Welcome to the second semester!  We had a great first semester, with 937 different students (72%) being recognized for demonstrating one of our core values, and we also saw a 10% decline in office referrals in the second quarter versus the second quarter of 2021-2022.  It’s hard to believe that we are turning the page to the third quarter, and it will go very quickly with winter sports and activities, scheduling for the 2023-2024 school year, and upcoming MAP testing for Algebra I, Geometry, and English 9/10 students. 

With the start of the new semester, please continue to review your student’s grades in ProgressBook.  You and your student can also set up alerts for low grades and missing assignments as well.  Please feel free to contact your student’s teacher, guidance counselor, or an administrator with any questions.  Our expectation is that grades are updated in ProgressBook once per week and that any email or phone call is returned within 24 business hours.  If you are experiencing problems accessing ProgressBook, please reach out parentaccess@southwestschools.org. 
 

INCLEMENT WEATHER COMMUNICATION

When inclement weather occurs, our School Messenger mass notification system will be used to convey information regarding delays and closings.  Please make sure your information is up to date in Final Forms, and if you are not already receiving text messages from the number 67587, please text the word YES to 67587 to opt-in.  You can also listen to local TV and radio stations for information on Southwest Local Schools.  Any delay or closing is also posted to the school district website, southwestschools.org, as well as on our official Harrison High School social media channels.
 

BUILDING ACCESS BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL

As we continue with winter weather, we will continue to use the lobby of the main building for students to stay inside before and after school.  The main lobby is accessible at 6:45 AM for students who are dropped off early or who take the bus to Diamond Oaks.  After school, we are clearing the Activity Center at 3:15 due to winter practices and contests; students should wait for their ride in the lobby of the main building. 
 

HEALTH & WELLNESS INFORMATION

As flu season is in full swing, please remember to keep students home when sick to help prevent spread. Students must be free of fevers, vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours, without the use of medication, before returning to school. Please contact the school if your student will be out. Let’s stay healthy and safe this winter!
 

SECOND SEMESTER ATTENDANCE AND PROM

In our brief grade-level meetings earlier this week, we revisited our core values (Trust, Respect, Ownership, Leadership) and reminded everyone of expectations for the second semester.  We also announced that in order to attend Prom, a student cannot have six or more UNEXCUSED absences in the time period between Mon 1/9/23 – Fri 4/15/23.  UNEXCUSED absences include absences with no contact from a parent/guardian, no documentation, or a day of out-of-school suspension/expulsion.  EXCUSED absences (parent contact, medical appointments, quarantines, absences with documentation) will NOT factor into a student’s eligibility to attend Prom.  Please contact the office with any questions.


UPCOMING DATES AT A GLANCE:

• Mon 1/16: No School/Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions at any time.  Thank you, have a great weekend and Go Wildcats!