Willamette Newsletter 5/13/12
Preparing for future success at College Knowledge Night
Our recent College Knowledge Night was a huge success. This event underlines the importance of preparing for post-secondary education early, by helping students develop a vision of how their high school studies lead to success after graduation. Colleges, universities, and programs from across the northwest came out to talk with students and parents about the countless opportunities available upon graduation.
Please remember to visit our college and career website here. This will give you information on all of the events and programs we offer to WHS students to prepare them for success.
Finally, congratulations to our four scholarship winners, who took home $100 and $500 scholarships to give them a head start on university study!
Willamette Initiatives
Kendall Education Donation
Kendall is donating over $20,000 each month to the 4J and Bethel School Districts. A portion of this will go directly to Willamette based on points earned at Kendall Toyota. For example, WHS earns 100 points when you “LIKE” Kendall and vote for Willamette. More information can be found at Kendall’s website and Kendall’s facebook page.
WHS Career Day
Professionals from across Lane County will be coming to Willamette High School on May 23 for our WHS Career Day. Students will have the opportunity to hear presentations, get employment information, and learn more about job specifics. More information on the event will be posted to our website in the following week regarding specific presenters and event format.
Upcoming Events
Spring Band and Choir Concerts
Come out and see some great music on May 17 at 7:00 in Power’s auditorium, as the WHS bands take the stage. All of our bands have been practicing for many months to refine their sound, and will be in top form for this event. See you all on Thursday! More info found here on the Spring Band Concert flyer.
Also, on May 24, be sure to come out to see our WHS choirs perform at 7:00 in Power’s auditorium. They will be performing many pieces that have earned them acclaim this year.
Come out and run!
5K Memorial Run/Walk
On Memorial Day, May 28 at 2:00, Willamette will host the first annual 5K Memorial Run/Walk to support the Chris Kilcullen Memorial Garden at WHS. There are many already committed to run the event. All funds from the event will go towards the completion of the garden. To register, please go to the memorial race flyer. For facebook information, please go here.
Willamette Newsletter 4/29/12
Midori plays at Willamette High School
On Thursday, world famous violinist Midori came to Willamette High School to play to a packed Powers auditorium, filled with music students from across the district. It was an incredibly moving concert, with refined, beautiful playing that sent a deep quiet over the audience. You could see the wheels turning in students’ heads as they saw this virtuoso before them.
In talking with members of the Eugene Symphony, who helped to support Midori’s visit to WHS, they remarked that one of the highlights of the visit for Midori was her trip to WHS and the incredible attention that students gave during the performance. It was clear during the question and answer session that our students are very well grounded in music, with questions ranging from a career in music to specifics about the violin. The event was a memorable and valuable experience for all Bethel music students, and highlighted the strength of our music program and its effect on our students.
Willamette Initiatives
Green Schools
Students from the Willamette Improvement Team represented WHS at the Oregon Green Schools Summit recently. They presented the work that WHS has undergone over the last decade, including our composting program, recycling, green awareness, and gardening. Willamette is at the forefront of this work, and is one of two high schools in Oregon that has been awareded premiere green school designation.
Standards-Based Learning
Willamette continues to ensure that students have the skills they need to be college and career ready with our work on standards-based learning. Our focus on college and career readiness has profoundly affected our approach to the classroom, as we work to build in students the understanding that high school is a gateway to post-secondary education and success in their working lives. Our standards-based learning approach to the classroom is designed to provide students with these essential skills, so that each student is focused on acquiring a deep understanding of the learning targets of each subject they study.
Schools throughout Oregon are focusing on standards-based learning as a key to prepare students for the Essential Skills requirements that students must meet for graduation, along with the analytical skills that are essential for success in college and career.
