Cobra Strike
From the Desk of the Junior/Senior High School Principal
“I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” – Lewis Carroll
As we have significantly grown this past year, so too has our need to expand how and what we offer our students. This past week at the board meeting we had the new graduation requirements for the class of 2028 approved as well as a prorated credit design for current high school students(more below). We also received the approval to expand our teaching staff to include a new Social Studies position as well as create a new position for Health Sciences (more on pathways below). Finally, we are moving to a 7 hour day for classes. This does not effect the start or end of the school day, but will greatly benefit the classes moving to a longer class period. These additions will give us multiple advantages as we move forward at Jackson Heights.
First, We will be able to maintain the small class size average in our classes. While some classes will remain larger, on average you students will benefit from the smaller class sizes for a more personal learning experience. Second, as individual plan of studies (IPS) will become more and more important to students from the class of 28 and beyond, these extra offerings will help them to choose their path to success without the historic pipeline method of learning. Students will be able to take course work that benefits them directly opposed to just taking the next class in line to graduate. Finally, we are a growing school and see continued growth in our future. We will continue to offer new courses and new ideas for education as we move forward. We are not afraid of new ideas as several of the new offerings are based on student interest both with new programs this year (e-sports, outdoor skills...) and with the new pathways we are offering next year. It is always a great day to be a cobra, but looking at next year and beyond, it will be absolutely amazing being a cobra.
"Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind" The Doctor
Keep on making a difference.
Derek E. Smith
JR/SR High Events This Week: Feb 19-24
Monday Feb 19
MS Boys Basketball NEKL @ JCN 5:45 (approximately)
Tuesday Feb 20:
HS Basketball Vs Oskaloosa @ Oskaloosa 5:00 pm
Wednesday Feb 21:
FCCLA Star event @ Seaman
County Spelling Bee @ Home 5:30
Thursday Feb 22:
MS Boys Basketball NEKL@ ACCMS TBD
Friday Feb 23:
HS Basketball Vs. Valley Falls@ Home 4:30 pm
Basketball Senior Night Between Girls and Boys Varsity games
Little Cheer during halftime of the boys game
Saturday Feb 24:
Forensics @Troy 8:00 am
MS Basketball NEKL Finals @ ACCMS TBD
Graduation Requirements Class of 2028 and Beyond
The new graduation requirements have been approved for the class of 2028 and beyond.
Overall Credits: 24 Credits
Communications:
ELA: 3.5
Communications: 0.5
Society & Humanities
Social Studies: 3
Fine Arts: 1
STEM
Science: 3
Math: 3
STEM: 1 (Upper level math, science, or computers)
Employability & Life Skills
Physical Fitness: 0.5
Health: 0.5
Financial literacy: 0.5
IPS: 4.5 (CTE Courses, see below on CTE Courses)
Electives: 3
Graduation Requirements pro-rating Class of 25,26, and 27
For all current high school students, the graduation requirements will remain with the current overall requirement as outlined in this years course offerings handbook (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rvo3H9DQNLockRIeFYuSE9dCD9ajqL_I/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107201128398844262836&rtpof=true&sd=true)
There will be a prorating of the elective requirements to offset the move to 7 hour days opposed to 8 hour days. For the class of 2025, they will only need 9 elective credits, Class of 2026 will need 8, and the class of 2027 will need 7. All other requirements for these classes will remain the same.
New Pathways and New Courses
We have been diligently working to improve our Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings for next year. With the new graduation requirements putting more emphasis on CTE, we wanted to be able to offer a wide variety of pathways that will help our students to be successful. All of our pathways will be accompanied by career relevent certificates that will help our students to be career ready moving forward.
Our current CTE pathways already offered are: FFA, FBLA, and FCCLA courses provided through our Ag programs from Mr. Lierz, our business programs from Mr. Shupe, and our FACCS programs provided by Mrs. McKenzie. These pathways will remain the same with minor modification to accommodate future classes.
The new CTE pathways will be:
Digital Media:
These will be a series of computer based courses provided by Mr. Alley moving into the pathway position next year. These courses are going to emphasize computer applications as well as demonstrate the benefit of digital marketing. Student will learn about publications through podcasts and doing weekly news reports as well as interview skills. They will eventually start digital marketing for the school all around eventually become a source of marketing for the community.
Natural Resource & Environmental Systems
At Jackson Heights, the Natural Resource Management & Environmental Science pathway, under the expert guidance of Mr. Gary Keehn, offers students an immersive educational experience focused on understanding and preserving our planet's delicate ecosystems. Through hands-on learning and fieldwork, students delve into a variety of topics including conservation biology, sustainable agriculture, wildlife management, and environmental policy. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, students engage in practical applications of scientific principles, gaining valuable skills and knowledge to address pressing environmental challenges. This pathway empowers students to become stewards of the environment, preparing them for careers in fields such as environmental science, forestry, conservation, and sustainability.
