November/December 2018

From the Principal

Dear High School Families;

It is hard to believe that we are already one quarter of the way through the school year. First quarter report cards have been posted to the Infinite Campus Parent and Student portals, and we are now two weeks into the second quarter.

Since the beginning of the year, students have had the opportunity to use advisory period to get help with coursework, attend a club and/or activity meeting or take an Advanced Placement science course.  One goal of the Advisory period is for students to seek academic help or to enrich the learning experience. Classroom teachers are available to students either during 5A or 5B advisory periods. Students should communicate their need or desire to meet with their teacher during advisory and obtain a pass. Commonly, teachers will reach out to the students needing additional support and use advisory period to assist their students. Advisory and lunch periods are very flexible and allow students to switch lunch periods in order to find a mutual time that works for both the teacher and student.

Academics are not the only thing colleges and universities look for when evaluating a potential student. School involvement and community activities are very important, also. Advisory period provides opportunities for students to explore and participate in various clubs and activities. Our high school calendar, located on the school’s website, displays the dates and times that our clubs and activities meet. Some clubs and activities include Student Council, Rotary Interact, Key Club, National Honor Society, Chess Club, Art Club, Spanish Lab, West G TV, and Science Fair Preparation.

It is my intention for advisory to contribute to the positive school environment and allow experiences for student growth and academic success. Please encourage your student to take advantage of some of the many opportunities advisory period offers throughout the school year.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,


Jay C. Bishop
jay.bishop@westg.org
(440) 729-5955
@WestGHigh

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From the Assistant Principal

The school year is off to a great start. Personally, I am having a wonderful time reconnecting with students and families that I have gotten to know well through my years working at various levels of West Geauga Schools. As we enter the fall season, here are a couple of reminders…..

• Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, etc..are great ways to communicate via the internet. Unfortunately, all too often we see the negative side of social networking. Bullying, threats, offensive language, and inappropriateness are everyday occurrences on these sites. Daily, we deal with the after effects of these transgressions. Please monitor your child and speak to them about appropriate use of these sites.
• The number one correlation between academic success and potential failure is consistent attendance at school. When students attend regularly they succeed. Please remember to call the Attendance Office (729-5951) between 7:00 and 9:00 am each time a student is absent. This is a voicemail number, which can receive messages 24 hours a day so you can even call the night before. Students who do not clear up absences within three days of returning to school will be considered truant and shall be issued a Saturday School Detention.
• Maintaining a safe, secure and productive educational environment is a high priority at West Geauga High School. Proper attire helps create an atmosphere conducive to learning. Clothing which includes references to alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances is unacceptable. In addition, clothing which depicts graphics or wording with sexual, vulgar, lewd, or indecent meanings or connotations is prohibited. Please also keep the following guidelines in mind:
• Shirts and shorts must be worn at a reasonable length
• Tops must have straps
• Necklines should not fall below an imaginary horizontal line between the underarms.
• The bottom hem of tops should overlap pants or skirts. No midriff exposed.
• No undergarments should be exposed. This includes through sheer fabric or out of low-riding or loose fitting pants.

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Master Planning Meeting

The West Geauga Schools would like to invite the community to the next Facility Master Planning Meeting, which will be held on November 13th from 6pm until 8pm in the West Geauga Middle School cafeteria. An overview of the survey results will be provided as well as a review of facility options. All residents and parents of the district are invited to attend.

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WGHS. School Counseling News                               November/December 2018

It has been a busy fall in the school counseling department. We have met with our Seniors and their parents to begin the college application process. The web program Naviance is the most important resource for the counselors and students. This program is allowing the school counselors to begin college exploratory activities with the underclassmen, as well as making communication between home and our department considerably easier. It allows us to submit nearly all of our students' college applications electronically. If your student has a smartphone, their Naviance account can be connected using a web browser. We highly encourage our students to use this resource throughout their high school career! Our career specialist, Mrs. Ann Marn, has also offered her talents in helping our students focus on writing a high school resume, begin career interest inventories and search for colleges.

Dates to Remember:

The PSAT was administered to the sophomore class and some freshmen and juniors. The results should be available sometime in mid-December.

Excel TECC Opportunity Day: December 6; Sophomores are invited to attend as a field trip. Permission forms will be given to students who are interested.

Excel TECC Opportunity Night: December 6, 7 pm at Mayfield High School; parents of prospective sophomores are encouraged to attend.

CCP Information Night: January 23, 7 pm in Room 124.

FOR ALL STUDENTS

Students: we have an "open door" policy. If you need to speak to your counselor, just drop in. If we are unavailable leave a note and we will find you as soon as possible!

SENIORS
Please remember that this is the time of year to work on college applications! Please remember to check your college deadlines and follow the application submission procedures (Senior Parent Night - Class of 2019 PowerPoint can be found on the Guidance website. Remember: Please give your counselors and teachers at least two weeks to get supporting documents/letters completed. Know your deadlines! See your counselor if you have any questions.

Test Scores: Remember your ACT or SAT test scores must also meet the college deadline. Please make sure you have requested scores be sent directly from ACT or CollegeBoard to the institutions you are applying to.

Scholarships: Start looking in Naviance for scholarships. There is also a scholarship rack in the Counseling Office. Make a habit of visiting our office and checking if anything new has come in and checking your Naviance account. Please give counselors two weeks notice for deadlines on scholarships too.

Financial Aid: The FAFSA timeline has changed and is already open to submissions for next year. A representative from the Lake/Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation (LEAF) is available to discuss financial aid options, scholarships, and the FAFSA form. Mrs. Tessa Dicker, our LEAF Financial Aid Advisor, works in our high school each Wednesday throughout the school year. Students and parents may request an appointment with Mrs. Dicker by contacting her at 729-5922, extension 4164, or email her at tdicker@leaf-ohio.org. There is also a sign-in sheet in the Counselor’s Office. All of the LEAF services are at no charge to our families.

JUNIORS
Reminder - this is your last year to work on maintaining or bringing up your GPA. Remember that when colleges receive your transcript next fall, your cumulative grade point average is only based on your high school classes completed in the Middle School, 9th, 10th and 11th grade marks. If you are having difficulty in a class, your school counselor is always here to help. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Also, start thinking about what you want to do after high school. A good resource to begin with is Naviance. See your counselor if you forgot your login. Start planning college visits and registering online for the ACT and/or SAT. Remember, you will have the opportunity to take the ACT for free on February 20, 2019.

When is the last time you logged on to your Naviance account? You have been given a task to complete the “Strengths Explorer”. Please find the time to complete this before winter break.

SOPHOMORES
Mr. Hayes, Excel TECC's (Technical Education Career Consortium) counselor, will meet with all sophomores on November 5. Opportunity Day for all Excel TECC is Thursday, December 6. Students are able to visit programs during the field trip that school day and parents are invited to Mayfield High School that evening from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. You got your report card. How are you doing? What can you change to achieve even more success? If you need some help, see your counselor.

