From the Principal
From the Assistant Principal
Dear West Geauga Community,It’s hard to believe we are heading into the 4th quarter. I’m proud of our students, families, staff, and community for their efforts to minimize exposure of COVID-19 allowing the building to offer in-person learning throughout the whole year, THANK YOU!
- Finish Strong: This is the last quarter of the school year, as well as the last opportunities for students to raise their overall class grades. Encourage your child to do their best as we finish the 2020-2021 school year.
- Warm Weather: Spring is right around the corner as is the nice weather. I hope everyone enjoys the warm weather. Students - please remember to abide by the dress code.
- Graduation: A reminder to seniors, as stated in our Handbook, “All Seniors receiving suspensions during the 4th quarter will be excluded from graduation ceremonies.”
- State/National Testing: With Spring comes End-of-Course testing as well as AP testing. Please check our website for testing dates. If your child is participating in any of these assessments, encourage them to get a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast.
- Get help if needed: if any student is struggling academically or mentally, please contact our guidance department. We have multiple resources available to offer those who need support.
Sincerely,
Shawn Krippel
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Updated AP Exam Schedule
Tuesday, May 4th - AP Calculus ABAP Calculus BC
Wednesday, May 5th - AP English Literature
AP Physics
Thursday, May 6th - AP Computer Science
Monday, May 10th - AP Macroeconomics
Tuesday, May 11th - AP Spanish
Wednesday, May 12th - AP English Language
AP Microeconomics
AP Music
Wednesday, May 19th -AP US History
Thursday, May 20th- AP Government
AP Psychology
Tuesday, May 25th - AP Chemistry
AP Statistics
Thursday, May 27th - AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
Yearbook
The end of the school year is closer than we think and time is running out to order your student's 2021 Westwind yearbook. Appropriately themed Up in the Air, its pages will document how we successfully navigated the unknown, and will one day serve as a reminder of a long-forgotten memory for future generations. Here is the link for 3 options to order by April 30, 2021:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Il_pwJJmTqGbrzNVV9hIiAD_tbppafP3uLOFZ4Z7kz0/edit?usp=sharing
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Class of 2021
● To purchase a cap and gown or tassel online, visit jostens.com
● For a direct link to a cap and gown package that includes a tassel, click here.
● If the student is borrowing a cap and gown from a sibling/friend, tell Mrs. Talty or Mrs. Meyer ASAP.
● If you are borrowing a cap and gown, you may still want to purchase just a tassel from Jostens as they change each year to match the graduating class.
● IMPORTANT NOTE – ALL gowns will be navy blue this year.
April 2021 - Graduation Participation Agreements Due to Homeroom Teachers
● Agreements will be mailed home and posted on the school website.
● If a student does not have a Homeroom Teacher, agreements should be returned to Mrs. Talty or Mrs. Meyer.
April 16, 2021 - Deadline to submit images for Senior Video - Click here for more information.
May 2021 – AP Testing Occurs - See WGHS School Calendar for exact dates.
Monday, May 10th, 2021 - Senior Internships Begin
Friday, May 14th, 2021 - 7 PM, Prom at the Diamond Ballroom at Landerhaven - Exact details forthcoming regarding cost, seating arrangements, dancing, etc.
Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 – Senior Awards Ceremony video will be released on this date. No formal gathering will be held.
Monday, May 24 - Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Senior Final Exams
Friday, May 28th, 2021 - 7:25 - 1:25 – Last Day for Seniors/Cap and gown distribution
Friday, May 28th, 2021 - Car Parade to Honor Senior Students - Tentative Date
Thursday, June 3rd, 2021 - Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony at West Geauga High School Stadium
9:00 AM – Mandatory Morning Rehearsal at West Geauga High School.
4:30 pm – Students arrive at West Geauga High School.
5:30 pm – Commencement ceremony at West Geauga High School Stadium
- Students will each receive TWO general admission tickets. Additional tickets are extremely limited.
- Ceremony will be live-streamed and posted on the school’s Youtube account
Friday, June 4th, 2021 - Commencement Ceremony Alternate Rain Date
West Geauga School Counseling News: March/April 2021
FOR ALL STUDENTSThe school counselors strongly encourage everyone to utilize their Naviance account. The students’ personal accounts have valuable information regarding college planning, careers, scholarships, and many other tools. You can visit the website at www.westg.org. Click on high school, School Counseling/Guidance, and Naviance Website.
Please follow us on Twitter @WGHSCounselors for updates and information!
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Counseling Office.
David Callahan Students with last names A-K 729-5963 david.callahan@westg.org
Sarah Widman Students with last names L-Z 729-5965 sarah.widman@westg.org
Lisa Porter Assistant 729-5962 lisa.porter@westg.org
SCHEDULING
All returning students will have their core and some elective coursework requested by their teachers. Afterward, students will have the opportunity to select their other elective courses. If needed, each counselor will be meeting with students to make sure the requests are entered. You are encouraged to log in to your student’s Infinite Campus account to view the list of requested courses and discuss them with your student. Any requests made by the teacher can only be changed by the teacher or school counselor. The course override forms are available in the Counselors’ Office if a student wishes to take a course at a higher level than what is recommended by the teacher. Changes can be made through May 1, 2021. If you have any questions please contact your student’s counselor.
VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIR
There are still opportunities to take advantage of virtual college fairs. The next NACAC sponsored fair is Sunday, May 2nd from 1 -7 pm. Go to www.virtualcollegefairs.org. Students can register for free.
CCP (College Credit Plus):
If you are interested in CCP, we hope you were able to attend the meeting held on January 20th. The PowerPoint presentation from that night is on the School Counseling/Guidance website. Check out the link for all of the CCP Information: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dY_osmDfcG1yUkotTYNXb2gNKAv1IZ_q, Please contact your school counselor to learn about the advantages and drawbacks of this program.
