Griffin Pride
SPJHS School Edition *December 2021*
Upcoming Calendar Events for December 2021
SPJHS NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) Food/Clothing Drive:
Judging will take place on December 15, 2021 Class Competition!
SPIRIT WEEK!
- Monday 12/13 - Merry Monday Morning (Pajama Day)
- Tuesday 12/14 - T'was the right Tuesday (Dress as your favorite Gift)
- Wednesday 12/15 - Sweater Weather Wednesday (Show off your Ugly Sweater)
- Thursday 12/16 - Jingle Bells Thursday (Flash Holiday Bling)
- Thursday 12/16 - Winter Groove School Dance (Invitation Only) 12:30pm - 2:30pm $2.00
- Friday 12/17 - ELF-riday (Dress like an ELF)
Winter Break - December 20, 2021 - January 03, 2022
Teachers Corner
Hello Parents and Guardians
National Novel Writing Month has come to a close! We had several amazing writers participate in our club, as well as Mrs. Barnett! Students enjoyed the challenge of writing their own stories and continued to update their word counts throughout the month. Many students also updated their initial challenges as they surpassed their initial goal estimates! Students will have a chance to edit their stories and share them with the school. Thank you to all who participated, and to the families who supported their young writers!
~Ms. Labuz
Parents of students receiving ESS services, please complete the parent survey ASAP. It is required by the Arizona Department of Education. Please contact Ms. Moore for more details. (602) 243-8496
~Paige Moore
ESS Coordinator
During this month, in the 8th Grade, we will be learning about the Great Depression. In the 7th Grade, we will be learning about how the Constitution was written. If your student is absent or needed extra credit work they have items open in IXL. They can complete the work and touch base with me later.
~Ms. Hensley
7/8 Social Studies Teacher
In Social Studies, the students will analyze the role of the pharaoh during Egypt's Old Kingdom.
~Ms. Ray 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
In this block, we are diving into literature standards and expanding our writing skills. We will have a few more opportunities to do independent research, create presentations, write both informationally and creatively, as well as deepen comprehension in all forms of reading.
~Ms. Souva
7/8 ELA Teacher
The Importance of Sleep
Sleep Is Important To Your Child
Sleep loss may lead to increased weight gain and obesity.xii One study of teenagers showed that, for each hour of sleep lost, the odds of becoming obese increased.xiii Sleep helps maintain the healthy balance of a number of hormones, including the ones that control appetite.xiv Thus, loss of sleep may lead to increased appetite, overeating, and unhealthy weight gain.
Click the link below to read the complete article.
Mr. Flores
7th/8th Grade Science Teacher
Uniform Compliance Update In Effect January 2022
Uniform COMPLIANCE Update in Effect January 2022
As of January 2022 Crocs will no longer be permitted to be worn on campus. We have asked students to ensure they are wearing them so straps are behind the heel to avoid them being out of compliance and “slip-ons”. Due to the many redirections in the last 3 months, the school expectation will be that crocs are “no longer permitted” to be worn on campus. Crocs are not ideal footwear for students to play basketball or volleyball, especially when the back strap is not properly secured around their heel. Per the school handbook, policy shoes are to be closed-toe shoes. Slides, sandals, house slippers/shoes, etc. not permitted. For student safety, while interacting on campus Crocs will NOT be permitted as of January 2022.
South Pointe Junior High School
Email: spjhsinfo@leonagroup.com
Website: https://www.southpointejh.com/
Location: 217 East Olympic Drive, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: (602) 243-8496
Facebook: http://facebook.com/SPJHS
Bus Safety Tips No.1
- NO -phone/technology use on the bus
- NO -pencils/pens should be out
- No - eating/drinking on the bus
Bus Safety Tips No.2
- Remain seated
- Sit facing forward
- Keep aisle clear
Bus Safety Tips No.3
- Low voice levels on the bus
- Hands, feets, & objects to yourself
- Mask up at all times
Bus Riders Mask up!
Masks (Transportation)
Masks are required if your student is riding on a school bus. Masks are to be worn covering their nose and mouth areas while on the school bus. Please ensure your student is prepared for transportation and has a mask. Failure to have a mask will result in your student not being able to board the school bus. The school has given out masks freely since the pandemic began, and at this time we have depleted the inventory of masks and have a short supply of masks.
Transportation (Cariina App)
Go to www.cariina.com to learn more about the APP for your student’s transportation department
Download the Cariina Parent App
Click on “First login in? Press here!”
