Western Local School District

This message is for graduates who have Homeland Credit Union Accounts! Congratulations 2020 Graduates Homeland Credit Union Deposits $50 Into Your Account This is a notice to all secondary and post-secondary graduates currently within the Homeland membership and graduates located in Ross, Pickaway, Vinton, Fayette, Highland, Pike, Jackson, Hocking, and Fairfield counties. Beginning June 1, 2020 Homeland Credit Union will deposit $50 into your account when you bring your 2020diploma into one of our five convenient locations. Offer must be redeemed by August 31, 2020. All existing members or graduating children of members are eligible for this $50 deposit. We also welcome new graduating seniors to join the credit union and receive the deposit. You do not have to be a current member to take advantage of this special offer. “We are excited to help celebrate the accomplishments of the students in our area with this deposit.” Said Marketing Officer Briana Hood Homeland has been recognizing the accomplishments of area students for many years through annual scholarships and other promotions. “It is our hope that students in South-Central Ohio will become familiar with all that Homeland has to offer. We are here to assist them with all of their financial service needs.” Said CEO Shayne Poe For questions about this special offer or other services from Homeland Credit Union please call 740-775-3331 or visit www.homelandcu.com

The Western Local Board of Education will meet in regular session in Room 101 on Monday, June 8th @ 6pm.

From Coach Mike Young: 2020-2021 upcoming Football season, interested participants, Jr High thru High School!! It seems as if we will be able to begin conditioning and strength training the middle to end of June with the Govenors permission?? I will be the HS & Co- Jr High coach for the upcoming season and moving forward. Any students who are interested, or who are curious in regards to playing this season please message the high school Facebook page or DM me directly. I know alot of you and I have already spoken, and are ready to get this season in motion! We need all who are interested and their friends and neighbors too!! Lets do this Western, no more questions about Friday night lights, lets make it a reality!!! GO INDIANS!!

Anyone interested in playing High School Volleyball for Western (will be in 9th-12th grade) in the fall, please contact me,(Jenny Wheeler) on Facebook with your name and what grade you will be in! Even if you played last year, please still contact me so I can get a rough estimate of interested girls! Thank you 🏐

2020 WHS Scholarship Recipients are as follows. Congratulations to all! Jadah Pearson- - Fluor –BWXT’s STEAM Scholarship $2,000 - Eddie Robbins Scholarship $1,000 - Western Scholarship $1,500 Maveric Ferneau- - Homer Dale Family Scholarship $250 - Alumni Scholarship $500 - Eddie Robbins Scholarship $1,000 - Western Scholarship $1,500 Terrell Francis- - Western Scholarship $1,500 Erika Gray- - Tristan Miller Music Scholarship $500 - Hydro-clean Give Back Scholarship $500 - OUC Excellence Scholarship- Full Tuition - Atomic Credit Union $500 - JB Wilson Chloe Legg- - Rotary Scholarship $1,000 - JB Wilson - Moose Lodge Scholarship $500 - Pike County Educational Assistance Fund $500 - Shawnee State University Excellence Scholarship- ½ tuition ($4,750 per year renewable) - Marshall University Board of Governors Scholarship $5000 Hanah Barnhart- - Western Scholarship $500 Shelden Richardson- - South Central Power Scholarship $1,000 Coleman Gibson- - Tristan Miller Music Scholarship $500 - Atomic Credit Union Scholarship $500 - Western Scholarship $500 Chelsey Penwell- - South Central Power Scholarship $1,000 - Atomic Credit Union $500 - Eddie Robbins Scholarship $1,000 - Western Scholarship $500 Broc Jordan- - Pepsi Athletic Scholarship $500 - John Blackburn/Sunfish Valley White Tail Scholarship $500 - Shawnee State University Blue & Gray Scholarship $2,750 per yr. renewable for 4 years - Marshall University – A. Michael Perry Scholarship $2,500 - Campbell University- $20,000 a year renewable scholarship and $2,000 Scott- Ellis Scholarship for housing scholarship - Eddie Robbins Scholarship $1,000 - Western Scholarship $1,500 Carigan Haggy- - Pepsi Athletic Scholarship $500 - 4 H Advisory Scholarship $1,000 - Sibling Scholarship for Shawnee State University $500 per yr. for a total of $2,000 - Homer Dale Smith Family Scholarship - $250 - 4 H Alumni Scholarship $500 - Pike Community Fund $250 - Sonny Brewster Memorial Scholarship $500 - First National Bank $2,000 per yr. renewable - Western Scholarship $1,450 - Eddie Robbins Scholarship $1,000 CTC Western Awards Brooklyn Daniel - Shawnee State University Business 12 credit hours Draden Davis – National Technical Honor Society, CCP 5 hours Chemistry, Career Tech. CT2 College Credit 4 hours Jack Heffner– National Technical Honor Society, Top Building & Maintenance Student Emma Jones - Shawnee State University Business 12 credit hours Beronica Logan - Shawnee State University Business 15 credit hours Caitlin Mullins - Business Management Scholarship $250, Shawnee State University Business 15 credit hours Mary Tong - Shawnee State University Business 3 credit hours Tyanna Turner - Shawnee State University Business 15 credit hours

