January Eagle News
Course Selection Night coming soon . . .
Dear Parents ~
As the end of the first semester draws near, it is time to begin the course selection process for the 2024-25 school year. The goal for all students requesting courses for next school year should be to choose courses that are rigorous to their academic level, relevant to individual interests, and will help prepare them for their post-secondary goals.
This year, course selection will be held on February 1 and 7 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm in the commons and Gym 2. Students and parents will have an opportunity to meet with teachers to select classes. We will share additional information with all JHS students and parents over the next month regarding the course selection process and how to develop a comprehensive schedule for the 2024-2025 school year.
Choosing courses and developing academic plans during high school is an important responsibility of each student. We respect their individual interests and needs as we know you do, as well. Our teachers are always willing to share their insights on individual talents and course expectations with families. Our goal is to provide you with information so that you can not only select courses for next year, but also begin to plan for the remainder of high school and beyond.
Sincerely,
Nick Skretta, Principal
COUNSELING NEWS AND
PARENT/STUDENT RESOURCES
PARENTS:
As you may have already heard, Federal Student Aid (FSA) recently updated their messaging to say the 2024–25 FAFSA® will open by December 31, 2023. While this does mean it could open to students and families any time between then and now, we think it's safe to assume it will open on the 31st.
We realize the timing for this isn't ideal, as you and your students will be on break and offices will be closed from December 22 through January 1. So we wanted to reach out ahead of time with information to prepare you, your students, and their families ahead of the winter break.
- Remind your students and their contributors that setting up their FSA ID is the best thing they can do to be ready to submit as soon as possible.
- Though the FAFSA® is releasing, FSA has cautioned us that it will be a soft launch and to expect possible maintenance pauses, waiting rooms, and other delays through January.
- Students and their families should not feel rushed to complete the FAFSA® immediately during the soft launch. FAFSAs will not be processed and sent to schools until later in January, so there is ample time to complete it.
- But with that, please encourage them to work towards completing as soon as they can so they don't face any other delays with getting their financial aid offer.
If a student isn't sure if they are eligible to submit a FAFSA®, you can refer them here.
Additionally, here are a few ways you and your students and their families can get FAFSA® support in the new year:
- College Goal Wisconsin – A free statewide program, with both in-person and virtual events
- Contact the Financial Aid Office of the school (s) you wish to attend
SENIORS:
Local Scholarships
Our local scholarship booklet was distributed to seniors on December 6. Applications are available through our online scholarship application database. Some scholarships still require a hard copy application and they are noted in the scholarship database. Additional scholarships may become available after the booklet is printed. Please pay attention to new opportunities. They will be announced to students via their school email.
Please utilize the Class of 2024 Schoology page often as scholarship information is being shared to this resource page as well.
State and National Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship applications are received in the Counseling Office throughout the school year and are accessible to students at Other Scholarship Opportunities. Students should check these applications periodically throughout the school year for updates and additional opportunities. State and National scholarships are also available on computer databases. Please be aware of scholarship scams. Scholarship information, as with all financial aid, should be free.
University Scholarships
The universities that you apply to may offer scholarships. Contact an admissions counselor at each university for specific application procedures. Check out the two resources below.
SENIORS AND JUNIORS:
ACT
* Request score reports
* Register for a national test date
* Practice for the test with ACT readiness questions
JUNIORS:
ZAPS - ACT TEST PREP
ZAPS - permission slip
JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES:
Early College Credit / Start College Now
Wisconsin’s Early College Credit and Start College Now Programs allow juniors and seniors who meet certain requirements to take post-secondary courses at a UW institution, a Wisconsin technical college or one of the state’s participating private nonprofit institutions of higher education. Approved courses can count toward high school graduation, as well as for college credit. Under these programs a student will not have to pay for a college course if the school board determines the course qualifies for high school credit and is not comparable to a course already offered in the school district. If the course is approved by the school board, the student can receive one-quarter high school credit for every one college credit earned upon successful completion of the course. To obtain the necessary forms or to discuss the possibility of participating in the ECC and/or SCN program, contact the Jefferson High School Counseling office. Applications for enrollment in the ECC and/or SCN programs must be made by March 1st for the fall semester of next school year. Requests will be presented to the School Board and the student will receive notification of the board’s decision.
ALL GRADE LEVELS:
SENIOR PHOTO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Deadline for submission of senior portraits is January 19, 2024
From the student handbook:
Jefferson High School prides itself as being a place where students can enjoy their freedom to get involved in many activities, choose their classes of interest, and express their individuality. Although we respect a student’s right to make these choices, we also need to set appropriate standards. In light of recent trends in dress, we, as an educational institution, feel the need to establish a more specific dress code to limit the definition of clothing that is appropriate for our educational setting. As always, garments bearing offensive words or offensive slogans including references to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gangs or sexual activity are not allowed. Hats and other headgear (other than for religious and/or medical purposes), such as, visors, hoods, or bandannas/headbands on the forehead, are not to be worn in the school building. These items should be kept in your locker during the school day. This excludes; pony tail holders, hair clips, and hair accessories with the purpose of keeping hair out of students’ eyes.
Building Administrators will have the final decision-making authority in all matters related to dress code and your senior photo submission.
Recommended:
- Jefferson High School uniforms for sports, music, or extra-curricular activities.
- Props that are school appropriate. For example, these may include sports gear, flowers, books, or musical instruments. Props that are not school related are prohibited.
- Nature settings that involve things like sunflowers, fallen leaves, or water are also encouraged.
Simply put, please provide a senior yearbook picture that is formal/semi-formal and is appropriate. This will be captured in the yearbook forever. Make your photo something that you can be proud of. Thanks.
Please be aware that we accept close up or long shots for student photos, yet we reserve the right to edit said photo in order to fit in the space provided.
Submitting photos:
Preferably, we would like you or your photographer to submit a photo electronically. Please email to hardinj@sdoj.org or copy onto a CD. We appreciate the photos to be of highest quality, at least 300 pixels/square inch. If this is not possible, we will enhance it ourselves.
To submit a photo manually, please send a wallet-size photo to Mrs. Hardin in room 213 at the high school. Please note that the photo will not be returned.
Note: JHS Yearbook and administration reserves the right to refuse submission of photos. If your photo is deemed unacceptable, you will be given a chance to submit a different photo. However, there will be no discussion on the matter. In other words, we do not need to explain why it is not being accepted.
Order Your Yearbook Today!
It’s that time of year again! Order your very own copy of the 2023-2024 JHS yearbook for just $60 or you can personalize it for just a few dollars more! Make sure you don’t miss out on your chance to remember a year like none other. You can go online at Jostens.com where, with just a few clicks, you can purchase your very own copy of The J. Your order will automatically be loaded into our directory and available for pickup in August.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hardin via email, hardinj@sdoj.org, or swing by her room, #213, if you need to.
Thank you for supporting the JHS yearbook. Go Eagles!