Is your student interested in pursuing a career in engineering or exploring more about the field of engineering? Highland High School will host a free Engineering Expo from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 10 at HHS main gymnasium. This event is free and open to students in grades 7-12 and their parents. Several engineers from the Medina County area will be available to talk with and share their career experiences. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the engineering field, first-hand, from knowledgeable experts. This event is offered by the Medina County Economic Development Council. If you know an engineer who is interested in participating, please have him/her register by emailing kathyb@medinacounty.org.

Highland High School junior Alden Codding, a saxophonist and member of The Pride of Highland Marching Band, has been selected for the 2022 Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) All-State Band. Selection for the All-State Band is determined by a rigorous audition process amongst Ohio’s top high school musicians. “This is a big honor and accomplishment,” stated Highland Band Director Edward Marquette. “Alden is a very talented and hardworking musician, and we are extremely proud of him.” The All-State Band performs at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 4 at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland as part of the OMEA Professional Development Conference. An academic standout and member of the National Honor Society, Alden is the son of Ken and Kelly Lane of Granger Township, and Brian Codding of Wooster.

The official results of the 2021 Scholastic Art and Writing competition were announced in early January with 19 Highland High School students walking away with 47 awards. Each piece showcases creative talent, originality, individualism, technical skill and unique perspective. Congratulations to Grace Wojtylak who earned 2 Gold Keys, including one for her six-piece senior portfolio. Other Gold Key winners were Victoria Farrell, Lydia Lanier and Evan Novak Gold Key winners advance to the National level where they have the chance to receive a scholarship in the amount of $10,000. Silver Key award winners included Victoria Farrell, Sarah Vorndran, Grace Wojtylak, Izabella Zeleznak and Makayla Lyons. Those students receiving Honorable Mention awards included Lillian Barnett, Griffin Bukovina, Sofiya Cole (4), Victoria Farrell (2), Eva Hollingsworth, William Karkoff, Luke Konopka, Lizzy Magoolaghan, Evan Novak (8), Carter Oviatt, Sarah Vorndran, Molly Wagar, Grace Wojtylak (7), Izabella Zeleznak (3), Brooke Boge, Nicole Grimes and Madeline Silver. Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious educational initiative supporting student achievement in the visual and literary arts. The program is today’s largest source of scholarships for creative teens.

Dear Highland Families, As communicated previously, the district continues to assess and monitor reported COVID-19 cases among our students, teachers and staff. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation with the two-week mask requirement following the holidays. That period of time allowed us to better gauge the rates of infection in our schools and to provide an added layer of protection during this latest COVID-19 surge. When school resumes on January 18, we will return to masks strongly recommended in the school setting. We will continue to monitor positive cases and student/staff absences each day and will communicate any adjustments, as needed. Masks remain a federal requirement on all school district buses (including extracurricular trips). That requirement has been extended by the Department of Transportation through March 18.

Congratulations to Highland senior Joey Grecenuk, who is a finalist in the 2022 competition for a corporate-sponsored Special Scholarship administered by National Merit® Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®). Joey is now included in a pool of high school award candidates based on his performance on the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). Every year some 1,000 National Merit Program participants, who are outstanding but not Finalists, are awarded Special Scholarships provided by corporations and business organizations. To be considered for a Special Scholarship, students must meet the sponsor’s criteria and the entry requirements of the National Merit Scholarship Program. They also must submit an entry form to the sponsor organization. These scholarships may either be renewable for four years of undergraduate study or one-time awards. A member of the National Honor Society, Joey also serves as a DARE Role Model and Peer Leader at HHS. He is the son of Frank and Denise Grecenuk of Montville Township and plans to attend college to study business upon his graduation from Highland.

Getting your student into a top-ranked college has never seemed more impossible, with acceptance rates at some elite universities dipping into the single digits. Ever wonder what the secret is and how to compete – and win – at the admissions game? Well, here’s your chance. Highland High School, in partnership with the Highland Foundation for Educational Excellence, is pleased to welcome New York Times bestselling author Jeff Selingo, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8 in the HHS Auditorium for a Parent Session offering insights from his latest book, Who Gets In & Why: A Year Inside College Admissions. This event is free and open to ALL Highland parents interested in learning more about the college admissions process. It is not restricted only to parents of high school students. Registration is required. Attendance is limited to 600 for this event and parents are asked to secure no more than 4 tickets per family. The deadline to register is Thursday, February 3. REGISTER HERE (Please bring copy of ticket or QR code to the event) To learn more about Mr. Selingo and his book, click HERE.

Dear Highland Parents, As you are aware, the Highland School District is among a large number of districts nationwide that continue to struggle to fill transportation jobs. Currently, our Transportation Department is extremely short-staffed and there is the likelihood that your student(s) will be impacted by this driver shortage in some way -- including canceled or delayed routes -- with little warning. We again ask that parents consider making alternative plans (rideshare with a neighbor, enlist the help of a grandparent or other available family member, etc.) if possible, to transport your child to and from school, should the need arise. We apologize for these occurrences in advance. Parents will be notified via phone/text if their child’s route has been impacted. Please be sure your contact information is current in FinalForms. As always, we appreciate your patience and willingness to work with us during this continued transportation dilemma. Should you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Department at 330-239-1901, ext. 1219 or via email at transportation@highlandschools.org. Thank you.

Ohio Department of Health Updates COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Guidance The Ohio Department of Health has adopted the new quarantine guidelines recommended by the CDC earlier this week. The Highland School District will follow the new recommendations, effective immediately. The new guidance reduces isolation restrictions for asymptomatic individuals who test positive for COVID-19. It also shortens the amount of time that close contacts need to quarantine. From ODH:

Are you ready to have some fun this winter? Or maybe learn something new this spring? Here's a great opportunity to do both! Highland Community Education has announced its new courses for 2022. Back by popular demand are the in-person elementary after-school classes including Madscience and Crayola Arts Academy. Hummingbirds Soccer will again be offered, along with Highland Hoop Stars, and high school students have the opportunity to enroll in ACT/SAT Test Preparation classes in the evening or during the school day. Adults can sign up for Beekeeping, CPR, Retirement Planning, Beginning Guitar, Stop Smoking/Weight Loss seminars, and/or Introduction to Voiceovers. Evening classes are not restricted to Highland community residents only so feel free to invite friends! Download the detailed brochure for the full list of classes and registration form HERE. The brochure can also be found on the Highland website under Quick Links (toward the bottom of the homepage). For questions, enrollment, or more information, contact Mary Fran Kudla, HCE Director, at 330-239-1901, ext. 5503, or at mkudla@highlandschools.org.

Dear Highland Parents and Guardians, Please be reminded that due to a federal health order, masking is required for anyone using any form of school transportation (to/from school, athletics, extracurricular activities, etc.) until further notice. We continue to receive daily reports from drivers that many students are not complying with this required health order while riding the school bus. Students must wear a face mask upon boarding the bus and throughout the entire bus ride. If a student occasionally forgets his/her mask, one will be provided. If a student fails to comply, a bus citation will be issued. Repeated violations will result in the student being removed from the bus. Bus drivers are doing their very best to keep all students safe. In addition, with the current driver shortage, we simply cannot afford unnecessary driver absences due to illness. Please reiterate to your student(s) the importance of wearing a facemask while riding the school bus. If you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Office at transportation@highlandschools.org or call 330-2391-1901, ext. 1219. Thank you for your consideration.