Welcome back to the school year! We have had a strong start at PJHS! The students have settled in with new routines, guidelines and teachers. These first few weeks will have bumps in the roads but I am encouraged by our strong, committed staff and gracious families. Please continue to partner with us to ensure a successful year!
With Python Pride,
Karrah Jensen
Principal
STUDENT ATTENDANCE:
There are two types of absences: excused and unexcused as defined in the Middle School Handbook (see page 15). Excused absences will be marked for reasons such as illness, injury, observance of religious holiday, etc... Unexcused absences will be marked for reasons such as missing the school bus, oversleeping, vacations, etc.... Please review the attendance policy that will be used moving forward.
Morning Announcements
Our morning announcements are also available, in written form, on the front page of our website! Please check them daily to stay up to date on Parkside events and opportunities!
PJHS Lockdown Drill Information
We wanted to make you aware that on Thursday, September 15th beginning at 9:00, we will be conducting our annual lockdown drill with students and staff. A few extra officers may be on site to assist. Part of our drill will include going off site to our reunification location at Eastview Church. The drill will last more than an hour. Please note this in any planning you may have for appointments as students will not be accessible during this time. To ensure the success of our drill we request the participation of all students, however, if you would like for your student to opt out of the drill, please contact the guidance office at 557-4408, no later than the end of the day on Tuesday, September 13th. Students opting out will be assigned to an alternative location outside weather permitting. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out.
High School Athletics
High school football games are great events for junior high and elementary students to attend to start seeing what high school life is like. Junior high and elementary students coming to a football game at either NCHS or West MUST be accompanied by an adult (18 or older). Junior high or elementary students without an adult will not be allowed to enter the stadium. We also ask that students not bring bags, footballs, or toys to the game. Thank you!
PJHS GSA
Junior High can be a challenging and isolating time, but the good news is that your child doesn’t need to do it alone. PJHS is proud to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, whether they identify as cis-gendered allies or LGBTQ+. if you, as a caring adult, desire to stand in solidarity with these students, Mr. & Mrs. McMorris & Mrs. Knowles would love to talk with you! Donations are appreciated to provide students with flags and pronoun affirming name tags.
We meet every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month from 3:45-5:00 in the IMC.
Join us as we create a safe space to live fully in who you are, learn from others who have been where you are, and support one another.
Student IDs - News and Info
Student IDs serve two extremely important purposes within school this school year!
First, these IDs are used to help expedite our lunch lines, and secondly, allow us to know actual student attendance on any bus ride!
IDs in the school lunch line
Please note, it is extremely important your student has his or her student ID for lunch each day! Students who do not have an ID are asked to wait until the end of the line to get their meal.
IDs on the bus
Any time a student rides a bus (even for athletic events), students will be required to scan their IDs. This will allow "real time" access to data indicating student attendance on bus routes. This is extremely important in the case of an emergency!
Please note the use of student IDs in these situations is now the expected norm for the school year!
Please encourage - and remind - your student to wear his or her ID as he or she moves through the lunch line, and please remind your student to scan his or her ID as the enter and leave his or her bus!
Secondly, please help to ensure your student has a secure way to locate his or her ID - whether through a lanyard, wallet, card case, etc. If you need assistance with this, please contact your student's school counselor.
What if your student loses his or her student ID this year? Please have your student talk to a staff member about requesting a new one for him or her. We have the ability to print new IDs for students in-house. Please note students will be provided one free replacement ID from Unit 5. Additional IDs will cost $3.00!
Promise Council at Parkside Junior High School
The history of Promise Councils in Unit 5 schools began in 2009 with one elementary school. Over the years, by adding additional Promise Councils at schools, hundreds of children have benefited from the support of caring adults in our community. This year Parkside Junior High School is a fortunate recipient of a Promise Council and we need your help. The main goal of a Promise Council is to remove barriers to learning so that all students, regardless of socio-economic status, have the opportunity to achieve success at school.
Already this year and as the year progresses, the staff at PJHS, along with our Family Coordinators will identify items (food, clothing, household items, shoes, personal hygiene items, etc.) that students need. If you are interested in assisting the Promise Council to fill the student needs such as the ones listed, among others, please consider adding your information to this simple FORM. Our goal is to create a list of individuals who are willing to receive email requests to assist with fulfilling the requests. When a need arises, a mass email would go out to everyone with details of the request. Your email address will be kept confidential and only used for the purpose of the PJHS Promise Council. Thanks for your support!
FastBridge "aMath" and "aReading" Assessments
Please note Unit 5 has replaced the NWEA MAP tests with new, universal assessments called "aMath" and "aReading." Similar to MAP assessments, these tests will allow staff and families to monitor their students' progress three times throughout the school year. Also similar to MAP, students will be able to take these digital assessments on their school devices. However, in an advantage over the MAP assessments, students will be able to complete each assessment within an individual class period! This will greatly help in limiting any disruption to our students' school day!
Please note our students participated in each assessment - "aMath" and "aReading" - on Tuesday, August 30th and Wednesday, August 31st! As noted, students will complete each assessment during the school day, in one of their class periods.
YEARBOOKS!
2021-2022 Yearbook Update!
Didn't order a yearbook last year but wish you did!? We have extras to sell! They are $25 each, cash or check made out to PJHS. They can be picked up from the main office during school hours.
Arrival and Dismissal
School Basics
School Hours: 8:45 - 3:45
Office Hours: 8:00 - 4:15
Drop off:
Students may be dropped off at the main entrance from the parking lot.
We welcome students by opening our doors at 8:25 a.m. because staff begins work hours at 8:25 a.m. Please do not allow students out of cars until 8:25 due to safety measures.
Pick Up:
Students must be picked up by 3:55 p.m. because staff ends their work day at that time. We do not have supervision for students after 3:55 p.m. unless they are participating in a club, athletics, or a special event.
Cell Phone Reminders
Cell phones have been a topic of discussion for all students. Again the school policy is SILENT AND AWAY. Students have been receiving reminders of this policy as a first step if they are seen with their cell phone out. Soon students may receive an office referral if they are using or checking their cell phone throughout the day without permission. Please help to reinforce this at home as well. Thank you for your continued support at Parkside!
Athletics Update
NEW!! Athletics Update Site
Click to access the new Athletics Update site. The site will have information pertaining to tryouts, upcoming events, and more! We will still be using 8to18 for all registrations, and posts will still be made on Facebook and Infinite Campus when needed in addition to morning announcements. The goal is to improve communication and provide a place for students and families to get the info they need with a more user-friendly experience on our end and yours.
Boys Basketball
Tryouts begin on October 17th and will include multiple sessions for 7th and 8th grade teams. Exact times will be released by October 7th, after all fall/winter sports coaches meet to reserve gym spaces.
6th graders should expect to play on the 6th grade team, but are welcome to try out for the 7th grade team per IESA rules. Once we have volunteer coaches for 6th grade and see registration numbers, we will determine how many teams (either 1 or 2) from Parkside are entered in the Eastview School League where most games are played. Several area schools are participating, and we were fortunate enough to have Parkside Orange and Parkside Black teams to give kiddos more time on the court.
Coaches Needed
6th grade basketball - Volunteer position(s), usually a parent/guardian of a current 6th grader. If interested, email Mr. Haws - hawsj@unit5.org. Multiple coaches are likely needed to support a growing program.
Wrestling - Paid, must apply through the District Website. We have a head coach, but need an assistant.
Important Links / Resources
Athletics Brochure (Start/End Dates for Each Season & Player Requirements)
8to18 Website (Registration & Team Schedules)
PTO Updates
Calling all parents! We have an opportunity for you! If you are interested in being our hospitality chair please reach out to parksidejrhighpto@gmail.com. This position is a fun one! You help to plan food, treats and other surprises for the staff! Need more information you can request that at the same email. Thank you!
Upcoming Dates to Note
Monday, September 5th - No School, Labor Day
Thursday, September 8th - Promise Council Meeting at 4:30
Thursday, September 8th - PTO Meeting at 7:00
Tuesday, September 13th - Half day, dismissal at 11:45
Thursday, September 15th - Lockdown Drill
Friday, September 30th - Institute Day, No School