As soon as you get your PSAT results remember to connect your scores with Khan Academy. Stop by our office for help if you need any assistance.

FRESHMEN
Well, you are finished with your first quarter at West Geauga High School! Was your first report card a good one? If so, keep up the good work. If not, do not forget to take advantage of the tutoring available during Advisory Period. See your counselor for help, too. Remember: Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness! Also, be open to the information covered in Freshman Mentoring - the topics offer help with the transition to the high school.

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

Michelle Sargent           Secretary                                          729-5962         michelle.sargent@westg.org

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September - Eileen Faulk

October - Josh Burke

September - Jack Musser

October - Arden Frankmann

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HILLCREST STUDENT ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

September 2018

Freshman, Julia Martinez - Cross Country

Freshman Julia Martinez started the season strong as the top runner for the Wolverines and has continued all the way as a regional qualifier. She has not only been a strong leader on the course for her team but also with how she practices and leads every day at practice. Julia's breakout race was at VASJ where she placed third overall and led her team to a first place finish. She continued her dominance at Cardinal by dropping over 30sec. and finishing 13th. Julia went on to win her first high school race at Cuyahoga Hts, finished second team “All Conference” at the Chagrin Valley Conference Meet, and ran a career best 20:28 at Districts to advance to Regionals at Boardman High School.

Sophomore, Johnny Patterson, Cross Country
Sophomore Johnny Patterson has consistently finished in the top 10 all year long.

He has become one of the top cross country runners in the area. Johnny is a very competitive, intelligent runner who continues to improve and impress on a weekly basis. He is a leader and inspires his teammates to become better. It has and continues to be a pleasure coaching Johnny.
Johnny Patterson is now number 6 (17:00) on the West Geauga XC Record Board.  CVC Athlete of the Week (first week in October). He earned First Team All CVC Honors.  He qualified for Regionals, finishing in 6th place.

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ORDER EARLY AND SAVE !!
8/30/18 -12/31/18 $60.00
1/1/19 - 4/19/19 $70.00
AFTER 5/1/19 $80.00


You can order two ways: online at www.jostensyearbooks.com or in-school by using the order form located in the Yearbook tab above.

Senior parents: Here is your opportunity to remind your senior how very proud you are of their accomplishments.

Class of 2019 Parent to Senior Grad Ad

Deadline to submit: 11/16/18

Forms, complete with instructions, are located in the Yearbook tab above.

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30th Anniversary Thanksgiving Day Pancake Breakfast at the Chesterland McDonalds Sponsored by the West Geauga Educational Foundation

It’s Thanksgiving morning – and the last thing you need to worry about is breakfast. Don’t stress! Come to the Chesterland McDonalds from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. where the West Geauga Educational Foundation will be serving breakfast - as they have for 30 years!

What’s on the menu: a breakfast of pancakes and sausage, along with juice, milk, coffee or tea for only $6.00! You can eat in the restaurant or take your meals home. Please note that on Thanksgiving Day, McDonald’s will only open for the fundraiser during the hours above and their regular menu will not be available.

The West Geauga Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides funds to enable new ways of teaching and learning in the West Geauga School System. Applications are welcome from teachers, administrators, students and parents and are reviewed in November & February.

“Make Thanksgiving Day a little easier this year by getting breakfast at McDonalds,” said Caise Rode McHale, West Geauga Educational Foundation President. “At the same time, you’ll be helping to support innovative and enriching learning experiences for West Geauga students.”

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August/September/October 2018

From the Principal

Greetings, West Geauga parents and students!

August is certainly underway, and it is nice to see so many of our students on campus, involved in band and athletics. I look forward to having all of our students in the halls on August 21st when I can hear about everyone's summer experiences.

It is with great pride that I share the news that West Geauga High School has been named one of the America’s Top High Schools by Newsweek Magazine. In order to qualify for the ranking, schools have to meet particular performance indicators which include state test proficiency ratings. The magazine then collected data from each qualifying school to determine college readiness. Data collected includes student to counselor ratio, Advanced Placement participation and performance, college acceptance and enrollment, ACT and SAT participation and performance and College Credit Plus participation.

Our parents, students and teachers should be proud of this national attention and recognition. It is their hard work and determination that ensures students are prepared for college and careers following high school. Congratulations!

The new school year provides opportunities for all of our students to become involved in some of the many organizations offered by our school. Whether you are a freshman entering the high school or a senior taking your last high school courses, I encourage all of you to get involved. West Geauga High School provides a wealth of opportunities in academics, athletics, clubs and community service organizations. Colleges, universities and future employers look at more than just a grade point average when deciding to bring you into their organization. Get involved!

Along with involvement, it is important for everyone to set goals and learn to live outside of his/her comfort zone. Personal growth occurs when you establish what it is you want to do and continually work toward reaching the goals. Some examples of strong goals for high school students include taking increasingly rigorous course loads, getting good grades, acceptance into a certain post secondary education program, improving your character and getting involved.

West Geauga High School utilizes an advisory period in the middle of the day to allow students to work on their individual goals and school activities. The advisory period consists of a 30 minute window each day where students have opportunities built into their class schedule to work with teachers outside of the class period, meet with clubs and organizations, to allow AP science students to take an extra class during the year, and provide more time for freshman mentoring. All students will be assigned an advisory teacher who will serve as an advocate for those students.

I want to thank you for allowing us the pleasure of being a part of your child's learning day-in and day-out. Your children are your most precious gifts and we thank you for sharing them with us and allowing us to share our knowledge with them.

We look forward to an exciting 2018-2019 school year ahead. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Jay Bishop
Principal
West Geauga High School
440-729-5955
Jay.Bishop@Westg.org

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From the Assistant Principal

Welcome Back! The start of a new school year is an exciting and nervous time for all our students. For our seniors, it is the beginning of the end of one chapter in their lives. For the freshmen, it is just the start. For our sophomores, it means that you are no longer freshmen.

A few things to keep in mind as we beginning the new school year.....

Attendance
Parents are required to notify the school anytime your student will be absent from school. The attendance line (729-5951) is manned from 7:15 – 9:00 a.m. and voice mail is available 24/7. Requests to leave school early for appointments etc. should be made at least 24 hours in advance in order to assure that the proper passes are issued. Any time your child needs to leave school or arrive late, he/she must go through the attendance office. Please provide a doctor’s note when your child visits a medical professional during the school day. A parent can not excuse a child for medical reasons. Students will be referred to the Geauga County attendance officer if they are absent five or more consecutive days, seven or more days in a one school month, or twelve or more school days in a year without a legitimate excuse. Your cooperation with the attendance procedures will assist us in recording and reporting accurate attendance. Students with chronic tardiness may also be reported to the Geauga County attendance officer.

Excessive Absenteeism
It is important for every student to attend school every day. Missing too much school has long-term negative effects on students. In December 2016, the Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 410 to encourage and support a preventative approach to excessive absences and truancy.

