Eagle Flyer
A newsletter for Walnut Hills High School
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
January 26, 2024
Dear Walnut Hills High School Families:
It was great to have our students return from the snow day long weekend. As we near the close of January, students are getting set to begin making their course selections for next school year. The online optioning process will begin on PowerSchool starting on January 30 and running through February 9, 2024. This Saturday our world renowned WHHS Robotics Team will be hosting their annual tournament on our campus.
Parents and Guardians, please make sure that you check out the Campus Dismissal Procedures that are outlined below in our Important Reminders section. As the weather has turned colder it is important that our families are aware of the building procedures for 3:00 PM dismissal.
Thank you all for helping support and enrich our Walnut Hills community.
Sursum ad Summum
John Chambers
UPCOMING DATES
January
30 Online Optioning Opens
February
5 Midterm Week
8 Last chance to purchase yearbook Senior Recognition/Baby Ads (see info below)
9 Online Optioning Closes and Paper Grade Level Forms DUE
12 No School for Students - Conference Day
15 FAFSA One-on-One Meeting for Senior Families and "Been There, Done That" meeting for Junior Families (see info below)
19 Schools Closed - President's Day Holiday
23 Walnut Fest
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HB 123 Prevention Education (SAVE Students Act)
The next session of House Bill 123 (Ohio SAVES) is coming up on Wednesday, February 7 on Violence Prevention. As part of this legislation, students in grades 6 through 12 must receive at least one standard class period per year on EACH of these topics: Social Inclusion, Violence Prevention, and Suicide Prevention.
CPS has chosen Start With Hello as the approved prevention program. Each of the three segments of the program includes a vendor-created video (20-25 minutes) and an activity packet in their classrooms. The upcoming lesson on Violence Prevention is called Say Something and engages students in the following topics:
1. The meaning of trust, and how to identify a trusted adult
2. Warning signs that someone may be in crisis
3. Steps to take to follow up on warning signs
If you choose to have your student opt-out of this lesson, please complete the form below and
have your student return it to the grade level office (Office 2207) by Friday, February 2 . Hard copies will be available for students to pick-up in the grade level offices. If you already signed the opt-out form, there is no need to resubmit it.
HB 123 Prevention Education Opt-Out Form
If you have any questions, please reach out to assistant principal Kathy Noland at nolandk@cpsboe.k12.oh.us.
Great News from the Music Department!
This past weekend, 41 student soloists in grades 9-12 participated in the OMEA (Ohio Music Educators Association) Solo and Ensemble Competition held at Anderson High School. 30 received a "Superior" Rating (the highest rating that can be earned) and 9 students earned the second highest rating of "Excellent". Congratulations to all students involved!
WHHS Fundraiser - WalnutFest 2/23/24
WalnutFest is the most anticipated fundraising event of the school year! Click HERE to see how you can join in on the excitement!
FCC Futures Program Meeting 2/1/24
FCC Futures is a multi-tiered mentorship and professional development program designed to help identify a path for students to pursue a career. Participants will learn about different career opportunities within professional sports organizations and will have the opportunity to network with staff and other community leaders. Click on this LINK for more information.
FREE SAY East Soccer Referee Training
The next SAY East Soccer Referee training is coming up on March 2nd. Click on this LINK for more information.
Looking for hosts/co-hosts for Neighborhood Meet & Greets
New for 2024, Walnut Gatherings are launching Neighborhood Meet & Greets - a more casual “come over for a drink this evening” to gather with other Walnut parents in your neighborhood.
We are still looking for hosts/co-hosts for the following neighborhoods: Westwood, North Avondale, Walnut Hills/ Evanston, Northside, College Hill, Cheviot, & Mt Washington.
The financial commitment for hosting a Neighborhood Meet & Greet is minimal. You are helping build community within WHHS and, at the same time, raising funds to support WHHS.
If interested in hosting/co-hosting or if you have any questions, please email us at WalnutGatherings@gmail.com.
Walnut Gatherings Committee
Damariz Propst, Veronica Tollefson & John Twachtman
COUNSELING CORNER
College Scholarships and Other Opportunities
Please use this LINK to view several opportunities for college scholarships and summer learning opportunities.
