Western Local School District

Based on the governor’s new recommendations we will not be delivering the power packs until further notice. However, the power packs will be ready for pick up from 11 to 1 in the bubble area in front of the junior high gym. We want to make sure all of our students get food while at the same time maintaining the safety of our staff members and complying with orders from the state government. We are permitted to do this because we are in the act of helping others. The powerpacks will be available to all students who are on the list and have been receiving them from 11 to 1 tomorrow. Anyone who is unable to pick up the power packs due to an unavoidable situation please message me through Facebook or call 740-493-3113 after 8 AM tomorrow.

There are now Facebook pages for 2nd and 3rd grade families where teachers will post educational materials, videos and information for your students. The pages are called Western Indians 2nd grade Western Indians 3rd grade

There are now Facebook pages for our kindergarten and 1st grades where teachers will post educational materials, videos and information for your students. The pages are called Western Indians kindergarten Western Indians 1st grade

We have prepared hot meals for all students who have requested food service during our time off of school. This is only for people who have requested the service or who already receive power packs each week. If you do not receive power packs but are in need of food during our time off school please contact me at 740-493-3113 or through our Facebook page and we will get you added to the list. Pick up time today is from 11 until 1 PM at the back of the elementary building. Again if you need service but have not requested it yet please do so so we can get you on the list. I will be sending out additional messages to keep people informed of other food service opportunities.

CCP (College credit students), we have chrome books in the high school office for you to sign out. They will be available today until 3 PM today. After that, you will need to schedule a time to come and pick them up. College classes online are continuing as planned. If you need Internet access and do not have it available to you at home, please contact the board office at 740-493-3113 or message us through the high school Facebook page.

Educational packets can be picked up for students in K-12 grades in the office on the following days/times. JH/HS students Your packets will be ready beginning tomorrow Tuesday 12-3:00 and Wednesday 8:00-3:00 Primary/elementary students can pick up packets on Tuesday & Wednesday from 8-3:00. We will not be mailing packets, you will have to pick them up at the school. They do not have to be returned to school.

To help serve the health needs of our community, the SOMC Western Family Practice, located at 7959 State Route 124, Latham will remain open during this extended break.  They can be reached  by calling 740-493-1800. The clinic is open to the public, and its hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you’d like to request food services for your Western student(s), please fill out the link below. We will be in contact with you soon. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetYHlTstnHYUSOLC3rDz3SebfTBdNfjnSWKvEXhxceblw8gw/viewform

To our students and parents, we have created a post on our high school Facebook page which has links to websites that students can use to keep up on what they’ve already learned this year and to review. This list is from our junior high and high school teachers. I will continue to update as I get information from teachers. Let me know if you need anything printed off on a paper copy by messaging the high school page and I’ll get it to you! Thank you and take care everyone!

All practices have been canceled for the upcoming week. No practices next week.

Right now we have very limited information beyond the fact that school will be canceled for the next three weeks. Our first day back will be April 6 as of now. We have a meeting tomorrow with all the superintendents in Ross and Pike Counties. After that I will have much more information, hopefully. I don’t have an answer for questions about athletics or musicals or anything else in reality, unfortunately! As soon as I get information I will relay it to you. I know this is all crazy and new and concerning so I will do my best to keep you updated not only about school issues but also about precautions and advice from health officials. You can follow the Pike County General Health District Facebook page for updated information.

I should’ve added this to the earlier call but I forgot. Students will also be out on Tuesday for the primary election. We were going to have a professional development day on March 20 anyway. It has been scheduled for the entire school year but due to the primary election using our school as a polling place we changed the date and will be closed on Tuesday in order to allow the public to use our school as a polling place with no interference in the educational process. There will be no school on Friday or Tuesday but students will be going to school on March 20.

Due to a sharp increase in the number of flu cases in the past week we will be closing on Friday in order to give our custodians a chance to thoroughly clean both buildings. We’ve had at least 21 confirmed flu cases in just the elementary building since Friday morning. We had 100 students out today with 71 being in the elementary building. This has nothing to do with the coronavirus but it has everything to do with the flu which has definitely had a major impact on us throughout the winter. We hope that giving the kids an extra day away from each other will reduce the spread. If you have kids who are showing any signs please don’t send them to school. We have kids coming to school every single day with a fever over 100 when they walk in the building. That is just causing this to go on and on. Believe me if your kid is sick we will work with you on the attendance side so please keep them home so they can get better and not make anyone else sick.

Hat Day Tomorrow! Bring $1 and wear your hat all day! All proceeds go to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters!

PreK-6th Grade Dr. Seuss Literacy Night this evening from 6:00-7:00.0

SOMC Western Family Practice will be closed today from 11:15-1:15 due to a staff meeting. Sorry for any inconvenience.

We apologize for the inconvenience but due to an unexpected bus situation we’re going to have to do a short double route for Marvin Mustard‘s bus number 10. Students who ride his bus will be arriving home around 20 to 30 minutes later than normal. Penny May will be taking Marvin‘s kids after she runs her route. We are getting her out of here at a soon as possible to minimize the change in drop off time.

Jr High Sports recognition day

Seniors, Herff Jones will be at the High School Friday morning (and then go to the CTC) to pass out graduation items. If you have paid your balance you will be able to take home your items. If you still owe a balance, it will remain at the high school until it is paid. Please see Mrs. Schuler is you have any questions.

News for primary/elementary: Week of March 2nd-6th BOOK FAIR Homerooms will go to the book fair on their scheduled library day. Monday-Durham, Hamilton, Mosteller, Crace Tuesday-Riggs, Triplett, Taylor, S.Morgensen, Richardson, Henderson, Masters, Rhoades Wednesday-Savely, Wayland, Wells,Williams, Walls, Pernell, Setty Thursday-Edler, McClay, Davis, Leeth, Durham, Greene, Crace Dr. Seuss Week Pre K-3rd Monday-Wear your favorite hat and black and white Tuesday-Wear a shirt you can read and or crazy glasses Wednesday-Wacky Wednesday-Dress silly-backwards, inside out, etc. Thursday-Wear silly or mismatched socks Friday-Wear the color green 4th-6th-Focus on Oh the Places You'll Go Monday-Favorite Dr. Seuss Characters Tuesday-Mexican attire Wednesday-Hawaiian attire Thursday-Chinese attire Friday-Afarian safari attire Monday Musical Practice 3-4:30 Full Cast Tuesday LEAD 5th Musical Practice 3-4:30 Full Cast Wednesday Credit Union LEAD 4th Musical Practice 3-4:30 Full cast Thursday LEAD 3rd/6th Musical Practice 3-4:30 Full Cast Literacy Night 6-7:00 Grades Pre K-6th Friday Spring Pictures Musical Practice 3-4:00 Full Cast Looking ahead Tuesday, March 17th-No School, Professional development day for staff. Aladdin the Musical, Friday March 27th at 6:00 and Saturday, March 28th 2:00 & 6:00