Construction and Design
At Jackson Heights, the Construction and Design pathway, led by Mr. Childs, provides students with a comprehensive education in carpentry through courses such as Carpentry I and II. Under Mr. Childs' guidance, students acquire fundamental carpentry skills and techniques essential for successful careers in the construction industry. Through hands-on learning experiences, students learn to interpret blueprints, use various tools and equipment, and construct practical projects from start to finish. With a focus on safety, craftsmanship, and attention to detail, students gain valuable knowledge in areas such as framing, finishing, and cabinetry. This pathway equips students with the skills and confidence to pursue careers as carpenters, construction managers, contractors, or pursue further education in related fields.
Health Science
The envisioned Health Science pathway embodies a multifaceted approach to preparing students for diverse career opportunities in healthcare and wellness. Tailored to accommodate the expertise of both science-based and physical education teachers, the curriculum offers a comprehensive blend of coursework encompassing foundational sciences, healthcare principles, sports medicine, and fitness training. Students engage in hands-on learning experiences, exploring anatomy, physiology, nutrition, exercise science, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. With the flexibility to cater to individual interests and career goals, this pathway equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical training necessary to pursue careers in various healthcare professions, sports medicine, physical therapy, fitness instruction, or further academic pursuits in related fields. By fostering a holistic approach to health and wellness, the Health Science pathway empowers students to lead active, fulfilling lifestyles while making meaningful contributions to the healthcare industry.
7 Class Hour Days
Next year we will move to a 7 hour day. This will allow for 50 minute class periods and a long enough passing period between to allow students ample time to utilize the rest room, or switch out their books between classes.
Bell Schedule/Lunches
1st HR
8:10-9:00
2nd HR
9:05-9:55
3rd Hour
10:00-10:50
4th HR
10:55-11:45
L1/5th HR
11:50-12:10.
L2/5th HR
12:15-12:35
L3/5th HR
12:40-1:00
6th HR
1:05-1:55
7th HR
2:00-2:50
Seminar
2:55-3:25.
Cobra Venom
The ladies in the kitchen whipped up an amazing hot ranch sauce for the students this year. It goes on just about everything. We decided to put it in bottles and sell it. The proceeds will benefit the Honor Flight program, but you are the real winners by having a bottle of Cobra Venom for just $5. It is Stryker approved! Contact Carrie Harris (carrie.harris@jhcobras.net) or they will be selling them at the next two home high school basketball games.
Honor Flight
We are in full swing getting ready for our next Honor flight mission. We are taking our next trip this summer and need help from our community. First and foremost, we need veterans. If you are a fellow veteran, or you know one that would like to go, please fill out the below application and either email it to me (derek.smith@jhcobras.net) or mail it to the school.
Second, we again need your support to go on this trip. While the guardians are doing some great fund raising events, we would greatly appreciate business sponsorship for the trip. We are working on a tiered sponsor ship which we will get out to the community soon. But these trips are completely independently financed and we are always looking for help.
I will be releasing the official guardian list this coming week so you can see which students will be going on this trip. Once we get enough veterans, we will start to partner them with the guardians to get ready for the trip. Honor flight was one of the most meaningful experiences for me as a veteran and now I get the honor of serving my fellow veterans.
Cobra Cup Standing
This past week saw some great things from students. The top performers for each house are:
House Gold Rush: Gabe Ballinger
House Triple G: Dawson Cochren
House Snake Kingz: Carter Will
House Corn Fed Cobras: Abi Wellman
Derek E. Smith
My last teaching position before taking the best job on earth (high school principal at Jackson Heights) I was the health science teacher at Royal Valley. I got to explore new and different ways to help students learn about physiology as well as explore medical professions in a meaningful way. Here is the Italian Daughter (who took 5 of my classes while she was here) as she is dissecting a cow heart and learning about how the valves work. This lab also showed them how blood pressure works as well as the concept of what a heart attack is. This picture is extra meaningful to me as she wants to be a cardio surgeon and the cardiovascular system unit was probably one of her favorite ones. I will also add how proud I am of her right now as she just completed her first semester of med school (Italy does it a bit different, no undergrad, just straight to a six year medical pipeline school out of high school). they take major final exams and she has passed all but one so far (she gets two attempts at all tests and that darn Stats test is tricky) and more important she got a 29 out of 30 on her physics. One proud science teacher and one proud American Dad here.
Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.
Email: derek.smith@jhcobras.net
Website: jhcobras.net
Location: 12692 266th Rd Holton, KS 66436
Phone: (785)248-4386
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jackson.Heights.USD335