Hello students and parents. We are trying to hand out all awards both academic and athletic on one day for each grade. This way, students and parents only have to come in once. Please wear clothing that you’d like to get your picture taken in. Your picture will be included on our virtual awards video. The following students will come in on their specified days: *All athletic awards are high school. *All HS Boys and Girls basketball, HS cheerleaders, HS softball, Baseball, and Track athletic awards will be given out when students come in to take their picture for academic awards. (Please refer to the day your grade comes in below.) *Times are 9am-1pm each day. Tuesday, May 26 juniors and seniors can come in to get their picture taken with their athletic awards and their academic awards. Diplomas can be picked up as well with a student signature. Wednesday, May 27 will be ninth and 10th graders. Thursday, May 28 will be seventh and eighth graders. *All students will be contacted individually for academic awards if they are receiving them. *All 8th graders need to come in on their day (May 28th) for 8th grade graduation pictures. If you have any questions, please contact the high school or message the high school Facebook page.

Attention all students K-12 Last Thursday we posted on our Western Elementary Facebook page asking two questions about internet service. That post has been removed. We are not sure why or how that happened. We just posted this again on the district and elementary FB pages. If you already answered the questions through FB messenger, you do not have to resend. However, if you commented on the post, you will need to answer the questions again. We apologize for any inconveniences. Please answer the following questions for ALL current students in your home (even those who just graduated). 1. Do students at this address have home Internet Connectivity? If yes, what type? Satellite, wireless, Frontier/Spectrum 2. Do students at this address have home access to a device to connect to the Internet? If yes, what type? Phone, desk top computer, laptop, I Pad. We need a response ASAP. You can message the school through FB messenger or call 740-493-2881. If no one answers, please leave a message. Again, this is for EVERY current student in our district.

Youth league softball and baseball update The Western Youth league committee is disappointed to inform you, that we will be canceling spring baseball and softball. We are also grateful for all of the parents, coaches and players support and patience throughout this difficult time. We want to make sure we are doing what’s best for our kids and community, and with everything going on we feel canceling is the only option. Unfortunately shirts and hats have already been purchased and are non-refundable. We will be adding a $25 credit for kids to play next year. If for any reason your child doesn’t play next year we will give you the $25 in a refund after signups. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope that everyone understands that we are doing the best we can to keep everyone safe. We will be at the school Tuesday May 12th 5-7 Wednesday 13th 9-12pm so you can pick up your child’s shirt, hats and parent shirts that were ordered! We will be set up in the JUNIOR HIGH BUBBLE. Please call or message Lisa Knisley ( 740-648-9608) if these times do not work for you! Please do not call the school.

Primary/elementary families There are still several students who have not turned in work and/or picked up their belongings. We are extending the date for both to Wed. May 13th. Work can be turned in two ways: 1. Emailing completed work to teachers 2. Dropping off completed work to the school and placing in the bin. The office will be open Monday-Friday from 8-3:00 for student belonging pick up. However, school work can be dropped off at any time and placed in the bin. There is also a table outside with lost and found items. We realize this is a lot on the families and students. However, we are asking for an effort to be made on the work. The teachers are available to answer any questions you have.

This is a reminder to all students in grades 7-12 that all work for the last nine weeks is due today. There is a student drop box outside in front of the high school office for you to drop your work in. Also, please remember that lockers have been cleaned out. Student belongings are in the front high school office if you have not yet picked up your things out of your lockers. Please call ahead if you would like to come and pick up your belongings.

