January/February 2018

Dear West Geauga Families:

Happy New Year to all of you! I hope you enjoyed time with friends and family over the break.

This past fall, West Geauga High School was proud to introduce a speaker series to all of the students during the scheduled advisory periods. The purpose of the speaker series is to bring relevant and interesting topics to our student body. It is our hope that information presented to our students can be applied to better students' private and academic lives. In addition, leadership opportunities have been and will continue to be available to our students through this program. Students will have the opportunity to participate on a speaker selection committee. They are also invited to participate through presentations of their own.

During the scheduled advisory periods, students meet as a grade level in our large lecture hall. Tuesday presentations are made to freshmen during advisory A and sophomores during advisory B. Thursday speakers present to seniors and juniors during advisory A and advisory B, respectively. Presentations are tailored to the appropriate grade level and the same presentation may not necessarily be made to the entire student body.

The series began on November 7, 2017 and ran through November 30th. First semester speakers included presentations on philanthropy, organ donation, study skills, sexual assault, dating violence and drug and alcohol awareness. Some of the second semester speaker presentations include topics on interview skills, soft skill development, preparing for life after high school and summer internship opportunities.

West Geauga High School is always looking for guest speakers to present interesting and relevant topics to our students. If you have an idea or know a speaker who will capture students’ interests, please feel free to let me know.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best wishes for a wonderful 2018.

Sincerely,

Jay C. Bishop

jay.bishop@westg.org

(440) 729-5955

@WestGHigh on Twitter

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Happy New Year and welcome back!

Vaping is increasing around the country, and we are seeing this at our school as well. Vaping is the act of using an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) to inhale a substance through a personal vaporizer. The vaporizer, most often called a vape or a Juul, is a device that looks very much like a USB flash-drive, a laser pointer, and/or a fancy pen. These items often fit in your hand, and hold an electronic charge like a battery to make it portable.

While an e-cigarette may not contain tobacco, the inserts (juice) used in this device can contain nicotine, other chemicals, and/or other types of drug-related oils and substances. Vaping releases small amounts of water vapor that are hard to detect and do not linger. The design of the vaporizer  makes it harder for adults to readily recognize what is being held.

Here are some tips to help try to determine if your student may be vaping:

1. Items that appear to fit the description above (flash-drive, laser pointer, etc.).
2. While some are odorless, many inserts have added flavors and scents to enhance the experience and can smell like a fruity or spicy body spray or lotion. 
3. Increased intake of fluids, especially water (additives in the vapor can cause dry-mouth).
4. Decrease in desire for caffeinated beverages (additives in vapor can cause a sensitivity or avoidance of caffeine). 
5. Nosebleeds (vapor can dry out the nasal passages)

Vaping in school or on school property is considered the same as using cigarettes, and the e-cigarette and any items used with them are considered smoking paraphernalia. Our school code of conduct prevents their use in school or at school events, and having them in school is against our code of conduct, also any student found using or in possession of an e-cigarette will receive a three day out-of-school suspension.

Please see the links below for more information about vaping and it’s harmful effects:

https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipSheet_508.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/features/ecigarettes-young-people/index.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/better-cigarettes-vaping-comes-its-own-set-health-risks-ncna819716

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December - Caleb Ramey

January - Eva Mulloy

December - Samantha Heim

January - Maxwell Dayringer

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West Geauga School Counseling News                                      January/February

FOR ALL STUDENTS

The counselors would like to give students three simple suggestions to help make West Geauga High School a better environment to learn in and to allow each individual to capture his/her own success:

1. Be nice to everyone, always.
2. The next task that you are charged with doing, do it the best that you can.
3. Never quit!

Naviance:
The Naviance/Family Connection 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.

