Bishop Watterson 
Wednesday News

Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year!

Dear Parents,

As summer begins to wind down, fall sports have kicked into gear and that means the school year is just around the corner. Our faculty and staff hope your family has had an enjoyable summer and we all look forward to seeing your children here in a couple of  weeks.

The first day of school, Wednesday, August 19, will be Freshman Orientation. Only freshmen will attend that day. On Thursday, August 20, we will welcome back the seniors, juniors and sophomores as well as the freshmen. Both Wednesday and Thursday will be 1:48 p.m. dismissal days. Friday, August 23 will be a normal 2:57 dismissal day.

Please read on for important back-to-school information and join us in praying for a school year full of spiritual and intellectual growth, camaraderie and fun.

Deacon Chris Campbell '77

Principal

August Important Dates

August 16

Freshman Parent Meeting, 5:00 p.m.

August 19

Freshman Orientation, see below

August 20

First Day, All Grades, 1:48 dismissal

August 22

Freshman Mixer, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

August 24

School Picture Day

Summer Office Hours

August 3-18

Monday-Friday 
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

School Days Starting 
August 19

7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Final Forms for All Students

Complete by August 20

Now is a great time to get ahead on completing your student's required paperwork for the school year. All families must complete final forms for each student and both a parent and the student must log in to sign off on forms. These are not just for athletics but include emergency medical information, handbook and technology acceptance, and more. Freshman families new to the school need to create an account.

When reading the Student Handbook, please make sure you and your student review the Dress Code section to ensure a smooth school year.

Email Communication

We have updated our parent email list for 2026-27 based on what we have listed in PowerSchool. Email/phone/address changes should be sent to Mrs. Claprood, ms.claprood@bwhs.org.

Watterson Wednesday News will arrive from bwhsinfo@bwhs.org.

Some internet service providers will occasionally push random emails into a folder other than the inbox so always check spam and other folders if you do not see it. In addition, some ISPs will shorten emails in your inbox with the option to click to read more.

Past issues of Watterson Wednesday News, can be found on our website 24/7 on the About menu click on Stay Informed.

Tuition Payments Through FACTS

Now is the time to ensure your tuition payment preferences are established and that if you are planning to pay full or half tuition this summer those payments are due in August. Otherwise, monthly payments must be set up in FACTS and all new families need to set up a FACTS account with Bishop Watterson as accounts from any other schools do not transfer. We appreciate your attention to ensuring that your tuition account is active and in good standing.

EdChoice/Jon Peterson

EdChoice and Jon Peterson scholarship acceptance forms need to be returned to BWHS.

EdChoice: scan and return to edchoice@bwhs.org.

Jon Peterson: scan and return to mr.vangas@bwhs.org

Counselor Corner

Counselor Caseload Distribution 

9th Grade School Counselor

Mrs. Jenny Sponseller, mrs.sponseller@bwhs.org

10th - 12th Grade School Counselors

Mr. Zach Johnson, mr.johnson@bwhs.org 

• A-F - 10th & 11th Grade
• A-G - 12th Grade

Mrs. Samantha Zirkle, mrs.zirkle@bwhs.org 

• G-Mc - 10th & 11th Grade
• H-O - 12th Grade

Mr. Tom Woodford, twoodford@bwhs.org 

• Md-R - 10th & 11th Grade
• P-Sl - 12th Grade

Mrs. Mandy Fontaine, mrs.fontaine@bwhs.org 

• S-Z - 10th & 11th Grade
• Sm-Z - 12th Grade

Dominican Program School Counselor and Student Wellness Counselor

Ms. Savannah Gazdik, sgazdik@bwhs.org 

College Credit Plus Tasks

All students who plan to take a College Credit Plus class next year must complete all tasks in their Workday account. This is required before the first day of school. 

