Rebel Review

South Families,

I hope your summer has provided time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. While I’m sure summer has passed far too quickly for many of our students, there is always something special about the start of a new school year. It brings renewed energy to our building, new opportunities for our students, and another year of experiences and memories that help make South such a special place.

For those families who may be new to our school, my name is Mr. Suttell, and I am incredibly proud to serve as the principal of Willoughby South High School. I have had the opportunity to experience South not only as an educator and principal, but also as a parent. That perspective continues to reinforce for me just how much pride, tradition, and community are behind what it means to be a Rebel. I continue to believe there is no better time to be part of Willoughby South High School and the Willoughby-Eastlake Schools.

As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, we will continue building upon the work already underway at South. Our focus remains on providing meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for what comes next. Through the Willoughby-Eastlake Future Ready Framework, personalized learning opportunities, and innovative programs and pathways, we want our students to do more than simply earn credits and complete courses. We want them to develop the skills, independence, confidence, and experiences that will prepare them for success in school, career, and life.

There will be plenty of time throughout the year to share more about that work and the exciting opportunities ahead for our students. For now, however, I know what families need most is clear information to help everyone prepare for the opening of school. Consequently, the remainder of today's communication is focused primarily on the important dates, procedures, reminders, and information you and your student will need for a successful start to the school year.

Throughout the year, The Rebel Review will continue to be sent every two weeks to keep our families informed about what is happening at Willoughby South. As we prepare for the first day of school, you can expect to hear from me more frequently over these opening weeks. I also encourage families to regularly visit our school website for the latest information and updates. And, as always, if you have a question or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our main office at 440-975-3648.

The countdown is here, on Thursday, August 20 our hallways, classrooms, athletic fields, and activity spaces will once again be filled with our students. We are excited about what lies ahead and look forward to welcoming everyone back for another great year at South.

Please also see the welcome back letter sent by Dr. Ward, our superintendent.

Let's make 2026–2027 a year of growth, opportunity, connection, and Rebel pride.

Go Rebels!

Sincerely,

Mr. Suttell

Principal

Mark your calendar for these important events during the first few weeks of school:

August 20 First Day of School (First Period begins - 7:45am)

August 21 Class Meetings - Topic: Rebel Way - Expectations

August 26 First "PLC Wednesday" - 1st Period begins at 8:37 AM

August 26 Parent Open House - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

August 27 School Pictures (Details to come)

September 1 Labor Day - No School

September 3 South Athletic Hall of Fame Induction at La Vera

September 7-11 "Homecoming Week"

September 11 Homecoming Football Game

September 12 Homecoming Dance - at South High School 7:00pm

September 23 Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30 - 7:30pm

September 23 College Financial Aid Night 6:30 in LGI

September 26 School Picture Retakes

October 9 NEOEA Day - No School

October 12-16 North/South Spirit Week

October 16 South at North Football Game 7:00pm

October 16 End of First Quarter

South High Administration

The administrative team at South is eager to work with you and our students to support student success. If you have any questions, please feel free to email the appropriate grade level administrator:

Mr. Andy Suttell, Principal: andrew.suttell@weschools.org

Mr. David Miller, 11th and 12th Grade Principal: david.miller@weschools.org

Mr. James Mrozek, 9th and 10th Grade Principal james.mrozek@weschools.org

Mr. Jeff Fox, Athletic Director: jeffrey.fox@weschools.org

Regular Bell Schedule

Homeroom (First Period Class) 7:40-7:45

1° 7:45-8:30

2° 8:35-9:20

3° 9:25-10:10

4° 10:15-11:00

5° 11:05-11:50

6° 11:55-12:40

7° 12:45-1:30

8° 1:35-2:20

PM Homeroom?Dismissal 2:20 - 2:25

Student Schedules:

Students are now be able to view their schedules in MyPowerHub. Each family has received an email from The District regarding MyPowerHub - a secure login that links you to the PowerSchool Parent Portal where you can access your child’s grades, attendance, schedules, and more. For existing users, this is the same login you have used in the parent portal. If you have not accessed the parent portal previously, here is the information to access MyPowerHub:

To get started, you’ll need:·

• A device with internet access
• A unique email address
• Your child’s Access ID and Access Password (see below)

Create your account by:

• Visiting www.weschools.org > Portals > Parent Portal
• Selecting “Create Account” and following the instructions
• Verifying your email
• Adding additional students by clicking on the Resource Link > Account Preferences >Student Tab

Once set up, you can monitor your child’s progress, update contact info, and report absences easily.

Student Parking Passes

All students who are driving to school are required to display a 2025/26 Parking Permit. Parking passes are $20.00 for the school year. You may stop by our main office on Tuesday 8/18 and Wednesday 8/19 from 8:00am to 2:00pm to obtain your pass at any time prior to the start of the school year. Once the year begins, you can stop by the main office to get a permit.

