High School students are putting down their devices today for a break from technology sponsored by Key Club's Wellness sub-committee. The Student Wellness Sub-Committee of Key Club (Chaired by Ava Johnson) has been committed to this event since the October presentation by Captain Frank regarding Internet Safety. Key Club students as a whole have been in full support of the planning of this event. Students were asked to complete a short survey this week that analyzed student relationships with their personal devices including phones, iPads, smart watches, etc. More than half of students responded and anonymously identified their areas of weakness when it comes to using their phones both timely and effectively.
Today, they are asked to pause their use of those devices by turning them in during homeroom and spending the day free from technology. High School teachers agreed to be a part of today's tech free challenge by teaching classes with as little use of technology as possible! Students who participate will end the day with 'open gym' time (remember recess?) and receive their devices back at the end of the day with an extra credit voucher to the class of their choosing.
We interviewed the students pictured who are on the Wellness Committee. and this is how they plan to spend their "Tech Free" day!
"I’m going to use tech free day to focus more on my homework, studying and not procrastinating!" -Ava Johnson, Chairperson
"I'm going to focus more on my classes, get caught up on my work, and listen to my friends without distractions." -Audrey Collins
"I'm going to spend more time with my friends and have conversations with my peers!" -Kaylee Blair
"I plan to spend more time talking with friends without distractions and make sure we pay more attention to each other's conversations." -Sami King
"I'm going to make sure I'm more focused on doing homework and using the bonus points toward Spanish!" -Caleb Larson
"I'm going to be more interactive with my friends at lunch and stay more focused on my classes." -Dylan King
Parents and families are encouraged to also participate in the challenge and ask your students how they felt about going device free. A regular break from technology has several benefits that we addressed on our social media and website earlier this week. Thank you to the Wellness Committee for challenging us to take a break! We look forward to more events that empower our students to seek healthy breaks from social norms.
Come out and cheer on our Lady Tigers in the District Championship at Springfield High School on Saturday, March 2nd at 3:00! Go Tigers!
Congratulations to Taran Logwood, a junior, who was named OHC North Player of the Year for the second consecutive season!
Tonight's Varsity Boys' Basketball game will be live-streamed at:
https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/northmont-clayton-oh/gam943c0e35f4
Tip off is at 7:30! Go Tigers!
Reminder that all post season tickets must be purchased online at https://www.ohsaa.org/tickets
To purchase tickets for tonight's boys basketball game against Waynesville HS, enter West Liberty-Salem in the search bar and event will populate.
It’s a Leap Year and that means we all get one extra day this month! The Key Club Student Wellness Sub-Committee is sponsoring a ‘Tech Free Day’ in the High School on February 29th.
According to the experts at Cleveland Clinic, a tech free day can mean more time for self care, detoxing from social media, and being more present and productive in daily life! “Social media connects us with others in many beneficial ways,” an expert with CC says. “But at the same time, it can also have an unhealthy effect on people.” Negative social media experiences can trigger anxiety and depression and affect self-esteem. This includes:
Being angry or upset over posted content.
Cyberbullying (online verbal bullying).
Fear of missing out (FOMO).
Feelings of isolation.
Social comparisons.
With the support of administration and teachers, classes will be taught with as little technology as possible. Students will have the opportunity to turn in their personal devices and iPad’s to their Homeroom Teacher at the beginning of the day. Students who participate will then have a short open gym time at the end of the day to finish strong and take advantage of additional face-to-face time with their friends. Students can pick up their devices at the end of the day and will receive a 5 point bonus coupon that can be applied to the class of their choice. Teachers and staff have also been challenged to participate as well, by either turning in their personal device or giving to a peer for the day. We encourage families to consider joining us in the challenge and support their student’s participation in this upcoming event! Watch as we share more tips about taking a healthy break from technology throughout the week.
West Liberty-Salem athletes Delaney Jones and Elise Longshore qualified for the OATCCC D2/3 State Indoor Track and Field Championships to be held Saturday, March 2nd at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva. To qualify, athletes must have a top 24 event performance during the regular indoor season.
Jones, a junior, qualified in the 60 Meter Dash (7.72) and the Long Jump (17’9). Longshore, a sophomore, qualified in the Pole Vault (10’2). Jones’ and Longshore’s performances are current indoor school records at WLS.
“Delaney and Elise have worked hard this season and have shown a lot of growth and improvement in their events,” said Ann Vogel, WLS Head Track and Field Coach. I’m excited to watch them compete at the state level.”
Field Events will begin at 10:30 a.m. and Running Events at 1:30 p.m. Live results can be found on oh.milesplit.com
Physics students in Mrs. Robert's Edison State Physics class made a t-shirt launcher and used it to launch spirit gear during a home basketball game!! The launcher is similar to a spring cannon and students were challenged to use what they know about projectile motion to make a successful launch. Only after they tested and tweaked the launcher, were they able to debut their project just in time for senior night! Way to work, students!
Mr. Spencer and all the Science Olympiad coaches and team members would like to thank everyone involved in Saturday’s fourteenth annual West Liberty-Salem Science Olympiad Invitational! Our tournament was an overwhelming success as it hosted over 1500 students, parents, and community members from 45 of the top teams in the country. Winning medals for our team were Thadeus Kitchen and Drew Piacento in the event “Optics” and Ellis Koons and Drew Piacento in the event “Wind Power”. Next up for our team is the Piqua Regional Tournament on Saturday, March 16th. Our team hopes to qualify for the State tournament for the Eighteenth year in a row.
