Redwing News
November 2023
A Few Housekeeping Items
- This Newsletter: Below there are updates from several departments, staffing updates, recent events, holiday fun plans, and much more.
- Career Resources: It's never too early to be exploring next steps with your child. The link "Post Graduation Career Information" is a great resource from the State of Michigan to help with that conversation.
Come Support SJHS Performing Arts!
12/18: HS Band Christmas Concert 7:30pm
12/20: Orchestra Winter Concert 7:00pm
12/21: MS/HS Winter Choir Concert 6:30pm
DECEMBER FUN
Holiday Spirit Week - December 18 - 22
Monday - Comfy/cozy/jammies Day
Tuesday - Santa's Workshop Day - dress like Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer, snowmen or any holiday character!
Wednesday - Holiday Accessories Day - festive hats, socks, ties, scarves, earrings, etc.
Thursday - Christmas Colors Day - 9th/10th graders wear green, 11th/12th graders wear red, staff wear white
Friday - Ugly Sweater Day - the uglier & gaudier the better!
More info here
Deck the Halls!
NOW until Friday, December 15
Seminar classes can decorate their door, walls next to the door and/or ceiling in some type of holiday and/or winter scene
Don't have a seminar class? Decorate your office door/window/etc! All participation will be rewarded!
We will keep decorations up until the end of January to jazz up the hallways during the winter!
No judging, but as an incentive, seminar classrooms that are done decorating by Friday, December 15 will receive sugary treats (candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup ) on Tuesday, December 19!
More info here
Holiday Photo Booth - in the Media Center
December 1 - 20.
There will be paper slips and a QR code to record participation. Enter each time your picture is taken…no limit…take multiple pictures/selfies every day!
Prizes will be given to the student AND staff with the most participation
Milk & cookies will be given on Wednesday, Dec. 20 to the Seminar class with the most participation.
More info here
Welcome to Mrs. Autume McElroy
It is our pleasure to welcome Autume McElroy (SJHS Alum) to the office as the Administrative Assistant for Attendance and the Assistant Principal. In addition to being a SJHS alum, she is a parent of 3 kids. She is active in the community as youth cheer coach and volunteers with the HS Varsity cheer program. Report absences to the attendance line at 989-227-4144. Please continue email attendance issues to hsattendance@sjredwings.org.
12/14: Information Session about Agriscience Courses for 24-25
On 12/14/23, students are invited to come to the auditorium during Seminar to learn about Agriscience classes (Animal Science and Plants, Natural Resources & Wildlife) that will be offered in the scheduling process for 24-25 academic year. Members of both the agriculture industry and agriscience students/teachers will be available to answer questions and share information on what to expect. More information can be gathered using the links below.
Mean Girls
Congratulations to the cast, crew, and staff of Mean Girls the High School Version performed earlier this month.
Photos are courtesy of Ortman Productions. For more photos and video go to https://www.ortmanproduction.com/sjhs
WORLD LANGUAGE UPDATE
French Classes and Club
The French II class is a great mix of grades this year! Since French I is offered at the High School again, many upperclassmen have signed up to take both French and Spanish. The sharing of cultures and languages has been enriching! French II just learned about French fashion and performed elaborate fashion shows while using their language skills to describe what they were wearing. Additionally, students enjoyed a Provençal food day where they used their cultural knowledge of table etiquette while sampling salade niçoise and ratatouille--two traditional dishes. It was fun to see their reactions to new flavors and table manners. French I and III/IV/V will kick off this trimester!
French Club has been busy this past month. They celebrated La Toussaint which is on November 1st and is commemorated by bringing chrysanthemums to the graves of lost loved ones. Students learned about the traditions surrounding this day and created their own decorative mums. Later in the month, students met and created a mural with all the French-speaking countries called "Learning French to Spread Your Wings." Students took pictures of themselves with the wings and sampled some French treats.
