The FAFSA helps the student qualify for financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs and it's the first step for colleges and universities in building a financial aid file. As you know, financial aid plays a critical role in helping most students pay tuition and pursue their academic and career goals.

By completing the FAFSA, students can receive a detailed report of their Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which will give them a better idea of what they (and their family) may be expected to contribute to their education costs. This information can be invaluable as students consider their college options.

Lake Michigan College is offering a series of Financial Aid nights on our three campuses that are designed to provide direct help in getting the FAFSA completed. Each session runs from 5:30 pm to 7 pm.

March 30 LMC Niles Campus

April 11 & April 26 LMC Benton Harbor Campus

April 19 LMC South Haven Campus

With our low tuition, transferable classes, and great scholarships Lake Michigan can help your students launch a high value college education at very low cost. (Our FAFSA ID is 002277)

Best regards,

Eric Wignall
Director for Admissions & Recruitment
Lake Michigan College
lakemichigancollege.edu/admissions

On Wednesday, May 17th, WHS will offer ASVAB testing to any 9-12 grader who has interest. The test will start at 8:15AM and take place in a classroom at the high school.

The ASVAB is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. It is typically offered to U.S. high school students when they are in the 10th, 11th and 12th grade, though anyone eligible for enlistment may take it.

The ASVAB contains nine sections and takes three hours to complete. The duration of each section varies between 7 and 39 minutes, the longest being for Arithmetic Reasoning. The test will be administered in a computerized format by an area recruiter.

Components of the test are outlined below:

General Science

A 25-item test measuring knowledge of life science, earth and space science, and physical science

Arithmetic Reasoning

A 30-item test measuring ability to solve basic arithmetic word problems

Word Knowledge

A 35-item test measuring ability to understand the meaning of words through synonyms

Paragraph Comprehension

A 15-item test measuring ability to obtain information from written material

Mathematics Knowledge

A 25-item test measuring knowledge of mathematical concepts and applications

Electronics Information

A 20-item test measuring knowledge of electrical current, circuits, devices, and electronic systems

Auto and Shop Information

An 25-item test measuring knowledge of wood and metal shop practices

Mechanical Comprehension

A 25-item test measuring knowledge of the principles of mechanical devices, structural support, and properties of materials

If you give permission for your child to participate in ASVAB testing on May 17th at WHS, ask your child to pick up a parent permission slip in the main office.

This past weekend, the CW Tech Robotarians, FRC team #2959, competed in their first event of the season at St Joseph High School! Leading the team through cheers and dances, spirit captain Jaysen bolstered all with true FIRST spirit. For the zeal and enthusiasm in and out of the stands, 2959 won the Team Spirit Award!

The brand new drive team adapted brilliantly to challenges, solving problems in and out of the pit. Freshman driver Kyle, with co-pilot Nathan L (W Jr) and human element Sam L, made the team proud while rapidly learning on the job.The drive team was supported by data captain Jasmine, match strategist Gabriel R (W Fr), programmer Samuel D and pit lead Kaylie. While the drive team was busy with the bot, Grant and Amelia were leading presentations to judges about all aspects of our team, with support of the rest of the team including Chloe P (W Fr - safety co-captain), Ben.R (W Fr), and Skyler B (W Fr) cheering and taking data.

Mentor Kevin R was one of the student nominated Woodie Flowers award district finalists, celebrating effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design. These nominees advance to the state competition.

The team is now back hard at work improving the robot and presentations to get ready for next week's event at Grand Valley State University.

The annual Sophomore campus visit to Kalamazoo Valley Community College will take

place on March 30th, 2023.

All sophomores have the opportunity to attend this

informational campus visit.

Buses will depart from Watervliet High School around

8:30am and will return around 12:15pm.

This campus visit allows students to explore

life on a college campus and offers them specific information concerning campus life

at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

During this visit, students will learn about program and course offerings, the process of registering for courses, clubs and athletic offerings, on campus housing and many other aspects of campus life at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

All sophomores will attend this trip unless your child picks up and has a parent signature on an opt out form that can be located in the office.

SMC is preparing for our annual Junior Day! This event is specially designed for current high school juniors who are interested in attending college. Students will have a chance to explore what life as a college student is like.

Junior Day will take place on May 19 at 9:45 a.m. We should be wrapping up by 1:00

Sessions include College 101 and Preparing for College. We'll also have a panel with current SMC students who participate in a variety of activities/extracurriculars on campus. We'll end the day with a cookout and games. Should be a lot of fun and a good way for juniors to start their college search!

