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Principal's Message
Bathroom TikTok Challenge
In case you are not aware, there is a current social media trend making its way around TikTok called the “School Bathroom Challenge.” The viral videos primarily feature students stealing items from and vandalizing school bathrooms. However, other reported incidents include the theft of personal property from teachers and other school employees. The acts portrayed in the videos are referred to and known by students as “Devious Licks.” Participants display the item stolen or vandalized in the video as a sort of trophy.
We’ve had instances of the School Bathroom Challenge in our building and at other schools in our district. Teachers have had some of their personal items stolen. Numerous other central Ohio schools are also dealing with this issue and 10TV recently did a story about the vandalism one school is experiencing.
I’m asking our parents and guardians to have a conversation with your children to strongly discourage them from participating in this destructive trend. We have already made a school-wide announcement informing them that anyone caught stealing or damaging school property will receive appropriate discipline. We also reminded them that bathroom entrances are monitored by security cameras and, if things continue, we will consider modifying bathroom access to better monitor who is using the restrooms and when.
The bottom line is that these actions amount to theft and destruction of property. In addition to school discipline, students also will likely face criminal charges. Families will be held responsible for the cost of repairs or replacement of any property that is damaged or stolen.
Again, I ask that you please take some time to address this matter with your children. Please remind them that, in our building, we live by a Code of Ethics we call The Warrior Way. This mantra speaks to the fact that, as Warriors, we respect our school and the actions described above clearly are contradictory to this expectation. Thank you for your help with this matter.
Warrior Achievement Night
We have made the decision to produce a video to celebrate the successes of our students in the 2020-2021 school year. At first, we had planned to do this in person but we have almost 900 students being recognized and there is no way to accommodate all of them and their families with an in-person event . I will send out information on the release of the video as soon as we have a target date. It will be completed in the next couple of weeks. Thank you for your patience and please accept our sincere congratulations for the amazing academic work of your students during a very difficult year.
PSAT Day
We are administering the PSAT to all of our Sophomores and Juniors on October 13, 2021. This document has all the information you will need to prepare for this important test day. Remember, the PSAT is the qualifying exam for juniors to compete for National Merit Scholarships so it is especially important for them. Sophomores can use this day and the report they receive from the College Board to prepare for their 11th grade PSAT attempt which they will take in October 2022.
School Safety
Driver's License: Please know that safety is our number one priority and I want to remind you about important protocols when you come to the school. School visitors are required to have their driver's license with them when they come to the school. Parents, community members, class speakers, etc. must all show their ID at the front desk where our Front Office Team will run it through the Raptor system. The system will then print a visitor pass for the individual wanting to enter the school. This process is required and will be completed for all persons coming to the school even if it is to just go to Pupil Services, for example. If you are planning to come to the school for any reason, please have your driver's license on hand when you enter the front office.
Masks: As COVID cases continue to rise throughout the country, please remind your students that Masks are an expectation while in the school. We are having to remind students to wear them properly (not under their chin or below their nose) way too much. The purpose is to keep them safe, others safe, and all students in school. Remind them that if they are following protocols (properly wearing their mask and maintaining 3 feet distance) they will be able to remain in school if they are in close contact with a COVID positive case. If they do not follow those protocols and are in close contact, they will be quarantined for an extended period of time. This is all about keeping our students in school for the entire year and we need everyone's support.
Door Dash - Lunch
Recently, we have seen an uptick in students using Door Dash (and others) to deliver food to the school. This is not permitted and we remind students when they do it to avoid it in the future. Please make sure your students plan ahead by packing their lunch or have them plan to eat in the cafeteria. Remember school lunches are free for all students! This brings me to the next important point. Off Campus Lunch is only available for Seniors whose parents completed an online form releasing their student during a lunch period. Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen are not permitted to go off campus for lunch. This is a senior privilege that is earned over a three year period leading up to their senior year. Please talk with your students to make sure they understand this expectation.
Parent Conferences
Thank you to all of the parents who were able to attend conferences either in person or virtually. We hope you were able to meet with all your student's teachers. Please feel free to continue to contact them throughout the rest of the semester with any and all concerns.
Attendance
All student absences as well as students who are tardy must be communicated to the school Attendance Office by parents. There are three ways to do this:
- Call 614-797-4812 (automated) OR by calling 1-844-431-0874 (the lengthiest reporting process)
- On the web
- On your mobile phone using the School Messenger App (blue icon) - this is the easiest way and you will find more information in the announcement section below. For troubleshooting contact School Messenger @ 1-800-920-3897
Important Upcoming Dates:
- September 23, 2021 - One Hour Early Release (Students dismissed at 1:05 PM)
- September 24, 2021 - FB @ Westerville South High School
- October 11, 2021 - 1st Day of 2nd Nine Weeks
- October 13, 2021 - PSAT Day
- October 15, 2021 - OEA/NEA Day - No School for Students
- November 2, 2021 - Westerville Educator Day - No School for Students
Thank you and I hope you enjoy your evening. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
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Financial Aid Meeting
There is a Financial Aid Meeting on 9/21 at 6:30pm in the WPAC. Faith Phillips, Director of Financial Aid from OSU Newark/COTC, will provide an informational presentation on the Financial Aid process. This is open to all Westerville High School parents. Update: This meeting will be held in person at North.
Workshop Wednesdays
School Counselors will be available each Wednesday beginning 9/22 in the lobby to assist Seniors with College & Career questions. Stop by and see us in the lobby on your way out or in from lunch.
Suicide Prevention Month
Westerville North is currently training selected students to be a part of Hope Squad. Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors. The program reduces youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention. Here is a good article about teen depression.
CCP at Columbus State
Be sure to stay on top of your classes and make sure you have your books. The last day to drop a class without paying the district and receiving a "W" is 9/20. Please see your counselor if you have any questions.
Math Help
Math Help is available during the lunch period in the hallway leading to the Warrior Performing Arts Center. Stop by during your lunch period to get those questions answered or for some additional homework support.
Additional Help
Need help with another subject? Warrior2 Warrior may be your answer. This is a peer tutoring service run by our Warriors! Click this link for more information. You can also reach out to your students' school counselor or teachers for additional support and ideas. Don't wait to get your student the help they need.
Future Planning
School Counselors visited the senior English classes this week to talk about the college application process and future planning. Counselors will continue to reach out to seniors who may have missed the presentation but they are encouraged to stop by Workshop Wednesdays if they have questions or need help.
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Student ID Cards
Please hold on to your new student IDs when you get them! You will need your student ID card to sign in to the library starting 9/20.
Girls Lacrosse
There is a Girls Lacrosse Meeting on 9/22 at 6:00pm. We will discuss the up coming season including schedule, practices, volunteer needs, preseason conditioning. All coaching staff will be present to answer questions.
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Single Game Tickets/Season Passes
*ALL TICKETS TO HOME ATHLETIC EVENTS MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL
*To purchase a single game ticket or a season pass for any home regular season athletic contest at North, click HERE.
*AWAY OCC CONTESTS: To find the ticket link/info for all away OCC contests, click HERE.
Upcoming Athletic Event Schedule
Click HERE to access all Westerville North Athletic team schedules.
#ALLN
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A Warrior is someone who…
- respects themselves
- respects fellow students
- respects their school,
- respects their family, and
- respects their community
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Additional Questions? Email Mr. Yancey or click the Website Button Below
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