Providence Hall Junior High
11/28-12-3
Harvest Complete
I hope you all had a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving filled with lots of whatever brings you joy. I am happy to report that the Summers made it to Horton, Kansas where we enjoyed first, second, and late-night third Thanksgiving dinners. We snuggled with our brand new nephew, ate way more than any reasonable person should, started and finished a 1,000 piece farm puzzle, crowned a new 2021 Monopoly champion, competed in an intense family gingerbread house building contest, and made it home safely after a very long (and sometimes noisy) car ride.
This year, Thanksgiving in Kansas was unique for several reasons, but one that stuck out was the fact that there was still work to be completed to finish up this year's harvest. Although the contribution I made of getting all of the equipment off of the land and put away for the season was extraordinarily small, I couldn't help but snag a picture of a hard-earned goal completed. There is something absolutely magical about pictures on a farm.
In case you didn't know, because I certainly didn't, the majority of farmers in Kansas do what is called "dry farming", which means, they have little to no sprinkler systems and rely solely on whatever falls from the sky. As you can imagine, this takes months and months of soil prep, seed purchasing and spreading, and learning to have nerves of steel as you obsessively watch the Weather Channel every single day.
If, as a farmer, you are lucky enough to get the perfect amounts of rain, sun, and cooperative farm equipment, then at the end of a season you get the Herculean task of trying to get the crops out of the ground and trucked in to be sold before the weather and the ground turns into a muddy frozen mess for the season.
If you are unlucky and the rain never comes, the sun never lets up, then you have to watch all of the hard work and money burn up right before your eyes. It is not a profession for the weak of heart.
Luckily, the stars aligned this year, and there was FINALLY a good crop, sold at a good price, and years and years of blood, sweat, and tears paid off. Harvest was a success and my dad came home really dirty and happy as a clam.
How many of us have worked for years and years to achieve a goal, only to come up against a wall over and over again?
How many times have we struggled with solving equations, writing essays, or being able to hit the exact note of a song or nail all of the choreography in a dance?
When you're in the midst of learning, have you ever stopped to think about what a gift it is to fail at something?
Without failing, goals and growth would be as meaningless as learning how to snow ski but never leaving the sunny beaches of Florida. It is failing and getting back up and trying again that makes attaining goals feel so insanely incredible.
As we go into this next semester of learning and life, I urge us to remember, “Failure is a delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end.” – Denis Waitley
If we all just keep coming back and getting back up, we will eventually all have an extraordinarily amazing harvest.
As always Patriots...
You are loved!
Mrs. Summers
Mr. Hawkins
Mrs. Turley
We are super excited to see if a Providence Hall mobile app would be something our community could benefit from. If this is something you like and you think is worth investing in, please speak up or forever hold your peace!
Here is a link to a short feedback survey. If you have a moment and would be willing to give your input, please click here. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uf4SSpLdKVUvG03v15y4N1pixUqCYLIDg3Xiy3K3ECg/edit?usp=sharing
I have also sent out the survey link through the app for anyone that has downloaded it.
We will be trying this through the month of December and need to get your input before making any final decisions.
Winter Wonderland Dance Is Almost Here
Would You Be Available To Lend A Hand With the dance?
PHJH Patriot Parents,
Have you always wanted to attend a middle school dance?
If you answered yes, boy do we have an opportunity for you!
We need some extra hands to pull the Winter Wonderland dance off this year, and would love your help. If you are interested in reliving your glory days please complete the form below. We would love to have any help we can muster.
Please click this link to help with the Winter Wonderland school dance
You can also complete the volunteer form by using the QR code below.
PHJH Is Excited to Provide Service To Our Families That Need A Little Extra Help This Year
Once you have picked an ornament, please tell Mrs. Cutrer or Mrs. Nelson, so they know who has the ornament, and what items are still needed.
Starting Dec. 1st, we will also have an electronic ornament sign up for anyone who wants to participate but doesn't have time to come into the building.
Let's make sure ALL of our Patriots are taken care of this holiday season.
Paper Crane Wishes
We had a goal of making 1,000 cranes between all of the grades, and we completely knocked that goal out of the ballpark.
We ended up making a total of 6,100 cranes!!!
When we hit the 1,000 mark, we got to make ONE wish for the school, but since we hit 6,100 cranes, we need your help with all of the wishes we get to make.
Would you please complete this form with the wishes you would like to make:
https://forms.gle/6Zxu1JH9YxEBhPTX9
Wishes that get chosen will get a prize and be announced on video announcements next week.
