North Notes

Dear Ranger Families,

It is hard to believe, but we are three weeks away from the end of the first quarter. Time flies when you're having fun (and learning). Thank you to all who attended Parent/Teacher conferences and/or Financial Aid/College Planning night. Your partnership in education is important and valued.

Thank you for your flexibility as we continue to streamline the after school pick- up process. One improvement we can make it as follows- If you are choosing to park and pick up your child, which is fine, please park in the student lot, and not the staff lot. Parking in the staff lot causes issues when exiting. Parking in the student lot (please drive slowly), allows you to access multiple exit driveways prior to the buses leaving.

If your student has a medical concern or condition that you have not spoken to Nurse Jennie about yet, please reach out via email (jennifer.lu@weschools.org) or phone (440-975-3683).

Also, if your student requires any medication at school (prescription, over the counter, inhaler, epipen, etc.), please let the clinic know to get the appropriate forms filled out.

Just a reminder that the school day is as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:40 am - 2:25 pm

Wednesday Delayed Start: 8:30 am - 2:25 pm

The counseling department newsletter can be found HERE.

Sincerely,

Victor Puskas

North HS Principal

victor.puskas@weschools.org

October 9 NEOEA Day – NO SCHOOL

October 12-15 Spirit Week

October 16 Staff Records Day - NO STUDENTS

October 16 North vs. South Football Game 7:00 PM (Home)

October 16 End of 1st Quarter

Link to document of all Important Dates can be found HERE.

The Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Board of Education has placed a proposed 0.75%

earned income tax on the November 3, 2026, ballot. The outcome will determine whether the

district continues operating two comprehensive high schools or transitions to one.

The proposed 0.75% earned income tax would generate about $14 million a year on a

continuing basis, with roughly $9.6 million for operations and $4.4 million dedicated to

permanent improvements such as buildings, technology, security, and buses. A resident with

$50,000 in active income would pay approximately $375 per year.

An earned income tax is applied to the active income of district residents and does not apply to

passive income, such as Social Security benefits, pensions, capital gains, interest, dividends, or

other investment income.

If the proposed tax is approved, under the district's current plan:

● North and South would continue operating as two comprehensive high schools.

● Other reductions would happen on a more measured timeline.

● We would have more time to evaluate enrollment, building use, and long-term facility

needs.

What happens if the earned income tax levy fails? Beginning in the 28-29 school year, the

Board would need to implement the following cost-savings measures:

● Reduction in district staffing to match new footprint

● Consolidation to one high school and one middle school

Full details are available at www.weschools.org/futurereadyfinances.

The bell schedule has changed slightly this year, with ten minutes being added to the student day. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, the student school day will be from 7:40 am to 2:25pm. 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 hours for students on Wednesdays will be 8:30 am to 2:25pm.

Bell Schedules

This fall, the Willowick Public Library is hosting two programs to prepare students, and their parents/caregivers, for the college financial aid process. These programs are facilitated by College Now Greater Cleveland:

FAFSA Completion Support

Thursday, October 15th, 6pm

Get one on one support with completing the 27-28 FAFSA. A College Now advisor will be available to meet with students and parents in order to complete the FAFSA (financial aid application) for college.

Register Here: https://welibrary.libcal.com/event/16521701

Introducing SafeArrival: A Faster, Easier Way to Report Absences

We’re excited to launch a new, more convenient way for families to report student absences: SafeArrival!

Starting now, all absences, whether your child is staying home sick, arriving late, or leaving early now can be reported quickly and easily.

2 Simple Ways to Report an Absence:

1. Use the MyPowerHub Parent Portal

2. Call Toll-Free – 855-612-7207 and follow the prompts (new number)

Absences You Can Report: Full-day absences, Late arrivals, Early pick-ups

You can even upload doctor’s notes directly through the app!

Why Families Love SafeArrival:

• Available 24/7 — report absences in advance or on the same day

• Instant confirmation once your report is submitted

• Information goes directly into PowerSchool — no need to call the office

• Still using the old attendance line? It now forwards to SafeArrival automatically

Doctor’s Notes

If your child is absent due to illness or needs to leave due to a dental, medical or counseling appointment, they may turn in the provider's excuse to the attendance desk for an excused medical absence. These documents will prevent your child from being penalized for hours missed, as Ohio House Bill 410 requires us to track attendance hours. Should your child exceed the limit for hours, you will receive a letter, and we can no longer excuse your students' absence unless proper documentation is provided. Please Note - Drivers Education is not an excused absence.

Yearbooks

Please stop by room 208 to pick up your 2026 yearbook if you have not yet received it!

2027 yearbooks are on sale now for $83 and can be bought online at jostens.com. Until September 18, if you get your yearbook personalized, you will receive 4 free icons to add to your book.

School Pictures

School pictures were taken this past Wednesday. Students were given instructions on how to order pictures, but if you have any questions, please contact Cirino Photography.

Picture Retakes: October 23, 2026

Senior Panoramic Picture: January 29, 2027, at 7:45 in the gym

Senior Pictures

Senior pictures are due by Friday, December 18, to the google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-pxd0i8rtDJ4YpmF3k7DqcGRi5AdUusPFHP53sXwJXH2KYQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106116662368700684030

Please upload JPEG pictures; no screenshots because they will not upload to our software. Please make sure the picture is labeled with the student´s first and last name with the graduation year.

