West Liberty-Salem Local School District

Registration is now open for Big Orange Summer Run Club! The Big Orange Running Club is free and open to all student athletes grades PreK-6th. Participants do not need to be enrolled at West Liberty-Salem to join. No running experience is needed. We will work with your child at his/her physical condition. All participants will receive a Big Orange Run Club t-shirt. https://www.bornandracedinwestliberty.com/big-orange-elementary-running-club.html

“Kid, you’ll move mountains! You’re off to great places, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so.....get on your way!” -Dr. Seuss Oh, The Places You’ll Go “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Best wishes to the class of 2022.

West Liberty-Salem is pleased to announce this year’s Gloria Schrand Volunteer of the Year. The award, in memory of long-time volunteer Gloria Schrand, is presented to one individual who has dedicated their time to making a difference in the WLS community. Cindy Dallas, Schrand’s niece, and Linda Sparks, sister, attended the meeting to share a few words about Mrs. Schrand’s impact on both the West Liberty-Salem and West Liberty communities. Gloria Schrand was a volunteer for 11 years at West Liberty-Salem Elementary School. She is originally from this area, but she and her husband moved to North Carolina where they both worked for Underwriters Laboratory(UL). After the death of her husband she moved back to Ohio to help take care of her mother. Gloria started volunteering after her retirement. Gloria first helped out in the computer lab. When Mrs. Dallas moved to 2nd grade, she followed. She came to school faithfully and daily in the mornings until noon. She loved helping students and staff. Mrs. Schrand enjoyed organizing minutes tests and assisting students who needed additional help. One of her biggest joys was when a student outside of school would acknowledge her with a smile, kinds words or even a hug! Gloria donated several doors for West Liberty-Salem students to decorate and sell at the Cancer Door Drive in Bellefontaine. She made an impact in our school, community, church and among friends and family. We are very honored to create this award in her memory. In honor of Gloria Schrand, the West Liberty-Salem Board of Education presented Judy Legge with the first ever Gloria Schrand Volunteer of the Year Award. Judy Legge began volunteering in the Athletic office and in the first grade classrooms over ten years ago. When she started, she would come each morning and check in with Jake in the Athletic office. If nothing was needed, she would head to first grade to assist in the classroom. During the height of the Covid pandemic, classroom volunteer opportunities shifted and she began spending most of her time in the Athletic Office. As of today, she spends each morning arriving at 8:00 and usually leaves around 12:00. Judy’s often spends time doing secretarial duties in the office, but spends most of her time helping track student physicals, run copies, and keeping schedules up to date in the computer for Jake. Judy has also taken on a key role in the success of the Athletic Hall of Fame banquet! Athletic Director Jake Vitt shared, "I could not imagine my office without Judy’s help! She is a true asset to the daily operation of the Athletic Department. She will never know how much her help is appreciated. She is very deserving of this award!!" Judy Legge was presented the Gloria Shrand Volunteer of the Year award at the West Liberty Salem Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

Attention HS Parents and Students: The 21-22 HS Yearbook is now available to order. Students can turn in order forms as well as payment (checks made out to WLS) in the office this week or next. This is the best way to guarantee that you get a 21-22 yearbook. Yearbooks will be hard-cover, color, and between 85-95 pages. Since we include pictures from the Spring, including Prom and Graduation, yearbooks will be finished over the summer and we expect delivery in September or October. Yearbooks are $35 each with the option of Name Stamping on the cover for an additional $5. A limited number of yearbooks will be available for purchase in the fall but at a higher price. Get your 21-22 HS Yearbook ordered today!

The West Liberty-Salem Food Service Department is hiring! We have the following positions open for the upcoming school year: - 3 Hour Food Service position - 3.5 Hour Food Service position Applications can be found on the school website. You may also contact Robin Kauffman at rokauffman@wlstigers.org, or call 937-465-9166, for more information.

Our April Middle School Students of the Month have been announced! These students received a t-shirt from BOSS, Marie’s Candies and a gift card from Malia Hughes with Fathom Realty. Congratulations! Students Left to Right: 8th Grade: Elli Ullery & Caleb Larson 7th Grade: Reagan Winters & Garrett Hull 6th Grade: Britton Carter & Bennett Sutherin

Zoology students offered animal tours and dissection demonstrations to elementary students this week. Grades k-5 were given the opportunity to stand in on a shark dissection and get aquatinted with other animals that are cared for in our high school science wing. Zoology students shared the importance of dissection and how scientists findings help to keep our marine life safe and healthy! Thank you, Mrs. Smith and Zoology students, for offering a very educational sneak peak to our HS Science Department!

Todd Woodruff helped our second grade teachers get ready for summer with their first ever ‘End of School Auction’! Students were allotted 10 counting cubes to bid on variously “priced” items like markers, backpacks, posters and books. It was exciting to watch our students decide how to use their counters wisely, wait for their favorite item, and then bid with such enthusiasm! Thank you, Mr. Woodruff, for helping our second graders learn and making it so fun!

