Panther Pipeline - West Ottawa Public Schools

Panther
Pipeline
January 2012
WEST OTTAWA HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS
North & South Buildings
A Message from the Principal
Happy New Year! We are entering the busiest stretch of the school year. As seniors are
beginning to think about graduation, we are also beginning to make plans for next year. In
February, the high school scheduling process will begin for all 8-11th grade students. An
updated course offering guide will be on our website soon. Most students will be progressing
through their Michigan Merit Curriculum courses. As parents, you should have important
discussions with your students regarding elective offerings and their enrollment in Advanced
Placement, International Baccalaureate or Tech Center classes. The scheduling process will
occur through the month of March.
I had an opportunity to have a conversation with a placement advisor with The University
of Michigan last month. She strongly emphasized the need for students to take a rigorous class
load while they are in high school. Grade point average is somewhat subjective from school to
school, The University of Michigan wants to see that students have taken as challenging a
course load as the high school offers. This includes the second semester of their senior year.
We are fortunate to offer both AP and IB courses for our students. In addition students may
excel in any of our elective departments. Rigor is always better! Rigor leads to college
success!
The State of Michigan has offered free assessments to Michigan School districts to
measure whether students are on track to being career-and-college ready. The Explore
(8th grade) and the Plan (10thgrade) will be provided to districts at no cost. In addition, WOHS
will offer the Plan test to our 9th grade students. Both the Explore and Plan tests are predictors
of college readiness as determined by the ACT test, which all students take as a part of the
March MME test. WOHS will use the 8th grade Explore, 9th and 10th grade Plan results to
determine student qualification for remediation, intervention and possibly course placement.
Explore and Plan test data is useful to parents and students in that it will predict ACT
scores which are used in the college admittance process. In addition, ACT scores can be
integral in determining college scholarship or grant qualifications. We will be announcing
parent meetings to discuss your students individual data and their progress toward college
readiness, when this data becomes available.
In order to get input from parents and guardians about school improvement we have
created a short, twelve question survey, online. Please go to the West Ottawa High School
website (http://www.westottawa.net/schools/westottawahighschool/) , access the survey and
take a few minutes to help us gather your input. We will have this open through the month of
February.
The next Parent Information Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 24th from 7-9 pm in the
North HS Guidance Office. Our guest will be Alyse Bedell, our MSU College Advising Corp
representative to discuss how she has been working with our students.
Kent Henson, Principal
News from West Ottawa Guidance Department
College Planning
Workshop
Counselors will be present to discuss:
(Especially helpful for juniors & parents
but open to all)
Educational options following
graduation
ACT/SAT testing dates and tips
Improving your test scores
Research tips for both career and
college
Thursday
February 9, 2012
7:00 p.m.
WOHS NORTH
CAFETERIA
How to do a college visit
How to apply to college
Searching for scholarships
Get ready for
College!
Financial aid overview
Question and Answer Time
Juniors can begin taking their ACT test as early as February 2012. This will prepare them for college applications in the fall
of their senior year, as well as the Michigan Merit Exam the week of March 1, which includes an ACT test.
For the February 11, 2012 ACT, register by January 13.
For the April 14, 2012 ACT, register by March 9.
For the June 9, 2012 ACT, register by May 4.
Sign up online at www.actstudent.org.
Multiple tests are always recommended for students to achieve their best scores and possibly qualify for scholarship money
from their college! Sign up on line at: www.actstudent.org
Remember to give your WOHS code which is 231-973
The test is given at West Ottawa High School—North Building. Bring your calculator and pencils. Remember to get a good
night’s sleep and eat a light breakfast for best results!
ATTENTION JUNIORS
Zapping the ACT Workshop January 2012
Mon. January 30 at WOHS North,
A117
Tue. January 31 at WOHS North,
A117
Two sessions from which to choose
3:00 – 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Junior year is the time to begin ACT testing for college admissions. The
ZAPS workshop offers students a 5 hour seminar study guide and 24
practice tests to take home. During the seminar students will be given
test tips, strategies and practice opportunities. Cost of the workshop is
$79. Online registration is now available. Every junior will also receive
information mailed to their home in early January.
Register online at www.zaps.com or call 1-877-927-8378
Page 2
Guidance News
(Free Application fo Federal Student Aid
Applications)
Attention Seniors: Don’t miss out on grants and loans from
the Federal government available to assist with financing
your future education. Free Application for Federal
Student Aid Applications are due March 1, 2012! You may
submit online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, the worksheets will be available on January
1, 2012. Also note, the FAFSA requests information from your 2011 tax forms,
so having those taxes completed prior to filling out the FAFSA is very
beneficial. If you are not able to do that, you can send in estimated
information. If you have questions, see your counselor for assistance or contact
your college Financial Aid Office.
College Goal Sunday
Expert FAFSA Assistance
Sunday, February 12, 2012
2 PM—4 PM
Locations Include:
Davenport University
643 S. Waverly Rd., Holland, MI
GVSU
401 Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI
Muskegon Community College
221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, MI
There will be an “expert” available to help
you fill out or review your FAFSA for free!
Senior Parents: Wondering how
your student will have the MONEY to attend college? Come to one of these 3 workshops to learn about Financial Aid and filling out the FAFSA. Both students and parents are welcome at all meetings.
Tuesday, January 10th 10:38-11:23AM
(During Seminar) at W.O.H.S. South
Building, Lab 502
Saturday, January 28th 9-11AM at
Herrick District Library, Downstairs
Meeting Room
Tuesday, February 7th 4-6PM at Panera
Bread on West Shore Drive
And mark your calendar for Sunday,
February 12th from 2-4PM at Davenport
University-Holland for COLLEGE GOAL
SUNDAY. This is a free event for families
and students to come and complete their
FAFSA and have a chance to win great
scholarship $$$ and prizes! Visit
www.micollegegoal.org for more
information!
Contact W.O.H.S. College Adviser Alyse
Bedell (994-5018, bedella@westottawa.net)
for questions about any of these events.
Page 5
Math Challenge 2011 Try-outs
What is the Math Challenge?
The Grand Rapids Community College Ninth and Tenth
Grade Math Challenge is coming up on March 17, 2012!
This is an exciting competition where students are invited to
explore mathematical problems in a fun and creative environment. Our students will compete against students from other
area schools in both individual and team events. There will
be plenty of food, prizes, and games.
West Ottawa High School will be sending two teams to participate. Each team must be composed of six ninth and tenth
graders, with at least two boys and two girls and at least two
ninth graders on each team.
Try-out Information:
Students will be given 30 minutes to complete a 35-question
multiple-choice test. The test will cover topics from Algebra
and Geometry. Team members will be chosen according to
top scores. In the event of ties, team members will be chosen
based on course advancement, grades earned, and teacher
recommendation.
Try-outs for the 2012 WOHS Math Challenge Team will take
place in early February. Watch WOBN for more details!
Page 4
Celebrating with our West Ottawa Athletes
2011 Fall Team Accomplishments
Girls Swimming/Diving: 7th at MHSAA Finals
Boys Tennis: O.K. Red Conference Champions, Regional Champions, 8th at MHSAA Finals
Football: MHSAA Football Qualifier
Soccer: District Finalist
2011 Fall Individual Awards
Boys Soccer
All-Conference: Spencer Buys, Dylan Wyckoff
2nd Team All-Conference: William Winter
HM All-Conference: Connor Ball
All-District: Spencer Buys, Eric Garcia, Jesus Chavez, Gustavo Moura, Matt Franken
Holland Sentinel All-Area: Spencer Buys, Dylan Wyckoff, William Winter
Holland Sentinel All-Area 2nd Team: Jesus Chavez, Juan Torres Contreras
Boys Tennis
All-Conference: Kyle Harper, Lucas Driesenga, Reid Frescura, Greg Christie
Holland Sentinel All-Area: Dan Dykens, Reid Frescura, Greg Christie, Dylan Werley, Joe Miller
Holland Sentinel All-Area HM: Ryan Bush, Kyle Harper, Brandon Ballard, Mark VanderStoep
Football
All-Conference: Brandon Allen, Conner Schilling, Alek Mares, Roman Mares, Jackson Brown, Ryan Verhelst
HM All-Conference: Ato Condelee, Danny Vorpagel
AP All-State: Roman Mares
HM All-State: Brandon Allen, Ryan Verhelst
Detroit News All-State HM: Brandon Allen, Ryan Verhelst, Roman Mares
GR Press All-Area: Roman Mares
GR Press All-Area 2nd Team: Brandon Allen, Ryan Verhelst
Holland Sentinel All-Area: Roman Mares (Defensive Player Of The Year), Brandon Allen, Conner Schilling,
Ryan Verhelst, Ato Condelee
Holland Sentinel All-Area Second Team: Jackson Brown, Alek Mares, Danny Vorpagel
Girls Golf
HM All-Conference: Ashley Kliphuis
Holland Sentinel All-Area: Ashley Kliphuis, Nicole Boomgaard
Girls Swim/Dive
All-Conference: Colleen VandePoel, Chelsea Rish, Anna Battistello, Caroline Fender, Elizabeth Fris, Emily
Kamper, Anna Babinec
Holland Sentinel All-Area: Anna Babinec, Elizabeth Fris, Colleen VandePoel
Holland Sentinel All-Area 2nd Team: Emily Kamper, Emily Lacy, Mercedes Martinez, Chelsea Rish
All-State: Colleen VandePoel, Chelsea Rish, Anna Battistello, Caroline Fender, Elizabeth Fris, Emily Kamper,
Anna Babinec
Volleyball
Holland Sentinel All-Area: Nikki Erickson (Player of the Year), Kailey Nelson
Water Polo
All-Conference: Sam Irvin
All-Region 2nd Team: Sam Irvin
Boys Cross Country
Holland Sentinel All-Area: Will Moench
Page 5
Get Ready to Go . . .
