Happening This Week:
Embedded Files
Monday, August 18th:
IB Student Meeting, 8:05 am, Cafeteria
Tuesday, August 19th:
IB Student Makeup Meeting, Lunches, Grand Staircase
D&D Club, 3:30-4:30 PM, Room 5201
Jaxco Swim & Dive Team Informational Meeting, 6:00 PM, JCHS Auditorium
Wednesday, August 20th:
Speech and Debate Club, 3:15–4:30 PM, Room 4108 (Lower A)
International Club Meeting, After School, Room 4241
Thursday, August 21st:
Boys Wrestling Interest Meeting, 7:30 am, Health Room in Gym
Friday, August 22nd:
Friday Night Lights Spirit - BEACH BASH
Environmental Club, 3:15-4:00 PM, Room 4125
Athletic Events are posted in the Athletics section below.
AP Exam Registration for Fall Classes Opens Monday, 8/18
Attention Fall & Full-Year AP Students and Parents — It’s time to sign up for your AP Exams!
Registration opens Monday, August 18, 2025 and runs through Friday, November 1, 2025.
Who: Fall & Full-Year AP Students
When: Aug. 18 – Nov. 1 (on-time registration)
Cost: $107 per exam
Late Registration: Nov. 2–7 (+$40 per exam)
2 Steps to Register:
Log into myAP Classroom → Join AP Classroom with the code provided by your teacher.
Go to Total Registration → Pay & Confirm
No payment = No exam order.
Avoid late fees — register by Nov. 1!
**Spring semester AP courses will register in next semester.
Questions? Please contact Courtney Guess - courtney.guess@jcss.us
IB Student Meeting
All students enrolled in any IB course this year should attend this mandatory meeting about Academic Integrity and IB assessments.
Main Session: Please check-in with your first period teacher, then head directly to the cafeteria.
When: Monday, August 18th @ 8:05 am
Where: Cafeteria
Make-Up Session: If you are at Empower during the morning, please attend the make-up session. Meet at the beginning of your lunch period. I will be brief.
When: Tuesday, August 19th (during your lunch)
Where: Grand Staircase
If you are unable to attend either session, please email Mr. Nichols.
Reminder: JCHS Check-In & Check-Out Procedures Procedures
Now that school is in full swing, we want to remind all students and families to review the JCHS Check-In & Check-Out Procedures posted on the JCHS website.
It is important that both parents/guardians and students are familiar with these guidelines to ensure a smooth and efficient process whenever a student needs to arrive late or leave during the school day.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep check-ins and checkouts organized and timely.
Adventure: Costa Rica 2027
The International Baccalaureate Program and Modern Language Department are co-sponsoring an educational travel experience to Costa Rica for students who will be juniors or seniors in April 2027. If you'd like to travel with us, RSVP to the info meeting on Aug. 28th at 7pm.
If we have enough people RSVP, we’re turning this meeting into a PIZZA PARTY! Dinner’s on us next Thursday – all you have to do is register for the meeting!
Empower Healthcare History Trip
The Empower Campus will be hosting an informational meeting about the Healthcare History Trip to Great Britain, a 9-day educational adventure taking place in Summer 2026. Students and parents/guardians are invited to join them on Tuesday, August 26 at 5:30 PM in Empower room C-17 to learn more about this exciting journey, which includes time in both London and Edinburgh exploring the history of healthcare and experiencing the culture of Great Britain.
Academy Connect
Join Congressman Andrew Clyde for an informative, one-hour virtual session on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 6:00–7:00 PM. This event is designed to help high school students and their families learn about the U.S. Service Academies and the nomination process.
National School Bus Safety Poster Contest
The Jackson County School System will once again be participating in the annual Bus Safety Poster Contest sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education.
♻ Trex Recycling Challenge
Help the Jaxco Environmental Club by collecting plastic bags and films this weekend! The Advisement class with the most plastic films by Monday, August 25 will win an Ice Cream Sundae Party hosted by the Environmental Club.
Every plastic bag counts toward our school goal of 800 lbs — that’s 89,600 bags! Let’s work together to reach 100% of our goal and make a positive impact on the environment.
Remember: Plastic bags and films only — no bottles.