Habitual Truant:

• Absent 30 or more consecutive hours without a legitimate excuse
• Absent 42 or more hours in one school month without a legitimate excuse
• Absent 72 or more hours in one school year without a legitimate excuse

Excessive Absences

• Absent 38 or more hours in one school month with or without a legitimate excuse
• Absent 65 or more hours in one school year with or without a legitimate excuse

Consequences Include:

• Saturday School(s)
• Meetings with staff members and parent(s), 
• Absence Intervention Plan, 
• Juvenile Court Referral 

Cell Phones
If you need to contact your child throughout the day, it is imperative that you contact the school’s attendance office at 440-729-5958. The school will locate your child and deliver the message. Please do not call your child on his/her cell phone. Teachers discourage students from carrying their cell phone throughout the day. Phone calls and text messages during instructional time disrupt the education process.

Parking
Students may not drive to school the first day without purchasing a permit. You can apply for a permit on the high school website. After applying, permits can be picked up beginning August 12 through August 20 from 7:00AM to 2:00PM. A driver's license and proof of insurance must be shown at pick up along with $30.

Dress Code
A student’s dress, grooming and appearance, including hair style/color, jewelry, make-up and nails, must be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process. Recognize that brief garments are inappropriate and unacceptable. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: backless tops, single-shoulder tops, tube tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, see-through, sheer or transparent shirts/pants, exposed midriffs, plunging necklines (front and/or back), skirts/shorts above mid-thigh length, shorts that are excessively revealing and net/mesh garments. Tank tops should not have spaghetti straps, plunging necklines or expose the midriff or undergarments

Lockers
All students are provided with lockers to store personal belongings and school-related materials. Students should not share the locker combination with anyone. Lockers should be kept closed at all times. Students should not leave the locker “preset” to open and valuables should never be brought to school. All assigned lockers remain the property of the school district and the school reserves the right to inspect any locker at any time.

Anytime you have questions or need clarification concerning attendance procedures, parking permits, or discipline issues, please contact me. I am looking forward to making this year a successful one for each of your children.


Ron Dahlhofer, Assistant Principal

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West Geauga High School uses Google for Education to integrate documents, forms, spreadsheets, presentations and even calendars. We also use Google Calendar on our website to update all of our school academic events. We think this is an easy calendar to read and can be incorporated into your own personal Google Calendar. You can find the direct link to the calendar by clicking here.

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2018-2019 End-of-Course Exam Information

The State of Ohio requires all of our students to take state issued end-of-course exams in the following areas: Algebra 1, Geometry, English 9, English 10, American History, Government and Biology. Students need to earn at least 18 points on seven end-of-course state tests. Each test score earns students up to five graduation points. You must have a minimum of four points in math, four points in English and six points across science and social studies.

It is important for all our students to do their best on these assessments. While the scores are necessary to graduate, they are also reflective of the assessments given in college or to receive industry standard credentials. These tests will serve as examples of what they will see in their academic futures.

Resources for the upcoming end-of-course assessments are found by visiting the Ohio Department of Education’s State Test website. Practice tests can also be found on ODE’s website or by clicking here.

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Chris Rader - Social Studies

Meagan Belan - School Psychologist

Dr. Lynne Shields - Special Education

Rebecca Dietz - Special Education

Lisa Dwyer - Special Education

Roger Sines - Special Education

Brian Kidwell - Special Education

Eileen Sypen - Educational Aide

Karen Cipriani - Educational Aide

Deb Wilson - Educational Aide

Mark Rich - School Resource Officer
Bob Marotta - Custodian

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I hope you all had a wonderful summer!  I look forward to seeing everyone during the first few weeks of school. 

Attendance reminders for the 2018 – 2019 School year

When calling your student in absent please make sure to leave detailed information about your child’s absence on the confidential attendance line 440-729-5951.

According to Ohio Law, the following is a list of reasons that are considered excused absences or tardies:

A. Personal illness
B. Illness in the family
C. Quarantine of the home
D. Death of a relative
E. Observance of religious holiday
F. Emergencies due to the absence of parent or guardian

* Please note, tardy arrivals to school are considered unexcused even if a parent calls in for the student. If your student is driving to school this year, please remind them of this policy.

Early Dismissals
Notes for early dismissal should be turned in to the attendance office the day before your child needs to leave early whenever possible. Last minute phone calls, other than true emergencies cannot always be delivered immediately and create unnecessary disruption to valuable instruction time in the classroom.

Vacations
Please check the student handbook for our District policy regarding family vacations. Ohio Law states that all vacations are considered unexcused absences. If a vacation during the school year is unavoidable, a Vacation Request form MUST be filled out and turned in to the attendance office with all appropriate signatures 5 days before the absences occur. These forms can be found in the attendance office, online under the forms link, or by clicking here.

Medical Excuses
If your child is missing school for medical reasons, including orthodontist appointments, please provide a note from the doctor and turn in to the attendance office.

Thank you and have a great 2018-2019 school year!

Mrs. Poelking

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Opening Day paperwork will be online again this year thanks to the OneView program. If you completed your forms online last year all you will need to do is, verify the information we have is correct. An informational letter with instructions was sent home with instructions before school started. If you have any questions or did not receive the letter in the mail, please call the school. We are asking that all accounts be updated no later than Tuesday, August 28th.  Click here for the OneView login page.

This year we are pleased to provide you with access to the West Geauga Local Schools Infinite Campus Parent Portal. This access will give you a single login for student fees, lunch payments, grade progress, report cards and other information. A letter was sent out last week providing you with directions to activate and set up your Parent Portal. Please call Lisa Porter at (440) 729-5961 if you have questions or did not receive the letter.

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W.G.H.S. School Counseling News                                  August 2018

Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year. We have some changes this year. Kim Zannetti is now a counselor at Lindsey Elementary School. Mr. Callahan and Miss Widman will be be taking over her part of the alphabet. We are excited to begin a new year and hope to help make it your son or daughter’s best year yet! Please follow us on Twitter @WGHSCounselors for updates and timely information!

W.G.H.S. Counseling Staff

Mr. David Callahan (Students A – K)               (440) 729-5963                    david.callahan@westg.org

Ms. Sarah Widman (Students L – Z)                 (440) 729-5965                     sarah.widman@westg.org

Mrs. Michelle Sargent (Guidance Secretary)     (440) 729-5962                michelle.sargent@westg.org

Student/Parent Notes

SENIORS

Congratulations, you made it to your senior year! Please remember that you are not done yet. Colleges will want to see your first semester grades and your senior year-end grades.

Come visit your counselor if you need help with career or college information. Remember to focus on your strengths! Set goals for this year, put them in writing, and do the things required to meet those goals!

College Applications:
Fall is the time for seniors to begin filling out their college applications. The school counseling department will be meeting with all seniors and their parents on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 124 to review the college application process. At this meeting the counselors will address all of the policies and procedures for applying to college, therefore, it is recommended that students wait to apply to colleges until after this informational session. In the meantime, use your Family Connection account!

