Portsmouth West High School

All Portsmouth West Seniors and Parents (including SCCTC) From Mrs. Copley: It’s that time! Graduation is around the corner, and I’d like to create a slideshow to run the hour before the ceremony starts (since graduation is outside, this may pose a problem of it running on a screen. If so, there will be a YouTube video that I will post on the website). The slideshow will have the theme of “then and now,” and, thus, we will need a baby (birth to age 4ish) picture and a current picture (one baby, one current). They can be either digital files (jpg, jpeg, png), printed pictures, or a combination of both. Please NO HEIC files or Google docs. Send digital files to kristie.copley@westsenators.org and print photos to Mrs. Copley, PWHS librarian. Because it takes a considerable amount of time to scan and save that number of image files, all pictures must be submitted to Mrs. Copley by Friday, May 10.

SOMC is in search of teens who are interested in volunteering for SOMC's Summer Junior Volunteer Program. This exciting program offers teens a first-hand experience of working in the healthcare field and also provides community service hours for school requirements. - This program runs from June 10 - August 2 and requires a minimum of two to four hours per week from each volunteer. Junior Volunteers are responsible for many tasks including running errands, helping in various departments, as well as various clerical duties. After gaining valuable work experience, the juniors are rewarded for their diligent efforts with a letter of recommendation and a certificate of completion. Students age 16-18 may apply for the program. The deadline for applications is May 6, 2024. Please see Mr. Conrad for an application packet.

Senators, On Monday, April 8, 2024, at roughly 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM, we will experience a total solar eclipse. Totality (darkness) will last between 2 to 4 minutes. A total solar eclipse is a rare and spectacular event. The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in the year 2099. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Due to the Total Solar Eclipse, Washington-Nile Local Schools will be dismissing early on April 8, 2024. • High School/Middle School will be dismissed at 11:45. • Elementary School will be dismissed at 12:45. • Extracurricular Activities/Athletic practices and home contests may begin at 5:00. • Buses traveling to extracurricular activities/athletic contests may leave at 4:30. Safety tips and information about the eclipse can be found at: https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Science/Resources-for-Science/2024-Solar-Eclipse/solar-eclipsafety-tips-one-pager.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US. Viewing glasses will be distributed to each student. All Washington-Nile Local School District Staff will be on a regular schedule. After student dismissal, teachers will have the remainder of the day to address the OIP and complete any necessary professional development. Building principals will distribute schedules.

Reminder for seniors: In-house scholarships must be turned in to the guidance office by the end of the school day today, 3/22.

Here is the board-approved Washington-Nile Local School District calendar for the 2024-2025 school year https://5il.co/2ftbm

Seniors: In-House Scholarships are now open. All in-house scholarships must be turned in to the guidance office by the end of the school day March 22. Please review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship. Also, scholarship application responses may be typed (using Kami or any other appropriate app) or handwritten (must be neat and legible). Please note that these scholarships are reliant on donors, who may pull the scholarship at their discretion or may not have the funds to donate this year. I will try to keep you updated with any known scholarship deletions/removals as soon as I am notified. Good luck! ~Mrs. Copley https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aGp_KNpdP0fS69kLEp5lrl4mfEeVI_DR?usp=sharing

Many eligible PWHS students have been registering to vote recently. Mrs. Callihan stated that she has never had so many students register to vote as she has had this year. It's great to see students empowered and taking their civic duty seriously. Though they are students today, soon they will graduate and be active members and leaders in the community.

Congratulations to our newly elected Miss West 2024 Rylee McDermott. Former Miss West Kara Carter passed the sash on to Rylee and wished her the best on her journey as Portsmouth West High School's Portsmouth River Days candidate.

Important update for tonight's boys' basketball game vs. Valley: The JV game will only be two quarters tonight. The varsity game will follow. Also, remember tonight is Pee Wee Night. This will take place after the JV game ends.

Pee Wee night is Friday 2/2. Players and cheerleaders will be recognized in between the Varsity and JV games.

