Judges' Docket
Weekly JHHS Newsletter from Principal Kablan - 10/9/2020
PSAT Exam Information
All Sophomore (and some Junior students who have registered) will be taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) on Wednesday, October 14th , 2020 (B-Day students) or Thursday, October 29, 2020 (A-Day students and distance learners) at 8:30 a.m. in the Handley gymnasium.
Here are some brief notes:
Social distancing and other COVID protocols will be in place during each testing session.
On Wednesday, October 14, B-day students will travel to school as they usually do on B days.
Students who are testing will be excused from participating in Google Meets on Wednesday, October 14.
Students who are testing will be excused from class until 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29.
Breakfast and lunch will be offered to students on each day of testing.
Distance learners, please complete this transportation needs survey by Friday, October 9.
Library News
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, here’s our Virtual Book Display which puts the spotlight on Latinx authors and their works. Take a look!
Student Activity Club (a.k.a. Loud Crowd)
If you are interested in being a member of the Loud Crowd this year, please email putnam@wps.k12.va.us to be added to the membership list.
Distance Learning Feedback
We are in our 5th week of school and we have received lots of feedback from parents on the hybrid and distance learning experience thus far in the year. Much has been positive and some has been ways we can improve. We have gathered feedback from our teachers and now want feedback from our families on how satisfied families are with our distance learning plan so that we can take corrective actions. As this is an evolving process in which we are all learning we are excited to receive your input. Please look out for a survey next week and take a moment to respond.
PSAT Preparation
Handley Regional Library has a new resource that can help you prepare for the PSAT! EBSCO Learning Express offers practice tests in reading, writing and language, and math, as well as complete simulated practice tests. You do not have to have a library card to use this resource; simply register as a new user! (Do not select "sign in with Google" as this is not a school library resource but a public library resource.)
ASVAB Career Exploration Test
We will be offering the ASVAB Career Exploration Test on Wednesday, October 21st from 8:30-11:30am at Handley in the auditorium. You must provide your own transportation and be at least 16 years old to take the test and seniors have priority.
The ASVAB is a wonderful opportunity for students to take a career exploration test to see what your area of interests are and it is also used as an entrance exam for the military.
The maximum number of students will be 20 due to capacity in space. Those listed after that number will be placed on a waiting list. So be sure to register early! The deadline for registration will be Wednesday, October 14th at 3:00pm.
Please complete the google form listed below to register and see the attached flyer for information about the ASVAB and the benefits of taking the test.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your counselor.
Google Form Link: ASVAB 2020 Fall Registration Form
John Handley High School PTSO Corner
Don't miss out! Wednesday, October 14 is the last day to support the JHHS PTSO by ordering delicious soup mixes from Happy Valley Soups. Great for dinner at home or for gifts. Just click on the link to place an order.
Chipotle Spirit Night!
Join us at the Chipotle at 2012 S Pleasant Valley Rd in Winchester on Wednesday, October 14th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Bring in this flyer, show it on your smartphone or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to John Handley High School PTSO.
NEW! ORDER ONLINE FOR PICKUP
Use code XWT6MGP before checkout in ‘promo’ field. Orders placed on Chipotle.com or through the Chipotle app for pickup using this unique code will be counted towards the fundraiser.
Español
Haz que la cena sea un acto generoso uniéndote a nosotros en un evento de recaudación de fondos para apoyar a John Handley High School PTSO. Acude al Chipotle en 2012 S Pleasant Valley Rd el Wednesday, October 14th, entre las 5:00 pm y las 9:00 pm. Trae este volante, preséntalo en tu teléfono o dile al cajero que estás apoyando la causa con el fin de asegurar que el 33% de los ingresos se done a John Handley High School PTSO.
NUEVO! ORDENA EN LÍNEA PARA RECOGER.
Usa el código XWT6MGP en la casilla de información denominada ‘promo‘. Sólo las ordenes que usen este código identificador y encargadas para recoger, vía chipotle.com o por la aplicación de Chipotle, contarán como válidas para la recaudación de fondos.
National Honor Society
If you are interested in applying for National Honor Society this year, please complete the online application form found here.
A link to this application was sent to your student's school email address on Wednesday, September 23. All applications are due by Friday, October 23.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Only sophomores, juniors, and seniors who currently have a 3.25 or higher GPA are eligible to apply.
Read the instructions on the application carefully. If you have questions, please email Mrs. Gage.
Start the application early! You will be required to obtain verifications from your sponsors to document community service, leadership, and character, as well as write an essay. This takes time!
Applicants are responsible for sending verification forms/teacher recommendation forms to the appropriate people with instructions regarding how to use them. Links to these forms can be found within the application, or at the end of this email.
Absolutely NO late or incomplete applications will be accepted.
Verification form links:
Senior Caps and Gowns and More -- Order Online
Senior Caps and Gowns and More -- Order Online
Due to COVID safety restrictions, all senior materials offered through our vendor, Jostens, are being sold via an online ordering process. These items include, but are not limited to, things like caps and gowns, class rings, graduation announcements, etc.
Important:
Orders placed before December 30, 2020, will not be charged a shipping-and-handling fee.
The gown size is chosen by Jostens, relative to your height and weight specifications (there is a field provided on the order form for this information). There is no in-person gown fitting session.
Caps and gowns will be delivered to the school and will be distributed from the school building in the spring, closer to the day of graduation. Details TBD.
