Redwing News
September 2023
A Few Housekeeping Items
- 10/4/23: Count Day (please avoid appointments, if possible).
- 22-23 Test Results: 9th and 12th Grade Families, test results from last year's state assessments were distributed during Seminar this week, please take a few minutes to review them with your child. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to your child's counselor. 9th Grade- Nicole Toft, 10-12th (Last Names A-L): Tammi Ballard, or 10-12th (Last Names M-Z) Becky Holmes-Bukantis. This may also be a helpful resource: State Assessment in Michigan: What It Is - What It Means - What It Offers
- 10/4 Nationwide Emergency Testing: The Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to conduct a nationwide test to gauge how effective the governmentโs mass communication can be in the event of an emergency, the agency said in a statement. Cell phones will sound and display the message: โTHIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.โ This is not specific to SJHS or SJPS, but we want families and students aware.
- Michigan Career Pathfinder: The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has partnered with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to enhance the Michigan Career Pathfinder (mitalent.org) Resources page with organized resources that will help students and their families review college information, find financial aid information, get a job, serve their community or country, assess their skills if unsure of their path, and explore opportunities to earn college credit or receive training in high school. Help your kids explore in-demand careers and the credentials theyโll need on Pathfinder. The recently updated Pathfinder uses current labor market information and wage data to help you learn about career paths in Michigan. Get started at Pathfinder.MiTalent.org
- SJPS Facebook: If you're not following St. Johns Public Schools on Facebook, you are missing out on lots of exciting stories from SJHS and all district schools. Please consider following is here!
- Parent Resources: Parenting is Challenging, but resources are available. Please check out this page on the SJPS Website for many parent and student resources.
- EMERGENCY PAGE TONE for announcements in the building: Starting 10/2, we plan to use a different EMERGENCY page tone to begin emergency announcements and drills. We will demonstrate this for students on 10/2. The idea will be to prioritize EMERGENCY announcements over general announcements. We currently use the same "tone" for all announcements. Emergency announcements include MERT Alerts, Tornado, Shelter in Place, Lockdown, and Drills of those events. We don't want this to cause distress, but merely draw extra attention to Emergency Announcements. Student safety is a top priority and something that we can always improve and grow in.
Picture Retakes & Make Ups 10/3
RETAKES of school portraits are scheduled for October 3rd. Photos will begin around mid-morning.
- This is an opportunity for students who are dissatisfied with their original photos taken on 8/23. These students should dress to have their photo taken and bring their original package with them.
- This is also the make-up date for students who did not have their photo taken on 8/23. All students must have their photo taken for identification. Those wishing to purchase a packet may do so using the information below:
NOTE: THIS IS A LINK FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL. YOU WILL NEED TO USE A DIFFERENT LINK FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. ALL ORDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE.
This is a link to take advantage of our special Prepaid Package pricing (BEST VALUE). Please submit your order on or before your child's scheduled picture day. All orders will be processed and the picture packages will be delivered back to the school about 3 weeks after picture day. If you choose not to take advantage of this special prepaid package pricing you will receive information when the prepaid packages are delivered to the school with an opportunity to submit a reorder.
There will be no order forms sent home. If you would rather not submit an online order please call the studio 989-227-8441 and we will take your order over the phone.
NOTE: The school picture that you will see on the ordering site is a sample picture not of your child.
Directions: Simply search for your student by name. You can type either their first or last name and you will see student names pop up. If you have multiple students please submit separate orders for each child. If you do not see your students name, choose "New Person" and add their information then click the "prepay for photos button"
You DO NOT need to send the printed receipt to school. We will already have a record of your payment!
Again, click this link or copy this web address below and paste into the address bar
We are looking forward to photographing your children!! If you have any questions please call the studio 989-227-8441 or email Andrew@Canfieldjenkins.com
Student Athlete Learning Opportunity
Dr. Jacob Atem from SSHCO visits SJHS.
st. johns high school theatre presents... mean girls
SHOWS: 11/10 @ 7PM, 11/11 @ 2PM & 7PM, and 11/12 @ 2PM
Tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks!
HOMECOMING FUN!
Homecoming Court & Honorees
Freshman Homecoming Representatives: Akio Yang & Oakley Davis
Sophomore Homecoming Representatives: Nolan Koenigsknecht & Rachel Jackson
Junior Homecoming Representatives: Gabe DโValentine & Miranda Bourne
Senior Homecoming Representatives:
Parker Beebee, Mark Bendele, Ryan Dimmick, Chris Kus & Jackson Wiseman
Myah Blanchard, Isabelle Branch, Josie Heystek, Payton Hutchinson & Lily Sackrider
Honorary Redwing: Jackie Thomas
Grand Marshall: Fred Wright
2023 Homecoming King & Queen: Christopher Kus & Lillian Sackrider
The above and below Homecoming images are courtesy of Ortman Productions. There are many more great shots available at Ortman Productions.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ยฎ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Principal Dobson was excited to present Senior Isabelle Branch with an award recognizing her as a Commended Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program this morning! Isabelle plans to continue her education after high school and study Clinical Neuropsychology. "I really want to help people who are struggling with mental disorders and brain injuries". Isabelle hopes to attend Saginaw Valley State University for her undergraduate studies and the University of Michigan for her doctorate.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2024 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQTยฎ). An estimated 1.5 Millions Students take the test.
