http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm News Alerts are short news bits (listed newest to oldest) about successes and achievements of South-Western students and staff. http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-awards-288-million-school-districts-improve-readiness-an South-Western received 2010 U.S. Department of Education REMS Grant Thu, 19 August 2010 16:00:00 EST http://parks.grovecityohio.gov/news/default.cfm?NewsID=224 Holton Road Bicycle Trail Officially Opens Thu, 19 August 2010 09:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#GroveCityCenterforHigherEducation The City of Grove City announces the opening of the Grove City Center for Higher Education this fall. The institutions involved have come together to provide a broad base of educational opportunities not available through a single institution. Mon, 09 August 2010 17:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#PTA_Scholarships2010 On Tuesday, May 25 the South-Western Council of PTAs, its PTA units, the South-Western Administrators Association and the Columbus-Grove City Elks Lodge #37 awarded scholarships to 72 graduating seniors from Westland (WHS), Grove City (GCHS), Franklin Heights (FHHS), and Central Crossing (CCHS) High Schools. Many of the scholarships were awarded in honor of individuals and groups that have contributed significantly to the students’ successes. Tue, 01 June 2010 16:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#PVMS_PowerofthePen2010 Pleasant View Middle School Student Places 4th in the State in the 2010 Power of the Pen Competition Thu, 27 May 2010 18:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#NBC4i_041310 http://www2.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/education/article/school_district_finds_success_educating_foreign-born_students/34988/ Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#Dispatch_040810 http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/04/08/a-taste-of-college.html Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#ZontaClubOutstandingWoman CCHS senior Melissa Lindsey was selected as one of twelve Zonta Club of Columbus Outstanding Young Women in Central Ohio for 2010. Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. This award honors young women who have shown leadership in serving their school and community. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#GovernorRegionalArtExhibit The following GCHS students will have their work displayed at the Ohio Governor’s Regional Art Exhibit including the May 1st Gallery Hop from 4-10 p.m.: Corey Reeb and Becca Belcher each have two photographs on display; and Amber Hoop and Kaitlyn Zwayer each have one photograph on display. The Gallery Hop will be held at the Catacombs Gallery located in the Short North area. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#PVMS_PowerofthePen On the 8th grade Power of the Pen team from Pleasant View Middle School, including Hannah Chipps, Sarah Chipps, Anna Dick, Meryl Fowler, Delaney Brochowski and Brittany Stegall, took FIRST PLACE at the regional competition against 29 other schools in Central Ohio. Anna Dick was also an individual FIRST PLACE winner and seventh grader Sarah Wright took 11th place.  Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#Hayes_Chihuly Artist Dale Chihuly’s artwork has inspired fifth graders at Hayes Intermediate School create their own papier-mâché sculpture to be included in the schools’ “Chihuly-like” organic installation sculpture. Parents and members of the community were invited to see the unveiling of this sculpture Thursday, March 25 as they attended an evening dedicated to Chihuly. The Hayes Intermediate new 5th grade orchestra and 6th grade orchestra performed A Colorful Evening to images of Chihuly. As a follow-up to the unveiling, fifth graders will be taking a field trip to the Franklin Park Conservatory where they will have a chance to see Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures in person. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#SWCA_GreenscapreSpringMulchPlantSale SWCA Greenscape Program Announces Spring Mulch and Plant Sale Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#NMS2010_WLMR-KLEAN Norton Middle School students Michael Williams, Kris Davies, Corey Stewart, Giann Martinez and Sasha Bouaroy are finalists in NASA's Waste Limitation Management and Recycling Design Challenge. Their water filter system is called Project K.L.E.A.N. Click here to read a full description of their project. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#Dispatch_SWCSPledgesCuts It's not a matter of if, but when South-Western schools can implement most of the recommendations outlined in last month's state performance audit, officials said at last night's board meeting. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#WestlandArtClub_HeadStart The Westland Art Club recently painted storybook characters on large wooden boxes for the Norton Headstart Program. The boxes were filled with donated art materials from students, staff, and the Crossroad Program at Westland. Each of the three preschool classes received a colorful box of art supplies. The Art Club participates in many community service projects throughout the year. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#OperationMedicineDrop The abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is a threat across the nation. The City of Grove City, Grove City Police, Jackson Township Fire Department and Keep Grove City Beautiful will host Operation Medicine Drop, a medication disposal event, to provide a safe and legal way for residents to dispose of expired and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications. The Grove City Police will dispose of these medications in a safe, legal and environmentally-conscious manner. Saturday, April 17 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tosoh, SMD • 3600 Gantz Road, Grove City Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#GCHS_OrchestraTopRating The Grove City High School Orchestra earned a superior rating at the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Adjudicated Event, held Friday, February 26th at Thomas Worthington High School. The orchestra performed in class “A” (the highest classification with the most difficult music) and was awarded the top mark for their technical preparation and artistic interpretation of the music. Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#PTAHelpingHandsAwards The South-Western Council of PTAs hosted its annual Helping Hands Award Celebration on Tuesday, February 23 at Jackson Middle School. The PTA Council awarded Ohio PTA Lifetime Achievement Awards to Immediate Past PTA Council President Kerrie Marshall and Finland Middle School teacher and SWCS parent Mary Mulvany for their continued support of PTA and the children of the South-Western City Schools. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#DW_YouthArtMonth Darby Woods second grader Madison Keirns had a piece of artwork accepted into the Youth Art Month Exhibition at the State Teachers Retirement Building. Only 168 pieces of artwork from across Ohio were selected for this honor. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#FHHS_BuckeyeBoysState The following Franklin Heights students were selected by the American Legion Don Gentile post 532 to attend Buckeye Boys State this June at Bowling Green State University: Delegates – Joe Teague and Hunter Swackhammer, Alternates – Eddie Kayira and MarShawn McCarrell, Chairman – Jerry Bryan. Buckeye Boys State is a nine-day course in self-government where participants learn more about how city, county, and state government functions. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#FHHS_BuckeyeGirlsState The following Franklin Heights students were selected by the American Legion Auxiliary to attend Buckeye Girls State in June at Ashland University: Delegates – Julie Nolen and Alexandria Caplinger, Alternates – Rachel Sheets and Ty Shaw, Chairman – Gladys Caudill. Buckeye Girls State is a week long course designed to educate Ohio’s young women in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of good citizenship. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#OAGC_Review_Winter2010 Hayes Intermediate School sixth grade students James Lawless and Emily Hirth had poems published in the Ohio Association for Gifted Children Review, Winter 2010 edition. This same edition contains an article entitled, Gifted Girls, Society and Classroom Implications written by Hayes staff member Karen Cook. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#SWCS_32_DECA On Wednesday, February 3, one hundred eighty-four students from Central Crossing, Franklin Heights, Grove City and Westland High Schools in the South-Western City School District participated in the District 15 DECA Competition at COSI. Of those 184 students, 80 trophies were awarded to South-Western students and 32 students qualified for the state competition to be held on March 19 and 20 at the Columbus Convention Center. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/Home/SWCS_NewsRoom.htm#SWCS_51_BPA During the first week of February, 338 students from Central Crossing, Franklin Heights, Grove City and Westland High Schools and the South-Western Career Academy in the South-Western City School District participated in the Region 14 Business Professionals of America (BPA) Competition at various schools across Central Ohio. Of those 338 students, 214 plaques were awarded to South-Western students and 51 students qualified for the state competition to be held on March 18 and 19 at the Columbus Convention Center. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#CCHSLukeBoggs CCHS senior Luke Boggs signs a letter of intent to run cross country at Tiffin College. Picured with Luke are CCHS Principal Hubert Watson, Doug and Christy Boggs, and CCHS Athletic Director Zoraba Ross. Tue, 2 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#FMS_OhioFutureCity On January 16, 2010, three students at Finland Middle School participated in the Ohio Regional Future City Competition at COSI in downtown Columbus. This is the second year for FMS to compete. Prior to the competition at COSI, each 7th grade science class at FMS was challenged to create and build a model of a futuristic city. Applying concepts from the 7th grade science indicators, students designed cities that creatively and effectively solved many problems of today's cities, from traffic jams to pollution to toxic waste. The three students representing FMS at COSI were David Cherneta, Vanessa Fernandez, and Cristina Punzalan. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#SWCA_WHS_STEM Emalee Dickson received a “Choose Ohio First” STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) scholarship of $4,700 per year for two years to the University of Akron. Emalee is a second year Pre-Engineering student at SWCA. Emalee has achieved a GPA of 3.576 and is an honors student at the Career Academy. Her home high school is Westland. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#GCHS_OEATeacher Grove City guidance counselor John Hampson has been selected as the December Ohio Education Association “Teacher of the Month.” On January 12, representatives from OEA, ClearChannel, Half Price Books and Wendy’s will present Mr. Hampson with a $100 gift card from Half Price Books and a burger party from Wendy’s. He will also be featured in commercials on WTVN, WLZT, WCOL, WHCI and WBWR radio and on their Web sites. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#GCHS_DECAConference Grove City students DJ Mulford, Tessa Wagner and Michael Wyatt qualified for the national DECA Career Development Conference in the Stock Market Game Competition. The students competed against other DECA members across the country and placed top in their region. They will be presenting their portfolio at the National DECA Career Development Conference in Louisville, Kentucky this spring. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#GCHSHonorBand William England, a Grove City 10th grade alto saxophonist, and Morgan Baker, a 12th grade bassoonist, participated in the Honors Band at Ohio University recently. William will be attending the Ohio State University for Honors Band the weekend of January 16. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#SafetyDirector Campus Safety magazine has named South-Western City Schools Safety Director Gary Sigrist, Jr. as one of the Top 10 Campus Safety Directors of the Year. Congratulations to Mr. Sigrist! Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#FHHSAirRifle The Franklin Heights High School NJROTC air rifle team placed 10th in the nation in the Secretary of the Navy’s Air Rifle Competition. They were the number one NJROTC team in the State of Ohio. Team members are Tyler Hill, Nick Pickering, Jackie Rich and Josh Stevens. Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#CCHSSwimTeam Congratulations to CCHS Swim Team member Caroline Kruczynski on being named The Dispatch Athlete of the Week on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Caroline, a junior at CCHS, competes in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke and multiple relays. More information can be found at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/12/12/hs_aths_12.ART_ART_12-12-09_C7_AGFVK6L.html Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#CCHSNJROTC The Central Crossing High School NJROTC Drill Team has been accepted to compete in the National High School Drill Team Championships scheduled for May 1-3, 2010. Competition for acceptance was very keen with 119 schools from across the United States being accepted. This is an all-service event with JROTC units representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Marine Corps. Central Crossing is the only NJROTC program chosen from the state of Ohio and one of only two Area 3 representatives from seven states. Tue, 8 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#GCHSNationalMeritScholarshipProgram Grove City High School Senior Matthew Warner has been named as a Semifinalist in the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. More than 1.5 million juniors in 22,000 high schools entered the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, including the highest scoring entrants in each state. Tue, 8 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#ESPNOutsidetheLines ESPN - Outside the Lines - November 22, 2009 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#HCI2009Soar Holt Crossing Intermediate School was one of 12 Ohio schools presented with the 2009 SOAR Award for High Progress Schools from Battelle for Kids on Monday, November 9, 2009. These annual awards are designed to acknowledge Ohio Schools participating in the SOAR, Battelle for Kids' school improvement collaborative, for their acedemic progress in multiple grade levels and subjects over the last school year (2008-2009). Holt Crossing is among the top 1.5 percent of schools (out of 783 eligible SOAR schools) making exceptional growth with their students. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 9:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#HBORealSports HBO Real Sports Segment on SWCS Issue 47 Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#FinancialAidNight Attention all high school seniors and parents: On Wednesday, December 16, Greg Guzman, from Bowling Green State University Financial Aid Department, will be presenting information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All seniors planning to attend college in the fall of 2010 and their parents will need to fill out this application in January of 2010. The presentation will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and last until approximately 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Grove City United Methodist Church (2684 Columbus Street, Grove City, OH 43123) in the Worship Center. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#WestlandBPA The South-Western City School District Board of Education recently recognized and congratulated the following 36 master teachers: Barry Alcock, Deborah Belcastro, Michael Brickell, Nancy Bryant, Vicki Burlingame, Ellen Crouthamel, Andrea Delaney, Deborah Delozier, George Edge, Gina Fill, Nancy Florence, Kathleen Gadomski, Barbara Gallaugher, Mary Beth Hageman, Christine Hall, Stefanie Hall, Sally Howlett, Melissa Kendralla, Victoria Kraner, Jean Lampe, Judy MacNamee, Camilla McComb, Patrick O’Brien, Nancy Palsgrove, Shannon Patterson, Christy Pearl, Kim Pfeiffer, Mary Beth Rauhaus, Melanie Retterer, Jennifer Rosendale, Heather Sayre, Cindy Sheahan, Jane Staek, Michelle Toothman, Margaret Towery and Kelly Williams. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#WestlandBPA The Westland Chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA) is pleased to announce that Jonathan Bowen was elected as BPA Region 14 Secretary for the 2009-2010 school year. Jonathan participated in the Region 14 BPA Officer Screening and was selected to run for office on October 6 at the Region 14 Fall Leadership Conference. The competition included students from Eastland Career Center, Franklin Heights, and Gahanna Lincoln High Schools. Jonathan is the first student to be elected from Westland in the past 10 years. Congratulations Jonathan! Thu, 1 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#CoachingBuddies Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in the South-Western City School District Lois Rapp is excited about what the federal stimulus package for education (ARRA) will bring to her school district. Math and literacy coaches will be expanded to sixth-grade this year, up from K-4, and the district has hired 17 additional coaches to mentor other teachers. Thu, 1 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news room.htm#GCHS_NCTE Grove City High School senior Greg Shipley was recently cited as a winner in the 2009 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Achievement Awards in Writing. He is one of only 18 students in Ohio to receive a certificate for Superior Writing. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm#SuzukiKeyPresentation Bobb Suzuki, 4639 West Broad Street, donated a 2008 Suzuki Forenza to the South-Western Career Academy for use in the Automotive Program as an instructional vehicle. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/ Tune into Good Day Columbus on Friday morning, September 25 from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. when Johnny Diloretto will broadcast live from the school Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm#WHS_APScholarAwards Twelve Westland High School students have earned Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on Advanced Placement Exams. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm#ImpactonSports GROVE CITY, Ohio -- That first Friday at Grove City High was so quiet. Any other school year, the school's nationally acclaimed band would have ended the day by marching through the halls blasting the fight song. Any other school year, more than 11,000 would have gathered later that evening at the stadium behind the school to watch the Greyhounds -- better known as the Dawgs -- open their season. Any other school year, Friday would have meant something. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm#GeeScholarship Todd Fessler thought he'd have to work a lot of part-time hours, and pay back loans for years to achieve his dream of playing trumpet with the Ohio State University Marching Band. Instead, he'll enjoy a free ride on tuition and fees. Fessler is the first recipient of a scholarship personally funded by Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. The scholarship, announced by his Grove City High School guidance counselor during a graduation rehearsal in the spring, was a surprise. He hadn't applied for it. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm#WHS_ACAP Westland High School student Ridwan Mohamed was one of 45 students selected from across the State of Ohio to attend the 14th Annual Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP), a week -long summer enrichment opportunity. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm#BudgetCutSports Instead of gearing up to run cross country for Grove City High School in Ohio, Andy Bennett is training for a marathon. It will give the 16-year-old some consolation because sports programs and clubs at his school have been shut down. An hour after the last bell each afternoon, it's lights out at the school. Bennett and his classmates won't have homecoming, prom or a student government — activities that, like sports, are fixtures in American high schools but no longer exist at Grove City because of a financial crisis. Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm#WestFranklinPTA On August 25th, Wal-Mart General Transportation Manager Jon Hollinger presented the West Franklin Elementary School PTA with a $1,000 grant. Tom Winslow, president of the West Franklin PTA, said that they plan to use the money to “…get the community more involved with the PTA.” He went on to say that future projects include funding for translation programs for parents of ESL students and translation of school newsletters. “There are a great group of teachers at West Franklin,” said Mr. Winslow “and I wanted to help them out.” Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm#FMS_TechGrant South-Western City Schools’ Finland Middle School has been awarded one of 48 American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Title II D 21st Century Competitive Technology Grants in the State of Ohio. The $246,793.47 grant must be used to produce academic gains through a technology-rich classroom through professional development, job-embedded training provided by coaches and administrative support. Finland Middle School serves approximately 750 students in grades 7 and 8. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST http://www.swcs.us/news%20room.htm#November2009Levy The South-Western City School District Board of Education has placed a 7.4 mill operating issue on the November 3, 2009 ballot. As a result of the reduction in the millage for the November levy, the board directed the administration to work with staff members, the Community Advisory Group, and recommendations from the Performance Audit to make up for the reduced revenue. In addition, the board communicated a willingness to institute some form of participation fee with the successful outcome of a November ballot issue. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST