WECHS Principal's Weekly Message 10/14/2022
Happy Friday!
Today, we celebrated 142 students who made the PHS Honor Roll at our whole-campus celebration. Thank you to everyone who donated time and items to make this event a success.
Our community suffered a tragedy last night. This message was sent to staff and families from Superintendent Moore and Board Chair Mahaffey. Additional resources are linked below on our counselors’ page.
It is recruitment season, and word of mouth is our best advertisement. If you know someone who would be interested in attending WECHS next year, see this link and information below under “outreach.”
Accreditation Year at WECHS
Every five years, all schools undergo a renewal process for accreditation, and this is our year. We are accredited through Cognia, which certifies schools across the country.
A critical component of this process includes surveys. We need all our parents to complete a critical survey. This survey provides vital information in areas of success and improvement to ensure the academic success of all our students. There are two surveys to complete. Each survey was intentionally designed to capture various feedback from each stakeholder group and provide valuable information that aligns with the Cognia Performance Standards.
The surveys should take no more than 15 minutes to complete.
WECHS Climate & Culture Parent Survey
WECHS Family Engagement Survey
The NC State Fair is in town until October 23!
The voter registration deadline is TODAY, October 14, 2022, for the general elections on November 8, 2022. (After October 14, 2022, only same-day registration during one-stop early voting is available.) The civilian voter registration deadline in North Carolina is 25 days before Election Day. All nine WCPSS School Board District seats and four of the seven Wake County Commission districts will be on the November ballot. This site is a non-partisan resource for election information.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is beginning a process to overhaul school performance grades and is seeking public input. The state’s A-F performance grades were developed so communities could better understand the quality of North Carolina’s public schools. NCDPI Survey regarding how school performance grades are calculated.
Picture Retakes (these are also the yearbook images)
Thursday, October 20th: PHS retakes–sign up on the clipboard
Friday, October 21st: North Campus retakes (Juniors); students received a signup genius link for an appointment time through their WTCC email.
AfterSchool Tutoring
Peer tutoring is available in person (some days) and virtually every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 4 pm-5 pm. Have your student complete the attached form so we can best assist them. https://forms.gle/EXqBvTfkmgsdMKrV8 Reach out to Mrs. Wilcox with any questions at Mcwilcox@wcpss.net.
Updated: WECHS WTCC Calendar combo
Bus Riders: Remember to use your resources, Live Bus Updates on the website, and download the Here Comes the Bus app to track the bus location (WCPSS code is 67500). If you have not already joined WECHS Transportation Remind, the code is @abkb7ch79d. Call the WECHS PHS office with questions: 919-212-5800 “0” and we will try to help. Refer to the HELP section on the Here Comes the Bus page for problems with the app. We cannot resolve app issues at the school level.
Express Bus Route Locations and Times
It's time to order your 2022-23 WECHS Yearbook!
Top reasons to order now:
Get a book with this school year's memories featured!
Your future self will thank you! Contact Ms. Wernersbach with questions at kwernersbach@wcpss.net.
North Campus students can order WCPSS lunch to be delivered to campus daily at 11:15 am. Students must either sign up for lunch in the front office (C335) on the north campus or this google form by 8:30 am each morning. North Campus students can also bring lunch but will not have access to refrigeration and microwaves in the WECHS hall. This link shares information regarding other WTCC options on North.
The PTSA Carpool link might need updating if you entered information previously.
PTSA at WECHS! WECHS Spirit Wear Purchase Online
The PTSA is filling spirit wear orders as they come in! If you have placed an order and have not received yours, it will arrive shortly. Some sizes sold out quickly, and another order was placed.
When yours arrives, it will be sent to your campus. On PHS, you will receive an email to come to the office. Ms. Hennings will distribute it on the north campus.
Wake Tech Spring 2023 Advising:
Contact Ms. Graham to set up an appointment to discuss spring 2023 courses for spring 2023.
amgraham1@waketech.edu
WECHS spring 2023 group advising was held from September 26 – September 30 during HS Seminar. Group advising is mandatory for all students that plan to take Spring 2023 WTCC classes.
WECHS spring 2023 individual advising with a Wake Tech advisor will be held from October 5 - 14. Students will sign up for an appointment during group advising.