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

College Credit Plus (CCP)—
The CCP Information Meeting was January 10th. At the meeting, a presentation about CCP’s procedures and application guidelines were presented. If you missed the meeting, please contact your school counselor for information. A very important document called a “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 9, 2018. At 6:00 pm the guest speaker will be Jimmy Malone, WMJI Radio Personality. 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
There are just a few of you with whom we have not met to discuss your post-graduation plans. If you need assistance, stop by the counseling office where you can get information on colleges and apprenticeships. Check the scholarship rack for opportunities, too! The door is always open. Please remember to check your college deadlines, follow the application submission procedures, and check Family Connection 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 to check. For Common Application schools, your mid-year reports will be submitted online through Family Connection. If, however, any of the colleges to which you applied are NOT Common Application schools, you need to communicate to your counselor that a mid-year report is required 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 Family Connection/Naviance. Scholarship information can be found in the Colleges tab of your account. Make sure you take advantage of any opportunity to find dollars to help fund your education.

Financial Aid:
Mrs. Sandy Hanley, our LEAF Financial Aid Advisor, works in WGHS each Wednesday throughout the school year. Students and parents may request an appointment with Mrs. Hanley by contacting her at 729-5922, extension 4164, or by emailing her at shanley@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 to attend the following activities listed below:

Junior Student Meetings- During Government classes on Thursday, February 15th

ACT:
As part of the State of Ohio graduation requirements, all current juniors will participate in an administration of the ACT on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. 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 i.d., pencils and 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 test date.

Students can prepare for the ACT by visiting the following website: www.act.org/stateanddistrict/examinees

Please see your school counselor for additional information.

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

SOPHOMORES
It is time to really 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 1 – Students accepted to Excel TECC programs are notified via USPS.
February 22 – 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 to retrieve PSAT scores for the test that was administered in October. If you have not created 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.

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Happy New Year from the Attendance Office! 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, online under the forms link, or by clicking here. 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. 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 him/her of this policy.

Opening Day paperwork did not come home this year due to the implementation of OneView. An informational letter with instructions was sent home at the beginning of the year and also over the winter break for those of you who did not complete these forms yet. It is imperative that you take the time to go online and fill out these form as soon as possible. If there is an emergency during the school day that involves your child, we will not be able to provide proper care or get ahold of you without the proper information being completed. In addition, your child may not be included in the 2017-2018 yearbook if you do not grant permission. If you have any questions or did not receive the letter in the mail, please call me and I will help you. We are asking that all accounts be updated as soon as possible.

Thank you and have a great second semester!

Mrs. Poelking

(440) 729-5958

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Senior Internship Packets are available now!  Make sure you get yours as your proposal is due to your faculty advisor by Friday, January 26th!  Click here (or link above) to get your packet!!

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The year is flying by and graduation will be here before you know it! This year our commencement ceremony will be held on Monday, June 4th, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Keybank State Theater at Playhouse Square, Cleveland. Each student will receive 8 tickets to the ceremony. For more pertinent information, please visit the "Seniors" tab at the top of this newsletter or click here.

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There will be a PTO meeting on Wednesday, February 7th in the middle school library.  We are looking for executive board members for next school year.

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Pre-order your yearbook now to reserve and guarantee a copy for your student. Order now and save as the cost increases at the time of delivery!

Senior parents: Limited space is still available to purchase a grad ad for your senior.

All order forms are available under the yearbook tab at the top of this newsletter or click here.

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News from West Geauga Educational Foundation (WGEF)
Funding New, Innovative Ways of Teaching and Learning for more than 30 Years

Another Successful Thanksgiving Breakfast at McDonald’s Fundraiser

Thanks to everyone who came in for breakfast to support WGEF’s 30th annual Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast at McDonald’s in Chesterland. We raised over $1,900 to help fund educational programs for students in the West Geauga school system.

Special thanks to Steve Goden and Caise Rode McHale, co-chairs for this year’s event, all our volunteers and students who took time on Thanksgiving morning to work the breakfast, and to John Powers, McDonald’s Chesterland owner/operator, and his staff for opening their store on a holiday and giving their time and support. A shout-out as well to our business sponsors who bought ads for the breakfast placemats. “Everyone involved should be proud that their efforts helped to raise funds that will go toward supporting innovative and enriching learning experiences for West Geauga students,” said Caise McHale, WGEF President.

