September Newsletter 2022 | Smore Newsletters for Education

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Opt-Out Military Recruitment - 11th & 12th Grade

Print out and complete this form ONLY if you wish to have your name LEFT OFF the list we are required to provide to military recruiters. Parent signatures are required for any student under the age of 18 years old. Return the completed form to the Guidance Office by Wednesday, September 14, 2022.

8th Annual Homecoming Parade

The parade is at 4pm on September 18th. People who are setting up a float will meet at the youth soccer fields parking lot. The path will be East on Zurmehly, turn South on Beeler, turn West on Inwood, turn North on Yoakam and then again East on Zurmehly until they get back to the parking lot. All schools and clubs are able to make a float. All sports teams are able to make a float. The float will be led by the Fire Department, Police Department and our Homecoming Court. Join us for this great community event!

Parking Spot Painting

If you've been to the school, we are sure you've noticed the beautiful parking spots that are painted! Our student government did a great job planning this fundraiser. Students paid $20 each to own their spot then had three days to come paint their spot. This money will be used towards various activities/projects at the school. Awesome job Shawnee students! Click here to check out some pictures.

Google Classroom

Students, if you have not joined your Google Classroom for your grade level, please do so ASAP. The guidance department will be posting information and updates in your grade level classrooms throughout the school year.

Class of 2023 code: g3uvy7n

Class of 2024 code: 4maw57v

Class of 2025 code: ilbhj45

Class of 2026 code: z3h7vu2

Shawnee High School Alumni

A new scholarship was created to benefit our seniors, starting with the Class of 2022: The Lima Shawnee Alumni-Legacy Scholarship Fund. If you are interested in donating to the fund, please click here and follow them on Facebook at Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund for updates and more information. We appreciate all efforts to pay it forward to our seniors. Thank you for leaving your legacy on our community.

Senior Checklist

Take the ACT at least one more time.
Research careers, programs, and colleges that align with your interests and future goals.
Meet with your school counselor for a credit check and discuss senior profile.
Learn about FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Begin applying to colleges through their online applications. Many schools use the Common Application OR individual applications on their website.
Request letters of recommendation from staff members for college applications and scholarships.
Begin scholarship search. Check the guidance website for a list of local scholarships.
Are you an athlete? Are you interested in playing sports at the collegiate level? You need to register for NCAA Eligibility Center and send transcripts. Click here for more information.

College/Career/Military Visit Request Form

Shawnee High School permits students two days each year for college visitations, career experiences or military recruitment procedures. For an approved school absence in relation to college/military/career visits, students should complete this form at least two days prior to the date of the requested visitation. Students are expected to confer with teachers prior to the visitation in order to arrange for make up work. Students are not permitted to take college visitations after the first week in May.

Students must take the following steps in order to make a college/career/military visitation on school days:

1. Arrange the visit with the college
2. Complete this form.
3. Wait for confirmation/approval from guidance (through school email).
4. Confer with each teacher prior to the visit in order to arrange for make up work.
5.Bring a paper or email confirmation of the visit from the college to school counselor.

Advice for Seniors

Keep your grades up. Strong grades/GPA during the first semester is critical.
Be mindful of deadlines.
Plan ahead to get the best recommendation letter.
If you need a recommendation from a teacher for college, scholarship, or a job, your first step is to ask the teacher if he/she is able to write you a recommendation letter.
Make sure to tell the teacher the deadline and give the teacher AT LEAST two weeks to write the letter.
You also need to let the teacher know how to submit the letter (common app, sent to guidance to be mailed with transcript, etc.).
Make as many memories as you can! This year will fly by.

Mrs. April Bidlack - School Counselor

Mrs.Bidlack received her Bachelor degree in Education from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Master degree for school counseling from the University of Dayton. This is her twenty-second year in education, with fifteen years of experience as a school counselor. Mrs. Bidlack loves spending time with her family and enjoys doing special projects with her two kids, such as baking, craft projects, and various things outdoors. Mrs. Bidlack's favorite part of being a high school counselor is helping students as they plan for their future and she is excited to be a part of Shawnee High School.

Ms. Brooke Butler - Assistant Director of Bands

Ms. Butler is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree with instrumental emphasis. While at OSU, she served as an Assistant Squad Leader in the marching band, played in several jazz ensembles and concert bands, and finally, sang in the Women's Glee Club and The Ohio Show Band. She is also a member of Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Soroity, the Ohio Music Education Association, and the National Association for Music Education. She has special fondness for jazz, musical theater, music theory, and marching band! Ms. Butler is ecstatic and grateful to join the music community at Shawnee Local School District!

Mr. Jason Hemmelgarn - Math Teacher

Mr. Hemmelgarn has been teaching for sixteen years in both Ohio and Michigan. He graduated from Coldwater High School and completed his undergraduate degree at Miami University in Oxford, OH. He has lived in Lima with his wife Jill since the summer of 2018 and they are excited to take their two and a half year old daughter Ellie Mae to sporting events and get to know more people in the community. He loves any sport or outdoor activity but especially golf, volleyball, hiking and skiing. Go Tribe!

Mrs. Erin Rigali - Assistant Principal Secretary

Mrs.Rigali attended the University of Northwestern Ohio and earned her A.A.B. in Legal Assisting. She worked in different areas of law for ten years. She volunteers on the boards for the Shawnee Elementary PTC and the high school Band Boosters. She began subbing at Shawnee in various departments in 2018. Mrs. Rigali and her husband, Adam, have been married for 20 years and they have 3 children: Adam II, Lourie, and Wyatt. Her favorite pastime is playing games with her family and just spending time with them. She also enjoys playing the piano, and taking care of their two cats, Patches and Buddy; and their German Shepherd, Shadow. Mrs. Rigali is happy to be here and is excited to see what the school year holds.

A Note From Our Mental Health Coordinator

September is Suicide Prevention Month. The most recent data from the CDC(2020) shows that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-14, and 3rd leading cause of death for ages 15-19.

This is an incredible self-guided resource, and you can click "Complete Step" on each of the five steps to better understand them. Knowing how to identify warning signs and take action does not mean that you are responsible for mental health intervention. The knowledge just makes you better equipped to identify the warning signs, know how to respond, and know how to find the appropriate help. Since we interact with these students for a large portion of their days during the school year, it is crucial that we understand the importance of this rising issue.

I am always available! I am here because I care about these students, their well-being, and their futures.

#bethe1to Ask, Keep Them Safe, Be There, Help Them Connect, and Stay Connected.

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