th Periods 1 and 2; 10 am Dismissal to parade through elementary buildings and the middle school
3:30 Senior Car Parade
BACCALAUREATE
A non-denominational religious service that honors the past, celebrates the moment, and gives hope for the future will be held on June 1st at 6 pm in the Watervliet High School Auditorium.
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors and look forward to their next adventures. We will look back and recognize not only their hard work, but also recognize that God has been there to help them along. We will take this time to honor both them and God for their past successes and to send them off with the hope and guidance that God will continue to be there for them. Desserts will be offered in the auditorium lobby following the service.
PANTHER HOTLINE
In addition to being able to report concerns of violence to OK2SAY, we also want our students to have a way to anonymously report concerning information to the building principal and school resource office immediately. The PANTHER HOTLINE is an anonymous way for students and families to report concerns of potential violence, fighting, self harm, bullying and/or harassment. If you, or your child have concerning information that you want to get to the building principal and/or the school resource officer quickly, but you would prefer to remain anonymous, please consider completing this form. This information has been emailed to all students and this flyer has been posted throughout the high school building.
TRI CITY RECORD PLAYER OF THE WEEK
PLAYER OF THE WEEK - The May 12, 2022 Press Box Player of the Week is Tyson Williams, a pitcher on the Watervlier Varsity baseball team. In his last five starts he is 4-1 with 26 innings pitched, 32 strikeouts, nine hits, and just two runs scored. His only loss was a 2-1 defeat to #11 ranked Bridgman.... READ MORE ABOUT TYSON IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE OF THE TRI-CITY RECORD. https://www.tricityrecord.com/sports
OUR THANKS TO....Lifestyle Chiropractic in Watervliet for sponsoring Player of the Week.
CONGRATULATIONS ANDREW CHISEK AND ADDISON RILEY
Andrew Chisek and Addison Riley walked away with two top athletics honors at this year’s WHS Senior Awards Ceremony last night. The pair were awarded the distinction of Top Male and Top Female Athlete. Both also were selected as the first-ever recipients of the Hurst Family Panther Student-Athlete Annual Scholarship.
Watervliet Alumnus Gary Hurst and his wife established the Hurst Family Panther Student-Athlete Scholarship to recognize outstanding sportsmanship, athletic achievement, leadership, community service, and scholarship exhibited by one male and one female senior athlete each year. Gary was himself an outstanding athlete at WHS in the late 1970’s and still holds the record for the 110 high hurdles.
WHS coaches from every sport vote to select the winners of both The Top Athlete Award and the Hurst Family Scholarship Award.
Andrew Chisek has earned a long list of awards throughout his four years at WHS. Some highlights include Six MVP Awards, BCAM’s Best (basketball) Award twice, BCAM Outstanding Senior Athlete, and numerous All-Division, All-District, All-Region, and Academic honors. He is a three-season athlete, playing Panther soccer, basketball and baseball.
Included in Addison Riley’s portfolio are both academic and athletic awards for her participation in volleyball, basketball, and softball throughout high school. She is an Individual Academic All-State Award earner in volleyball this year.
Congratulation to Addison and Andrew on earning these top honors.
UPCOMING ATHLETIC SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 19
1 st Grade Muffins in the Morning
4 th Grade Field Trip to Air Zoo
4:30 PM Varsity Baseball at Lawton – single game
4:30 PM JV Baseball Scrimmage at MI Lutheran
5:30 PM JV Softball at Buchanan
Friday, May 20
Young 5s & 2 nd Grade Muffins in the Morning
10:00 AM Varsity Track Regional Meet at Lawton
7:00 PM 8 th Grade Spring Formal
4:30 PM Varsity baseball (DH) at Fennville
4:00 PM JV Softball Home vs. Hartford
7:00 PM JV Softball Home vs. South Haven
5:00 PM Varsity Girls Soccer at Covert
Saturday, May 21
7:45 AM Senior Trip to Great America and Medieval Times
10:00 AM Varsity Softball at Bronson Tournament
Monday, May 23
1 st Grad Reading Luau
7 th Grade Field Trip to Airway Fun Center
8:30 AM 2 nd Grade Walk to Norht School
4:30 PM Varsity Baseball DH at Martin
4:30 PM Varsity Softball DH Home vs. Kalamazoo Christian – SENIOR NIGHT
4:30 PM JV Baseball DH at Bloomingdale
Tuesday, May 24
8:00 AM Varsity Golf All-Conference Meet at Beeches Golf Course
9:00 AM 5 th grade to LOMA Theatre
9:45 AM Pre-School Field Trip to Power in Motion
12:30 PM Varsity Track SAC Championship Meet at Constantine
4:30 PM Varsity Baseball DH at Berrien Springs
Wednesday, May 25
Senior Exams
10:00 AM Pre-School Graduation and Picnic at Hays Park
4:30 PM Varsity Softball DH Home vs. Centreville
Thursday, May 26
Senior Exams
8:30 AM Pre-School Field Trip to the Library
7:00 PM Spring HS Choir Concert
6:00 PM PTO Meeting – 22-23 Board Nominations
Friday, May 27
North School Field Day
Senior Exams & Last Day of School
11:00 Senior Picnic
12:00 PM Senior Parade at Elementary Schools
3:30 PM Senior Car Parade
Monday, May 30
NO SCHOOL – MEMORIAL DAY
MS/HS Band at Memorial Day Parade
4:30 PM Varsity Baseball DH vs. Hackett at Kalamazoo College
Tuesday, May 31
9:00 AM Golf Regional Tournament at Beeches Golf Course
5:30 PM Softball District Tournament Game at Bangor vs. Hartford
6:00 PM Virtual PTO Meeting
Saturday, June 4
10:00 AM Softball District Semi-Final & Final Games at Bangor vs. TBD
12:00 PM Baseball District Semi-Final & Final Games at Bangor vs. TBD
Thursday, June 2
7:00 PM MS Spring Choir Concert
Friday, June 3
Elementary Buildings Spirit Day
12:00 PM 3rd Grade Field Trip to Hays Park
6:30 PM WHS Graduation Ceremony