The Cougar Communicator is published weekly when school is in session. It is available here and is also delivered to email via School Messenger.
The newsletter includes a message from our principal, news and updates, upcoming events, and information from our PTO.
Click on the buttons below to follow the links.
Clough Families,
We have busy week ahead of us. Fifth grade parents, please look at information that is posted below regarding upcoming transition to middle school activities. The first virtual parent meeting is March 15th. I strongly encourage you to log in and participate. The band stopped by this past week to recruit or fifth graders. It was great seeing many of the high school band members back at Clough.
The PTO Bookfair begins Monday. Teachers have signed their classrooms up for visits. The kids really enjoy going to the fair.
The Boy's Night Out at RJ Cinemas is next Saturday. See information below.
We look forward to seeing the kiddos Monday morning.
Kevin S. Thacker
Monday-Friday, March 13th-17th, PTO Book Fair
Wednesday, March 15th, Report Cards Released
Saturday, March 18th, Boys Night Out, RJ Cinema, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 23, PTO Game Truck for fall fundraiser winners, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Thursday, March 23, WC Town Hall at Summerside Elementary (4639 Vermona Drive)
March 31st-April 7th, Spring Break, No School
Congratulations to our February students of the month. All winners receive a book from our PTO and a free kid's combo from our community partner, Firehouse Subs.
Congratulations to the students who won lunch and the chance to spend some time with K-9 Havoc, Officer Chris Holden, and Officer Mike Ventre! We had a great time.
There will be a book fair the week of 3/13/23-3/17/23. Click here for the link for the Ewallet and volunteer sign-up.
The PTO is sponsoring a Son and Mother event called "Boys Night Out", Saturday, March 18th, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., RJ Cinema, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Kids Care Club will meet Monday- March 13th
Walking Club will meet Thursday- March 16th
Clough Pike Families - Kids Heart Challenge kicked off this week and we are off to a great start! We are supporting the American Heart Association and learning how to keep our hearts healthy! This year, our school will be learning about staying strong in heart, body and mind while helping others with special hearts. 1 in 3 are affected by heart disease and we want to help!
You did such a great job last year and we are excited to raise funds for AHA and earn free PE & recess equipment for Clough Pike. We have a goal to have at least 30 families complete Finn’s Mission – a fun set of challenges which helps teach us about Hands-Only CPR and signs of a stroke! Students will earn a collectible Finn Lifesaver Keychain when they complete the challenges! Sign up here or log back in to get started: http://www2.heart.org/goto/CloughPikeElementarySchool
Download the free Kids Heart Challenge App, or head to the link to register today! Get started on FINN’S MISSION where you and your family can help create a community of lifesavers! Plus, Clough Pike earns PE & recess equipment – the more we raise for AHA, the more we receive back! We will be doing collections and activities through March 24th!
Thanks for your HEART WORK on this community service project!
We encourage you to view the recording of the 2023 State of the Schools presentation on our district's YouTube channel. You can also view the slides from the presentation. Then, after watching the presentation, we'd love to hear from you! Let us know the area that you would like to learn more about to better understand how the school operates and what lies ahead in the future! Share your thoughts by taking part in our ThoughtExchange.
West Clermont is hosting a series of 25 IN-PERSON and VIRTUAL Focus Groups in March and April. Each focus group will include 8 -10 participants and lasts about an hour. We’re eager to have people from these community groups involved:
Parents and Caregivers
Teachers and Staff
Alumni
Local Businesses and Service Organizations
Local Faith-based organizations
Residents and community members
In-person focus groups will be held during the day and early evening at West Clermont High School. Virtual focus groups will be held in the evening and allow you to participate from home using Zoom. All sessions will be seeking your insights on creating FUTURE-READY STUDENTS. This is an opportunity for you to join a group of other community members that care deeply about the future of West Clermont. Sign up today, and we’ll contact you with more information about dates, times, and topics.
March 23, 2023 at Summerside Elementary (4639 Vermona Drive)
April 27, 2023 at Amelia Elementary (5 East Main Street)
NOTE: The starting time for the Town Hall at Amelia has changed. It will now begin at 5:30 PM.
Link to RSVP: https://forms.gle/x4F1DVg9ZsvGAn9g9
Yearbook Update!
The 21/22 yearbook (last year's) is currently listed as "in production" with Lifetouch. We've been told that we should have the books in the building by the end of February/beginning of March. As of now we do not have a shipment date. We will send confirmation when they arrive and are able to be distributed. Any child that has ordered a yearbook will receive one.
Moving forward, we have changed vendors for THIS year's yearbook. Information on how to order THIS year's yearbook (22/23 school year) will be sent out AFTER last year's yearbook is settled. You will be able to order a 22/23 yearbook up until mid-June through their online system. Again, information will come out sometime in March regarding this year's book, and how to order.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Sandy Lemmink
For those students who earned the game truck prize from the fall fundraiser, it is scheduled for March 23rd from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. More information will be coming from our PTO.