If you have any questions please email Mrs. Fryman at north.yearbook@weschools.org or stop by room 208.

This year's cell phone policy is the same as last year. The policy is in alignment with state law and board policy. The purpose of the policy is to maintain a productive learning environment by eliminating distractions and enhancing student engagement with the lesson and fellow classmates.

Mrs. Gallucci will be transitioning into a new role for the upcoming school year. She will now be the Workforce Guidance Counselor, working with both North and South HS on workforce initiatives. This means she will no longer have a student caseload at North. Students will now be split amongst three counselors by last name, according to the categories below:

Mrs. Vaughan: Last Names A - Ha (kirsten.vaughan@weschools.org)

Mr. Zenz: Last Names He - Ph (jack.zenz@weschools.org)

Mrs. Phillips: Last Names Pi - Z (lindsay.phillips@weschools.org)

Eventlink is the new software program the athletic department is using as a scheduling platform. Eventlink offers an app in the Apple or Google Play Store for parents and community members, if you are interested. They also power our new athletic website, see link below:

https://northrangersathletics.com/

Current members should be checking the Schoology page frequently for important information. The next meeting will be Thursday, October 22 after school. Hours can be turned into 211 or Mrs. Fleming's mailbox. The Induction Ceremony is Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 PM in the PAC and all members are required to attend.

Students who applied for National Honor Society will find out at the end of next week if they got accepted.

If there are any questions, please email Mrs. Fleming at jessica.fleming@weschools.org.

The WE High Schools have a new Library Media Center Website—and it’s designed to help students find what they need without having to know exactly where to look first.

Find WeschoolsLibrary.weebly.com by going to our high school's website, clicking Academics, and choosing Library.

Students can use the site to:

• Research & Discover – find reliable sources, databases, research help, MLA information, NoodleTools, and more
• Read & Listen – find books, eBooks, audiobooks, comics, magazines, and their next great read
• News & Media – explore and question news, media, bias, and reliability
• Create & Explore – write, design, make, publish, film, craft, learn something new, or just explore their interests (There's even a credible site where teens can enter their own writing for a chance to win $500 and work with an editor to get published!)
• College & Career – explore career pathways in our district and beyond, prepare for college, work on applications, resumes, essays, interviews, and more

But here’s the part we especially want all students to know: they don’t have to figure everything out on their own.

Throughout the site, students will see ways to research with Mrs. Holt, find their next read with her, start creating with her, explore their future with her, and more. They don’t need to have a perfectly formed question, and they don’t need to wait until they’re stuck.

If your teen says "I can't find a good source," "I don't know what to read," "I have an idea but don't know where to start," "I have no idea how what to do after I graduate," "I'm so overwhelmed," or even "I'm bored," please encourage them to talk to Mrs. Holt.

They can stop by the library when she's at our school, or use Connect & Get Help on the library website to reach her anytime.

Whether they've worked with Mrs. Holt before or haven’t met her yet, your teen is welcome in the library, and she's here to help.

Trustee: Lindsay Kirchner

In need of parent and student volunteers for upcoming fundraisers:

• Drivers needed for placing fun yard signs (and pick ups)

• Spring Craft show planning committee

If you’re able to help out with either, please email us at: 2028northafterprom@gmail.com

Family Donation

Would you rather donate money than have to help with fundraisers throughout the year? Now you can!

Just make a quick and helpful one-time donation through Venmo. We are asking for $30 per family.

• Venmo payment: @AP2028NorthHigh

Save the Date!

1. The annual Spring Craft Fair, our biggest fundraiser of the year, will be held on March 20th, 2027. Vendor application forms will be available soon.

2. Next monthly meeting: October 14, 6:30pm Monthly 2028AP meeting Add this event to your calendar! We will try using Google Meet for those who are unable to attend in person (NHS, cafeteria) If you’re having issues with viewing the Google Meet link, email us and we will send it to you.

Stay Updated!

Facebook: CLICK HERE to stay informed

Email: CLICK HERE We typically reply in 1 to 2 business days

Please review the following "Quick Reference for Sick Students" document.

Medications

Any medications (including over the counter medications, prescription medications, inhalers and epi-pens) to be consumed during the school day require a completed medication form. These forms can be found on our website HERE. Along with the completed form, a supply of the medication should be delivered to the clinic.

Clinic Visits

Our clinic utilizes software to document student visits. If your child visits the clinic with a minor issue, you will be notified via email of the visit. For major issues (fever, substantial injury, vomiting, etc.) you will receive a phone call from clinic staff. These protocols are in place to keep you informed of your child’s status during the day!

Contact Us

Please reach out if we can assist you in any way! The clinic phone number is: 440-975-3683.

Mrs. Jennifer Lu BSN, RN, LSN - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday.

Mrs. Jennifer Healan (health aide) - Tuesdays and Fridays

Communication is critical at any school, but with over 1,300 students, 100 staff members, and dozens of sports, clubs, and activities it is especially important at North! Each week there are so many events going on, that keeping up with them all can be challenging.