WHHHS Update-October 25, 2024
WHHHS Update-October 25, 2024
Dear William Henry Harrison High School Families--
We are now fully into the second quarter! Our performing groups are in full swing, we still have some fall sports teams competing, and winter sports will be starting within the next few days as we turn the page to November. Please see the information below for some important reminders and updates:
ProgressBook Information
As we start 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.
Grades 10 – 12: New LinkedUp Connect Portal
We have partnered with Hamilton County ESC, and we are excited to announce that your student will have the opportunity to use LinkedUp Connect – an innovative online platform designed to link students with work-based learning opportunities across the region.
Work-based learning refers to activities that connect students with real-life experiences from local industry and business partners. Through LinkedUp Connect, your student can explore and connect directly to a range of opportunities such as pre-apprenticeships, internships, job-shadowing experiences, community service hours, and more.
With the LinkedUp Connect platform, your student will be able to browse experiences tailored to their interests. Accessing these work-based learning opportunities is a key component for graduation under Ohio’s new requirements. For more information on Ohio’s graduation requirements, please visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-Graduation-Requirements/Ohio%E2%80%99s-Graduation Requirements
In order for your student to participate in this opportunity, please be sure to sign the permission form posted here no later than Sunday, October 27. Thank you for your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Principal Joe Pollitt.
Class of 2025 Families – Senior Financial Aid Night
William Henry Harrison High School will be sponsoring its annual Financial Aid Meeting for Senior Families on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, beginning at 6:30 PM in the Harrison Jr. School Cafeteria.
At this meeting, families will receive an overview of the financial aid process. Brandi Lee, Associate Director, Office of Student Financial Assistance at Miami University, will be on hand to answer questions and explain the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filing process.
Be sure to mark your calendars now for November 19th! For more information and to register, please click this link. Questions concerning this meeting can be directed to Steve Barnes, counselor at the high school, at 513-367-4169 or steve.barnes@southwestschools.org.
Protocols for Election Day – Tues 11/5
On Tuesday, November 5, the Hamilton County Board of Elections will utilize the Activity Center as a polling precinct for the General Election. In years past, this has been an inservice day with no students on campus; however this year, school is in session on the day of the General Election. In order to maintain security in the main building, and to prevent crowds on what is expected to be a large voter turnout, we will be implementing the following safety procedures:
- The Activity Center and Pedestrian Bridge will be closed to students. Students who are dropped off and picked up at the Activity Center will use the crosswalks to cross West Road. There will be a police officer directing traffic during arrival and dismissal. Students waiting for rides after 3:10 PM will need to wait at the high school, not at the Activity Center.
- In the Activity Center East Parking Lot, the first two rows of parking spots will be reserved for voters. Students will park in the rows to the east of the reserved rows.
- Wildcat Academy classes will be remote. JROTC classes will meet in the main building.
- Students attending Diamond Oaks will work remotely on this day (there is a published Zoom schedule on the Diamond Oaks website here), while students attending Scarlet Oaks are still expected to attend in-person.
Additional Senior Portrait Appointments Available – Nov 5th and 6th
Seniors, we want YOU pictured in the yearbook and in the wall composite, so Executive Studios has agreed to come to WHHHS two additional days. They will be here Tuesday, Nov. 5th & Wednesday, Nov. 6th with appointments between 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Call 513-241-4959 TODAY to make your appointment and avoid having to drive to their downtown studio. Remember that only Executive Studios pictures will be used in the Senior Portrait section of the Yearbook and on the composite, so you must have a sitting with Executive. You are not required to purchase any picture packages from Executive. Questions? Email stacey.jones@southwestschools.org or see Mrs. Jones in Room 116.
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!
Junior ACT – February 25, 2025 & Opt-Out Opportunity
As with previous year, our juniors will be scheduled to take the state-funded ACT college readiness examination. This year’s date will be Tuesday, February 25, 2025, and students on a Great Oaks campus will be scheduled to take their test at Harrison High School.
Recognizing that not all students will enter a two- or four-year college or university right after graduation, and that some students may have already taken one of these assessments during high school, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has created an opt-out option for families to exempt their high school junior from taking the state-mandated test. This opt-out option begins with the Class of 2026. To opt-out, please complete and return the form found here to the Main Office by Friday, November 22, 2024. We will also have hard copies of the form available in the Main Office.
