Griffin Pride
SPJHS School Edition *April 2021*
April Newsletter 2021
Hello Griffin Families,
Executive Order 2020-51
With the new updates shared via Governor Ducey it does "not" change our plans for South Pointe Junior High. The same safety mitigation plans we have for students, staff, and all other stakeholders remain the same.
Executive Order 2020-51 and the Arizona Department of Health Services Emergency Measure 2020-04 remain in effect. Both of these orders require all schools to implement universal masking on school campus, on school buses, during school-associated activities, and while participating in or observing any school-associated athletic activities, by all students, faculty, staff, contractors and visitors.
The following requirements listed in our COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Plan continue to be in effect:
Universal masking is required for all students, staff, and any person on school grounds, in school-provided transportation, or participating in or attending a school-sponsored event, whether inside or outside.
Face coverings must be worn properly with the nose and mouth covered at all times except when eating or drinking or when in an area designated for mask breaks.
Masks must be worn outdoors unless the student is in an area designated for mask breaks.
Students, employees, vendors, or other service providers are expected to bring their own cloth or surgical face mask to and from school. Disposable face masks will be available and provided if someone does not have a mask.
Enhanced masking strategies recommended by the CDC are highly recommended. These include appropriate mask fit and materials, double masking when appropriate, added filtration, and other strategies to improve fit and filtration.
All masks must meet the school’s dress code requirements.
AzMerit2 and AZScience Assessment
Testing Dates are Monday - Thursday, April 5 thru April 12, 2021.
Click to go to this link for the Assessment calendar. https://ggle.io/3wcy
8th Grade Promotion Information
As you know the end of the school year is fast approaching and it is time to prepare your students and yourselves for the next phase in their educational journey. Our goal is to ensure that our 8th-grade students are prepared and ready for the next level. In order for them to be prepared, it is important that they register for high school as soon as possible. Most 8th grade students register for high school by December. As our eighth-grade students work toward completing their school year we want to encourage registration, as the first step in being prepared for high school. The other exciting news is promotion information. The following information will help you prepare for the end of year activities.
Students will not wear a cap and gown, as the special moment should be focused on their high school graduation of earning their diploma. The 8th grade promotion is a stepping stone to their high school diploma.
Students will all be awarded medals to signify our unity and various recognitions.
Yearbook 8th Grade Dedication Page Options:
If you are interested in purchasing a page the cost is:
¼ page - $5.00
½ page - $10.00
Full Page - $15.00
You may bring photos to the front office to scan/copy for powerpoint. We can assist with the page set-up and will have you sign off prior to publication, or you may create your own dedication page and share it with the school.
Due date March 5, 2021
8th Grade Promotion Presentation!
3-4 photos submitted for each 8th grader promoting
Baby photo, family photo, etc.
Please submit 8th Grade Photos via website electronically or send it to the front office so we may make a copy to include in our 8th Grade Promotion presentation. DUE March 31, 2021.
Summer School!
It's that time again, to register your student for Summer School at SPJH! Click the link below to register today, or visit the school's website at www.southpointejh.com/summerschool to learn more. Click here to reserve your spot: https://ggle.io/3vNM
Summer School Enrollment
- Monday - Thursday
- June 01, 2021 - Thursday, June 24, 2021
- 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (Virtual / remote learning)
- Free Breakfast and Lunch will be served daily
Summer School Themes 2021:
- STEAM Week
- Around The World
- So You Think You Don't Know Math..Think again
- Get Inside the Brain
SPJHS Staff Corner
During block 4, students will practice writing by using the steps in the writing process. The students will also work on reading informational texts.
~ Mr. Ray
Hello, sixth-grade math is currently learning how to create and evaluate statistical questions. Students are also working towards creating a survey that they will collect and evaluate data for the school. In science, we are working on a unit to explore how humans affect the environment around us. Students have been very creative in completing a project to "Transform their Trash"; creating ways to reuse items instead of disposing of them. We will also continue working on this area of focus and explore ways that all people can improve the environment.
~ Ms. Labuz
Beyond Textbooks
There are some great resources for parents in Beyond Textbooks. BT, as we refer to it as, is the main curriculum used here at South Pointe Junior High as well as many of our other Leona Elementary schools. There has been extensive training to date for teachers and support staff which guides us in our implementation of the program.
Below is a link to the page where you can find those resources:
Virtual Bell Schedule
Covid Safety Measures
Families if you are opting for your student to do 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 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 of persons on SPJHS campus) (Solid, Pattern, No Wording)
- 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
Upcoming Calendar Events
There will be a half days on:
Friday, April 09, 2021
Friday, April 16, 2021
Friday April 23, 2021
Friday, April 30, 2021
There will be no classes held on:
April 02, 2021 in observance of GOOD FRIDAY!
Community Resources
Many of the organizations listed below help locate resources and services to meet some ongoing support needs of consumers:
So what is StudentVue and ParentVue?
StudentVUE is an excellent way to monitor your education at The Leona Group Schools. StudentVUE will provide you with up to date information about your attendance and grades, among other features. To activate your account and login for the first time, there are 8 easy steps to follow. firstname.lastname@southpointejh.com for your letter, if you didn’t receive it contact the school office.
Activation First Name XXXX
Activation Last Name XXXX
Activation Key (7digt unique numbers/letters)
Web Address: https://leonagroup.apscc.org/PXP2_Login_Student.aspx ( Button on the Homepage Website)
Your Activation Key has no expiration.
