August/September/October 2019

From the Principal

Greetings, West Geauga parents and students!

August is here and it is nice to see so many of our students on campus. With students involved in band and athletic, we have over half of our students utilizing the school facilities. I look forward to having all of our students in the halls on August 20th when I can hear about everyone's summer experiences.

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 a student into their organization. Get involved!

Along with involvement, it is important for students 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, 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 2019-2020 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 

Dear West Geauga Community,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and looking forward to a great 2019-2020 school year! Personally, I’m excited about this upcoming year as I return to the High School where I started my career 16 years ago as a mathematics teacher.  For the past 6 years, I have been the Assistant Principal at the Middle School and look forward to reconnecting with former students and families I have interacted with over the years. 

As we approach the new school year, here are a couple of reminders:

Enjoy your time at West Geauga High School – We have a wonderful school system that offers a variety of programs and extracurricular activities, please take advantage of these opportunities. Additionally, enjoy reuniting with old friends, as well as forming new relationships during the school year. 

Attendance – The first period starts at 7:25 am.  Regardless of your mode of transportation, please allocate enough time in the mornings to arrive on time.  Doors open at 7 am.  If a student needs to be called in absent, the attendance line is 440-729-5951. 

Social Media – There are many social media platforms students use to communicate.  However, we often see and hear about the negative sides of social media.  Please make it a point to have family discussions that address tough topics such as harassment, bullying, threats, etc., as well as the negative repercussions that result in these types of posts. 

Vaping – Whether we want to admit it or not, vaping has become extremely popular among our youth.  West Geauga Local Schools have a zero-tolerance of vapes as well as any other type of tobacco products, drugs, and alcohol.  Violators will be held accountable according to the West Geauga High School Code of Conduct. 

Code of Conduct – Please review the Student Code of Conduct which can be found in our Parent/Student Handbook via the High School home page. 

Enjoy the rest of the summer and we will see you soon!

Sincerely,

Shawn Krippel

Assistant Principal

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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 2019 -2020 School year

This year a new law, ‘Alianna Alert’ went into effect mandating schools call parents/guardians of absent students within 2 hours of the start of the school day.  We are asking you to assist us by calling our absence line each day your child will be out of school no later than 7:25am. When calling your student in absent please make sure to leave detailed information about your child’s absence on the confidential absence line 440-729-5951. Thank you for your assistance.

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. Tardy arrivals to school will result in suspension points being issued. In addition, every minute of missed class is reflected in each student’s school attendance record.

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 or online under the forms link.

Medical Excuses

 If your child is missing school for medical reasons, please provide a note from the doctor and turn in to the attendance office as soon as the student returns to school. No absence can be marked as a medical excuse without proper documentation. 

Opening Day paperwork - OneView

Opening Day Paperwork can be found online with OneView again this year.  If you completed your forms online last year all you will need to do is, verify that the information we have is correct and make any necessary changes.  An informational letter with instructions was sent home for new students before school started. If you have any questions or did not receive the letter in the mail, please call the office and we will be happy to assist you. We are asking that all accounts be updated no later than Friday, August 30, 2019. 

Thank you and have a great 2019-2020 school year!

Mrs. Poelking

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Sam Adkins - Athletic Trainer
Erin Gray - Math Teacher
Leah Kirkpatrick - School Psychologist
Shawn Krippel - Assistant Principal

Alyssa Lunka - Geauga Achieve Teacher

Suzie Ramos -Classroom Aide

Ben Stehura - Athletic Director

Tracy Suba -  Administrative Assistant

Qian Wu - Chinese Teacher

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Class of 2020- your senior and baby pics must be submitted to the YB  office by 09/20/19. Specs and submission info can be found by clicking the yearbook tab.  Grad ad and "early-bird" yearbook order forms are located there also. Please email year.book@westg.org with any questions.  

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West Geauga Online Forms

A couple of years ago, we introduced an online form system called OneView. Instead of the paper forms, we sent out a code to allow you to create your own account. The advantage of this system is that it will save certain data to speed up the process this each year.