Baila Viernes
Baila Viernes is a part of our weekly routine in my (Sra. Barry-Lasceski)
Spanish IV class. Since my first year of teaching my students’ favorite part of the curriculum has always been the introduction of new songs and artists. During class, we watch a video of a current or classic song in Spanish. It quickly became one of the things that students loved the most. Years ago, I had several very active Spanish IV classes who started wanting to dance to the songs that we were learning. So, I started playing videos that had choreography instead of just music videos. Eventually, it evolved into our bell activity/brain break every Friday. We dance at the start of class on Fridays and we do a mix of Zumba, Just Dance, or other choreography videos by Spanish artists that I find on Youtube. We play only one video per week, but it gets my students out of their seats and moving. It is a great cultural introduction to Spanish music and Spanish speaking artists. The best way to get high schoolers to dance in class is to be the example. I make a fool of myself learning the dances with them, but it definitely encourages them to try too! In the past, I have had students who are not into dancing, which is fine. But most classes come in excited and demanding their Baila Viernes every Friday. It is not uncommon to hear that our World Language students have Spanish playlists that they listen to outside of our classrooms - which makes all of us very happy!
Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos - an ancient Mexican holiday widely celebrated Nov 1-2 - is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory. In addition to parades, festivals and a mass, families construct an ofrenda in their homes - a special place with photos, candles, fresh flowers and food and drink their loved ones once enjoyed. Each year in Spanish II, we construct our own humble ofrenda and students are invited to bring in photos, candles, and food, and share stories of their loved ones. It's a wonderful way to both help students understand the holiday, as well as share personal stories about those they miss and wish to honor. For me, this activity embodies the best part of teaching and learning: Students connecting content to their own lives in a meaningful way.
From the Counseling Department
The Counseling Office has its 2023-2024 Google Classroom up and running. We will be adding information for all students including career info, dates for college visits, financial aid info, etc. Please have make sure your child adds this Google Classroom. The code is: lmskcq3
Redwing Marching Band Takes on Lansing and Detroit
- On 11/17 The RMB marched in the Annual Silver Bells in the City in lansing.
- On Thanksgiving the RMB once again marched down Woodward Ave. in Detroit for America's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
- Don't worry, you can see them right here in town at the Santa Parade on 12/1!
The Positivity Project
The Positivity Project (P2) is dedicated to empowering students to build positive relationships and become their best selves. Positive psychology’s 24 character strengths serve as its foundation. Ranging from bravery and perseverance to integrity and gratitude, the character strengths are classified and described in the 800-page book Character Strengths and Virtues. These strengths aren’t about ignoring the negative. Instead, they help us overcome life’s inevitable adversities.
Families are encouraged to follow along with the below calendar as we explore these strengths that are present in all of us. P2 for Families is a great resource that allows families to do that. The password is "p2".
P2 Character Strength Calendar
SEP 18–22: Curiosity
SEP 25–29: Teamwork
OCT 2–6: Open-Mindedness
OCT 16–20: Integrity
OCT 23–27: Creativity
NOV 6–10: Bravery
NOV 13–17: Gratitude
NOV 27–DEC 1: Kindness
DEC 11–15: Self-Control
DEC 18–22: Optimism
JAN 8-12: Prudence
JAN 15–19: Perseverance
JAN 22–26: Social Intelligence
JAN 29–FEB 2: Forgiveness
FEB 12–16: Love
FEB 19–23: Humility
FEB 26–MAR 1: Love of Learning
MAR 18–22: Perspective
APR 1–5: Fairness
APR 8–12: Humor
APR 15–19: Purpose
APR 22–26: Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence
APR 29 – MAY 3: Enthusiasm
MAY 6–10: Leadership
Dates to Remember
12/22/23: Winter Break Begins at Dismissal
1/8/24: Classes Resume
5/23/24: Seniors' Last Day of Instruction
5/24/24: Senior Exams (if required)
5/30/24: Class of 2024 Commencement- 7:30PM
Athletics and Attendance
Students involved in athletics and activities must be in school ALL DAY to be eligible for practice and/or competition. Doctor appointments, funerals, college visits, and school events will be excused with appropriate and timely documentation. All other absences would need prior administrative approval.