Join the winning tradition of Jaxco Boys Wrestling! 🏆
All current wrestlers and any 9th–11th grade students interested in joining the team are invited to the Wrestling Interest Meeting on Thursday, August 21st at 7:30 AM in the Health Room in the gym.
See Coach Jim Gassman for more information.
Jaxco Swim and Dive
Want to learn more about the Jaxco Swim and Dive team? Come Meet our Coaches and get info for our upcoming season!!
Certificate of Enrollment
Students: If you plan to obtain your learner’s permit or driver’s license within the next 30 days, please request your Certificate of School Enrollment and ADAP Certificate by visiting the JCHS website (Families & Students → JCHS Forms → Certificate of Enrollment for Driver’s License) or visit this link.
Once requested, certificates will be ready for pickup in the front office the NEXT DAY after 1:00 PM.
For questions, please email Mrs. Armendariz at larmendariz@jcss.us.
Congratulations to our 2025–2026 Teacher & Support Person of the Year!
We’re proud to announce that Mrs. Brooke Curtis, Family and Consumer Science Teacher, has been named Jackson County High School’s Teacher of the Year, and Mrs. April Bagwell, School Counselor, is our Support Person of the Year for 2025–2026.
Mrs. Curtis is known for her passion for teaching, hands-on learning, and the way she connects with students both in and out of the classroom. Mrs. Bagwell’s dedication, compassion, and constant support make a lasting impact on students, families, and staff every day.
We’re lucky to have both of these outstanding educators in Panther Nation —congratulations, Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Bagwell!
Work-Based Learning Spotlight
Jackson County High School senior Cooper Elder is taking his classroom learning to the next level through the Work-Based Learning (WBL) program. Cooper spends part of his school day working with the Jackson County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Department, where he’s gaining hands-on experience in mapping, artifact curation, and data management.
In his role, Cooper assists with organizing and preserving local historical artifacts, learning the processes of cataloging and documenting items for future research. He also works with mapping software to help create and maintain accurate geographic data for the county. Through this, he’s developing valuable skills in spatial analysis and understanding how GIS supports community planning and historical preservation.
Cooper's internship experience ties directly to his CTAE coursework in architecture, software, business, and construction. His time with the GIS Department shows how WBL can connect students with real-world applications of their interests while benefiting the community.
Student Athletes of the Week
Football Dominates Flowery Branch
A Great Week for Lady Panther Volleyball!
Boys XC takes FIRST PLACE, Girls finish 6th of 18!
Softball Takes Down Commerce
Rilfery Team Tryouts
Class of 2026 Meeting
The Class of 2026 Senior Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 26, from 11:00–11:30 AM in the JCHS Auditorium. This meeting will cover important senior information—don’t miss it!
Upcoming Scholarship Deadlines – Apply Now! 🎓💰
Attention Seniors!
Several prestigious scholarships have upcoming deadlines—don’t miss your chance to apply:
The Gates Scholarship
Due September 15
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Due September 30
QuestBridge National College Match
Due September 30
UNC Chapel Hill Morehead-Cain Scholarship
Due October 1
Georgia Tech Stamps President’s Scholars Program
Due October 15
Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony
Mark your calendars, Panthers! The Class of 2026 graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, May 16 at 3 p.m. inside Akins Ford Arena in Athens!
Join Pen Friends
Earn service hours while spreading encouragement through letters and cards to those who need it most.
First Meeting: Tuesday, August 26 in Mrs. Donaldson’s room (5203) — Attend during Advisement or from 3:15–3:30 PM
Dues: $8
Perks:
Help & encourage those in need
Earn up to 2 service hours per month
Quick 15-minute meetings
Cords for qualifying seniors
Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit this link to sign up.
Spanish Honor Society
Interested in joining the Spanish Honor Society this year? Stop by Ms. Wangenheim’s room (4236) or Mrs. Uesseler’s room (4225) to pick up an application and become part of this prestigious organization.
International Club
Join the International Club and celebrate cultures from around the world! 🌍 Scan the QR code to sign up and be part of an inclusive, fun-loving group of students.
📅 First Meeting: Wednesday, August 20th
📍 Room 4241 — right after school!
Complete the International Club Interest Form HERE!
2025–26 Junior Leadership Jackson – Apply Now!
Are you a Jackson County high school junior or senior passionate about leadership and community impact? Junior Leadership Jackson is an 8-month program designed to help you build skills, connect with local leaders, and explore career opportunities. Students participate in field trips, leadership sessions, and interactive learning with professionals from various industries.