Welcome to our One Stop Shop: RISING 6th Graders site! All the information that your family needs to ensure your 5th to 6th grade transition to West Clermont Middle School will be successful will be located in one place for your convenience. We do disseminate to your elementary schools to include in that parent newsletter as well.
Upcoming Items:
Virtual Parent Information Meetings:
March 15th - 5:30 pm AND 6:15 pm
March 16th - 5:30 pm AND 6:15 pm
These are VIRTUAL informational sessions in which we will tell you more about the 6th grade schedule, format, and elective options.
Click here for the Google Meet link to join any of the sessions.
After these sessions conclude, we will post a video of the meeting for anyone who missed the four available sessions. You will be able to find that recording on this site.
6th Grade Survey:
March 15th - April 14th.
Our 6th Grade Survey will become available on March 15th on this site and also on our Class of 2030 Schoology Page. The completion of this survey is necessary in determining your student’s schedule for next school year.
Click here to access the survey (available until March 15th)
The deadline for the survey is April 14th (there will be no extensions)
Student Building Tours:
May 17th, May 18th, May 19th
All the elementary schools will take a field trip to visit WCMS during the school day! Students will have an opportunity to hear from WCMS students and engage in fun interactive activities. See the dates for each elementary below:
May 17th - Summerside & WT
May 18th - Merwin, Clough, & Holly Hill
May 19th - Amelia & Willowville
Permission slips will be sent out through your elementary schools.
Meet the Teacher Event & Schedule Pick-up - Save-the-Date!
August 15
More information to come! This will be a Meet the Teacher event in which students can meet their homeroom teachers and pick up their schedules for the 23-34 school year! Homeroom assignments will be sent out via email prior to this event.
Other Resources:
Recently, West Clermont released the Talking to Your Kids About School Safety and Wellbeing Discussion Guide as part of Volume 2 of the WC Roadmap Report. We recognize that school safety may be a tough topic to discuss at home so we developed the guide to help with the conversation with the support of the West Clermont Citizens Advisory Commission (CAC). The easy to use resource has two parts that consist of a Discussion Guide and an in depth survey. We urge you to take some time to have these important conversations with your kids.
Go the following web address: https://family.titank12.com/
Select the “Apply for Meals” box.
Under the District box, as you begin to type West Clermont, the drop-down box will allow you to choose our district.
Type in your household address, daytime phone number and email address.
Choose the assistance program if applicable (Example- SNAP). It will ask for your SNAP number if you have chosen that program. You can obtain this number by calling your Case Work at the Clermont County Job and Family Services number.
Add each student enrolled in the West Clermont District. You will need their Student Identification Number. If you do not know the student’s ID number, you will need to contact your student’s school to obtain the number.
Choose your students' race and ethnicity.
Place the last four digits of your Social Security number in the boxes provided.
Sign the application by typing your full name and then hit Submit. The applicant will receive email confirmation upon receipt of the application.
The application is reviewed within 10 days and the applicant will be notified by email or by letter via US Mail.
You are able to pre-pay online, and check your balance, at the following:
Dear Parents\Guardians:
Head lice is a common occurrence in school. During the winter months when students wear coats, hats, etc., it is not unlikely to see an increase in the number of cases.
Head lice do not carry disease, nor does their presence indicate that a child is unsanitary. Head lice are transmitted from one head to another directly or possibly indirectly through such items as brushes, hats, headphones, etc. Lice do not fly or jump.
The most common signs of head lice is itching and scratching of the scalp. If your child complains of this, please examine their hair. If you see any visible signs of head lice or nits it is important to treat your child. Your pediatrician can prescribe treatment, however numerous over the counter products are available at drug stores and supermarkets.
Please contact your school Health Assistant with any questions or concerns.
Each week, students who demonstrate our core behavior values of being respectful, responsible, and safe earn "Cougar Pride" tickets. These tickets can then be put into a bin for a chance to win donated prizes from our community partners. Each week we pull names from the bin to spin the "Wheel of Fun-der" to win one of our current prizes.
Thank you to our current partners:
Clough Pike PTO
Cicis Pizza
Frisch's Big Boy
Cherry Grove Lanes
Texas Roadhouse
We would love to recognize more students for all of the great things they do. If you or someone you know are interested in building a community partnership with us or being a private donor, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Mrs. Kenney at kenney_b@my.westcler.org or Mr. Thacker at thacker_k@my.westcler.org.
If you would like to purchase the optional insurance for your child’s Chromebook, follow the link below by clicking the button. Kindergarten students do not take Chromebooks back and forth from school to home, which is where most damages to the device occur.
Have a cute picture of you and your pet you would like to share? Students and staff are being encouraged to bring in a picture of themselves and their pets that will bring joy and smiles to our school. All pictures will be displayed in our cafeteria on a bulletin board for everyone to see.
