Willoughby-Eastlake Community Update, March 2023

COMMUNITY UPDATE Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

The South High School Academic Decathlon Team won the State Championship in the Ohio Large School Division

W E

MARCH 2023

W E February 2022

Community Engagement Nights Kindergarten Registration House Bill 1 Student Athlete Signings

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR SUPERINTENDENT Dear Willoughby-Eastlake Families, As we enter the month of April, I wanted to take a moment to update you on the latest happenings within our school district.

I am pleased to share that many of our schools have planned and organized community events to help build the partnership between home and school. I would like to commend our staff on their efforts, congratulate our students for their work, and thank our parents for their participation in these incredible activities. Our partnership with you, our parents, is the most important thing we can do to provide our students with the best education experience imaginable.

The last week of March marked the District's spring break. We hope that everyone took time to enjoy the break and engage in something that brought you joy and relaxation. You’ve earned it!

The Board of Education will soon be selecting the next superintendent of the District. We appreciate your patience and support throughout this process, and we are confident that we will find an exceptional candidate to lead our District forward.

Thank you for your continued partnership with our school district. We are committed to providing the best possible educational experiences for our students, and we look forward to a successful remainder of the school year.

Sincerely, Charles Murphy

Interim Superintendent Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Charles.Murphy@weschools.org

W-E UPCOMING DATES April 3 - School Resumes April 7 - No School (Good Friday) April 10 - No School (Teacher Comp.Day)

W-E SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH UPDATE We are excited to announce that the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Board of Education has selected two highly qualified finalists for the position of Superintendent. The finalists are Benjamin Hegedish, Superintendent of Independence Local Schools, and Dr. Patrick Ward, Curriculum Director of Mayfield City Schools.

On April 5, the School Board will conduct final interviews in two parts. First, stakeholders from various school community groups will have interviews with the candidates, followed by final interviews with the Board of Education that evening. The board is committed to selecting a superintendent with a strong vision and leadership abilities to ensure the continued success of Willoughby-Eastlake Schools.

March 2023

www.weschools.org

DISTRICT INFORMATION KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools invites parents/guardians to register their children for kindergarten.

Registration opened March 1, 2023 Contact your elementary school or the central registration office at (440) 975-3784 to complete the registration process. Check www.weschools.org for school numbers and District boundary map.

Register by June 1st to receive a free gift

K.I.D.S. FIRST NIGHT Parents and incoming kindergartners are invited to attend an upcoming Kindergarten Involvement Develops Students (K.I.D.S) event.

Click HERE to learn more and register

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NIGHTS WHAT EVERY PARENT & CAREGIVER NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE

APRIL 6 6-7 p.m.

North High School P.A.C. Learn more HERE Click HERE to register

AGES & STAGES: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BIRTH TO HIGH SCHOOL Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

APRIL 19 6-7 p.m.

North High School P.A.C.

Learn more HERE Click HERE to register

DISTRICT INFORMATION DOES YOUR STUDENT HAVE FEES? Parent Portal The W-E Parent Portal is a secure website where parents can access grades, attendance, fees, and other information about their children enrolled in the Willoughby-Eastlake School District.

Once logged into the Parent Portal, click on "Balance" to see assessed fees.

Need to sign up for the Parent Portal?

Click here to learn how: Parent Portal Guide Instructions.pdf

SCHOOL FEE SCHEDULES The breakdown of what makes up the fees per grade/program can be found on the District website, or by clicking the links below. Questions about your student's fees?

Please reach out to your school building.

2022-2023 Student Fee Schedule - Elementary (includes SOI grades 3-5) 2022-2023 Student Fee Schedule - Secondary School (middle and high school, Excel TECC)

Where are the school fee schedules on the website?

1. www.weschools.org 2. Click on "Parents" sub-head tab (not the dropdown) 3. On green nav bar, click "Fee Schedules" 4. Click appropriate fee schedule link on page

PAYMENT OPTIONS at PaySchools 1. Online www.weschools.org > Parent > Payschools Order 2. Cash/Check/Money Include student's name in the memo PAYMENT DEADLINE Fees are due upon receipt.

If families are unable to pay in full at the time of receipt, payments can be made throughout the year.

Unpaid balances could be sent to collections.

