West Liberty-Salem Local School District

Tomorrow we celebrate the retirement of three very special staff members who have served a combined total of over 80 years to the students, families and staff at West Liberty-Salem Please help us thank Theresa Horsley, Lora Schafer, and Kathy Smith for their dedication and service! A celebration in their honor will be held during the faculty ‘End of Year Celebration and Service Awards‘ tomorrow.

West Liberty-Salem recognized the Class of 2026 during 8th grade Recognition and Promotion this morning. Brevin Louden, Student Council President, delivered opening remarks. He shared that Middle School is often made up of the highs, the lows, and that place somewhere in the middle. He encourage classmates to make the most of the next four years, to reach out to students outside of just their friends, and make memories. Valedictorian Megan Adams was also invited to speak. She shared that when she looks back on her high school experience she won’t remember all the awards, the wins, the losses, or even the perfect scores. What she will remember about school is how she felt when did something for someone else, when she went outside of her own comfort zone to be a light for someone else. She encouraged students to remain humble and make the most of the next chapter. Principal Mr. Andy McGill presented a ‘Principal’s Challenge. He shared, “ You cannot successfully live life if you never take the chance to experience something new. You cannot successfully live life if you never decide on your own versus listening only to the advice of your peers. I want you all to get involved next year, grow next year, become the young men and women that I, your teachers, and parents know you can be.” Content awards were given to one boy and one girl per teacher. Those winners are: Mendel Award Science Wyatt Bell Tori Douthwaite Heart of Historian Social Studies Joran Moutan Ava Poppe Pythagorean Math Award Brady Kauffman Sadie Paul Mockingbird LA Award Dylan King Abbie Thoman White Tiger Award recipients include: Mr. Stapleton – Tristan Buck Mrs. Phelps – Mylee Dooley Mrs. Harman – Jake Lauck Mrs. Fullenkamp – Cooper Titus Mr. Miller – Caleb Heater Mr. Lauck – Zyann Evilsizor Superintendent Kraig Hissong presented the Superintendent Award Nominees and winners. Abbie Thoman and Jacob Lauck received the honor. Nominees: Jake Lauck Brevin Louden Dylan King Brock Burgel Taryn Bradley Emery Longaberger Abbie Thoman Breece Gullett Geneva Estep Emma Smith Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Tomorrow we celebrate the retirement of three very special staff members who have served a combined total of over 80 years to the students, families and staff at West Liberty-Salem Please help us thank Theresa Horsley, Lora Schafer, and Kathy Smith for their dedication and service! A celebration in their honor will be held during the faculty ‘End of Year Celebration and Service Awards‘ tomorrow.

The 7th grade class volleyball tournament was this morning! Winners are pictured holding the victory ball.

Calling all incoming 4th-6th girls that are interested in improving their hoop skills or trying basketball for the first time! Ben Yeater and Dave King are running several open gyms this summer. If you would like more information, please join our REMIND group for details. Send a text to 81010 and text this message @764c83c or email wlsyouthbasketball@gmail.com for details.

Champaign County Department of Jobs and Family Services will offer families, who reside in Champaign County, financial support for school clothes! The deadline is approaching. Details are attached.

Before they head off to MIDDLE SCHOOL....... Fifth grade held a minute to win it challenge this week. So much fun!

Any student grades 8-11 interested in golfing for the WL-S Golf team this fall, please go to this website: https://wlsgolf.weebly.com, and fill out the interest questionnaire. Coach Stormes will reach out to you once you complete the questionnaire with more information regarding summer practices and the upcoming season. Please feel free to reach out to Coach Stormes (sstormes@wlstigers.org) with any questions. Thanks!

Seniors were treated to a delicious cookout after graduation practice this morning. The kitchen prepared most of the food and burgers were provided by Woodruff Farms. They were given their first grade time capsules and a folder of different projects that teachers saved for this day. Today was a special day for the Class of 2022!

Hello Families, This is a reminder that school will dismiss One-Hour Early tomorrow, at 1:55 PM. If your child rides the bus home from school, they should arrive home approximately 1-hour earlier than normal. Please make sure that you have a plan in place to make sure that your child arrives home safely. Please call the school if you have any questions. As always, I want to thank all families for another great school year! Thank you for your patience and understanding as we dealt with COVID. I hope that everyone has a great summer and enjoys time with family and friends! Thank you, Kraig Hissong

Deputy J. never forgets to build relationships and have fun with the students he is entrusted to protect and serve. Thank you, Deputy J, for joining us at field day and another great year!

Mrs. Crowder’s class enjoyed some quiet reading outside this morning!

Second graders held their field day obstacle course today! They had hurdles, tires, a climbing wall and more! What a beautiful day for some friendly competition today! Many thanks to our parent volunteers!

