We are down to the last two weeks of the school year.  Our seniors’ last day is Tuesday and our calendar is packed with all of the end-of-year awards and recognitions for our students’ academic and extracurricular achievements!

As we approach the end of the fourth quarter, please be sure that you are checking your students’ grades in ProgressBook; our expectation for staff is that grades are updated weekly and that any phone calls or emails are returned within 24 business hours.

Please see below for some important updates and information.

Community Engagement Update
Last week, we launched the first part of a five-part video series about how school finance works at SLSD. In that first part, we discussed how money is spent across our district, and how that money is focused on investing in people - our students and staff. If you missed last week’s video, you can view that HERE.

This week, our finance series continues with a focus on how SLSD compares to other districts around Hamilton County. You can watch Part 2 of the finance series HERE.

The big takeaway is that SLSD spends less per pupil than other school districts across the County. We are doing MORE with LESS, making us the most efficient school district in that regard in Hamilton County.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of our series, which will provide more information on how your tax dollars support SLSD.

We're listening. We're learning. We're acting. 
 

2024-25 Student Schedules
The schedule for next year is complete and counselors are beginning to call down students if they have a major scheduling conflict.  We began distributing student schedules today (Fri 5/3) at lunch.  Students have until the last day of school THIS YEAR (May 22^nd), to make any changes to their schedule for next year.  This includes adding or dropping study halls and both 1^st and 2^nd semester classes.  Harrison High School does not make schedule changes after the last day of school.  This allows the district to properly and efficiently staff the building during the summer months.  Please be on the lookout for your student’s schedule the first week of May.  All schedule changes must be submitted by either Teams message or email to your student’s counselor.  This allows us to have a reliable record of all requests. 

Advanced Placement (AP) Testing – Mon 5/6 – Fri 5/17
On the days that a student takes an AP Exam, they are only required to be in attendance for the duration of their exam. 

Wildcats Give Back – Weds 5/15
William Henry Harrison High School will be hosting Wildcats Give Back Day (formerly Day of Service) on Wednesday, May 15.  The purpose of this day is to provide students an opportunity to complete service projects in our community, as well as surrounding communities.  Students that will be completing projects with WHHHS staff members will be notified of their project next week.  It is important for these students to understand the importance of being in attendance on Wednesday, May 15 because many local groups and organizations are relying on WHHHS students to complete community service projects.  

If students completed a permission form to complete their own project that day, they do not need to report to school.  Students who report to school on this day can be picked up at noon.

Underclass Awards Day – Weds 5/22
Please note that we have moved our underclass awards day from its originally scheduled date of Thurs 5/16.  Underclass awards will now be held on Weds 5/22.  The awards will take place in the Activity Center Theater as follows:

• 9^th Grade Awards: 8:15 AM
• 10^th Grade Awards: 9:30 AM
• 11^th Grade Awards: 10:45 AM

An invitation letter with additional information will be sent via US Mail to all students receiving awards on this day; if a student is receiving an award but is unable to attend, he/she may pick up the awards in the Main Office any business day before Friday, June 28.

Tutoring is Available
The National Honor Society has started their weekly tutoring sessions.  Every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 7:15 AM, the National Honor Society students will be available for free tutoring for anyone who needs help.  There’s no need to sign up in advance, just show up to Room 104 (Mrs. Siemer’s room), and let the NHS students help you with any subject you need.  Please reach out to Mrs. Siemer if you have any questions.

Check Out The Paw Print – Harrison’s Online Student News Site
Mrs. Evanson’s Journalism class has been working hard, and they have launched an online news site entitled “The Paw Print.”  Please be sure to check it out at https://harrisonpawprint.org/.

School Fees
School fees are posted to our students’ accounts.  If you have not done so already, please take care of these obligations right away.  Directions for how to log on and pay student fees can be found here.  Thank you for your attention to this information!

Junior/Senior College Information
Juniors and Seniors interested in visiting a college campus can sign up on that college’s website. We need a parent note stating the day and time of the visit. Please bring this note to the guidance office several days prior to your visit.

Senior FAFSA Information
There have been recent changes with FAFSA.  Your FSA ID can be obtained at FAFSA.gov and register for an FSA ID if you do not already have one.  Every student will need their own FSA ID to apply for FAFSA as well as anyone that is considered a “contributor”.  A “contributor” would be a spouse/parent/guardian of the student.  In the past only one parent had to get an FSA ID even if the parents were married, now married parents BOTH must have their own FSA ID. (If the parents are not married/living together, then the parent that provides the most financial support must be the contributor) You must have different email addresses and phone numbers to register for the FSA ID, you cannot use the same email address or phone number when registering.  By having your FSA ID registered and ready, the student and parent/guardian can immediately fill out and submit the FAFSA.

Seniors attended a FAFSA Financial Aid package presentation on March 7^th, during Advisory.  Topics covered included award letters, types of financial awards, interest rates, and tips on smart borrowing.  Please know that with the rollout of the new FAFSA application, the government has announced delays in financial aid award notification.  Many schools are pushing back their decision days due to this, check with each school to see if any decisions dates have been moved.

PTO/Booster Organizations
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’ page to support the Vocal and Drama programs.

UPCOMING DATES
TUES 5/14: SENIORS’ LAST DAY – SENIOR AWARDS
WEDS 5/15: WILDCATS GIVE BACK DAY
FRI 5/17: TEACHER INSERVICE DAY/NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
MON 5/20: GRADUATION REHEARSAL 8:30 AM
TUES 5/21: GRADUATION 7:30 PM
WEDS 5/22: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL/UNDERCLASS AWARDS

Please feel free to contact us with questions.  Thank you and have a great weekend!

Go Wildcats!

Joe Pollitt
Principal
William Henry Harrison High School