Enter your email address
Email Rogelio.Ramirez@leonagroup.com for support if you do not receive the automated email
With the app you can let us know that your student:
will not be riding the bus (absence notice for bus transportation)
Will be parent pick-up
Check to verify your student boarded the bus
See where your student is at on the route map
Tutoring and Lunch Lab
Tutoring & Lunch Lab
South Pointe Junior High is proud that it offers FREE after-school tutoring Monday-Thursday from 3:30-4:30 pm with highly qualified staff. We do not offer transportation for after-school clubs or activities, but we are working to develop plans and a means to offer transportation in the future for these activities. Block 2 we have begun our Lunch Lab support for students who have a D or F. At South Pointe Junior High School D’s and F’s are not passing and therefore Lunch Lab is to support students who may have a low academic mark to show improvement. Lunch Lab details:
Open to “all” students
Required for those who have a D or F
Grades are run each Sunday evening for the upcoming week
Students are able to view StudentVue (grades, assignments, etc.)
Students are able to request to meet with a teacher
Students can get help on assignments
Students are modeled how to advocate for themselves and show improvement
It is the student's responsibility to ask and receive extra help.
We hope to see you all soon!
~ Ms. Chavez, Paraprofessional
Cellphone Policy
Please ensure to remind your student to place their cellphone on silent or power off their cellphone while in the classroom and on campus. If a student has to make a call, they may notify the Dean of Students to request the use of the phone in room #10 or in the School Office. If a student has a cell phone out, it will be confiscated and parents will be notified to pick the device up at the end of the day. Use of wireless earbuds on campus is not permitted.
~Ms. Villalobos
School Dean
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
PBIS Tip!
South Pointe Junior High School uses Positive Behavior Strategies and Support with our students. How can parents support what the students are learning at school?
Different homes may have different expectations for their children’s behavior. Whatever you as a parent decide is right and okay for your home, it is important that you set the expectations and follow through! Remember that every child is different, even children in the same family living in the same home. What works for some children will not work for all!
Positive Behavior Tip For Parents:
#1 Use positive wording or phrases instead of “Don’t run in the store,” try “You must walk in the store.” Instead of “Stop yelling,” try “Use your inside voice.” Instead of “No throwing the ball in the house,” try “You can only throw the ball outside.”
PBIS Coach
Ms. Jamison
Dear Parent or Guardian,
We have recently acquired IXL. Students have been mastering a lot of skills and we just want to encourage that throughout this block and over the break. We are in the process of a diagnostic for the students and you will soon be able to see where their skills lie and potential growth subjects.
IXL is designed to help your child learn at their own pace. The program is adaptive and will adjust based on your child's demonstrated understanding of the material. All of your child's results will be saved, so you can monitor their progress anytime by clicking on Analytics. For on-the-go practice, you can download IXL's free mobile apps for Apple, Android, or Kindle and sign in with your child's username and password.
I hope you'll encourage your child to use IXL regularly. Here's to a year of working together to make learning fun!
Sincerely,
Ms.McGrath and Mr. Johnson
Covid Health & Safety Measures
For all students doing in-person learning the following guidelines are expected of all persons entering campus. If in the past ten days the student or any member of their household experienced any of the following symptoms they are directed to remain home.
- Fever 100.4℉ or higher
- New or worsening cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore Throat
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- New loss of taste or smell
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
If the student or anyone in their household has had a significant exposure with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 or is suspected to have COVID-19 the student is directed to remain home. (Significant exposure is defined as exposure for greater than 10 minutes or less than six feet apart)
Reminders:
- SPJHS Mask-Up (masks are required on all school buses)
- Wash hands often and thoroughly
- Use hand sanitizer as often as possible
- If you are showing any symptoms or someone in your household inform the school and remain HOME
- Monday-Thursday dismissal is 3:15 pm
- Friday dismissal is 12:15 pm
- Students are expected to be picked up within 15 minute after the school day has ended
- If you are running more than 15 minutes late please contact the front office 602.243.8496
- If student is not picked up on time or school is not informed emergency contact(s) will be contacted to pick up student.
- After school programs are open Monday-Thursday if you would like your to pick up your student later than dismissal - please submit a permission slip for your student to participate.
Tutoring / Wednesday Dance & Art
- Tutoring & Wednesday Arts both end at 4:30 pm
- Students should be picked up no later than 4:45 pm
- Staff is not available past 4:45 pm to supervise students
- Failure to pick up student at designated time may result in student not being able to participate in activity
(NSLP) National School Lunch and Breakfast Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) are federally assisted meal programs through the United States Department of Agriculture operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free breakfast and lunches to children each school day. The USDA Foods Program supports domestic nutrition programs and American agricultural producers through purchases of 100% American-grown and -produced foods for use by schools and institutions participating in the federal program.
- Students are to take each item from the meal line to complete a nutritional meal
- ALL students are provided a FREE breakfast and lunch
- Students are permitted to bring their own "meal" - (must be an entire meal, not just snacks) cold and hot packs should accompany the meal.
- If a student brings snacks to school they must leave them at the front office and pick them up when they leave campus
- Snacks (an incomplete meal) is non-compliance with the NSLP program
These expectations have been in effect for several years for both school and students.