WHHHS Update
We are making the turn into late April and an already busy spring will get busier as we look ahead to upcoming end-of-the-year concerts, awards, and recognitions we have planned. We also want to wish good luck to the students in DECA and VEX Robotics who are representing us at the national level next week.
Now that we are at the mid-point in the fourth quarter, please be sure that you are checking your students’ grades in ProgressBook; our expectation for staff is that grades are updated weekly and that any phone calls or emails are returned within 24 business hours.
Please see below for some important updates and information.
Community Engagement Update
Last week, we shared what enrollment has looked like at SLSD in the last several years. As a reminder, since 2019 we have added 440 new students to the district. The State of Ohio recently released a report where they projected what our district enrollment will look like for the next several years. According to their findings, it's estimated that SLSD will add another 400 more students in the next several years.
We know from our town halls and community surveys that enrollment is an important issue, which is why we think it's important to provide you with all the information we have available. We are committed to ensuring that every student is provided with the high quality education they deserve as our district continues to expand.
We would love any additional feedback, questions, or concerns from you when it comes to this week's Did You Know!
Finally, our last facility tour of the spring is coming up - Monday 4/29 at Miami Whitewater Elementary at 7:00 PM. You can RSVP below:
We're listening. We're learning. We're acting.
State Testing Information
Our large-scale state testing resumes next week. We will follow last year’s schedule in which any student not taking the test for Mathematics will not report to school on that testing day and instead work remotely; the Social Studies and Science tests the following week will be on a two-hour testing schedule where all students will report to school at staggered start times.
Here is the remaining testing schedule at a glance:
WEDS 4/24: ALGEBRA I/GEOMETRY (all testers report to school by 8:00 AM, non-testers will work remotely – lists of students needing to test have been posted in the Commons and in hallways)
TUES 4/30: US HISTORY/AMER GOVT* (all testers report to school by 8:00, non-testers report by 10:05)
* - students in AP Government will test this day, our other Government classes tested in the fall
THURS 5/2: BIOLOGY (all testers report to school by 8:00, non-testers report by 10:05)
We will continue to communicate testing information in weekly emails to families.
Please contact the Main Office with any questions.
2024-25 Student Schedules
The schedule for next year is done and counselors are beginning to call down students if they have a major scheduling conflict. All students should have schedules in hand by May 3rd. Students have until the last day of school THIS YEAR (May 22nd), to make any changes to their schedule for next year. This includes adding or dropping study halls and both 1st and 2nd semester classes. Harrison High School does not make schedule changes after the last day of school. This allows the district to properly and efficiently staff the building during the summer months. Please be on the lookout for your student’s schedule the first week of May. All schedule changes must be submitted by either Teams message or email to your student’s counselor. This allows us to have a reliable record of all requests.
Class of 2024 Yard Signs
The Harrison Jr/Sr High PTO has graciously agreed to purchase a yard sign for each of our Class of 2024 graduates! We will begin distributing yard signs as seniors are dismissed on Tuesday, April 30 (this is also the day of Cap & Gown pickup). Students who attend classes at an Oaks campus or on a college campus may pick up their signs beginning that afternoon at dismissal as well.
Wildcats Care Fundraiser – Saturday 4/27
We will be hosting the first annual “Junk in the Trunk” rummage sale/vendor market at Crosby Elementary on Saturday, April 27 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Sellers/vendors keep 100% of their sales and all rental proceeds go to Wildcats Care. Please see the attached flyer for more information; for more information on Wildcats Care, please click here.
Underclass Awards Day – Weds 5/22
Please note that we have moved our underclass awards day from its originally scheduled date of Thurs 5/16. Underclass awards will now be held on Weds 5/22. The awards will take place in the Activity Center Theater as follows:
- 9th Grade Awards: 8:15 AM
- 10th Grade Awards: 9:30 AM
- 11th Grade Awards: 10:45 AM
An invitation letter with additional information will be sent via US Mail to all students receiving awards on this day; if a student is receiving an award but is unable to attend, he/she may pick up the awards in the Main Office any business day before Friday, June 28.
