We are down to the last week of the third quarter.  The third quarter ends next Thursday, the students are off school next Friday, and we have Spring Break the following week.  When we return, we will move into state testing throughout late March and April, followed by AP exams in early May.

The excitement on campus continues as our boys’ and girls’ wrestlers are competing today in the OHSAA State Championships, as is bowler Anna Francisco!  We have over 160 of our DECA students competing at the state level today as well, with 22 more of our HOSA students competing in Columbus next weekend.  Our spring sports are starting scrimmages and contests, our drama department is rehearsing their spring musical, and our a cappella group Dynamix will be competing in the International Championship of High School A Cappella Midwest Semifinals next weekend.

PROGRESSBOOK REMINDER
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. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
On Thursday 2/23, we launched a community engagement effort that will include a survey, town hall meetings, and more. This engagement campaign is meant to include everyone in the community including parents, staff, students, and residents of the district, and we would love to have your participation.  To view Mr. Hamstra’s introductory video, to access the survey, and to get more information, please visit southwestschools.org/community.  The first town hall meeting will be held on Wednesday 3/15 at Crosby Elementary at 6:00 PM.  Please feel free to share this information with others as well – the more feedback we receive, the more effectively we can serve you!

STATE TESTING SCHEDULE
We will begin state testing for freshmen and sophomores after Spring Break.  As the English and Math tests are given in two parts, we will administer these tests in one day, with all non-testers working remotely.  This is a change from previous years’ state testing administration.  Please note the following schedule:

WEDS 3/29: English II (English 10 classes) – all non-testers working remotely
WEDS 4/19: Algebra I & Geometry – all non-testers working remotely
TUES 4/25: US History & AP Government – all non-testers on a two-hour delay (10:05 arrival)
THURS 4/27: Biology – all non-testers on a two-hour delay (10:05 arrival)

We will continue to publish this schedule and provide additional details as the tests approach. 

CLASS OF 2023 FINAL SEMESTER PLANNER & FEE NOTICES
The Class of 2023 Final Semester Planner was mailed to families the week of February 20.  This booklet includes all of the important dates and details for our graduating seniors.  This mailing also included fee/fine notices as well, as these obligations must be taken care of in order for a student to receive their diploma.  We also distributed fee/fine notices to students in Advisory on Thursday, February 23.  The final day to pay fees/fines is Monday, May 22.  Please contact Mrs. Kimberly Frey in the Main Office at 513-367-4169 ext. 8425 with any questions.

CLASS OF 2023 BABY/TODDLER PICTURE FEATURE IN YEARBOOK AND SENIOR VIDEO
In the same mailing as the Final Semester Planner, you will find enclosed information on the Baby/Toddler Picture feature in both the Yearbook and Senior Video.  This is a popular section every year, highlighting the transformation of your senior from a toddler to a young adult!  Please be on the lookout for this information, and know that all pictures must be submitted by Thursday, March 16.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE CLASS OF 2023
Local scholarship applications are being posted on Naviance.  Once Seniors have logged into Naviance they can click on Colleges and then Scholarship Search.  Many of these scholarships will be awarded to Harrison High School Seniors, only.  Students should apply now.

PROM & AFTER PROM
Prom will be held on Saturday, April 15.  This year’s Prom will be held at the Newport Aquarium (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM) and After Prom will be held at The Place in Colerain (11:30 PM – 2:00 AM).  Tickets will be sold online starting March 15 (we will share the link via email, the junior and senior Microsoft Teams pages, and the school website starting Weds 3/15).  Tickets will be $75 each and will include transportation to and from the Prom and AfterProm, dinner at the Newport Aquarium, and admission to AfterProm.  Students wishing to bring a guest from a different high school will be able to download the guest form from the school website as well.  Ticket sales will close Saturday, April 1.

SECOND SEMESTER ATTENDANCE AND PROM
In our brief grade-level meetings at the start of the third quarter, we 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.

PTO AFTER PROM MARCH MADNESS SQUARES
The Harrison Jr./Sr. High PTO is offering March Madness Squares for $20 each as a fundraiser for After Prom.  Half of the entry fee will go towards the High School After-Prom Event and half will go to payouts. To enter, simply provide your name, phone and email to harrisonjrsrpto@gmail.com. Entries with payment can be sent to the High School - Attention After-Prom or given to Marcy  Jackson.  All checks should be made payable to Harrison High School After Prom or you can use the PayPal link at www.paypal.me/harrisonafterprom.

Names are randomly placed on a 100-square grid and then 2 random sets of numbers (0 - 9) are placed horizontally and vertically on grid.  Horizontal numbers designate the last number of the "winning" team's score and vertical numbers are the "losing" team's score.  The same grid is used for entirety of the tournament.  Participants have 66 chances on each board to win and may win multiple times.  If there is enough interest, we will create multiple boards.
 

The completed grid will be available online (link will be sent) prior to the start of NCAA tournament on Thursday, March 16th (the play-in games on Tuesday, March 14th and Wednesday, March 15th will not be included in the payouts). The final game is on Monday, April 3rd.
 

What are the payouts?

Round 1 (32 winners) = $5 per game

Round 2 (16 winners) = $10 per game

Sweet 16 (8 winners) = $20 per game

Elite 8 (4 winners) = $35 per game

Final 4 (4 winners) = $40 halftime score and $50 final score per game

Finals (2 winners) = $80 halftime score and $120 final score

Payout Details:

Winners will be contacted after the final game to arrange payment; be sure to include your email with your payment.  Contact Marcy Jackson 513-515-9811 (text or call) with questions.

Cash and checks accepted.  Please make checks payable to Harrison High School After-Prom.  GOOD LUCK and THANK YOU for your support!

HARRISON ATHLETIC BOOSTERS
With some warmer days and spring just around the corner, it's time to start planning your gardens! You can support Harrison athletes while you're at it. The annual Flower & Mulch Sale is live now! 

We have gorgeous hanging baskets, single flowers and plants, and bagged mulch available. Please visit the website to place your order and be sure to share with local friends and family. There's a spot on the order form to note an athlete's name, and the athlete that sells the most will win a $25 Dunkin Donuts gift card! 

Order form: https://harrisonwildcats.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/223413 
 

UPCOMING DATES:

Tues 3/14: Band Concert 7:00 PM

Weds 3/15: Town Hall Meeting at Crosby Elementary 6:00 PM

Thurs 3/16: End of Third Quarter

Fri 3/17: No School/Records Day

Mon 3/20 – Fri 3/24: Spring Break
 

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