February 2024 News

DEADLINE DATES FOR REGISTRATION PAPERS (24-25)

Honors, AP, Late Arrival, and Early Dismissal forms are due THIS FRIDAY March 1st
Please turn them into the counseling center

The deadline to change course requests is FRIDAY March 15th
You will need to get an orange schedule request change form from the counseling center and turn it in before the end of day on March 15th. Schedule request changes will NOT be accepted after this. Schedule changes will NOT be made in August.

Join the CMCSS JROTC leadership and other representatives to discuss ROTC scholarships and how to attend a military college. Students will have the opportunity to hear from and ask questions to a representative from the Army Nursing Program, a West Point graduate, and representatives from Junior Military Colleges who can provide detailed perspectives on the student experience.

Event Details:
April 2 – 3, 2024
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Central Services South (1312 Highway 48)

What is a Military College?

Senior Military Colleges

The Citadel, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, Virginia Military Institute, University of North Georgia, Norwich University

Six Senior Military Colleges (SMC) in the nation have Army ROTC programs which are part of a Corps of Cadets.

Why Choose a Senior Military College?

• Graduates of Senior Military Colleges are Cadets who will be assessed onto Active Duty upon recommendation from their Professor of Military Science, they do not have to compete nationally for Active Duty.
• Full tuition scholarships are available for those who qualify
• Paid a personal stipend of $420/month while attending class
• Paid a book allowance of $1,200 per year
• SMC’s are steeped in tradition and offer students an organized lifestyle, enhanced leadership training, and superb training facilities
• Cadets may choose to commission into the Army Reserves or the National Guard through the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty option
• Cadets quickly take on leadership roles and experience every level of leadership from top to bottom

Military Junior Colleges

Marion Military Institute, Valley Forge Military College, Georgia Military College, New Mexico Military Institute

Only four Military Junior Colleges (MJC) offer the unique opportunity to become an Army Officer in only two years.

Why Choose a Military Junior College?

• Cadets can become an Army Officer in only two years through the MJC Early Commissioning Program (ECP)
• Full tuition scholarships are available
• Paid a book allowance of $1,200 per year
• Paid a personal stipen of $420/month while attending class
• Paid as a Cadet/E-5 in the Army Reserve or National Guard if enrolled in Simultaneous Membership Program (over $300/month)
• MJC ECP Commissioned Officers qulaify for the Education Assistance Program, which pays full tuition and fees for the remaining two years at the follow on college and degree you choose OR elect to receive $10,000/year room and board
• MJC Commissionionees earn time in service during their Junior and Senior year of college for promotions and retirement purposes
• Values and character are emphasized from day one through graudation.
• Respect for others is a key to succeeding at a MJC
• MJCs instill pride and self-confidence through team-building, promotions, and leadership roles

For more information, including schools and locations, text MCINFO to 462769 (GOARMY) or visit this website.

Presenter’s Contact Information
Glen A. Johnson
Recruiting Operations Officer
1st BDE, USACC
Cell: 270.300.7522
Office: 502.624.1904
[email protected]

FAFSA PROCESSING UPDATE:

We are being advised that the Federal Department of Education will not begin processing completed FAFSAs until mid-March. How does this affect you?

This means that colleges and universities will likely not receive your completed FAFSA until sometime in April. Award Letters will not be complete and sent to students until April, meaning, you may not be able to accurately see what out-of-pocket costs you will be responsible for until closer to the end of the school year.

PLEASE don’t let this stop you from completing the FAFSA. The sooner the better…even with the delays!

The below Graduation Information form must be signed and turned in before March 1st or students will not be able to walk. Forms are in the front office.

General Information

***In order to participate in the graduation ceremony:

• You must have met all graduation requirements by the last day of school (May 21st)
• Must be cleared of all school related debt. Checks and debit/credit cards will not be accepted after Friday, April 26th, 2023. Only cash and money orders can be used.
• You must attend and participate in graduation practice if you plan to attend graduation
• You must purchase and wear a 2024 WCHS cap, gown and tassel.
• Diplomas will be available for pickup May 28th – May 31st from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm in the front office.
• Austin Peay offers a free live webcast of each commitment ceremony. A link to the webcast will be available on the commencement webpage within 24 hours of each ceremony.  Commencement is also aired live on CDE Lightband Channel 9, Spectrum Cable Channel 192, and AT&T Uverse Channel 99.  It can also be heard on WAPX-FM radio, 91.9 MHZ. We are delighted that family members from anywhere in the world will be able to hear their loved one’s name called during this important event.

