Hello, this is Wade Martin calling from WSHS with the Friday Storm Report.

 

• This has been a very tough week for our school community and I know many students and staff were greatly affected by the events of the week.  Our school team has resources in place to support students and staff.  If you feel like our team needs to touch base with your student, please let us know by emailing their school counselor.  We are here for your students.

 

• Counselors have started registration advising sessions with students during their second period to help them choose classes for the next school year. Students will receive a copy of their course selections to bring home. It is critical that you discuss these course selections with your student. If your student would like to make a change to their requests, they will be allowed to do so through the course verification process, which will begin in April. Further directions will be communicated to families at that time. All course registration information is posted on our Counseling and Student Services website.

 

• A representative from Wake Tech will be on campus during lunches on March 4 to help our seniors start or finish their Wake Tech application.

 

• Our Women’s Basketball team has advanced to the 3rd Round of the NCHSAA State playoffs and will play tomorrow (Saturday) at home at 3:00 against Broughton High School.  Let’s pack the stands to cheer on the Storm to victory!  

 

• Just a quick reminder that next Tuesday is a teacher workday so there will be no school for students on Tuesday.

 

• Lastly, our Arts Department is putting on our spring musical - The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical next week. Shows run from Thursday - Saturday at 7:00 each night.  Be sure to plan to get your tickets as the show will be one you do not want to miss!

 

Have a great weekend and GO STORM!

 

Dear Willow Spring School Family,

 

We are aware of a Wake County Sheriff's Office investigation regarding an incident that occurred in our community last night. This is an active law enforcement investigation, so we are limited in the amount of information we have to share. If you have questions, please contact the Wake County Sheriff's Office directly.

 

Please know that counselors are available to support students who may have concerns. If you feel your child needs additional assistance, please contact our Student Services Team and ask to speak with your student’s counselor.

 

Staff members who need immediate support may contact WCPSS Employee Support & Wellness Coordinator, Nia Rose, nrose@wcpss.net at (919) 675-0181 or Sherri Brown, sbrown20@wcpss.net at (919) 675-0169.

 

Thank you for your continued support of our school.

 

Dear Willow Spring HS Parents,

 

It is with great sadness that I write this message to let you know that one of our 12th grade students, Isaiah Pulley, died on 2/20/26.  Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.  Please keep them and all of those that have been impacted by this loss in your hearts. 

 

As you think about how to care for your child(ren), there are some resources that you might find helpful to assist your child through this loss. Transitions GriefCare provides free community services to help students navigate these difficult feelings of loss.  Alliance Health can also be contacted for further counseling and therapeutic services.  Alliance has a crisis line that is available 24 hours, 7 days a week: 1-877-233-4617.

 

Please realize that reactions to stress and loss are varied and can depend upon such factors as age, personality, previous losses, and relationship to the victim.  If you feel that your child has been affected by this situation, you can help your child by doing the following:

• Take time to listen to and talk with your child about what has happened.

• Reassure your child that you will be available to help him/her through this difficult time.

• Help your child verbalize some of the feelings he/she might be feeling but is unable to express.

• Reassure your child that you will do all you can to keep him/her safe. Providing specific examples may help to reduce some of the fear and anxiety.

• Discuss some of the things your child and you might do to express your concern for the deceased’s family.  If you decide to attend the funeral and/or memorial service, it is probably best that you or some responsible person accompany your child.

Any changes in your child’s behavior which seem extreme and/or do not seem to go away should be brought to the attention of the school counselor or someone in the community of your choosing who can assist your child.  We will have staff available at the school to assist our students in coping with this loss.

We will work together as a unified school community and we will support one another as we process this loss and navigate this challenging time together.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Wade Martin, Principal of Willow Spring High School

 

Please see:  Reminders of our WCPSS Memorial Guidelines

 

Hello, this is Wade Martin calling from WSHS with the Friday Storm Report.

 

• Please mark your calendars for our 2026 Curriculum Fair! On February 11th, from 6:00–8:00 p.m., our school will be open for families to explore all that we have to offer in terms of classes and other opportunities available to our high school students. The event will be free-flowing, with core class presentations and specialty presentations running throughout the evening. Counselors will offer a junior parent presentation as well as an Advanced Placement (AP) presentation. Additionally, a Wake Tech CCP representative will join Student Services to conduct a CCP Information Session. We encourage all families of students in grades 9–11 to attend. The link to the program flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SkDpcLSATimdf5PyrjdO5pZRyYzbI7VU/view

 

• We have a special guest coming to Willow Spring High School. On Thursday, February 12, NC native and author Serena Kaylor will be visiting our students. Serena has published two popular young adult novels (Long Story Short and The Calculation of You and Me) and is currently working at Duke Hospital while writing her third. As a neurodivergent creator, she has a wonderful perspective to share with our school community. We would love to get her books into as many students' hands as possible. If your family would like to donate a set of her two published novels for a student giveaway, please drop these in the office at your earliest convenience. We appreciate your generosity and can't wait for this event!

 

• Semester 1 Report Cards were finally distributed today.  Please be sure to ask your student to see their report card.  Hopefully it’s one you will be proud to hang on the refrigerator!