Mini Series
(South Library during Seminar)
Any Student 9th—12th Grade,
If any of the following lessons interest you or you need some help
in these areas, please come join us during seminar.
January Seminar Mini Lessons:
January 5:
NCAA Qualifications—Division I and II
College Sports
January 10:
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Federally funded Mulah!!!
January 12:
CTC (Careerline Tech Center Presentation)
What You Need to Know to Go!
In North Auxilary Gym
January 17:
WO’s Top Ten Study and Test Taking Skills
January 19:
What?!? How!?! When:!?! - Time Management
And Organizational Skills
Go directly to the South Library after 3rd hour.
Page 6
We will verify your seminar attendance.
Newsletter
Careerline Tech Center Programs for 2012-2013
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Seminar Presentation given by a
representative from Careerline
Tech. The CTC programs will be
explained to all sophomores and
any interested juniors.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Bus Tour
Students will be able to visit the
Careerline Tech Center during the
school day. Turn in the signed
permission slip for the bus trip by
Monday, January 23, 2012.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Applications Due
Applications are due to your
counselor for 2012-2013 Tech
Center programs. Students
interested in applying need to set
up a meeting with
their counselor to
explore their options.
Applications will be
available after
January 18, 2012.
Turn in completed applications to
your counselor.
Why Sleep Is So Important During Adolescence
A note from Mr. Tulgestke
“In
adolescents – and younger
college students, according to recent data from my lab – sleep is a
neurologically important process
during which the fast-growing
brain becomes better organized,”
says Brown University professor
Mary Carskadon in this Chronicle
of Education article. “Many
neural connections forged earlier
in life during rapid growth are
pruned away if they are no longer
needed, and new pathways are
established to the parts of the
brain that are responsible for
such things as planning,
organizing, and abstract thinking.”
Volume 1, Issue 1
When teenagers don’t get enough “Caffeine is no more a substitute
sleep, they feel tired, they get
for sleep than are Cliffs Notes for
lower grades, they do
reading original
poorly with courseworks of literature.”
work, they drink more,
Other culprits are
and they’re more likely
high schools with
to fall asleep at the
excessive homework,
wheel. Carskadon is on
and students’ latea campaign to educate
night texting, TweetWhat a student
young people about
ing, and Facebookneeds is more
these troubling facts
ing.
Zzzz’s
and get them to sleep
“Forget A’s, B’s, and
8-1/2 hours a night
C’s – What Student Need Is More
(most kids are getting an hour
less than that). She counters Red Zzzz’s” by Mary Carskadon in The
Bull’s advertising pitch – Nobody Chronicle of Higher Education,
Nov. 25, 2011 (Vol. LVIII, #14,
ever wishes they’d slept more
p. A22)
during college – by saying,
Page 7
West Ottawa Students “Make a Difference!”
$600 Dollars will be donated to
Camp Rainbow at Camp Geneva
from the funds raised during the
Penny Wars.
Austin Childress
counting the coins
from Penny Wars,
with a little help from
Family Fare’s
Coin machine.
Month of
Caring
Over 8 tons of food collected as a collaborative effort
between the school-wide food drive, Stuff the Bus and
the efforts of Great Lakes Elementary, CTEE, NHS
―Cans Can‖ project. The WOHS Food Pantry and
Community Action House benefitted from these donations which totaled well over $16,000 worth of food!
33 West Ottawa students were provided
with gifts this holiday season thanks to
the efforts of our WOHS 1st hour
classes!
Thank you for the generosity you have shown to the
West Ottawa Community.
