South Families,
I hope everyone had a great break and are returning to school refreshed for the "stretch" run of the school year. The end of the year is so important in many ways. In terms of academics, there are several important aspects. State and AP Testing begin next week and will occupy many days on our calendar through May. Students can expect to be doing much prep work for these important tests in classes over the next several weeks. I also want to remind our students that Fourth Quarter and Exam grades are important marks that can significantly impact Final Grades for the school year. April and May are also important beyond academics. For our Seniors, the traditions that surround the close of school will hopefully bring you many positive memories of South High School. We look forward to celebrating Prom, Graduation and other moments with you over the next few weeks. For our underclassmen, these month typically offer opportunities that will transition you into our new leaders for next year. Again, I look forward to closing the year with you in these positive ways.
My bulletin today will include much of the same information from my last communication, as much of it pertains to the next few weeks. Please pay particular attention to the testing sections as it provides information about the schedule on our testing days. As always, if you have any questions about the information, please do not hesitate to contact the office to get assistance.
Andy Suttell
Principal
440-975-3628
State Testing Begins Next Week - April 10 and 12
State testing begins next week with the English 2 tests on April 10 and April 12. Students have been given information about the tests that they are scheduled to take.
On our testing days, tests will begin at 7:45 am. we running a DELAYED START to school classes as a result, so test takers can focus on testing without missing class. South HS will be open at our regular times, but students who are not scheduled to test do not have class until 9:45 am on the testing dates, and therefore are not expected to attend until that time. Buses will run on their regular schedule, so students who need to ride a bus to get to school can come at the normal time and will have an extended study hall period until testing is completed (9:40 AM).
Please see the State Testing Information Letter for further clarification. As always, please call our office if you need any questions answered about testing.
Senior Letter
Attention Seniors and Senior Families:
Please look over the 2024 Senior Letter that was emailed to you and posted to our website prior to break. It contains important information about Senior events such as Prom, After Prom and Graduation.
Senior Scholarships - Available on Naviance Now!
Seniors - The following scholarships are available on Naviance.
We have been adding new scholarship opportunities as they become available. Seniors, please continue to frequently check Naviance for these new postings. You may sign into Naviance through your Clever account and access the following scholarships: (Please note - there have been additional scholarships added since my previous newsletter)
- The Glen Sheffield-Kenneth Stafford Jr., Memorial Scholarship
- Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
- 2024 NAACP Freedom Fund Scholarship Application
- Americans of Italian Heritage
- Willoughby Eastlake Teachers Association-Richard Mele Memorial Scholarship
- Jefferson Educational Grant Scholarship
- Nancy Theiling Thuma Memorial Scholarship 2024
- Mad City Money
- Willoughby Baseball/Softball Memorial Scholarship
- The Katie McNell- Ashley Pecjak Senior Scholarship
- Royalview Elementary School PTA
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Willoughby AERIE No. 2300
- Green Steward of Willoughby
**As additional scholarships open - they will be made available through Naviance.
**Scholarships are also posted in our Guidance Department. Please stop by frequently to check for new opportunities!!
Senior Prom Information - April 26
Our 2024 Senior Prom "A Night Under the Stars" will be on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 7:00 to 11:00 pm. Tickets for the prom are $45.00 and will be sold from April 4th to April 16th. There will be no ticket sales past April 16. Students will be allowed to select table seating at the time of their ticket purchase.
After Prom
April 26th - 11:30 - 3:00am - Safe and Sober Class of 2024 After Prom at Rollhouse in Mentor.
- Once students are admitted, they will not be permitted to leave - unless consent is given by the parent. Students will not be permitted re-entrance. The Rebel Families sponsor this event and it is FREE to students. School personnel will also be present.
- PARENTS- Sign up as a chaperone.
- Help us buy Raffle prices for After prom
- Attendance is limited to the first 150 to sign up!
Rebel Recognition - Students of the Week!
Each week, our teachers nominate students who are consistently positive in their approach to school both academically and behaviorally. At the end of each month, each nominated student will have a chance to earn Student of the Month.
The following students have earned Rebel Student of the Week during the past 2 weeks. Congratulations!
Important Calendar Events
Mark your calendar for these important events over the next few weeks of school:
April 8: No School or Activities for Students - PD Day
April 10: State Testing Day (English 2, Part 1)
April 12: State Testing Day (English 2, Part 2)
April 16: Last day to buy Prom Tickets
April 17: State Testing Day (Biology)
April 17: Mad City Money Scholarship Competition
April 19: State Testing Day (US History, Government)
April 19: Graduation Ticket Link Opens (Link will be given to Senior Families in April)
April 24: State Testing Day (Algebra 1, Part 1)
April 26: State Testing Day (Algebra 1, Part 2)
April 26: Senior Prom
May 1: State Testing Day (Geometry)
May 9: Seniors Last Day of Classes
May 10: and 13: Senior Exams
May 14: Senior Exam Make-ups
May 21: Graduation
Course Registration 2024-25 and Self Paced Options
Course Registration
Students have completed making course requests for next school year. Our Guidance Counselors will now spend the next several weeks meeting individually with each student to discuss their choices and ensure that courses are appropriate and on track toward graduation. Please reach out to your child's counselor if you have any questions regarding courses and registration for next school year.
Self-Paced Option
We have added some courses that have exciting possibilities for our students called self-paced courses. Self-paced courses will provide customization and deeper learning for our students. These are regular courses, taught by South Teachers. Self-paced classes designed to provided a blend of whole, class, small group and individual learning opportunities. Students who demonstrate mastery will be released from the class attendance requirement for up to two classes per week. This will allow some students more time to work on other assignments/classes, while also providing the students who need it, more one-one-one time with their teachers. For information about a self-paced class, please see the flier below. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of this learning modality for your child, please contact your guidance counselor.
