We have made it to March and the final week of the third quarter!  The third quarter has flown by and we are excited for all of the different extracurricular events going on right now: our boys’ and girls’ bowlers finished their seasons this week just short of State at their District tournament, our boys’ and girls’ wrestling are competing this weekend looking to advance to their State Championship, two of our senior track athletes – Natalie Kiefer and Jayden Thompson – are competing this afternoon at the State Indoor Championships, our competition cheer team is at their State Championship this weekend, DECA and Robotics are in their competition seasons, our a capella groups are competing here this weekend, our drama department is continuing their rehearsals for the spring production of “Legally Blonde,” our band and choir ensembles are preparing for their upcoming concerts, spring sports are in full swing, and our spring Art show opens this afternoon!  We are proud to offer so many extracurricular activities and we strive for 100% student participation – it is so awesome to see our students competing and performing, doing what they love!

With it being the last week of the third 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 information and updates.

Community Engagement Update
During our town halls and engagement efforts, we've heard a lot from parents about the need for preparing students for the real world. At SLSD, we have worked hard to provide every student with these opportunities. We call them the “Three E’s.”  Upon their graduation from high school, we want every student to be either Enrolled (in college), Employed, or Enlisted (in the military).

From required personal finance classes, internships, apprenticeships, college prep classes, and much more, we are dedicated to continuing to find new ways to give kids the tools they need to be successful when they graduate - wherever life may lead them.

We're listening. We're learning. We're acting. 

Spring Art Show Opens Today!
Join us for the opening of our Spring Art Show, this afternoon (Friday March 1) from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Coffee Peddlar.  Selected artwork from students at HJS and WHHHS will be on display through April 4. 

Color Guard Auditions –Tues 4/2
The Harrison Marching Band Color Guard will have auditions for next year on Tuesday, April 2 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.  This is open to any student in Grades 7 – 12.  For additional information, please see the flyer linked at the bottom of this email.

Important Information for Parents/Guardians of SENIORS
By now, you should have received a mailing via the USPS containing the Parent’s Guide to Graduation, and information on the Senior/Baby Picture feature in both the Yearbook and Senior Video.  The Parent’s Guide to Graduation will be a helpful resource to refer back to for important information as we approach the end of your student’s senior year.  The Senior/Baby picture section is a very popular feature in both the Yearbook and Senior Video, and we want to make sure everyone received the information.  

Both parts of this project can be completed online.  Click here for more information and the links to upload pictures and place orders.  PICTURES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, MARCH 15.

Acceptance Week
Acceptance Week is NEXT WEEK! Monday, March 4^th – Thursday March 7^th. This week is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together as a community to celebrate acceptance, empathy, and inclusivity.  Below are the dress up themes.  Collect raffle tickets and take a group picture between 4^th and 5^th bells for each day you participate.  Each ticket can be turned in on Thursday during lunch for a chance to win a $5 gift card!

Monday: mix match socks/shoes
Tuesday: tie dye Tuesday
Wednesday: We are on Wednesday (spirit wear) and  
Thursday: Inclusion Thursday (wear yellow)

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. 

Erin’s Law/SAVE Students Act – Information Session Now Posted Online
In December of 2022, Ohio’s 134^th General Assembly enacted Erin’s Law (Senate Bill 288) which included requirements for student instruction, parent and legal guardian notification and training for school personnel on sexual abuse prevention and dating violence prevention.  The law went into effect on April 4, 2023.  Students in grades K-6 are required to have one hour of training on sexual abuse prevention annually, and students in grades 7-12 are required to have one hour of training on dating and sexual violence prevention once during their 7-12^th grade years, which we will include in the High School Health curriculum.  We have partnered with the Council on Child Abuse (COCA) for this training.   

Additionally, on March 24, 2021, Ohio’s 133^rd General Assembly enacted House Bill 123, or the SAVE Students Act.  This legislation called for a comprehensive approach to school safety, to meet the physical and emotional safety of students and educators.  The law went into effect July 1, 2023.  The requirements include student and staff training annually in grades 6-12, for one hour in each of the following topics: suicide awareness and prevention, safety training and violence prevention, and social inclusion.  We have partnered with the Hamilton County Education Service Center on this training, and we will be using the Sandy Hook Promise curriculum materials from “Start With Hello” and “Say Something” to cover this content with our students. 

