Panther Nation Newsletter
August 13, 2021
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION:
- Message from our Principal
- Back to School Open House
- new school hours
- First days of school
- News from the Nurse
- Fall sports updates (Soccer, Volleyball and Football) - stay tuned for updates from Golf, Softball and Cross Country)
- CoVid 19 Safety Protocols
- Community events
A Message from our Principal
Panthers:
We are so excited to welcome you all back for a fantastic school year! We are looking forward to such an amazing 'reconnection' year with many of you that we missed a year ago. And, it will be incredible to welcome our new students to WPHS in just a few weeks.
We've been busy this summer getting ready for a fantastic welcome and a real introduction to WPHS that almost half of you still have yet to experience. We'll be relying heavily on our Seniors and Juniors to lead the student body in positive affirming ways that help us retain the culture of being the best high school in the region!
The first day of school (August 24th) will be a special welcome for our 9th graders and any new student to Woodland Park. This will give us a chance to orient them to the school ahead of the rest of the student body - which will begin attending on the 25th.
We have a new bell schedule this year. School begins 30 minutes later at 8:15am and lets out at 3:30pm. And, we're certain that you're going to be excited for the extension we've added to the lunch period. 2021-22 lunch period is preceded by a 30 minute "PowerLunch" designed for students to catch up on much needed school work. Those students who are on-track academically and caught-up with their classwork will be afforded an additional 30 minutes for lunch. Juniors and Seniors are still eligible to leave campus, so if you're really staying ahead of your academic needs, you'll have an hour to eat and socialize.
We will be monitoring your academic progress closely, and your Advisory teachers will be the key masters to your authority to be exempt from PowerLunch. We'll give you the details beginning the first days of school.
We're welcoming back everyone to the school this year. As per our district protocols, we will not be requiring masks. However, if you are more comfortable wearing one, please feel free. I expect that we will have students and staff who are more comfortable continuing to wear one, and we want to let you know that you'll not be alone.
It's really just a few short days away from our first day together. Make the most of your remaining time at home, at work or at play. We'll see you soon!
--Kevin Burr, Principal
Woodland Park High School
Important Information from our School Nurse
- If your student has a known health condition (Asthma, Allergies, Seizures, Diabetes) or needs special care such as medications, treatments or monitoring please bring in required health care plans and/or permission for medication forms which need to be signed by a physician. If possible, please bring medication and required forms to the Open House on August 20th.
- All students are required to have up-to-date immunizations, especially those entering 6th grade needing a Tdap. Please provide a copy to the health office.
- If your student has a non-medical immunization exemption there are new requirements. Either the form needs to be signed by a physician OR you must complete the online immunization education module and provide the certificate to the health office.
- Remember to keep your student home if exhibiting any signs or symptoms of illness
For more information or to download any forms please visit the District Webpage under Departments on the Health Information tab.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Healthy Students Learn Better!
Cheri Maniak, RN
719-686-2022
A look at a few of our Fall Sports
Volleyball
Tryouts are complete and Coach Roshek is happy with all the strong players on board.
Playing Varsity this year we have Grace Kirk, Grace MCClintock, Savannah Roshek, Sydney Roshek, Giana Roskam, Kayla Stimits, Ava Lukasavige, Kyra Kidd, Bella Slocum (JV swing), and Kara Wiley (JV swing).
Our JV squad: Brelynn Barnes, Katie Maine, Tommie Goldberg, Maddy Randolph, Michaela Boring, Kinley Cargill, Talyah Davidson, Susie Elderbaum, Kaylee Hatton, and Brenna Larson.
And making up our C-Team we have Savannah Ewing, Chloe Sebring, Lily Johnson, MIssa Kleppe, Brooke Gardner, Savannah Padilla, Elly Schoenberger, Brooklyn McCorkell, and Rayanne Cantrell.
The Lady Panthers will face off against Florence on August 24 (away game) and their first home game, against Pine Creek will be on August 31. Check the Athletics page on the WPHS website for a full game schedule.
Football
Our Panther Football team is ready for the gridiron! Under the leadership of Coach Chad Drummond, the team has been hard at work all summer with community service projects, weight training and conditioning. To catch a sneak peak of the team before the season begins, they will be scrimmaging against CSCS at 4:30 PM on the UCCS practice field on August 19.
Homecoming on October 8 against Salida.
Check the Athletics page on the WPHS website for a full game schedule.
Men's Soccer
Coach Andy Pappadakis leads our men's soccer team and is anticipating a great season.
"The men’s soccer team has been hard at work all week prepping for our first game. The boys are showing great initiative and are gelling well as a team unit. Exciting things are ahead for Panther soccer this year!"
Join us for our first home game on August 19 against Sheridan. Game starts at 6:00 pmPlease visit our Athletics page on the school website for the detailed game calendar.
Marching Band
Mr. Hemmingson, our Music teacher, is awe struck by the dedication, stamina, and attention to detail this year's Pride of the Park is showing. "The Marching Band students have been absolutely phenomenal all camp. They have worked very hard, and have displayed incredible focus, which has allowed us to make a ton of progress every day. The beginners have all come a very long way, and everyone is continually stepping up to each challenge. I'm so proud of each of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and am excited to see what we do this season!"
We are looking forward to a great show from the Pride of the Park!
Let's work together to keep our students SAFE and HEALTHY!
Please monitor your child's health AT HOME before they come to school. Should any symptoms of CoVid be present, please do not send your child to school. If your child should become ill with CoVid 19, keep them home, promptly notify the school and District offices and adhere to Teller County Public Health procedures and directions found in the District Policy, “JLCCCommunicable/Infectious Diseases”.
WPSD will not require face coverings. If your child is NOT vaccinated, we strongly recommend face coverings be worn indoors and in group settings.
We will continue to encourage Physical Distancing in all school settings.
WPSD staff is highly encouraged to wear a face covering if not vaccinated.
The District's efforts during the 2020-21 school year were to keep students in school and those efforts paid off with Re-2 schools being open more consistently and providing more education days than other schools in the region. We continue to be committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for consistent and high quality education for all learners.
Woodland Park Citizen's Academy
What is it?
This 7-week academy is a series of in-person classes designed to provide an inside look at the City of Woodland Park government. In each class, City staff and elected officials will provide an in-depth look at how our local government functions! Students will go on facility tours, perform mock activities, learn all about how different departments operate, and get face to face time with department directors.
When is it?
The Citizens Academy runs for 7 weeks on Monday evenings, 5:30-8:30 pm, from Sept 13 to Oct 25. A graduation ceremony will be held at the City Council meeting on November 4.
Who can attend?
The Citizens Academy is open to anyone residing in or near Woodland Park who is interested in learning about our city! The minimum age of enrollment is 16 years of age. Applicants must be able to attend all sessions.
Application deadline is August 26
There are 25 available spots in this academy. If more than 25 applications are received, applicants will be accepted in the order that their applications were received. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by September 3.
More Info & Application: https://city-woodlandpark.org/400/Citizens-Academy