 

SAT, PSAT, ACT Practice Tests – Sponsored by WGEF
Did you know your child can practice taking college entry tests in test-like conditions run by Huntington Learning Center? Each practice test includes a follow-up session that will provide you with insight to the exam and additional preparation tips necessary for college entrance. The benefit: your child will learn about the exam format, become comfortable taking the tests and determine what areas he/she needs to work on.

For students in Northeast Ohio, including eastern Cuyahoga County suburbs like Mayfield, Beachwood, Chagrin Falls and Solon and Lake and Geauga Counties, WGEF hosts practice sessions for the SAT and ACT at West Geauga High School. Students from any school can attend.

PRACTICE TEST SCHEDULE

PRACTICE TEST	TEST DATE, TIME AND LOCATION	FOLLOW UP SESSION
ACT Practice Test	Sat. January 13, 2018     8 am – 12 pm West G High School, Room 124	Thu. January 25, 2018, 6 – 8 PM West G High School Library
SAT Practice Test	Sat. April 7, 2018     8 am – 12 pm West G High School, Room 124	Thu. April 19, 2018, 6 – 8 PM West G High School Library

What you need to know

• Practice Tests are held Saturday mornings from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm – see the schedule above
• Tests are in rooms 124 at West Geauga High School, 13401 Chillicothe Road (Route 306), Chesterland, Ohio 44026-3598
• Follow-up sessions are on Thursday nights from 6:00pm in the Library
• The cost is $10 for West Geauga students and $15 for students from other schools

Registration and costs
West Geauga students should register and pay in advance at the high school Guidance office. Payment will be accepted at the door. No one is admitted without payment.

Students from other districts can pay in advance or at the door. The cost is $10 for West Geauga students, $15 for students from other schools.

Checks should be made out to the West Geauga Educational Foundation. We do not accept credit cards.

What to bring

• #2 pencils
• Calculator

For more information
Please contact Theresa Kulp at 216-346-9028 with any questions.

November/December 2017

From the Principal...

Dear High School Families;

It is hard to believe we are already one quarter of the way through the school year. First quarter report cards have been posted to our new Infinite Campus student management system website and we are now three weeks into the second quarter. Since the beginning of the year, students have had the opportunity to use advisory period to get help with course work, 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 teachers 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. Time commitments during 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.

During the month of November, an Advisory Speaker Series was initiated. The purpose of the series is to provide engaging presentations that are relevant to students’ lives. Information learned can be applied to students academic and/or private lives. Topics include philanthropy, study skills, test taking strategies, dating violence prevention and drug and alcohol awareness. It is also my intention to build student leadership opportunities within this program. Students are encouraged to present topics that are interesting and relevant to their peers. Interested students should see me for more details. Please see the school’s calendar for presentations that will be given during the month of November and during the second semester of the school year.

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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Complete and Total comes to West Geauga High School

The play Complete and Total is an original play by a local playwright, Greg Vovos, about the dangers of heroin and drug addiction. It is the story of a high school senior and how his painful slide into addiction impacts him and his family. It follows the student with a bright future ahead of him, but heroin and addiction quickly become his priority. The senior addict believes in his ability to become clean, but it’s not that simple.

The play Complete and Total is scheduled for Thursday, November 16th and performed by youth from the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild. It will be shown during periods 1-4 and 6-8. All high school students will have an opportunity to see it in Room 124 during their social studies class with a short follow up discussion in each social studies classroom. Discussion will be led by social workers, counselors, prevention specialists and other professionals, knowledgeable in the drug and alcohol field.

We invite all parents and community members to attend an evening performance at 7:00 P.M. on November 16th.  A question and answer session will follow the play. We hope you will join us! Click here to see a flyer with additional information.