JUNIORS

This is your last year to work on maintaining or bringing up your GPA. Set some solid academic goals for yourself this year and try to stick to them. Remember that when colleges receive your transcript next fall, your cumulative grade point average is only based on your 9th, 10th, & 11th grade marks.

SOPHOMORES

You have one year under your belt. Congratulations! Now that you have figured out what high school life is all about, why not make some positive changes? What can you improve on from last year to make this year even more of a success? Continue to build your resume by volunteering and participating in school and community activities.

FRESHMEN

Welcome to West Geauga High School! This is an exciting year for you because you have the opportunity to start fresh. You have a clean slate, so stay organized and work hard. Please remember that the school counselors are available to help you reach your goals. You will also have Freshmen Mentoring to help you through your transition to the high school. Do not forget that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness!

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The all-color edition of the Westwind 2019 is guaranteed to be the best ever!! Ordering your student's copy is easier than ever. Two options are available for your convenience. Order online at www.jostensyearbooks.com or from WGHS by printing out the form in the Yearbook tab. Order now and save!!!



Class of 2019:

Your senior and baby pictures must be submitted by September 17th. Please refer to the Yearbook tab above for submission instructions. Grad ad forms are available there as well.

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The first Upper School PTO meeting of the school year will be held on Thursday, September 27th at 7pm in the Middle School library.  Please join us!

PTO Officers -

Chris Skerbec - President
Joanne Obranovich - Vice President
Meghan Metz - Treasurer
Kim Koshar - Secretary

Click here to join the PTO!

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WGEF 1st Innovative Grant Application Deadline is 11/9/2018. Visit WGEF.org for application and details! 

30th Annual Thanksgiving Day Pancake Breakfast: Thursday, November 22, 7:30am-11:00am at Chesterland McDonald's

Look for upcoming Practice ACT & SAT dates & times for the 2018-19 year @ WGEF.org

Support the Cause!!! Become a Member or Renew your membership with a minimum donation of $25 (and get a free t-shirt!) at wgef.org using our secure online donation portal.

Interested in learning more about what WGEF does? Join us at our first meeting of the year - Wednesday 9/26, 7:00pm at the High School Library.

Caise McHale
WG Ed Foundation
President
216-789-4842

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WEST GEAUGA ATHLETIC BOOSTERS

Please click here or on the above tab to find out any information about the West Geauga Athletic Boosters (including this year's membership application and Spirit Shop calendar).

May/June 2018

From the Principal

It is hard to believe that in less than one month we will be graduating our senior class. The class of 2018 consists of a tremendous group of students and we should all be proud of their accomplishments and successes. I wish the entire class the best and look forward to congratulating their families at graduation on June 4th at the KeyBank State Theater in Cleveland. Detailed below is some parting advice for the class of 2018 to heed.

Stay Calm
Control your impulses. The most successful individuals know how to keep their emotions in check, even when they feel great anger or frustration. People will remember how you react to a stressful situation and judge you by that behavior.

Friends
You can measure your success by your ability to make and keep friends. Your jobs, houses and material things might come and go, but if you put your efforts into your friends, they will stay with you forever.

Education
Look for ways to continue your education wherever you find yourself. Don't assume that education only comes in a classroom. Learn from your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers and the people who you interact with on the street.

Learn from Mistakes
View a failure as an opportunity to learn from your mistake. Put failures behind you and move forward. If a difficult or unpleasant situation arises, ask yourself, "What can I learn from this?" Chances are, you'll find a good lesson there.

Benefit of the Doubt
Give people the benefit of the doubt. They might do the same for you.

Money
Start a savings account. Establish a routine that allows you to automatically save a percentage of every dollar you earn. You can increase savings later, but the habit to save will help you build a framework to secure your future.

Mentor
Find a mentor. A mentor can guide you, help you find new perspectives on issues and events, and open doors for you.

Passion
Find your passion and pursue it. Find an issue or cause that you want to advance or a hobby that relaxes you and makes you feel competent. Spend time every day, or at least every week, doing the things that matter to you.

Excelling
Push yourself to excel by surrounding yourself with people who challenge you. Put yourself in situations that force you to exert yourself to succeed.

Perseverance
Persevere in pursuing your goals. Many people give up too early and never experience the challenge of pushing through difficulties to reach the finish line. Get to the finish line.

Jay Bishop
Principal

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From the Assistant Principal

A few reminders as we approach the end of the school year…

1. As the weather warms up, I need to remind everyone of the dress requirements for school. Students who are in violation of the school’s dress code will be asked to change into more appropriate clothing. 
2. All students are expected to be in attendance each day through the end of the school year as indicated in the Final Exam Schedule included in this newsletter. 
3. All school fees/fines must be paid in full before seniors can pick up their caps and gowns. All seniors will report to the gym on May 29th at 7:30am for cap and gown distribution. Seniors are not to be in any other part of the building on May 29th. Checks are to be made payable to West Geauga Board of Education. 
4. As we near the end of the school year and all the related activities and celebrations that accompany it, you will hear this message over and over again: alcohol and drug related accidents are the number one cause of death of young adults in this country. Monitor your child’s whereabouts and insist that all parties are drug and alcohol free. It’s not only prudent, it’s the law.

2018-2019 Parking Applications Available Online

2018-2019 Parking Permits will be handled in a similar manner as this year. The application will be made available online. Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores will be permitted to apply for a parking permit. The link to the application can be found online under the West Geauga High School’s forms link and will be available by the beginning of August. Parking applications will not be mailed home. Students may not drive to school the first day without purchasing a permit from the school’s main office. Once the application is completed online, permits can be picked up, beginning August 10, through August 17 from 7:00am to 2:00pm.  A valid driver license, proof of insurance and $30 ($15 for Excel TECC and CCP students) will be due when the permits are picked up. All school fees from prior years must be paid in order to receive your permit.  Please make checks out to the student’s graduating class (ie: Class of 2019).

Students  need to be logged into their West Geauga Google accounts in order to complete the application. Please contact Mr. Dahlhofer at ron.dahlhofer@westg.org or 440-729-5957 if you have any questions.

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Dear 11th and 9th Grade Parents,

All students entering the 9th grade next school year are required to have one (1) dose of the meningococcal vaccine. All students entering the 12th grade are required to have two (2) doses of the meningococcal vaccine.* Official documentation of the vaccine from the Health Department or physician must be provided to the high school clinic. For your convenience, it can be faxed to 440-729-5959 or emailed to me at brenda.swanson@westg.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. Thank you,

Brenda Swanson, RN BSN

West Geauga High School

*Exceptions are limited to those whose parents submit waivers citing matters of conscience or religious conviction.

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April - Benjamin Kovacic

May - Thomas Magalski

April - Angela Volcensek

May - Samantha Ange

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Please click here for the Final Exam Schedule/Permission Slip

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West Geauga School Counseling News                                                              May/June 2018

SENIORS

CONGRATULATIONS! We’ll see you at graduation!