Student Services Updates:
Our website has been updated with links to helpful resources
9th Grade Signs of Suicide Presentation - On October 28th, Student Services will present a required lesson to all 9th-grade students focused on depression and suicide awareness and prevention. If you do not want your student to participate in this lesson, please read and sign the parent sheet below and return it to Mr. Muse by October 26th
9th Grade SOS Parent Letter - Spanish
October is Countdown to College Month through CFNC - Find out more information using this link - Countdown to College. There is information for all grade levels to assist with college planning. The week of Oct. 17-21 is also College Application Week. Here is the list of Colleges and Universities waiving their Application fees this week.
Class of 2023
Mark your calendars: WECHS Class of 2023 Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24th, at 7 pm. Graduation practice (mandatory) is Tuesday, May 23rd, at 1:30 pm.
Preparation for Graduation: Students can wear either the WECHS or WTCC cap and gown to WECHS graduation. Please use this link to purchase the WECHS cap/gown and other graduation items.
Class of 2023: We can help review applications, essays, etc., for any students. Reach out to your school counselor for help.
Financial Aid for College: Reminders: FAFSA opened on October 1 for the 2023-2024 school year. The earlier you submit your FAFSA, the higher your potential is for more financial aid. Some colleges, including UNC-Chapel Hill, require the submission of the CSS profile. Check to see what forms your colleges require.
“How do I know what is needed to submit for college financial aid and scholarships?” Check the scholarship and financial aid pages on college websites to see the deadlines and forms needed to apply for university scholarships. If you need any help, please contact your school counselor. We can help you find what you need to know. No question is too small. Plus, we have a financial aid counselor who comes each Monday and can answer your questions, too!
Scholarships: It is not too early to apply for scholarships. Please check out our scholarship page, many search engines, and scholarship bulletin.
Class of 2023 Quicklink access sheet
Please complete this Family Needs Survey and contact the counselors with any additional needs/questions.
To join the Student Services Remind for your class, text 81010 with the corresponding message below:
9th: @2022wechs
10th: @2021wechs
11th: @2020wechs
12th: @19wechs
13th: @2018wechs
Counselor Contact Information: (updated from last year)
Ms. Lachance (Last name A-L), mlachance@wcpss.net, 919-212-5800 ext. 26054 https://calendly.com/wechs-lachance
Mr. Muse (Last name M-Z), jmuse@wcpss.net,
919-212-5800 ext. 26058
https://calendly.com/wechs-muse
Career Development Corner:
Please join Ms. Hill’s Career Development Corner (CDC) Remind. Messages are sent regarding volunteer opportunities and various career/college events. You can also find valuable information on the CDC website.
Join code information: To join the CDC Remind for your class, text 81010 with the corresponding message below:
9th Grade - @wec-cdc-26
10th Grade - @wec-cdc-25
11th Grade - @wec-cdc-24
12th Grade - @wec-cdc-23
13th Grade - @wec-cdc-23
Next week, WTCC’s Human Service program will be joining us for a WECHS Works Wednesday! We look forward to learning more about the program and careers in this field.
Next Friday, Ms.Tyndall’s Biomedical Technology class students will visit the McKimmon Center to participate in the WCPSS CTE Great Xploration conference. Students will gain valuable career readiness skills. Sessions include Networking 101, The Leader in You, and Guess My Gig.
NCBCE’s Ready, Set, App! challenge is a mobile app development competition for high school students sponsored by Lenovo™. Student groups are asked to develop a mobile app to solve a problem in their school or community. Registration is open now until December 16th, 2022. To learn more and register, visit www.ncbce.org/ready-set-app.
Internship opportunity! Ready, Set, App! is also looking for high school interns!
Each year Ready, Set, App! employs five high school interns to act as peer mentors to the teams in this competition. This paid internship is an excellent opportunity for students to get real work experience. Students interested in computer science and helping others are best suited for this role. All 9th – 12th-grade students who are enrolled in an NC high school are eligible to apply. Applications are due October 14th, 2022, at 11:59 PM. To sign up for your team or apply to be an intern, visit www.ncbce.org/ready-set-app.
Wake Electric seeks applicants for a one-week, all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the 2023 Electric Youth Tour. Winners also receive a $1,000 scholarship. Winners MUST go on the Washington Trip to become eligible for the $1,000 scholarship. The trip will be from June 17 – 23, 2023. The deadline to apply is December 15, 2022, by 5:00 p.m. Applicants must currently be high school juniors. Applicants DO NOT have to live in households served by Wake Electric to win. For exciting details on the Youth Tour and what you can expect, visit www.youthtour.coop. To download an application, visit www.wemc.com.
