PARENT
CONNECTION
WEEKLY
Fall 2020
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October 23, 2020
Newsletters will be sent weekly on Fridays to parents/guardians & students. If you have questions or suggestions regarding the newsletters, email Deb Lange. We value your feedback. Past newsletters are available on the WHS website.
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Dates to Remember
- October 23: Homecoming Football Game
- October 28: FAFSA Completion Workshop for Seniors
- October 30: Senior Portraits Due
- October 30: First Online Mindfulness Class for Students
- November 6, 9-13: Lifetouch Photos
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Class of 2021/Senior Information
Senior Portraits
Senior portraits are due Friday, October 30. Be sure to visit the WHS Yearbook website for all the information about picture requirements and submission details. If you have any questions, please email wayako.portraits@gmail.com.
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FAFSA Completion Workshop for Seniors
Wayzata High School, in collaboration with Minnesota College Goal, is pleased to offer a free financial aid workshop on Wednesday, October 28 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. via Zoom to help you complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Six volunteers from area colleges will be on hand. This workshop is for students who plan to attend any postsecondary institution next year. Families will be broken into private Zoom Rooms with a financial aid specialist, who can answer specific FAFSA questions.
If you are interested in receiving help with individual questions on the FAFSA, please register with a time preference. A Zoom link will be emailed to you the week prior to the event.
Before your individual session, we ask that you complete the following:
- Create an FSA ID for both one parent and the student. (Separate emails, phone numbers, and social security numbers will be required). FSA ID help video
- Create an account for the FAFSA and begin filling it out.
- Items to have accessible:
- Social Security Number (both student and parent)
- Driver's License Number (if you have one)
- 2019 Tax Returns for Student and Parent
- Information on Savings, Investments, and Business & Farm Assets for Student and Parent
- Records of Untaxed Income
It only takes about 30 minutes to complete your FAFSA. If you have any questions about Minnesota College Goal or our workshop, please call or email Peggy Zimmer. If you would like an interpreter on hand, we can arrange that if you let me know which language is needed.
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Lifetouch Cap & Gown Presentation
Our apologies for an early version of the WHS school calendar indicating a "MyTime Senior Meeting: Lifetouch Cap & Gown Presentation" scheduled for Wednesday, October 21. (This meeting was scheduled pre-COVID-19.) We will reschedule a Senior/Class of 2021 meeting for a later date and post this in our newsletters. and an email announcement will be sent out to students and parents. We apologize for the last minute notification and for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused.
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Upcoming Events
Wayzata Spirit Avenue Canceled
Unfortunately, due to the recent snowfall and colder temperatures we will need to cancel the much-anticipated Wayzata Spirit Avenue event scheduled for this Saturday at Wayzata High School. This will be terribly disappointing for many of our students and families. This event was designed by our Club Y.E.S students as an opportunity to safely bring our school community together during COVID-19 to showcase a variety of Wayzata High School student organizations performing or entertaining community guests with their creative, spirit-filled displays. We will explore rescheduling at a later date or when weather permits.
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Health & Wellness Resources
Online Mindfulness Class for WHS Students
Mindfulness is a powerful, research-based practice that can help teens reduce stress and anxiety, and improve focus and concentration. This mindfulness class consists of seven sessions in which students will learn basic mindfulness practices and develop strategies for self-care and stress reduction. The course also includes:
- strategies for navigating school-related and/or test anxiety
- practices for working with overwhelm and distraction
- relaxation and calming exercises
Encourage your student to join us via Zoom for any or all of the following Fridays from 11:20 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The Zoom link is available in the student newsletter.
October 30
November 6
December 11
December 18
January 15
January 22
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Substance Use & Mental Health During COVID-19: What to do About it
The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for everyone, specifically adolescents who are needing to adjust their platform for learning, have changes in their peer relationships, and are navigating their life amid uncertainty. It is important for parents and caregivers to know what symptoms of substance use may look like, how to talk about substance use with others, and healthy coping skills that will support a student's social and emotional life. Join us for this dynamic presentation, where you will learn about substance use trends during stay at home orders, difficulties adolescents are facing with their mental health, how to identify substance use, and what you can do to support at risk students.
Join Cindy Doth, Hazelden Outreach Manager and Substance Use Support Specialist, for this presentation on Tuesday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m., streamed via YouTube Live on the WHS Facebook event page!