If you are new or returning to our district, you received a separate welcome letter accompany this with information on how to create your account for the first time. If you have any issues creating this account, please let your school building know and we will work to quickly resolve this. We are here to help.

If you filled out the forms last year, your account is the same. If you forgot your password or account information, the OneView website can guide you through recovering it. If you forgot your password, click “lost password.” If you forgot your username, click “forgot credentials” to the right. It will guide you through the process of recovering this information.

Please click here to fill out forms.

We hope this helps ease you through the process. Please submit your forms by August 30, 2019. Your school needs this information in place, as it makes sure we have the correct medical, contact information, field trip, legal, and media release preferences.

Thank you,

West Geauga Local Schools

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W.G.H.S. School Counseling News                    August 2019

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year.  We have a new Administrative Assistant!  Lisa Porter has moved from the main office to the counseling office.   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. Lisa Porter (Assistant)    (440) 729-5962   lisa.porter@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  on Monday, September 16th during the school day and their parents on Wednesday, September 18  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 Naviance account!

Financial Aid Night:

Parents, please take the opportunity to meet with our LEAF advisor, Tessa Dicker and learn about the Financial Aid process on Wednesday, September 25th at 7 pm in Room 124.

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 9^th, 10^th, & 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 high school.  Do not forget that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness!

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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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Athletic Boosters

Please click here or on the above tab to find out any information about the West Geauga Athletic Boosters.

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May/June 2019

From the Principal...

It is hard to believe that in less than one month we will be graduating our senior class. The Class of 2019 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 6th at Severance Hall in Cleveland. Detailed below is some parting advice for the class of 2019 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 June 3rd at 7:30 a.m. for cap and gown distribution. Seniors are not to be in any other part of the building on June 3rd. Underclass students must pay outstanding obligations prior to receiving their final report card. 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.

2019-2020 Parking Applications Available Online

2019-2020 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 at the beginning of June. 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 12 through August 19 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and $30 will be due when the permits are picked up. Please make checks out to West Geauga Board of Education (WGBOE) and please put the student’s graduating class in the memo (i.e. 2020)

Students will 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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Attendance Office Reminders as we close out the year...

This year we have really seen the full effects of House Bill 410 and the new state-mandated attendance laws. In addition, we just recently started navigating the new ‘Alianna Alert’ that has gone in to effect. As a reminder parents and guardians are responsible for calling their students in absent every day before school starts at 7:25 a.m. Notes for early dismissal should be turned in to the attendance office the day before your child needs to leave early whenever possible. We are experiencing a large number of last-minute phone calls with the warmer weather and the testing that is going on. If your student is telling you there is “nothing going on” for the rest of the day after a test I encourage you to reach out to their teachers to verify. In many cases, this simply is not true and students are missing out on important information. 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 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 please give me a call at 440-729-5958. Have a fun and safe summer!

Mrs. Poelking

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West Geauga School Counseling News                                          May/June 2019

SENIORS

CONGRATULATIONS! We’ll see you at graduation!

Decision Day/West Geauga Survey 2019:
On May 1st 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 his/her Naviance account and complete the West Geauga Survey 2019. This information will allow us to send final transcripts to the schools 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 729-5947. There are brochures available in the counseling office, too. Area schools may have traditional classroom summer programs. If our office receives information about the programs, we will make it available. There are also other online providers that offer credit recovery programs. Information on those 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 17th and Ms. Sargent, school counselor’s administrative assistant, will be working through June 28th.
Beginning of 2019-2020 School Year - Ms. Sargent will return to at a date TBD and the counselors will return August 9th.

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 admissions 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 2019-2020 school year at commonapp.org. 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. App Day (an essay writing workshop) is set for Monday, August 19th in the cafeteria. 

Naviance:

The 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-K         729-5963                   david.callahan@westg.org

Sarah Widman          Students with last names L-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 2018-2019 school year.

Freshmen (September)
Began Naviance resume.
Completed Naviance Career Interest Profiler, browsed several suggested career fields, and completed in-depth study of one career field.
Browsed Naviance Careers tab and Colleges tab.

