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From Our Principal
Good morning WHS families,
It seemed like just a few days ago we were at the homecoming dance with 1100 students. However, we have had a complete week of school since the dance and it seems to have flown by. 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. Seniors, please remember that our Language Arts Department will be available in the Media Center during the PSAT time to review your essays or brainstorm ideas. Don't miss this amazing opportunity! Also a reminder that there is no school for students on Thursday, October 12 or Friday, October 13. Picture re-take day will be October 18. Finally, the first quarter ends on Thursday, October 26.
We would also like to congratulate WHS Senior, Jillian Eddy. Jillian was 1 of 5 students nationwide selected as a finalist for Marvel Studios' Thor: Ragnarok Superpower STEM Challenge.
Jillian used her superpower of STEM to design and create an original Do-It-Yourself project by inventing a portable Bike Anchor. This invention would enable to ride your bike anywhere and safely lock it up without the need for a bike rack, tree, or metal pole.
Jillian flew out to Hollywood, California yesterday in order to present her invention in front of a panel of experts in the STEM field today. On Tuesday, she will be taking a tour of the Disney/Marvel Studios in the morning before making an appearance as part of the red carpet premiere for the new Marvel Studios' THOR: RAGNAROK movie, which will be in the theatres in November. Congratulations Jillian WHS is behind you all of the way!
As a reminder the WHS announcements can be found here. Have you had the opportunity to view our new
Friday morning video announcements? These are put together by WHBS and prepared weekly. They have been a hit with both the students and the staff. Thank you to Mr. Szekely and our WHBS staff!
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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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.
SERVICE LEARNING
Just a reminder that students are required to obtain 15 service learning hours each year to strengthen the belief that service is a value embedded in a well-rounded student! There is a bulletin board in the counseling office with service opportunities and copies of the forms that need to be turned in to validate hours. Opportunities can also be found below and on the high school
website
. If you're aware of o
pportunities in our community that kids can serve in, please reach out to
Elana Prohaska.
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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Tuesday, Oct. 10
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Kenyon College, University of Mount Union, Ohio University, Otterbein University
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Wed., Oct. 11
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Reed College, University of Rochester, University of Kentucky
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Picture Retake Day / Senior Yearbook Pictures
Picture retake day is Wednesday, November 18, 2017.
Seniors need to get their picture taken for the yearbook.
You have two options:
- Schedule an appointment at Prestige Portraits 26167 Detroit Road / 440-892-4615 (no purchase necessary)
- Get your picture taken on our Senior Only picture day on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017 from 7:50am - 2:30pm. Sign up in the Main Office.
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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.
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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*NEW NIGHT* - The Fall Respite Night
, which is being held at the North Olmsted Assembly of God Church on Friday November 3rd, 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.
Wigs for Kids, located at 24231 Center Ridge Rd., is hosting two Volunteer Saturdays for the months of October through December.
Listed below are the dates and links to sign up. Just click the date to which day you want to volunteer and sign up from there! Time slots are broken up into 2 hour increments and each individual coming must be signed up separately.
The Wigs for Kids office hours are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Those interested in weekday volunteering can call the office to arrange for this.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Michael Ross at
volunteer@wigsforkids.org
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Any student interested in ski and snowboard club this year, there is a mandatory meeting on Sunday, Oct. 22nd at 2:30 at the BOE in the Parkside Auditorium. Interested students AND a parent MUST attend.
Scroll down on
this page for complete details!
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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.
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Westlake Demons Athletic Boosters
Winter Concession Sign Up
Funds realized through the sale of concessions at home sporting events will go to fund ALL sports at WHS and LBMS. We are asking that ALL Winter 2017-2018 athlete families work at least two, 2 hour shifts, at any of the
games listed on this calendar
. Your help is the cornerstone to the success of our efforts and we truly appreciate your willingness to help! Go Demons!!
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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.
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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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Important Dates:
October 11 - Delayed start for Freshmen and Seniors
October 12 - Staff Work Day/No School
October 13 - NEOEA Day/No School
October 19 - WHS Fall Band Concert, 7pm
October 23 - WHS Fall Choral Concert, 7pm
October 24 - PTA Meeting, 7p
October 30 - WHS Show Choir Invitational, 7pm @ PAC
November 18 - Picture retake day
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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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