Please know that there are many product package options offered by Jostens. However, you are free to purchase JUST a cap and gown. The cap and gown unit price is $27.30. This includes the cap, gown and tassel. (On the Jostens website, it’s under “Individual Products” in the “Caps and Gowns” section.)
To Order JUST a Cap and Gown, clicking here will take you directly to that page on the Jostens website.
Click here to go to browse all Jostens graduation products.
If you would prefer a paper order form to mail in to Jostens Service Center, click here, then print it on your home printer and mail to Jostens to the address they provide on the form.
Senior Portraits Makeup Day - Wednesday, November 4
As you are aware we have had to make numerous modifications to spring and summer events and activities due to COVID-19. One of these activities is having students sit for their senior portraits. As you can imagine school divisions have had to reach out to the vendors to modify this activity to include appropriate COVID-19 safety protocols. We have reached out to the vendor that is our school’s official photographer. We are excited that Victor O’Neill Studios has helped us modify our process for senior portraits.
November 4 will be our Makeup Day for Senior Portraits at JHHS.
Due to safety concerns during the COVID-19 crisis, they will no longer be mailing appointment notices home. It is safer to communicate with everyone through email and allows them to control the number of appointments throughout the day. Victor O’Neill Studios is reducing the number of appointments by 50% compared to previous years. Therefore, instead of pre-assigning a date and time for your senior portrait, they are offering you the opportunity to select your date and time through a new scheduling software. Please sign up for your session date and time here:
pickatime.com/vosphoto/handleyhs
Tuxedos and drapes will be provided by Victor O’Neill Studios for the yearbook pose, as has been the tradition at JHHS. They will still take casual and cap and gown photos. They will have the following modifications in place to ensure a safe environment for students, parents, and our staff:
Victor O’Neill Studios recommend that anyone with underlying health conditions not accompany the high school senior to the school for their portraits if at all possible.
Masks must be worn and will be provided to any student without one.
Students will follow the 6 feet social distancing guidelines.
Wash and sanitize your hands often. The vendor will provide sanitation stations throughout their portrait areas for your convenience.
Most importantly, if you feel sick, have a fever, are coughing, have difficulty breathing, or if in the last two weeks you have been in close contact with a person with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, please stay home.
Please reschedule your appointment if you or anyone in your family is feeling unwell.
If you have any questions related to the senior portrait process, please reach out to Mr. Cosmo Balio at 540-662-3471 ext. 45103 or balioc@wps.k12.va.us. Vendor questions should be sent to seniors@vosphoto.com.
Art Supply Pickup Planned for Distance Learners
Nurse’s Note
Please remember to wash your cloth mask frequently. If you need another cloth mask contact the nurse.
If you would like to receive Tylenol or Ibuprofen during school hours please bring the unopened medicine to the nurse’s clinic with the student’s name written on the bottle.
10th grade health screenings are currently in progress. Distance learners in 10th grade are encouraged to sign up using this form.
#ImagineCollege
4-year college application process are invited to join the counselors for #ImagineCollege every Wednesday morning to ask any and all questions. Link to the Google Meet is posted on Meet tab on the Senior page on Counseling's Canvas.
Free Meals Available on Wednesdays!
During the 2020-2021 school year, free meals for all students will be available for pickup at each school on Wednesdays from 11 am until 1 pm. Students do not need to be present for meal pick up and no documentation is required.
Students will receive one breakfast and one lunch for each day they are not physically in school.
- Hybrid schedule students will receive 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches.
- 100% Distance Learning students will receive 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches.
You can pick up meals for all your children at one single school.
Please fill this form. This will help us with planning our food orders and labor requirements. Thank you for your help!
How to Sync with Your Student’s Canvas
Parents can sign up as an observer in Canvas. Observers can link their Canvas account to their child's account so they can see assignment due dates, announcements and other course content. Observers can view the course content but cannot participate in the course. Instructions for creating a Canvas parent account and getting paired with your child's account are at the following link: Parent & Guardian Canvas Account Creation
Visit our district Canvas page for more detailed information and additional guides:
Winchester Public Schools Canvas Learning Management System
Continue to reach out to your teachers to learn how to navigate their individual site.
English 3 Writing SOL
Students enrolled in English 3 needing the Writing SOL test will be receiving a letter by mail. Distance learning students must return the second portion of the letter in the prepaid envelope.
The Writing SOL is a two-part test. All testing will begin at 8:30 am and will take place in the Library, Mezzanine, and Media Lab areas. Students will be socially distanced and are expected to follow all school safety rules. Students should bring their own Chromebook, charger, and mask.
The dates will be as follows:
10/19 and 10/20 Term Grads
11/11 and 11/18 Distance Learners
11/16 and 11/19 A Group Students
11/17 and 11/20 B Group Students
11/23 A Group Makeups
11/24 B Group MakeupsNeed a Tutor?
Interested in Becoming an EMT?
Before enrolling, please click on these links and closely review the prerequisites outlined in the recruitment presentation and brochure. This course is for students who have a high level of compassion and a strong love for community. You will be trained to assess, treat, and transport patients during a medical or traumatic emergency.
For any questions about the program please contact the instructor Mr. Bruce at brucem@wps.k12.va.us
PowerSchool Parent Portal
For instructions on how to use the Parent Portal for PowerSchool, click here.