New Mental Health Resources for Parents/Guardians
We are pleased to offer a FREE and confidential website for families, ParentGuidance.org. This site was developed by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support, and a safe community for parents, to learn how to support your child. Parents can also get answers to mental health questions, including anxiety, depression, self-worth, grief and loss, suicide ideation, family strife and other mental health concerns. Popular courses you may want to explore are: “Parenting with a Purpose” and “Unlocking your Inner Parent Superhero.” The courses within ParentGuidance.org will provide you with tools to form stronger bonds with your children. You and your child’s mental health are important to us! Additionally, you also have access to FREE webinars developed by licensed therapists. These are virtual and anonymous. Please see the flyer linked at the bottom of this email for the dates, times and links of these offerings.
Tutoring is Available
The National Honor Society has started their weekly tutoring sessions. Every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 7:15 AM, the National Honor Society students will be available for free tutoring for anyone who needs help. There’s no need to sign up in advance, just show up to Room 104 (Mrs. Siemer’s room), and let the NHS students help you with any subject you need. Please reach out to Mrs. Siemer if you have any questions.
Check Out The Paw Print – Harrison’s Online Student News Site
Mrs. Evanson’s Journalism class has been working hard, and they have launched an online news site entitled “The Paw Print.” Please be sure to check it out at https://harrisonpawprint.org/.
School Fees
School fees are posted to our students’ accounts. If you have not done so already, please take care of these obligations right away. Directions for how to log on and pay student fees can be found here. Thank you for your attention to this information!
Junior/Senior College Information
Juniors and Seniors interested in visiting a college campus can sign up on that college’s website. We need a parent note stating the day and time of the visit. Please bring this note to the guidance office several days prior to your visit.
Senior Graduation Survey/Final Transcripts
All seniors (on and off the WHHHS campus) have access to Naviance, and all will be required to complete the graduation survey. This will be rolled out to students at the Oaks campuses next Wednesday 4/17 and students here at the high school will complete it on Thursday 4/25 during Advisory. The purpose of the survey is for seniors to indicate their post-high school plans. Students will indicate if they plan to pursue employment, enrollment or enlistment upon graduation. Any student indicating enrollment will need to mark “send final transcript & attending” and state to which university they want the final transcript to go. If this is not marked, we will not be aware of where to send the final transcript. Email connie.acra@southwestschools.org with any questions. The last day for seniors to complete the required graduation survey is Monday, April 29.
Senior FAFSA Information
There have been recent changes with FAFSA. Your FSA ID can be obtained at FAFSA.gov and register for an FSA ID if you do not already have one. Every student will need their own FSA ID to apply for FAFSA as well as anyone that is considered a “contributor”. A “contributor” would be a spouse/parent/guardian of the student. In the past only one parent had to get an FSA ID even if the parents were married, now married parents BOTH must have their own FSA ID. (If the parents are not married/living together, then the parent that provides the most financial support must be the contributor) You must have different email addresses and phone numbers to register for the FSA ID, you cannot use the same email address or phone number when registering. By having your FSA ID registered and ready, the student and parent/guardian can immediately fill out and submit the FAFSA.
Seniors attended a FAFSA Financial Aid package presentation on March 7th, during Advisory. Topics covered included award letters, types of financial awards, interest rates, and tips on smart borrowing. Please know that with the rollout of the new FAFSA application, the government has announced delays in financial aid award notification. Many schools are pushing back their decision days due to this, check with each school to see if any decisions dates have been moved.
PTO/Booster Organizations
We would like to invite you to join the Harrison Junior/Senior High PTO as well as our Booster organizations. You can visit https://harrisonjrsrpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home to join the PTO, https://harrisonwildcats.membershiptoolkit.com/Home to join the Athletic Boosters, https://www.harrisonmusicboosters.com/ to join the Music Boosters and the Harrison CAT Boosters’ page to support the Vocal and Drama programs.
UPCOMING DATES
WEDS 4/24: ALGEBRA I & GEOMETRY STATE TESTING (ALL STUDENTS NOT TESTING ARE REMOTE)
THURS 4/25: SENIOR GRADUATION SURVEY IN ADVISORY (SEE INFO ABOVE)
SAT 4/27: WILDCATS CARE “JUNK IN THE TRUNK” FUNDRAISER 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
TUES 4/30: US HISTORY/AMERICAN GOVT STATE TESTING – NON-TESTERS ARRIVE BY 10:05 AM
THURS 5/2: BIOLOGY TESTING – NON-TESTERS ARRIVE BY 10:05 AM
Please feel free to contact us with questions. Thank you and have a great weekend!
Go Wildcats!
Joe Pollitt
Principal
William Henry Harrison High School
Enrollment Graphic
Mental Health Information