The Department of Defense (DoD) SMART scholarship program accepts applications through December. This program is for students who have earned a year’s worth of college credit and covers full tuition, stipend, books, etc., for students pursuing STEM degrees and can be awarded for multiple years, all the way through a graduate degree program. Upon graduation, recipients work for the Department of Defense annually to receive a scholarship. Here is where you can learn more: https://www.smartscholarship.org/smart
2022 Youth Energy Career Academy In recognition of Black Energy Awareness Month (BEAM), the North Carolina Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) is hosting its sixth annual Youth Energy Academy (YEA) in Durham from 10 AM to 3 PM. The BEAM event will allow students to participate in discussions and activities designed to increase their knowledge about the energy industry and career development workshops. Students will hear from energy professionals and learn about careers, jobs, and occupational training requirements for different energy industry segments. The BEAM events are open to all high school students. Registration closes on October 27th for the Durham - Youth Energy Academy in-person event on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10 AM to 3 PM for high school students. Click here to learn more!
Wake County EMS is also offering an EMS Club. This group meets on the 2nd Monday of each month from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Click here for more information and the application. This opportunity is precious and rewarding. If your student is considering applying for the Wake County WCPSS High School EMT program during their senior or super senior year, this club would be a great asset for them.
Have you heard of ChickTech? ChickTech believes girls and non-binary youth belong in STEM. Learn about their free, year-long program filled with virtual & in-person workshops, mentoring, and internship connections. The high school program kicks off on 10/29! To learn more and access the registration form, click here.
Is your student interested in becoming a veterinarian? NC State’s VetPAC provides several opportunities, including Spend a Day at State. Visit the website for more information. https://cals.ncsu.edu/vetpac/
The Perry Virtual Experience is a free, 2.5-hour, interactive online experience for high school and college-aged students who gender-identify as female or nonbinary and are interested in pursuing careers in orthopedics and engineering. Participants will hear from women leaders in these fields and dive into online mock orthopedic surgery simulations and biomechanics experiments. Click here for current opportunities.
Update: WECHS student-athletes participate in Athletics through Enloe High School, and the new and improved website is now live!
Outreach to Potential New Students and Families
We have begun our work to reach out to Wake County 8th-grade students and their families to ensure they are aware of the opportunities available at WECHS. In-person and virtual information sessions and tours have been scheduled, and sign-ups are linked to this WECHS website. The application period is October 14 - December 14. Please help us spread the word.
Potential families enjoy talking to current WECHS families as they decide about applying. If you are willing to attend any of these events to discuss your WECHS experience, please email Robin McAlexander at rmcalexander@wcpss.net.
Early College Fair-Saturday, 10/15, 9:00-11:00 a.m.-Vernon Malone College & Career Academy.
WECHS Open House-Thursday, 10/27, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Magnet & Early College Fair Saturday, 10/29, 9:00 a.m-noon - Enloe Magnet High School.
Testing
PreACT
All 10th graders will take the PreACT on Friday, October 28, at 7:25 a.m., on the PHS Campus. There is no cost for the students. (This is a date change to accommodate a group of students traveling for an educational experience.)
The PreACT is administered annually to 10th graders in North Carolina and is a state-required test per North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) §115C-174.22. The PreACT simulates the ACT testing experience within a shorter test on all four ACT subjects: English, reading, mathematics, and science.
Final Exams
WECHS high school final exams will be administered on December 15, 16, 19, and 20. WTCC final exams are scheduled for December 8-14. Please do not plan to travel during this time.
Testing questions should be directed to Robin McAlexander at rmcalexander@wcpss.net.
Driver’s Education Registration Jordan Driving
Visit www.jordandriving.com to sign up. Payment is not due until the class is confirmed by the Driver’s Education teacher at Enloe, Carolyn Hunter, enloedrivered@gmail.com.
Principal’s Parenting Tip of the Week
Question: How can I support my student in early college?
We are now in the second half of this semester, which means six weeks are remaining for WTCC classes and about seven for high school. Please stay involved with your student’s academics. Check the WECHS website to see what’s due that week. Ask to see the Blackboard account for WTCC information. Have students show, explain, and connect their learning. Reach out to us if we can assist.
Principal Cummings’ Office Hours/Coffee Chats at 8:30 on Friday mornings. Open to all. The meet link is posted on our Google Calendar call, email, or let me know when you’d like to meet in person. Email: lcummings@wcpss.net Desk: 919-212-5803 Mobile (call/text): 919-341-9844 or use my online scheduler
Please take care of yourself, your friends, and your family, and contact me with any questions.
Principal Lisa Cummings
