Weekly Chatter
Interested in receiving a weekly email update about news and events that are occuring at West Catholic High School? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the Weekly Chatter!
Current Announcements
OFFICE NEWS
Upcoming Schedule Changes
Wednesday, April 17 – Modified Wednesday Schedule (Speaker at 1:40 p.m.)
Friday, April 19 – PM Activity Schedule (Prom Assembly)
Bristol Ave. Closure
Beginning Monday, March 25, the City of Walker will start work to replace the railroad bridge over Bristol Ave. This project is expected to be completed in late August. Bristol Ave. will be closed between Kloet St. and Vinecroft St. for the entire construction period.
WC Business Directory
As a way to highlight the many business leaders in our community, we have started a business directory that can be accessed through the West Catholic website. While we have several fantastic Falcon-run businesses on our list already, we know many out there are not listed yet. West Catholic alumni, parents and parent of alumni are invited to submit their businesses by following this link and completing a quick form.
Summer Camps
Registration is now open for many of our popular summer camps! Please visit grwestcatholicprograms.org for a list of this year’s offerings and to register your Future Falcon for one or more of our fantastic camps.
New Uniform Provider Announced
Last week, current WC families should have received an email announcing School Uniforms by Tommy Hilfiger as our new uniform provider. For more information on this change, please check your inbox and review our list of FAQs.
We’re Hiring!
Head to grwestcatholic.org/employment to see what opportunities are currently available at West Catholic.
EVENTS
Auction News
Celebrate West Auction
Friday, April 19, 2024 | 6 p.m.
WC Cafetorium
Reserve your seat today for our annual Celebrate West Auction! Enjoy a delicious dinner, live auction and prizes before capping the evening off with our traditional champagne toast. All proceeds benefit West Catholic’s Falcon Fund to support tuition assistance and other important school projects and programs. We hope to see you there!
Don’t forget to turn in your Big Cash Raffle tickets for a chance to win $5,000! For every five tickets sold, you will be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 tuition credit. Please return all sold and unsold tickets to West Catholic.
Please reach out to Megan Eversman (616-233-5969 | [email protected]) with any questions.
Speaker Series: Jackie Francois Angel
Navigating the Conversation Surrounding Human Sexuality
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 | 7 p.m.
West Catholic High School
Navigating today’s world as a parent can be challenging, especially when it comes to having conversations surrounding complicated topics like human sexuality. West Catholic High School invites parents/guardians throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids to join us for an evening with renowned speaker/author Jackie Francois Angel. Jackie will be leading a discussion about how to have these important conversations within our families. This event is open to all parents/guardians and adults within the Diocese of Grand Rapids. RSVP HERE!
WC Golf Outing
Sign-ups are underway for our annual golf outing! Show your support for WC by joining us on Friday, June 7, at The Mines. To reserve your spot or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please CLICK HERE.
We also need many volunteers to help us make this event successful. Click here if you’re interested in helping out!
ACADEMICS
Second-Quarter Honor Roll
Congratulations to all of our students who were named to our 2nd-Quarter Honor Roll! Students will be included in the Honor Roll if they earn a grade of B- or higher in each course. Honor Roll is based on quarter grades only. If you have any questions, please contact Registrar Lauri Ford at [email protected].
COUNSELING
2024-2025 Scheduling
Please turn in your Course Request Forms and AP Contracts (if applicable).
College Information Session for Parents
The Parent Guild will be hosting a college information session for parents on Tuesday, April 30. Please join us in the MAK from 7-8 p.m. for an informative presentation by our counseling department covering topics such as standardized testing, the admissions process and timeline, the Common App, essay writing, and resources available to our students and families. Ideally, this session will be geared toward parents of current juniors but all are welcome to attend. Please RSVP using this Google Form.
Virtual Financial Aid Presentations
Students and families looking for help paying for college are encouraged to register for a Virtual Financial Aid Presentation provided by MI Student Aid. Participants will be able to gather information on FAFSA applications, federal financial aid programs, state financial aid programs and scholarship-searching resources. For upcoming dates and additional information, click HERE.
