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WECHS Principal's Weekly Message 5/3/2024

 

Congratulations to our 79 students, who will earn their first college degree tomorrow! The WECHS Class of 2024 will earn 62 Associate of Science and 17 Associate of Art degrees before they get their high school diplomas. 

 

Calendar 

 

Saturday, 5/4/24:  Wake Tech Graduation (AA and AS degrees)

Monday - Wednesday, 5/6-5/8/24: North: WTCC Final Exams

Thursday, 5/9/24: WECHS Graduate Awards Night: PHS, 7-8:30 pm

Thursday - Friday, 5/16-5/17/24: PHS: High School Final Exams

Monday - Friday 5/20-5/24/24: PHS Finals R&R (select students)

Tuesday, 5/21/24: WECHS Graduation Practice

Wednesday, 5/22/24: Last Official Day of School

Wednesday, 5/22/24: WECHS Commencement Ceremony

 

Calendar of school activities. Displays are on the website and are updated throughout the week. 

 

The 2024-2025 calendar can be found at this link. Please reference this calendar when making appointments and travel/vacation plans. Students should always attend class, especially WTCC classes. 




General Important Items:

 

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the WECHS International Festival a success. All proceeds went to the WECHS PTSA to support our teachers and students. 



Teacher Appreciation Week May 6th-10th  Please help us celebrate the week! 

Monday 

Breakfast of Champions

Admin will provide breakfast 

Tuesday 

Note of Thanks 

Please send a parent or child written letter of thanks to your teachers

Wednesday

Midweek Boost with Lunch 

PTSA will provide lunch 

Thursday 

Sweet Tooth Ice Cream Bar 

PTSA will set up an Ice Cream bar with other treats

Friday 

Send a special gift of thanks 

Please send in a special gift to your child’s teachers 





New (additional) Bus Rider Notification:

WECHS has been chosen to pilot a new process along with a few other WCPSS schools. Beginning Tuesday, if your student’s bus has no driver or the bus will be delayed, in addition to the notification on the Here Comes the Bus app, you will receive an email and text from School Messenger.

 

To receive these messages via School Messenger, you must provide access to receive text and/or email notifications via SchoolMessenger. This is the same system used for districtwide messaging, separate from TalkingPoints or other communications services.

 

Here Comes the Bus information can be found at this link.



2024-2025 Bus Routes

WECHS bus riders ride Enloe buses.  Enloe Bus Routes for next school year will not be finalized until the end of July.  Students will ride EXPRESS Routes August 7 - 26th.  2023-24  Express Routes are listed on our website.  They are subject to change.  We will update bus routes as new information is provided.



WCPSS Family Survey-April 8-May 17th

Please help us make your child’s school experience as positive and beneficial as possible by giving honest, thoughtful responses to the questions in our family survey from April 8 to May 17. 

The link to take the survey-

surveys.panoramaed.com/wakecounty/family.



WECHS Yearbook

The yearbooks are IN and selling fast - only 5 copies left

Order your yearbook today to capture this year's WECHS "can't miss moments" and preserve those memories!  Books are available now on a first-come basis, depending on how many extra books are ordered, if any.  To request a yearbook, go to jostens.com today!  The price is $55.00.

 

North Campus Materials

North Campus Students are reminded to return all textbooks, goggles, calculators, and/or any materials issued for this school year to Ms. Hennings before leaving for summer.

 

2024 Graduates are reminded to return all textbooks, laptops, chargers, etc., or pay for missing items to Ms. Hennings before graduation. Outstanding fees/materials will prevent participation in Commencement. 



SUMMER 2024

 

Meredith STEM College is designed to help young women explore their interest in science for rising 10-12th graders.  Those selected will participate in a two-week residential summer experience on Meredith’s campus. They will also earn three college credits and connect with others interested in science.  Apply today!   

 

 

TESTING  

PHS Final Exams

Final exams for 9th & 10th grade students will start Thursday, May 16th. The exam information is attached.  If you plan to pick up your student early and if your student will order a school lunch during exams, please sign and return the attached form to Mr. Abbott.  Spring Exam Schedule   A copy of this form is available in the PHS Office.

ACT: Students may choose to retake the ACT.  To register, go to the ACT site. Juniors may also qualify for a fee waiver to take the ACT. The most common way that students qualify is if they are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch.  Email Ms. Lachance at mlachance@wcpss.net or 919-532-5702 for more information.

SAT

Looking for SAT information? Check out the College Board website. If you took the PSAT already, you have a log-in. 

 

SAT Waivers:  Juniors may qualify for a fee waiver to take the SAT.  The most common way that students qualify is if they are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch. Click on the links above for all areas of eligibility. Parents and students, please contact Mrs. Lachance for the fee waiver form.  Students (or parents on their behalf) have to self-identify.  Please contact her at 919-532-5702 or mlachance@wcpss.net.



WECHS PTSA

 

Please consider joining the PTSA. Your donations directly benefit students, faculty, and staff at WECHS. For more information on how to join and donate, visit the PTSA website:  https://www.wechsptsa.org/. No more sending cash or checks to the school!

