West Geauga Middle School hosted National Careers Week on March 7. All throughout the week, students engaged in many activities and…
WGMS College and Career Week
West Geauga Middle School hosted National Careers Week on March 7. All throughout the week, students engaged in many activities and presentations to learn about colleges and various careers that may be of interest.
Representatives from LEAF assisted seventh-grade students with career interest inventories on OhioMeansJobs. Olweus (Bullying Prevention Program) met with classes to discuss how to get along with others in the workplace.
Presentation and discussion by keynote speaker Don Archiable led eighth-grade students into a whole day of exploring college and career readiness. Excel TECC, College Credit Plus, military recruiters, college admissions counselors and human resources gave hands-on presentations. This was one of the student’s favorite days of the week.
When asked by middle school guidance counselor Dusty Timmons if they thought College and Career Day was helpful to them, “Yes, because it definitely helped me focus in on what I want to do when I’m older and how I’m going to get there,” said one student.
Another replied, “I got a better idea of what I want to and not want to study. I also have some colleges in mind. I have more of an idea of what is going to happen in the next few years.”
“Yes, because it gave me an idea about what I want to be when I’m older and now I know more about college and how I can put myself out there and achieve the best of my ability. Also, it made me comfortable to not know what I want to do yet for sure, because a lot of others don’t know also,” replied another student.
The students enjoyed learning something new each day and were very responsive according to Timmons.
A Glimpse into Ellis Island
As part of their social studies and language arts lessons, fifth-grade students at Westwood Elementary School participated in Immigration Day. After researching their own families’ heritage, students made posters and presented to their class. The students are able to experience first-hand what immigrants went through at Ellis It’sland.
The day begins with students marching through the hallways, music blaring, chanting America. Their excitement about coming to America soon ends as they stop abruptly at the end of the hallway. A translator who only speaks Russian greets them. The students are dumbfounded because they do not know what to do, because they cannot understand what the translator is saying.
She mentions one word that they all understand, “America,” and they proceed through the doors to the first identification check station, only to be stopped again at another check station where they must present their passports and give their ID number. Once they make it through the second checkpoint, they are welcomed to America.
More checkpoints and stations await them. They must stop at each station, pass inspection and receive a stamp before proceeding to the next station. Once they have passed all inspections, they are sent to the landing station were they must read the “Oath of Allegiance.” Students are sworn in, using the same pledge that they gave to immigrants to become American citizens.
The students and their families prepared many different foods that represented their country. It’s a culmination of our immigration experience.
NHS Induction Ceremony
West Geauga High School inducted 45 students into the National Honor Society. The NHS recognizes the achievements of students in a number of areas. Scholarship, leadership, service and character are the four basic requirements.
Participating in a variety of activities and the commitment to serve the greater community outside of school are what make these students stand out amongst their peers.
Boy Scout and Girl Scout involvement locally and nationally, helping elementary students learn how to use iPads, Ohio Attorney General Teen Ambassador Board, Tots in Skating, Case Western Reserve University Chemistry Department lab assistant, Cleveland Urban Garden Project, hospital volunteering, Rescue Village, special needs cheerleading youth coach, church music groups and mission trips serve as a few examples of their involvement.
“When I see the kids who make the cut, I’m mindful of the help that they received from others along their personal journeys. I give a lot of credit to their parents, but I also reserve plenty for the teachers, principals, instructional assistants, coaches, aides, bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria workers who helped the inductees to master their academic lessons and to learn those other critically important ‘life lessons’ that result in selection for NHS membership. Practice respect, show your best work, try your hardest, model good behavior, support your team, do what’s right, wait your turn, look both ways, help each other – the list is a long one,” said Superintendent Rich Markwardt.