Fourth graders shared their fourth quarter research projects today at the Wax Museum! They researched an important historical figure, completed a poster board of facts and timelines, assumed the role of their historical figure, and presented as that person to visitors! Parents, teachers and other classes attended and listened to their presentations. It was a fantastic turnout and our students did an excellent job sharing their characters! Great job, fourth grade!

Check out this week’s busy schedule of events! May 23 Sports Physicals - nurse office- 8-12:00 VGV Star Program Test - Main Gym - 4:00 May 24 Graduation Practice 9:30 Sports Physicals-nurse office 8-12:00 Link Crew-May Day Training. Main Gym 1130 Baseball awards 7:00 May 25 V Girls Track & Field Regional Prelims @ Troy 5:00 8th Grade Recognition 9:00 Stadium Sports Physicals -nurse office 8 - 12:00 May 26 Boys Track & Field Regional Prelims @ Piqua 5:00 PM May 27 Girls Track & Field Regional Finals @ Troy 5:00 PM Softball awards Banquet 5:00 May 28 Girls T&F Regional Finals @ Piqua 10:00 AM May 29 Graduation Ceremony at Tiger Stadium – 7:00 PM

Calling all incoming 4th-6th Girls that are interested in improving their hoop skills or trying basketball for the first time! Girl Shooting Basketball Stock Illustrations, Images & Vectors | Shutterstock Ben Yeater and Dave King are running several open gyms this summer. If you would like more information, please join this REMIND group for details.

Registration is now open for Big Orange Summer Run Club! The Big Orange Running Club is free and open to all student athletes grades PreK-6th. Participants do not need to be enrolled at West Liberty-Salem to join. No running experience is needed. We will work with your child at his/her physical condition. All participants will receive a Big Orange Run Club t-shirt. https://www.bornandracedinwestliberty.com/big-orange-elementary-running-club.html

“Kid, you’ll move mountains! You’re off to great places, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so.....get on your way!” -Dr. Seuss Oh, The Places You’ll Go “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Best wishes to the class of 2022.

West Liberty-Salem is pleased to announce this year’s Gloria Schrand Volunteer of the Year. The award, in memory of long-time volunteer Gloria Schrand, is presented to one individual who has dedicated their time to making a difference in the WLS community. Cindy Dallas, Schrand’s niece, and Linda Sparks, sister, attended the meeting to share a few words about Mrs. Schrand’s impact on both the West Liberty-Salem and West Liberty communities. Gloria Schrand was a volunteer for 11 years at West Liberty-Salem Elementary School. She is originally from this area, but she and her husband moved to North Carolina where they both worked for Underwriters Laboratory(UL). After the death of her husband she moved back to Ohio to help take care of her mother. Gloria started volunteering after her retirement. Gloria first helped out in the computer lab. When Mrs. Dallas moved to 2nd grade, she followed. She came to school faithfully and daily in the mornings until noon. She loved helping students and staff. Mrs. Schrand enjoyed organizing minutes tests and assisting students who needed additional help. One of her biggest joys was when a student outside of school would acknowledge her with a smile, kinds words or even a hug! Gloria donated several doors for West Liberty-Salem students to decorate and sell at the Cancer Door Drive in Bellefontaine. She made an impact in our school, community, church and among friends and family. We are very honored to create this award in her memory. In honor of Gloria Schrand, the West Liberty-Salem Board of Education presented Judy Legge with the first ever Gloria Schrand Volunteer of the Year Award. Judy Legge began volunteering in the Athletic office and in the first grade classrooms over ten years ago. When she started, she would come each morning and check in with Jake in the Athletic office. If nothing was needed, she would head to first grade to assist in the classroom. During the height of the Covid pandemic, classroom volunteer opportunities shifted and she began spending most of her time in the Athletic Office. As of today, she spends each morning arriving at 8:00 and usually leaves around 12:00. Judy’s often spends time doing secretarial duties in the office, but spends most of her time helping track student physicals, run copies, and keeping schedules up to date in the computer for Jake. Judy has also taken on a key role in the success of the Athletic Hall of Fame banquet! Athletic Director Jake Vitt shared, "I could not imagine my office without Judy’s help! She is a true asset to the daily operation of the Athletic Department. She will never know how much her help is appreciated. She is very deserving of this award!!" Judy Legge was presented the Gloria Shrand Volunteer of the Year award at the West Liberty Salem Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

Attention HS Parents and Students: The 21-22 HS Yearbook is now available to order. Students can turn in order forms as well as payment (checks made out to WLS) in the office this week or next. This is the best way to guarantee that you get a 21-22 yearbook. Yearbooks will be hard-cover, color, and between 85-95 pages. Since we include pictures from the Spring, including Prom and Graduation, yearbooks will be finished over the summer and we expect delivery in September or October. Yearbooks are $35 each with the option of Name Stamping on the cover for an additional $5. A limited number of yearbooks will be available for purchase in the fall but at a higher price. Get your 21-22 HS Yearbook ordered today!