Rebel Review

South Families,

With the snow and school closings this past week, our return from break seemed chaotic for sure! Despite what the weather gave us, I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving Break. We only have two quick and busy weeks before we finish the first half of the school year (can you believe that?) and go on Winter Break. My next Rebel Review will allow me to wish everyone Happy Holidays. In the meantime, I really want and encourage our students to focus next week on finishing the 1st semester with an academic focus, as well as prepare for their Midterm Exams on December 18, 19 and 20.

I send "The Rebel Review" every two weeks to keep you informed and to celebrate the great things our students and staff are doing. I would also encourage you to visit our school website anytime to view our latest updates. As always though, If you have any questions that you need answered directly, please feel free to call our main office for assistance (440-975-3648).

Sincerely,

Andy Suttell

Principal

Mark your calendar for these important events during the first few weeks of school:

December 13: Excel TECC Application Window Opens

December 18, 19, 20: Mid Term Exams

December 20: End of Second Quarter

December 21 - January 5: Winter Break - No School

January 6: School Resumes - Start of 2nd Semester

January 7: Student Grade Level Meetings during School Day

January 10: Excel TECC Application Window Closes

January 20: MLK Day - No School

January 22: Advanced Options Night at PAC 7:00pm

January 25: South Winter Formal 7:00pm

January 31; Senior Panoramic/Group Picture Day

It’s that time of year! Get ready, Rebel Express will reveal a new and exciting item each day next week! Our items are sure to make for incredible holiday gifts! Get your items while supplies last.

Keep up with the new items through our online store https://rebelexpress.square.site/s/shop

Pay attention to upcoming teasers and reveals through the rebel express

Instagram - @rebels__express or TikTok - @rebelsexpress

Student Council has organized our annual Toys for Tots toy drive! Student Council is currently collecting new, and unwrapped toys to help brighten the holiday season for children in need. The collection will take place from now through Tuesday, December 17.

Donation boxes have been placed in our lobby near the cafeteria, each labeled with a grade level. Remember, every toy you donate earns points for your grade. Let’s see which class can bring in the most and help come together and spread some holiday cheer. Thank you for your generosity, and happy donating!

Excel TECC has many incredible programs that prepare our students for careers in a variety different fields. Students who graduate from South High School who have been involved in Excel TECC are set up for career success in these fields. The application windows for Excel TECC opens on Friday, December 13.

In order to promote and learn about specifics about the programs, each Excel TECC program offers Open Houses. Those presentations begin week after our break and will be at the various locations that host the programs. I encourage you to attend these to learn about the incredible opportunities available. Please see the Information Flier below for dates of these Open Houses.

** Please Note: Due to last weeks weather, the Exercise Science and Performing Arts open houses have been moved to Monday, December 9.

Please contact your child's counselor if you have any questions about entering the Excel To begin to learn about options, please see our Excel TECC website link.

These are incredible program and offer our students pathways to the successful start to great career opportunities. If interested in applying for a program, please contact your child's guidance counselor.

Rebel Yell, our spirit organization, is currently collecting unused winter wear (gloves, hats, mittens, socks) to be donated. Please consider helping out those in need during the winter season by brining items to the 100 Commons Area. In addition to their work with donations, Rebel Yell will sponsor another holiday Spirit Week beginning December 11. Please see the flier below for the dress each day to show your holiday spirit!

As we go into the Holiday Season, I want to again mention how hard the staff at South High School works and shows care for our students. Please consider using our Staff Shout-Out Form to give send our staff into the holiday break with positive holiday message. Nothing is more meaningful to an educator than to hear that they are making an impact with your student. A great and simple gift to our teachers and staff.

Students who did not receive a competency score in ELA II and Algebra I must retake the state EOC exam at least twice to fulfill graduation requirements. Student who didn’t earn a 700 or higher may retake any of the exams. Emails will be sent Monday, November 25th to students who should retake one or more of these EOC exams. The email will give the student the date and time they should report to the Library for testing. Below is a general timeline for EOC testing. If you have any questions please contact our Associate Principal, Jen Chauby at jen.chauby@weschools.org.

South High School will administer mid-term exams prior to the end of the Second Quarter and prior to the Winter Break (December 21 to January 5). For your early planning, I did want to provide you with the 24-25 Midterm Exam Schedule. Next week, I will provide specific details to answer any questions you may have.

With the cancelation last week, Rebel Familes has rescheduled the date for the Senior Parent meeting to plan After Prom

Thursday, December 12 at 6pm, Commons.This is the meeting regarding Prom Fashion Show and After Prom planning.

