Welcome to another edition of Huskies Talk! There is always something exciting happening across Harrison Hills City Schools, and we’re proud to share the latest news, celebrations, upcoming events, and important reminders from around the district. Take a look at what our Huskies have been learning, achieving, and enjoying this week!
Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel to Visit Harrison Central
We’re excited to welcome Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel to Harrison Central as part of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge on October 28! Students in grades 5–8 will have the opportunity to participate in a special assembly during his visit.
The statewide challenge encourages students to build healthy habits through physical activity, good nutrition, proper sleep and goal setting.
We look forward to inspiring our Huskies to stay active and make healthy choices. Check out the invitation video our Huskies sent last year to invite Lt. Gov. Tressel to Harrison Central!
VALES Tradition Brings Rivals Together
Before Harrison Central and Buckeye Local met on the football field yesterday, the annual VALES luncheon brought students, coaches and local veterans together in a tradition celebrating service, sportsmanship and community.
Thank you to our American Legion members and everyone who helped make this gathering possible. The Huskies capped off the week with a 68–14 victory over Buckeye Local, keeping the VALES trophy at Harrison Central!
Fourth Graders Explore Nature at Environmental Field Day
Harrison Central fourth graders enjoyed a day of hands-on learning during the annual Fourth Grade Environmental Field Day, sponsored by the Harrison Soil & Water Conservation District.
Although the event is traditionally held at Zitko Farms, this year's activities were moved to the Harrison County Fairgrounds due to weather. The change in location didn't stop students from enjoying an exciting day exploring agriculture, wildlife and the importance of protecting our natural resources!
Throughout the day, students rotated through six educational stations led by local conservation professionals, educators and Harrison Central FFA members. Activities included learning about the water cycle, examining soil layers, discovering the important role birds play in our environment, exploring farm animals and understanding how irrigation helps farmers grow crops. Students even created edible soil profiles to better understand what lies beneath their feet!
A special thank-you to the Harrison Soil & Water Conservation District for organizing and sponsoring this wonderful educational opportunity for our students. We also appreciate the presenters and partnering organizations who shared their time and expertise:
Harrison Soil & Water Conservation District: Katherine Curtiss, Caitlin Harris and Emma Yant
Ohio State University Extension: Caity Romshak and Thea Haney
Harrison Central FFA: Mrs. Bailee Nolder and FFA members
We also extend our appreciation to the Harrison Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Commissioners and County Auditor Clint Barr for their continued support of conservation education. Thank you to the Zitko family for their preparations and longstanding support of this annual event, and to everyone who helped accommodate this year's change in location.
Experiences like Environmental Field Day bring classroom lessons to life, helping our Huskies better understand the natural world while connecting with the people and organizations working to protect it right here in Harrison County!
Be a Hero: Celebrate Red Ribbon Week!
Harrison Central PTO invites elementary students to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, October 26–30, with superhero-themed dress-up days! Red Ribbon Week encourages students to make healthy choices and live drug-free. Our dress-up days bring students together to show their support for that message.
Check out the flyer for each day’s theme, including Friday’s “Scare Away Drugs” Halloween costume day. Popsicles will also be available for $1 each on Friday.
Make a difference. Be a hero. Stay drug-free!
Step Right Up for the Circus McGurkus!
Harrison Central Theatre Club invites kids to a fun-filled afternoon at the Circus McGurkus on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 2–5 p.m.
Enjoy an Oglebay animal experience, make-and-take crafts, snacks, and a chance to dance like the Whos in Whoville!
Last week, Harrison Central Elementary students learned how they can help keep every ride to and from school safe during Bus Safety Week. The lessons reinforced the importance of making safe choices and looking out for one another.
Thank you to our school resource officers for organizing this learning opportunity and for all you do to keep our Huskies safe! We also appreciate our bus drivers for the care and attention they bring to transporting our students each day.
High School Science Meets Elementary Curiosity
Mrs. Taylor’s high school Research Science classes shared their knowledge with elementary students through presentations on spotted lanternflies, handwashing, the five senses, sun safety, hunter safety, clean water and animals with unique abilities.
It was a fun opportunity for our high school students to take the lead as teachers while helping younger Huskies explore science, health and safety!
Pumpkin Book Characters Bring Stories to Life
Mrs. McAfee’s second graders brought book characters to life with their creative pumpkin creations! Visitors were invited to vote for their favorites.
Beckett Birney’s buffalo and Hunter Tipton’s deer tied for first place with 12 votes each. Brielle Pellick’s Dolly earned second place with 11 votes, and Colton Kaiser’s Fly Guy took third with 10 votes.