Greater Atlanta HBCU College Fair
Click on the link below to access details regarding the 6th Annual Greater Atlanta Historically Black College and University (HBCU) College Fair scheduled virtually on Friday, February 2, 2024, and in-person Saturday, February 3, 2024. Registration is open.
I AM ME Youth Summit 2/10/24
Guiding Light Mentoring is hosting their 6th Annual I AM ME Youth Summit on February 10, 2024, at Woodward Career Technical School. Youth participants will learn skills of advocating for oneself, understanding their identity and its importance, and connecting with the right people to build up their community to name a few. Additionally, we will have workshops for parents related to topics of Stop the Bleed Training, Suicide Prevention, and Firearm Safety.
The last day to register is February 2nd. This event is FREE and is for parents and children in 7th -12th grade.
You can also find out more about the event by visiting our website at www.guidinglightmentoring.org/2024-summit
FREE ACT Prep
Free ACT 101 Strategy Session run by Revolution Prep
Saturday, Feb 3
Register here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/21232/
Interact for Health Youth Fellowship
Interact for Health is launching a Youth Fellowship to center youth voices and leadership as they develop a regional action plan to improve youth mental health and well-being. Managed by Youth At The Center, the Fellowship will consist of a team of youth and young adults engaged in a 6-month, paid fellowship to help us co-create the strategy. The deadline to apply is February 4. There are info sessions planned for next week on 1/23 and 1/24, which will be recorded and posted on the website.
Click HERE for more details.
Girls Who Code’s Free Virtual Summer Programs
Click HERE for details. See overview below.
Our free virtual summer programs are open to current 9th-12th graders who identify as girls or non-binary. Any coding experience level is welcome!
This year, students can choose to learn new coding skills in game design, web design, cybersecurity, or data science and artificial intelligence! As they build computer science skills, students will learn about the many diverse careers in tech through virtual events with professionals in the field.
Students receive priority consideration if they apply at girlswhocode.com/summerapply by February 14, 2024. Regular-decision applications are due by March 22, 2024.
FAFSA Help Night - 2/15/24
Hey Senior Families! Feb 15th is still available to have your questions answered in a one-on-one meeting with a college financial aid officer. See prior emails sent on Jan 3 and Jan 9 for details.
If you are interested, please use the link below to schedule a time on February 15 between 10-6.
Prior to your meeting you must have your FAFSA ID.
Here is the link for the FAFSA Completion events.
“Been There, Done That” is returning to Walnut Hills!
On February 15th, from 6:30-8pm, the College Information Center and Counseling team will present “Been There, Done That,” a college program for Walnut juniors and their parents.
· Junior parents will meet in the Schott Recital Hall to hear Senior Walnut parents share their experiences as their children made their way through the college process.
· Students will meet in the Choir Room to hear Walnut seniors share their college search experiences.
Junior parents! Please register yourself and your student for this event here. .
University of Cincinnati Black Student Nurses Day
Join us for Black Student Nurses Day, an opportunity to meet Black UC nursing alumni, students, faculty and community partners to learn:
Is nursing the right profession for you?
Is UC a good fit for you?
What support resources are available at the college?
Application tips and tricks.
UC College of Nursing, 3rd floor atrium
3110 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45221
18th Annual Mayor's Career Expo 2/24/24
Attention students and parents who are interested and are looking for employment in the Cincinnati Area. Scan the QR code to learn more about the Mayor's Career Expo.
TAP Health Summer Academy for Sophomores & Juniors
TAP Health Summer Academy (THSA) is a group of programs where high school students of all backgrounds and school types explore healthcare careers right within healthcare and education settings. Applications are due on or before March 1, and are open to current sophomores and juniors who are considering or might be a good fit for healthcare.
Click on this LINK to learn more.
John Carroll University Young Writers Workshop
The Young Writers Workshop is a week-long summer camp at John Carroll University. Both day and residential options are available, so students from anywhere can experience and learn inspiring and rigorous creative writing. This year's workshop takes place from Monday, July 22, to Friday, July 26, 2024. The deadline to apply is March 15.
Here's a video about our program.
