From the Desk of Dale Van Keuren... 
Mr. Van Keuren, Principal
Happy Fall to All!

As we move from September to October, I am excited for our 2019 Homecoming Week. Homecoming is a fantastic time for our students, staff, and alumni. I am excited to learn about the school traditions, see the school spirit of our students, and witness the community pride of Westosha Central. Thank you to all of our students and staff who are part of organizing this great week of activities!

As we move deeper into the school year I wanted to give a few reminders:
  1. Make sure that if your child is going to miss school that you contact the Attendance Office. The attendance line (262-843-3820) is available and accessible 24 hours a day.
     
  2. Please know that communication is important to us as a school community. Please allow teachers a 24-hour window to respond to emails during the week. If you email a teacher over the weekend, know that you may not get a response until Monday.
     
  3. Students are able to get support in our Math and Literacy Centers during the day. These centers are staffed by our teachers and the teachers are eager to support our students. You can access the Literacy Center schedule here and Math Center information here.
Thanks again for an AMAZING start to the school year. I am looking forward to seeing and meeting you all as the school year moves forward.

Dale Van Keuren  

Principal-Westosha Central High School

(262) 843-2321 ext. 209

Twitter: @dalevankeuren
 
A Message From Our District Administrator,
John Gendron
Mr. Gendron

Welcome to October! The start of the 2019-20 school year has been simply outstanding. The staff has done an exceptional job building relationships with our students and providing a rich and innovative classroom experience that is promoting student exploration, growth, and success. Not only are the students finding academic success, they are demonstrating high character and respect to all people in our building. Westosha Central High School is a learning environment that promotes and expects student success, both academically and socially.
 
Along with the day-to-day operations of the school, we have been extremely busy. On September 17 the district held its Annual Meeting. I am happy to report that the 2019-20 financial outlook of the district is positive. For the first time in many years, the district is projecting a small surplus in the budget while the Mill Rate (Tax Rate) is set to decrease to $3.41 per $1,000 of assessed home value, which is a ten cent decrease from last year. Fiscal responsibility and long-term planning remain a top priority for the school board and for me.

As part of our long-term financial planning, the district is also exploring a facility study. As we all know, maintaining the structure of our facility is part of long-term fiscal responsibility and sustainability. It is our hope to have a study completed by February with the Board of Education prioritizing needs during the spring. Westosha Central is fortunate to have a great facility that has been well-maintained, but we want to ensure that the building and grounds are set for the future and optimize the learning environment for our students.

Lastly, the district is beginning the process of a new Strategic Plan. Strategic planning is one of the most important parts of creating a school culture that challenges students and staff to grow, develop, and improve. Parent and community input will also be a key part of the process. More information to come.

Today, like all days, is a great day to be a Falcon. I am energized by our students and staff daily and excited to continue to lead such a great district. 
 
 John Gendron
District Administrator
VAPE: What Parents Should Know
  Special Presentation
Thursday, November 13, 2019
Westosha Central High School
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Parents, guardians, grandparents, community members, and staff are invited to attend an eye-opening presentation taking place on Thursday, November 13, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Westosha Central High School.  Online registration is recommended, but not required, for attendance.

** Special Note: Student presentations will take place during the school day on Thursday, November 7 and Thursday, November 14. **

Vape: What Parents Should Know
Across the United States, e-cigarette use, also known as vaping, is reaching epidemic proportions among teenagers. According to the American Lung Association, more than 3.6 million U.S. middle and high school students have reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. 

There are many health concerns with e-cigarette use. Although some don't contain nicotine, e-cigarette juices use liquid nicotine extra cted from tobacco and can contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. There are also concerns about increased exposure to toxins, including heavy metals, chemical compounds, and other fine particles that may get absorbed into the lungs. Additionally, e-cigarettes can be used as a delivery system for other drugs.

According to the Surgeon General's health advisory, about one third of middle and high school students who used e-cigarettes used them as a delivery device for marijuana. Health officials are concerned about this growing trend "because cannabis use among youth can adversely affect learning and memory and may impair later academic achievement and education".

This educational presentation focuses on common devices used for vaping, substances commonly vaped such as nicotine and marijuana, and the health risks associated with vaping. Learn why health officials are so concerned about this growing trend.

For questions about this event, please contact Ashleigh at [email protected].
 
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
Ashleigh Nowakowski , Executive Director, Your Choice to Live, Inc.-Ashleigh Nowakowski has been working in the substance abuse prevention field since 2009. Her work includes speaking in middle and high schools, teaching in health classes, and working with high risk youth in the Detour program. Ashleigh also has experience working with youth who are concerned ab out a loved one's substance use. Ashleigh has her Master's Degree in Public Administration.


October is "Keeping Kids Safe Online Month"
October 2019 marks the third annual Keeping Kids Safe Online Month in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Department of Public Instruction are teaming up to keep families safe online and have launched "Interact!". Interact is an online, interactive e-course created for parents and guardians to complete with their children with the goal of sparking basic online safety discussions in the home.


Homecoming 2019
Activities include:
          • Homecoming Parade
            • Wednesday, October 2 at 5:15 p.m.
          • Football Game Against Elkhorn
            • Friday, October 4 at 7 p.m.
          • Homecoming Dance
            • Saturday, October 5 from 8 to 11 p.m.
Bash on the Grass
Friday, October 4!
Community. It's sharing a warm, salted pretzel from the concession stand. It's a close game of corn hole in the parking lot. It's what makes every football game extra special.

