

March 2025 Newsletter
Shawnee High School
A Note From the Guidance Department
It's testing season! Please be mindful of testing dates and alternate schedules on testing days. If you have questions, please contact the school. Good luck to all our students testing!
Important Dates
Wednesday, March 5th - Two hour delay, teacher in-service.
Friday, March 14th - End of 3rd nine weeks
Wednesday, April 16th: Early Dismissal
Thursday, April 17th - Tuesday, April 22nd: NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
Wednesday, April 23rd - School Resumes
Tuesday, April 1st: Cap & gown distribution at SHS
Thursday, April 3rd: Cap & gown distribution at Apollo
2 Hour Delays
Parents/guardians and students, please note that when we have a two hour delay, breakfast is not served in the cafeteria.
Spring Testing
The following lists include important upcoming test dates. Parents, please be mindful of the testing schedule and try to avoid scheduling appointments on these dates. Students NOT testing please be aware of the modified delay schedules to accommodate testing requirements.
*Students must enter door N1 - located in the front on the East end.
Testing Dates- End of Course (EOC) Exams
March 25th: Part 1 ELA EOC/ACT- Testing for all regular and Advanced English 10 students and Juniors taking the ACT. No lunch provided, students are released after testing. Bus transportation runs on the normal schedule.
March 27th: Part 2 ELA EOC- Testing for all regular and Advanced English 10 students. Students NOT testing are on a 2 Hour Delay and should report at 9:45 am.
April 3rd: Biology, US Studies & Government EOC- Testing for all regular and Advanced Biology students, students in Government, regular US Studies Course, and AP US History. Students NOT testing are on a 3 Hour Delay and should report at 10:45 am.
April 8th: Algebra & Geometry EOC- Testing for all Geometry, Foundational Geometry, Advanced Geometry, Algebra 1 and Foundational Algebra 1 students. Students NOT testing are on a 3 Hour Delay and should report at 10:45 am.
Test Taking Tips
Get 8-10 hours of sleep the night before a test.
Eat a healthy breakfast in the morning the day of the test.
Drink plenty of water; it helps calm your nerves & helps you focus.
Don't rush the morning of a test, arrive on time to school.
Read all directions and answer choices before picking an answer.
Eliminate answer choices you know are incorrect.
Pace yourself. Move on from challenging questions and go back to them later.
If you are starting to lose focus, do a quick brain break.
Don't leave any questions blank.
Review your answers after completing all of the questions.
Have a positive attitude.
School Fees
Please be sure to pay your school fees at your earliest convenience. Please keep in mind that seniors do not walk in the graduation ceremony and diplomas are held until all fees/fines are paid in full. You can pay with cash or check in the East Office, or you can pay with a card online at PaySchoolsCentral. Email any fee questions to Mrs. Rigali at erinr@limashawnee.com
Senior Important Information
Graduation Caps & Gowns
In order to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, seniors must meet all graduation requirements and wear the cap and gown representative of Shawnee High School. Please check with your senior to make sure the appropriate items have been ordered. See Mrs.Hershberger in the West Office if you need another order form.
In this STEAM activity, Mrs. Page's biology students made
plant and animal cells on shrink film!
Click below to view the January/February 2025 edition
of the Chief Newspaper
Lima Memorial Evening Explorer Event
March 12th at 6:30pm
Lima Memorial has a wonderful opportunity for students to step into the world of cardiology for an unforgettable evening of discovery! Explorer Physician Night offers a rare opportunity to engage with expert cardiologists and physicians as you explore the heart like never before.
- Dissect a real heart and uncover its intricate structure.
- See a heart in motion and understand how it keeps us alive.
- Learn about artificial heart pumps and how they save lives in heart failure.
This intimate, hands-on, and truly unique experience is perfect for those curious about the marvels of medicine and the power of the human heart. Spaces are limited. Don't miss your chance to learn, explore, and connect with leading physicians in a fun and interactive setting!
Lima Memorial Exploring Program
The Explorer program is designed to provide positive and meaningful real-world career experiences to High School Students. Participants will be able to make informed decisions about future careers and determine if a particular healthcare career is right is the right choice. Explorers will:
- Participate in hands-on experiences
- Network with healthcare professionals
- Learn about the latest technology in health care
- Learn about educational requirements needed
- Practice leadership skills
Volunteer Opportunity
Teen Volunteer Program - St. Rita's Medical Center
St. Rita's Medical Center is looking for teens who would like to consider being a part of their Teen Volunteer Summer Program to volunteer a minimum of 40 hours between June – August, 2025. This program offers an opportunity to preview careers in healthcare, including but not limited to, working in specific departments in the hospital, helping in the Gift or Thrift Shops, spending time in nutrition, or checking out what their maintenance crews do.
To Apply
- All students Complete the application: https://www.mercy.com/about-us/careers/volunteering/apply-now
- Select the Lima, OH location.
- Under Volunteer Type, select “TEEN”.
*Teens who have volunteered at St. Rita’s previously only need to complete the application.
For NEW teen volunteers, they will also need to have a parent/guardian complete some paperwork which is attached. Once signed, please return all documentation to SRMCVolunteer@mercy.com. The documents are listed and attached below.
- Confidential School Recommendation – needs parent/guardian signature.
- Health Statement – needs parent/guardian signature.
- TB Screening Questionnaire – needs parent/guardian signature.
- Teen Volunteer Parental Agreement – needs student and parent/guardian signature
Deadline to submit online applications is March 1, 2025.