For more information about the JCU YWW, please visit sites.jcu.edu/yww.
Apply to the program at sites.jcu.edu/yww/the-program/how-to-apply.
New Graduation Requirements
All Students:
Ohio has new graduation requirements that took effect last year. Please make yourselves familiar with them. Direct any questions regarding graduation requirements to your school counselor.
Meetings with your School Counselor
Click HERE to access School Counselor Meeting QR codes.
If you have any issues making an appointment, email your counselor.
Crisis Help and Support
Children's Mental Health
NPR's A Martinez talks to Dr. Pamela Cantor, founder of Turnaround for Children, about a Pew report that finds U.S. parents' biggest concern is the mental health of their children.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Yearbook Baby Ads for Seniors
Link to buy ads is https://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/students-and-parents/about-yearbooks#affiliate
Campus Dismissal Updates
Attention Walnut Families: Please see below for Dismissal Updates
3:00 PM Dismissal
Students have until 3:15 PM to report to their scheduled after school activity where a supervising adult is present. The library is open Monday-Thursday until 4:00 (or until 3:30 on Fridays), many teachers hold help nights, and there are many extracurricular club options. Otherwise, all students must exit the building promptly by 3:15 PM.
If a student needs to re-enter the building after 3:15 PM, it must be via the Blair Circle steps/Main Office entrance only.
Please be aware that as we enter the winter months, students who are waiting for their ride after 3:15 PM must do so outside of the school building. We do not have the ability to provide adequate supervision for these students after 3:15 PM.
If a student is found to be in the building, unsupervised after 3:15 PM, then there will be disciplinary consequences consistent with the CPS Code of Conduct that can include a Friday School or an Alternative Learning Center (ALC) assignment.
We appreciate your cooperation and support with dismissal procedures.
Please click on this LINK for a detailed list of campus safety updates.
If your student is eligible for a Metro pass, but does not have one, please fill out an Inquiry Form on the CPS website. Bus passes are available 1-2 weeks after ordering. Students can use the Metro to be taken to a public space, such as a branch of the Cincinnati library or a Cincinnati Recreation Commission location. Please check with those specific locations for information about their programming and hours. If your student is not eligible for a bus pass, please click here to see a list of purchasing sites.
Too Sick for School Policy
Please keep in mind, illness is an excused absence and students will be able to make up work they will miss. Please do not send ill students to school because they have a quiz or test.
New AI Policy
Attention students and parents! Walnut Hills High School has a new AI policy, effective now. Please read it below:
If given teacher permission, any/ all generative AI used to complete assignments must be disclosed prior to the assignment being turned in and cited within the assignment. Failure to do so is considered academic dishonesty.
■ MLA Style - Generative AI
■ APA Style - ChatGPT
■ Chicago Style - Generative AI
■ These links are also available on the library Schoology or Canvas page under
Assignments
Any use of AI that violates the CPS student code of conduct (cheating, bullying, harassment, both in images and/ or text) will be handled according to the CPS code of conduct.
Family Technology Support Center
For CPS students and their families, help is a phone call away by dialing the Family Technology Support Center, (513) 363-0688 or emailing fts@cps-k12.org. Tech support is available in English and Spanish from 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday when school is in session.
Student Parking on Campus
Blair Circle Drop Off and Pick Up Traffic Info
Get Involved - Walnut Hills Parent Association
The Parent Association communicates using a system called Constant Contact, so join our mailing list using the attached link and get up-to-date information about what's happening at Walnut Hills! Get Connected
STAY INFORMED
Reporting Absences and Dismissals
LINK to current Covid Protocol
Grades 7-9 Information Google Site
Grades 10-12 Information Google Site
Our community communicates using a system called Constant Contact, so join our mailing list using the link above and get up-to-date information about what's happening at Walnut Hills!
STUDENT WELLNESS
2023-2024 Student Services Support Flowchart
Where Do I Go? Who Do I Ask? page 1
Where Do I Go? Who Do I Ask? page 2
Walnut Hills High School
Email: whhsattendance@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Website: walnuthillseagles.com
Location: 3250 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Phone: 513-363-8400
Twitter: @high_walnut