WUHS Back to School Newsletter
First Day of School: September 3
WUHS Inspires all to achieve high expectations and ensures
that each student is prepared for college or career and life.
Welcome back Wolverines!
On behalf of the entire WUHS staff, we're thrilled to welcome you back for another exciting school year! We're proud of the many achievements WUHS accomplished last year and are committed to building upon that success. This newsletter contains important back-to-school information, a calendar with key dates, and additional information for the upcoming school year. Our mission statement reflects our dedication to your child's success: We inspire all students to achieve high expectations and prepare them for college, career, and life beyond WUHS. The staff is committed to fostering your child's academic and social growth.
We're thrilled to kick off another amazing school year with all our students, staff, and families! Here's some exciting news to celebrate:
- Top-notch teachers! Our incredible staff ranked in the top 2% of public high school teachers in Wisconsin according to Niche (#11 out of 421 high schools!).
- Racine County Champions! We've held the #1 public high school title in Racine County for an impressive six years.
- AP Success Soars! Last year, we saw our second-highest pass rate on AP tests (86%) since launching the program in 1996.
- Savings for Our Community! The school district is on track to pay off the 2019 referendum by 2026, 13 years earlier than planned! This saves us millions in interest, a win for everyone.
We're looking forward to a fantastic year together, and we'll keep you updated with valuable information as we approach the 2024-2025 school year. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Together, let's make this an outstanding school year!
Warmly,
The WUHS Staff
Click on the links to learn more about specific topics. Each page has a
that will return you to this page.
Topics
click on the links below
Student Registration
Waterford Union High School will hold in-person registration by appointment in order to maximize efficiency on Tuesday, August 6, and Wednesday, August 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please keep in mind the following points for this event.
Prior to arriving onsite for registration:
- Register for a time slot to keep the process efficient and flowing quickly
- Pay bills and fees through Revtrak online payment
- Complete registration forms through the parent portal in PowerSchool
- Once logged into your PowerSchool account, click on “FORMS” under the left-hand side column
- Complete each form listed
- A green-colored leaf next to the form title indicates the form is completed correctly and submitted
TIP: Ensure you log into the parent portal, not your student portal. If you enter your information in the student portal, you will have to re-enter it manually onsite.
On August 6 or 7:
- Enter through Door 19 in the Commons off South Center Street
- Students should wear school-appropriate attire for their student ID/yearbook pictures
- Capture your school ID/yearbook picture with School and Sports Pics
- If applicable, verify medications with the District nurse
- Acquire your Chromebook
- Purchase Wolverine spirit wear on both days with cash or check; new items will be available
SOAR Information
Waterford Union High School invites all incoming 9th graders and transfer students to attend our annual SOAR day where students become better acquainted with your school, meet our staff, and be ready to succeed on the first day of school. SOAR is on August 29, 2024, beginning at 7:20 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m. The day includes a culminating pep rally in the gymnasium from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.
All incoming freshman and transfer students will receive invites in the mail. If you do not receive one by August 15, please reach out to Emily Castle at 262-534-3341 or ecastle@wuhs.us.
SOAR
Set Your Sights. Open Your Mind. Arrive at Your Potential. Reach to the Future
Student Picture Required for ALL students
WUHS contracts with School and Sport Pics for school photos. All students will have their pictures taken for the yearbook and student ID during registration in August.
- Seniors may submit a senior portrait photo to the yearbook staff using this link. Senior Photos are due October 31, 2024.
- Picture make-up day will occur on Friday, September 6, 2024, during lunch hours in the cafeteria.
- Pictures can be ordered online at: https://orders.schoolandsportpics.com/ordering. Use the drop-down menu to select your school name.
one-to-one technology
This year’s incoming 9th-grade students and any transfer students will receive an 11-inch Chromebook computer with a protective case. Students in grades 10-12 will continue using previously issued devices. Students receiving a Chromebook for the first time are required, along with their parents, to sign a user agreement, which will be made available to families through the registration process on August 6 and 7.
First Day of School- September 3, 2024
Powerschool and PArentSquare
PowerSchool is a web-based attendance, grade book, and information system for students and parents/guardians. PowerSchool will activate on July 30, 2024. If you need help with set up, please contact Nicole Duldulao at nduldulao@wuhs.us.
ParentSquare is a comprehensive communication platform that allows parents to access information about their students, including their teachers and any clubs or activities they may be involved in. It combines various tools that enable district administrators, teachers, and clubs/advisors to communicate and engage with families and students more efficiently. Waterford Union High School uses ParentSquare to communicate with parents.
Parents and guardians should have received an activation email for their ParentSquare account on Wednesday, July 17. You will receive this communication with the email that you have in PowerSchool. Those who do not register will still receive text, email, and phone notifications. Parents who create an account can interact by viewing photos, downloading attachments, leaving comments, messaging staff, signing permission slips, and managing their communication settings and preferences.