PaySchools
Families have the option to pay their child's school fees and add money to their meal accounts using PaySchools.
To set up your PaySchools account, follow the steps in the parent user guides below:
For additional help, you can also check out these walkthrough videos for families.
If your child is a car rider to school in the morning, and you want them to eat breakfast here at school, please try to be early in the car line so they have time to eat. We try to close the cafeteria at 8:35 so the kids don't miss any class time.
Clough Pike library volunteers are needed! We are looking for parents or grandparents of Clough Pike students who have at least two hours per week that they could spend in the library. A training session is provided. Duties include scanning and shelving books. A background check and fingerprinting are required in order to volunteer. Interested? Email Tanny McGregor, West Clermont elementary library coordinator: mcgregor_t@my.westcler.org
Important: Free school breakfast & lunch will not be automatically offered for everyone during the 2022-2023 school year.
Breakfast Costs: 2022 - 2023 Breakfast will cost $1.20/student and $.30 for reduced if you complete the application below.
Lunch Costs: 2022 - 2023 Lunch will cost $2.70/student and $.40 for reduced if you complete the application below.
Please see the information below to apply for the free/ reduced breakfast & lunch program.
Recent guidance regarding COVID for you to review. You can find this on the Wolfpack hub under "links".
Currently, schools are reporting positive cases but not contact tracing. If guidance changes throughout the year, we will forward information to you.
Bus Routes
Updated routes are expected to be posted by August 16 on the "Bus Route E-Link" system. However, we recommend you continue to check this site up until the first day of school to note any potential changes made to your child’s route. To access the E-Link system:
Visit the Transportation section of the WolfPack Hub, scroll to Transportation Links and Forms, and then click on Bus Route E Link
Username: Student ID
Password: Child’s birthdate (8 digits. For example: 08012018)
Changes in Pick-up/Drop-off Locations:
Transportation routes are based on the student’s home address. Therefore, any variations (such as picking up or dropping off at a babysitter's address or daycare) will require the parent to submit a Transportation Request Form.
Petermann Bus Tracker App:
Petermann Bus Tracker is an application (app) developed to help improve communication with families. This app will securely allow parents/guardians to view the location of their child(ren)’s bus in relation to their assigned bus stop as well as provide information about their routes, in near real-time, including the scheduled arrival time of each stop.
Jen Schaeffer-President
Sarah Simpson-Vice President
Ariel Casey-Secretary
Nicole Brown-Newsletter
Stephanie Daniels-Treasure
Click on the button to follow the link to the Clough Pike PTO page.
All meetings are scheduled on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Clough Pike Elementary library.
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Wednesday, , January 4, 2023
Wednesday, , February 1, 2023
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Natasha Adams
West Clermont Superintendent
We are creating a courageous culture by focusing on our mission of committing to excellence with every learner, every day, every way. We strive to have a safe, caring, positive learning environment where all students have a sense of belonging.
Visit our WolfPack Hub to find everything you need to know. The One-Stop-Shop for West Clermont Families!
Staff, students, families, and community members,
Over the past week, several threats on schools across the U.S., including Ohio, were made. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind the West Clermont community of our commitment to keeping our school community safe, as well as the proper methods for reporting a threat or concern.
Should you see or hear anything suspicious, please report it through one or more of the following:
Contact Law Enforcement
Union Township Police Department-513-752-1230
Clermont County Sheriffʼs Office-513-732-7500
Pierce Township Police Department-513-752-4100
Or Dial 911
The Safer School Tip Line by calling or texting 844-723-3764
Contact the School Principal
Thank you for partnering with us to help us maintain our focus on every learner, every day, every way.
We are listening to our students, families and community members and creating a path forward together to ensure all students are future-ready with a competitive advantage. Please attend one of our upcoming Town Hall Meetings.
Our public Town Halls are scheduled for:
September 22nd at 7 PM at West Clermont High School (4101 Bach Buxton Road)
October 20th at 7 PM at Withamsville-Tobasco Elementary (3950 Britton Blvd.)
November 10th at 7 PM Merwin Elementary (1040 Gaskins Rd.)
December 8th at 7 PM at West Clermont Middle School (1341 Clough Pike)
Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot here!
PowerSchool recently changed the West Clermont District Code for the PowerSchool Mobile App. The new District Code is PRMG to access your student’s information. Mobile App users must log out of the app and update the District Code to PRMG. If you need assistance with updating the District Code on the mobile app, complete the PowerSchool Parent Portal Support Form or call 513-943-5078. Please allow 2 business days for a response.
Click the link to download the app:
PowerSchool Mobile App for Apple Users
PowerSchool Mobile App for Android Users
*Reminder, report cards cannot be accessed through the PowerSchool Mobile App.