I am so proud of you!
Mrs. Whittmer
Please click the link below to view this week's menu
PTO Newsletter #ourfavoritepeople
If you have ever been curious about how you can help here at PHJH, we are about to introduce you to the people who work all the magic behind the scenes!!!
Please click on the link to see all of the amazing things our PTO does to support our school. There are so many ways to help even if you can't be at the school in person.
Thank you, PTO for putting this together, and for being the heart of Providence Hall!
We Are Looking To Hire A Girl's Basketball Coach
If you LOVE basketball, working with students to develop their skills, and would like some extra money, we might have just the job for you!!!
If you are interested, please email: Bhawkins@providencehall.com
PHJH COACH ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Cooperates with administration regarding preseason paperwork (rosters & compliance lists) prior to the first practice. – Get necessary info to front office secretaries.
· Cooperates with requests for information from the administration on time.
· Abides by all relevant Board policies, administrative, and PHCS guidelines.
· Follows proper budget and purchase order procedures.
· Supervises practice area and locker room when athletes are present.
· Publicizes team and individual accomplishments to the school (daily announcements).
· Demonstrates care of school facilities and equipment.
· Prepares a detailed inventory of team equipment and updates it after each season.
RELATIONSHIPS:
· Demonstrates enthusiasm for working with student-athletes.
· Communicates effectively with athletes and parents.
· Establishes and maintains good rapport with faculty, administration, coaching staff, and opposing school teams and coaches.
· Promotes all school activities and encourages students to participate in a variety of activities.
· Keeps commitments and is punctual.
· Shows an interest in the athletes’ academic experiences and helps student-athletes maintain good academic standing
· Supports team as well as individual accomplishments.
COACHING PERFORMANCE:
· Conducts self in a professional and sportsmanlike manner at all times.
· Encourages players and parents to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.
· Teaches the fundamental philosophy, skills, and knowledge essential to the sport.
· Practices are organized and achieve the desired objective.
· Praises athletes for positive performances.
· Offers constructive criticism for poor performances in a way that does not belittle the athlete.
· Maintains effective individual and team discipline at practice and in games. (Representatives of Providence Hall)
· Provides opportunities for all members of the team to participate, depending upon their ability and effort, while maintaining a competitive squad.
· Team’s performance reflects enthusiasm, motivation, proper fundamentals, and sportsmanship.
Partnering with CTEC Business and Marketing Students
We are excited to inform you that the students picked Providence Hall as one of the organizations it will work with this year!
This is a great opportunity for us as a community to support students with hands-on learning and experience and get some free marketing help from a student's point of view.
To start the project, students have asked that we have the PH community complete this survey so they can see what you love and what you would like to see improved here at PHJH.
Please help these kids out by completing the form below.
Last chance for this session to complete the Terrace Metrics Student Screener Information and Permission Slip
Good Morning PHJH Patriots.
Please review the attached letter and above video from Mr. Marshall with information about a Terrace Metrics program we will be administering after Thanksgiving break. We would like for all students in grades 6-8 to take the screener while at school.
In order for your child to participate, we will need the form below completed and returned by November 20th.
We as a PH leadership team feel like this tool is extremely valuable in being able to better to identify and serve the mental health needs of our students.
We are offering a student incentive for getting the permission forms completed.(Even if parents choose to not have students participate in the survey.)
Here is the breakdown:
Each grade level that turns in 80% of their forms will receive one dress-down day.
Each grade level that turns in 85% of their forms will receive two dress-down days.
Each grade level that turns in 95% of their forms will receive three dress-down days.
Even if you choose to have your child NOT participate, it will count towards getting permission slips signed.
Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and read the attached information about the program. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions that are unanswered after going over the given resources.
As always Patriots…
You are loved!
FAQ about the Terrace Metrics Student Screener
Terrace Metrics
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the data kept confidential?
Per the signed data security agreement, Terrace Metrics does not have access to identified student data. Terrace Metrics does not sell any data, does not share any information, and does not link to any third-party vendors.
The only individuals who have access to student data are members of the school and district response team. This is limited to administrators, school counselors, and social workers. No teachers will have access to student data or student reports.
Why did the LEA choose Terrace Metrics specifically?
The Utah State Board of Education has identified Terrace Metrics as an approved screening tool to provide as a service to students and families within the state. Providence Hall chose Terrace Metrics because of the range of indicators that it offers, focusing on not only risk but also protective factors. It also gives us an opportunity to work more closely with parents to ensure student success.