Parents of 9th and 10th Graders – Great Oaks “Coffee Chats”
Parents of 9th and 10th graders: Thinking college and career? Attend an upcoming coffee chat to learn more about the "super electives" your kids can take later in high school via the Great Oaks Career Campuses in programs, including engineering tech & robotics, nursing, surgical technology, dentistry, culinary arts, information technology, exercise science & sports medicine, auto service technology, aviation, manufacturing engineering technology, veterinary assisting, digital arts and design, and more. TWO in-person sessions and ONE virtual chat - RSVP and more details here: Oct. 21 at 6:30 PM, webinar registration: https://bit.ly/3Bvrl8C; Oct. 28 at 7:00 PM, Anderson Library registration: https://bit.ly/3UmHlRd; and Oct. 30 at 6:30 PM, Madeira Library registration: https://bit.ly/4evRL8R.
Kindergarten Registration Update
To be eligible for Kindergarten in the 2025-2026 school year, children must turn five years old on or before August 1, 2025.
Additional information about the Kindergarten registration process will be shared by the beginning of second semester. Kindergarten registration updates can be found here.
Extracurricular Activities
As stated above, our district goal is that 100% of our students will participate in at least one extracurricular activity (club, group, or sport). As we end the first quarter, 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.
Ski Club is Back for a Second Year!
Harrison High School is excited to offer a ski club again this year. There are discounts on season passes at Perfect North through the club, along with a club exclusive four-visit pass. Ski/Board rentals are also available through the club. We will be taking four trips to Perfect North this year. Please check out the attached flyer for more information and sign-up instructions. November 3rd is the last day to get the club’s 30% off prices on passes/rentals. Also: anyone can buy lift tickets through the club as well, you do not have to be a Harrison High School student to purchase on our club’s access!!
Breast Cancer Awareness Presentation – Class of 2025 Females
In partnership with America’s Girls, community member, local business owner, and non-profit founder Angie Stone will be speaking with our senior girls about Breast Cancer Awareness and the importance of monthly breast self-exams. As a survivor, her mission is to inspire women by sharing her life-saving experience with others. You can read more about her story and their mission by clicking this link.
The presentation will take place during Advisory on Thursday, October 31st; all senior female students are invited; if you wish to opt out of the experience, please return the form attached to this email to Mrs. Long or Mrs. Freel in the Main Office no later than Friday, October 18th. You do NOT have to return anything if you choose to participate.
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. See your guidance counselor with questions.
ACT
Students who are ready to take the ACT can sign up at www.act.org. We encourage students that have completed Algebra II to sign up for the December 14th ACT. Sign up by November 8th to avoid late fees. If you have questions about the ACT, please see your guidance counselor.
PTO Butter Braid Fundraiser Information
The Harrison Jr. Sr. High PTO is holding their annual Butter Braid sale from now until October 31st! 100% of profits go to Harrison Junior School and Harrison High School staff, students, and building needs. Order forms can be picked up in the office and need to be returned on or before October 31st with cash or check for all orders. Please make sure your 1st bell teacher is on your form, along with your name. You can also sell online by setting up an online store at this link (please include 1st bell teacher on this as well): https://store.myfundraisingplace.com/RegisterSeller/639fdc3c-e83e-4124-8985-1787f5a92fd2
The online store has additional flavors and coffee available as well. Pick-up will be on Thursday, November 21st from 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM at Harrison Junior School (please note that Butter Braids arrive frozen, so pick-up is time-sensitive).
We are offering some fun incentives this year for students participating:
- Students who sell 15 or more items will receive a pizza lunch, with drink and candy
- Students who sell 30 or more items will receive $30 cash, plus the pizza party
- And finally… the FIRST student to reach 50 items sold will get $100 cash and every student who reaches 50 items sold after that will receive $50 cash
Please email us at HarrisonJrSrPTO@gmail.com with any questions. All checks should be made payable to Harrison Jr. Sr. High PTO. Thank you for your support!
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
SAT 10/26: FALL PLAY: “THIS MURDER WAS STAGED” 7:00 PM/THEATER
TUES 11/5: ELECTION DAY – SCHOOL IS IN SESSION THIS YEAR
THURS 11/7: VETERANS’ DAY ASSEMBLY 8:15 AM – ACTIVITY CENTER
FRI 11/8: NO SCHOOL – TEACHER INSERVICE DAY
MON 11/11: NO SCHOOL – VETERANS’ DAY
Thank you and have a great weekend!
Joe Pollitt
Principal
William Henry Harrison High School