Decision Day/West Geauga Survey 2018:
On May 2nd we celebrated the future plans of our current seniors. A certificate was signed and a picture taken to document this occasion. This certificate will be given to the students at graduation practice. Most importantly, we asked each senior to log on to their Family Connection account and complete the West Geauga Survey 2018. This information will allow us to send final transcripts to the school they will be attending this fall.

Senior Report Cards, Medals, & Cords:
All seniors will receive a copy of their transcript along with any medals and cords they have earned at the graduation rehearsal. Students who are not “walking” and, therefore, will not be at graduation rehearsal, need to see Ms. Sargent in the school counseling office for a copy of their final report cards.

FOR ALL STUDENTS

Twitter:
Please consider following the West Geauga School Counselor on Twitter. @WGHSCounselors

Summer School:
West Geauga High School does offer summer school for students. The program is offered online. Check the West Geauga website, or contact Jim Kish, Middle School Principal, at 729-5940. If your child is in danger of failing a required course, you might want to call about programs at West G or area schools. Area schools may have traditional classroom summer programs. There are also several online providers that offer credit recovery programs. Informational flyers for summer school programs will be available in the counseling office.

A letter will be mailed to the parents of students who failed a required course immediately after grades are completed, however, this might not leave very much time to register for the summer courses. We are providing you with this information early in the hopes of giving you a head start.

Scheduling:
Schedule changes were due to the guidance department by May 1st in order for our administration to create the master schedule. Any changes requested after this date must follow the guidelines outlined in the Program of Studies. After May 1st of each year, schedule changes may be made only if there is:

• a data entry error 
• a failure in a required course
• an imbalance of semester courses 
• a graduation requirement omitted. 

Summer Counseling Hours:
End of School Year  The counselors will be working in the counseling office through June 14th and Ms. Sargent, School Counselor’s Administrative Assistant, will be working through June 29th.

Beginning of 2018-2019 School Year  Ms. Sargent will return to the office July 30th and the counselors will return August 13th.

College Visits:
For all students, but particularly juniors, the summer is a great time to visit college campuses. If you happen to be passing a campus on the way to your family vacation, plan to stop by and at least drive through. Time permitting, plan a stop in the admission office to meet a college representative. It is to your advantage to visit campuses and meet college representatives! Showing interest in a school is an important part of the college application process.

Summer Writing:
Junior students are encouraged to begin crafting a college application essay. If a school you have interest in uses Common Application, you can view the prompts for the 2018-2019 school year at commonapp.org and they are listed in Family Connection, too. Some schools have their own applications and prompts so make sure to check into the requirements for each college. When writing an essay be sure the reader can learn something about you that he/she could not find in an application and be creative!

West Geauga Education Foundation Programs:
Be sure to take advantage of all the programming that the West Geauga Education Foundation has to help with applications, essay writing, and test prep. An essay writing workshop is being planned before school starts in August.

Family Connection:
The Family Connection/Naviance website has valuable information regarding college planning, scholarships, and many other timely topics. You can find a link to this website at www.westg.org. Click on High School, then Guidance.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the school counseling office.

David Callahan           Students with last names A-G      729-5963               david.callahan@westg.org

Kimberly Zannetti       Students with last names H-O      729-5964                kim.zannetti@westg.org

Sarah Widman            Students with last names P-Z       729-5965                sarah.widman@westg.org

Michelle Sargent         Assistant                                        729-5962               michelle.sargent@westg.org

Career Guidance Report:
Below is a list of the career-oriented guidance that our office, along with Ann Marn, our career specialist, provided to students during the 2017-2018 school year.

Freshmen (September)
Completed Naviance high school registration.
Began the Naviance Resume.
Completed the Naviance Career Interest Profiler and browsed several suggested career fields.
Completed an in-depth search of one career.

Sophomores (December)
Updated Naviance Resume.
Completed Do What You Are.
Revisited freshman Career Interest Profiler results in the Career Tab.
Browsed the Naviance College Tab: College Maps, Super Match College Search.

Juniors (January)
Updated Naviance Resume.
Completed Naviance Strengths Explorer.
Completed the Naviance Super Match College Search and Colleges I'm Thinking About.
Explored College Maps and Scattergrams and Scholarships.
Encouraged students to visit college websites' essay topics and applications.

Seniors (September)
In preparation for the upcoming Guidance Senior Assembly, students:
Updated Naviance Resume.
Completed Brag Sheets for teachers and Guidance.
Completed Naviance College Tab activities, especially Super Match College Search and Colleges I'm Thinking About.
Explored National Scholarship Search, Scholarship List, and Upcoming College Visits.
Viewed college websites' essay topics and applications.
Viewed Common Application.

Summer Fun:
Enjoy your summer. Be safe and find time to do the things you enjoy to do!

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Graduation: June 4th, 2018

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR SENIORS - Tuesday, May 29th. We will have a brief Senior Class meeting in the gym at 7:25, then caps and gowns will be distributed. Please respect classes in session and enjoy your mini-day of school.

Graduation: June 4th, 2018, KeyBank State Theater, Playhouse Square, Cleveland, OH

In order to participate in the evening ceremony, you MUST attend the morning rehearsal!!!
TICKETS - Inside your cap and gown bag, you will find an envelope with twelve graduation tickets. Any specialty tickets (VIP boxes) will also be in the envelope. Only seats in the VIP Loge section will be assigned, otherwise it is open-seating. If you know that your family will not need all twelve tickets, please return the extras to Mrs. Talty. Thank you!

B R E A K F A S T and R E H E A R S A L- We will begin with breakfast at 7:45 am on MONDAY, JUNE 4th, at Mayfield Church at 7747 Mayfield Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026. You will be checked in, so please be patient! Carpool to save gas and space. Do Not Be Late!! When breakfast is over, we will travel by bus downtown to the State Theater to begin rehearsal. Plan on leaving your cars at Mayfield Church until we return from rehearsal around 1:00 pm.

GRADUATION CEREMONY - Be at the high school by 4:30 PM. We will take buses downtown once again, to the State Theater. The ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 pm.

DRESS CODE FOR THE EVENING CEREMONY:
Robes - press with a cool iron before the ceremony.
Guys - dark pants, collared shirt, tie, and dress shoes (no tennis shoes).
Girls - light colored dress or skirt which does not hang below the robe and light colored shoes or sandals, but NO FLIP FLOPS and NO STILETTOS!! Be sure you can walk down stairs in your shoes. Please, wear comfortable, appropriate shoes.

EVENING DETAILS - Your family WILL have to pay for parking the night of graduation. Please refer to this website for parking information, pricing, and a list of garages nearby - http://www.playhousesquare.org/plan-your-visit-main/directions-parking. We recommend parking in the Playhouse Square garage. Most parking in the area is around $10-$15 per car. Guests who need specialty handicapped seating should talk with the ushers and will be escorted to their seats accordingly.
Students - NO FOOD OR DRINK. Do not bring anything (purse, keys, phone, camera) backstage with you-leave all personal belongings with your family. There is no secure place to leave them. Line up in order practiced at rehearsal. Be properly dressed. Guys must have a tie.