Is this all about SEL?
Terrace Metrics is primarily a screening tool. It is used to identify student needs as well as student strengths.
There is no forced curriculum that accompanies the use of Terrace Metrics.
Terrace Metrics is focused on student behavioral health, not social-emotional learning.
How are parents involved?
Parents have access to all of the domains and items included in the screener.
Parents have access to all of their student’s results and will be emailed a customized report of their student’s results with related resources and relevant information.
What type of training is provided?
Members of the student response team (administrators and counseling team) received training on the administration of and procedures related to Terrace Metrics.
There is no training or set curriculum provided to students as Terrace Metrics is primarily a screening and identification tool used to identify student strengths and needs.
How often will the screener be given?
The Terrace Metrics will be administered 1-2 times in the 2021-2022 school year. Additional screenings are available and may take place as needed on an individual basis in an effort to meet student needs.
Who do I contact with more questions?
Parents are invited to contact Terrace Metrics directly to help answer any additional questions. They can be contacted at info@terracemetrics.org
To complete the consent form please click on the link provided below.
COVID Booster Shot Information
Educators and community members,
BOOSTERS
COVID-19 BOOSTER appointments are available now! Please feel free to share with anyone you know. Follow the scheduling link below to find where Community Nursing Services is offering opportunities within SLCO.
Following a formal recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)/CDC and in line with direction from the Utah Department of Health, Community Nursing Services (CNS) Immunization Program began offering COVID-19 BOOSTER doses to eligible individuals 10/22/2021.
PFIZER and Moderna
Both PFIZER and Moderna COVID-19 booster doses are recommended for people at highest risk for severe COVID-19 including:
· people who are 65 or older, and
· people 18 and older who live in a long-term care facility, and
· people 18 and older with underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and
· people 18 and older who live or work in a setting that puts them at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19, such as healthcare workers and teachers.
Note that recommendation applies to individuals who received either the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 or Moderna vaccine for their primary series at least 6 months prior.
“Data reviewed by the FDA and ACIP showed booster doses can prevent further hospitalizations and death for those individuals who are at highest risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Data shows that the vaccines continue to provide very good protection against severe COVID-19 illness in the general population. Most Utahans do not need a booster at this time, but a booster can help add another layer of protection to those people at the highest risk of severe COVID-19,” said Dr. Leisha Nolen, UDOH state epidemiologist.
Note the underlying conditions below. As with initial roll out, individuals will need to self attest to eligibility for such conditions.
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic lung diseases
- Neurological conditions, such as dementia
- Diabetes
- Down syndrome
- Heart conditions
- HIV infection
- Liver disease
- Mental Health conditions such as depression
- Overweight
- Pregnancy and recently pregnant
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Smoking, current or former
- Solid-organ or blood stem cell transplant
- Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
- Substance use disorders
- Weakened immune system
Johnson and Johnson
For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
Options
There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots without preference.
Though CNS will not be providing individual on-site BOOSTER clinics within schools similar to the initial roll out, we would like you to be aware of some CNS locations in SLCO where appointments are now available for those eligible. Note that BOOSTER doses are readily available throughout the state at varied locations including pharmacies, health departments, providers offices, etc.
Please share the following scheduling link as you feel appropriate (minus my own email and signature line as I will be unable to respond).
COVID-19 vaccine appointment scheduling link:
5-11 year olds
CNS will begin administering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by appointment to individuals age 5-11 years old beginning Tuesday, November 9th at the following two locations:
· WVC Immunization Clinic
o Tuesday 12:00-4:30
o Thursday 12:00-4:30
· Meadow Peak at Summit Vista
o Tuesday 1:00-6:00
o Thursday 1:00-6:00
o Saturday 9:00-2:00
Appointments are REQUIRED due to the limited amount of vaccine available.
To schedule an appointment for children 5-11 years old, please visit www.cns-cares.org/COVID19 and select the PEDIATRIC COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENT (age 5-11) Pfizer option. Should appointments be filled, please check back weekly as additional opportunities will be opened as vaccine inventory increases.
Note that this represents just one of the many available locations for 5-11 year old COVID-19 vaccinations. Individuals are encouraged to check with their provider, pharmacy, local health department and community partner each week for open appointments.
CNS will not be providing on-site COVID-19 clinics at individual schools at this time.