National Honor Society - Tutoring Available
Recently, I have been asked if tutoring is available. At South our National Honor Society students offer opportunities to help struggling students. If any student needs tutoring help or support, please use the QR Code below to indicate your need. You will receive an email return to help set-up this help!
Rebel Express - Store Information
Our store is open for business online and in-person.
Our in-person hours will be Thursday & Fridays during lunch periods.
You can place an online order and pickup in the main office from 7-3. We can also send your order home with your student. The online website is : https://rebelexpress.square.site/
Please follow us on social media to stay updated on new items, special promotions and store hours.
Instagram: @rebels_express
X (Twitter) : @RebsSchoolStore
Facebook : Rebels Express Spirit Shop
We look forward to seeing you!
Community Activities, Flyers and Resources
Are you looking for activities for your children? Interested in family programs in the community? There are so many options for Willoughby-Eastlake families, such as city departments of recreation, sports teams, scouting, camps and special events in all of our surrounding communities, plus so much more!
Information from approved organizations who host activities for Willoughby-Eastlake youth and the community are posted electronically. Paper flyers from organizations are not sent home with students. To access the flyers, visit the COMMUNITY link on the district and building website pages Community Activities Flyers
For specific information about the events, you need to contact the sponsoring organization. Flyers are updated periodically during the month so remember to visit often to check for new postings.
Enjoy what our community has to offer!
Crossroads Health Services
If you believe your child is experiencing challenges in terms of their mental well-being, it is important to reach out to your principal. To meet your child’s needs, it’s essential to collaborate with the principal and school personnel to explore resources and services available at school. In addition to Crossroads Counselors, the District also has family liaisons and guidance counselors who can provide needed interventions and support.
Safer Ohio School Tip Line
- 1-844-SaferOH (844-723-3764)
- Calls or texts are answered by analysts within Ohio Homeland Security. If action is needed, the analysts immediately forward information to local school officials, law enforcement agencies and the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) for action and follow up.
PowerSchool - Settings and Alerts
PowerSchool is the official gradebook and attendance record for our school. From the Parent Portal, you are able to set alerts for low or missing assignments, as well as tardy and absent alerts to keep account for period to period attendance of your child. Please take advantage of these settings and alert features.
With today's closure, it is also a good idea to check you notification settings in the Parent Portal to ensure you are receiving school and district closing notifications and other information.
Below are links for PowerSchool to assist you. If you need any further help getting set up with the Parent Portal - please call our office.
Quick Reminders!
Attendance
- Anytime a student is absent, the office needs to verify that student's attendance. If you know your child will be absent, tardy or leaving early, please call the office attendance lines. The ouor office will not have to call you! If we know you are picking them up - you do not have to come into the building. Students will come out at the time you have requested pickup. Thanks for helping us keep our students safe.
- Attendance Line - 440-283-2180
- Late/Early Line - 440-975-3652
- Main Office Line - 440975-3648
Guidance Counselors and Schedule Information
At this point, you should be able to view your schedule in Powerschool. If you are experiencing difficulties accessing Powerschool or any other problem with your schedule, please contact your counselor directly. Please be mindful that there are many factors that go into changing student schedules at this point, your counselors will work to do the best they can, but there are situations where we simply do not change schedules as we are this close to the school year.
Guidance Counselors
Mrs. Alison Grant; Student with Last Names A to G: Alison.Grant@weschools.org
Mrs. Celeste Duffy: Students with Last Name H to O: Celeste.Duffy@weschools.org
Ms. Virginia Joyce: Students with Last Name P to Z: Virginia.Joyce@weschools.org
South High Administration
As a reminder, the administrative team at South is eager to work with you and our students to support student success in any way. If you have any questions, please feel free to email the appropriate grade level administrator:
Mr. Andy Suttell, Principal: andrew.suttell@weschools.org
Mr. David Miller, 11th and 12th Grade Principal: david.miller@weschools.org
Ms. Jennifer Neumeyer, 9th and 10th Grade Principal: jennifer.neumeyer@weschools.org
Showing the Rebel Way All Day
We will begin to focus our students on behavior that help them keep their focu on their learning and the instruction of their teachers. As we begin the year, students will hear about the Rebel Way. Three easy ways to exhibit the Rebel way are the following:
Showing the Rebel Way All Day:
Show up on time - To school and EVERY class. Parents can set alert settings in PowerSchool for notifications when a student's period attendance does not match their daily attendance. Put away all personal technology in class - No cell phones or earbuds while in the classroom. Please remove earbuds from the ears during class. Cell phones/headphones are allowed to be used quietly in Lunch, full period study halls, and the hallway between periods. Pictures/video ARE NOT PERMITTED:in restrooms, locker rooms, or any area where there is “reasonable expectation of privacy,” nor in classrooms or of unsuspecting persons. Be cognizant of what is in the background of your pictures and videos regardless of where you are! Check your dress - No hoods or ski masks on in the building. You may wear a baseball or beanie cap if desired. Please express your personal style without the use of see through or revealing clothing. Attire with profane, vulgar, or drug/vape/alcohol references will not be permitted at any time. Undergarments should not be showing.
District Reminders
Bussing Information: The radius for school transportation widens from Middle School to High School. Transportation information will be listed in PowerSchool Parent Portal on August 14th. Transportation can be reached at (440) 975-3736.
School Fees, Lunch Accounts & Free/Reduced Lunch Application: Manage student meal accounts & Apply for free and reduced meals at https://www.weschools.org/PayForIt.aspx
Open Positions at W-E Schools
Check out the Employment page to find opportunities for joining the Willoughby-Eastlake team: https://www.weschools.org/AssistantSuperintendent.aspx