If you have a current junior who is interested in participating, he/she should pick up a permission slip in the main office.

Please find the Watervliet Softball Store link below.

Please share the below link with your friends and family.

The deadline for orders is March 20th

https://watervlietsoftball23.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Thank you,
Deah Muth
Watervliet High School Athletics

https://fancloth.shop/QXMEZ?fbclid=IwAR19QBko-_jUbKN1G65trWbicKLJ6UJLcAmajyLclgFvfEO2zLrOvjiWfcw

In the fall of 2022 that Watervliet, the Panther Volleyball program began reaching out to former Panther Coaches and alumni to collect data for the 1,000 Panther Kill Club. For those who are unfamiliar with volleyball terminology “Kill/Terminate” are statistic terms.

The simple definition of a “Kill” is an offensive attack that is un-returnable by an opponent therefore resulting in an immediate point for the offensive team.

Our first 5 honorees that we are recognizing are:

Lisa Ashton 1994-1998

Kim Gear 2001-2004

Sarah Sheffer 2003-2006

Rachel Sheffer 2006-2009

Samantha Dietz 2019-2022

Achieving over 1,000 kills during a High School career is quite an achievement and we are happy to be able to honor theses athletes. Plaques are on display in the Panther Volleyball trophy case located by the high school gym. Congratulation to all our Panther alumni who have achieved this honor.

Coach Daugherty

Head Volleyball Coach

Watervliet Panther Athletics Congratulates Taylor Woollett, on her 8th-place finish at the Girls’ State Wrestling Tournament this past weekend. Taylor’s finish marks Watervliet’s first-ever girls’ wrestling State place earner.

Congratulations also to Watervliet’s Riley Hess and Ayana Marshall who each won one match in the State tournament. We are extremely proud to count all of you as Panthers!

Six Panthers have been named to the 2023 SAC All-Lakeshore Division First Teams. Grace Chisek, Sam Dietz, and Madison Flowers earned the honor for the WHS ladies. Tyson Williams, Wyatt Epple, and Kaiden Bierhalter represent the Panther Boys on the First Team.

Three Panthers garnered All-Division Honorable Mentions — Lilly Lefor, Ellie Golden, and Brady Bornas.

Congratulations to all of our SAC Basketball Honorees.

Updating Learning Environments is another focus of the 2023 bond proposal. To learn more about the proposal, visit www.watervlietps.org

Juniors and Seniors, would you like a free ticket to After Prom? Just sell 5 tickets by April 1st to the After Prom Fundraiser being held on April 2nd. You can get tickets from Mrs. Lefor! You must pre-buy these tickets.

Want to have a great time with friends and family? Checkout our bowling fundraiser on April 2nd from 2-6.

We will be replacing our monthly Parent Advisory Council meeting at the end of March with an 8th grade parent orientation to the high school. All 8th grade parents and guardians are invited to attend. Our next monthly Parent Advisory Council meeting will resume for current high school parents on Wednesday, April 19th at 6 pm in the high school media center.

WHS has Board Policy that determines when a student will be promoted to the next grade at the high school. Starting in the 23-24 school year, WHS will be following this policy with fidelity.

In order for a freshman student to be promoted to sophomore status for next year, your freshman needs to have earned at least 5.5 credits by the end of his/her freshman year.

In order for a sophomore student to be promoted to junior status for next year, your sophomore needs to have earned at least 12 credits by the end of his/her sophomore year.

In order for a junior student to be promoted to senior status for next year, your junior needs to have earned at least 18.75 credits by the end of his/her junior year.

Mrs. Dawson and Ms. Powers have met with students individually who are in danger of not being promoted to the next grade for next year. Parent of students in this credit situation will also be contacted via certified mail.

Hello! Please be aware that the deadline for Senior Scholarship applications is approaching. All applications need to be turned in no later than April 1, 2023.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jzTZr0qZrtuxniq1GzlPkLj025V4eGDM

Thank you.

Renee Borah

SJBH Rotary Club

Seniors are encouraged to pick up applications in the guidance office for any of the scholarships below.