Sophomores (November)
Updated Naviance resume.
Revisited Naviance Career Interest Profiler.
Explored Do What You Are and Roadtrip Nation.
Discussed Naviance Colleges tab.

Juniors (February)
Updated Naviance resume.
Completed Strengths Explorer.
Completed Naviance SuperMatch College Search.
Added 2- and 4-year colleges to Favorites list.
Explored college tab.
Explored Brag Sheets.

Seniors (August)
Updated Naviance resume.
Worked on Brag Sheets and Senior Survey.
Completed Naviance Colleges tab activities, especially SuperMatch College Search.
Added 2- and 4-year colleges to Favorites list.
Explored college tab.

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

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 April -  Marcie Baker

 May -  Antonio Linek

April - Gabe Phan

May -  Lauren Ralph

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Hillcrest Insurance Student-Athletes of the Month

April 2019

Junior, Torrie Gall - Softball

Junior Torrie Gall is a 3.9 student in honors courses and takes her academics seriously. Torrie is a two-time all-CVC softball player but also a 2018 all-News Herald player. Torrie is a great teammate, team leader, and player who takes the game of softball very seriously. She plans to play softball in college and study nursing.

Senior, Jon Rash - Tennis

Jon had a successful season playing second singles for the Boys Tennis team this year. He is currently 12-2, including 6-0 in the CVC. Over the past two seasons, his overall individual record is 30-3. He earned First Team all-CVC last season and is the heavy favorite to repeat that honor this season. This will be Jon's fourth varsity letter for tennis, and he is also a member of the marching band. He plans to study Political Science at the University of Akron in the Fall.

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Graduation: June 6th, 2019

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR SENIORS – Monday, June 3rd. 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 6th, 2019, Severance Hall, 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 six graduation tickets plus any additional requested 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 six tickets, please return the extras to Mrs. Talty. Thank you!

B R E A K F A S T  a n d  R E H E A R S A L - On Thursday, June 6th, all seniors will meet in the main gym at West Geauga High School at 7:45 A.M. Do Not Be Late! You will be checked in, please be patient!  We then board a bus to Mayfield Church for breakfast. When breakfast is over, we will travel by bus downtown to Severance Hall to begin rehearsal. We will return from rehearsal to West Geauga High School around 1:00 p.m.

GRADUATION CEREMONY - Be at the high school by 4:30 p.m. We will take buses once again to Severance Hall. The ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 p.m.

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 - dress or skirt which does not hang below the robe and shoes or sandals, but NO FLIP FLOPS and NO STILETTOS!! Be sure you can walk down a set of 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 - https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/plan-your-visit/directions--parking/parking-at-severance-hall/. We recommend parking in the Severance Hall 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 the 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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Looking for Upper School PTO board member for 2019-2020 school year!!

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Spring has arrived and so has the 2019 edition of the Westwind. Books may now be purchased for $80.00 with checks made payable to WGBOE. Click on the yearbook tab for an order form. 

All submitted hard copy pictures (senior, baby or grad ad) will be returned to seniors on the morning of graduation. Look in the large envelope from Guidance for them.

Class of '20 senior and baby pictures will be due mid-September next school year. Options include scheduling a summer appointment with a photographer, taking your own, or attending school picture day on September 12th.

March/April 2019

From the Principal...

Spring will be here soon! I hope that all of you are enjoying the few days of pleasant temperatures we have experienced in Northeast Ohio. What an exciting time for our students at West Geauga as it is a reminder that spring break and summer are just around the corner!

West Geauga High School is in the final stages of preparing students to take Ohio’s End-of-Course Exams. These exams are part of Ohio’s graduation requirements and additional information on the requirements can be found here. Exams will be given over eight days over a three week period. During the scheduled testing days, all students in 9th grade English, 10th grade English, Algebra I, Geometry, U.S. History, Biology, 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 15 - English 9, English 10 (Part 1)

Tuesday, April 16 - English 9, English 10 (Part 2)

Wednesday, April 17 - U.S. History, Government (Part 1) 

Thursday, April 18 - U.S. History, Government -( Part 2) 

Thursday, April 25 - Biology (Part 1) 

Friday, April 26 -Biology (Part 2)

Monday, April 29 - Algebra I, Geometry (Part 1)

Tuesday, April 30 - Algebra I, Geometry (Part 2)

The bell schedule for the Ohio’s end-of-course exam days will be as follows:

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)

I want to make you aware of the Ohio Department of Education’s web site: (http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing). Clicking on the Ohio’s State Test Portal will provide you with practice tests and test information for you and your child. 