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The bus lanes for morning drop off are for busses ONLY.

Please drop your student(s) off at the south or west side of the building.

Thank you!

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From the Assistant Principal....

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather. A few quick tips…

• 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 him/her 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 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.
• No hats at school. Hoods are not to be worn while in the building

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Ron Dahlhofer

ron.dahlhofer@westg.org

(440) 729-5957

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September - Nathaniel Bihun

October - John Wenger

November - Mariah Barboza

September - Grace Carter

October - Ayah Ighneim

November - Michael Osters

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WGHS School Counseling News             November/December 2017

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 Family Connection/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 an iPhone, there is an app available. We highly encourage our students to use this resource throughout their high school careers! 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.

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         Secretary                                        729-5962           michelle.sargent@westg.org 

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 12, Sophomores are invited to attend as a field trip. Permission forms will be given to students and available in the counseling office.

Excel TECC Opportunity Night: December 12, 7 pm at Mayfield High School.  Parents of prospective sophomores are encouraged to attend.

CCP Information Night: January 10, 7pm in Room 124.

FOR ALL STUDENTS
The guidance website has valuable information, regarding college planning, scholarships, and many other timely topics. You can visit the website at www.westg.org, click on high school, then guidance. If you have any question or concerns, please call the school counseling office. 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 College App Process 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.

Scholarships: Start looking in Family Connection/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 Family Connection 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. Sandy Hanley, 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. Hanley by contacting her at 729-5922, extension 4164, or email her at shanley@leaf-ohio.org. There is also a sign-in sheet in the Guidance 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. Do not forget to take advantage of the tutoring available during Advisory period. Also, start thinking about what you want to do after high school. A good resource to begin with is Family Connection/Naviance. See your counselor if you forgot your login. Start planning college visits and registering online for the ACT and/or SAT.

When is the last time you logged on to your Family Connection/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 13. Opportunity Day for all Excel TECC is Thursday, December 12. 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 the Freshman Mentoring with topics offering help with the transition to the high school.

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HILLCREST STUDENT ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

September 2017

Junior, Rachel Ange - Tennis

Rachel is a junior student-athlete on the girls tennis team. She will be earning her third varsity letter for the team this season. She has helped lead the girls tennis team to their first Chagrin Valley Conference championship last season and their second this fall. She was 8-2 in the month of September to bring her overall record to 14-2 for the year. She went 2-0 in the CVC tournament to earn First Team CVC honors. She will be competing on Friday October 13th in the OHSAA District tournament with her partner in doubles, Mackenzie Hanford. Coach Dimattia said “She has been winning in a dominating fashion. She leads by example both on the tennis court and off.” She has also been a member of the girls fastpitch team and will also be earning her third varsity letter this spring season. Off the athletic fields she has been able to maintain a 4.4 GPA. She serves as the Student Council Secretary and is a board member of the Interact Club. She intends on furthering her education by attending college to study in the field of business but is undecided on which school she will attend. Rachel enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Senior, Joseph Conrad - Soccer

Joseph is a senior student-athlete on the soccer team. He will be earning his second varsity letter for the team at the end of this season. Coach Gerhardt said, "Joey is a team player who exemplifies respect, sportsmanship and fair play. Joey Conrad is the leader of our defensive chain and a role model for all players on the team, especially the underclassmen. Joey is highly skilled, possesses great soccer sense and is a very competitive central defender who is all business in practices as well as in games. A senior and student of the game, Joey is a key player in the Wolverines success on the soccer field this year.” Joseph is also a member of the track team and has earned two varsity letters. Joe has also excelled in the classroom where he has retained above a 3.75 GPA. Joseph plans on continuing his education in the field of aeronautics at Kent State University to eventually become a licensed commercial pilot. In his free time, Joseph enjoys camping, hiking snowboarding and playing soccer. 