Deadlines:
Community Nominations: August 29, 2025
Student Applications: September 12, 2025
Visit this link to nominate or apply today!
Level Up with JCHS Esports!
Ready to game competitively and be part of an awesome team? Join us for the 2025–2026 Esports Interest Meeting on Wednesday, August 27 at 3:05 PM in the Upper LLC.
Scan the QR code or visit this link to learn more and sign up—let’s get in the game!
Join the Speech and Debate Club!
The Jaxco Speech and Debate Club meets every Wednesday after school from 3:15–4:30 PM in Room 4108 (Lower A). Develop your critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills while collaborating with fellow students.
For more information, contact Mr. Smolinski at nsmolinski@jcss.us. This club is active throughout the school year—come be part of the Panther Nation Word Warriors!
Watson-Brown Foundation Junior Board
Attention JCHS 10th-12th Graders:
The Watson-Brown Foundation, Inc. supports historic preservation in part through its Junior Board of Trustees, a talented and dedicated group of seven to twelve high school students (10th-12th graders) whose exclusive mission is to preserve local history. The Junior Board of Trustees awards $33,000 in grants annually to worthwhile historic preservation/restoration projects in Northeast Georgia. This educational initiative fosters civic responsibility, heightens an appreciation for local history, and introduces students to the world of philanthropy. The Junior Board of Trustees has real-world impact in our community, and colleges and universities recognize the value of students' experiences with this organization.
Deadline to Apply: September 12, 2025
Applications can be found at this link.
D&D Club
Join the adventure in the D&D Club!
Step into a world of dragons, heroes, and epic quests with tabletop role-playing fun.
📅 Tuesdays after school
📍 Room 5201
⏰ 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
For more info, email Mrs. McGlamery at abigail.mcglamery@jcss.us.
Mark Your Calendar!
Mark your calendar! Underclassman Picture Day is Wednesday, August 27th. Students will be photographed at JCHS or Empower, depending on the location of their morning classes. Ordering information will be sent home on paper closer to picture day.
Underclassmen who are off campus for dual enrollment or work-based learning may have their picture taken at JCHS anytime before 1 p.m.
Senior makeup pictures will be taken on August 26th. Appointment times will be shared the week of August 18th during 1st or 3rd period, based on each student’s schedule.
If you have any questions about underclassman or senior pictures, please contact Ms. Pitman at epitman@jcss.us.
National Assessment Day
We're excited to announce the upcoming JCHS National Assessment Day, scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025. This day offers all students the chance to participate in key college and career placement exams, supporting our commitment to guiding every student toward their future goals.
We will offer the following assessments on this date:
PSAT (9th and 10th grade students)
ACT (11th or 12th grade students)
ASVAB (11th or 12th grade students)
All Accommodations for the ACT or PSAT on October 21st must be submitted by August 29th. If you believe your student is eligible for accommodations, please reach out to Ms. Reeves at allison.reeves@jcss.us or Ms. Romero at cromero@jcss.us.
Registration information, testing locations, and schedule coming soon.
School Window Family Guide
School Window Family Guide (3).pdfSchool Window is our payment platform that allows families to pay schools directly, offering an easily accessible website aimed to be user-friendly. The platform allows families to find their student(s) school and item of payment in an easy manner. Direct JCHS link is HERE.
Infinite Campus Portal
The Infinite Campus Portal is a vital resource for parents and students, offering easy access to:
Grades & Report Cards: View detailed student grades for every assignment, including up-to-date averages for each course and information on missing assignments.
Attendance Records: Monitor student attendance and absences.
To ensure you can access this information anytime, anywhere, download the Campus Parent app on your mobile device. This free app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. The app's notification settings allow you to receive push notifications any time a new grade is entered or an absence or tardy is recorded.
For more details, please refer to our Parent Portal Resource Guide.
ParentSquare
Have you downloaded the ParentSquare app to stay in touch with all the communications happening at Jackson County High School and Jackson County Schools? Click this link for more information.
Personal Electronic Device Reminder
Facebook: @jacksoncountyhighschool
Instagram: @jchspanthers
X: @panthers_jchs
JCHS PTO Facebook: @JAXCOPTO
Visit the Jackson County High School website for more information!
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