We want our Seniors to have the best Prom and After Prom. It requires planning from parents to make this happen! Please join Rebel Families on December 4 at 6:00pm to help make After Prom a memorable experience for our kids!!

On Thursday, December 12, Rebel Families has organized a fundraiser through Red Robin. 20% of all sales will support our organization which does so many things that support South High School. Simply show or mention the flier below when you dine in or out on December 12 at Red Robin! Have a great meal and support South High School!

Get ready for an exciting opportunity to support our students! You could drive home in a brand new 2025 Chevrolet Trax 1LS.. Thanks to our generous partners at Serpentini Chevrolet of Willoughby Hills, 100% of the proceeds from this raffle will benefit our students. The winner will be selected on January 24, 2025, during halftime of the North/South Boys Basketball game. When you purchase your raffle ticket, you'll have the chance to choose a school and/or group to represent.

Make up day photos have been updated in the online galleries and It is now time to view and order your students' school day portraits for the 24-25 school year.

You may currently view and order your school portraits from the October 17 Make-Up Day as well as the August 30 Picture Day in the Cirino Photography Online Viewing/Ordering Gallery. You will need your students first name, last name and student ID number exactly as it appears in PowerSchool to log in - if you have any questions Cirino Photography can help just give them a call at 440 953-8200. The photo link can be found here: South Picture Link (https://my.photoday.com/gallery/willoughby-south)

It is time to start preparing for Graduation! See the attached flyer for all of the information you need to order your Cap & Gown, Graduation announcements, Senior Ring and other items. At our Senior Class Meeting earlier, seniors were provided with an ordering packet. If you did not receive the packet, please stop by the office to pick one up..

Senior Flier Information

Sophomores - It is time to order your Class Ring! Your ring is a symbol that you are a part of South HS and your graduating class. It is also a reminder of all of the great moments and accomplishments you will have while you are here. See the attached flyer for all of the information you need to design and order your Ring.

Class Ring Information

Guidance Department Information:

Mrs. Grant – Alison.grant@weschools.org, 440.975.3653 Serving students A-G

Mrs. Scripp – Lindsay.scripp@weschools.org 440.975.3624 Serving students H-O

Ms. Joyce – Virginia.joyce@weschools.org 440.975.3657 Serving students P-Z

Second quarter is coming to an end. Please make sure that your child is prepared for exam week during the week of December 16-20, 2024. Review is December 16 and 17. Exams are December 18,19,20. Furthermore, please look over your child’s schedule for next semester and make sure that he/she has enough credits to fully participate in any activities they are involved in at South HS.

If your student needs academic support, please reach out to guidance and Ms. Laura Albertone (National Honor Society) for tutoring help. Ms. Albertone can be reached at laura.albertone@weschools.org

As we move out of Second quarter and into Second semester, please have your child continue to work hard and interact with his/her teachers to get additional help or explanation of material. Teachers are happy to help!

Scheduling process information and timeline:

Once we come back from break, we will soon begin to schedule for the 2025-26 School Year. Toward the end of January we will begin visiting classes, outlining the core classes and electives available for the 2025-26 School Year. Once the scheduling window opens, Students will go into their power school account and choose courses for the 2025-26 School Year. Guidance Counselors will then begin speaking individually with the students to navigate through their course selection. Students will receive schedules for next year by approximately Mid-May.

This is what is happening over the next couple of weeks in our counseling department:

12-13 EXCEL TECC application process begins.

12-16 to 12-17 Reviews and Final sessions for 1st semester courses

12-18 to 12-20 Midterm Exams

12-23 to 1-5 Winter Break

1-7 Grade Level Meetings

1-10 TECC application domains close

1-22 Advanced Options Night. 7:00 p.m. at North PAC

1-28 Scheduling and Course selection begins for current 9th , 10th and 11th graders

Happy Holidays. Happy and Healthy New Year wishes,

Mrs. Coreno, Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Scripp and Ms. Joyce

Cardinal Credit Union provides South Students with a free checking account. They put the first $20 into an account for you. An ongoing bonus is that they add a dollar to the account for every dollar you earn throughout your entire high school experience. Cardinal also wants to reward you for you’re A’s at our Kiosk during lunchtime at South HS! IF you have one of their FREE CARDINAL ACCOUNTS, Cardinal will give you a $1 for every A. Just see us at our Kiosk at lunch with any documentation from your student records and your High School Mascot Debit Card so we have your account number, and Cardinal will add the bucks to your account!!!!

IF you do not yet have an account, see us at our Kiosk and we’ll help you get started!