Traffic Flow - Arrival and Dismissal

Students who are transported to school by bus will be dropped off in the front of the school and enter through the main entrance. Students being driven can/should also use our front door entrances. We will begin dismissal at 2:10 each day next week in order for students to locate their buses and for our community to safely acclimate to the traffic pattern. Please note that there is a new traffic pattern on campus during our arrival and dismissal to accommodate the high school and middle school being on the same schedule. I have included a diagram of the intended traffic pattern for both arrival and dismissal. It is a good idea to become familiar with the pattern and allow a few extra minutes during the first week or two as our community becomes acclimated to the slight change.

Transportation Questions and Resources:

To improve efficiency and provide consistent service for the more than 4,000 students who ride a bus every day, our district has streamlined school start and end times and implemented a new transportation routing system.

Tuesday, August 11th, bus information will be available in PowerSchools parent portal, MyPowerHub. On Thursday, August 13th, you will see our bus fleet out in the community completing their annual Simulation Day. Our drivers will perform their morning and afternoon routes before providing feedback that will help us make any final adjustments. Please be patient, as they provide support for over 60 bus routes and 5,000 bus stops.

• Bus route information will continue to be accessible through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. You can also download the BusZoneTracker App. BusZone allows you to track your child’s bus in real time.
• Our Transportation Webpage is the best place to start if you have questions concerning transportation. There, you'll find an FAQ guide, resources, and contact information. If you have a question concerning bus information, please reach out to our transportation department at 440-975-3736. You can also ask questions or leave a comment using our Transportation Feedback Form.
• Families of students who receive specialized transportation as part of their IEP will receive transportation information based on the type of vehicle assigned. If your child is transported by school bus, route information will be available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, as described above. If your child is transported by van, the transportation company will contact you directly with your child's pickup and drop-off times.

Cell phone (or any non-school issued electronic device) use is strictly prohibited in classrooms. Please help support us discussing the high school Cell Phone Policy with your child:

North/South High School Cell Phone Policy

Effective: January 2026

To support school environments in which students can fully engage with their classmates, their teachers, and instruction, the Board of Education of Willoughby-Eastlake Schools has determined the use of cell phones by students during school hours should be limited.

​The objective of this policy is to strengthen North and South High School’s focus on learning, in alignment with our mission to ignite students’ passion for learning, cultivate a strong foundation of knowledge, and foster a sense of community within our schools.

I. Research

Research shows that student use of cell phones in schools has negative effects on student performance and mental health. Cell phones distract students from classroom instruction, resulting in smaller learning gains and lower test scores. Increased cell phone use has led to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders in youth.

II. Applicability

This policy applies to the use of cell phones by students while on school property during the instructional day.

III. Use of cell phones

Students are prohibited from using cell phones at all times.

IV. Exception

Nothing in this policy prohibits a student from using a cell phone for a purpose documented in the student’s individualized education program developed under Chapter 3323 of the Ohio Revised Code, a plan developed under section 504 of the "Rehabilitation Act of 1973," 29 U.S.C. 794, or as permitted under the building's comprehensive emergency management plan adopted under section 5502.262 of the Revised Code. A student may use a cell phone or other electronic communication device to monitor or address a health concern if the school board receives a written statement from the student's physician requiring such use.

V. Cell phone storage

Students shall keep their cell phones in a secure place, such as the student’s locker, a closed backpack, or a storage device provided by the district, at all times.

VI. Discipline

If a student violates this policy, a teacher or administrator shall take the following progressive disciplinary measures:

1. Give the student a verbal warning and require the student to store the student’s cell phone in accordance with this policy.

2. Securely store the student’s cell phone in a teacher- or administrator-controlled locker, bin, or drawer for the duration of the class or period.

3. Place the student’s cell phone in the school’s main office for the remainder of the day.

4. Place the student’s cell phone in the school’s main office to be picked up by the student’s parent or guardian.

5. Schedule a conference with the student’s parent or guardian to discuss the student’s cell phone use.

6. If a student is insubordinate of this policy, an office referral will be written, and progressive discipline will be applied.

SmartPass (a digital pass system) will be used at South High School to support fostering student accountability and responsibility during the school day. SmartPass supports limiting hallway time while making it a priority to keep students in class learning. Every minute counts and attendance matters! Ensuring our students are in class during instructional time is our top priority. The system helps to prevent off-task or unsafe behaviors in hallways and restrooms. Being able to know the destination of kids who are in the hallways helps teachers, support staff and administrators keep kids safe.

