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From Our Principal
Good morning WHS families,
We had a very spirited homecoming week at Westlake High School. We were honored to induct several people into the Westlake Schools Hall of Fame, we had a tremendous Rose Arch assembly, parade, and dance. I am very proud of our students. Their effort and behavior this past week were tremendous. A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Mindy Clark for her time and planning for these events! Events such as our homecoming week reinforce that this is a tremendous place for our students!
The Westlake Schools mission statement reads that "We Educate for Excellence... empowering all students to achieve their goals, to direct their lives, and to contribute to society." I am extremely proud to report that the class of 2017 contributed over 20,000 hours community service to the greater Cleveland area during their time at Westlake High School. The impact they had was impressive and I am happy that we have a 60 hour community service component as part of our graduation requirement and that it is making a difference!
I encourage all parents of upperclassmen to check in the counseling office or check their naviance accounts for college visit opportunities. Over the past few weeks more than 25 colleges have come to recruit our students. As it stands this week, we have 14 colleges stopping by WHS. These include Loyola of Chicago, Ohio Dominican, Duquesne, and Denison.
As we move into October, please remember that we have a delayed start on October 11 for Seniors and Freshmen. Juniors and Sophomores will report at regular time to take the PSAT test. Mrs. Bail and the Language Arts department have a terrific opportunity for seniors on October 11. Please read about it below in the counselor corner. Picture re-take day will be October 18. Finally, the first quarter ends on Thursday, October 26.
As a reminder the WHS announcements can be found
here
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Should you have any questions or concerns about any of the information above, please feel free to reach out to me.
Paul Wilson
Principal
-Westlake High School
Westlake City Schools
PHONE: 440-250-1003
TWITTER: @WHS_Westlake
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Join Westlake High School PTSA - Now Online!
You can now pay your membership dues and contribute to the WHS PTSA Fundraiser online.
Annual dues are $10. Meetings are held monthly in the high school's media center. It's a great way to stay informed and get involved!
Your support is greatly appreciated and all donations help us to provide the following for your student.
- Scholarships
- Wellness Day
- Homecoming Dance Coat/Belonging Check
- Prom Assembly
- Green & White Revue
- Reflections
- Student Appreciation
On-line credit card and e-check payments are subject to a nominal processing fee, and you still have the option to pay by cash or check.
Thank you for supporting our WHS students!
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Counselor's Corner
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SNACKS & APPS - Don't let them hit snooze! While the sophomores and juniors take the PSAT on October 11th, we encourage seniors to forego their late start and take advantage of a one-stop-shop to work on their college applications before the first big deadline on November 1st. The counselors are teaming up with the English department to provide seniors support with their essay and navigating their Common App accounts so they can eventually click "submit" with as much confidence as possible! Counselors, English teachers, and snacks will be available in the media center from 8:00 - 11:00a.
FAFSA - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) became available for families with seniors to start filling out October 1st! Save the date for our Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, Oct. 17th.
Fill out your FAFSA l
FafsaHelpOhio
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT - Financing a post-high school education can seem challenging and there are often questions about the financial aid process. WHS is hosting a Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, October 17th at 7:00p. Join Dave Newman from College Now Cleveland to learn important information to help parents navigate the world of financial aid. Mr. Newman will provide information on the financial aid process in general, accessing and completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), applying for grants and scholarships, and more!
SMALL GROUPS - With the school year underway we will begin building small groups to help students walking similar paths learn coping skills or techniques to better manage their day and stay on task and focused at school. Small groups commonly include themes of study skills (time management, organization, etc.), social/emotional (self-esteem, friendship, depression), or college and career planning (self-discovery assessments to determine interests and strengths and how that lends itself to considering career paths and the education required to obtain them). The best referrals are often from parents so if there's something you think we can help your child with, please reach out to their school counselor.
COLLEGE VISITS - Colleges visits allow juniors and seniors to hear directly from admissions representatives what their school is looking for and ask questions in a small group setting! Often the college reps will be one of the readers for the applications from WHS so it's a great opportunity to put a face to the name! Student must register in
Naviance. This week's visits include:
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Mon Oct. 2
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Oberlin College, Muskingum University, Loyola University Chicago
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Tues Oct. 3
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Ohio Dominican University, University of Findlay,
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Wed Oct. 4
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Wright State University, SUNY Fredonia, Duquesne University
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Thurs Oct. 5
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St. Bonaventure University, Kettering University, Gannon University
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Fri Oct. 6
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Malone University, Denison University, Slippery Rock University
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Service Learning
The I-X Center has a fun volunteer opportunity available for high school students who are 16 years old and up. Volunteers are needed to pass out candy at 12 Halloween themed candy stations. The event is being held October 21 & 22 and 28 & 29, 2017. The easiest way for students to sign-up to volunteer is to go
this website: and click on the "Get Involved" tab at the top of the page and select "Volunteer". A Sign-Up Genius page has been created to sign up and check date and time availability. Students can also indicate to help with a friend or school. If you have any questions contact
Katie Seeley, I-X Center Volunteer Coordinator or call her at 216-265-2580.
The Fall Respite Night, which is being held at the North Olmsted Assembly of God Church on Friday October 6th, is seeking volunteers. This is an event where special needs children of all ages and their siblings spend an evening enjoying fun activities, while their parent(s) or guardians enjoy a much-needed break. High school students are needed to help with these activities and spend time with the children.
If you are interested in helping with this special event, please contact:
Chelsea Girash OR Bernice Girgash.
Adapted Fitness - Volunteer helpers are needed to assist students in Adapted Fitness and Yoga classes. Individuals with developmental disabilities participate in these exercise classes. Peer helpers are needed to help these students understand the directions being given by the instructor, and to motivate them to exercise and have fun! Classes are held Saturday afternoons and weekday evenings at Westlake High School and Dover Elementary School.
