We have made it to the end of the third quarter and to our Spring Break!  The fourth quarter will go quickly when we return, as we will move into state testing throughout late March and April, followed by AP exams in early May along with end-of-year awards and the many special events we have planned to recognize our seniors!

We have a lot to celebrate this week, as we had over 160 of our DECA students compete last weekend in Columbus, with 28 advancing to compete at the national level in Orlando in April, we had three boys’ wrestlers competing in the State Championship (with one state placer), one bowler competing in the State Championship, and eight girls’ wrestlers competing to win the first ever OHSAA State Girls’ Wrestling Championship!  This accomplishment marked back-to-back State Championships for our girls’ wrestlers, and our girls were led by three-time State Champion Chloe Dearwester and two-time State Champion Raegan Briggs. 

This weekend, we want to wish good luck to our 22 HOSA students competing in Columbus for the opportunity to represent us at the national level, and to our a cappella group Dynamix as they compete in the International Championship of High School A Cappella Midwest Semifinals this Saturday in our theater.

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 was held last night at Crosby Elementary, and we have two more coming up in April.  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.

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.

CLASS OF 2024 – MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINATION INFORMATION
All students entering grades 7 and 12 will be required to be vaccinated against the meningococcal disease. One dose of meningococcal vaccine is required prior to entry into the 7th grade. A second dose of meningococcal vaccine is required prior to entry into the 12th grade. The second dose must be administered on or after the 16th birthday, with at least 8 weeks between the first and second dose. If the first dose of meningococcal was administered after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required. If a pupil is in the 12th grade and is 15 years of age or younger, only one dose is required.

A written verification, in the form of a note, fax or email, is required from your family physician or the Hamilton County Health Department. Members of the senior class who have not provided proper verification of a second dose of meningococcal vaccine may be excluded from school and subject to disciplinary measures for non-attendance. Thank you for your proactive approach in addressing this issue. Seniors are required to show written proof of the vaccination no later than September 5, 2023. Failure to do so may result in being excluded from all classes and all school activities.

Our hope is to keep our students and parents informed well in advanced of areas of concern. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Hamilton County Health Department (513-946-7882) or Harrison High School (513-367-4169). All documentation and forms may be emailed to the school nurse at Tessa.Freel@southwestschools.org or faxed to the high school at 513-367-7251. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Hamilton County Health Department (513-946-7882) or Harrison High School (513-367-4169).

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 are now on sale online https://www.locallevelevents.com/events/details/25767 through Saturday, April 1.  Students will enter their six-digit Student ID number as the “access code” to purchase tickets online. 

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.  The link to order tickets and the guest form can be found on the school website, in the “Prom Information” tab on the left-hand side.  Please contact the office with any questions.

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.

PRINCESS PROJECT SPONSORED BY BE KIND HARRISON
Be Kind Harrison is sponsoring the Third Annual Princess Project Free Formal Dress Giveaway this Sunday, March 19 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the Activity Center.  This event is free and open to any Harrison student who is attending Prom (or the 8th Grade Dance) and needs a dress; over 500 new and gently loved formal dresses, shoes, jewelry and accessories will be available for FREE and no appointment is necessary.

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:

Mon 3/20 – Fri 3/24: Spring Break

Weds 3/29: English II Ohio State Test (10^th graders in person, grades 9/11/12 working remotely)

Sat 4/1: Last Day to Purchase Prom Tickets

Fri 4/7 & Mon 4/10: No School

Thurs 4/27- AP student meeting in AC Auditorium 2:15, all students taking an AP class are expected to attend
 

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