South Families,
I send this newsletter every two weeks with information about upcoming events and information to help keep you informed. I hope you find this useful, If at any time you want additional information, please refer to our school website.
As always, please reach out to our office anytime you need assistance!
Sincerely,
Andy Suttell
Principal
440-975-3628
Quick Tidbits
February Black History Month
South has celebrated Black History Month with daily announcements of Black History Makers. In addition, our Student Union has a running slide presentation celebrating significant African-American figures and events available for students to view throughout each day. Our Media Center has also created a book collection displaying achievements through history.
Student Cell Phone/Air Pods - Use in Classrooms
Parents, I am asking for your help. There is no argument that cell phones, air pods and other personal use technology negatively impacts student learning in classrooms. We have seen an increase in students refusing to follow classroom cell phone policies with their teachers. Please remind you child to put their phone away while in our classrooms. We want them focused on their learning. We allow appropriate use (lunches, study halls, free time) of personal technology and want our students to understand that limiting the use of devices in classrooms is for the benefit of their learning. Thank you for helping send this message.
Class Meetings - February 28 - 9th through 11th Grade
On Wednesday next week, we will hold class meetings to discuss course options for the 2024-25 school year. Specifically, we will be introducing a self-paced component to several courses next year and will discuss what a self-paced course option will look like with students during these meetings.
Student Drop Off - Mornings
During arrival in the mornings, students should be dropped off at our front entrance to the school. The back parking lot is used for staff parking and special education drop-off. Thank you for your understanding as we have had some confusion and congestion during the morning drop off times recently.
Spring Sports
While there are still a few Winter sports teams playing, many of our Spring sports are beginning their practices/workouts. Please see our athletic website for details on Spring Athletic Participation.
Friday, March 1 - 2024-25 Course Registration Begins
On Friday, March 1 we will begin the course registration process for students in grades 9-11 for the 2024-25 school year. Students will view a video explaining courses available and the sign-up process. Students will then be able to make course selections through March 6. Students will then meet with their counselor to confirm their choices from March 7th - March 22nd. If you have any questions regarding course registration, please contact your child's guidance counselor at anytime throughout the registration process as It is important that students take courses that match with their educational path as well as their interests.
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)
- Lake County Retired Teachers Association Scholarship
- Local OAPSE AFSCME-Memorial Scholarship
- Local Association of Specialists in Aging Scholarship
- Local Firefighter Community Credit Union
- The Ohio University Women's Club of Greater Cleveland
- Willoughby South Band Boosters Scholarship
- Willoughby Junior Women's Club Community Involvement Scholarship
- Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
- Rita Matteo Memorial Scholarship
- Green Steward of Willoughby Scholarship
- Willoughby South High School 2024 Rebel Families Scholarship
- 2024 NAACP Freedom Fund Scholarship Application
- Americans of Italian Heritage Scholarship
- The Ross and Carmella DeJohn Memorial Scholarship
- Willoughby Hills Tom & Bea Horwatt Scholarship
- Dr. G. James Pinchak Memorial Scholarship
- Willoughby South Athletic Boosters Club 2024 Scholarship
- Christie Montrella Scholarship 2024
- Jefferson Educational Grant Scholarship
- Willoughby Eastlake Teachers Association- Richard Mele Memorial Scholarship
- Gerry Gallagher Memorial Scholarship
- Christ Child Society of the Western Reserve Scholarship
**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 Graduation Information - May 21
I wanted to begin to get Senior Parents some initial Graduation information as you begin to plan for this celebration. Our Graduation is set for Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30pm. The location for the ceremony is at the beautiful Playhouse Square: Connor Palace at 1615 Euclid Avenue. Each Senior will receive 6 tickets to the graduation ceremony. Once those tickets have been determined, there may be an opportunity for 2 additional tickets. More specific information will be coming as we get into the Spring,, but I wanted to give you this information for planning purposes. As always, please call me with questions as you have them.
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!
Key Club Blood Drive - March 6
On March 6, Key Club will be hosting their second Red Cross Blood Drive. Students, please consider being a blood donor to help save a life!
Appointments are available from 8:00-12:45 in the gym on March 6; sign up during lunch periods with a Key Club volunteer OR email Mrs. Sinkovic (jessica.sinkovic@weschools.org) to sign up today! You must be at least 16 years old with parent permission to donate.
ACT Testing - Juniors - March 12
The ACT test is a curriculum-based education and career planning tool for high school students that assesses the mastery of college readiness standards. On March 12 all 11th grade students will take the ACT Test during the regular school day. Specific information will be given to students as we get closer to the ACT testing day.
Willoughby South Book Club - Book Donation Drive
The Willoughby South Book Club is preparing to hold its annual book drive to benefit District elementary schools. We will be collecting any school age appropriate books to split amongst our elementary schools. The book drive will take place during the week of March 4-8 and then will be delivered to the schools in the weeks to follow.
Important Calendar Events
Mark your calendar for these important events over the next few weeks of school:
March 1 - March 6 Student Course Selection
March 4 - March 8 South Book Club Donation
March 7-22: Counselor Individual Course Registration Meetings
March 6 Blood Drive
March 9 Athletics Booster - Dinner and Raffle
March 12 ACT Testing (Juniors Only)
March 14 Rebel Families - Prom Fashion Show
March 25 - April 1 - Spring Break - No School - Classes Resume April 2
South High Athletic Boosters - March Annual Dinner and Raffle
On March 9 our South High Athletic Boosters are hosting their annual dinner and raffle at The Banquet Center at St. Noel. Our booster do soo much for our athletic programs, please consider supporting this great event. Tickets are available through the barcode below or by calling 440-749-0656.
Guidance Updates
2024-25 Scheduling Information
- Guidance plans to start scheduling with students in grades 9-11 in March. Students will be able to choose classes until March 6th. They will then meet with their counselor to confirm their choices from March 7th - March 22nd.
Sophomore Information
Parent's of Sophomores who applied to Excel TECC: Students should be sure to check their email that you used in their Excel TECC application. Students will be notified if they are accepted or placed on a wait list. If accepted, they will need to log into Enrolltrack (the email will have a link. Mrs. Duffy also sent the link on Feb 2nd to their school email) and they will need to confirm their seat. Accepted students have until the end of the day on Friday, February 16, 2024 to confirm their seat at which point we will go to the waiting lists. Parents will get an email as well. But they can’t accept on behalf of their child. Students have to handle this part.
Guidance will be returning to Health classrooms on February 16th to show sophomores what is available in Naviance
Junior Information
- The ACT will be given to juniors free of charge on March 12th 7:45-12:00. Students will be signed up at school. We will notify Excel TECC programs that run in the morning that juniors will have an excused absence on that day. CCP students should notify their professors.
- Seniors FAFSA update: We have received an update from the Department of Education, and they said that the 24-25 FAFSA will be open by Dec 31st. Technically, it could open earlier than that, but assume it will be Dec 31st. We don't advise that you try to fill it out the first few days that it is open, because historically the system can be slower those days.
- Guidance emailed a "How-To-Request Initial Transcripts Be Sent to Colleges." All transcript requests must go through Naviance for tracking purposes. The link to the video is below. If you or your student has questions or needs help after viewing the video, please contact their guidance counselor. View the Link Here.
- Many scholarships are going to be available soon. This video is a how to find and apply to them in Naviance. Your home screen may look a bit different, however, the steps remain the same. LEAF is also a great resource. She is at South every Wednesday. You can sign up to see her in Guidance.
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