Just a reminder today, Fri. May 8th, is the last day to pick up student belongings for students in grades K-6. We will be here until 1:00p.m. today. Today is also the due date for work sent home the week of April 6. There is a black tub outside the office door if you need to turn in papers, or you can email pictures to the teachers.

Western primary/elementary students Reminder: you can pick up your child’s belongings tomorrow and Friday from 9-1:00. 5th/6th your items have been bagged and can be picked up in the main office. Also all work needs to be turned in by Friday, May 8th.

The following is a message concerning our academic banquet, academic awards ceremonies, 8th grade graduation, and 2020 prom. We are in the process of preparing awards for the academic banquet, awards day ceremony and 8th grade graduation. All awards and certificates have been ordered and are being printed out. Awards and certificates will be given out by appointment. Students will have their picture taken with their awards/certificates and will be posted on our school Facebook pages. Any student who cannot get their picture taken with their certificates will have them mailed home. Some senior scholarships have been pushed back so we are going to hold off until we can have as many scholarship recipients in as possible in order to accurately represent each students actual awards. We are still holding out hope that we can still have 2020 prom in some form. We will let students know as soon as possible what our plans are. It is postponed indefinitely but it has not been canceled in hopes that we will be able to have this special event for our seniors.

Dear students, parents and guardians, To the class of 2020, “The Class that Couldn’t be Stopped.” We apologize that we couldn’t get a detailed plan out to you earlier but the directions for graduation from Governor Dewine were very fast-changing and we are just now able to get a detailed plan in place. Seniors, a letter explaining the specifics of graduation is being sent out Monday. We have gone through many different possible plans and scenarios in order to determine the best possible way to honor our graduates while also keeping the social distancing requirements in place in order to keep everyone safe. We believe that we have found the best way to accomplish both goals and get as close to a typical graduation ceremony as possible. * We will be hosting a 2020 graduation parade where graduates will arrive in their caps and gowns for a parade throughout the community prior to the graduation ceremony on Friday, May 15th. More specific information on the parade will follow shortly. This our way of honoring our seniors. This will be a very special time for everyone in the community to show up to wish them well and let them know how much we support, appreciate and love our graduates. * WHS is hosting a drive-in style graduation beginning at 6:30pm on Friday, May 15th. Graduate’s vehicles will enter and park according to the following order: Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Class President. Students will be parked alphabetically following Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Class President. * The letter being sent out Monday will have 2 tickets in it. Each senior may have two vehicles attend. Graduates must not ride together but must ride in their own vehicles. Vehicle drivers will present the tickets when entering the parking lot in the back of the high school where the graduation will take place. Each vehicle must have a ticket when entering the parking lot. We would like to have more people attend but this is all that our parking lot will allow while still maintaining social distancing rules. Saying two vehicles allows for more people to possibly attend per graduate and family while not limiting to a certain number of persons. * Vehicles will line up when the time comes in the order that graduates will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. One at a time, seniors will get out of their car in front of the stage which will be outside in front of the back high school gym entrance. The graduate’s name will be announced as they walk across the stage and receive their diploma. The family may get out of the vehicle to take pictures during this time. Only individuals from the two vehicles designated by the graduate are permitted to get out to take pictures when the graduate walks across the stage. Professional pictures will be taken on the stage as the senior receives their diploma and another picture of the graduate will be taken after they step off the stage. Picture packets will be provided and collected before the graduate walks across the stage. * After pictures are taken, the graduate will get back into their vehicle and drive back around to their orginal parking spot until all the graduates have received their diplomas. * We will have professional videos being taken both from ground view and from above weather permitting, which will be posted on our school social media pages. * As the graduation concludes, graduates will step out of their cars when given the direction, to switch their tassels to the other side of their cap to signify their new title of official 2020 graduate of Western High School. * There will be a video of the graduation ceremony made available to all graduates. Congratulations to each and every graduate! You are an amazing group of young ladies and gentlemen. We couldn’t be more proud of you for handling these tough situations with so much grace and dignity. You will always stand out among the classes as the “class that couldn’t be stopped”. You will go on to amazing things and do amazing things even though you had to endure tough disheartening situations your senior year, you will continue to rise above it. If anyone has questions after you receive your letters in the mail, please don’t hesitate to call. Ms. Gast- High school principal: 740-493-2514 Mr. Brewster- Superintendent: 740-493-3113