IMPORTANT REMINDER-- The mandatory CCP Intent Form is due by May 1. If this deadline is not met, your student will NOT be eligible to participate. This includes current CCP students that wish to participate next year. See your counselor with questions.
Kindness
The Counseling staff encourages all students to be kind to one another. Please think about how you act, what you say, and what you post on social media. Kindness will help create a more positive school environment. You may also feel better about yourself if you act with kindness toward a classmate or friend. Maybe you can start with a simple smile and hello in the hallways! As one of our West G students has noted, It is truly not very hard to just be kind to one another.
SENIORS
You are in the final stretch of your high school career! Please know that every college requires us to send a copy of your final transcript. This means they are checking to be sure you finished strong. Keep working- You can do it!
Decision Day:
Decision Day will be celebrated on Monday, May 3rd. This will be the day that we celebrate all senior students’ plans for their future. Be prepared to wear gear (sweatshirt, t-shirt) related to your decision. This could be college, military, or workforce. We will be taking pictures and asking each student to complete an important survey related to their plans. Included in the survey will be the request for final transcript submission. This will ensure your final transcript gets sent to the school that you plan to attend in the fall. We look forward to celebrating with everyone!
Financial Aid:
Mrs. Tessa Dicker, our LEAF Financial Aid Advisor, works in our high school each Thursday from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon throughout the school year. Students and parents may request an appointment with Mrs. Dicker by contacting her via email at tdicker@leaf-ohio.org. Due to COVID, she is making time for Zoom calls outside of school hours. All of the LEAF services are at no charge to our families.
JUNIORS
College Planning:
The junior year is a very important year in the college planning process. Currently, juniors should be working hard in their classes to boost/maintain their GPAs, registering for a second ACT and/or SAT, and visiting colleges. Check with individual college admissions offices to see what tours and meetings are available. Most schools have opened themselves up to in-person visits. However, they may also offer virtual visits too. It is important for students to show interest!
We met with all the students on March 1st and explained the steps that are needed to start the college process. We encourage your student to be a frequent flyer and come to our office with any questions as they journey through this process. If you have questions about college planning, we encourage all juniors and their parents to schedule an individual meeting with their school counselor this spring. The presentation is also posted on the School Counseling/Guidance website.
Summer To-Do List:
The counselors highly encourage students to begin preparing for the college process over the summer. This includes: updating resume and college lists on Naviance, writing college essays, and completing “brag sheets” for counselors in Naviance. The brag sheets are used to help the counselors write letters of recommendation.
ACT and SAT:
Each junior took the ACT on February 23rd. The scores from this test can be used for the college application process. Juniors interested in attending a college may need an ACT and/or SAT score. Due to COVID, many colleges have offered to remain “test optional” for next year’s application season. Any other attempts at the ACT and/or for a student wishing to take an SAT need to register online. It is recommended that Juniors take each of these tests at least once by June. The good news is you already have one ACT completed!
Students need to register for these tests online.
ACT Registration: www.actstudent.org
SAT Registration: www.sat.org/register
SOPHOMORES
Work hard 4th quarter to get your GPA as high as possible. It will make a huge difference in your future! Even though it has been a struggle due to COVID, try to discover new ways to build your resume. Remember showing a depth of interest can be as important as the breadth of all your activities. Get involved in something you enjoy!
FRESHMEN
You are nearing the end of your first year in high school. What a year it has been! All we can ask is that you continue to do your best in and out of the classroom! If you are struggling in any of your classes, don’t give up! Ask for help, if needed, as it is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Talk with teachers and parents to think about challenging yourself as you start to explore classes for next year. As you choose your courses know that it is important to make sure you can handle the workload and expectations of the classes. Remember the hope is you find the right balance in life! See your counselor for assistance.
From the Attendance Office:
West Geauga Kiwanis and Rotary Students of the Month
West Geauga Educational Foundation
Funds Programs to enhance learning and efficiency in
West Geauga Schools
West Geauga Educational Foundation (WGEF) is an independent nonprofit group that raises funds to support innovative approaches to teaching and learning in the West Geauga School System. Teaching and learning, like other areas, evolve. But it isn’t always clear which new approaches might work. “Seed” funding from WGEF allows teachers and students to try new programs, materials and technologies. WGEF is excited to announce the approval of over $19,000 for two grants for Spring 2021.
The first grant is for a Lindsey Elementary School program designed to engage students in non-fiction reading in their Science and Social Studies courses. Enhancing the curriculum with high-interest titles will help foster critical thinking and improve reading skills as students access these titles to do research, for book clubs, and for reports.
You’ve likely heard of STEM—science, technology, engineering and math-- but have you heard about STEAM? STEAM is STEM plus the arts. By incorporating ‘arts’ into STEM, students learn to apply creative thinking and design skills. The second grant is for a STEAM / Makerspace program at West Geauga High School. The goal of this program is to repurpose existing rooms in the high school to create a makerspace—a collaborative work space for creating, learning, and exploring. Students will get hands on learning experience by utilizing technology such as TouchIT TV, a Vinyl Cutter and a Garment Printer as they work on entrepreneurial projects such as designing and creating garments or decals for student groups and fundraisers.
Twice during the school year (November and February), WGEF reviews applications from teachers, administrators, students and parents, to determine which programs to fund that will enrich and enhance educational experiences for West Geauga students. These grants would not be possible without financial support from the community. We thank those who participate in our fundraisers such as the Thanksgiving Day Pancake Breakfast and our recent Matching Gift Campaign. If you would like to learn more, join or make a donation, please visit our website at www.wgef.org.