Congratulations to all our second graders for sharing their creativity and love of reading!
Second Grade Visits County Line U-Pick
Our second graders enjoyed a fall field trip to County Line U-Pick Pumpkin Patch! The visit gave students a chance to explore the pumpkin patch and make memories with their classmates.
Thank you to our teachers, chaperones and County Line U-Pick for a fun fall outing for our Huskies!
Small Sentence, Big Details
Students in Mrs. Patterson’s writing class discovered how a few extra words can bring a sentence to life! Starting with “The frog jumped,” each student used a sticky note to expand the sentence with adjectives and descriptive details.
The activity helped students practice creating a clearer picture for their readers, one detail at a time.
Fifth Grade Math Gets Spooky!
Our fifth graders added some Halloween fun to their math review! Students completed a spooky classroom scavenger hunt to practice adding and subtracting decimals before their test. They also put those skills to work in a virtual haunted escape room, solving decimal problems along the way.
Forensic Science Students Present to Business Advisory Council
Students in Harrison Central’s forensic science class took the spotlight at this week’s Business Advisory Council meeting, sharing a presentation on fingerprint analysis with local business and community partners.
Student presenters included Emmalee Cameron, Madelynn Farmery, Payton Lacava, Nellie Patterson, Olin Wade, Andrew Mattern, Lance Smith, Peyton Visser and Evie Richards.
Thank you to our students for sharing their knowledge and to our community partners for supporting connections between classroom learning and future careers!
Twelve Harrison Central high school students submitted 17 works to the Algonquin Mill Art Barn exhibition, showcasing their talents in charcoal, pastel, acrylic and oil paint.
Students earned numerous awards, including Best in Show for a painting by Emerson Wood. Award recipients included:
Joseph Taylor: First place, charcoal portrait
Emerson Wood: First and second place, paintings; Best in Show
Lola Smith: First and third place, painting and pencil portraits
Evie Richards: First place, charcoal portrait
Avila Weiss: Third place, charcoal portrait
Olivia Dulkoski: First place, pastel portrait
Karma Justice: Second place, pastel portrait
Zayden Losh, Lorenzo Zambon, Marlie Thibodaux, Chloe Omaits and Jax Phillipson also represented Harrison Central in the exhibition.
Congratulations to all our participating artists! Organizers praised their work and look forward to welcoming next year’s entries.
Doing Things the Huskies Way!
Our principals recognized students with certificates for doing things the Huskies Way! These Huskies are setting a positive example through their actions and helping make our school a welcoming place to learn.
Congratulations to our students! We’re proud of you for showing what it means to be a Husky.
FAFSA Night Helps Families Take the Next Step
Thank you to our partners at Franciscan University for helping families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! Families received support throughout the process and were able to leave with their applications completed.
Save the date: Our winter FAFSA session will be held February 27, 2027!
Portrait of Resistance
CP ELA students brought the pages of Fahrenheit 451 to life through illustrations of their favorite moments of conflict in the novel so far. Their artwork showcased creativity and thoughtful connections to the story’s characters and themes.
Exploring Future Career Paths
Approximately 75 Harrison Central students took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to explore their strengths and potential career paths. The test also serves as a step for students considering enlistment in the armed forces.
Sweet Support for STEM
Mrs. Sliva’s gifted program students extend a heartfelt thank-you to the students and families who contributed to their recent bake sale and to the staff and community members who purchased treats! Proceeds will help fund a STEM trip to North Carolina. Your generosity is helping make this learning opportunity possible!
Harrison Central Juniors Prepare for Their Future
Twenty Harrison Central juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT this week, an opportunity to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Their results will also provide valuable feedback as they prepare for the ACT in February!
Seussical is coming to Harrison Central!
Join our talented theatre students as they bring the world of Dr. Seuss to life in a colorful adventure filled with music, laughter, and a little Seussical mischief!
Save the dates!
November 12, 13, and 14 at 6 p.m.
November 15 at 3 p.m.
Harrison Central Performing Arts Center
Special offer for Thursday and Sunday performances: Buy one adult ticket and receive one student ticket free!
Bring the whole family for a show full of unforgettable characters and Seussical fun.
Purchase tickets online at hhcsd.org/theatre
Senior Service Learning in Action
Our seniors are getting ready to put service into action with two upcoming Senior Service Learning projects! These projects give students an opportunity to give back, connect with our community and make a difference while completing an important part of their senior year.
Check out the two upcoming projects below!
Harrison Central’s Got Talent!
Save the date for Friday, December 4, at 6 p.m. Students and staff will take the spotlight to showcase their talents while raising funds for our gifted program.
Interested in participating or helping with the show?