Students will be trained on SmartPass during our grade level meetings on August 21. Students will ask their teacher for permission to leave the classroom, start their pass on their Chromebook and then end their pass upon return to the classroom. The pass system allows students, teachers and administration to see how long they are out of class to help students in understanding better use of time. I want to emphasize that this not meant as a means to penalize students. It is simply a better pass system that will to help promote that our students are safe and spending more time in our classrooms learning.

If parents or guardians have any other questions about SMART PASS, please refer to their Parents and Families page.

Each Wednesday (beginning August 26) during the school year (unless otherwise communicated), South and North High Schools will be on our PLC Wednesday Schedule, with First period beginning and attendance being taken at 8:30am. Students do not need to be in the building until their first period class.

PLC Wednesday Key Reminders:

• Willoughby-Eastlake buses will run during their regular times. If students arrive prior to 8:30 am, they will attend a supervised, quiet study hall period in the Student Union.
• Students do not need to be in the building until their first period class.
• Attendance will be taken beginning at 8:30 in First Period Class
• Breakfast will be served, we will be extending the time students may get a breakfast until 8:15 am
• Dismissal will occur at normal 2:20 time
• Students arriving from AM Excel TECC programs will be excused for whatever minutes they miss upon arrival.
• CCP students will also be dismissed/permitted-to-arrive based on the start/end times of their CCP classes on Wednesdays and are excused for that time.

Welcome Back from our Guidance Department!

At this point, you should be able to view your schedule in Powerschool. If you are experiencing difficulties accessing Powerschool or any other problem with your schedule, please contact your counselor directly.

SCHEDULE CHANGES:

Sometimes, it is necessary for a student to change a class. The following is a list of reasons for

a student to change a schedule:

1. Missing a required course or a lunch period
2. Scheduled for fewer than 5.5 credits for Eligibility
3. Short credits to meet graduation requirements, if the student is a senior
4. Medical necessity, as verified by a physician’s statement
5. Administrative decision to balance class size and/or resolve schedule conflict and to otherwise meet the needs of individuals under extraordinary circumstances

Further Information:

1. No schedule will be changed for teacher preference, lunch preference or to switch a class to a different period.
2. Students may contact their counselor by email for changes
3. Please see guidance or administration for further information
4. All schedule changes must be made by Friday, August 28, 2026

Below is a schedule indicating when guidance counselors will get to students with conflicts as we begin classes.

• Thursday, August 20: Any student with no schedule, a student missing core classes, a student below eligibility requirements (5 credits or more).
• Friday, August 21: Seniors and Junior who have scheduling questions or requests.
• Monday, August 24: Sophomores and Freshmen who have scheduling questions or requests.

Eligibility Important Reminder:

Make sure your child looks at power school for his/her schedule. Athletes or any students who

need eligibility, MUST be carrying 5-6 credits in order to remain eligible. Help them earn

eligibility by reminding them that they must pass 5 credits in the 1st quarter. Physical

Education does not count toward eligibility.

Guidance Counselors

Ms. Mary-Hope Schmidt; Students with Last Names A to G: mary-hope.schmidt@weschools.org

Mrs. Lindsay Scripp: Students with Last Name H to O: Lindsay.Scripp@weschools.org

Ms. Virginia Joyce: Students with Last Name P to Z: Virginia.Joyce@weschools.org

Mrs. Stacey Estvander Guidance administrative assistant. 440.975.3653

We’re excited to roll out SafeArrival, our new attendance reporting system designed to simplify how student absences are reported and tracked. This system will help reduce daily call volume, streamline the attendance process, and ensure accurate reporting,all while integrating directly with PowerSchool.

How SafeArrival Works

For Parents/Guardian

Absences can be reported via:

take the place of our previous numbers that were used for attendance purposes.

• Absence types include: Full Day, Late Arrival and Early Release

• Parents can upload doctor’s notes directly through the SafeArrival app on MyPowerHub.

• Once submitted, absence information goes directly into PowerSchool, requiring no manual entry. Please allow the attendance office time to adjust anything that may be relevant to your absence until 9:30am . All attendance changes will be finalized daily by 2:30pm. If you do not report your students absence, multiple attempts will be made by the automatic system to contact you.
• For Early Releases, as long as we have a registered call and pre arranged release, there is no need for a guardian to come in to sign the student out. They may exit the building at the scheduled time.