Apollo Career Center
Apollo Career Center offers more than 20 career-technical programs that take two years to complete. The students have the opportunity to experience hands-on training and college prep academics to prepare students for their futures after high school. Students from eleven area districts attend Apollo , giving students the chance to meet new people, be exposed to a diverse population, and meet peers who share the same goals and interests. To be admitted to Apollo after their 10th grade year, students need a minimum of eight credits: two English credits, two Math credits, one Science credit, one Social Studies credit, and two additional credits (Health, Fine Art, etc.). Students can apply at any time with their online application.
Please see your school counselor for further questions!
ProgressBook
Parents can easily access and monitor student's grades by using ProgressBook
https://parentaccess.noacsc.org/
If you do not already have a ProgressBook account, you will need a registration key. To receive this registration key, please contact Mrs. Jen Minnick in the guidance office.
Email: minnickj@limashawnee.com
Phone: 419-998-8004
V.I.P.2 (Very Important Potential Pharmacists) Day
Click the picture below to register!
Click below to check out Heidelberg University's
Summer Camps!
Distinguished Alumni
Math Help
Math help is available every morning at 7:10am in Mrs. Keller's room (Rm 210). This is a time for students to ask for help on homework and quiz reviews as well ask questions about lesson concepts.
Attendance Office
- Direct Attendance line: 419-998-8003. Please leave voicemail.
- Vacation forms: A vacation form must be filled out any time a student goes out of town for any reason such as participating in a club activity, dance competition, etc.
- Unexcused absences: Attendance alerts for UNEXCUSED absences will be sent out through text and email. Students will remain UNEXCUSED unless the parent/guardian contacts the attendance office. Contact must be made with the attendance office no later than the day the student returns to school. If contact is not made the student will remain UNEXCUSED.
- Midterm exams and final exams: Vacation days will not be approved for midterm exams days and final exam days. Midterm exams are January 9th and January 10th. Final exams are May 27th and May 28th. Exams dates are subject to change.
HOBY Youth Leadership
Attention sophomores: Since 1958, HOBY Youth Leadership has provided transformative leadership development training to over 500,000 high school students around the world. Our seminars guide students through three phases of leadership—personal, group, and service. These seminars educate 8,500+ students each year as they embrace a better sense of their leadership abilities, tangible ways to lead diverse groups, and a challenge to serve their communities.
Click here for more information. See your school counselor if you're interested in attending.
Buckeye Girls State
Attention Juniors: Buckeye Girls State is a week-long program designed to educate Ohio's young women in the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of good citizenship. By getting involved in the process, BGS delegates learn more about city, county, and state government. For more information, check out the links below.
Buckeye Boys State
Attention Juniors: American Legion Buckeye Boys State is an eight-day hands-on experience in the operation of the democratic form of government, the organization of political parties, and the relationship of one to the other in shaping Ohio government. See the links below for more information.
Rhodes State College
Explore your program of interest by participating in the new “Career Discovery Series” at Rhodes State. During these program specific visits, potential students and guests will get a hands-on experience with the instructors who teach within your desired major. Also, during these visits, you will meet your student success navigator, take a campus tour, and learn about the enrollment process. Cick below for more information!
GROB Apprenticeship Program
Please see the message below from GROB if you are interested in their apprenticeship program after graduation:
We are thrilled to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2025 GROB apprenticeship class! Applications can be submitted on our website (see link below). The deadline to apply is March 30th, however, we review applications on a rolling basis. The sooner students apply, the sooner they can go through the application process.
The GROB apprenticeship program is an opportunity to learn an in-demand trade, earn a debt-free college degree, and start your career at a world-class machine tool manufacturer - all while being paid! No experience in manufacturing? None needed! The combination of GROB's in-house training program and your college classes will prepare you to become a highly-skilled mechanical or electrical technician at GROB in just two years.
ACT
SAT
College Board is pleased to announce that the number of weekend administrations in the 2025-26 school year will increase from seven to eight, with a new September 2025 administration offered in the United States and internationally.
In addition to the usual dates, they will be offering an administration on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Students will be able to register for September and other SAT administrations in spring 2025. Scores from the September administration will be available approximately two weeks following the administration and before October 1.
Google Classroom
Students, if you have not joined your Google Classroom for your grade level, please do so ASAP. The guidance department will be posting information and updates in your grade level classrooms throughout the school year.
Class of 2025 code: ilbhj45
Class of 2026 code: z3h7vu2
Class of 2027 code: afspz6w
Class of 2028: vsjnjxh
Paperless Correspondence
Most letters and reminders being sent from the high school will now be sent by email. Please make sure you have provided an updated email address in Final Forms, and be sure to check your email for informational letters from the high school over the course of the year. Paper mailings will not be mailed out to students and/or parents unless you formally request that we do so. Please call or email Mrs. Tina Hershberger in the West Office at (419) 998-8001 or hershbergert@limashawnee.com to request paper mailings.
School Webpage and App
Please be sure to check our webpage regularly for the latest news and updates regarding events and information for this school year. We also encourage you to sign up for the Shawnee Local School District app on Google Play or the App Store.
Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund
A new scholarship was created to benefit our seniors, starting with the Class of 2022: The Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund. If you are interested in donating to the fund, please click the image below and follow them on Facebook at Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund for updates and more information. We appreciate all efforts to pay it forward to our seniors. Thank you for leaving your legacy on our community.
Mental Health & Resources
Community Resources
Crisis Number Hotlines
Ohio CareLine: 1-800-720-9616
Crisis Text Line: Text "4hope" to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Hopeline: 1-800-567-HOPE
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Guidance Department
What can your school counselor do for you?
Our job as a guidance department is to support, advocate, and care for the needs of the whole student. We assist students with academic concerns, friendship troubles, study skills, personal problems, college/career planning, etc.