On February 27th, all Juniors will be taking the ACT at Portsmouth West High School in the tiered room at 8:00 am. This applies to only the Juniors at West. Those Juniors at the CTC will be taking it there. If you (a junior) are a College Credit Plus student and you have a class on that day, please notify your professor/instructor about this and make arrangements for any missed work. If you have any questions, see Mr. Conrad or Mrs. Emnett.

PWHS senior class is sponsoring a blood drive Feb 1! Please consider giving blood. There is a current shortage. See the image for more information. https://www.redcrossblood.org/

The prom committee is taking orders for candy bar Bouquets for Valentine's Day. Small buckets are $6 and large buckets are $10. Bouquets will be delivered Wednesday, February 14th, by the end of the day to elementary school, middle school, and high school students and staff. See Mrs. Smalley (alison.smalley@westsenators.org ) or Mrs. Distel (linda.distel@westsenators.org ) to order. Flyers will be posted around the building. Proceeds will benefit the PWHS JR/SR Prom.

Washington-Nile schools will be holding a College Credit Plus information meeting on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 at 6:00 pm in the High School Tiered Room. This is a mandatory meeting for new and returning College Credit Plus students in grades 6-11 and their parents. A representative from Shawnee State University will be on hand to explain the program and the process for applying. If you have any questions, please contact Guidance Counselors Mr. Conrad or Mrs. Emnett or refer to the following link: https://www.shawnee.edu/areas-study/college-credit-plus

For Juniors and Seniors: CAO, Chamber launch new leadership program for students with the help of SSU Community Action Organization of Scioto County and The Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce have been working closely with Shawnee State University in recent months to prepare a curriculum for a new leadership development class geared towards youth that will start next semester. The class is called the Portsmouth Area Student Chamber and Leadership Council and is the first of its kind. Students who are in grades 11 and 12 may apply to enter a year of teamwork building that is built upon the foundation of one semester at Shawnee State University. They will meet a little over monthly in the evenings, where they will meet elected officials, hear from professionals in workforce development, learn from small business owners and those in the medical field, learn about the important role of non-profits and tourism, and more. “The class is designed to build the foundations of future community leaders by introducing them to the people behind the action today,” Community Action Organization of Scioto County Business and Community Development Manager Joseph Pratt said. “They will learn beside their peers and build a network that will carry the Portsmouth Area into the next generation. It is an exciting concept that Lisa Carver and I have been working on with Shawnee State and we are excited to see what opportunities are created as we host the class each year and adapt it into something even greater.” Students who participate will get college credit, be eligible for two $1,000 scholarship opportunities, and leave with greater knowledge and leadership skills. “This program, we believe, will truly shape future leaders, business owners, and movers and shakers,” Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Carver said. “We have been accomplishing this task for years with Leadership Portsmouth, but we are very excited about meeting with this team of younger people to prime them for success at an even earlier age.” Once the class is finished, the group will continue to meet throughout the year to plan volunteerism, community events, further their networking opportunities and grow as a team. There is no charge for the program and interested students may apply for the program at caosciotocounty.org/youth-workforce. Classes will begin in late January and students will need to enroll as a non-degree student at Shawnee State. https://www.caosciotocounty.org/post/cao-chamber-launches-new-leadership-program-for-students-with-the-help-of-ssu

Reminder: FAFSA night is tonight in the PWHS Library @ 6pm

Students and Parents: Picture retakes are on Wednesday, January 17th at 8:00 am. Picture forms are in the office.

Congrats to our swim team in their recent meet! Josey Burton, 1st in her 50 freestyle heat and 2nd in her 100 backstroke heat; Evan Stiles, 1st in his 50 freestyle heat; Aubrey Stone, 1st in her 100 freestyle heat; Gracie Kilgallion, new school record on the 200 freestyle event at 3:22.93; and First 4 x 100 freestyle relay swam last night in over 3 years by Evan Stiles, Colton Hill, Gabe Swanner and Austin Ramsey. What a tough event!

Do you need to register for the next ACT? Next Test Date: February 10 Registration Deadline: January 5 https://my.act.org/

From Rosemount Pavilion: "Rosemount Pavilion would like to thank Miley Castle for volunteering during her Christmas break. Miley goes to Portsmouth West high school and is a member of the Beta club. Our residents have enjoyed spending time with her and for her help during group activities!" Good work, Miley!