Rebel Review
September 13, 2026
South Families,
As we move further into September, our students and staff have settled into the school year, and there is a great deal to be proud of throughout South High School.
This past week was a great example of what makes South such a special place. Homecoming Week brought tremendous energy and school spirit to our building. From our spirit activities throughout the week, to Friday night's football victory, and finally an outstanding Homecoming Dance on Saturday, our students represented South extremely well. Congratulations to our Homecoming King and Queen, Trenton Chmura and Gianna Tucceri, and to all of the members of our Homecoming Court. Each of these students represents the very best of South High School.
Our Rebel pride has also extended beyond the walls of South. Recently, members of our athletic teams, cheerleaders, and marching band visited Grant Elementary to spend time with some of our future Rebels. Experiences like this are a great reminder that being a Rebel means being part of something bigger than just our high school.
As much as we enjoy celebrating these moments, our primary focus continues to be what happens in our classrooms each day. We are now several weeks into the first quarter, which makes this an important time for students and families to take a close look at academic progress. Please continue to monitor grades, encourage your student to communicate with teachers, and reach out when additional support is needed. There is still plenty of time to make a difference, but the time to act is now.
Our first Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from 4:30–7:30 p.m. We intentionally hold these conferences before the end of the first quarter so families and teachers have an opportunity to discuss student progress and identify ways we can work together to help students be successful.
There are many other important events and opportunities coming up at South, so I encourage you to take a few minutes to look through this edition of the Rebel Review. As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students, staff, and school. There are a lot of great things happening at South, and the best part continues to be our students.
Every two weeks, I'll continue sharing The Rebel Review to keep you informed about important dates, upcoming events, and the many great things happening throughout our school. As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are off to a fantastic start, and I look forward to all that this school year has in store for our Rebel community. You can visit our website anytime for the latest news and information. And, of course, if you need direct assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the main office at 440-975-3648.
Sincerely,
Mr. Suttell
Principal
Mark your calendar for these important events during the first few weeks of school:
September 23 Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30 - 7:30pm
September 23 College Financial Aid Night 6:30 in LGI
September 28 Senior Class Meeting (3rd Period) Cap and Gown Information
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
Parent Teacher Conferences - September 23
On Wednesday, September 23, South will host our first Parent-Teacher Conferences of the year. Conferences provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss progress up to this point in the year. We have scheduled conferences in the middle of the First Quarter in order for discussions to occur that may help increase student achievement prior to the end of the First Quarter (October 16). Teachers will be available anytime from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm to meet with you to discuss student progress and any questions you may have.
Senior Class Meeting - Cap and Gown Information - September 28
Is it really time to start thinking about graduation? Maybe it feels a little early, but preparations are already beginning for our graduation ceremony on May 27!
Our Jostens representative will be at South to meet with the senior class and explain the process for ordering caps, gowns, and other graduation items.
Seniors should plan to attend the class meeting on Monday, September 28, during 3rd period (9:25 a.m.). Our representative will review what students need for graduation, important ordering information, and next steps.
Please make every effort to be at school and attend this important meeting. More information regarding graduation will be shared throughout the school year as we get closer to the big day!
11th Grade PSAT/NMSQT Test - October 21
I am excited to share information about the upcoming PSAT/NMSQT opportunity available to our 11th grade students. This assessment provides valuable practice for college entrance exams and can open the door to scholarship opportunities. Registration is now open for the upcoming PSAT/NMSQT, available exclusively to 11th-grade students. This exam offers standard SAT practice and enters students into competition for National Merit Scholarship programs. To sign up, students must pick up a registration form from our main office. Completed forms to register for the PSAT/NMSQT Test are due to the office by Friday, September 18.
News from Our Guidance Department
Some Reminders:
ELIGIBILITY
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.
SCHEDULE CHANGES:
We have completed schedule changes at this point.
Any schedule changes will need to be administration approved.
If you have any questions, please contact guidance.
LEAF (Lakeland Educational Assistance Foundation)
The LEAF representative (Mrs. Michelle Federer) will begin on September 9. She is here every Wednesday.
Please encourage your son/daughter to make an appointment with LEAF. You are welcome to attend with him/her.
If you are unable to attend a meeting on Wednesday’s, LEAF also has an office at Lakeland Community College.
Counselors and Mrs. Federer will be in English 4 classes speaking to the seniors about college and other post high school plans.
Senior News:
In the next couple of weeks, guidance counselors will be visiting English classes to speak to our seniors about Post-high school plans.
If your child does not have an English class, they are welcome to attend any of the periods to learn about the information
Encourage your child to create resumes and/or brag sheets.
Teachers need two weeks to complete letters of recommendation.
Act early!
FYI: Early Decision is BINDING. Early Action is not BINDING.
Juniors News:
If your student is struggling with his/her classes, please have them reach out to guidance counselors immediately.
If your student is still having trouble finding the bus for their TECH program, please have them come see the women in the main office. They are happy to help!
Encourage your student to make sure eligibility is attainable for Fall/Winter/Spring sports
Academically, this is a very important year for senior year applications next year.
Sophomore News:
Start strong, end strong.
Academically, this is a very important year because of End of Course Exams in Biology, ELA II, American History and Geometry
Reach out and let us know if your child needs support.
Freshman News:
Welcome Aboard.
If your child is having troubles finding classrooms, struggling with homework or school work or needs general support - please have him/her come see guidance.
Please reach out to guidance counselors, if you have any questions, comments, worries or concerns. We are looking forward to working with our families.
If your child is struggling personally or academically, please have him/her come to see counselors in guidance. We can help.
Thank you.
School Counselors:
Ms. Schmidt - students with last names: A-G mary-hope.schmidt@weschools.org
Mrs.Scripp - students with last names: H-O lindsay.scripp@weschools.org
Ms. Joyce - students with last names: P-Z virginia.joyce@weschools.org
PLC Wednesdays
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.
Smart Pass Information
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.
South Clinic Reminder - Senior Immunization Information
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.
Reporting Absences
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:
1. MyPowerHub Parent Portal ( look for Safe Arrival on the menu drop down)
2. Toll-Free Number: 855-612-7207 (all buildings) * Please Note: only guardians with registered numbers in their students account will be granted an absence. This will
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.