March 2023

www.weschools.org

TREASURER'S UPDATE IMPACT OF HOUSE BILL 1 ON SCHOOLS LIKE W-E Recently, House Bill 1 was proposed in the Ohio House of Representatives. If enacted, this bill would make significant changes to the property and income tax structure with potentially negative consequences to our local governments, schools, and property owners.

As proposed, HB 1 would reduce income taxes for top earners, while eliminating the property tax relief program that subsidizes a portion of the property tax bill for emergency and bond levies. To offset this loss in tax relief, HB 1 proposes a reduction in the assessment percentage of property value. This reduction translates into loss of substantial revenue for our local entities, including municipalities, libraries, parks, and schools. However, even with this offset, our community could see a property tax increase upward of 8%.

Because public schools receive only a small percentage of funding from the state, we rely heavily on funding from property taxes. HB 1 places an additional burden on both our schools and the majority of our community members. The impact on property owners living on a fixed income causes great concern. While HB 1 is still in the proposal phase, we will continue to monitor its progress and keep our community informed.

We encourage you to contact your elected officials and express your concerns about the impact of this bill on our community.

Representative Daniel P. Troy 77 S. High St., Floor 10 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-466-7251

Senator Jerry C. Cirino Senate Building 1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor 034 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-644-7718

Nick Ciarniello Treasurer/CFO Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools nick.ciarniello@weschools.org

W-E representatives testified against House Bill 1 the week of March 20.

Click the link to the left to watch what they had to say. W-E testimony begins at the 53minute mark.

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

DISTRICT INFORMATION

SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING GET HELP

www.safeschoolhelpline.com Download the free SSHL Mobile app

March 2023

www.weschools.org

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS EDISON ELEMENTARY - STRENGTHENING FAMILY PARTNERSHIP THROUGH ENGAGEMENT EVENTS At W-E, we know how important partnerships with our families and community members are to a child’s education. That’s why we’re hosting several family engagement events in the coming months.

The first event is a VIP Buddy Breakfast, where students will have a chance to bring a VIP buddy to school for breakfast with their teachers. The breakfast will take place on the following dates based on grade level: April 4 - Fourth grade April 13 - Kindergarten April 14 - First grade

April 19 - Second grade April 20 - Third grade April 21 - Fifth grade

If your child is a student at Edison Elementary, click here for more information!

W-E STUDENTS BRING SMILES TO EAST PALESTINE Students from the School of Innovation and North High School recently trekked to East Palestine with a central goal: to support residents still dealing with the aftermath of the train derailment.

The students wrote letters and made cards, delivering more than 500 messages in total. One student said they had hoped to bring smiles to residents’ faces and were happy to have done just that.

Click HERE to view the story on News Channel 5.

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS NCI BUSINESS ACADEMY COMPETES IN STATE COMPETITION Students from NCI Willoughby Business Academy recently competed in the state DECA competition in Columbus. More than 2,000 high school students participated in competitive events showcasing their skills while building professional networks and demonstrating their career readiness.

During the competition stage, students were given a scenario in which they had ten minutes to develop a plan of action which they then presented to the judges. Students who placed first, second, or third at the regional competition are invited to the state competition.

Tyler K. and Michael N. qualified for the second round.

Michael qualified for Nationals with a fourth place overall State win.

Congratulations to the Business Academy students for competing in this year's event. Below are the areas of field they covered: Santino C. - Automotive Services Marketing Series Amiyah F. & Madison Z. - Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making Joshua S. - Principles of Business Management and Administration Tyler K. - Business Services Marketing Series Michael N. - Accounting Applications Series

March 2023

www.weschools.org

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE SIGNINGS Congratulations to these student-athletes for committing to further their academic and athletic careers at the next level!