Also, students can go to www.westg.org and log on to our high school website. On the front page of our site, students can click on this link: Student End-of Course Review. This link will take them to a test review site.

To help your child give his/her best effort, please make sure he/she gets a good night’s sleep the night before the actual test and eats breakfast!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you have or for any additional information. You can also contact your child’s guidance counselor.

Sincerely,

Jay C. Bishop

Principal

West Geauga High School

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From the Assistant Principal...

I would like to take this time 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 in 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 to comply with our Code of Conduct and Dress Code as outlined in the 2018-19 Parent-Student Handbook. Saturday School will be open on a bi-weekly basis until June 8th.

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 get involved in your child's life. 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.

Sometimes students need the language to help themselves stay away from risky situations. Here are some lines they can use.

• “I like you, but I don’t like alcohol.”
• “I’d get kicked off the team if I was caught around alcohol.”
• “It makes me uncomfortable to be around alcohol.”
• “I’d be happy to help you (go to a teacher, parent or coach), but I can’t be around you when you use alcohol.”
• “My dad (or mom, grandmother, etc.) would kill me if they knew I was around alcohol.”
• “No, thanks. It’s not for me.”
• “Why would I want to mess up a good thing? I am cool the way I am.”
• “You’re kidding, right? Why would I do something so dumb?”
• “No way man, alcohol is stupid.”
• “I can’t use alcohol. I have a big game (or test) tomorrow.”
• “I tried drinking once and I threw up.”
• “That’s illegal. I don’t want to get in trouble (have my license taken away, get kicked out of school, ruin my chance for a scholarship, etc..)”

Role play different situations with your student:

Pretend you are at a party and someone offers you alcohol. What would you say?

Pretend you are at a party and someone who you know has been drinking offers you a ride home. What would you do? Who could you call?

Pretend you are at a party and friend of yours has passed out and you cannot wake them up. What would you do? Who could you call?
Adapted from: The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's Behavior Change Expert Panel

Here are some end-of-the-year important procedures for students and parents:

Attendance: 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 the May newsletter.

Parking Permits: 2019-20 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. More information will follow in upcoming newsletters.

Fees/Fines: All school fees/fines must be paid in full before seniors can pick up their cap and gown.

Senior Final Exams: Senior final exams will be scheduled from May 28-May 31.

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West G Hosts Dyslexia Information Event for Parents

On March 14 from 7 - 8 pm, West Geauga Schools will host a Dyslexia Information Night at the WG Board of Education Office for parents. Jackie Hersh, Middle School Special Education Department Chair and an expert in Assistive Technology; Meagan Bellan, School Psychologist at WGHS and Westwood Elementary School; and Amy Davis, Director of Pupil Personnel, will present and lead discussions.

The evening will include general information about dyslexia and a simulation of how dyslexia feels to the person affected. The meeting will also present an overview of updated resources and supports that the West Geauga School District is making available to students with dyslexia.

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February - Vince Pasquale

March - Brandon Preda

February - Julia Teeter

March - Lauren Brooks

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West Geauga School Counseling News                              March/April 2019

FOR ALL STUDENTS

The 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, 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
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. Afterward, students will 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 log in 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 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, 2019. 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 8th. The Keynote speaker is Stefanie Niles, Vice President of Enrollment and Communication at Ohio Wesleyan University and President of National Association of Admission Counseling (NACAC). She 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 your own backyard!

CCP (College Credit Plus):

If you are interested in CCP, we hope you were able to attend the meeting held on January 23rd. The PowerPoint presentation from that night is on the Guidance website. 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.

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!

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 Wednesday, May 1st. 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. 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 8:00-2:15 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. All of the LEAF services are 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 22nd and explained the steps that are needed to start the college process. We encourage your son and 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 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 20th. 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 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.