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Resources to Learn About the Disease of Addiction
Shatterproof is an online education program designed to help people learn about the disease of addiction. This program is designed to help increase awareness, reduce stigma, and share information about prevention. The program has produced 5-minute informational videos that are a great resource. We hope you will find this a great resource tool if needed; also, feel free to share with anyone you feel would benefit from this resource. Cindy Doth, Outreach Manager and Substance Use Support Specialist, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is also available for one on one appointments. Appointments can be scheduled online.
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General Information
Lifetouch School Photos
Lifetouch portrait photographers will be at Wayzata High School on Friday, November 6, and during the week of November 9. Students will be asked to visit WHS one day during the week to have their school portrait taken by signing up for an appointment. Students who are attending hybrid or occasional hybrid classes may have their portrait taken on any day while at WHS by signing up for their preferred time. The school portrait will be used for our Wayako yearbook, Skyward student management system, student IDs, security, and will be available for families to purchase via Lifetouch/Shutterfly.
Note: Senior students do not need to have their photos taken if they have submitted a professional graduation photo for the yearbook unless they want an updated ID.
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Newsletter Format Reminder
Due to the length of the newsletter, there may be times the newsletter does not fully display in your email. When this happens, please make sure to click on the View entire message link at the very bottom of the email which will open the entire newsletter for viewing. Here is a sample of what you'll see when it does not completely display.
. . .
[Message clipped] View entire message
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AP Exam Registration for Term 1
The AP exam registration deadline for Term 1, Semester 1 and all Independent Study courses is fast approaching! Students must complete Step 1 and Step 2 prior to November 1.
Please Note: Students who will be taking an AP course that starts Term 2, Term 3, or Term 4 will not register for these AP exams at this time. More information will be provided after the start of these courses.
Step 1: Joining the AP Course on the College Board Site
Most students have completed this step in their AP Classroom. Completing this step gives students access to course materials and provides the College Board with the information needed to generate a testing ticket for the May exam day. Students have until November 1 to complete this step or risk incurring a $40 late fee (per exam) assessed by the College Board.
Step 2: Pay AP Exams on the Total Registration Site
Most students still need to complete this step. Students will go to Total Registration. If a student has taken the PSAT or an AP exam in a previous year, they have a Total Registration account already. Please read the prompts carefully and provide the requested information. As part of the registration process, students will need to provide their school email address and their Skyward user login. This is not a five-digit number. It is the first part of the student's school email address and typically includes the first five letters of their last name + the first 3 letters of their first name + 000. Students have until November 1 to pay for their exams or an exam order will not be submitted for them.
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2021 Prudential Spirit of Community Award Application
Has your student been making a difference through volunteering on an on-going basis?
The 2021 Prudential Spirit of Community Award application is now open and applications are being accepted until November 10, 2020. Three Wayzata High School students will be named as honorees from Wayzata for 2021. This award honors students who have been doing on-going volunteer service with a specific organization or cause. (If your student is a Boy Scout or Girl Scout looking for recognition for their scouting service activities they need to go through their council to apply for this award, rather than Wayzata High School). The certifier for Wayzata High School is Brenda Badger so students should email the certification page of their application to Brenda Badger and not to Principal Gengler. Note: This is not the 2020 President's Volunteer Service Award application notice, that will come out in November 2020.
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A Great Opportunity for your Student!
Do you know what it takes to launch a successful life and career? Target is hosting Prepare to Launch, a 4-session virtual series starting Friday, October 16, featuring employees and executives from over 24 companies. Students will get to meet these amazing speakers, along with successful tech entrepreneurs as they share stories, lessons learned, and must-have skills that have advanced their careers. We hope to see your student there and can't wait to help them launch into a successful future!
Series Dates & Times:
- Be Curious: Friday, October 16, 8:45-11:00 a.m.
- Be Bold: Friday, October 30, 8:45-11:00 a.m.
- Build Meaningful Relationships: Friday, November 13, 8:45-11:00 a.m.
- Demystifying Tech Careers: Friday, November 20, 8:45-11:00 a.m.
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Business Department Feature
The Wayzata business department is in full swing. Students are currently engaged in learning how businesses operate, how to take control of their personal finances, how economics drive the world, how to make engaging websites, computer programming techniques, accounting applications, business law situations and marketing concepts. Throughout the summer and start of this school year, global events have provided great opportunities for educational dialogue in our classrooms. Students are being asked to take the business concepts and theories they are discussing in class and apply them to real world case studies, projects and simulations. Our DECA and BPA programs will have over 300 students this year utilizing learned skills beyond the classroom.
