WBHS Family Newsletter
February 2024
Message from Administration
Dear WBHS Families,
I hope this message finds you well and thriving as we begin our journey into the second semester of the year. February is a time when the energy of the school year becomes palpable, and I wanted to take a moment to encourage ways to take hold of this momentum!
This is an opportune time to reflect on the progress your child has made so far this year. I encourage you to engage in conversations with your child about their goals for the remainder of the year, celebrate their achievements along the way, and reach out to us if you are noticing any areas where they may need additional support. Open communication between home and school is a key role in our academic success.
Next month, we will host our second semester parent-teacher conferences. Historically, these have shown lower attendance, but they provide an excellent chance for you to connect with your child's teachers and gain insights into their academic journey. Please consider taking advantage of this opportunity to discuss your child's progress, address any concerns, and collaborate with our dedicated staff to ensure the best possible learning experience.
Thank you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your students. We look forward to a successful and productive second half of the school year!
Best Wishes,
Jennifer Potter
WBHS Executive Principal
Important Dates
February 12-17: Charity Week (more information below)
February 15 (5:30-7:30 p.m.): Symphonic Band at Silverbrook
February 16, 17, & 18 (multiple showtimes): The Little Mermaid Musical (more information below)
February 19: No School for Students | Staff Professional Day
February 22 (5:00 p.m.): Day of Hope Event (more information below)
March 19: PreACT Secure and ACT Test Date
Important Reminders & Updates
Semester 1 Exam Feedback
We are looking for feedback on the Semester 1 Exam process. Please take a moment to complete this Google Form to provide us with valuable feedback about Semester 1 Exams: https://forms.gle/2aUo8wYg1xYF5cSU8.
FCCLA Backpack Drive
FCCLA is hosting a backpack drive for children in foster care. New or gently used backpacks may be donated and dropped off in Mrs. Albanil’s classroom (2401).
Semester 2 Assessment Timeline
There are many important assessments that take place during Semester 2. Please take a moment to review this document which contains important information about all of these tests.
Optional ACT Prep Sessions for Juniors
Math Review: Two of our math teachers, Ms. Damkot and Ms. Walls, are offering an optional math practice session on either Monday, 2/26, or Tuesday, 2/27. Use the following link to sign up for a session: Math Practice Session Sign-up.
- Practice ACT: We are offering 11th grade students the opportunity to take a practice ACT test on Monday, 2/19, which is a scheduled day off of school. The practice ACT is optional and students can get results to help study for the ACT on 3/19. Transportation will not be provided by the district for the practice ACT. The practice ACT tests will be held in the East Cafeteria. Students need to sign-up for the practice ACT by completing the registration form linked: Practice ACT Sign-Up.
Charity Week
WBHS Charity Week is 2/12-2/17. See the flyers below for all of the details for the great charities WBHS will be collecting donations for as well as the generous business partners who are sponsoring donations as well! Charity Week has some fun-filled spirit days, a pep rally on Friday, 2/16, and wraps up with the annual Charity Dance on Saturday, 2/17. **Click on the flyers below to enlarge them.**
WBHS Musical - The Little Mermaid
Tickets are on sale now for the WBHS Musical The Little Mermaid. Make sure you get a chance to check out this amazing show with a cast filled with some of WBHS’s most talented students! Shows are Friday, 2/16, at 7 p.m., Saturday, 2/17, at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, 2/18, at 1:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!
Riteway Contact Information
Riteway has a new dispatch email address for parents to contact when their student(s) do not need a ride on the bus or van. This new email address is wbdispatch@goriteway.com.
Mental Health Awareness Sessions
There are 2 more sessions of the WBSD Mental Health Awareness Sessions available to sign up for. February's session is "Strategies for Supporting Your Child's Mental Health." To register, please email shbecker@wbsd-schools.org.
Day of Hope
On Thursday, 2/22, the WBHS Youth Impact Club is sponsoring Day of Hope, a presentation open to all, to promote reslience and mental health strategies. We hope you'll join us for this wonderful event! Please RSVP using this link or scan the QR code on the flyer.
