Welcome Back!

On behalf of the entire staff at Marion L. Steele High School, I’m excited to welcome you to the upcoming 2025–2026 school year! The first day of school is Wednesday, August 20th. Please notice Steele is now starting at 7:25am and dismissing at 2:25pm.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we are thrilled to welcome new faces to our school community, each bringing unique perspectives and talents that will enrich the experiences of our students. Please welcome the following individuals to Marion L. Steele High School:

Ashley Harigan - Assistant Principal
Jennifer Pebworth - Business Teacher
Mackenzie Nekl - Math Teacher
Justin Szink - Math Teacher
Hannah Weber - Math Teacher

We look forward to greeting the Class of 2029 during Freshman Orientation on Wednesday, August 13th, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Please note that this event is for students only.

We also invite all families to join us for our Open House on Thursday, August 14th, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. I especially encourage parents and guardians of incoming freshmen and new students to attend the informational session beginning promptly at 4:00 PM in the Cafetorium. Following the presentation, students and families will have the opportunity to tour the building, meet school staff, and receive assistance from our office team with Returning Student Registration.

Please do not hesitate to call the Steele main office at 440-988-4433 with any additional questions, comments or concerns.

Go Comets!

Joe Tellier - Principal

Denise Abbott - Assistant Principal, Grades 9 -10

Ashley Harigan - Assistant Principal, Grades 11-12

Marion L. Steele School Website

Returning Student Registration

At the start of each school year, we ask all families to update their child’s emergency, medical, and contact information through the Returning Student Registration process in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

To complete registration:

Log in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal account
Click on "Returning Student Registration" in the left-hand menu
Follow the on-screen prompts

For detailed, step-by-step guidance, please refer to the Online Returning Student Registration Directions.

If you completed this process last year, most of your child’s information will be pre-filled. Simply review, verify, and update any changes.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this important update as soon as possible—we appreciate your partnership in keeping our records accurate and up to date.

First Day of School

As you prepare for the first day of school on August 20th, please review the following information:

Doors open for students beginning at 7:15am and the first period begins promptly at 7:25am. The school day ends at 2:25 pm. Students may enter the building through the South Lot, Main Lobby, or Cafetorium and report to their homeroom.

School supplies needed for the first day are a writing utensil, notebook, and folder. Teachers will hand out their class syllabi on the first day which outlines the supplies needed.

There is no late arrival on the first day of school as students will be attending class meetings.

JVS Back to School Information

MLS Counseling Department

Christine Diaz

School Counselor

Grades 9-11 Last Names A-K

christine_diaz@amherstk12.org

Phone Ext. 1340

Sarah Rigda

School Counselor

Grades 9-11 Last Names L-Z

sarah_rigda@amherstk12.org

Phone Ext. 1400

Katheline Cooney

School Counselor

College/Career Grade 12

katheline_cooney@amherstk12.org

Phone Ext. 1324

Late Arrival/Early Release

Late Arrival or Early Release is a special privilege for juniors and seniors with at least five credits for the year and who have an opening in their schedule.

Eligible students must submit a Late Arrival/Early Release Application. This application will be posted to the Steele Webpage on Monday, August 11th. Once approved, the student's schedule will be changed. Students must have Late Arrival/Early Release on their schedule before starting. There will be no Late Arrival on the first day of school. Students must maintain a C- or above in all courses to keep this privilege.

Open Campus Lunch

Open Campus Lunch is another special privilege for juniors and seniors with at least five credits and are in good academic standing.

Eligible students must submit an Open Campus Application. This application will be posted to the Steele Webpage on Monday, August 11th. Once approved, the student's schedule will be changed. Students must have Open Campus Lunch on their schedule before starting.

Graduation Requirements

All students should have received a gradation plan in the mail this summer. Counselors will be meeting with all students individually throughout the school year to plan for graduation and post-secondary opportunities. Our goal is to ensure all students are on track to earn their diploma and prepared to be employed, enlisted, or enrolled. Please click this link for our Marion L. Steele graduation requirements.

Picture Day - August 25, 2025

Ripcho Studios will be here on Monday, August 25th to take school pictures. If you are interested in ordering pictures online, please see the access code and link below.

Your Online Access Key is: Q9ZL6LKR
Your Online Ordering Link is: https://ripchostudio.orderphotos.online/ordering/access

Don't want to preorder online? You can also view and print the portrait package order form by clicking visiting Portrait Packages. Print the order form, fill out the requested information, and give the order form to the photographer on Picture Day with the full payment enclosed.

Steele Athletics Website

Sports and Activities

If you are participating in a sport or activity during the 2025-2026 school year, here are a few important items to take care of:

Complete Final Forms. Go to https://amherststeelecomets.com and click on the tab that says "Final Forms.” For families new to Final Forms, parents register first. Your child will be invited to Final Forms through the parent's registration. If you already have a Final Forms account, please complete the signatures for the 2025-26 School Year.
Pay to Participate (PTP) activities have a fee of $300. Each athletic season has a PTP due date. This fee can be paid at the Steele Main Office. Please see Mrs. Doehr, Athletic/Financial Secretary. PTP Fees will be added shortly to your PowerSchool and PaySchools account. If payment is not received in full by the due date, the student-athlete will be able to practice with their PTP activity, but they will not be able to compete in official events, games, performances, etc.
Pay to Participate Due Dates
- Athletics and Marching Band:
  - Fall: August 22, 2025
  - Winter and Spring: The date of your sport's first official contest.
- eSports and Theater:
  - Due in full by the first official match or performance.
Please verify that your physical is current. They are good for 13 months from the previous physical. When you do get an updated physical, please turn your completed physical form in to Mrs. Doehr, Mr. Wolf, or upload it to Final Forms. We ask that you DO NOT give it to your coach.
Fall Sports Season is officially underway! We encourage all students to come out and support their peers at our athletic events. For home events, we encourage students to purchase a Home Event Season Pass. For $50.00, you can attend all Home Regular Season Events. To purchase your pass, please contact Mr. Wolf at casey_wolf@amherstk12.org to receive a passcode that unlocks the Season Pass link.