Page 8
West Ottawa Fine Arts
West Ottawa Music Boosters
General Music Booster Meetings
All Meetings
@ WOHS Band Room
January 23, 2012—6PM-7PM
February 13, 2012—6PM-7PM
March 19, 2012—6PM—7PM
April 23, 2012—6PM—7PM
May 14th—6PM—7PM
Music Boosters Website:
www.westottawamusicboosters.org
The Chamber Orchestra
performed Christmas carols at
Holland Hospital on Wednesday,
Dec. 14. Two small groups
performed on various floors of
the hospital, while the remainder of the students performed in
the lobby outside of the cafeteria. Many patients and staff enjoyed the show and shared their
positive comments, including an
invitation to come back again next year, or whenever possible!
One of the small groups was asked to stay longer and play more
than they had planned. Furthermore, one family member who had
been complaining quite strongly about her mother's stay at the
hospital even voiced her satisfaction with the stay following the
performance.
Five West Ottawa High School students have been selected to perform
with the Michigan School Vocal Music Association’s State Honors
Choir.
Logan Jones, Kelly and Maura Monahan, Mitch Hillerich and Jacob
Anderson auditioned for the choir last Saturday with the MSVMA
Region A Honors Choir and were chosen to perform in the State Honors
Choir 2012 in DeVos Place at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, January 21. The
auditions were held at East Grand Rapids High School.
The five will rehearse with the State Honors Choir and perform at the
Michigan Music Conference on Jan. 19-21.
West Ottawa student Shay Stewart was also a member of the Region A
Honors Choir but was unable to audition for state due to college auditions.
The West Ottawa High School Symphony Band will be performing
at the Michigan Music Conference at 10:30am on Friday, January
20 in the DeVos Place Ballrooms in Grand Rapids. The Michigan
Music Conference is designed for music teachers from all over the
state to receive in service training and hear premiere groups
perform. The Symphony Band is one of only four high school
bands in the state selected by audition to perform at this
conference.
January 21, 2012
January 12, 2012
Symphony Band
Women’s Honors
Choir Performance
Pre MMC Concert
7PM @
7PM @ PAC
DeVos Place in GR
January 20, 2012
Symphony & Performance Band
Michigan Music Conference
10:30 AM @ DeVos Place Ballroom in GR
Page 9
MME Week 2012: March 5-9
Dear West Ottawa Parents,
The Michigan Merit Exam consists of a three day series of assessments given to all
Juniors throughout the state of Michigan. The three day testing window is comprised of the following tests:
Day 1: ACT + Writing
Day 2: WorkKeys Test
Day 3: Michigan Math, Science, and Social Studies Tests
These assessments take place for ALL Juniors on March 6, 7, and 8. These dates
are a state mandated testing window for all schools across Michigan. The West
Ottawa Board of Education has made the MME test a graduation requirement. If a
Junior student does not participate in these tests or does not get valid scores on all
parts of the MME, they may be ineligible for a West Ottawa High School diploma.
Successful participation on the MME test does qualify students for a free collegereportable ACT score as well as multiple scholarship opportunities.
C
H
A
N
G
E
Page 10
February 16, 2012—Super Senior Day
April 19, 2012—Graduation Announcements
Distribution
April 26, 2012—Cap & Gown Distribution
May 16, 2012—Oscar Night
May 18, 2012—Prom
May 31, 2012—Senior Convocation
June 3, 2012—Graduation Class of 2012
Please contact Mrs. Litke @ 738-6712 for more
detailed information.
It’s not too late to register for the 2012 Jungle.
Join us for Jungle! An all-night, chemical-free,
event to celebrate your graduation from WOHS!
Additional information can be found at:
http://www.westottawa.net/schools/westottawahigh
school/jungle2012informationcomingsoon!
Also on Facebook, at “Jungle 2012”
Forms are available in both the North and South offices!
Page 11
IB Diploma Program Update
Sophomore students planning to pursue the full IB Diploma
should notify the IB Diploma Program Coordinator immediately
(if you have not already done so). The IB Diploma is a two year
program that begins in the junior year. Mrs. Van Dam, IB DP
Coordinator, holds office hours everyday during 5th and 6th hour in
the IB Center (South Building). Students seeking more information can make an
appointment with any receptionist or secretary.
For more information, contact the IB Diploma Program Coordinator
Mrs. Corban Van Dam (616.738.6818 or vandamc@westottawa.net).
Several informational documents have also been posted on the WOHS website
(see the International Baccalaureate section).
