2022 Summer Letter

Hello Wildcat families!

We are at the midpoint of the 3rd nine weeks.  This is a great time to check PowerSchool to see how students are progressing in their classes.  If you have any questions about a specific class, please reach out to the teacher.  Because many of our students have new teachers for the second semester, we are once again sharing our VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE link. There is a ton of great information here, so we hope you will check it out!

I want to congratulate all of our winter athletes for their success in their seasons.  They have worked very hard and represented our school and community so well!

I also want to congratulate our arts programs, particularly our band program who recently earned statewide recognition at the SCMEA conference for their exemplary performance and overall excellence as a model for other programs around our state.  Our JV and Winter Guard competed last weekend and both earned first place!  Meanwhile, our Varsity Dance program competed this weekend winning 3rd place in the Pom Division for SCDA!  We are so proud of these talented students!

Our ninth and eleventh graders should be scheduling their Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) meetings with their counselors this month.  Each of the students received an email with the important information they need, but the students should check with parents or guardians to determine a good time for you as we want you to be part of this important meeting.  Information is also available on our LHS Counseling and Advisement website.  If you are not sure if your student has an appointment yet, please discuss at home.  Let us know how we can help!  Parents of seniors, keep checking the Senior Memo for updated scholarship information!

Also, I am proud of our students for the many ways they have celebrated Black History month in February.  Our school is stronger because our students bring diverse experiences and perspectives to each classroom, club, athletic team, performance group, or service activity.  I am especially proud of so many of our students and student leaders who have pledged to make LHS a great place for all students, and for their willingness to stand up against behaviors of hate and racism.  There is no place at LHS for hate and we are indeed stronger together.  

Spring sports are starting up and there are amazing activities going on at our campus.  Join us to support our Wildcats.  This weekend our men's soccer team hosts the annual Cats Kick Cancer tournament.  Come out and watch our Wildcats dominate while supporting a great cause!

Go Wildcats!

Dr. Pool's Backyard Brief 12-31-2021

Hello Wildcats!  This is Ryan Pool, principal at Lexington High School!

I have received several questions about attendance for Monday and Tuesday. To clarify, school will operate on a regular schedule both days. Attendance will be taken in every class. Instruction will focus on individualized support for students rather than introducing new material or new assessments. As always, I am available to talk through questions you may have about your child's attendance.

Our football team travels to Fort Dorchester Friday night for the third round of the 5A State Playoffs! We are so proud of the players and coaches. For students and families traveling to support the team, cheer loudly and be safe! Students under age 18, are required to either show a current Lexington High School ID or be accompanied by an adult to be admitted into the stadium.

Our state champion Varsity cheer team will defend their title on Saturday afternoon at the Colonial Life Arena. Our LHS Athletic Booster Club has provided a limited number of tickets for students who wish to attend the competition and support the team. Check with Ms. Wise for information about tickets. We are so proud of these athletes!

Congratulations to all of our new National Honor Society inductees. We look forward to celebrating with you on Sunday afternoon in the Lexington One Performing Arts Center!

Juniors and families of current juniors, we will be sending more reminders and details about our Pinning and Class Ring Ceremony that will take place on Sunday, December 12.

Thanksgiving is a perfect LHS holiday because we have so much to be grateful for. Our students, staff, and community make our school a great place every day. I hope next week provides each of you with rest, laughter, and a time to reflect on those things for which you are thankful!

Hello Wildcats!

Our Varsity Football team will host Conway in the first round of playoffs tonight! Tickets must be purchased online and no passes other than high school league passes will be accepted. We want a big, spirited crowd, so we hope to see you there. The theme is Black Out.

Our Wildcat Marching Band competes Saturday in the 5A State Championship at Irmo High School. We know they are the best in the state and are excited to cheer them on this weekend. Congratulations on a great competition season!

Congratulations to all of our students who have represented LHS so well this fall. There are several important state championships coming up in the next few weeks, and we know our kids will shine. Senior golfer Isabella Rawl is the first Wildcat state champion this year, winning her second individual state 5A golf title. Way to go Isabella! 

Current juniors, check your mailbox for a Save the Date postcard for our Ring and Pinning ceremony. This is a family event and we want to honor each of you as you begin to prepare for your senior year.

Have a wonderful, chilly weekend.

Go Wildcats!

First, congratulations to our 2021 Homecoming Queen Amara King, and runners-up Saylor Koon and Dani Wolan.  Thanks to all of the participants in this year's homecoming court.  It was a great night!

Congratulations to the Varsity Football team for their big Homecoming win Friday night against Airport High School on senior night.  We are so proud of your efforts.  It was great to have our Cat Band on the field and in the stands, and thanks to our amazing student section for showing up in force.  Congratulations to our senior football players and families, along with our senior athletic trainers.  Thank you for all you have given to our programs!