 

October 2017

Freshman, Nicola Ehrbar - Soccer

Nicola is a freshman student-athlete on the girls soccer team. She will be earning her first varsity letter for the team this season after starting and playing in every game. Overall she had 11 goals and 7 assists. One of those goals was versus Chagrin Falls in an OHSAA Sectional Final game, where she helped lead her team to a 2-0 victory with a goal from 35 yards out, advancing the Wolverines to the District Semi Finals. Coach Kori Chapic said, "Her hard work and athleticism this season has made her an outstanding asset to the West Geauga girls soccer program and a leader for the team to look up to." She earned Second Team All Chagrin Valley Conference honors. She is also a member of the girls basketball team and will be seeing a significant role in the program this winter. Off the athletic fields she has earned 4.08 GPA in the first grading period. She intends on furthering both her education and athletic careers in college but is undecided at this early stage of her high school experience. Nicola enjoys baking, hiking and playing sports.

Freshman, Johnny Patterson - Cross Country

Johnny is a freshman student-athlete on the cross-country team. He has earned his first varsity letter for the team this season. Johnny, as a freshman, was consistently West Geauga's number one runner this year. His fastest time was 18:00, which helped him earn Second Team All Chagrin Valley Conference honors. He lead the boys cross country team to second place finishes at both the McDonough and Andrews Osborne Invitationals. Amongst freshman competing at the OHSAA District Meet at Madison High School, Johnny finished 3rd and 32nd overall. Coach John Boylan said, "Johnny is only a freshman but leads by example. He will be fun to watch as he matures as a runner. I am excited and looking forward to the next 3 seasons with Johnny." Johnny has also been successful in the classroom as he recently accomplished a 4.25 GPA in his first grading period at the high school. He plans on continuing his education in the field of biology but is undecided as to where he will attend. Johnny enjoys running, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking.  

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The Senior Internship Program, endorsed by the school administration and Board of Education, is designed to provide interested and eligible seniors with the opportunity to participate in meaningful, independent projects of their own selection and design.

Full details and the internship packet will be available in December.  In the meantime, you can click here to see the internship timeline.

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Order your yearbook now and benefit from the lowest price of the year!  Yearbooks will cost $70.00 until 12/31/17.  After the new year, the price will increase to $75.00  Click here for an order form.

If you haven't submitted a Grad ad to your senior, please email year.book@westg.org to see if any space remains.

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WGEF THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST 2017

Thanksgiving Day Pancake Breakfast at Chesterland McDonald’s

Sponsored by West Geauga Educational Foundation

The last think you’re thinking about on Thanksgiving morning is making breakfast. But your family is hungry! Don’t stress! Visit the Chesterland McDonalds, where once again, the West Geauga Educational Foundation (WGEF), will be serving breakfast!                               

     
     WHEN: Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 23, 2017 7:30 to 11:30 AM

     WHERE: Chesterland McDonald’s,  8329 Mayfield Road, Chesterland

What’s on the menu: a breakfast of pancakes and sausage with juice, milk, coffee or tea for $5.00. Eat breakfast in the restaurant or take it to go. Please note that on Thanksgiving morning, McDonald’s will only open for the WGEF fundraiser during the hours above and their regular menu will not be available.

For almost 30 years, WGEF has been hosting this holiday breakfast, with the help and support of John Powers and his team at the Chesterland McDonald’s. “Make Thanksgiving Day a little easier for your family this year by getting breakfast at McDonalds,” said Caise Rode McHale, WGEF President. “At the same time, you’ll be helping to support innovative and enriching learning experiences for West Geauga students.”

WGEF is a non-profit organization that provides funding to enable new ways of teaching and learning in the West Geauga School System. Each year the foundation trustees review applications from teachers, administrators, students and parents and fund educational programs over and above what school budgets will allow. The foundation is grateful for our community’s continuing support.

Interested in volunteering at WGEF’s Thanksgiving Breakfast? Please email:

           Steve Goden at sgoden@roadrunner.com

           Caise Rode McHale at caise28@gmail.com

We hope to see you and your family on Thanksgiving morning!