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! 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 8th. 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. 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.

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Hillcrest Student-Athletes of the Month

January 2019

Senior, Kylie Czikray - Cheerleading

Alison Nicely, the assistant cheerleading coach said, "Kylie has been cheering for basketball since the eighth grade. She has worked hard to improve herself and the cheer squad. When you watch Kylie cheer, she always has a huge smile on her face. You can see that she truly loves cheering!”

Kylie will earn her second Varsity letter this year to add to the two Varsity letters she already earned as a Varsity football cheerleader. Not only does she work hard as a cheerleader, but she is also a hardworking student. For basketball cheer, she will earn a CVC All Academic Team Award as she did as a football cheerleader.

Senior, Solomon Troychansky - Wrestling

Solomon is a Senior on the wrestling team and team captain. He has had an exceptional senior year where he placed second in the conference tournament narrowly losing a decision in the final. Solomon has been a consistent leader and performer on the wrestling team this year.

December 2018

Senior, Lindsey Kulp - Swimming

Lindsey, Co-Captain of the Swim Team, is not only heavily involved in her sport but in
student life as well. Carrying a 4.47 academic average, Kulp is a member of the National
Honor Society, President of the Senior Class and has earned three letters in swimming as
well as letters in gymnastics, track and as a Wolverette.

Sophomore, Josh Irwin - Basketball

Josh is a two year starter for the West G Boys Varsity Basketball Team.  Coach Javorek said, “Last season he was selected as the CVC MVP as a freshman, which was the first time it’s ever been done in the Chagrin Valley Conference.” Josh plans to play college basketball and has received verbal offers from Bowling Green and Miami University (Ohio).

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Seniors and senior parents: in March, please look for a letter sent home in the mail. The letter will include important information about prom, after prom, graduation, and other information for the class of 2019. ALL SENIORS will have to return the signed graduation participation agreement by Friday, March 22nd. Please contact Mrs. Talty or Mr. Shiban if you have any questions. Additionally, if you have not yet ordered a cap and gown, please do so immediately by going to jostens.com. ALL STUDENTS will wear NAVY caps and gowns this year.

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Good Times!!!! Yearbooks will be distributed at the beginning of May. Order your student's yearbook now and save as the price increases as of May 1st.  Click here for an order form.
All submitted hard copy pictures will be returned to seniors the morning of graduation.

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WGEF had 3 grant request sessions this year in November, December and February with over $22,000 being awarded to the following innovative programs: 

IXL Interactive Learning Tool: All Schools

Google Expeditions Virtual Field Trips: Westwood & Lindsey

Aquaponics: High School 

21st Century Classroom: Lindsey

January/February 2019

**Second quarter grades have been published to parent and student Infinite Campus accounts**

From the Principal...

Dear High School Families;

Happy New Year to all of you. I hope you enjoyed time with friends and family over the break while finding a moment to relax.

One of my goals as West Geauga High School principal is to eliminate barriers that exist to accessing the many academic, social and athletic opportunities for our students. Ideally, we would like students to come to school with their minds focused on giving their best. We realize this can be difficult with the daily life and distractions commonly associated with being a teenager. In prior newsletters and parent meetings, I have discussed ways to reduce or eliminate these distractions that include, but are not limited to, bullying and harassment, school safety and healthy living.

It is important to make you aware of a recent nicotine trend among teenagers. Fortunately, cigarette smoking among teenagers has declined in the past several years. Unfortunately, another habit is being developed by many teenagers across the country. This trend is called vaping or “Juuling”. Vaping or Juuling is a method of delivering nicotine using an electronic device. Many parents and students believe these are harmless devices and users are only inhaling water molecules. Instead, what is inhaled typically includes large amounts of addictive nicotine and other chemicals.

Vaping devices are hard to detect by someone not familiar them. They are easily hidden and used in homes and schools. Many of them look like a USB drive and emit little or no odor, unlike cigarettes. In fact, many of the chemicals used are flavored and emit a pleasant smell. Side effects from using the products include difficulty learning and memorizing, lack of focus, and irritability. 