For more detailed information about exercise sessions, times, and volunteer responsibilities; please Contact Angela Siciliano at 440-773-5742 OR
angelasd9@gmail.com.
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As the new Career Shadow Facilitator at Westlake High School, I would like to extend an invite to all parents to be a part of the career exploration experience for Westlake High School students.
There are three opportunities for parents and the community to get involved:
- Career Shadowing offers the students an experience at your place of employment. This can be a half or full day experience. The student would shadow you and/or your colleagues and become aware of the daily activities of a specific career.
- As a Career Speaker, you would come to Westlake High School and speak with a group of students that have an interest in your career field.
- Lastly, you may allow a group of students to come to your place of employment for a Field Trip to tour and speak with various employees.
Exploring careers allows students to make better, informed decisions about their future. If you would like to be involved, please contact me at kronzb@wlake.org with your name, career field, company name, address and phone number. My goal is to establish a comprehensive database that I can use for our students. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Career Development Specialist
Westlake High School
440-250-1028
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Calling all artists! The theme for this year's National PTA Reflections program is
"Within Reach". Entries are accepted in the following categories: Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Dance Choreography, Film Production and Musical Composition. Please turn in the entries and entry form
to your school office by Monday November 6th. Rules for submissions are available here
. If you have any questions, please email Maureen Spring or Julie Meno.
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Westlake Council of PTAs
News
Fall Fundraisers
Westlake Council of PTAs' fundraisers make it possible for us to provide programming for students and parents on current topics of interest. Here is information on our fall fundraisers:
Dean's Greenhouse: Now - October 31
Bring this flyer or mention that you are with Westlake Council of PTAs when you check-out. 25% of your purchase comes back to Westlake Council of PTAs.
Jewelry by Crystal Moon Designs: Now - December 1
Purchase unique silver bracelets and necklaces with Westlake charms (map; "W"; or the Westlake Demon mascot).
Details can be found here
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Thank you for your continued support! Please contact our Council Fundraising chair, Jessica Kim (jessicastraka@aol.com or 216.548.0948 ), with questions.
Programming Survey & Update
Westlake Council of PTAs' programming
has included a variety of topics in recent years, such as Love and Logic parenting seminars, Operation Medicine Cabinet, Hidden in Plain Sight, Screenagers screening and discussion, and How to Talk to Your Children about substance abuse.
It is the goal of the programming committee to bring events, discussions, and topics that are relevant, research based, and effective to our parents and students. We hope you will take a very
brief survey to let us know what topics you would like to be presented this year. Please contact the Council Programming chair,
Dawn Evans with questions.
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Westlake Music Boosters Needs You!
We invite you to join Westlake Music Boosters and get involved and be a part of all the fun! We support all Pre-K through 12 music programs and teachers in our district.
Our next meeting is
Tuesday, October 10th at 7pm in the WHS Library. But don't wait until then to get involved:
Volunteer Now
- We still have a few slots to fill. If you are a parent of middle school student, we could really use you for a few short hours. Feel free to recruit a friend or neighbor to join you!
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"Locked House, Unlocked Home" Internet Safety Program
The Westlake Police Department is offering a free internet safety seminar for parents on Thursday Oct. 19th at the Westlake Rec Center.
The presentation will be an introduction into internet safety for parents of children of all ages. The internet is an amazing tool when used correctly. The presentation will provide parents tools they can use to keep their children safe while online.
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Increase your ACT scores with strategies proven to succeed!
Students who receive higher scores on ACTs:
---Create greater college admissions opportunities
---Qualify for and can maximize scholarship offerings
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National PTA seeks a theme for the 2019-20 Reflections program year
Please review the past themes included in the
attachment. Repeat themes will not be considered. Use the form to submit your theme ideas. Students may submit multiple entries; however, for each new entry, a form will have to be completed. Scan and email completed forms by October 27 to either
Maureen Spring or
Julie Meno.
The student who submits the winning entry at the National PTA level of judging will receive $100, and his or her theme will be presented at the Annual National PTA Convention.
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Westlake Historical Society Heritage Home Program
On October 12, 2017, join us at 7:00 PM, at the Westlake Recreation Center Community Meeting Room to hear joint presentations about some of Westlake's century homes and about the Heritage Home Program of the Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS).
Will Krause, Westlake's Assistant Planning Director and Westlake Historical Society Historian will discuss the history of some of the city's century homes, many of which are for sale right now.
Margaret Lann, Programt Manager of the Heritage Home Programsm of the Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS) will inform Westlake residents of the wonderful services that are available to them due to the City of Westlake's continued participation in the Heritage Home Program. All you need to do is own a home in Westlake (or one of the neighboring communities that participate in the program) that is at least 50 years old. If you purchase or currently own a home 100 years old you double qualify!
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Flyer Connection
The Westlake Police Department has several slots open for Substitute School Crossing Guards to help children walking or riding their bikes to school safely and efficiently cross at marked intersections. We are searching for adults who can fill in either 1.5 hours prior to the start of school or 1.5 hours at dismissal time.
Learn more here
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Fall Respite Night Friday October 6th Open to special needs kids and their siblings. Volunteers earn service hours.
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Important Dates:
October 11 - Delayed start for Freshmen and Seniors
October 24 - PTA Meeting, 7p
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NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Send submissions to jljlj.jolliffe@gmail.com; preferred format is in the body of an email or a Microsoft Word document.
- Strict deadline is 5p each Thursday, prior to Monday publication
- Limit text to @150 words; include hyperlinks or pdf attachments that can be uploaded for interested readers to obtain more information
- Items should be copy and paste ready; i.e. do not send a note saying "please add information about..."
- Event items will remain until the event has passed; you do not need to resend each week unless your message has changed.
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