Friendly Reminder … Please tell your guests that the processional will begin at 7:00 sharp. Bussing will NOT be provided after the ceremony – it is expected that students go home with their parents/families.

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YEARBOOK

Yearbooks have been delivered and can be purchased for $80.00. Please bring cash or checks made payable to WGBE/YB to the HS main office or see Mrs. Ward. 

Senior picture info for the Class of '19
Your senior pictures will be Monday, September 17th. Plan ahead by scheduling with a photographer this summer. Click here for information.

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Funding New, Innovative ways of Teaching and Learning for more than 30 Years

The West Geauga Educational Foundation (WGEF) is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that provides funds to enable new and innovative ways of teaching and learning in the West Geauga school system. Funds for new ideas and programs aren’t always available within public school budgets, and that's where WGEF provides support. Each year the foundation reviews applications from teachers, administrators, students and parents, and then chooses programs to fund that will enrich and enhance educational experiences for our students.

For more than 30 years, WGEF has funded more than $500,000 to support educational programs that school budgets couldn't otherwise afford. WGEF also holds fundraisers and events throughout the school year to assist students and enrich education. 

Grants Funded by WGEF – Winter 2018
WGEF requests teachers, parents and students to submit grants for programs they would like to see implemented and need funding assistance for. Twice per year, those interested submit detailed grants and present their programs to the WGEF board and members. The board then chooses which programs to fund based on criteria like how many students will be impacted, the program costs, etc. We have funded four programs in the 2017-2018 school year: two programs submitted in the fall of 2017 and two submitted in February. Read about the recent grants we awarded below.

WGTV – New Equipment
Ms. Kelly Klampe, WGHS English teacher and co-advisor for WGTV, and Ms. Sarah Thrasher, Media Specialist and co-advisor for WGTV, received a $5,151 grant for new equipment for WGTV, the student-run broadcasting channel for school announcements. The grant’s goal was to engage and motivate Middle School students to continue their interest in journalism and broadcasting by using current, modern technology. The grant application included funding for purchasing new software, cameras, camcorder, microphone cables, microphones, teleprompter and hardware capture cards, all used for video broadcast purposes. New equipment will allow for live streaming and recording and will replace old, outdated technology.

iPad Pro / Lifeliqe Program
Ms. Sarah Thrasher, Media Specialist, presented the iPad Pro/Lifeliqe program which is intended to help convert the Middle School’s traditional library into a true media center with state-of-the-art technology. A grant of $7,335 for line item equipment was awarded for this project which includes five iPad pros, Pro Pens, Pro Keyboards and 35 licenses for Lifeliqe software, a science based program that allows users to manipulate and view 3-D images of biological organisms like cells.

Congratulations to our winter grant winners!

Join Us!
We are always seeking fresh ideas and welcome educators and parents to join WGEF. We invite you to attend a meeting to find out more about us. There’s still time to join us for the last meeting the 2017-18 school year:

Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30 PM in the Middle School Community Room

Whenever you join, donate or attend a WGEF fundraiser, you become a key player in enriching education at West Geauga Schools.

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March/April 2018

From the Principal

Dear West Geauga Families,

The tragic events that occurred at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida reinforced the importance of the safety messages we continue to have with the students at West Geauga High School. Teachers continue to have conversations with their classes about the A.L.I.C.E. program we utilize to help keep students safe in the event of an active shooter. Students and teachers have asked great questions about what they would do in various situations. These questions are being addressed through class meetings and communication with the staff on an ongoing basis. West Geauga High School continuously holds discussions with our local police departments about the A.L.I.C.E. program and how to better prepare our students and staff in the event of an active shooter on our campus.

As you may have seen on the news and other social media outlets a National School Walkout is planned with participants across the U.S. and internationally for Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Dr. Markwardt and I expressed to the students that we are neither endorsing nor discouraging the walkout. This has opened the opportunity for West Geauga social studies teachers to talk with and educate our students about political movements. These conversations are in an effort to get students thinking about making informed decisions regarding their participation in a walkout. The message was reiterated by Dr. Markwardt and me during class meetings. We would prefer students remain in their classrooms for safety reasons. Please know that if students decide to walk out on March 14, 2018, police will be on campus to help ensure students are safe. In addition to the planned March 14th walkout, another National Walkout is planned for April 20th. A National March is scheduled for March 24, 2018 at our Nation’s Capital.

While meeting with each grade level, Dr. Markwardt informed the students that there will be a greater police presence in our building going forward. Students were notified that the district is planning to redesign the High School’s entrances to tighten access to our building. We also want to make you aware of a newly formed student group in which student safety is discussed with teachers and administrators.

We need your help in preventing acts of school violence. Parents and students are encouraged to say something if they see something. If there are conversations, Snapchat posts, Instagram feeds, Twitter messages or anything that does not sit well, parents and students need to tell someone. Tell a teacher, school counselor or school administrator. No matter how minor it might seem, please do not hesitate in contacting the police or school officials. For the community’s convenience, we have a link at the top left of all building websites allowing concerned individuals to anonymously report. Here is the direct link - https://www.publicschoolworks.com/SHL/bullyingMgr.asp?di=435&dia=ed1n7

Please take the time to discuss this message with your children at home.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Kind regards,

Jay Bishop

Principal

(440) 729-5955

jay.bishop@westg.org

@WestGHigh on Twitter

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From the Assistant Principal...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents and guardians for their support in assisting with attendance and disciplinary issues. Working together, parents, teachers, and the administration have a greater chance of success with keeping students on the right track. Graduation is right around the corner. Any senior suspended during the 4th quarter will be denied participation and attendance in the Commencement activities.

All students are expected to maintain proper attendance and comply with our Code of Conduct (including Dress Code) as outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook. Saturday School will be open on a bi-weekly basis until June 8th. Students facing disciplinary consequences could have the consequences carried over upon their return to school next August.

As we near the end of the school year and all the related activities and celebrations that accompany it, you will hear this message over and over again: Alcohol and drug related accidents are the number one cause of death of young adults in this country. Monitor your child’s whereabouts and insist that all parties are drug and alcohol free. It’s not only prudent; it’s the law.

Parents often call me asking for advice on how to keep their children from using alcohol and drugs. My advice is to be involved in your students’ lives. Don’t just assume they are making the right decisions. Be a parent; you are not their best friend. Ask questions. If they are going out, verify where they are going. Call the other parents, check out the details. We all want to trust our kids, but we need to let them know the boundaries and let them know we are concerned by checking on their activities.