Upcoming Events
College Knowledge Night
A world of information about college awaits
On May 10, we will hold our second annual College Knowledge Night. Last year was a huge success, with over three hundred students attending. We will have college representatives and counselors here from all over Oregon, who will be discussing their schools, the college application process, and other facets of building a plan to make the right choices in the selection of post-secondary education. The event will begin at 6:00, and will be held throughout the building. Follow this link for more details. This is a must-attend event!
Willy Wonka comes to WHS!
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: A Musical!
Next week is the culmination of months of hard work: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on May 3-5 at 7:00 in Powers auditorium. This great family event will be full of exceptional music, skilled acting, and a lot of fun. Please come out and support our students!
Willamette Newsletter: 4/15/12
The GAPP German exchange and WHS students
Over the last two weeks, Willamette has been host to two groups of international students from Mainburg, Germany and Bangkok, Thailand. Our German World Languages program has established a sister-school agreement with Mainburg, and each year a group of students either comes to the United States or a group of WHS students visits Germany. These kinds of relationships are extremely important for our students, as we find ourselves in an increasingly global culture.
These visits provided a great backdrop for learning, and reflect much of the curricular focus of our classrooms, as we prepare students to thrive in our global economy as world citizens.
Willamette Initiatives
Green Speed!
Electrathon!
Mike Hodgert and the electrathon team continue to provide students with the opportunity to learn about green energy, work on fabrication, and race their creations against others around the state. The recent Mapleton race saw more success, with many placing competitively. Willamette offers a wide array of experiences for our students, from business and culinary competitions to metal and wood fabrication. These programs are essential to Willamette’s comprehensive and complete curriculum.
Upcoming Events
Healthy Woman Program
Bethel is hosting a free women’s health program called Healthy Woman. The April 21 event will focus on children’s asthma and will feature a physician presenter, a dem-onstration of green cleaning products, door prizes, activities for kids of the moms who attend, a Spanish interpreter, and healthy refreshments. Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 21, 10:30-12:30 at Cascade Middle School.
April 18 at 7:00!
Teen Proof Your Home
This important event has been rescheduled for this coming week, on April 18 in room 131 at 7:00. Led by Lane County and Ronda Hatefi, this evening is designed to teach parents about how to approach practical safety and the home. Topics will include alcohol, prescriptions, poisons, internet, gambling, and parties.
WHS Athletics
A reminder to check out our WHS Athletics website, which has up-to-the minute information about our teams, programs, and scores. WHS spirit is alive and well, as is evidenced by the participation of our students this spring in baseball, softball, golf, tennis, and track.
This Wednesday, WHS will be hosting our first home track meet. Come out and see our students in action! Events begin at 3:30.
Willamette Newsletter 4/1/12
Willamette welcomes incoming 9th graders this week!
This week, Willamette High School staff welcomes incoming 9th graders with our orientation nights on Wednesday and Thursday night at 7:00, 4/4 and 4/5 in Powers auditorium. This evening is an important transition as students have the opportunity to sign up for electives and get a better sense of what it will be like next year when they begin their high school careers as Wolverines!
We’ll start with a welcome with information about our programs and a review of things to consider as you and your student embark on the high school journey. Afterwards, families will be assigned to classrooms to be led through the registration of classes by WHS teachers. Information will be available regarding specific course options and opportunities students will have throughout their four years at Willamette.
In addition, you’ll find extracurricular groups and athletics set up in B bay. This will give students a snapshot of all the different ways to get involved at WHS, and will allow students to sign up to participate in many of these groups.
If you have questions, please call the WHS office at 541-689-0731.
Willamette Initiatives
Students from the GAPP German-American exchange program
International Students Visit WHS
A number of students from across the globe will be visiting Willamette over the next two weeks. As part of our German World Languages program, students from our sister city in Mainburg, Germany will be staying with host families, visiting classrooms, and sharing about German culture and tradition with the students of WHS for the next three weeks. This annual event has been a powerful vehicle for students to share culture and expand their worldviews.
