West Liberty-Salem Musical Director Jakob Schaufelberger has announced the cast list for this year's musical, Footloose! Congratulations to the following cast members!
West Liberty-Salem Principal’s featured in Men’s Health Magazine, November Edition
West Liberty-Salem High School Principal Greg Johnson and Middle School Principal Andy McGill are featured in November’s Men’s Health Magazine for their outstanding efforts in recovery and response to schools across the nation that have experienced gun violence. The Article, The Club No Principal Wants to Join, written by freelance journalist Gloria Liu, takes readers on a journey alongside four of the 21 founding principals of The Principal Recovery Network, who led their schools through the aftermath of a school shooting.
Gloria Lui worked on the story for several months, recounting their experiences from the days, months and even years following events at Columbine, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Perry Hall High School, and right here in our own community. “She interviewed us via phone and zoom and even met us at a conference in California to hear us present,” Principal Greg Johnson shared. The conference was the ‘2023 School Safety Symposium: Active Shooter Awareness,’ where West Liberty-Salmen graduate Logan Cole, Greg Johnson, Andy McGill, and Superintendent Kraig Hissong were Keynote speakers. “I thought she did a great job weaving the four personal experiences together into one story. She uniquely captured the essence of the Principal Recovery Network in a powerful and well written narrative.”
While no one recovers the same way after a tragic or traumatic event, similar themes present themselves in patterns. Lui writes, “They [principals] led their communities forward. They faced common challenges, which unfolded in a similar sequence.” She continues, “Today, as the PRN, they offer their experiences as a guide, in hopes they might help others find smoother passage through. On the other side of the hardship, the principals promise, there can be healing.” Lui, Gloria, “The Club No Principal Wants to Join”, Nov. 2023. “This group is spread out over the country,” Principal Andy McGill said, “and I would do anything to be there to assist them. They are my friends. I am proud to be a part of this group because I do think we are doing good.”
Now, years later, both Johnson and McGill are still sharing their experience with schools across the nation. Like other members of the PRN, retrospect has given them pause to look at what they might have done differently in the days following the shooting. In the article, Johnson and McGill share regrets and guilt, but also the sentiment that life doesn’t just go on, McGill says, “it must go on.” They continue to look at the positive outcomes, the milestones, and the healing that follows.
To read the complete article, pick up a copy of the November edition of Men’s Health Magazine, or read the complete story online at Principals Speak Out on Trauma and Healing After School Gun Violence (menshealth.com).
Photo Credit: Angelo Merendino
AngeloMerindino.com
Goodmorning families, Just a reminder that we are on a two hour delay this morning for Professional Development. School will start at 9:40 for MS and HS and 9;45 for Elementary.
Thank you
Kraig Hissong
Join us for the sounds of the season on two different evenings. The high school Choir will take the stage in the cafetorium on Monday, December 4th, at 6:30 PM, followed by the high school Band. Middle school choir (grades 6-8) and band (grades 7 & 8) will follow on December 5th, in the same order, in the cafetorium at 6:30.
Please help us congratulate Laurie Park, who retires today after 23 years of service to our district! Laurie served our students and staff in the food service department, and always with a smile and kind greeting. We thank you for your many years of service and wish you well on your next chapter!
Week at a glance! Go Tigers!
Reminder that on Friday, December 1st, our staff will be in Professional Development. Students will be on a 2-hour delay.
Professional development is essential for career growth and advancement. Educators use this time to identify strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and create a structured plan and timeline for achieving them.
Winter sports media day is always a great time photographing our athletes and capturing their fun personalities. Pictured are this season's senior athletes. Please help us wish them success and a lifetime of memories as they embark on their finale seasons as Tigers!
The elementary Santa Shop is right around the corner on December 4th & 5th! Students should have brought home information and Santa Shop envelopes home recently. There are gifts for every family member that range from 50 cents to $10 each. Older students and our PTO volunteers will be available to help younger students shop. Thank you to our wonderful PTO members who shop all year long for this beloved event!
The WLSAA along with some of our winter athletes helped welcome Santa to the Village in the annual holiday parade on Friday evening. Athletes, or better known as Santa's elves, braved the cold to pass out candy canes and spread holiday cheer! Thank you Lilly, Kerrigan, Garrett, Lyndee, and Liz Carter!
Our high school cheer team join community leaders and the West Liberty Business Association to kick off the holiday season at Cookies with Santa. They served cookies and helped Santa greet children. The cheer team serves the community in several events throughout the year and this is always a favorite! Keep up the great work, Tigers!
Senior members of the National Honor Society tapped new members before the holiday break. New members received a cup filled with items inspired by this year's theme, Fireworks! A complete list of inductees will be announced next week when new members have completed their community service hours for induction. The ceremony is set for December 6th, at 5:30 in the HS cafeteria.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sixth grade teachers celebrated first quarter students with no missing assignments today! They brought snacks, played games, and watched movies to celebrate their accomplishment! Keep up the great work, Tigers!
We can't get any more thankful than Thanksgiving with our kindergarteners. What a wonderful feast their teachers graciously shared among friends!
Way to go WL-S elementary! We are stocking up local food pantries during the season of giving!
Looks like Mr. Hollar lost a bet and school nurse Mrs. Wing seems pretty happy about it. Luckily, they both agree on the Tigers!
First grade shared a thanksgiving meal that is inspired by Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. The premise of the Charlie Brown special focuses on tradition, being together, and being thankful, even if everyone doesn't celebrate with an elaborate meal or fancy party. Students shared what they were thankful for, ate food inspired by the show, and made a special dessert. Students were thankful for family, their friends and classmates, and teachers. Such sweet tributes were shared to kick off a week of thanksgiving.
Elementary "stacked up" our local food pantries for winter with so many wonderful donations! They combined the food drive with a cup stacking event led by our specials teachers. Students stacked cups, buckets and more during their specials times and had so much fun while making a difference. Middle school Student Council members are also sponsoring a good drive. Middle schoolers have one more day to make their donations and win a party for the their homeroom.
Elementary "stacked up" our local food pantries for winter with so many wonderful donations! They combined the food drive with a cup stacking event led by our specials teachers. Students stacked cups, buckets and more during their specials times and had so much fun while making a difference. Middle school Student Council members are also sponsoring a good drive. Middle schoolers have one more day to make their donations and win a party for the their homeroom.