Graduation Practice

• May 23rd from 8:30 am – 11:30 am. Students will enter through the activities entrance (Cafeteria)
• Students must be cleared of all school related debt to participate in graduation practice.  Only cash and money orders can be used if a student is paying off their final debt.
• Transcript requests will be available. Digital copies are free, but paper copies will be $2 each.
• Graduation tickets will be distributed to the graduates after practice
• After seniors receive their graduation tickets, everyone must exit the building and grounds unless authorized by school administrators.

Graduation: 

6 pm on Saturday, May 25th at the APSU Dunn Center

• This is a formal ceremony and should be treated as such
• No air horns, cell phones, purses, silly string, noise makers, beach balls or other distractions will be allowed on the graduation floor.
• Any student caught using their cell phone during the graduation ceremony will be removed from the ceremony.
• There is no place to keep personal items on the stadium floor, please leave all personal items with your family to hold during the ceremony.
• Remind family members to respect the other graduates and save the celebration until the end of graduation, so that all families can hear their child’s name called.
• All students must arrive at the Dunn Center 1 hour prior to the start of their ceremony.
• Any student arriving after the students have exited to line up in the tunnel will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
• Students need to be appropriately dressed with their cap and gown already on.
• Cap and gown may NOT be decorated. They should be positioned flat on your head.  Hairpins can be used to help secure your cap in place.
• No guest will be allowed on the graduation floor unless they have approval for seating. See Ms. Trini if you have immediate family members who may need floor seating.
• Students are to remain in their seats and file out in reverse order at the end of the ceremony after the faculty has lined the path.
• Every guest entering the Dunn Center, regardless of age, must have a ticket (per APSU)
• Guest will enter the Dunn Center through the entrance designated on the front of their admission ticket. The doors will open (1) hour prior to the start of the ceremony.
• DO NOT IRON YOUR GOWN!! The way to get the wrinkles out is by steaming it.

Graduation Attire:                                                          

• Acceptable Attire:
  • Solid Black Pants
  • White collared shirt
  • Solid Tie/Bow Tie
  • Solid black dress shoes
  • Solid Black socks
  • Outfits that are covered completely by the graduation gown can be any color.
  • Skirts needs to be black if they are longer than the graduation gown.
  • Dress tops must be white if it sticks out from the graduation gown
• If you are unsure if your outfit will be approved, show administration for approval
• No tennis shoes,crocks, flip-flops, sandals, leggings, sweatpants, jeans, or shorts are to be worn.
• Your attire will be checked by faculty members as you enter the Dunn center. Any violations in dress code will result in the student not being allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony or items being collected.
• If a senior needs assistance, please see Ms. Schmucker or Mr. Shehy

Cords and Stoles

Only the following items have been approved for graduation:

• Honors, Highest Honors, and CMCSS Academic Awards Recipient Cords
• Ready Graduate Cords
• Those earned through being a member of a nationally and CMCSS recognized academic honor society; such societies are distinguishable by having a minimum academic measure for acceptance such as a required GPA.
• Those earned by completing a course of study as a member of one of the CMCSS High School Academies.
• Those earned by having successfully completed JROTC for the duration of their high school career.
• Those earned by successfully completing the Gold Standard of the CMCSS Work Ethic Distinction.
• Military Dependents – (Active Duty and Retired) purple chord
• The following sashes or stoles may be worn:
  • Those affiliated with the enlistment of a military service branch.
  • Those earned by completing the associate degree pathway at Middle College.
• In compliance with State Board Policy a volunteer pin recognizing students with 10 hours of community service for each semester of high school may be worn.

**This day is a significant rite of passage for our students and we want to see everyone participating in this event.  Please be on your best behavior while you are in the Dunn Center.  Let’s show how great the West Creek students really are!

I am acknowledging receipt of this information and that a parent/guardian copy has been provided to me as well. I further acknowledge that if I do not meet the above criteria, I will not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Print Name:____________________________________________

Signature:______________________________________________                Date:___________

Confused about WHO should sign the FAFSA? This handy flow chart helps you understand. FSA ID’s need to be created 3-4 days in advance of trying to complete the full FAFSA form. If you have questions make plans to attend our FAFSA Night February 22^nd in WCHS Library from 4-6 p.m.

“Congratulations to our Wrestlers for bringing home the Region Championship”

Cadet Norton wrote a phenomenal essay based on the topic “What does military service to the nation mean to me?”. His essay compared to other cadets is what set him apart and ultimately was the determining factor that got Cadet Norton awarded the DAI coin. Awarded only to cadets that stand out from the rest by hard work and determination.