Most students are aware of these devices and many know how to use them. Please take time to have an open conversation with your child about vaping and Juuling and discourage them from using these highly addictive products. For more information, please click on the links below.

Smokefree.gov
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
TheTruth.com
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The U.S. Surgeon General

Thank you,

Jay Bishop

Jay.Bishop@westg.org

@WestGHigh

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A Message from the Assistant Principal. . . .

Happy New Year! I wish everyone the best in 2019

The second semester began on Monday, January 7th. Some students will have schedule changes due to semester classes. There are still some parking permits available for this year. Permits are offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors and can be purchased in the school’s main office. A permit is required to park on school property. Students who are in violation of this rule may be subject to disciplinary consequences. Parents are urged to make sure your children are in compliance with all school parking regulations, especially the following:

• All students must use the south entrance off of Chillicothe to enter the high school parking lot.
• Students are not to use the north entrance or drive through the middle school lot. 
• The gates behind the school (in front of Howell Field) are opened every winter to accommodate the trucks during snow removal. For the safety of our students, this drive is not to be used by students at any time. Suspension of driving privileges will be the consequence for violators.

Winter weather is upon us. Students are cautioned to be extremely careful driving in these hazardous conditions. For many students, this may be their first winter driving experience. Leave home earlier and drive slower. It may be advisable to take the bus when the conditions are unsafe.

As we enter the new year, I wanted to take this time to remind parents to monitor their child’s use of technology. According to a recent study, 68% of all teens between the ages of 12-17 have downloaded apps to their personal cell phones. Apps have become the new way for teens to engage in at-risk behavior (sexting, bullying, etc.). Below is a list of apps that are currently being used to engage in these behaviors:

1. Snapchat. Snapchat allows users to send images and videos to their friends. Senders can place a time limit on how long the receiver can view the image or video. The contents of the “snap” are erased from 1-10 seconds based upon the time limit set by the users. Students like Snapchat because of the simplicity and speed. It sends photos and videos much faster than standard text messages. Snapchat is the number one app students use for sexting. Teens send nude snaps to other student under the impression that the image will be erased. However, there are countless ways for the receiver of the image to save it. Forensic experts have stated the snaps can easily be recovered, thus, are never truly deleted from the receiver's phone.
2. The Whisper App. This app allows users to superimpose text over a picture. The users are anonymous thus allowing for secrets to be posted. This allows users to share feelings and emotions over simple pictures. Teens have started using the app for cyberbullying. Due to the anonymous features of the app, teens are posting pictures of other teens with derogatory text superimposed on the image.
3. Ask.Fm. This is a question and answer site that allows users to ask anonymous questions. Ask.Fm has Twitter and Facebook integration that allows users to connect with all their friends on those popular sites. Due to intense bullying, Ask.Fm has led to 4 documented cases of suicide in the United States. Users engage in cyberbullying by constantly asking inappropriate and derogatory questions. The app is totally anonymous and is not being monitored by the developers.

The key for parents is to monitor downloaded apps on your child’s phone. Google the app to learn if they are dangerous or inappropriate. Gather all of your child’s passwords and usernames for monitoring purposes. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Sincerely,

Ron Dahlhofer

Assistant Principal

ron.dahlhofer@westg.org

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The date for 2019 graduation has been changed to Thursday, June 6th and will be held at Severance Hall.

The ACT will be given in school to all Juniors on Wednesday, February 20th.

End-of-Course Testing will be as follows:

Monday, April 15th - English 9, English 10 (Part I)

Tuesday, April 16th - English 9, English 10 (Part II)

Wednesday, April 17th - American History; Government (Part I)

Thursday, April 18th - American History; Government (Part II)

Thursday, April 25th - Biology (Part I) 

Friday, April 26th - Biology (Part II)

Monday, April 29th - Algebra I, Geometry (Part I)

Tuesday, April 30th - Algebra I, Geometry (Part II)

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November - Stephen Javorek

December - Richard Kirk

January - Ellie Benedict

November - Mackenzie Hanford

December - Lindsey Kulp

January - Matthew Stewart

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Happy New Year from the Attendance Office!