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August/September/October 2017

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 22nd when I can hear about everyone's summer experiences.

During last school year, West Geauga High School was recognized as one of America’s top schools by leading publications that include The Washington Post and U.S. News and World Report. In order to be recognized, schools have to meet particular performance indicators that include state test proficiency ratings. The magazine then collected data from each qualifying school to determine college readiness. Data collected included student to counselor ratio, Advanced Placement participation and performance, college acceptance and enrollment, and ACT and SAT 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 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, allow AP science students to take an extra class during the year, and provide more time for freshmen 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 2017-2018 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

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New Staff at West Geauga High School

Brian Craemer - Social Studies
Ashley Dudas - Intervention Specialist
Alan Duncan - Science
Denise Garrett - Occupational Therapists
Emily Swartzlander - Geauga Achieve
Sarah Thrasher - Library Media Specialist
Taylor Uveges - Music
Ashley Wilcox - Psychologist

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Opening Day Paperwork

Completing opening day paperwork that your students bring home every year tends to be a burdensome task. We are attempting to make the process a little easier. Earlier this week you should have received from West Geauga Schools the new, online parent portal called OneView. This is different than Infinite Campus because it is exclusively for online forms. OneView is where you will find the district’s annual student forms that previously would have been turned in on paper the first week of school. We are requesting that you take a moment to visit the OneView portal at https://westgeauga.esvportal.com and create your own account, using the information that was mailed to your home. Please contact our school’s office if you need assistance accessing your new OneView account.

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School Calendar

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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2016-2017 State Testing Updates

The State of Ohio requires all 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. Last year’s students not scoring a 700 or higher on any of their end-of-course exams will work with a teacher throughout this year in the area where they are not proficient. Retests will be given during Ohio’s winter and spring testing windows. Students currently enrolled in the above courses will take their assessments beginning in March.

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 2015-2016 State Test website. Practice tests can also be found on ODE’s website or by clicking here.

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Additional Graduation Pathways Offered to the Class of 2018

This summer a budget bill was passed by Ohio Legislation, “...authorizing two additional options only for the students in the class of 2018. These options provide an opportunity for those students who do not otherwise meet one of the three existing pathways to graduation to earn a diploma”(Ohio Department of Education). These new options primarily provide opportunities for students in the class of 2018 who will not meet the 18 end-of-course points required for graduation. Our school counselors will be meeting with all students who could benefit from these new options. For more information, please see this flyer from the Ohio Department of Education.

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Student Gradebook Logins

  

Most of our students and parents are now familiar with our Infinite Campus grade portal. The system allows students access their class schedules, grades, locker number and combination and other school related information. Parents and students should regularly check their child’s accounts and set alerts to send notifications of poor grades. Please find the login information on our school’s website or by clicking here.

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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 begin the new school year...

Attendance

Attendance Law changes for the 2017 -2018 School Year

In December 2016, the Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 410 to encourage and support a preventative approach to excessive absences and truancy. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, several changes take effect. The state will now look at the accumulations of hours of school missed, rather than the number of days missed, according to the following guidelines:

Habitual Truant is defined by these criteria:

• 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. 

When a student is habitually truant, the district will take the following steps:

• Select members of the absence intervention team and assign the student to it. 
• Make three meaningful attempts to secure the participation of the student’s parent or guardian on the absence intervention team. 
• The student will be assigned to the selected absence intervention team. 
• The district will develop the student’s absence intervention plan. 

Excessive Truant is defined by:

• 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. 

When a student is excessively truant, the district will do the following interventions:

• Notify the student’s parents in writing. 
• The student will follow the district’s plan for absence intervention. 
• The student and family may be referred to community resources. 

Important to note:

• You will receive notification when your student meets any of the thresholds above. 
• Any time missed from school will accumulate - (Tardy arrivals and early dismissals do add up quickly). 
• Even absences that are medically excused are NOT exempt from this law and count toward the accumulation of time a student is absent. 

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 phones throughout the day. Phone calls and text messages during instructional time disrupt the education process.

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 items: 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” or "penciled" 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.

Any time 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.

Parking Applications

2017-2018 parking permits are being handled in a similar manner as last year. The application is 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. 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 in the main office. All school fees from prior years must be paid in order to receive your permit. A valid drivers license, proof of insurance and $30 will be due when the permit is picked up. 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 me at ron.dahlhofer@westg.org or 440-729-5957 if you have any questions.

Any time 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/Director of Data and Assessment
West Geauga High School
(440) 729-5957
ron.dahlhofer@westg.org 

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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. Some attendance reminders for the upcoming school year: When calling your student in absent, please make sure to leave detailed information about your child’s absence. 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

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 it 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 him/her of this policy.

Opening Day paperwork will Not be coming home this year due to the implementation of OneView (trust me you are going to love this!) An informational letter with instructions should be coming home soon. If you have any questions or did not receive the letter in the mail, please call me and I will help you. We are asking that all accounts be updated before Monday, August 28th.

Thank you and have a great 2017-2018 school year!

Mrs. Poelking

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From the Athletic Director

It’s that time of year again! Parents, players and community members please help welcome the following new fall coaching staff members:  Head Girls Soccer Coach, Kori Chapic.  Assistant Girls Soccer Coach, Daniel Cappelucci.  Head Boys Soccer Coach, Mario Gerhardt.  Head Girls Tennis Coach, Joe Dimattia.  Assistant Girls Tennis Coach, Shaun Spence, and Head Football Coach, Brian Craemer, Assistant Football Coaches Robert Trhlin and Jeff Throckmorton.

We encourage all student-athletes to strive to be their best. School sports exist to help develop all participants to become the best they can be — their best as individuals, as students, as teammates, as members of the community — not just their best athletes.

Please keep in mind that our rivalries with our neighbors are friendly competitions, conducted under the OHSAA guidelines and the school's code of conduct. We ask that your cheer for us and not against our opponents or our officials and we will all come out winners.

Sincerely,

Joe Leonette, Director of Athletics
West Geauga High School

Phone 440-729-5960
Joe.Leonette@WestG.org
Follow us on Twitter- @WestGAthletics

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W.G.H.S. School Counseling News                August 2017

Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year. We are excited to begin a new year and hope to help make it your son's 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 – G)    (440) 729-5963    david.callahan@westg.org

Mrs. Kimberly Zannetti    (Students H – O)    (440) 729-5964    kim.zannetti@westg.org

Ms. Sarah Widman    (Students P – 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 13 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!

ACT and SAT:
Seniors should register for these exams if they have not already done so. To register for the ACT go to actstudent.org. To register for the SAT go to collegeboard.com. Students applying to selective colleges might also need to take SAT Subject Tests. Check with the individual colleges to which you are applying to find out if you need to take these additional tests.

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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It's never too early to order your yearbook!!  Click here for an order form.  And Seniors - don't forget senior pictures and baby pictures are due on Sept. 15th!   For Parents - you have until Oct. 27th to purchase a senior grad ad!  Click here for a form.
All forms are also available at the Yearbook Information tab at the top of this newsletter.

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Join the PTO!!

Click here for the 2017-2018 PTO membership form

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News from West Geauga Educational Foundation

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

Join Us!

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 WG school system. We are always seeking new members and welcome educators and parents to join us. To find out more about WGEF, please feel free to attend a meeting.

WGEF meeting schedule for 2017-2018

   

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
September 20, 2017	7:30 PM	Middle School Community Room
October 18	7:30 PM	Middle School Community Room
November 15	7:30 PM	High School Library
January 17, 2018	7:30 PM	Middle School Community Room
February 21	7:30 PM	Middle School Community Room
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

Funds for new ideas and programs aren’t always available within public school budgets, and that's where WGEF can help. 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 hold events throughout the school year to assist students on a variety of topics.

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