North High School

Bryant Young Marietta College Football

Dominic Kustura University of Mount Union Soccer

Nick Licursi Hiram College Baseball

Dylan Hargas Fort Lauderdale Football

Dylan McDonald Defiance College Basketball

South High School

Anthony Frank University of Mount Union Golf

Luka Pranjeta John Carroll University Soccer

Anthony Shields Notre Dame College Bowling Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

SCHOOL VIEWS SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

The AP Bio class applying their molecular genetics knowledge during biotech week

AP Chemistry doing titrations to standardize .01 M NaOH

NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

Students in Fab Lab helped make banners for the upcoming play

Drama Club students work on set items for their upcoming play Little Shop of Horrors

NORTHERN CAREER INSTITUTE

Students learning new skills

Students in welding work on a project

Learning how to do pin curls

SCHOOL VIEWS

EMS EASTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Students trying out new Math materials to determine the area of triangles

WILLOUGHBY MIDDLE SCHOOL

District families enjoying the STEM Night event at Willoughby Middle

WILLOWICK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mrs. Stout's class try an experiment with Mr. Stasa's help

Eighth grade students enjoy Kona Ice as a reward for their chocolate bar fundraiser

SCHOOL VIEWS THOMAS JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students having fun in February

GRANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students enjoyed their PBIS 3rd Quarter School-Wide Reward Glow Party Fifth graders using the Mobile Fab Lab

LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

First graders went on a snowman hunt

Fourth graders and first graders working on their spelling

SCHOOL VIEWS ROYALVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL First graders performing during their "Beach Days" music concert

Lake Metroparks presented Trees for Wildlife to the first grade

SCHOOL OF INNOVATION

Scott Darpel of NASA visited fifth graders PBL presentations on Mission to Mars

Students participated in Read Across America Day

ALUMNI & COMMUNITY INFORMATION NORTH & SOUTH ALUMNI GROUPS Facebook pages have been set up for both Willoughby South High School Alumni and Eastlake North High School Alumni. Click the links to the right to follow the page(s) and stay up-to-date on the exciting developments regarding each group.

Eastlake North High School Alumni

Willoughby South High School Alumni

COSMETOLOGY SALON OPEN TO PUBLIC The NCI Willoughby Cosmetology Clinic is open for business! All students are supervised by Mrs. Conti, our licensed Cosmetology Instructor. Please call 440-602-5140 for an appointment.

Clinic Schedule Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Services Include: Haircuts Blow Dry & Style Manicures Pedicures

Facials Perms Hair Color Highlights

Call for your next appointment!

(440) 602-5140

COMMUNITY CORNER Willoughby-Eastlake Schools serves seven communities: Eastlake, Lakeline, Timberlake, Waite Hill, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills and Willowick. Many of these communities have recreation departments and senior centers that offer multiple events, classes and activities for students and their families. You can find their websites here and become active in your community!

EASTLAKE Recreation Leagues Senior Center

VILLAGE OF TIMBERLAKE

Willoughby

WILLOUGHBY HILLS

Website

Recreation Department Senior Center

*Lakeline does not have a website.

Recreation Department Senior Center

WAITE HILL Website

WILLOWICK Recreation Department Senior Center

ATTENDANCE NUMBERS Please be sure to report your student's absence.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Edison Elementary School

(440) 283-2176

Grant Elementary School

(440) 283-4085

Jefferson Elementary School

(440) 283-2177

Longfellow Elementary School

(440) 283-4086

Royalview Elementary School

(440) 283-2179

School of Innovation

(440) 283-2149

MIDDLE SCHOOLS Eastlake Middle School

(440) 283-4084

School of Innovation

(440) 283-2149

Willoughby Middle School

(440) 283-2182

Willowick Middle School

(440) 283-2183

HIGH SCHOOLS North High School

(440) 283-2178

South High School

(440) 283-2180

NCI Eastlake

(440) 283-4087

NCI Willoughby

(440) 283-4088 Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Community Update

Important Info & Updates Questions?

Email us anytime at PR@weschools.org

DISTRICT CALENDAR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR DISTRICT MASTER CALENDAR - allows you to filter calendar events by school and dates, print and export the calendar for transfer to electronic device W-E Tip! Check your school's website for any additional events by the school or parent/booster organizations.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION? Do you have a question about the Willoughby-Eastlake School District and you are not sure who to ask?

STEP 1: Go to the source of your question.

Classroom related - contact your child's teacher Building related - contact your building administrator W-E Website - our website has lots of great information Not sure? Contact the Board of Education Office at (440) 946-5000 or email pr@weschools.org and someone will be happy to assist you.

CONNECT WITH US

Teach - Learn - Grow Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools - 35353 Curtis Blvd. - Eastlake, OH 44095