I hope everyone is refreshed and ready to tackle the second half of the year after a wonderful winter break. 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 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. 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.

Thank you and have a great second semester!

Mrs. Poelking

@WGHS_Attendance 

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West Geauga High School Counseling News                                          January/February 2019

ALL STUDENTS

The counselors would like to give students three simple suggestions to help make your life experiences the best they can be while you are at West Geauga High School:

1. Invest time in your academic studies; there will be a return on your investment!
2. Find ways to create balance in your life; find time to do an activity that you enjoy!
3. When you are faced with a problem, try to find a solution. If you struggle with the problem, find someone to help you develop a solution.

Naviance:

The Naviance website has valuable information regarding college planning, scholarships, and careers. You can visit the website at www.westg.org. and click on high school, then guidance. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the counseling office.

College Credit Plus (CCP):
The CCP Information Meeting is January 23rd at 7 pm in Room 124. A presentation about CCP’s procedures and application guidelines will be presented. A very important document called the “CCP Intent Form” MUST be returned by April 1st. If this deadline is not met your son/daughter is not eligible to participate in this program.

SAVE THE DATE--Kickstart College Fair:
All students are invited to the Kickstart College Fair. The fair will take place at YOUR school on Monday, April 8, 2019. At 6:00 pm there will be a guest speaker. This year the speaker will be Stefanie D. Niles, Ed.D. She is the Vice President for Enrollment and Communications at Ohio Wesleyan University and the President of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). The fair will be from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. This fair will be a great opportunity to explore schools and meet admissions counselors. Please mark your calendar and plan on attending!

SENIORS
If you are not sure about your post-graduation plans please stop in our office for assistance. We have resources in the counseling office where you can get information on colleges, apprenticeships, and military. The door is always open. Please remember to check your college deadlines, follow the application submission procedures, and check Naviance for updates!

Do not forget that schools will require a final transcript at the end of your senior year. Do your best throughout your whole senior year to earn the best grades possible. The finish line is close!

Continue to make good choices...you all have a bright future ahead of you!

Mid-Year Reports:
Some of you applied to schools that require a mid-year report. If you are unsure what your colleges require, you need to go online and check. Please communicate directly with your counselor if you need a mid-year report as soon as possible.

Scholarships:
Information on scholarships that our office receives can be found in two places. There are hard copy materials in the scholarship rack in the counseling office. Also, please check Naviance. Scholarship information can be found in the Colleges section of your account. Make sure you take advantage of any opportunity to find dollars to help fund your education.

Financial Aid:
Mrs. Tessa Dicker, our LEAF Financial Aid Advisor, works in WGHS one day per week throughout the year. She will be at our school on Thursdays in the second semester. Students and parents may request an appointment with Mrs. Dicker by contacting her at 729-5922, extension 4164 or by emailing her at tdicker@leaf-ohio.org. All of the financial aid services provided by LEAF are at no charge to our families.

JUNIORS
It is time for us to start working with you on your post-graduate planning and college selection process. Please plan for the following activities listed below:

Junior Student Meetings:
During Government classes on Friday, February 22nd

College Visits:
If you have the opportunity try to get on the campuses of the schools you have interest in. Make sure it is an official visit by registering online or calling the admissions office. Showing interest in a school is important.

ACT:
As part of the State of Ohio graduation requirements, all current juniors will participate in the administration of the ACT on Tuesday, February 20, 2019. Testing will begin at 7:30 am and last approximately 4 hours. Test sections will include English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. Students will not complete a writing section.

During the pre-administration session, students will have the opportunity to select four colleges/universities to receive their ACT scores (free of charge). Students are required to bring a photo id, pencils, and a calculator. Students are not permitted to possess or access a cell phone at any time during test administration or during the break. Additional details will be shared closer to the test date.

Students can prepare for the ACT by visiting the following website: https://academy.act.org/ The ACT Academy can be very helpful as you prepare for this test!

