February 2025: Updates from the principal's desk

Dear JH & HS Tiger Families: 

As we step into February, I want to take a moment to reflect on the many exciting events and achievements that have taken place since the start of the new year at Newton Falls Junior High and High School. From athletic competitions to student celebrations and upcoming opportunities, our Tigers have been making us proud!  

Fairhaven Basketball Game – A Memorable Experience  

One of the highlights of January was our participation in the annual Fairhaven Basketball Game. Our students had the incredible opportunity to compete alongside and support the athletes from Fairhaven School, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and inclusion. They spent the time reading to students at Fairhaven and engaged in a community basketball game and luncheon. It was truly a special event, and I want to thank everyone who came out to cheer and support this meaningful experience and to Mr. Kernen for arranging this wonderful opportunity for our students.  

Tinsel Ball & Light Up the Night Dance  

Our Junior High students danced the night away at their Light Up the Night dance last month, which was a glowing success. A huge thank you to our JH/HS PTO who made the night so memorable! The High School also had their share of fun at Tinsel Ball last weekend, where students dressed up, danced, and enjoyed a great evening with friends. It’s always wonderful to see our students creating memories together and we are appreciative to Mrs. Reynolds and HS Student Council for making Tinsel happen!  

Upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences & Interim Grades

We encourage all parents and guardians to take advantage of our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences on February 13th. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to discuss student progress, address concerns, and collaborate on student success. You may call the school to schedule your conferences at 330.872.5121 x 1008 (HIGH SCHOOL) or 330.872.5121 x 1019 (JUNIOR HIGH). Interim grades will be posted by the end of the school day on February 13th so please check Progressbook to review that information. 

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction – February 7 

We are excited to honor our newest class of inductees into the Newton Falls Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, February 7th. This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich athletic history of our school and recognize individuals who have made a lasting impact on our programs. Congratulations to our inductees: Arthur J. Prescott, Beth Gillespie, Patti Cooksey, Lisa Pinion, Chris Kyser, and Debbie Kezele.   

The Glass Menagerie – This Weekend! 

Mr. Szeljack and our drama students have been hard at work preparing for their production of The Glass Menagerie. Performances will take place on Saturday (2.8) and Sunday (2.9) in the high school auditorium at 3 PM, and we encourage everyone to come out and support our talented student actors and crew. Don’t miss this incredible performance by our resurrected and revitalized Drama program!

Annual Athletic Boosters Night at the Races – February 8 

Looking for a fun night out while supporting our student-athletes? The Newton Falls Athletic Boosters are hosting their annual Night at the Races event this Saturday, February 3rd. This is one of their biggest fundraisers of the year, and all proceeds go toward supporting our sports programs. Get your tickets and come enjoy a great evening!  

Concluded Tutoring Services 

The high-dosage tutoring provided during the school day by Huntington Learning Center has concluded for the year. If you feel your child is in need of academic tutoring, we can arrange for peer tutors by emailing rankinr@nfschools.org. 

Looking Ahead: Preparing for Spring Testing

While spring may seem far away, we want to remind families that state testing will be here before we know it. We will provide detailed information about schedules and preparation resources in soon, but now is a great time to start reviewing key concepts at home. Please reach out to your child's teacher for more resources to support your child's achievement at home. You can also find out more information on state testing by clicking HERE. 

As always, thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. We look forward to a fantastic February full of learning, growth, and school spirit.  

Yours in Education, 

Mrs. Rankin, Principal & Mr. Bauman, Assistant Principal 

We want to emphasize to all of our Tiger families that if you find yourself lacking resources and are in need of help, please do not hesitate to reach out. If your children clothes, shoes, or you need help with food, we are here to help. There's zero judgment--it takes a village to raise a child and we at Newton Falls Junior High and High School are part of your village. Please email rankinr@nfschools.org if you ever need additional support and we will utilize all our resources available to take care of our Tiger families!

Have a question? Please email Mrs. Rankin at rankinr@nfschools.org or Mr. Bauman at baumanr@nfschools.org!