SCOIR

Juniors and Seniors

• College Rep Visits are live and will continually be updated. Sign up to attend sessions of college admissions representatives visiting Watterson in your SCOIR account

Seniors are strongly encouraged to login to their Scoir accounts to update their college list and complete the following: 

• Senior Brag Sheet (used by counselors to provide support in writing)
• Teacher Brag Sheet (one for each teacher writing a letter of recommendation)

Senior Parents

• Please log in to your SCOIR account and complete a Parent Brag Sheet for your student. This document often helps us provide a better picture of your child, as we submit supporting materials on behalf of your child’s college application. If you need help accessing the program, please contact your student’s school counselor. 

Fall Parent Meetings: Save the Dates

August 24 - Senior Parent Meeting

August 26 - Sophomore and Junior Parent Meetings

College App Workshop

Attention Seniors! Time to get ahead before the school year starts and begin your college applications. Sign up to attend the College Application Workshop happening on August 10. Click here to register.

Freshman Parent Meeting

A Freshman Parent meeting will be held on Sunday, August 16 at 5:00 p.m. in the Main Gymnasium. Enter through the Dominican Hall entry doors on Foster Street.

The Eagle Store will be open at 4:00 p.m. and immediately following the meeting.

Freshman Orientation

Date: Wednesday, August 19

Start Time: 7:45 a.m.

Entrance: Dominican Hall entry doors on Foster St.

Attire: full school uniform

School Supplies: None are needed today. Teachers will let students know what supplies they will need.

Lunch: the cafeteria will be open; students can either purchase lunch or pack.

The cafeteria has an electronic payment system or students can pay cash. To upload funds, click here. The lunch menu, a la carte menu and pricing can be found on our website >Student Life > Lunch Menu or click here.



Dismissal Time: 1:48 p.m.

If you will be picking up your freshman, watch for our dismissal procedure in an upcoming Wednesday News.

Athletics

Time to Buy Sports Passes

Sports passes for 2026-27 are now on sale!

Uniforms

New this year!

A uniform crewneck has been added to the BWHS dress code. This unisex sweatshirt may be worn over any approved uniform making it a great option for cooler days while staying dress code compliant.

Pre-orders are open now through August 14. We anticipate a 4–5 week production timeline, with sweatshirts arriving in late September or early October. We'll also have a limited supply available in the Eagle Store throughout the school year while supplies last.



Don't miss out ... order by August 14!

Eagle Store

Lunch Menu Posted

The lunch menu for August is posted, along with a la carte prices.

Instructions for adding e-funds for lunch can be found by clicking here.

Campus Ministry Corner

Fall Kairos Registration Going On Now

It's time for seniors to register for the Fall Kairos, November 3-6. Kairos is a 3½ day experience for seniors which invites them to encounter themselves, others and God in new, meaningful and unexpected ways. For more information or scholarship information, email Campus Minister Mrs. Beth Simmonds, mrs.simmonds@bwhs.org.

Click below for the registration form.

Registration is also being accepted for winter and spring dates.

A deposit of $100 is due with registration. The total cost is $275 and scholarships are available. Registration form is available at the button below.

Study Skills

Bishop Watterson High School will be offering a Study Skills Workshop for any student enrolled in grades 9-12.

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: School Cafeteria

Cost: $40 per student​

Registration at the link below.

Important Dates for 2026-27 School Year

August 19: First day for FRESHMEN

August 20: ALL students begin school

September 7: No School-Labor Day

September 25: No School-Administrator Retreat

October 23: No School-Teacher PD

November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break

December 14-17: Core Semester Exams

December 18: No School-Teacher PD

December 19-January 3: Christmas Break

January 18: No School-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 12: No School

February 15: No School-Presidents Day

March 8-12: Spring Break

March 25-29: Easter Break

April 23: No School

May 20: Baccalaureate

May 22: Graduation

May 24-27: Core Semester Exams

May 27: Last day of school

Support BWHS Through Kroger Purchases

Bishop Watterson participates in the Kroger Community Rewards program.

To sign up, go to kroger.com, log into your account and under your settings click Community Rewards. Search for Bishop Watterson. Our number is VG154. Thank you!