FAFSA DEADLINE—Wednesday, March 1st; IF YOU WOULD STILL LIKE HELP completing your FAFSA, reach out to Ms. Powers in the main office; cpowers@watervlietps.org

Decision Day Assembly—Monday, May 1st 10:00AM in the high school auditorium; families and parents invited

Prom—May 13th 6-11 PM The Inn at Harbor Shores (St. Joseph)

After Prom—12am -5:30 am, leave from WHS, bus ride bus there and back, Airway Lanes in Kalamazoo; April 2nd Quarter auction Fundraiser FOP

Senior Scholarship/Academic Awards Assembly—Tuesday, May 17th 6:00PM in the high school auditorium; families and parents invited

Semester 2 Exams—May 24th, 25th, 26th (3 and a B still applies for semester 2)

Last official school day for Seniors—Friday, May 26th; Seniors will have a check out sheet that must be completed and turned in by Thursday, May 25th 3 pm

Car Parade—May 26th 4:00PM; starts at old mill site

Baccalaureate—Wednesday, May 31st 6:00 PM in the high school auditorium; all Seniors, parents and families invited to attend.

Class Picnic—Thursday, June 1st 2:00PM in Panther Stadium

Graduation Practice—Thursday, June 1st 3:30 PM; students must participate in order to participate in graduation

Seniors are to report to the Media Center no later than 3:15 and check in with Teri or Jessica for grad rehearsal

Seniors will be required to turn in a completed checkout sheets at the end of the day on Thursday in order to pick up a cap and gown.

Graduation—

10:00 AM load buses to head to elementary to parade through buildings in gowns and then to MS before returning to school

Friday, June 2nd 6:30 PM in Panther Stadium seniors report to the Media Center and must check in with Teri or Jessica no later than 5:30 on graduation day

Beginning Semester 2, the high school will be implementing Tier One Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Known as PBIS, this is an approach to positive, school-wide behavior. PBIS is a way to support everyone and to create a school where all students are successful.

PBIS applies practices and strategies for all students to do better in school, improve overall safety, decrease behavioral issues, and create a positive school culture. PBIS is not a curriculum we purchased or something teachers learned during a professional development training. It is a building wide commitment to positively addressing student behavior.

Over the last few months, the faculty at WHS have worked to create an expectation matrix for our building. This matrix outlines the expectations for all students in every area of the building. Beginning semester 2, the faculty will be teaching these expectations to students, holding students accountable to these expectations, and celebrating good decision making on the part of our students.

As our partner in the educational process, we want you to understand this approach and become aware of the expectations in each area of our building. Below, you will find these expectations. These expectations will be taught at school and reinforced in various ways throughout the remainder of this school year. Please review and reiterate these expectations with your child at home. Thank you for your continued support of the high school students and staff as we continue to improve outcomes for our Panthers! Should you have any questions or concerns about these expectations, please reach out me at the high school office.

• Abide by acceptable use policy.
• Visit only school-appropriate websites.
• Use your device only when directed by your teacher.
• Be on the site directed by your teacher.
• Practice academic integrity at all times, doing all your own work, sharing only with your teacher.
• Check Canvas & email daily.
• Use only your school account while in the classroom.
• Charge Chromebook nightly.
• Handle Chromebooks with care.
• Leave identification sticker on your device.
• ChromeBook clean and clear of stickers and etchings.
• Use earbuds for necessary audio.
• Touch only your own Chromebook.
• Keep personal login information private.
• Keep personal identification information (phone number, address, social security number, etc.) private.
• Report phishing emails to administration.
• Report issues to an adult.

On Tuesday May 2nd, the high school is facilitating a field trip to the Wayland Carpenter and Millwright Training Center in Wayland Michigan.

The Wayland Carpenter and Millwright Training Center is a state-of-the-art 67,000-square foot facility located at 500 Reno Drive in Wayland Michigan. It is a part of a statewide effort to train and educate workers to fill thousands of job openings in Michigan’s high-demand skilled trades industry.

The center is teaching hands-on skills to Carpenters, Floorlayers, and Millwrights. No experience is necessary to come meet the contractors our next generation could be working for and experience our state-of-the-art training center.

The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights is doing more now than ever to smoothly transition young, hard-working individuals into this productive workforce. This apprenticeship will offer both classroom and on-the-job learning as we help mold knowledgeable, skilled tradespeople.

There will be over 30 contractors from around the State. These contractors will be looking to hire Carpenters, Floor Layers, and Millwrights to start working asap.

Students will leave WHS at 8:45 AM and return to WHS by 2 PM. Sack lunches will be provided for students who attend. If you give permission for your child to attend this trip, please have him/her pick up a permission slip in the couseling office.