With the cold weather months approaching, it's important that everyone is aware of the district's calamity day policy. Please see the Willoughby-Eastlake Letter for info about how and why the decision to close school is made, and how you will be notified.

In partnership with the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve, our district is excited to offer a limited number of "Drive to Succeed" scholarships, thanks to a grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO). These scholarships provide free driver training scholarships to low-income high school students.

If your child meets the income requirements and has a temporary permit, they may be eligible for a scholarship. Please note that only 20 spots are available for the year. To learn more or to apply, please contact your child's guidance counselor. We encourage eligible families to apply!

Willoughby South High School has 3 phenomenal Booster Organizations that support the students!

• Our BAND BOOSTERS support our Rebel music and band programs
• Our REBEL FAMILIES support our Rebel academic programs and provide scholarships
• Our ATHLETIC BOOSTERS support our Rebel athletics teams

Please support these fine organizations! They volunteer their time to give back to our kids in so many ways!

WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING:

• Disbursed funds to our athletic teams/student clubs for parent time worked in concession stands this fall

• Held Senior Parent meeting to start activities related to Prom.

• Transitioned our concession stand from outside (fall sports) to inside (basketball) - Stocking and keeping track is a lot of work (we can always use help!)

• Organized feeding staff for this past week’s Teacher Conference night (they can’t go without dinner!)

HOW CAN YOU HELP:

• SENIOR FAMILIES SAVE THE DATE: December 4, 6pm, Commons.This is the next meeting regarding Prom Fashion Show and After Prom planning. Please watch your email for communication related to the critical help you can provide!

• EARN MONEY FOR YOUR STUDENT’S CLUB OR SPORTS by signing up to work the indoor concession stand for basketball games. Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/RebelFamsSUG

• WE NEED A FUNDRAISING CHAIR - most of the work can be done on your own time, calling restaurants to organize dine to donate, or coming up with new and creative ideas to help us raise money. If you are interested in leading the charge email us at wsrebelmoms@gmail.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES!

facebook.com/southrebelfamilies Instagram ​@rebelfamilies

The only way we can continue to provide things for our students is through raising money! (Our annual goal is $25,000), so please GET INVOLVED!

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES!

facebook.com/southrebelfamilies Instagram ​@rebelfamilies

The Argus, South's annual year, is busy planning the 2025 yearbook edition. Please see the Argus Update 2025 for information about our yearbook, school pictures and senior photo information. If you have any questions related to the yearbook, please email them to our Yearbook Advisor, Ms. McChesney at south.yearbook@weschools.org.

The Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools and the Cleveland Food Bank will provide monthly produce for any family in the community. The markets are open from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Service will not begin prior to 10 a.m. See the posting below for upcoming dates and location.

Enjoy some pictures and information of some of the great things happening at South over the last two weeks.

Our Students of the Month winners receive a pizza from Pizza Booyah during their lunch period to share with friends!

Congratulations to 9th Grade Gia Safar, 10th Grade Luke Jensen, 11th Grade Daniel Curtis, and 12th Grade Trisha Gonser for being our September Students of the Month!

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!

Our Key Club members have been busy giving back and volunteering for our community. Recently they got together to make holiday cards for our Senior Citizen Dinner, packed pretzels for the Kiwanis Club, as well as chaperoned a dance at Willoughby Middle School. As I always say, we have great students who are focused on improving our community. Great to see always, but especially during the holiday season!

South High School Financial Literacy students participated in the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge at the Federal Reserve Building in Cleveland. Our students did extremely well in the challenge, but more importantly had an incredible experience.

At the November Board Meeting, South High School had a chance to present some of the great things going on in our building. Freshmen Students Sophia Omerza, Adele Amos and Dominick Damiano, along with teacher Sheri Paoletto, presented on our new and innovative Flex Courses. Senior students Lilly Reed and Emma Martin spoke about authentic learning experiences. Senior Maddie Luciano spoke eloquently honoring her impactful teacher Beth Frabotta. We were also able to honor and recognize the contributions of our Rebel Yell organization, led by teacher Erin Dodson and student leaders Sid Godbole and Shea Duffy.

Outstanding teachers Victoria Insley, Jess Sinkovic, and Anne Vokic as well as staff member Janet Pastor. were also honored for the incredible work they do to make South great.

Bussing Information: The radius for school transportation widens from Middle School to High School. Transportation information is now available in PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please call Transportation Department at (440) 975-3736 if you have any transportation questions.

Food Services Flyer

Please see the following for information about our Food Services - Food Services Flyer

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