The West Liberty-Salem Open Enrollment period is now OPEN and the 2022-2023 Open Enrollment Application is available on our website. If you do not live in the West Liberty-Salem Local School District and wish for your child to attend West Liberty-Salem, you may submit an application between May 1 - June 1. Please visit this page for detailed information about the Open Enrollment process, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and a link to the 2022-2023 Open Enrollment Application: https://www.wlstigers.org/o/wls/page/forms

Check out this summer day camp opportunity for students entering 4-6th grade at the Piatt Castle!

High School English Department Summer Reading list has been announced. Please note that Freshmen have a choice in their reading material and should research each book to select one that is interesting and they are comfortable with.

Elementary Track and Field day is one of the longest standing traditions at West Liberty-Salem! We welcomed today’s beautiful weather for our third and fifth graders to kick off the two day event. Each participant selected at least one running event and field event to compete. Mr. Leichty’ s third graders took the first place title for at least the fourth year in a row. In fifth grade, Mrs. Orahood’s class grabbed the fifth grade trophy. Please help us give a huge THANK YOU to Mrs. Hollar for organizing the event and giving elementary students the opportunity to practice and compete in such a well organized track and field day. Also, many thanks to all of our volunteers including 8th grade WEB leaders, Mr. Eickoff, Mrs. Thornburg, Coach Hoover and Coach Johanna Smith, and Amy Pratt. Fourth Grade is looking forward to their event tomorrow, and we are watching the weather! A text update will go out in the morning with weather related information.

Come and support the Tigers this week!

Purchase your tickets to tonight’s baseball tournament at home at 5:00 here! Go Tigers! https://www.ohsaa.org/tickets

Juniors and seniors in Mrs. Smith’s Environmental Science class began their landscaping project at the Sherman Ricketts Memorial Park this morning! They have been involved in the planning process of the park since it’s inception and will finalize their landscape this week! Ryan Motzko, WL-S alum, is overseeing them and assisting with plant and design details. They were assisted by Logan Lawn and Landscaping to clear the sod and make upkeep much easier! The park also includes a shelter house constructed by Ohio HiPoint students offering shade and a resting spot for those using the bike trail. Make sure to check out thIs beautiful project!

West Liberty-Salem elementary celebrated our highest honors fourth and fifth graders during the Breakfast of Champions Award ceremony this morning. Students are invited to Breakfast of Champions if they are in the fourth or fifth grade and have all A’s and only one B or B+. Students and their families were served a special breakfast that included donuts, fruit, milk, and coffee! Mr. Hollar offered the opening remarks congratulating students for their accomplishments and letting them know just how proud he is of their effort to be there. Each Breakfast of Champions Ceremony also offers our students the opportunity to hear from a selected high school guest speaker, and that honor went to Senior and Valedictorian Megan Adams. The Breakfast of Champions Ceremony closes with 20 chances to win a box of candy from Marie’s Candies. The following students were recognized: Nate Adams Jacob Bahan Liam Baldwin Alexa Beard Mallory Bishop Kate Bolton Ashton Brannon Addison Brannon Ava Brookman Everett Brooks Wyatt Brooks Avery Brown Braxton Catron Jaron Christison Jaron Christison Josh Collins Sydney Conley Kipton Crowder Izzy Dieringer Mia Dooley AJ Estes Rylee Falloon Layne Ferryman Marissa Fish Abby Fissel Payton Gibbons Jacob Gilley Jacob Gilley Tyler Hershberger Eric Hoover Sophia Jackson Ella Jacobs Eli Jones Foster King Emily King Zeke Lauck Mikel Ling Jules Loveless Braylon Lucas Jaylyn Martin Kase McIntosh Allison Miller Amelia Miller Loretta Moxley Braxton Muldoon Adalyn Nickles Wyatt Phelps Wyatt Phelps Drew Piacentino Carter Pratt Jackson Reichardt Jude Roberts Kynlee Rostorfer Izzy Semaan Nate Shivley Dahlia Sokolow Izzy Spencer Callie Trimble Olivia Trimble Dawson Turner Carver Wallace Mason Wallace Connor Watson Reese Winters Raylan Wulf Ashlyn Yeater Lilly Yeater Landon Zanfirov Peyton Ziegler

Today was Fun Friday hosted by our high school Key Club when the ropes come out for our annual class tug of war challenge! Unfortunately, our seniors didn’t get the W, but the extra time with friends made it a little better!

Middle School OHSAA State Track & Field Meet Saturday May 14th, @ Hillard Darby HS at 1:45 PM. Good luck to our West Liberty-Salem 4x8 MS State Participants: Dylan King, Taryn Bradley, Caleb Larson, Brevin Louden, and Jake Lauck

Best Friends Pet Assisted Therapy made another special visit to read with our elementary friends! Millie is one of the dogs that regularly visits our school, and she loves to have a reading buddy!

It was another beautiful day for some outdoor fun around campus! FFA/Ag Science Day is always a favorite for our elementary students! There were cows, a horse, goats, baby ducks, tractors and more! Students are hosted by our HS Ag classes, who share their own livestock and agricultural experiences throughout the day.