As of last year, the Wayzata business department added an employability skills component to each and every course. Working with local business, Chambers of Commerce, and researching professional organizations, the Wayzata business department compiled a list of desired employability skills. While introductory level students receive constructive feedback in the areas of time management, interpersonal, problem solving, and self-awareness skills; advanced level students utilize the feedback received in their classes to further develop the skills needed to be successful in the future phases of their life. After taking multiple classes, it is the goal of the business department to help each and every student easily identify what they are good at, where they need improvement and what they can do to further their personal and professional growth.
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Clubs & Activities
Skills USA
We will be hosting an informational meeting for Skills USA on Friday, November 6 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in D216 (Wood Shop). Students can come and hear about this amazing club and get details about how the club will run this year! More information available on the Skills USA webpage or students can also reach out to Advisor Kyle Swenson. The meeting will be finished in time for students to ride the bus home.
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GSA - Gender Sexuality Alliance
GSA is back! We have started weekly meetings every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. If you are interested in joining or have questions, please reach out to the staff advisors, Cali Fielder or Alison McKernan. You can also get connected to our GSA student advisors via Remind. To join Remind, please text the GSA code @43gdkg to 81010. You'll be signed up to receive reminders and get the link to all GSA meetings. GSA is a safe space for all LGBTQ+ students and their allies.
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College Visits and College Fairs
Don't Miss the Virtual College Visits
Encourage your student to attend and join them on the visit! This is a great opportunity to explore what the different colleges and universities have to offer your student. Students can sign up for the virtual visits on the WHS Hub on the MyApps Portal. Please contact Deb Musser in the College and Career Center (CCC) with any questions.
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Around the District
Distance Learning Meal Options
Stay Home When Ill and Be Prepared to Quarantine
It is important to be prepared as we begin the new school year in the midst of a pandemic. Our new reality will require students, families and staff to check daily for symptoms and stay home if you are ill.
If you or someone in your family is ill, please reference the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Decision Tree document to learn what your next steps should be. Report any student absences into Skyward Family Access, specifying if the absence is COVID-19 related. Our school nurses will follow up with any COVID-19 related cases. If you are tested for COVID-19, even if you feel well, it is important that you remain home and away from others until you receive the results.
Everyone must be prepared to stay home and quarantine for up to two weeks if you become ill with or are exposed to COVID-19. We know being quarantined for two weeks will be extremely challenging, but it is absolutely necessary to stop the spread of the virus. Learn how you can prepare for a possible quarantine.
Our nurses will be working closely with MDH to notify students and staff as soon as possible if you have been exposed to COVID-19 at school. Always answer your phone if MDH is calling.
If you have questions, please contact the licensed nurse at your school.
More detail and helpful information can also be found on our Wayzata Learns webpage.
Planning travel out of the state or country?
Regardless of whether your students are attending Wayzata Public Schools through hybrid learning or through Distance Choice, the district is required to account for students. Please ensure that the Welcome Center has a copy of your family's Extended Vacation form on file prior to your travel.
October Wayzata Legislative Action Committee Update
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Community Ed
Wayzata Public Schools Community Ed has created a strategic partnership with A+ Driving School, to provide Driver Education. New class time added - 4:00-7:00 PM! Find all the information on Drivers Ed online classes on the A+ Driving website.
Parent Tool Kit: Mental Health and COVID-19
Changes in our routine, lack of control, and fear of the unknown can cause our mental health to suffer. Talking about mental health as a family can be intimidating but we’re here to help. Led by Health Educators from myHealth for Teens & Young Adults, this workshop will help you understand more about mental health and how we can support our children’s mental health and well being (as well as our own!).
- Date: Thursday, October 22
- Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Place: Online
- Cost: $0
- Learn more
Parent Tool Kit: Friendships, Relationships, and Social Distancing
Friendships are incredibly important to young people. How do we help our children foster healthy friendships and connection during a time of social distancing? Join Health Educators from myHealth for Teens & Young Adults in conversation and activities to learn what we can do to help our children navigate friendships and relationships.
- Date: Thursday, November 5
- Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Place: Online
- Cost: $0
- Learn more
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Calendar
School Events
District Events
School Board Meetings
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4955 Peony Lane, Plymouth, MN 55446 | Phone 763-745-6600