WHHHS Update-December 19th, 2024

Dear William Henry Harrison High School Families—

Thank you again to everyone who has contributed to our annual Mayor’s Community Fund Food & Clothing Drive this past week!  We are finalizing everything for Saturday morning’s pickup and we will be able to help serve over 150 families in our community this year.

We have made it to Winter Break!  Our offices will be closed during the break (Mon 12/23 – Fri 1/3) and we will reopen on Mon 1/6.  Please note that teachers have until the evening of Monday, January 6 to finalize and submit grades; please see the information below for some important reminders and updates:

ProgressBook Information
With this being the last week of the second quarter, please take some time to review your student’s grades in ProgressBook.  You and your student can also set up alerts for low grades and missing assignments as well.  Please feel free to contact your student’s teacher, guidance counselor, or an administrator with any questions.  Our expectation is that grades are updated in ProgressBook once per week and that any email or phone call is returned within 24 business hours. 

Here is a video on how to set up Missing Assignment and Low Assignment Marks Notifications in the Frontline Parent and Student mobile app v1.0.2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi5QanEAhoM

If you are experiencing problems accessing ProgressBook, please reach out to us at parentaccess@southwestschools.org.

Inclement Weather
As winter approaches and the chances for winter weather increase, please make sure your contact information is current in Final Forms.  If you are already getting emails, texts and phone calls from us via the School Messenger Mass Notification system, you should be all set to receive weather-related information.  You can also check the District website (southwestschools.org) and the official District social media accounts for the most up-to-date, accurate information.  As a reminder, our doors open at 6:45 AM every morning and students should wait in the Commons.  Likewise, we need the Activity Center cleared at 3:15 PM every day after school, however, students who still need to wait for a ride may wait as long as necessary in the Commons or the lobby of the Main Building. 

Business Clothing Closet Now Accepting Harrison Caps & Gowns
Hey Harrison! Do you have a Harrison cap or gown collecting dust?  Now is your opportunity to pass them on!  We will be hosting a cap and gown drive from December 16^th - 22^nd. You can drop off your cap & gown at one of our four drop off locations: Harrison High School Lobby: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Mon-Fri, District Office Lobby: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM Mon-Fri, Salon Uruku (check website for hours), and 1860 Taproom & Bottleshop (check website for hours).  Each location will have a donation bin.  We are also only accepting Harrison caps & gowns.  Your donations will go to the NEW student-run Business Clothing Closet in our District Office to help offer a reusable & affordable option to future Harrison graduates! 

Third Annual Family Education Day: Mental Health Huddle
MindPeace and 1N5 are partnering with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Zoo to offer families an opportunity to get game-changing insights on supporting yourself and loved ones through anxiety and depression in a fun, supportive atmosphere!  Interested families can register at cincinnatizoo.com/familyeducationday2025.  The cost is $12/person, which includes breakfast & lunch + ZOO admission for the day!  Adolescents (14+) and young adults with depression or anxiety and their parents or caregivers are invited to attend insightful sessions covering topics such as: Adolescent brain health, latest treatments for anxiety & depression, peer support, personal stories from individuals & families affected by mental health conditions. 

School Fees Updated for 2024-2025
School fees for the 2024-2025 school year have now been posted to our students’ accounts.  Directions for how to log on and pay student fees without a service charge can be found here.  Please contact the Main Office with any questions.

Stay Connected
Get your updates straight from the source!  Follow our official school and district level social media pages, listed here, for the most up-to-date, factual information.  For questions or concerns, call the school or email the appropriate administrator or staff member directly.  Let's work together to make it a great school year! 

Extracurricular Activities
Our district goal is that 100% of our students will participate in at least one extracurricular activity (club, group, or sport).  As we hit winter break, we are at 91% participation among our student body.  We want all of our students to connect with at least one extracurricular activity because research consistently connects involvement with higher achievement, and because high school is just better when you are a part of something bigger than yourself!  Our school newspaper, The Paw Print, has highlighted the growing list of all of our clubs and groups here.

College Visits
Any Junior or Senior that would like to go on a college visit can sign up on that college’s website. In order for this to be counted as a field trip day, students need to bring a note from their parent several days prior to the visit so we can fill out the proper paperwork.  This is a great way to learn about colleges and college admissions.

College Applications
All seniors learned about how to request transcripts on Naviance and if seniors need a refresher on the process, they can check their teams page for the slide show. Transcript requests need to be submitted on Naviance at least THREE open school days before the deadline. See your guidance counselor with questions.

FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open EARLY!!!!  Both the parent and the student need separate FSA ID’s to submit the application.  Go to https://studentaid.gov/ to get the FAFSA started!

PTO/Booster Organizations
Finally, we would like to invite you to join the Harrison Junior/Senior High PTO as well as our Booster organizations.  You can visit https://harrisonjrsrpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home to join the PTO, https://harrisonwildcats.membershiptoolkit.com/Home to join the Athletic Boosters, https://www.harrisonmusicboosters.com/ to join the Music Boosters, and the Harrison CAT Boosters’ website at https://harrisoncatboosters.square.site/ to support the Vocal and Drama programs.  

UPCOMING DATES
FRI 12/20: TEACHER RECORDS DAY/NO SCHOOL
FRI 12/20 – FRI 1/3: WINTER BREAK/NO SCHOOL
MON 1/6: SCHOOL RESUMES

Finally, we are extremely grateful for the privilege of serving you and your student.  Thank you for a great first semester, and we wish you and your family all the best for a safe and relaxing Winter Break and a joyful holiday season.  

Joe Pollitt
Principal
William Henry Harrison High School
Mental Health Huddle Info