If Juniors wish to take the ACT a second time or take the SAT, the registration process is online. It is a good practice to have students take both exams, and then repeat at least one in order to improve their scores. Students who are planning to apply to selective colleges that require SAT subject tests should make sure they register for tests by the end of the school year. Students must register for these tests online.

ACT Registration www.actstudent.org

SAT Registration www.collegeboard.com

Please see your school counselor for additional information. 

SOPHOMORES
It is really time to explore what you want to do next year. There are many opportunities to consider, like the various levels of West G courses you choose to take that include Advanced Placement, College Credit Plus (CCP) and Excel TECC. We will be meeting with you about course scheduling during your Advisory period or Study Hall. Please see below for more information about Excel TECC.

Excel TECC:

February 5 – Students accepted to Excel TECC programs are notified via USPS.

February 21 – Students need to accept or decline their offers to be in Excel TECC programs.

PSAT:
Students should have received an email from CollegeBoard with instruction on how to retrieve PSAT scores for the test that was administered in October. If you did not create a CollegeBoard account prior to this test, you are encouraged to start one and have it connected to Khan Academy. See you school counselor if you need assistance.

FRESHMEN
If you are struggling in any of your classes, don’t give up and think that there is no hope. Ask for help! It is a sign of strength, not weakness. The counselors suggest speaking directly with your teacher if you are having difficulty. Be prepared to ask specific questions. See your counselor for assistance. Our doors are always open! During your Advisory Periods in February, we will be meeting with you to discuss your scheduling options for next year.

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:              Assistant                                            729-5962               michelle.sargent@westg.org

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HILLCREST STUDENT ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

October 2018

Senior, Alyssa Ranallo - Volleyball

Coach Amber Baker stated that Alyssa won the Most Improved Award this season based on her hard work, dedication and the respectful way she approached the game of volleyball. She will be missed as a player and teammate.

Alyssa was a Varsity letter recipient on the volleyball team this past season while also earning an All-CVC Academic award. She has been on the Honor Roll each year and also on the Dean’s List at Lakeland Community College. Alyssa plans to attend college with interests in fashion, criminology or the medical field.

Senior, Mo Aidja - Soccer
Coach Mario Gerhardt stated that Mo was role model for all West Geauga students both in the classroom and on the soccer field, Mo’s golden goal against NDCL secured the District Championship for the Wolverines, the first in soccer since 2004. Mo indicated that he plans to attend college and major in the field of Biology. His interests include swimming, traveling and playing soccer.

Mo is a three-year letter winner in soccer. His 2018 postseason honors include All-Ohio Academic, All-CVC Academic, 1st Team CVC, 2nd Team Greater Cleveland (Division 2). With 15 goals, 13 assists and 43 points he was West G’s leading scorer both in goals and in points.

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The Class of 2019's Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 6th, at 7:00 PM at Severance Hall. Each student will receive 6 free general admission tickets. Please contact Chelsea Talty at chelsea.talty@westg.org if you are interested in purchasing additional tickets or reserved seating. Additionally, cap and gown ordering have already taken place. If your student has yet to buy a cap and gown package, please visit jostens.com and place your order as soon as possible. All students will wear navy blue caps and gowns. If a student is planning on borrowing a cap or gown, please let Mrs. Talty know.

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Upper School PTO meeting, Wednesday, January 16th, 7:00-8:00 pm at Middle School Library

Looking for PTO board members: treasurer and secretary

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WGEF completed their first grant review of the year in December. WGEF funded over $14,000 total for 3 innovative grants: 'Google Expeditions Virtual Field Trips' presented by Anna Laubscher and Jilene Urbanek for use at both Westwood and Lindsey, 'Aquaponics' (food production, sustainability & population concepts) presented by Mike Sustin for the High School and '21st Century Classroom' (modified and adaptable classroom learning options) presented by Angela Wyatt for use at Lindsey. Over $7,400 is available for additional grants. Deadline for February Grant Submissions is 2/15/2019. 

ACT Practice Test Session is Saturday, January 19th 8:00AM at WGHS Room 124. Please visit www.wgef.org for more information.

WGEF's 30th Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast at McDonald's in Chesterland was a fun and tasty success serving many community, family and district members! 

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