ParentVue
Parents and Guardians, if you want to stay on top of your students' grades, missing assignments, and attendance, you can do this by accessing your ParentVue account. Activation letters are being mailed out this week. Please remember to use the personal email account you have on file with the school office and follow the step by step instructions.
School Uniforms and Hoodies
School Uniforms can be purchased at the school office or by phone with cash or credit card. Costs are $8.00 each, 3/$20.00, or 5/$35.00. The cooler months are just around the corner so it’s the perfect time to buy your student Hoodies, the cost is $20.00 each. Mask are $3.00
SPJH Cell Phone Policy
Cell Phones
South Pointe Junior High School does not allow the use of cellular phones or technology during the school day, nor do we encourage students to bring such devices to school. Cell phones and electronic devices will not be held at the front office, as they are the responsibility of the student. If a student chooses to carry a cell phone, it must be placed in a purse, pencil case, or binder sleeve. It must not be visible or audible at ANY TIME on campus grounds or buses, or it will be confiscated. A Parent will need to pick up the cell phone from school. If technology is seen or viewed in pockets or jacket sleeves, this is a violation of school policy. Images taken on campus and evidenced violate school policy and will involve an infraction against the student. Repeated violations will result in more serious consequences. South Pointe Junior High School is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of said items. In addition, South Pointe Junior High School cannot take instructional or personnel time to search for stolen or lost phones or other electronic devices. Students are not permitted cell phone use during school hours. The school office phone number is (602) 243-8496. Please use this number in order to get an important message to your child during school hours.
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports --Kickboard and Hapara
In an effort to equip both our students and staff with relevant and effective tools, South Pointe Junior High School uses multiple technology platforms that help us ensure a safe and productive environment during this period of virtual learning. This year, our school has rolled out Kickboard and Hapara.
Kickboard is an online system that allows staff members to record and analyze each student's behavior to best meet their individual needs and goals. Kickboard allows teachers to reward students with a virtual currency (known as Griffin Dollars) for engaging in positive behaviors. Students can then redeem their Griffin Dollars for various rewards that incentivize and reinforce productive habits that increase student engagement and boost academic performance. Kickboard also allows us to design interventions when students are in need of additional coaching and offer a transparent experience for students and their families to view their behavioral data as needed. Each student has been provided with a unique access code to ensure privacy, and families can access and monitor this data through the Kickboard Family Portal. Kickboard portal can be accessed through an Internet Browser and/or can be downloaded on both an Apple iOS or Android Device. For information about your student's access code, please contact the school.
Hapara is a digital monitoring tool that allows us to ensure and verify that students are using their school devices appropriately. Hapara enables staff members to view students' online activity, open/close their tabs, view any shared documents, and send private messages as needed. This tool is designed to ensure online safety and promote healthy and productive use of school technology. All technology misuse violations identified through Hapara are logged in Kickboard.
To help ensure the safety and productivity of your student, you can follow these helpful tips...
- Be sure to verify that your student is not only logged in to their school device but that they are logged into their "live" virtual classroom. SPJHS uses Google Meet to host live class sessions. Zoom is only used for 8th Grade students that have been cleared to participate in our Bridge program with South Pointe High School.
- Remind your student of the expectations associated with using a school device: All activity on a school device must be relevant to school/class tasks. As per the SPJHS Student Handbook, Games, Music/Video Streaming, YouTube, and/or Social Media sites are not permitted when using a school device. Students that violate this expectation may have their technology privileges restricted or revoked.
- Always ensure that an SPJHS Staff Member is present in any and all Google Meet that your student is logged in to. Students should never use Google Meet outside of school hours unless it is a school-sanctioned activity (i.e. Virtual Assemblies, Conferences, School Clubs/Extracurricular Activities, etc.).
For any questions regarding our PBIS Program, please contact Mr. Sidhu (PBIS Coach) at arman.sidhu@leonoagroup.com
Tutoring / Student Support!
Virtual tutoring is in full swing 3 days a week! South Pointe Junior High School provides tutoring after school from 3:30 pm-4:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. If you need help understanding a lesson or need time to catch up on work, you are encouraged to join us! At South Pointe Junior High we are motivated to help each student succeed and are here to provide that extra support. Please join us using the Google Meet Code: spjhstutoring
SPJHS Attendance
Students participating in the virtual education option will be considered as being in attendance if the students are successfully progressing in the virtual education coursework.
- Students must be visual (camera on, mic muted).
- Successful progression means the student is submitting assignments according to the pacing guide unless approved by SPJHS.
Administrative action may result if a student is not making progress. These actions include, but not limited to, probation or removal from the class, or a charge of truancy, if appropriate. School attendance is not only a good habit, state law requires it. Arizona State Law (15-802.E, 15-803.) requires every person who has custody of a child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall make sure the child attends school for the full time school is in session unless unable to attend due to illness or another legitimate reason. Continue to report absences or when your student is not attending classes.
Please visit your school’s handbook for information pertaining to attendance procedures if you are attending classes inside the school.
Stay Informed!
It is vital that you keep your contact information including your email address current with the school office. All school communication is sent via the SchoolMessenger system where messages are sent via telephone, email, and cellphone (Text message). To receive instant text alerts for campus events, important dates, and emergency notifications; 1. ensure your mobile number(s) are on file with the school office, 2) Text YES from your device to 67587.