If you need help, please get in touch with Kate Brown at kbrown@wuhs.us
Tips for parents on ParentSquare
Attendance
Parents can now report absences in the Attendance Monitor on PowerSchool. Step-by-step directions are available here and are located on our website under students > attendance. The best way to submit absences in on a web browser, either on your phone, tablet, or desktop.
Attendance office: 262-534-3150 extension 3300
Revtrak
RevTrak users are responsible for a 4.37% processing fee. This convenience fee helps to offset expenses incurred from processing credit card transactions through RevTrak and allow the District to reallocate those resources. Please note that parents who use an alternative payment method such as cash, checks, or money orders paid directly to WUHS will not incur the convenience fee.
Student Fees
You can view the student fees by visiting this link. Fees listed include art classes, food classes, technical education classes, physical education classes, P.I.E courses, driver's education classes, advanced placement exams, parking permits, school registration, fitness center passes, computer insurance, and athletic/co-curricular participation. Fees will be available by July 30, 2024.
Parking Permit
The student lot offers 370 parking spaces for students. Any student who seeks to gain parking privileges must complete the online application/agreement in PowerSchool. Seniors and Juniors receive first priority. Sophomore and Freshmen will be notified if available permits remain. Students who choose to drive to school without a permit are strongly encouraged to park in either the soccer or baseball lots rather than on the neighborhood streets. Street parking regulations are changing, and street parking is limited. A permit is not required to park in the soccer or baseball lots, yet students need to follow school regulations regarding parking and safe driving practices.
Bus Transportation
All students eligible for bus transportation should contact Dousman Transportation after August 2, 2024. A Dousman representative will provide information on your bus route and pickup and drop-off times. Your bus information is also available in your parent account under the Bus Transportation Form. If a student is eligible for bus transportation but s/he will not be riding the bus, please notify Dousman and have the student’s name removed from the route. You may contact Dousman by phone at (262) 910-1310 or email the terminal manager Ginger at gingerboomfield@dtcbus.com.
Yearbooks
schools hours
Yearbooks can be purchased online at https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09434000
- $70 – 7/20-10/27
- $75 – 10/28-5/31/2024
2024-2025 Calendar
7:25 am-3:00 pm
You may enter the building starting at 7:00 a.m. The first bell is at 7:20 a.m. and the first hour begins at 7:25 a.m. Unless students are supervised by a staff member, they should exit the building by 3:10 p.m.
The 2024-2025 school calendar is available on the website under find it fast, or you can access the document by using this link.
New Student
Students new to the district who have not registered yet, please do so immediately. Contact Emily Castle in the Student Services Office at 262-534-3341 to get started or email ecastle@wuhs.us.
Information change
If at any time in the year, you have moved, changed emails or phone numbers, please reach out to Emily Castle in the Student Services (Guidance) Office at 262-534-3341 or ecastle@wuhs.us
calculators
The math department is excited to announce that we're switching to a new graphing calculator called NumWorks. It's cheaper than the TI-84, can do more, and is easier to use! Incoming freshmen (and students in Honors Algebra 2 with Trig who don't already have a graphing calculator) will need to purchase a NumWorks calculator. This calculator can be used for all four years of high school math, so you won't need to buy another one. We'll have more information at registration on August 6th and 7th, where you can also purchase a calculator with our discount code. We'll answer any questions you have about the calculator at that time.
school supply lists
Please bring paper and a pen/pencil to each of your classes on the first day of school. Classroom teachers will inform you if there are specific school supply items required for the course. Due to each student having a unique course schedule, there are no general school supply lists provided.
ACT
PreACT for all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students will occur the morning of October 15th.
ACT National Test Dates:
Saturday; September 14, 2024
Saturday; October 26, 2024
Register at act.org
Student Immunization and Medication Forms
Wisconsin State Statute 252.04 requires parents to have their children vaccinated or they may claim a waiver. School districts must report immunization compliance to the state in the fall by a given deadline. Please review the immunization chart for the 2024-2025 school year to ensure that your student is up to date with their immunizations. Please note: there is a new 12th-grade requirement from the Department of Health Services for meningococcal vaccine this school year. Appointments for your student to get any needed immunizations should be made as soon as possible. Doctors' offices and clinics are often booked in late summer and early fall, so do not delay. Once your student receives any immunizations, make sure to get a copy to the school office. Include your student's name, the vaccines received, and the date that the vaccines were received. You do not need to wait until fall to complete this obligation. You can find the immunization waiver by visiting this link. Students who need medication during the school day(prescription or over-the-counter), must have a current completed and signed Medication Administration Form on file with the school office. Students who have an EpiPen must also fill out an Allergy ActionPlan Form.
Additional information and student medication forms are on the district's website.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Waterford Union High School Nurse, Rachel Pankonin via mail at rpankonin@wuhs.us.
Student Handbook
Email Addresses
Each student receives a handbook the first days of school during their Lunch and Learn period. Teachers and administrators will discuss general school expectations and answer student questions throughout the first week of school. This handbook contains the District’s general procedures and rules by which students are expected to abide.