 

Survey regarding what you want to see from the PTSA: (https://forms.gle/VULQWALctomc3Txx9)

 

PTSA has spirit wear, water bottles, planners, WECHS magnets, laptop covers, and other items for sale!  Go to https://www.wechsptsa.org/  to order yours today. 



Student Services 

Class of 2024 Graduation Information

If you missed the parent program on 2/22, here is a link to the presentation and information sheet about graduation.  

 

Important dates:

May 9: Graduate Awards Night on the PHS campus at 7 pm  Graduates report at 6:30 wearing graduation  gowns (no caps)

May 13: Graduate Breakfast on the PHS campus will begin at 8:30 am

May 21: Graduation Practice (Required) at Meymandi Hall 11 am -1 pm

May 22: Graduation at 4 pm at Meymand Hall.  

 

Report all scholarship awards here: https://tinyurl.com/WECHSMONEY.  Please encourage students to submit all scholarships.

Students may not decorate the cap/gown (board policy). 



Class of 2024 Information

WECHS Graduation will be on Wednesday, May 22nd, at 4 pm at Meymandi. The graduate can wear either the WTCC cap/gown or the WECHS cap/gown to the WECHS graduation.  All students participating in the WTCC graduation must purchase a WTCC cap and gown the semester before graduation.  https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/catalogBrowse/1827483/WAKE-EARLY-COL-OF-HEALTH-AND-SCI/Graduation/1665977447/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/

 

Scholarships:  Here is the link to our most recent scholarship bulletin.  

Pay special attention to some local scholarships.



Financial Aid for College: The FAFSA packages have now been released from universities.  For help with anything related to the FAFSA, please contact Ms. Lee.  She is available for appointments on Thursdays, and you can schedule an appointment with her here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ2s4hJ5ZtSoMDg1XFeiBOWytTnPT8DU1FqGE24AWKuHCt5wt_r2mDklY6_XIEbZFd_IuhmhY_wo.

Her email address is anlee@wcpss.net

 

Wake Tech 

Fall and summer schedules are available to view via Self-Service.  Students taking summer course(s) must return the summer letter with the required signatures to Mrs. Hennings by May 8th.

 

Wake Tech Fall 2024 Commencement will be held tomorrow, May 4, 2024. Each ceremony will be available to view via live stream on the Wake Tech website for families and friends unable to attend in person.

 https://www.waketech.edu/student-services/registration-student-records/graduation/spring#faqs

 

Career Development: 

 

Do you have a graduating senior? If so, they may be interested in participating in a free Biopharma program that will pay them to attend Wake Tech, provide transportation support during the training, and offer additional incentives, including a graduation bonus. There are several upcoming info sessions. Employees in Biopharma can earn entry-level pay at $18-$22 per hour and the basic median wage in this area moves to $25-$28 per hour for the process technician job opportunity. Click here for more info. Space is limited.

 

CTE is offering summer programming! Is your student interested in exploring various careers, participating in hands-on activities, business immersion experiences, and increasing workplace skills? Career and Technical Education provides high school students multiple opportunities to participate in a week-long summer program from July 8th to July 12th from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Check out the link for more details. The program is still accepting applications.

 

Is your 9th-12th grade student interested in an internship this summer? Would they want to increase their real-world problem-solving, team-building, and leadership skills? District C will be offering students a unique opportunity July 8th-12th.  If you want to learn more about this unique experience, click here for more information.

 

Do you live in Raleigh? If so, your student might be interested in learning more about the City of Raleigh’s Digital Inclusion Program. It’s a great opportunity for leadership and service learning. Please click here for more information and to register for the interest form.

 

Is your student interested in how the environment impacts human health? The UNC Fry Lab offers the Future Researchers for Environmental Solutions and Health Outcomes (FRESH) program.  This program includes a one-week camp with hands-on workshops, informative lectures, networking opportunities, and time to work on a project.  There is a cost associated with the FRESH camp; however, scholarships are available if the cost is prohibitive. Click here for the application and more information.

 

Have you ever considered volunteering at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina? This is an excellent opportunity for students and families to help community members facing food insecurity. Students 16 and older do not require a chaperone when volunteering; however, volunteers under 16 require an adult chaperone. Check out their website for more information.  

 

Check out the paid internship opportunities with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. NCDOT High School Intern Program Job Bulletin.pdf All applicants must use this link to apply online. NC DOT Online Application  Be sure to look for the “High School Intern Program.”

 

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/or engineering. Check out the webpage for more information and the calendar for upcoming opportunities.

 

Is your student interested in emergency medicine? Would they like to learn more about first aid, CPR, and skills required to save a life? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, please check out the Wake County EMS Club!  The club meets on the 2nd Monday of every month. To find out more about this opportunity, click here.



Principal's Reminders

 

Reporting Threats

By calling the WCPSS Tip Line at (919) 856-1911, anyone can report threats of bullying, violence, aggressive behavior, weapons on campus, or any other potential threat. A specially trained operator will receive the caller’s information and ask for additional information to address the situation.

 

The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support

https://988lifeline.org/about/

 

Principal Cummings hosts Office Hours/Coffee Chats most Fridays at 8:30 am in person or via Google Meets.

 

Contact information: email: lcummings@wcpss.net  Desk: 919-532-5641  Mobile: 919-398-3451. While I have offices on both campuses, I am usually on the North Campus.