Gary Snyder Memorial Scholarship application added to Senior Info tab.
Baseball and Softball Fans: With the passing of Mr. Lightle we will not be playing games this evening. We also will be moving our game on Friday to a different date. Wednesday and Thursday should operate as normal. #tribepride
We will be dismissing all students at 12 o’clock on Friday so that our staff and students who wish to pay their respects to Mr. Lightle and his family will be able to do so. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 PM on Friday in the Western High School gymnasium.
We will be having additional counselors on site tomorrow to talk with any students who are struggling with Mr Lightle’s passing. We know this will be very difficult on both staff and students so we want to be sure to be able to offer them all of the possible help we can. We will be having a meeting with all junior high and high school students first thing in the morning to make sure they understand that counselors are available.
In Memory
Softball and Baseball fans: All games this weekend for HS sports are cancelled. #tribepride
Now that the news of the accident has been published in the media I feel that I can appropriately explain the circumstances that necessitated our cancellation today. Darren Lightle, our JH history teacher, WHS graduate, and 25 year teacher at Western was killed in a car accident early this morning. We will get a plan together today to set up counseling services for our students. Several other schools have offered services already. When we get details I will get them out to you. Please be in prayer for Darren's kids and his family and also for our staff and students. Lots and lots of students and adults impacted in a 25 year career.
The fourth grade field trip to the circus has been canceled for today as well.
I just sent out a one call but I wanted to also send a message and the post that we are not having school today. We’re going to cancel due to an emergency situation with one of our staff members. It’s not appropriate to go into details at this point but later this morning I will make a post and send a message out with more details about the situation. We will not have school on Friday, March 25.
YLA Member Spotlight
Madison Clay is this month's member spotlight. She is from Latham, Ohio and is a senior at Western High School. Madison started her YLA journey in the 8th grade when she first joined her school's organization. Since then, she has attended Youth in Government two out of her first three years and plans on attending again this year. Every time that she has attend Youth in Government, she has displayed one of the most important characteristics in a youth leader that of service towards another. She accomplished this signing up to be a page and dedicated her time at the event to helping other youth legislators in the program. Within her chapter she has served as the Western High School YLA Secretary her sophomore year and is currently serving as the President of the chapter. Madison also sets aside time for other extra curriculars which include, being an active member of Westerns National Honors Society, drama/theater, and cheerleading.
Throughout this year she has shown phenomenal leadership skills, one example of this above and beyond leadership mentality was when Madison stepped up to help plan Western High Schools YLA Week. She took on many additional responsibilities when planning the YLA Week. These included making morning announcements, running service projects, writing letters, and attending the county commissioners meeting to get our week proclaimed. During her meeting with the commissioners Madison presented a prodigious speech convincing them to sign Western YLA’s Proclamation.
During her time being a part of the YLA family she has learned many abilities. Madison become a better public speaker, communicator, and team member. She says “YLA has helped her to encourage others by helping them become more motivated and being more supportive of everyone she encounters.” She plans on attending Ohio University to obtain a degree which will allow her to use these skills in her future career as an elementary school teacher. Finally, Madison would like to thank Nick Hamilton, her 8th grade history teacher who encouraged her to join YLA
We have non-certified and extra-curricular positions posted on our website. I can't list web addresses but the attached pictures shows where to find the link.
SOMC Free Physicals - May 1 - May 31
We are having the state-wide tornado drill today. We will announce to our students that it is only a drill so we don't alarm them, especially the young ones. Just wanted to make everyone aware that today's activity is only a drill. It will be at 9:50am.
Bus five is running about 15 minutes later than normal.
Our school district is working very hard to better understand health risk and protective behaviors. As part of this effort, we are having students in grades 7-11 participate in an anonymous survey called the Ohio Healthy Youths Environments Survey-OHYES! on 3/23/22. OHYES! Is a tool designed by the Ohio Department of Education, Health, and Mental Health and Addiction Services and numerous programs advocating for youth. Our school has decided to use this survey to understand more about students. The survey takes about 15-20 minutes. This survey is confidential and the survey is anonymous.
The Pike County Health Department will use the county-wide data as part of our Community Health Assessment and then to assist us with our Community Health Improvement Plan.
If you do not want your child to participate your child can opt out on the link to the survey.
The JB and Garnett A. Wilson Scholarship applications are due to Mrs. Schuler by Friday, March 25. Applications may be picked up in her room.
And the Pike Water Scholarship application has been added to Senior Information.
Mary T. Patterson scholarship application available on Scholar's App.com.
The pep buses will be returning out of approximately 1015.
Zach Farmer Memorial Scholarship application added to Senior Information tab.
We will be dismissing at 2pm tomorrow in order for our staff members and students to be able to make it to the boys regional final game tomorrow night in Athens at the Convocation Center. Our boys will be playing for a spot in the final four, a feat that only two other teams in Western's 88 year history have accomplished and the first in 54 years. We are having a community pep rally and dinner tonight at 6 to show our support for our players, coaches, and cheerleaders.