Ron Dahlhofer
Assistant Principal
(440) 729-5957
ron.dahlhofer@westg.org

_________________________________________________________________________________

The warm weather in recent days definitely has me thinking about spring! Now is the time to start thinking about school attendance more than ever. House Bill 410 requires us to notify parents in writing when too much school has been missed. The state defines this as follows:

Habitual truant

• Absent 30 or more consecutive hours without a legitimate excuse
• Absent 42 or more hours in one school month without a legitimate excuse.
• Absent 72 or more hours in one school year without a legitimate excuse

Excessive absences

• Absent 38 or more hours in one school month with or without a legitimate excuse.
• Absent 65 or more hours in one school year with or without a legitimate excuse.

Please encourage your students to be in school every day except when ill. When possible please provide doctors' notes to document illnesses. As a reminder, if your child is going to be absent for an extended period of time due to vacation, you will need to have a Vacation Request form filled out and turned in to the attendance office with all appropriate signatures 5 days before the absences occur. These forms can be found in the attendance office or online under the forms link. If your child is missing school for medical reasons, including orthodontist appointments, please provide a note from the doctor and turn in to the attendance office. Notes for early dismissal should be turned in to the attendance office the day before your child needs to leave early whenever possible. Last minute phone calls, other than true emergencies cannot always be delivered immediately and create unnecessary disruption to valuable instruction time in the classroom. As the weather continues to warm and we all look forward to spring and summer, it’s important that school policies regarding leaving early are followed. Students are not permitted to leave the building without parental permission. This includes students who are 18 years old. If you have any questions regarding attendance or House Bill 410, please give me a call at 440-729-5958.

Thank you,


Theresa Poelking

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End of Course Exam Schedule

All students in 9th grade English, 10th grade English, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, American History and Government will sit for their end-of-course exams. On testing days, students needing to take their exams will report to school promptly at 7:25 am. All students not taking an end-of course exam will report to school at 9:35 A.M. Students in these courses must report to their tests on the following days:

• Monday, April 16th - English 9, English 10 (Part I)
• Tuesday, April 17th - English 9, English 10 (Part II)
• Thursday, April 19th - American History; Government (Part I)
• Friday, April 20th - American History; Government (Part II)
• Wednesday, April 25th - Biology (Part I) 
• Thursday, April 26th - Biology (Part II)
• Monday, April 30th - Algebra I, Geometry (Part I)
• Tuesday, May 1st - Algebra I, Geometry (Part II)

AIR Test Dates Bell Schedule

1º - 9:35 - 10:04 (29 min)

2º - 10:08 - 10:41 (33 min)

3º - 10:45 - 11:14 (29 min)

4º - 11:18 - 11:47 (29 min)

5A - 11:51 - 12:21 (30 min)

5B - 12:24 - 12:54 (30 min)

6º - 12:58 - 1:27 (29 min)

7º - 1:31 - 2:00 (29 min)

8º - 2:04 - 2:33 (29 min)

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West Geauga School Counseling News                                           March/April 2018

FOR ALL STUDENTS
The school counselors strongly encourage everyone to utilize their Family Connection/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, Guidance, and Family Connection.

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-G        729-5963          david.callahan@westg.org

Kimberly Zannetti          Students with last names H-O        729-5964          kim.zannetti@westg.org

Sarah Widman               Students with last names P-Z         729-5965          sarah.widman@westg.org

Michelle Sargent            Assistant                                         729-5962          michelle.sargent@westg.org

SCHEDULING

All returning students will have their core and some elective coursework requested by their teachers. Afterwards, students have the opportunity to select their other elective courses. Each counselor will be meeting with students to make sure the requests are entered. You are encouraged to login to your student’s Infinite Campus account to view the list of requested courses and discuss them with your son or daughter. Any requests made by the teacher can only be changed by the teacher or school counselor. The course override forms are available in the counselor's 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, 2018. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s counselor.

KICKSTART COLLEGE FAIR

Please remember to attend the Kickstart College Fair on Monday, April 9th. The Keynote speaker is Jimmy Malone, Co-Host of the Nolan, Malone, and Kullik Morning Show and Founder of the Jimmy Malone Scholarship Fund. He will speak at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria and the Fair will be in the gymnasium from 6:30 pm-8 pm. This is a free event and there is no need to pre-register. Take advantage of college representatives coming to you own backyard!

CCP (College Credit Plus):

If you are interested in CCP, we hope you were able to attend the meeting held on January 10th. 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 April 1. If this deadline is not met, your son/daughter will not be eligible to participate. This includes current CCP students who wish to participate next year. See your counselor with questions. Remember, April 1st is in the middle of our Spring Break. Please plan on turning in forms in by March 23rd!

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 strongly. Keep working- You can do it!

Decision Day:
Decision Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 2nd. This will be the day that we will celebrate all senior students’ plans for their futures. 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 important information related to his/her plans. We look forward to celebrating with everyone!

Financial Aid:
Mrs. Sandy Hanley, our LEAF Financial Aid Advisor, works in our high school each Tuesday from 8:00-2:15 throughout the school year. This is a change from Wednesdays. Students and parents may request an appointment with Mrs. Hanley by contacting her at 729-5922, extension 4164 or email her at shanley@leaf-ohio.org. 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 ACT and/or SAT, and visiting colleges. Spring Break is a great time to visit colleges. Check with individual college admissions offices to see what tours and meetings are available to you during that week. It is important for students to show interest!

We met with all the students on February 15th and explained the steps that are needed to start the college process. We encourage your son or daughter 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 Guidance website.

Summer Fun:
The counselors highly encourage students to begin preparing for the college process over the summer. This include: updating resume and college lists on Family Connection, drafting college essays, and completing “brag sheets” for counselors in Family Connection. The brag sheets are used to help the counselors write letters of recommendation.

ACT and SAT:
Each junior took the ACT on February 27th. The scores from this test can be used for the college application process. Juniors interested in attending a college need an ACT and/or SAT score. Any other attempts at the ACT and/or for a student wishing to take an SAT, they need to register online. It is recommended that Juniors take each of these tests at least once by June. Students who are planning to apply to selective colleges that require SAT subject tests should begin their ACT and/or SAT testing as soon as possible so that they have time to complete all of the necessary tests. Students need to register for these tests online.

ACT Registration: www.actstudent.org        SAT Registration: www.collegeboard.com

SOPHOMORES

Work hard 4th quarter to get your GPA as high as possible. It will make a huge difference in your future! 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!

Don’t forget to attend the Kickstart College Fair on April 9th. It is not too early to start the college search process!

FRESHMEN

You are nearing the end of your first year in high school. Work hard to get your GPA as high as possible. It will make a huge difference in your future! If you are struggling in any of your classes, don’t give up! There are options here to help you, including Advisory Tutoring and help before or after school. Remember that asking for help 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. Take on as much rigor as you can. Remember, the hope is you find the right balance!

See your counselor for assistance!

