Fall 2021
Welcome WHS Alumni! Whether you graduated from Woodside High School recently or many years ago, you are always part of the Wildcat community! As a member of the Alumni Community Website, you'll receive two newsletters (like this) per year letting you know what's happening at Woodside. Spread the word to your fellow alumni to subscribe to this newsletter and/or join the Alumni Community Website today!
Welcome New Principal Karen Van Putten
Woodside welcomes our new principal, Karen Van Putten. Karen Van Putten comes to the District with 27 years of experience in K-12 education as a teacher, mentor, and principal in schools across the Bay Area. Karen Van Putten’s dedication to equity, social justice, and her creative instructional leadership bring new and exciting opportunities to Woodside High School. Van Putten holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration & Supervision from San Jose State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Sociology and her Secondary Teaching Credential from Hope College in Michigan.
Homecoming Alumni "Tailgate" Oct 22, 7pm!
Please join us at the WHS Homecoming football game on Friday, October 22 and enjoy special VIP treatment as a very special member of the Woodside High School community! 

Grab your alumni friends and meet up at the Alumni Homecoming Tailgate tent where you will enjoy snacks, a special gift, and the fun of reconnecting with your friends as you cheer on the WHS football team, cheerleaders, dance team, and marching band! The alumni tent will be located at the top of the bleachers at the Stadium. No alcohol.

For WHS students, this year's Homecoming dance theme is the Grammys, and the dance is outside at Bradley Field for Covid safety.
Poll
Do you think you might attend the Alumni Homecoming Tailgate?
Yes
No
Maybe
STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
Back in Person Learning: How Teachers Have Changed the Way They Teach
By Claire Manuel, Pawprint Online editor
Woodside teachers found new ways to teach through the transition from distance learning. Woodside teachers incorporated many of the new technologies and programs of distance learning into their in-person teaching. Distance learning required many teachers to try and work their lesson plans to be online accessible which has carried over into their in-person lesson planning. 

Distance learning required many teachers to try and work their lesson plans to be online accessible which has carried over into their in-person lesson planning.  “[Distance learning] forced me to learn how to use several tools … [that I] would not have otherwise started using, certainly not on a regular basis,” Kelly Dolan, Woodside social studies teacher explained.

I think perhaps my organization is stronger." Ann Akey, Woodside Environmental Science teacher described.
Distance learning forced communication to be strictly through email and zoom, creating a new hurdle for teachers to navigate. "I think perhaps my organization is stronger.” Ann Akey, Woodside environmental science teacher described. “When we weren’t in person, there was a lot more chances that things would be misunderstood. So I think the way I communicate assignments [now] is more detailed.”

Swati Tomar, Woodside math teacher, found videos to be a useful new tool for her class.

“I never used to record my lessons,” Tomar said. “And so there was the issue when… any student is absent or did not understand… there’s nothing for them to go back and figure it out… this year, I just, you know, make those videos for them, because I know they will be using [the videos].” Read entire article....
Woodside High Teacher Wins National Award

The MAA American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) announced the 2021 winners of the Edyth May Sliffe Awards for Distinguished Mathematics Teaching in Middle School and High School.

Woodside High School AP Physics and BC Calculus teacher Stephanie Finander was one of about 20 winners.

The awards are given annually to teachers who have done outstanding work to motivate students in mathematics by participating in one of MAA's competitions. Read more....
Drama Update
The Talent Show is coming up! "Woodside's Got Talent,” Thursday, October 14th, 7:00 pm, $5 Tickets at the Door (cash / check only). 

The Fall play, "Stage Door" by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman will be November 19th and 20th at 7:30. Check Woodside Drama Boosters for tickets

Stage Door is a 1936 comedic play about a group of struggling actresses who room at the Footlights Club, a fictitious theatrical boardinghouse in New York City.
Fall Sports Highlights
Girls Tennis - Having an outstanding season in the Bay Division!! Read more about them in this Daily Journal article

Cross Country - The wildcats are dominating the league. At the latest invitational in Half Moon Bay, WHS got two "No 1" team trophies (Varsity and Soph boys), a #3 team trophy ( Fresh/Soph girls), and Elle Marsyla and Ethan Brooks finished 1st overall for both Varsity girls and boys. All varsity runners are eyeing the Cross Country State Meet in Fresno.

Women’s Golf - Has as a team for the first time ever and the ladies are holding their own! They have an overall record of 4-3 in their first season for the program!!

WaterPolo - Girls Water polo is tied for first place in the Bay Division. Highlight of the year so far is beating MA in our first league meeting with them. Boys, having a great season once again. In second place behind MA. Huge league match with them on 10/14 at MA. Looking to wrap up a CCS berth next week.
Please Support WHS's 2021-22
Annual Campaign
The Woodside High School Foundation was proud to have raised $1.4 million dollars even during the pandemic last year.

Along with smaller class sizes and mental heath counselors, the Foundation helped fund two tech labs for our Digital Photography and Computer Science courses. This fall we also opened our Newcomer / Family Center (see photo) providing newly arrived students and families essential school supplies, PE clothing and school spirit wear, along with new trendy shoes through a partnership with My Red Shoes. Every student and staff member benefits from the Foundation’s efforts.

Please watch this short video that helps explain the significant support our students and staff receive through everyone’s contribution to the WHS Foundation.

As we begin our 2021-22 Annual Campaign, will you consider supporting Woodside High School students with a donation to the WHS Foundation today?

About the WHS Alumni Newsletter

This bi-annual newsletter is coordinated by volunteers with the Woodside High School Foundation.




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