In addition, a group of 20 high school students from Thailand will be here for two days next week as part of a cultural exchange program. They will be spending some time in classrooms with the Willamette Improvement Team and visiting other sites in Bethel and beyond.
Upcoming Events
April 18 in room 131!
Rescheduled Teen Proof Your Home Event
Due to snow, the Teen Proof Your Home event has been rescheduled for April 18, from 7:00 in room 131 at Willamette High School. This event will be very informative, led by Lane County and Ronda Hatefi. This evening is designed to teach parents about how to approach practical safety and the home. Topics will include alcohol, prescriptions, poisons, internet, gambling, and parties.
Natives Culture Night
Come to Peterson Barn on April 18 from 6:30-9:00 for the Native Culture Night. This event is being sponsored by Lane ESD, and will involve Bethel and other outlying districts. More information can be found here for Natives Culture Night.
International Baccalaureate Info Meeting
Prior to the start of freshman orientation on 4/4 and 4/5, there will be a short IB presentation to give students and families the opportunity to learn more about the IB program as they embark upon their high school career. The presentation will be hosted by our IB coordinator, Jade Starr, and will begin promptly at 6:00 in the studio theater, which is located near Powers auditorium.
Athletics
Austin Stricker(Left) Alex Hart (Center) Jalen Drath (Right)
Hockey Success
Three students at WHS, Jalen Drath, Alex Hart and Austin Stricker, took part in bringing home the State Championship title to the Willamette Valley Wolfpack, a hockey team made up of high school students from throughout the area. These WHS students had eight consecutive wins, which led them to a league championship and their team’s first-ever Oregon State Championship. Nice work!
Willamette Newsletter 3/18/2012
LaMichael joins the Wolverine Nation!
On Wednesday, LaMichael James visited WHS and treated our students to some personal time with him. He answered questions ranging from his favorite movie to the things he learned most in his time at the University of Oregon. He talked about education and its central importance in students’ lives, and the event was a huge success. Four TV crews, the Register Guard, and some ardent fans were all in attendance. In addition to his visit, he donated $5000 worth of athletic equipment to WHS!
This event was another opportunity to showcase our great school to the community and build school pride. The Wolverine Nation is alive and well in Bethel!
Willamette Initiatives
Mr. Wolverine
The 2012 Mr. Wolverine contestants
On Saturday, Mr. Wolverine contestants and coordinators celebrated the culmination of their fundraising and volunteer work for the Children’s Miracle Network with the Mr. Wolverine pageant. The night was a huge success, and the students collected over $39,000! This program has been a central part of Willamette High School, as it showcases how philanthropic works benefit the entire community.
Upcoming Events
Teen Proof Your Home
On March 21, from 7-8 in room 131, WHS will host the Teen Proof Your Home event, led by Lane County and Ronda Hatefi. This evening is designed to teach parents about how to approach practical safety and the home. Topics will include alcohol, prescriptions, poisons, internet, gambling, and parties.
8th Grade Orientation
On April 4 and 5, Willamette will welcome our incoming 9th graders. Students will be signing up for courses and hearing about some of the exciting things they’ll be experiencing in just a few months. Athletic and extracurricular groups will be present as well to let students know about all the different activities to get involved with at WHS. Prairie Mountain and Cascade will come on April 4, and Meadow View and Shasta on April 5. Orientation will begin at 7:00 in Powers auditorium.
Athletics
It’s great to celebrate success, and I want to congratulate the girls basketball team for the amazing run that took them to the State finals against Springfield. They played with heart and spirit all season, and we are very proud of them. The boys basketball team played down the wire throughout the season, and had a great game in Bend to finish the season. WHS swimmers also excelled, with many placing at our district meet.
In wrestling, there were many hard fought wins. Congratulations to sophomore Joe Jones for his 4th place finish at 160lbs in the State Wrestling Championships. Joe also placed 6th as a freshman and continues a long tradition of state placers for Willamette wrestling with 1-3 state placers during 12 of the last 16 years.