We were excited to meet Wiley the Wildcat last night, the newest member of the Wildcat mascot family!  Wiley will be around town at many events representing the Wildcats.  Be sure to find a photo opp with him and get your Wiley the Wildcat T-shirt through the athletic office!  If you want to book Wiley for an event, let us know!

At the beginning of the third quarter, Wildcat announcer Mark Zona recognized all first responders in an important moment of gratitude for those who continue to sacrifice and serve our country.  We will never forget.  Today we celebrate that twenty years ago our nation showed the world that courage and love are always stronger than hate and fear.  Thank you to all who serve.

Underclassmen will take school pictures Monday and Tuesday with their Empower classes.  I have copied a schedule below so our students know which day to wear their favorite picture outfits.  Students received information about purchasing pictures in their Empower classes.  Check your bookbag for picture packets!

We continue to work hard to monitor the rate of positive COVID cases among our students and staff.  It is more important than ever for students who are experiencing symptoms to let a nurse, parent, or teacher know.  We want to stay in school with our students and we want them all to be safe!  Masking and distancing help keep us in school at LHS.

Thanks to all of our students for their great spirit during Homecoming week.  It was a blast to watch you all celebrate our awesome school.  You are THE BEST!

Dear Parents and Guardians:

This week in all classes, Lexington High School teachers will be walking through the procedures we would use if we needed to hold a virtual learning day.  Over the next two weeks, all Lexington One schools will conduct similar practices.

At LHS, our students will learn and practice the procedures we would use, including how to access learning for each class and participation expectations. They will also practice locating digital resources and engaging in some simulations of what e-learning could look like in each course.

We want to make sure your student is comfortable and prepared to successfully learn if a temporary shift to e-learning is necessary at any point during the school year. 

Though we know this news may make you a bit nervous, please know this decision isn’t based solely on COVID-19. There are other reasons why schools could shift to e-learning for a day or more such as severe weather. For this reason, we plan to practice e-learning with all of our students each year.

From time to time, severe weather – from tropical storms to snow and ice – leads us to shift instructional models. With hurricane season upon us, the threat of inclement weather increases this time of year. E-learning allows us to continue instruction during these days without forcing us to use a weather make-up day. 

Whatever the reason may be, we believe giving your student and our teachers the opportunity to practice how e-learning will work will help us deliver smooth, high-quality virtual instruction if needed temporarily at any point throughout the year. 

Thanks for your support.

Ryan Pool

Principal, Lexington High School

Important points to remember:

• Traffic during the first week is really heavy.  Please be patient and give yourself a little more time for arrival and dismissal.  We want everyone here, but we want everyone to be safe.  Expect long traffic lines.  The Lexington County Police Department will be assisting us with our traffic flow.

• We will also have schedules printed out for all students in their first block class, along with a short video that helps students read their schedule and understand all of the transition times so they can get where they need to be throughout the day.  Our staff will look up first block classes and guide students in the mornings in case they aren't sure where to go.  If students have questions about their schedules, our counselors will be available throughout the day next to the Stronger Together mural.  Watch the 5 minute schedule video HERE.  A couple of helpful documents are attached to this email!

• Lunch and breakfast are provided at no cost to students this year.  We will be teaching or reteaching all students how to manage the lunch line effectively and we will make sure all of our students have a chance to eat their lunch.

• Like last year, Lexington One High Schools will not accept lunch drop-offs for students. We're sorry but at this point, that is one way we can minimize traffic in and out of our building throughout the day.  

• Class starts at 8:35 and our school day ends at 3:45.  Before 8:20, students will go to the cafeteria.  After 8:20, students will report to their first block class.

• If you have questions about bus transportation, please check the information posted on our school district website or contact our district's transportation office.  The phone number for LHS transportation is (803) 821-1340.

• We will have a printed copy of new passwords for students on Day 1.  If you have not yet accessed your new password, we will have it here for you when you arrive.  Ninth graders and new students who don't have your macbooks will be able to pick them when they arrive Tuesday morning.  Our technology specialists will be set up in the commons area to hand these out.

• If you are a student driver, we will make sure you have what you need during the first week to get a parking pass for the year.

There is probably more you want to know, but this message is too long already!  We will be here to help throughout the week.  Rest and enjoy the weekend!  We can't wait to see you on Tuesday!

* Check out the Spirit Store QR Code Flyer.pdf  for Wildcat Gear!

** Check out LexingtonWildcats.com/photos to see great pics from Wildcat Welcome!  Did you know our school site is the second most viewed in the nation? It is because of Mr. Larry James and his amazing photos!  

*** Our first home football game is Friday, August 20 against West Florence!  Students - the theme will be Hawaiian Tropic!  Be there and be loud!

Go Wildcats!

Schedule Guide 

Sample Schedule