JOHN HILL SCHOOL

We are excited to be welcoming a significant number of students back to the building to begin the 4th marking period and remain committed to providing optimal learning experiences to our learners remaining at home as well. Please see the included letter that was emailed earlier this week about coming transitions. Please also know that efforts remain underway to explore avenues for our 6th-8th grade students to combine cohorts similar to our elementary students.

For detailed information about our programming and procedures for the 4th marking period, please visit the JHS Hybrid Cohort Model Website.

It is imperative that the student health questionnaire is completed for every child who is coming to the building each day that they attend. This can be completed by logging into the Realtime Parent Portal. Doors open at 7:40 for in building learners. Upon arrival by being dropped off by car or walking, students may progress to the side or rear entrance of the gym. Upon arrival at the gym, they will scan their student ID cards to verify completion of the health screener. On their first day in building, students will need to know their 5 digit student number since they will not yet have scan cards. After that, they should wear their ID to school each in-building day.

At dismissal, we are asking families to make arrangements to not use the car line unless absolutely necessary. If necessary, please notify us ahead of time. Instead, families should make arrangements for a child to return home by a route and in the company of individuals approved by parents/guardians. Parents/guardians are also welcome to designate a meeting spot on school grounds. Any individuals on school grounds must wear a face covering. Ideal places to meet are the front lawn by the flag pole, side lawn by the playground, and back fields. We will have supervision around school grounds to ensure a safe, orderly, and social distanced dismissal. Dismissal is at noon for 3rd-8th grade students.

Preschool students dismiss at 12:10 and may be picked up via car line.

Families of students who are returning to the building and do not yet have a district issued device are asked to please complete this Technology Agreement Form so that one may be issued. Students are asked to bring their charged devices with them when they come to school each day.

Nurse Shiels has been putting forth extraordinary efforts to ensure that our students, families, and community remain informed and healthy. As part of her efforts, she has created a Virtual Nurse's Office with important information and resources. Please take time to explore.

Thanks to the sponsorship of our PTA, students in grades 3-5 have been exploring science with the guidance of Steve Spangler presentations. Specifically, students have enjoyed explorations through the presentations of "Kitchen Magic" and "Science Magic." Thank you to the PTA for providing these engaging science experiences for our students!

On Tuesday night, Stephen Hill of Sobriety Speaks spoke to students and their families in grades 6-8 about his experiences with addiction and recovery. His powerful message included the themes of decision making, being a positive influence and role model, mental health and wellness, and making small incremental positive changes, and were delivered in an open and honest way. He answered questions from the audience and provided an honest space for families to address difficult topics and concerns. We are grateful to all those who joined us for this event and grateful to Stephen Hill for the impactful evening.

Thank you to the PTA for sponsoring Living Voices: Hear My Voice. This assembly regarding woman's suffrage and the 72 year battle for women's voting rights was presented to students in grades 6-8 on March 23rd. In the following days, students had the opportunity to meet with Rachael McClinton, one of the actors from the presentation to ask questions regarding the presentation as well as the suffrage movement in general. The students thoroughly enjoyed the presentation as well as the smaller group discussions and Ms. McClinton, enjoyed speaking with our students. Once again, our students demonstrated to others how much they ROCK!

During the month of March, at JHS we focused on cultivating perseverance. After an opportunity for self reflection, students determined whether or not they Earned their Wings and if so, were invited to print out a celebratory certificate indicating the wonderful ways they contribute to our school community by demonstrating perseverance. Our focus in April will be mindfulness and we initiated our month of mindfulness by inviting the entire school community to participate in our Purposeful Pause Challenge. We hope to build a mindful tool box of resources to help foster self awareness, self management, responsible decision making, relationship skills and social awareness.

The 4th marking period officially begins on April 12th and 3rd marking period grades will be available to view on the Realtime Parent Portal beginning April 14th.

JHS school picture retakes will occur on Tuesday 4/13 and Thursday 4/15 for in person learners during the morning hours. Remote learner retakes will occur from 12pm - 3pm on Tuesday 4/13. In addition, pictures taken have been distributed to in person learners. If your fully remote child had a picture taken, please contact the main office so that we may arrange a time for pickup.