WBSD Way Team Updates
Second Semester WBSD Way
The WBSD Way team is starting the second semester with a continued focus on Responsibility through the month of February. This is one of our four WBSD Way expectations (Respectful, Responsible, Safe and Ready). Students demonstrating responsible behaviors will be celebrated by receiving a WBSD Way ticket. These tickets can be dropped off in the main office for the chance to win any of the monthly prizes.
In addition, Charity week will be the week of 2/12 - 2/17. We are all responsible for the success of our communities. This event highlights our social responsibility and the positive impact our contributions have on ourselves and the community. We will be recognizing and celebrating all students in a variety of ways including athletics and fine arts during our second quarter assembly on Friday, 2/16.
WBSD Way Expanded Release Pass
As a reminder, to continue to qualify for our WBSD Way Expanded Release Pass, Juniors and Seniors must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
Have 1st period, 7th period, or consecutive study halls and lunch periods off (students may also request only Period 0 off Tuesday through Friday)
Be on track to graduate
Maintain a C or higher in all classes at all reporting periods
Attend all scheduled classes
Attend Mandatory Monday homeroom unless excused
Exhibit positive behaviors (no major behavior referrals at any time)
Be up to date on all fees with the bookkeeper
Students who do not meet this criteria after our 3rd Quarter reporting period will have this privilege revoked. An email to the student and parent/guardian will be sent acknowledging the loss of this privilege. Beginning the week of 4/8, mandatory attendance at school will be reinstated and student(s) will be expected to report to class.
If a student would like to discuss opportunities to earn the privilege back at the next reporting period, please schedule an appointment with Associate Principal Dave Uelmen. You can schedule an appointment in the main office.
Counseling Office Updates
Class Rank and GPA
Class Rank and student's GPA will be updated on Thursday, 2/8. Transcripts will reflect any changes at that time.
Career Readiness Center Updates
Attention Class of 2024:
The West Bend School District would like to promote scholarships earned by the Class of 2024. Please fill out this form for EACH scholarship student has received that is not affiliated with the Local Scholarship process. Scholarships to report may include ones awarded through a family workplace, specific college scholarship, or other state and national organizations.
Local Scholarship Applications are due on Thursday, 2/15, by 3:00pm in the Silver Lining Arts Gallery. Transcripts will be available around February 12th in the Career Readiness Center for all seniors to pick up. Announcements will be made throughout the day when they are ready. Applications and Instructions can be found on our Local Scholarship page of either East or West High Schools website.
Career Readiness Center Updates
The WBHS Career Readiness Center will be holding several career ready workshops in February. This month we will be highlighting resume help and interview skills. Visit our Career Readiness Calendar to sign up for our workshops.
WBHS Highlights & Celebrations
CREW mentors hosted the CREW Coffee House, which is a study session for all freshmen to help them study for their first high school exams.
Mr. Ziesemer's Astronomy class went to the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee's Planetarium and Geology Museum.
Helpful Links for Families
WBHS Contact Information
Address:
1305 E. Decorah Road
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone Numbers:
(262)335-5530 (East Office)
(262)335-5570 (West Office)
(262)335-5550 (Attendance)
(262)335-5580 (Counseling Office)
Athletics Websites: East | West
Administration
Jared Kiesow- East & West Assistant Principal Grade 9
jkiesow@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5587
Laura Krause-Emerick- East Assistant Principal Grades 10 - 12
lkrauseemerick@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5571
Dave Riley - West Assistant Principal Grades 10 - 12
dsriley@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5532
Susan Saric - East & West Assistant Principal
ssaric@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5569
Dave Uelmen - Associate Principal
duelmen@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5592
Jennifer Potter- Executive Principal
jpotter@wbsd-schools.org / 262-335-5629
Counselors
Kara Phillips - East students with last names A-G
Stephanie Stuve - East students with last names H-O
Kris Kemp - East students with last names P-Z
Matt Coyle - West students with last names A-G
Jenni Hanni-Schmitz - West students with last names H-P
jhannischmitz@wbsd-schools.org
Nicole Miller - West students with last names Q-Z
Juliana Delgado - Freshmen Transition Coordinator, 504, and Virtual Learning
Michelle Cattelan - School Psychologist