Student belonging pick up information: 1. Grades Pre-K through 4th grade: families may pick up belongings beginning Monday May 4th-Friday May 8th from 9:00-1:00. You will need to ring the bell and give the secretary the names of who you are picking up for and we will bring the items out to you. 2. There are x’s marked on the sidewalk starting at the door. Please be mindful of social distancing. 3. Grades 5th & 6th: students will need to come to the school to clean out their lockers on Monday and/or Tuesday from 9-1:00. They will use the 5th/6th grade step entrance and come in one at a time. Again, using the x’s on the sidewalk for social distancing. 4. We will also have an evening pick up for all students on Tuesday, May 5th from 5:00-7:00. If you have any questions please contact us at 740-493-2881 on Monday.

Hello seniors! This message is to let you know that we have important letters about graduation going out Monday. These letters will have the tickets included (2 per graduate). Each graduate may have two vehicles for family to attend. The letters will have the two tickets in them that MUST be presented when pulling in the school parking lot. One for the car that the graduate will be in and one extra car. No more than two vehicles per graduate will be permitted because that’s all the room we will have for parking with staying within the social distancing guidelines. *Also, we need each graduate to send us your t-shirt size. ASAP! We need it no later than Monday! You can send it to cgast@westernlocalschools.com or message the high school Facebook page. Make sure to include your first and last name and t-shirt size. *We have more announcements coming Monday with some fun end-of-the-year plans so stay tuned!

Friday, April 24th An update concerning student work, student belongings, and awards. 1. Students will not receive any additional work. Please complete the work that was given to you for April. The deadline has been extended to May 8th. 2. Our teachers are coming in next week to clear their rooms and bag student belongings, The following week, May 4th-8th, families may come to pick up these belongings from 9-1:00. 3. ATTENTION 5th/6th grade students: you will be responsible for cleaning out your lockers. 5th grade students are asked to come on Monday-May 4th and 6th grade on Tuesday-May 5th. If you have a child in both grades, they can come on the same day. You will use the 5th/6th entrance in front of the school. Mrs. Whitt will be there to monitor and only one student at a time will be allowed to enter. 4. Citizenship awards, Principal's award, and perfect attendance trophies will be given when students pick up their belongings. 5. Mrs.Thompson is currently working with the pre-school and kindergarten teachers to finalize a plan for Pre-K and K graduations. Thank you, Mrs. Whitt

Hello to all of our wonderful students that we are missing so much!!! *This is the student Schedule to clean out lockers. (You may turn your packet work in on these days too but you have until May 8th. Can enter the building each day from 9am-1pm. Monday April 27th: Juniors and Seniors Come to the back entrance of the senior hallway entrance (the hallway where your lockers are) in the back to enter the building. You can park in the back parking lot. Tuesday, April 28th: 10th Grade, enter through the back entrance of the senior hallway entrance in the back. You can park in the back parking lot. Wednesday, April 29th: 9th Grade, (enter through the junior high doors in the front of the building. You can park in the front high school parking lot. Someone will be in the junior high doorway entrance to let you in.) Thursday, April 30th: 8th Grade, (enter through the junior high doors in the front of the building. You can park in the front high school parking lot. Someone will be in the junior high doorway entrance to let you in.) Friday, May 1st: 7th Grade, (enter through the junior high doors in the front of the building. You can park in the front high school parking lot. Someone will be in the junior high doorway entrance to let you in.) *If you cannot come on your scheduled day, contact the school and we'll make arrangements for you to come in. Thank you and we will get information out soon about how we will be doing end of the year awards. Take care and be safe!

Adopt a WHS Senior! Show them how much we love and support them! https://www.facebook.com/groups/2658477957715111/?ref=share

This message is for all students in grades 7-12. Students should either be working on packets or they should be working online. All work is due by May 8th. If you have packets to turn in, you may turn them in the dropbox which is in front of the high school office entrance. Students will be graded based on their effort to complete and turn in their work. Obviously, we cannot give a grade to someone who does not make an effort to complete their assignments and turn in their class work. All the work is review because we realize that new content would be very difficult for students to complete without regular classroom access to their teacher and we want to make sure that students are retaining what they’ve learned to some extent this year.p If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the high school office from 8 AM to 1 PM or message us through the high school Facebook page and we will get back to you. College Credit students, please make sure you are completing your work as you normally would for college credit. We miss you all greatly and hope you’re all doing well. Take care and be safe.