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Preschool Screenings for the 2024-2025 school year are being scheduled! Call Madison-Champaign ESC at937-653-5214 for more information.
The WL-S Musical Theatre Department is offering local businesses an advertising opportunity while helping offset the costs of musical production. Ad space will be granted in our printed Playbills in 4"x7" or 8"x5" dimensions. Approximately 1200 audience members will view the Playbill during the weekend's shows.
All ads should be mailed to wlsmusicaltheatre@gmail.com by March 1st, 2024, with your ad preference (small ads are $50 and large ads are $100). Checks can be made out to WLS Musical and mailed to:
Attn: Jakob Schaufelberger
West Liberty Salem High School
7208 US HWY 68 North
West Liberty, OH 43357
All questions should be directed to Jakob Schaufelberger at jschaufelberger@wlstigers.org
Elementary school recently completed the Kids Heart Challenge raising more than $18,000 for the American Heart Association! Students were able to fundraise for about 2 weeks while learning how to keep your heart healthy.
Kids Heart Challenge, formerly Hoops for Hearts, is a program designed to teach students about people with special hearts, while raising money for healthy hearts everywhere.
During the Kids Heart Challenge, students are taught the risks of using tobacco, heart conditions, tips for eating healthy, being physically active and managing stress. They are given tools to make decisions that leave them feeling confident in improving and maintaining their own health, while also helping improve the study and treatment of kids and adults with heart disease.
West Liberty-Salem continues to be one of the leading schools in the state who donate to the cause. Thank you to everyone who helped our students make such a big impact on special hearts everywhere!
Mrs. Kim Hollar, with the help of specials teachers, is an integral part of planning the activities and education associated with Kids Heart Challenge. Students wrapped up the challenge with a fun obstacle course promoting heart healthy activities that are fun for students of all ages!
Hello, This is Kraig Hissong, Superintendent of WL-S. Due to dense fog in our area, WL-S will be closed for today, Friday February 23rd. Please have a safe day today.
Hello Families, we apologize for the late notice, but conditions have changed this morning and the fog has become worse in parts of the district. We will be on a two hour delay this morning, Friday, February 23. School will start at 9:40 for MS/HS and 9:45 for Elementary. Thank you.
Community Health & Wellness Partners invites students and families to a Prom Dress Swap Event on Saturday, March 16, from 9am to 12pm at their Bellefontaine Community Health Center location: 212 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine. Swap a dress or purchase a dress for $10. Students are limited to only one dress. Accessories will also be available. Proceeds to benefit CHWP School-Based Health Center student resources. Everyone is welcome to the event!
Our 24/7 Tiger gear store is now offering Carhart brand Spirit Wear. Click the link below to see additional styles and for all your spirit wear needs.
"We’re excited to welcome Carhartt to Sideline Store. A brand known for its style, comfort and durability, each piece is crafted of quality materials and built to last. Follow these simple steps to promote both new and classic styles today."
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/ohio/westliberty/west-liberty-salem-high-school
!!Attention 7th grade families:
Save the Date! February 28th at 6pm in the elementary cafeteria we will be having an informational meeting for the Fall 2024 trip to Washington DC! We are transitioning our annual 8th grade trip from the spring to the fall. While attendance is not mandatory it is extremely helpful to hear all the information presented.
The 8th grade trip planned for this spring will not change. This is for current 7th graders and their families only.
Carter Titus was recognized on President's Day at the Champaign County DAR meeting for being selected as the West Liberty-Salem Good Citizen of the Year!
Carter Titus, a senior at WL-S, was selected by his peers and faculty as the 2023-24 DAR Good Citizen of the Year. The faculty nominated three deserving seniors, who met the DAR criteria, and fellow seniors then voted for one winner. The DAR Good Citizen Award is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship among students. Particularly, students selected for the award should display dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities to an outstanding measure. Principal Greg Johnson had this to say about Titus, "Carter possesses the many qualities of a good citizen and beyond. He participates in soccer, marching band, clubs, volunteer organizations and other co- and extra-curriculars. He diligently seeks out service opportunities in his school and community and is respected among his peers for integrity and the quality of his character."
The Annual DAR Good Citizen event recognizes each selected senior from the five Champaign County Schools. Carter was accompanied to the event by his family and (pictured)High School Counselor Molly Smith. Congratulations, Carter!
There is only one week left to support our elementary student council by purchasing from their spirit wear fundraiser! Get your spirit gear at the link below!
https://www.spiritwear.com/estore.php?eml=amcnabb@wlstigers.org
Save the date!
West Liberty-Salem's musical cast presents Footloose on Thursday, March 14th, at 7:00 PM, Friday, March 15 at 4:00 and 8:00 PM, Saturday at 8:00 PM.
Footloose is a story of Forgiveness and Redemption. The story is about a Reverend who lost his son and a teenage boy who lost his father, and how they help each other to heal. This is not a story about a town, but rather a story about people and how they change each other. Somewhat a story about what we call LIFE. The characters help each other grow and change, and just maybe, they connect to the audience and help them change and grow too. One High School that performed the play said, "Every time you see or hear the word dance replace it with forgive." It works for the most part, and we learn about forgiveness and redemption without even trying. Enjoy the show and feel uplifted when the curtain closes.
