page background

The Write Side

PWHS December 2019 Edition Newsletter

The Write SidePWHS December 2019 Edition Newsletter

December Students of the Month

Congratulations to the 2019 PWHS Students of the Month pictured below l-r: senior Dakota Osburn, junior Jordan Hammond, sophomore Miracal McGraw, freshman Brandon Anderson

zoom_out_map

PWHS Students Develop Leadership Organization

Several Portsmouth West High School students are taking student empowerment and leadership to new level. Along with some of his classmates, committee chair and PWHS junior Gary Jenkins (pictured right with assistant chair junior Evan Green and media secretary junior Jared Opperman) developed Scioto County Student Leadership Association (SCSLA) to provide a platform for area students to "establish individual leadership skills, provide a unique perspective on issues facing students, and to give back to [the] community through community service."


The group's missions is as follows:

"We are a student organization developing leaders through supportive connections and community outreach programs throughout the county. We will be working with community leaders to develop ideas on how to better help our community for ourselves and our future generations."


Though the group is early in its inception, the SCSLA has already met with prominent members of the community and volunteered to sponsor two children from the Scioto County Children's Services Giving Tree. The next two scheduled meetings, Jan. 13 and Feb. 10, will take place at the Scioto County Courthouse. Any student from a Scioto County school is welcome to participate. If interested, contact Gary Jenkins at jenkinsg21@westsenators.org.

Focus3 All-Stars

by Mr. Johnson


The students pictured below were our Focus3 All-Stars for the 4th quarter of the 18-19 school year. These students had zero disciplinary issues during the first grading period. They earned points for GPA, attendance, extracurricular participation, winning Student of the Month, and receiving Good Citizen nominations from teachers.


At the high school, we have chosen to model our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports program around the philosophies of Focus3. Focus3 helps organizations develop better leadership, better culture, and better behavior. Using the equation: E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome), Focus3 gives organizations and individuals a system for positive behavior and making good decisions.


Our lives are a sequence of Events that our mostly out of our control. The only thing we can control is how we Respond to these events in order to get the best possible Outcome.


We can choose to respond to events in two ways: Above the Line or Below the Line. Above the line responses require discipline and are intentional and skillful. Below the line responses are simply our default response which is often impulsive and resistant. To get the best possible outcomes in life we must have a disciplined response. Talent is common. Discipline is rare. The combination of the two is Elite.

zoom_out_map

Red Cross Blood Drive

Portsmouth West High School's Red Cross Blood Drive collected 49 units of blood during the November blood drive. Staff, students, and community members rallied to ensure the school met their initial goal of donating 41 units of blood. Senior student volunteers made sure the event ran smoothly (pictured left) while staff members (pictured below)contributed the gift of life - blood!

zoom_out_map

Friday at the Rock - December

Friday at the Rock held Friday, Dec. 6, was another success as it featured A Charlie Brown Christmas themed lunch, entertainment, and decor. Many staff members were involved in the planning and decorating of the cafeteria - Mr. and Mrs. Tieman, Mr. and Mrs. Ingles, our kitchen staff, Mrs. Russell, and many more!

#WeAreWest