On Monday, February 12^th, we held an informational meeting for families.  The purpose of this meeting was for parents to hear from the presenters about the content that will be included in the student presentations.  We have posted the audio from the presentation as well as the slides here.

If parents feel that the information might cause their child to become very upset or trigger memories from a past or recent trauma, there is an opt-out letter that will be coming out prior to the student presentations.  Parents must indicate their desire to opt their child(ren) out of the presentation in writing by signing and turning in the district opt-out form to their child’s principal.  This letter is linked at the bottom of this email and is on the district website here as well.  Please note that we will be sharing these presentations the week of March 11.

2024 Prom Attendance Requirement
As we did with our 2023 Prom and with our most recent Coronation, we will have an attendance requirement for Prom in April.  To be eligible to attend Prom, a student can have no more than six (6) UNEXCUSED absences from school from 1/8/24 – 4/5/24.  Absences with appropriate medical or other third-party documentation do not count as unexcused absences.  Please contact the office with any questions.  We addressed this with the juniors and seniors in our grade level assemblies this past Wednesday.

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 now posted to our students’ accounts.  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
Seniors received instruction on how to complete transcript requests in Naviance on Thursday, August 31^st during Advisory.  The slide show is available for viewing on both the Guidance page of the school’s website and on the Class of 2024 Teams page. Students at Diamond Oaks/Scarlet Oaks received the same instruction during their individual meetings when their Harrison counselor visited.

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 Scholarship information
All seniors have access to Naviance. There is a scholarship section where the guidance office frequently uploads scholarship applications. We encourage all seniors to review the scholarships available and apply. If you have any questions, reach out to connie.acra@southwestschools.org

Senior FAFSA Information
There have been recent changes with FAFSA.  Your FSA ID can be obtained at FAFSA.gov and registering 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 will attend a FAFSA Financial Aid package presentation on March 7^th, during Advisory.  Topics covered will include 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.

Harrison Night at the Cincinnati Cyclones – Sat 3/23
The Harrison Jr. Sr. High PTO is hosting Harrison Night on Saturday, March 23!  The Acapella group and the Sign Language will be singing/signing God Bless America, and the Band Boosters are doing the Split the Pot!  A portion of each ticket sold through our link is donated to our PTO!  Buy your tickets here:  Cincinnati Cyclones

Band Boosters Fundraiser: Egg Your Yard
Did you know that Easter is early this year??  Well, we are EGG-CITED to announce that EGG YOUR YARD is back!!!!  Don't stress about Easter this year.... let our High School and Junior High band members do the work for you!!

Our band student volunteers are helping the EASTER BUNNY and will come to your house after dark to hide eggs for your little one(s) to find the next morning! We will also leave a note/sign from the Easter Bunny!

Pick a night: Fri 3/29 or Sat 3/30

25 eggs ~ $20

50 eggs ~ $40

75 eggs ~ $60

100 eggs ~ $75

To place your order, go to: www.harrisonmusicboosters.com

Please message us through Facebook Messenger with any questions.  We are happy to include neighborhoods of Hidden Valley, West Harrison, Ross and Cleves in addition to Southwest Local School District.

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
FRI 3/1: ART SHOW OPENS (AT THE COFFEE PEDDLAR)
MON 3/4 – THURS 3/7: ACCEPTANCE WEEK
WEDS 3/6: BAND CONCERT 7:00 PM
FRI 3/8: END OF THIRD QUARTER/NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
WEDS 3/13: CHORUS CONCERT 7:00 PM
THURS 3/14:  SLSD/GREATER HARRISON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOB FAIR, 3:30-6:00 PM at ACTIVITY CENTER
THURS 3/14: PTO MEETING 7:00 PM (ACTIVITY CENTER WILDCAT ROOM, RESCHEDULED FROM THURS 3/7)

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

Mental Health Information 
Acceptance Week 
College and Career Readiness 
SAVE Students Act Opt Out Letter  
Color Guard Audition Info