Upcoming College Fairs
NACAC College Fair
April 23, 2024 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. & 6-8 p.m.
DeVos Place Grand Rapids
Register
FAITH & SERVICE
Vatican Exhibition
The Vatican International Exhibition of the Eucharistic Miracles of the World is coming to West Catholic! Students will have the chance to experience this marvelous exhibit curated primarily by Bl. Carlos Acutis during their religion classes on April 29 and 30. Parents/guardians and community members are invited to join us for Mass on April 30 at 10:20 a.m. and explore the exhibit immediately after.
Life Force Retreat
Looking for a chance for your high school child to grow in faith, meet more West Catholic students and have a whole lot of fun? We invite your students to attend our annual Life Force Retreat the weekend of April 26-28. This is a retreat planned and put on by a team of WC juniors and seniors meant to engage students in their faith, strengthen and create new friendships, and allow participants to encounter Christ in a number of ways. See this sign up form for more details!
Eucharistic Adoration
The St. John Paul II Adoration Chapel needs you! Come volunteer to pray for our students, staff and community. If you are available to help out or have any questions about adoration, please contact Patti Kohane at [email protected].
Steubenville Youth Conference
Are you interested in having your student(s) grow in their relationship with Christ, get to know other faithful students at West, and meet young Catholics from around the country? Then send them to the Steubenville Youth Conference! West Catholic is taking a group of students to this annual conference from June 21-23 and would love to have your student(s) join us! Sign-up spots are limited. To sign up or to get more info about this opportunity, please visit this link or contact our Campus Ministry Director at [email protected].
FINE ARTS
No News
ATHLETICS
Spring Sports
As you know, the weather can be fairly unpredictable during the spring sports season. Be sure to visit grwestcatholicsports.org regularly for the latest schedule updates/changes.
STUDENT LIFE
Graduation News
Seniors families – We are working to finalize details regarding graduation events. Please keep an eye on your inboxes this week for a letter to parents/guardians with more information. Seniors will be attending a special Focus next week to go over additional details.
Yearbook Orders
If you haven’t already purchased a yearbook yet for this school year, there is still time! Some 2024 yearbooks are still available for purchase for $75 on a first-come, first-served basis. Students can bring cash or checks made out to “West Catholic” to Mrs. Levanduski in Room 301. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of WC history!
Host Families Needed
We are fortunate to have several new international students starting at West Catholic next fall who need host families. At this time, we are working to place students from Germany, Spain, Korea and China. Some are one-semester students, others will be here the full year. Monthly stipends are available as well as $1,000 off the tuition of your own WC student for the full year. If you are interested in broadening your family’s cultural awareness and would like to learn about how to get involved in this great experience, please contact our International Program Coordinator, Leann Garrison by email at [email protected] or 616-233-5938.
Morning Adoration
Each morning from 7:30-7:55 a.m. students and staff are invited to participate in some quiet moments of reflection and adoration in the Maria Goretti Chapel. Please feel free to join us!
PARENT GUILD
West Catholic Parent Guild
The WC Parent Guild is a parent-led volunteer organization that provides opportunities to serve our school community and enjoy hospitality and fellowship. Register to stay informed and become involved. Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Eucharistic Adoration
The St. John Paul II Adoration Chapel needs you! Come volunteer to pray for our students, staff and community. If you are available to help out or have any questions about adoration, please contact Patti Kohane at [email protected].
DIOCESAN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Catholic Charities West Michigan | Transitional Foster Care
The Transitional Foster Care program provides temporary and secure homes to unaccompanied minors who are refugees. Its mission is to reunite these minors with a sponsor as soon as possible. During the interim period, they stay with a foster family for approximately 1-3 months. As a result of the growing need, CCWM is seeking additional foster families to join the program. If you are interesting in becoming a foster parent, contact Mandi Thome at [email protected] or 616-287-3068.