_________________________________________________________________________________

February - Noah Ickes

March - David Dela Cruz

February - Katie Clay

March - Lily Martin

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HILLCREST STUDENT ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

December 2017

Sophomore, Bella Burkhard - Basketball
Bella is a sophomore student-athlete on the girls basketball team. She will be earning her first varsity letter for the team this season. Coach Cheryl Rye said, "In Bella's first year on varsity she is already making an impact. She is a determined athlete who has a tremendous work ethic. Bella is a tough young lady who doesn't back down against stronger and bigger opponents. She embraces her role on our team as a one of the first players off the bench and is always positive in her demeanor. Bella is extremely respectful and is a true reflection of the characteristics that our program strives for. This undoubtedly translates into the classroom as well." Bella is also a member of the girls soccer team, where she earned a varsity letter this past fall season and helped advance the Wolverines to the OHSAA District Semi Finals. Off the basketball court, she has recently earned a 3.6 GPA in the second grading period. Although she is still considered an underclassman, she intends on furthering her education in college, studying medicine. Bella enjoys fashion, art, basketball, soccer and working at children's camps.

Senior, Andres Lujan-Salas - Swimming
Andres is a senior student-athlete on the swim team. He will be earning his third varsity letter for the team this season. Andres is one of the team captains. Coach Debbie Diadiun said, "Andres has had a strong work ethic on our team for the last three years and has shown a great deal of improvement in his times and technique. He has worked diligently to juggle work, athletics, and academics. He was the most improved member of the team in the month of December, improving his personal best times by almost half-a-minute in this month, alone. He is well-liked and a great supporter of his teammates." Andres had a great start to the school year academically, earning a 3.6 GPA in his first grading period. He plans on continuing his education and studying in the field of Arts & Photography at Akron University. Andres enjoys taking photos of nature, watching sports, and, of course, swimming!

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Seniors and Senior Parents

A Senior mailing will be sent home during the first week of March. This mailing includes important information about prom and graduation, forms, and dates. Please look for the Graduation Participation Agreement, as this form is due back to homeroom teachers by Friday, March 23rd. If your student does not have a homeroom, he/she may turn it in to Mrs. Talty or Mr. Shiban. Caps and gowns have been ordered, but a few students still have not made these arrangements. Please go to jostens.com to place your order today if you have not already done so. Thank you!  Click here for the Graduation Participation Agreement

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Yearbook 2018

Myth: It's too late to order a yearbook.

Fact: It is never too late to order a yearbook, but ordering now saves you money and guarantees you'll receive a copy. Once the books are delivered in May, extra copies are sold on a first come-first served basis. Act now and thank you for supporting our hard working yearbook staff!  Click here for an order form.

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West Geauga Educational Foundation
Funding New, Innovative Ways of Teaching and Learning for more than 30 Years

The West Geauga Educational Foundation (WGEF) is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that provides funds to enable new and innovative ways of teaching and learning in the West Geauga school system. Funds for new ideas and programs aren’t always available within public school budgets, and that's where WGEF provides support. Each year the foundation reviews applications from teachers, administrators, students and parents, and then chooses programs to fund that will enrich and enhance educational experiences for our students.

For more than 30 years, WGEF has funded more than $500,000 to support educational programs that school budgets couldn't otherwise afford. WGEF also holds fundraisers and events throughout the school year to assist students and enrich education.

Grants Funded by WGEF This Year
WGEF requests teachers, parents and students to submit grants for programs they would like to see implemented and need funding assistance for. Twice per year, those interested submit detailed grants and present their programs to the WGEF board and members. The board then chooses which programs to fund based on criteria such as how many students will be impacted, the program costs, etc. We have funded two programs submitted in the fall of 2017, and will be hosting grant presentations later this month for our spring grants. Find out more about the most recent programs we funded below.

“Complete and Total” – Geauga Lyric Theater Play Presented to WGHS Students
Alcohol and drug use by middle and high school students continues to be a major problem in society today. The goal of student education about alcohol and drugs is always abstinence and being 100% drug free. West Geauga and other schools devote part of their curriculum, encourage drug free groups, and provide programming and presentations to identify and explain the dangers and risks of underage drinking and drug use for students.

Last fall, Linda Miller, MSSA, LSW, found a creative way to engage students about the dangers of alcohol and drug use to students, linking a local theater production about substance abuse directly to West Geauga HS students at the school.

The Geauga Lyric Theater Guild presented “Complete and Total,” an original play by local playwright Greg Vovos, about a high school senior with bright prospects who painfully slides into addiction, impacting his future and family. The play was presented eight times during school along with an evening performance for parents and community members. After each performance, groups of students returned to their classrooms to discuss the play with licensed professionals to help develop healthy options like resistance, decision making and refusal skills, and improve self-confidence. The social workers and prevention counselors were also available to talk with students individually and direct them to resources that could help.

WGEF was proud to fund this unique program, providing students with a look at student addiction, helping to raise awareness, and recognizing pitfalls to avoid becoming part of the alcohol and drug abuse epidemic.

Elementary Robotics and Coding 

STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, is an educational model designed to educate students in these four subject areas, while practicing problem solving skills. Encouraging students to explore STEM-related concepts at an early age will help them develop a passion for these disciplines. Heather Howell, a teacher at Lindsey Elementary, was hired this year to create and implement a new STEM program for all West Geauga Elementary students at both Lindsey and Westwood Elementary.

Heather developed a robotics and coding program to bring interest, engagement, and knowledge to STEM learning, providing a basic robotics program to students to spark their interest in computer science, technology and problem solving. Her intent is for K-5 students to apply their block coding knowledge to a robot to make it perform a certain task, like navigating a maze, turning in a circle, or moving to a specific sight word.

The program allows students to become hands-on roboticists at an early age, applying block knowledge coding from a previous STEM class to make robots come to life. Students program and modify their robot’s actions to complete a challenge or solve a problem. The robots can be differentiated for each grade and ability level, extending learning levels from grade to grade, giving more complex tasks to older grades and more simplified tasks to the younger grades. 

The program required iPads and a classroom set of robots and accessories. The Dash and Dot robots come with a pre-made curriculum and challenges, which the older students will be able to immediately dive into. Each grade level has different goals for their robot and will use a variety of classroom and academic resources to learn with.

The students are extremely enthusiastic about the new STEM class and are learning many new concepts within science, technology, engineering, math and computer science that will prepare them for their future endeavors. By funding this robotics grant, all K-5 students will be able to add coding and robotics to their list of skills.

WGEF was proud to fund the Elementary Robotics and Coding program, giving young students hands-on experience with robots, how to program them to execute basic tasks, and expanding on West Geauga schools’ STEM curriculum.

Join Us!
We are always seeking fresh ideas and welcome educators and parents to join WGEF. We invite you to attend a meeting to find out more about us. Please see the meeting schedule below for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year.

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
March 21	7:30 PM	Middle School Community Room
April 18	7:30 PM	High School Library
May 16	7:30 PM	Middle School Community Room

Whenever you join, donate or attend a WGEF fundraiser, you become a key player in enriching education at West Geauga Schools.

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