The Eye of the Tiger

Welcome to the first edition of The Eye of the Tiger!

This seasonal newsletter is designed to give families a glimpse into the exciting things happening at Seneca East Middle and High School, celebrate student learning and accomplishments, and share helpful information and resources to support your family.

As your principal, one of my goals is to strengthen the connection between school and home through meaningful communication. Together, we can help every Tiger navigate the jungle of the middle and high school years with confidence, connection, and success.

We are excited to share this journey with you!

Together, we make every Tiger stronger!

Dr. Jennifer Scott
Principal, Seneca East Middle & High School

From classroom learning and exciting opportunities to student achievements and schoolwide initiatives, this is your place to catch up on the people, programs, and moments that make our Tigers shine!

Small Actions. Big Impact. Stronger Tigers.

At Seneca East, we believe a positive school culture is built through everyday choices, meaningful relationships, and acts of kindness. Our Every Tiger philosophy emphasizes that every student deserves to feel known, valued, and supported.

Through our PAWS & THINK expectations—Pride, Attitude, Wise Choices, and Show Respect—we encourage and recognize students who make a positive difference. Whether it's helping a classmate, showing kindness, or taking responsibility, we want our Tigers to know their actions matter!

This year, we're bringing back a little "old-school" respect! We're reminding students that addressing adults with a title of respect is a simple but important way to show courtesy. Whether it's Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Coach, these titles matter! We remind our Tigers that first names are generally for friends and classmates, while adults like teachers, bus drivers, and coaches deserve that extra level of respect. It's a small habit that helps build character, reinforces good manners, and shows respect for the people around us.

Families, you can help reinforce the PAWSitive impact at home! Talk with your Tiger about the choices they make each day, recognize acts of kindness and responsibility, and encourage them to look for opportunities to lift others up.

Together, we can help every Tiger leave a positive paw print wherever they go!

We believe that every Tiger deserves opportunities to grow, whether that means receiving additional support or being challenged to explore new interests and skills. This year, we are placing an increased emphasis on targeted, tiered interventions in reading and math, using student data to identify specific learning needs and provide focused instruction to help students strengthen essential skills and build confidence.

At the same time, we recognize that learning extends well beyond traditional academics! Through extension opportunities in art, STEM, executive functioning, and physical education, students are encouraged to explore their creativity, think critically, collaborate, and discover new strengths.

We're also incorporating FranklinCovey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to help students develop lifelong skills such as personal responsibility, goal-setting, leadership, and positive relationships. These habits provide a foundation that will serve students well beyond their middle and high school years. Our goal isn't simply to help students succeed in the classroom. It's to equip every Tiger with the academic skills, personal strengths, and confidence to thrive in whatever comes next.

Across our middle and high school classrooms, students are being challenged to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, and apply what they've learned in new and unfamiliar situations. Sometimes, that means stretching their thinking beyond what they already know—and just like muscles after a tough workout, their brains can feel a little sore, too!

In a world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) can provide answers in seconds, developing the ability to think independently is more important than ever. Our teachers are committed to providing meaningful, engaging instruction that encourages students to ask questions, work through challenges, and build confidence in their own abilities. After all, the goal isn't simply to find the right answer—it's to develop the skills, perseverance, and curiosity to figure things out for themselves.

At Seneca East, we believe there is something for every Tiger! From athletics and the arts to clubs, leadership opportunities, and community service, students have countless ways to get involved, discover their interests, build friendships, and make a difference.

We are especially proud of the many ways our students give back to the community. Our Tigers are making an impact through FFA activities, fundraising for FACT, feeding local farmers, volunteering for summer programs at the library, participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters, providing academic tutoring, caroling at nursing homes, cleaning up local parks, and supporting the Honor Bus—just to name a few!

These experiences teach lessons that extend far beyond the classroom: compassion, responsibility, leadership, and the value of serving others. We encourage every student to find something that sparks their interest and get involved. After all, being a Tiger isn't just about what you accomplish—it's also about the difference you make in the lives of others!

High School Science Teacher, Mrs. Brooke Griffin was recognized (and very surprised) at our school pep rally this fall by Representative Click with an official Proclamation to honor excellence in education. Mrs. Griffin was named the 2026 Ohio Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Biology Teachers, one of the nation's leading professional organizations for biology and science educators. Most deserving, Mrs. Griffin sets the instructional bar high, challenging students from bell to bell using exploratory practices with rigorous expectations. She traveled to Dallas, Texas to receive her award and participate in a weekend of professional development activities with the top teachers in the field of science. Way to go, Mrs. Griffin!

Every Tiger needs a strong support team! Explore helpful tools, trusted resources/links, and practical information designed to support your family and help your Tiger thrive—both in and out of the classroom.

1. True Tech Disconnect - Set a disconnect time, buy an alarm clock, and have your child's phone charge in the kitchen or other room away from where your child sleeps. Read more here! It's our number one suggestion for a reason!
2. Make Attendance Matter - High school is more than an academic stepping stone; it is your child’s first "job." The habits they build in our hallways today are the exact same habits they will carry into the workplace tomorrow. Regular attendance builds reliability, develops soft-skills, and promotes perseverance.
3. Model Positive Communication - When navigating conflict, "practice the pause" - not many situations will improve from a heated, emotion-filled talk. It's important for our students that we model a proactive, conversational tone and approach to conflict resolution. When we (parents and the school) can address differences by honoring each perspective, our students will build functional conflict management skills for their future.
4. Weekly Check-In - Stay interested and informed! Ask weekly, "Anything major at school this week you need help with? How are things going?" Even if the answers are "No" or "Fine". Use our resources to stay IN THE KNOW - Access Google Classroom for what's assigned, check Progressbook for grades and assignment details, and use Rooms (in the school app) for a quick, text-based option to communicate with your child's teacher.
5. Build Independence - When your child comes to you with a problem, try asking, "Do you want me to listen, help you think it through, or help you do something about it?" As parents, we want to fix what's wrong; we need to help our kids think through possible outcomes and solutions.

   
   

For students with learning disabilities, preparing for life beyond high school begins long before graduation! Whether your Tiger is considering college, career training, employment, or other opportunities, developing skills in self-advocacy, organization, decision-making, and independence is essential.

Ohio offers several free resources to help families navigate this journey. Explore the links below to learn more about transition planning, available supports, and ways to help your Tiger confidently prepare for the future. Check out the links that follow!