Be Prepared for First Semester Exams
A note from Mrs. Armstrong
Exam week is quickly approaching (January 24, 25, and 26) and there are many ways to help
prepare both here at school and at home. This is a great time to ask your
students some important questions:
1. Have you reviewed your learning targets for each unit?
2. Which exams do you have on Tuesday? Wednesday? and Thursday?
3. Which exams are you more concerned about and why?
4. How can I help you study?
On top of these questions, please make sure that your student is getting
adequate sleep during and prior to exam week. Limit technology use so
they are studying and not multi-tasking. Finally, please be sure your student gets a good breakfast the morning of exams. Students can buy
breakfast here at school if that is easier for you, but encourage them to
eat. Studies show students do better if they eat and sleep well prior to exams. Feel free to contact
your students’ teachers for more great tips.
Page 12
We are happy to announce that we have officially started planning for Pink Out 2012. We will be playing Grand
Haven on 2/10/12. We are trying to outfit both the West Ottawa and the Grand Haven team this year so there
are many more sponsorship opportunities. Jersey sponsorships will be available for $100 a jersey. The sponsorship
allows you to put the name of a person/place that has been affected by cancer on the back
of the jersey to be worn in the game and be presented to you after the game along wit a
shooting shirt which also showcases the affected name. If you are interested in sponsoring a
jersey or any other aspect of PINK OUT please respond to ja@westottawa.net with your
interest.
On behalf of the PINK OUT planning committee we thank you for your support over the
last two years and we hope that we can again beat last years donation of $25,000!
Congratulations to students in Mrs. Bentley’s Creative Writing
Class. They wrote a novel in the month of November in the Young Writer’s Program in
the “NaNoWriMo” challenge. The students include: Stephanie Anair, Austin Childress,
Keegan Bosch, Joel Bryson, Katie Doyle, Will Flipse, Rosalba Gonzalez, Bethany
Klomparens, James LeBlanc, Paul Rokus & Kalie Santhany. Information can be seen
on this YouTube video link:http://goo.gl/JTli4 or at ywp.nanowrimo.org
Student’s from Mrs. Frisinger and
Mrs Hoonhorst visited elementary schools on
December 9th. French 3 high school students
taught a lesson on colors and numbers.
Below are students Cynthia Alvarado,
Emily Bremer & Deidre Lyons teaching colors.
Miss Bilczewski’s
2nd Grade Class
Glerum Elementary School
Page 13
Snowball Dance
Exam Schedule for First Semester 2011-2012
January 24th—Full Day Exams 1 & 2
January 25th—Full Day Exams 3 & 5
January 26th –1/2 Day Exams 4 & 6
In conjunction with the annual PinkOut
event sponsored this year by Sports and
Marketing, this annual “formal” is
scheduled for:
February 11, 2012
8-11PM
HSN Cafeteria.
No School for Students on January 27, 2012
Report Cards for 1st Semester will be mailed
the week of February 6, 2012
The WO Drama Club along with the WO Drama Boosters is having a talent show
Saturday, January 28th, 7:30 pm at a local cafe called Cafe Apollo, aka the commons area at South HS. Appetizers and beverages for purchase will be available.
Any staff member, parent or high school student can audition to perform. We are
looking for things like poetry reading, singing, playing an instrument, a monologue or even juggling, etc. Keep act to about 4
minutes max. We will have a accompanist if needed. Auditions
will be on Jan 11th after school, 3-4pm and Jan. 12th, 3-6pm. in
the south choir room. A rehearsal will take place on Jan. 27th at
either 12N or 6:30 pm at the South commons area. We will confirm time after the auditions have been completed. Any more info.
call Kate at 834-8517 or 786-3183. We also need an audience,
so come on down. Cover charge is $2.
Chaperones are
needed!
Tickets $10.00
To enter the dance
students must show
their School ID’s
Required Dance performance
for Mrs. Ruby’s Dance 1
students - January 23, 2012
@ 6:30 pm in
North Aux
gym
Before a student leaves the building for illness or an appointment, they must report to the office.
School personnel will contact a parent or guardian to obtain permission for students to leave. If this
procedure is not followed the absence may be recorded as an unexcused absence. Please refer
to the student handbook on line for detailed information regarding school absences.
Attendance Secretaries
North Building:
A-G
H-Q
R-Z
Mrs. Deroo
Mrs. Elzinga
994-5010
994-5011
Mrs. Houtman 994-5009
Attendance
Secretaries South
Building:
A-Mar
Mrs. Litke 738-6712
Mas-Z
Mrs. VandenBrand
You may leave a message on our voice mail box 24/7. We check our
mailbox first thing in the AM and frequently through out the day!