As part of Central's Association of Business Students (ABS), we wanted to bring the community together for some family fun. This is why this year we're planning the BASH ON THE GRASS! The Bash offers something for everyone including parents, kids, high school students, and Central alumni of all ages! Think food, carnival games, obstacle courses, and more! Only $5 to enter and all proceeds will be contributed to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

We hope you'll join us for the Bash on the Grass on Friday, October 4th, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.- right before the Homecoming football game!


Yearbooks Orders Are Due!
It is time to order yearbooks, purchase your senior's baby ad, and send in senior pictures! All of these must be done digitally from the Westosha Central  website. The cost of the yearbook is $65. Baby ads have changed and are now available in a variety of sizes- so cost will vary based on the size ad you choose.

 

Also new for the ads section is the option to purchase an ad for your child's friend group, team, or club. This offers the opportunity to decide which pictures are featured and what the message to the group is!

 

Senior pictures must be submitted on our website: 

  • Click the Students tab and scroll down to the Senior Photos link (Senior Picture Upload)
  • IMPORTANT: If you do not submit the picture digitally, or have the photographer submit the photo, the yearbook staff will feature your student's school I.D. photo.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. No pictures will be accepted at this email. 

 

Important Deadlines:

 


 Yearbook ($65) Due November 1; Price increases incrementally though the school year

Senior Picture Submission: Due November 1

Senior Baby Ads Due November 1

Help Wanted from 
Advisors, Coaches, Parents, and Students: 
Contribute to Yearbook Pictures!
Get the Yearbook Snap App!   
  1. Go to your phone and download the Yearbook Snap app.
      
  2. Once you've downloaded the app, click and find our school by searching "Westosha Central High School".
     
  3. You will be asked for a code. Enter our code: "CHS".
     
  4. When you have a picture of interest, you can upload them through the app! You will have the opportunity to decide if the picture is student life, athletics, academics, or anything else. You will then have the ability to label the picture to share the event day, event, who is in the picture, and any other information you would like to add. 
Please consider downloading the app, getting active taking photos, and sharing them! We have so many neat things that can be featured, but without photos, it is hard to do. We are looking for some awesome action shots and pictures that capture the moment.
 
Parents, Advisors, and Coaches: Please download the app and send in pictures of your children and students participating in Westosha activities!
 
If you have any questions whatsoever about this app or how it works, please feel free to email me or pop in. The  app looks like this on the App Store.
 
Ms. Johnson
Important:
Updated Information for Parents of AP Students

Beginning with the 2019-20 school year, the AP Program is introducing new resources and processes designed to help students earn college credit and placement.
 
Here's what you and your student need to know:
  • This year all AP students are required to complete a College Board enrollment into their AP class sections. Our students completed their enrollments in early September.  It is important to note that by default, students were registered for their AP Exam upon enrolling for their class.
     
  • Exam registrations are due by October 4. This means that if a student is not going to take an AP Exam, that information must be communicated to Mrs. Haluzak or Mrs. Netzer-Jensen prior to October 4. Doing so will avoid the $94 Exam Fee or the $40 Cancellation Fee. The only exception is AP Microeconomics, which is a semester two course.
     
  • The exam fee isn't changing. However, there will be a $40 fee for Late Registration (after Nov. 14) and a $40 Cancellation Fee for an unused exam.
  • Westosha Central High will collect Exam Fees by November 26. Fees may be paid through Infinite Campus or by cash or check submitted to Mrs. Haluzak in the District Office.
  • AP Exams will continue to be given in May.
  • Students will get personalized feedback through new digital tools that provide daily support for every AP classroom. Their teachers will be able to track their performance through the year using monthly personal progress checks.
Your student has created a College Board account. It is important for students to remember their user names and passwords as they will need them when enrolling in future AP courses and when requesting score reports. They will also need them if taking the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, or applying for a College Board Opportunity Scholarship.
 
For additional information, contact https://apcentral.collegeboard.org. For questions, please contact:


Gail Netzer-Jensen, Ext. 263
[email protected]		 Michelle Haluzak, Ext. 234
[email protected]


Student Opportunities
Opportunities for students are sometimes shared with the District. The opportunities are passed to our students, elementary schools, counselors, posted on our website, and shared in this newsletter as appropriate.

While we are making students and parents aware of opportunities, the District does not endorse the activities/opportunities.
Upcoming Events

Upcoming school events are listed on the school's web page. Keep up to date and see what's happening!

2019-2020 Calendar
                            

Falcon Focus is Your E-Newsletter
                             
The Falcon Focus is your parent newsletter, designed to keep you informed of important activities around the school and future events you may wish to note. If you would like to see any additional items covered in this newsletter, please contact the editor, Kim Hole, at   [email protected].
Central High School District of Westosha Non-Discrimination Statement 
The Board of Education does not discriminate in the employment of administrative staff on the basis of the Protected Classes of race, color, national origin, age, sex, (including transgender status, change of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity), pregnancy, creed or religion, genetic information, handicap or disability, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, military service (as defined in 111.32, Wis. Stats.), national origin, ancestry, arrest record, conviction record, use or non-use of lawful products off the District's premises during non-working hours, declining to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or to participate in any communication with the employer about religious matters or political matters, or any other characteristic protected by law in its employment practices.