2023 AP RESULTS ARE IN and THEY ARE GREAT!
English Department Launches New Course: Sports Literature
Lead by Instructor, Barry Palmer, SJHS is offering a new elective in ELA. Per the syllabus, through the use of sports literature and other media forms, the primary objective is to develop a greater sensitivity to the world of sports and understand the relationship of sports and society. We will study various themes that arise in both fiction and non-fiction writings/readings about sports and sports figures. We will focus on three categories: Pride and Identity; Triumph; Disgrace/Tragedy. Students are seen here working on a variety if text via literature circles.
Art Students Take on the Broad Museum
A group of SJHS Art students attended the MSU Broad Art Museum Drawing Marathon. Students were able to participate in a variety of drawing activities inside the museum, including group drawing, button making, and free drawing. The Broad staff also gave our group a guided museum tour. It was a great experience for our student artists. Many students have never experienced a museum ( only 3 students had been before) making it a wonderful learning and cultural experience. The Broad in East Lansing is free and in our own backyard. It is a great family outing. The Broad encourages and welcomes everyone to enjoy Art.
Senior Portraits Due November 1
Portrait: Head and Shoulders Only / No props or Hats
Size: 1.5โ X 2โ (1โ head size)
Background Color: Blue, Grey, Brown, or Non-distracting Outdoors (including red brick)
Quality: 300 dpi or better
What to Wear: Sleeves / Solid Tones / No writing
Photographers should email the picture to:
St. Johns High School Yearbook
sjwingsyearbook@gmail.com (include student name in subject line)
- Must Include Student Name as subject and Photographerโs Contact Information
- Portraits must be sized correctly
- Name the file Last_First.jpg
Seniors who still need a senior portrait should sign up for one of the following opportunities offered at the school.
October 20: Ortman Photography
October 27: Iryshe Photography
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
free/reduced lunch application: don't scrap the app!
In the current year, lunch is free for all students. HOWEVER, IT IS STILL IMPORTANT FOR FAMILIES TO COMPLETE THE FREE/REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION
Our Free/Reduced rate is an important number used to determine individual student's and district eligibility for many programs and services for students including, but not limited to:
- Health and Wellness Services
- Before/After School Academic and Enrichment Programs
- Guidance and College Counselors
- Fee Waivers for College Applications and Admissions Tests
- Resources for Classrooms, Teachers, and Children
Thanks for your cooperation in trying to make programs and services accessible to our students.
The Positivity Project
The Positivity Project (P2) is dedicated to empowering students to build positive relationships and become their best selves. Positive psychologyโs 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 arenโt about ignoring the negative. Instead, they help us overcome lifeโs 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 18โ22: Curiosity
SEP 25โ29: Teamwork
OCT 2โ6: Open-Mindedness
OCT 16โ20: Integrity
OCT 23โ27: Creativity
NOV 6โ10: Bravery
NOV 13โ17: Gratitude
NOV 27โDEC 1: Kindness
DEC 11โ15: Self-Control
DEC 18โ22: Optimism
JAN 8-12: Prudence
JAN 15โ19: Perseverance
JAN 22โ26: Social Intelligence
JAN 29โFEB 2: Forgiveness
FEB 12โ16: Love
FEB 19โ23: Humility
FEB 26โMAR 1: Love of Learning
MAR 18โ22: Perspective
APR 1โ5: Fairness
APR 8โ12: Humor
APR 15โ19: Purpose
APR 22โ26: Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence
APR 29 โ MAY 3: Enthusiasm
MAY 6โ10: Leadership
Dates to Remember
10/1/23: Parent Teacher Conferences Sign Up Begins
10/3/23: Make Up Picture Day
10/4/23: Count Day (please avoid appointments, if possible)
10/9/23: Conference Signup Closes at 3pm
10/10/23: Parent Teacher Conferences (5-8pm)
10/11/23: Parent Teacher Conferences (3-6pm)
10/13/23: No Classes for Students
10/16/23: No Classes for Students
11/2/23: 10th Grade Students Field Trip to Career Expo at Dewitt HS
11/22-11/23: 1st Trimester Exams Early Release
5/30/24: Class of 2024 Commencement