 

• The Willow Spring High School PTSA is now accepting orders for Class of 2026 Senior Wall Banners.  The banners will be displayed on the first floor as part of a Senior Showcase.  Options include with photo for $50 or name only for $40.  The deadline to order is March 2, 2026.  Scan the QR code on the posted flyers or visit the PTSA link on the WSHS website homepage  for details and ordering information.

 

Have a great weekend and as always, Go Storm!

 

Hello, this is Wade Martin calling from WSHS with the Friday Storm Report.

 

• Well, today is the last day of testing and of the 1st semester. The school year is half way complete.  We hope your student did well on their exams and are excited about the start of the second semester and their new classes.

 

• We are anticipating that on Tuesday, which is the official start of the second semester, that school may not be open due to the inclement weather.  The district is planning for us to implement our remote learning plan.  Details of the district plan are posted on our homepage in Storm News.  Students will access information from their second semester teachers through Canvas and email.  The district is loading all students into their new classes this weekend on Canvas. We know this is certainly not the ideal way to start the new semester in new classes, but we will all work with students to make the best of it. Please stay tuned to the local news and district messages regarding the district’s plans for school closures and inclement weather.

 

Have a great weekend, stay warm and safe with the anticipated ice event that we may see.

 

Hello, this is Wade Martin calling from WSHS with the Friday Storm Report.

 

• End of semester exams started today and went well. I would like to remind everyone that it is very important to get to school on time.  Depending on the exam, once testing begins, we may not be able to allow your student into the test once the class has started their exam.

 

• There is no school on Monday for the holiday so day two of exams begin again on Tuesday, Jan 20th with students taking their 1st and 3rd period exams.  

 

• I have one final reminder for our senior parents about yearbook senior ads.  We have posted a reminder on our website with information about the Senior Ad deadline for our yearbook.  Senior families wishing to celebrate their senior in their last WSHS yearbook can find the information under Student Life > Yearbook or under the Student Services > Senior Information sections of our website.  The deadline is January 31st!

 

Have a great night and enjoy the long weekend!

 

Hello, this is Wade Martin calling from WSHS with a quick reminder about Semester Exams that start tomorrow.

 

The testing tomorrow, Friday Jan 16 is only for students taking the English 2, Math 1 and Math 3 EOC State Exams. If your student is not taking one of these State tests, then they do not come to school.  Their exams will start on Tuesday, January 20th.  Tomorrow and only tomorrow, our buses will run early at 12:05 after the State exams have concluded.  Busses will run at their regular time for all testing next week.

 

All of this is outlined on our homepage in the Storm News section.  Good luck to all of our students on their Semester 1 Exams.  Make it a great night!

 

Hello, this is Wade Martin calling from WSHS with the Friday Storm report. Let me start by saying Happy New Year to all of our families.

 

• All students scheduled to take a State EOC (End of Course) Exam for this semester received a letter from the school today.  The State is now allowing students to retake their EOC if they are to not meet the State proficiency standard when they take their test. The student will receive the higher score if they retake their test and improve their score.  This improved score counts as their final exam and is worth 20% of their semester grade.  We are only able to retest a student if we have parent permission.  Please ask your student for the letter they received today.  We ask you to complete the bottom section of the letter and have your student return it to their teacher.  If you have any questions about the letter your student received today, please contact our testing coordinator, Dr. Cagle.

 

• Final Exams start next Friday… yes we have reached the end of the first semester.  Please be sure you have checked out the new exam schedule we have posted on our homepage in Storm News as it is very different from what we have done in the past.  A few highlights include remembering that if your student does not have an exam on a particular day, they do not report to school on that day and that there are no checkouts during exam blocks of time.  

 

Have a great weekend and Go Storm!

 

Hello, this is Wade Martin calling from WSHS with the Friday Storm Report.

• I want to start by wishing all of our Storm Families a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! I hope everyone has a restful break with family and friends.  Please remember, no school until January 5th.

 

• I have posted a reminder on our website with information about the Senior Ad deadline for our yearbook.  Senior families wishing to celebrate their senior in their last WSHS yearbook can find the information under Student Life > Yearbook or under the Student Services > Senior Information sections of our website.  The deadline is January 31st!

 

• We are excited to be offering a parent education event hosting NAMI Wake County’s Ending the Silence (ETS) presentation, a nationally recognized program that helps families learn about mental health, reduce stigma, and support young people’s well-being.  Please see our homepage under Storm News for additional information and to sign up.

 

• Lastly, if you haven't checked out the Exam schedule on our website please do so.  This semester’s testing schedule is very different from year’s past due to State changes with EOC retesting.  When we return from the holiday break we only have a week and a half until the 1st Semester Final Exams.

 

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season and we will see you next year!  Happy 2026 and Go Storm!

 

Hello, this is Wade Martin calling from WSHS with the Friday Storm Report.

 

• I hope everyone has enjoyed the shorter school week with the inclement weather days from earlier in the week. Due to the school closure on Tuesday, we have moved the picture retakes for students to next Wednesday, December 17th. 

 

• Interim reports are available this week for all students.  Please check Infinite Campus for your students' updated 2nd quarter grades.  Please contact your student’s teacher if you have any questions and please remind your student to access our tutorials during BOLT lunch if they need extra support.  This last week of school before the holiday break will be very important for all students to stay on track with their grades.

 

Have a great weekend and go Storm!