Rebels Express, our student run spirit store, is now open for business! We are currently open for online shopping. You can find our online store on our school website and at https://rebelexpress.square.site/. We will have in-store shopping during Open House on August 26th. Please follow us on social media for new item announcements, special sales and additional in-store hours. Instagram - @rebels_express Facebook: Rebels Express Spirit Shop

South's Open House will be Wednesday, August 26 from 6:00 pm -7:30 pm. This is an opportunity for you to follow your child's schedule, hearing about the expectations in each class from their teachers. We will run the evening as a true "Open House." Our teachers will be available in their classrooms from 6:00 pm to 7:30pm to discuss courses and classroom expectations. We have scheduled it in this format to allow you to come and visit in the time that works for you, there is no set schedule for you to follow. To make your evening easier, please print or screenshot your child's schedule in order to know what classes to visit. Administration and counselors will also be available during these times to discuss anything you may need. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening anytime between 6:00 and 8:00pm.

School Pictures will be Thursday, August 27th. Cirino Photography will be handling all of our school pictures. Specific information next week for how to order pictures through Cirino Photography.

• Date: September 12, 2026
• Time: 7pm - 10pm (Doors open at 6:45pm)

Senior students are required by law to provide proof of MCV4/meningococcal meningitis vaccination (see district communication) It is very important that you submit updated immunization information to our clinic via fax (440-975-3645), or hard copy (return to clinic ). If you have any questions, please email them to our School Nurse at lisa.kovacic@weschools.org.

The bell schedule has changed slightly this year. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, the student school day will begin at 7:40am. We will continue this year with our delayed start Wednesdays. During Delayed Start, teachers meet in small groups called Professional Learning Communities, aka PLC’s. During this time, teachers examine assessment data and plan ways to reach every student. School begins for students at 8:30am.

Please click 2026/27 HS Bell Schedule for a full copy of the bell schedules.

Athletic Schedules - Information
Moving forward, we have a new official website for athletics: https://websites.eventlink.com/s/willoughby-south-high-school We no longer have access to the previous Rebel Athletics or South Athletics websites and these websites are pulling information that may be outdated. We will communicate clearly when we get the URL/domain name situation solved. Please use EventLink when checking game dates, times, and locations. We will also continue to communicate schedule changes through your coaches' normal channels.

Hometown Ticketing

Game tickets for home events should now be available at https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/southathletics/entity/schools/4

Pay-to-Participate Fees
Please do not pay any pay-to-participate fees. Our South High Athletic Boosters have generously donated the funds to cover these fees for our athletes for the 2026-27 school year. We are extremely grateful for their support of our students and programs and grateful to everyone who has contributed to making bingo a success. Membership and help for the South High Athletic Boosters is always welcome. You are invited to the next monthly meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 20. Check out their new website at https://www.southathleticboosters.com/become-member

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction

NEWS from REBEL FAMILIES

FOLLOW US on Facebook and Instagram

We hope everyone had a great summer!

The school year is quickly taking shape, and Rebel Families are ready to provide funding support for student and staff activities.

Looking to get involved? Join us at our meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. (see our schedule below)

WHAT DO WE FUND?

• Friday Football spirit giveaways

• Student incentives

• After Prom

• Teacher grants

• Teacher conference meals, and appreciation events

• Senior Scholarships

HOW DO WE FUNDRAISE?

• Good news, it’s NOT candy bars and restaurant nights!

• All funds are raised through indoor and outdoor concession stand sales

• With so many sports and teams ranging from Freshman through Varsity - WE NEED HANDS TO HELP!

• WORKING PAYS OFF! For every shift of concessions you work, Rebel Families will make a donation to the sport / after school club of your choice.

• SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE!

SENIOR PARENTS - TIME TO PLAN!

Rebel Families is happy to provide some financial support for the prom fashion show as well as after prom activities. However, to make this a success we need Senior Parents to lead this planning effort. If you are willing to lead and/or help in planning please email us at: wsrebelmoms@gmail.com.

We were excited to welcome more than 150 incoming freshmen, along with 40 of our outstanding student leaders who helped make the day a positive and welcoming experience.

Throughout orientation, students learned about The Rebel Way and heard from several members of the South High School community, including our administrative team, athletic director, and guidance counselors. Students also received a printed copy of their class schedule, toured the building, located their lockers, and received their Chromebooks.

It was a great opportunity for our newest Rebels to become familiar with South, meet new people, and feel more comfortable and confident heading into the first day of school. If a student was unable to attend and would like to pick up their Chromebook prior to the first day of school or walk their schedule, we encourage them to attend the Rebel Walkthrough this coming Monday, August 17th, at 1PM.

South rising Seniors, Lucija Dugonjic and Madison Hutchison, were recognized at a dinner at the American Legion Post 214 for their participation in 2026 Buckeye Girls State. The Mayor of Willoughby, Robert Fiala, presented the young ladies with a proclamation.

District Calendar Highlights

Rebels and Rangers

New Website and MyPowerHub

Free Meals in Willoughby-Eastlake

Laketran Information

Willoughby Bash - August 23