It's hard to believe that we are already halfway through the first quarter of the school year!  This past week, our students in Algebra I, Geometry, English 9, and English 10 took their fall MAP assessments, which gives us baseline data to chart the 1.5 years’ worth of academic growth that is our goal for each student.  Our teachers will work with us to use this data to continue plan their instruction leading up to the Ohio End-of-Course exams in the spring.

Additionally, with only four weeks left in the quarter, please be sure to review your student’s grades in ProgressBook.  Please feel free to contact their teacher, guidance counselor, or an administrator with any questions.  Our expectation is that any email or phone call is returned within 24 business hours, so please reach out, and our teachers will be doing the same.

We have also recognized 378 different students (almost a third of the students in the building!) so far this year for demonstrating at least one of our core values of Trust, Respect, Ownership, and Leadership.  Your students are doing a great job and we want to continue to encourage them to keep up the hard work!

Finally, I have included some information below for your review:

CONFERENCE NIGHT – THURS 9/29
We will have our first Conference Night of the year on Thursday, September 29 from 3:30 – 8:30 PM.  Registration for conferences will be done online, and we will post and share the link to sign up on Wednesday 9/21.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
As of the halfway point in the first quarter, nearly two out of every three Harrison High School students are involved in at least one extracurricular activity!  Our goal is that every student will participate in at least one extracurricular activity this year—we have some work to do to reach our goal, but we are well on our way!  If your student isn’t connected with an extracurricular activity, please talk with them as we are fortunate to offer a wide range of sports, clubs, and groups and there is something for everyone.  The High School Experience is so much better when a student can be a part of something bigger than himself or herself...please check out the list of clubs here, and contact the Main Office for additional information as we want all of our students to participate and find their greatness!

GRADUATE SERVICES – SENIOR INFO AND CLASS RINGS
As a reminder, Herff Jones Graduate Services has been in to meet with seniors about graduation information (caps/gowns, senior spirit wear, graduation announcements, etc.) as well as with freshmen and sophomores about class rings.  They will be in The Commons on Thursday 9/22 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM and will be back on Friday 9/23 during lunch for questions and to take in-person orders. 

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Our Guidance Department has some informational nights coming up around Financial Aid as well as College Credit Plus options for the 2023-2024 school year.

We will host our annual Financial Aid Meeting for families on Monday, October 3^rd at 6:30 PM in the Harrison High School Makerspace.  At this meeting, families will receive an overview of the financial aid process. Brent Shock, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at Miami University, will be on hand to answer questions and explain the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filing process.  Be sure to mark your calendars now for October 3rd! This will be the only financial aid meeting of this type in the area this year. Questions concerning this meeting can be directed to Steve Barnes, counselor at the high school, at 513-367-4169.

We will also host our annual College Credit Plus Information Night on Thursday, September 29^th at 6:30 PM in the Activity Center Auditorium.  ANY student interested in taking college courses while in high school next year needs to attend this presentation with a parent or guardian.  Mrs. Barker, from the Guidance Office, will deliver a 30-minute presentation explaining the basics/rules of the College Credit Plus program.  There will also be a few college representatives there to help field any specific questions you may have regarding their individual CCP programs after the presentation.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR HARRISION HIGH SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULARS
If you have not yet done so, please consider joining our PTO and the Booster organizations that support our Athletics, Band, and Performing Arts: You can do so by visiting 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’ Facebook page to support the Vocal and Drama programs.

HARRISON JR-SR PTO EVENTS
Please see information here about the upcoming craft show on Saturday 10/8.

UPCOMING DATES AT A GLANCE:

• Wednesday 9/21: Sign-ups for Conference Night Begin (online registration link will be posted/shared on Weds 9/21)
• Thursday 9/22: Herff Jones Graduate Services senior and class ring orders from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the lobby
• Friday 9/23: Senior and class ring orders at lunch
• Thursday 9/29: Conference Night 3:30 PM – 8:30 PM (CCP Information Night at 6:30 PM)
• Monday 10/3: Financial Aid Night 6:30 PM in the Makerspace
• Saturday 10/8: PTO Craft Show 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM in the Activity Center

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