We changed the domain of our email to @wuhs.us from @waterforduhs.k12.wi.us in the summer of 2023. We are currently working on depreciating the @waterforduhs.k12.wi.us and those addresses may no longer forward mail to the new email address. Please be diligent to use the @wuhs.us domain name in an email address if you would like to email teachers.
Phone Numbers
District Office:
Phone: 262-534-9059
Fax: 262-534-6871
Main Office:
Phone: 262-534-3189
Fax: 262-534-4971
Attendance Office:
Phone: 262-534-3150
Fax: 262-534-4971
Special Ed:
Phone: 262-534-4034
Fax: 262-514-2490
Student Services:
Phone: 262-534-3341
Fax: 262-534-5133
Athletics/Activities:
Phone: 262-534-3108
Fax: 262-534-3717
The Department of Workforce Development’s Equal Rights Division has developed a new online work permit application tool. The online application is available to the parents of minors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer, tablet, smartphone, or similar device.
You can access the site at https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/laborstandards/workpermit/. Payment is made directly to the department through the application, using a credit or debit card or by ACH direct withdrawal. Once the permit application process is complete, the Department mails a paper copy of the permit directly to the employer.
Digital Job Board
We are excited to announce that we have partnered with area school districts to launch a digital job board supporting students to find work-based xperiences. Students looking for entry-level jobs can access www.wijobboard.com. Students can search for specific jobs, set up alerts, and even upload a resume.
Parents/Guardians: Have a job you'd like to post?- it's free for you to add, too!
Work PErmit process
Co-Curricular Information
Please follow this link to complete the registration process: Athletic and Activities Requirements.
Information regarding signing up and expectations for athletics and activities can be found in the 2024-2025 Co-Curricular Student and Family Guide and on the Athletics and Activities website.
Fall Sports start prior to the school year and all requirements need to be turned in at least one week prior to the start of the season. All students participating in athletics and activities must be cleared by the Athletic and Activities Department prior to participating in tryouts/practice or events.
Students registering for athletics must have a current physical examination on file in the athletics office before they are authorized to participate in practice/tryouts. Valid physicals are dated 4/1/2023 or later. Please use the WIAA Medical Eligibility Form. To ensure clearance for participation, completed physicals MUST be dropped off at the Athletic and Activities office or email smccormack@wuhs.us
Contact information for head coaches is linked here if you have a sport-specific question.
The Athletic and Activities office is open 7 am to 1 pm Monday through Thursday, June 17th through August 2nd for the summer to drop off physicals and/or answer any questions. We will have additional hours starting August 5th. Please feel free to email or call outside of those hours and we will respond as soon as we are able.
Student and Family Assistance Program
The Student and Family Assistance Program is available at no charge to all students and families residing in the same household. Help begins when a family member or legally responsible adult calls the program. Based on your needs, their specialists will:
- Connect you by phone with a professional counselor who will consult with you.
- Schedule a confidential appointment with a program counselor for you or your family. Many times, a family's concerns can be resolved within program sessions, saving time and money.
- Assist with an insurance or community-based referral, if your situation requires further treatment or additional resources.
- All services are confidential. No information about you or your family situation will be shared with school personnel without your permission. To learn more about these services, visit aurora.org/eap or call 800-236-3231.
- Services Include: Parenting support and coaching, academic pressures, alcohol/drug use, anxiety, depression, Child/family issues, divorce, relationship issues, stress management, elder care resources,
child care resources, adoption information, and much more.
School Lunch Information
Waterford Union partners with Taher Food Service to provide meals to our students. Students must have their Student ID to check out during lunch. If an ID is lost a new one can be purchased from Student Services for $5.
Payments may be made in PowerSchool via REVTRAK or in person with cash/check. In person payments
should be placed in mailbox before 8:30 am to be credited that day. Students will not be allowed to
purchase any items if their account is in a negative balance. If a student does not have sufficient funding
and needs a meal, they will need to see the Food Service Director prior to lunch that day.
Lunch menus are on the district website or you can visit the Taher website.
You can view the 2024-2025 food pricing by visiting this link. This information is also available on the parent section of the website.
Free Milk Application
Those who are eligible, letters have been sent on July 18
WUHS Alumni Association
Waterford Union High School is excited to announce the launch of its new Alumni Association. The association seeks to build a vibrant community where alumni can stay connected, spotlight each other's successes, and contribute to the school's continued growth and success.
Joining the WUHS Alumni Association is easy. Click here to join and select "WUHS Alumni Association."
Alumni Ceremony - Sunday, August 25th
Join us at our upcoming Alumni Ceremony on Sunday, August 25th. The ceremony will begin at 3 pm in the Waterford Union High School auditorium! Following the ceremony, the celebration will continue at Crossover Cantina. It will be a night full of networking and celebrating the achievements of our outstanding alumni community.
This year, we're thrilled to introduce our revamped award categories:
- Distinguished Alumni Award
- Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award
- Student Leadership Award
- Community Impact Award