Happy Friday! 

Congratulations to Ms. Wernersbach, the WECHS 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! In addition to teaching Freshman Seminar, English II, and Yearbook on the PHS Campus, “Ms. W” also plans cross-curricular experiences such as the Water Panel and Water Walk, is part of WECHS H.E.A.L.S, and there’s a rumor she might be planning an international travel opportunity for WECHS students! 

 

We are approaching the end of the semester; stay focused! 

10 class days until WTCC final exams and 15 class days until WECHS final exams

WECHS and WTCC are out Wednesday-Friday, November 23-25, next week for the Thanksgiving break. The office will be closed. 

https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/rethinking-thanksgiving

Would you like to send a word of thanks to WECHS teachers and staff in the spirit of Thanksgiving?  Please complete this Google form by Sunday, November 20, at https://forms.gle/u2SByRiN4Zru5oVA8  Notes will be distributed by Tuesday.  

We appreciate our school community of parents, students, staff, and community members who make WECHS a great place!

It is recruitment season, and word of mouth is our best advertisement. In-person and virtual information sessions and tours are scheduled, and sign-ups are linked to this WECHS website. The application website is also linked. The application period closes on December 14. Please help us spread the word.

 

Sibling Applications

If you have a student applying to WECHS for the 2023-24 school year and your current student will also be enrolled next year, please email Robin McAlexander (rmcalexander@wcpss.net). We want to be sure that we prioritize all sibling applications.

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 at most 15 minutes to complete.

 

WECHS Climate & Culture Parent Survey

 

WECHS Family Engagement Survey

 

 

AfterSchool Tutoring

Peer tutoring is available in person (some days) and virtually every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 4 pm-5 pm.  Please 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. 

 

 

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. 

The special price of $45.00 ends December 31st! Act now. 

November WCPSS Lunch Menu

 

 

The PTSA Carpool link might need updating if you entered information previously. 

 PTSA at WECHS!    WECHS Spirit Wear Purchase Online 

Wake Tech Spring 2023 Advising/Course Questions:

Contact Ms. Graham to set up an appointment to discuss spring 2023 courses for spring 2023.

amgraham1@waketech.edu

 

Student Services Updates:  

Do you need assistance this winter season?  Please complete this Family Needs Survey and contact the counselors with any additional needs/questions.  We will see how we can help.

 

Our website has links to helpful resources

 

9-11th grader Scholarship Opportunity:  WECHS can nominate one student in 9th-11th grades to be considered for the Carson Scholars Program.  Please see this attached sheet for more information.  The deadline to apply is December 1, 2022.

 

10th grade Summer Leadership Opportunity:  Apply to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Summer Program.  The WECHS PTSA sponsors one sophomore each year.  To apply to be the WECHS representative, please read the attached information.  Applications are due December 1, 2022.

 

11th, 12th, and 13th grader Governor’s Page Opportunity.  Apply to work as the NC Governor’s Page for 4 days.  Read more about this opportunity and how to apply here: https://governor.nc.gov/governors-page-program

 

Rising 11th and 12th graders:  Summer Ventures in Science and Math: Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics is a no-cost, state-funded program for academically talented North Carolina students who aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  You will have the opportunity to engage in research with faculty and get hands-on experience at a university.  For more information, visit here.  Applications are due January 17, 2023.

 

Rising 

Other summer opportunities are on the horizon. Check out this list on the CFNC website.  https://www2.cfnc.org/studentEnrichment

 

As more information comes out about summer opportunities, we’ll share..  Make your summer memorable!

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.   To get the Fall 2022 pricing, you must order the WECHS cap/gown by December 15.

 

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 get in touch with 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

 

Class of 2023 Planning Guide

 

 

To join the Student Services Remind for your class, text 81010 with the corresponding message: 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: 

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, on WECHS Works Wednesday (WWW) the WTCC Health and Fitness Science Department Head, Chris Kaycon, will join us to discuss the educational pathways, internship opportunities, and careers awaiting students pursuing careers in health and fitness sciences.

 

Is your student looking for an incredible research experience next summer? Have you heard of the Duke STAR program? The eight-week program allows participants interested in science and medicine to participate in real hands-on experience in research and writing. The experience will conclude with a presentation to peers, families, and program leaders. Last year, WECHS was fortunate to have 2 students participate in the program. We will have an info session within the next few weeks. The Duke STAR program will accept applications from November 21, 2022, to January 6, 2023. For more information, click here.

 

Would your student be interested in participating in research? Is your student 18 years old?  If so, the WTCC STem Academic Research and Training (START) allows students to participate in faculty-mentored, co-curricular discovery experiences. Through hands-on research and engagement with the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) community, students will enrich their academic experience, further develop technical skills and increase their ability to be competitive in higher education and the STEM workforce. Interested in learning more? Click here for more information. Applications for the Spring 2023 semester will be accepted until 10 a.m. Monday, December 5, 2022.

 

Do you have a mid-year graduate that is looking for employment?  If so, check out this upcoming employment information event with Pepsi!  Registration is required.

 

Next month, Ms. McAlexander and Ms. Hill will work with WECHS mid-year graduates, seniors, and super seniors identified as CTE Concentrators to complete the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) assessment. Earning this credential indicates a student’s readiness in various skills to work across a multitude of occupations and industries.  Click here for more information.

 

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.

 

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 16^th, 2022. To learn more and register, 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.

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.

   

 

WECHS student-athletes participate in Athletics at Enloe High School, and the new and improved website is now live! 

Testing

 

Final Exams

WTCC Final exams are December 8th - 14th for north campus students.  We will collect Fall Semester textbooks during exam week. Students must turn in fall textbooks to receive spring textbooks and codes. 

 

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.

Updated: WECHS WTCC Calendar combo

 

WECHS Calendar

Principal’s Tip of the Week:

Make a cup of hot tea or cocoa, sit, and chat. Connect with your student. Teach them the art and joy of face-to-face conversation. 

Principal Cummings’ Office Hours/Coffee Chats at 8:30 on most 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 Arment Cummings