WHHHS Update
Next week brings the month of May and all of the excitement that comes with the last few weeks of school. We have our end-of-the-year concerts, awards and recognitions, and our spring sports teams will be wrapping up their regular season competition and beginning their post-season tournaments. We also want to wish good luck to the students in DECA and VEX Robotics who are representing us at the national level this weekend.
As we head into the second half of 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
Ensuring that SLSD is financially responsible and transparent is something we take very seriously. We've heard throughout our public engagement that it's also a top priority for the community. Every year, our school district undergoes an audit by the Ohio Auditor of State’s office. In addition to receiving clean audits every year, we're happy to announce that we received an award for fiscal stewardship from the Ohio Auditor of State for the 4th year in a row! This is a result of our commitment to financial excellence and transparency.
We are going to continue the conversation on school finance in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for a series of videos that will detail district revenue, district spending, financial transparency, and more. We continue to look for your feedback!
Finally, our last facility tour takes place next week and we encourage you to sign up to attend! On Monday, April 29th at 7:00 PM, we will host a tour of Miami Whitewater Elementary. You can RSVP below:
We're listening. We're learning. We're acting.
State Testing Information
Our large-scale state testing wraps up next week! The upcoming Social Studies and Science tests will take place on a two-hour testing schedule where all students will report to school at staggered start times:
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 have posted names and testing locations at various points in the building.
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.
Tickets on Sale Now for Senior End-of-Year Events
Class of 2024: Tickets are on sale now for two exciting senior events. Senior Day at NKU will take place on Friday, May 10 and the Senior Banquet will be held on Monday, May 13. Tickets prices are $15 for Senior Day and $25 for the Senior Banquet. All tickets must be purchased through Local Level by clicking HERE. Ticket sales will run through next Wednesday May 1st. Message Mrs. Hinterlong or Mr. Ward with any questions.
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. To ensure that each senior receives their yard sign, we are asking each senior to pick up their own yard sign and we are checking off each senior’s name upon pickup. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation with this.
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 are required to complete the graduation survey. This was rolled out to students at the Oaks campuses Wednesday 4/17 and students here at the high school 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
SAT 4/27: WILDCATS CARE “JUNK IN THE TRUNK” FUNDRAISER 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
MON 4/29: MIAMI WHITEWATER ELEMENTARY TOUR – 7:00 PM (RSVP ABOVE)
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
THURS 5/2: BAND CONCERT 7:00 PM
TUES 5/7: CHORUS CONCERT 7:00 PM
THURS 5/9: A CAPELLA CHOIR CONCERT 7:00 PM
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
Community Engagement Graphic
Junk in the Trunk
Mental Health Resources