THE JAYHAWK BLAST
JHS Bulletin - Volume I, Issue 9, 2/7/ 2020
A Message From The Co-Principals
Good Afternoon and Happy Friday,
We are happy to release the 9th issue of the Jayhawk Blast. As we get closer to the winter break, the students and faculty have experienced a few busy weeks at JHS. We officially started the second half of the school year and released the 2nd quarter report cards in Powerschool. Last week we hosted Senior Day, where we celebrated the JHS Class of 2020. In addition, our students showcased their musical talents at the band and choral concerts
This issue of the Jayhawk Blast is filled with a lot of important information, plenty of reminders, an article to help parents connect with their teens and tons of JHS highlights. Please take a few minutes to read through the entire newsletter so that you can stay on top of all of the upcoming events and important information.
Finally, take note of the upcoming events and important dates. The next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, February 25 at 7:00 pm in the HS Library.
We hope everyone has a restful Winter Break (remember that school will be closed Feb 17-21)
Sincerely,
Joan Rosenberg and David Cohen
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UPCOMING EVENTS
- 2/11 - MS/HS Evening Guidance (7 PM to 9 PM)
- 2/17 to 2/21 - SCHOOL CLOSED for Winter Break
- 2/25 - High School PTSA Meeting (HS Library @ 7 PM)
- 2/28 - HS Battle of the Classes (Sam Springer Gym @ 2 PM)
Did you know that JHS has over 55 clubs? Research shows joining a club is a great way to make new friends, gain self-confidence, relieve stress and learn real-world skills. Check out the club calendar below!
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- 2/14 - Registration Deadline for 3/14 SAT I Exam
- 2/28 - Registration Deadline for 4/4 ACT Exam
Dear Parents and Students,
With stress and the overall well-being of our students being a primary topic in recent years, we have been particularly focused on the number of tests that any JHS student may have on a given day. In order to address this concern, there has been on-going conversations about implementing a testing schedule. This could provide some relief by assigning “testing days” for specific departments on each day of the week.
Thanks to input from student leaders and through the exploration of various models (including some utilized in other high schools), we implemented the testing schedule pilot on January 27, the start of the second semester. Preliminary feedback led to an understanding that it is most important for us to focus on tests and therefore, teachers will still have the ability to administer short quizzes with flexibility. Our ultimate goal is to limit the number of tests a student will have to study for and take in a given day.
We believe that implementing an effective testing schedule requires a period of review, opportunities for feedback and the potential for future revisions. Therefore, we will be administering a survey to all students by early April to assess the impact of the testing schedule pilot. We will also be collecting feedback from the faculty throughout the pilot. Based upon the feedback, we will consider any modifications for next school year.
Below is a link to the JHS Testing Schedule Pilot for your review. If students or parents experience any issues or concerns with the testing schedule, we encourage them to communicate with a building administrator, Mr. Cohen, Mrs. Rosenberg or Dr. Artiles.
Sincerely,
Joan Rosenberg. David Cohen and Dagoberto Artiles
Please note that the Jericho School District will no longer be accepting credits or coursework from the Windsor School.
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PARENTAL RESOURCES
This article provides parents with a list of 12 tips to keep your relationship strong and effective with your teenager(s)
Article from US News:
Here is an article from US News regarding the importance of sleep when considering a teenager's mental health
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PTSA CONNECTIONS CORNER
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the PTSA Connections Corner! Here you will find the latest PTSA news and information about upcoming events and happenings that the HS PTSA sponsors and/or supports. We are always available to answer any questions and look forward to a wonderful school year. We thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Your PTSA Co-Presidents
Tania Schwarzwald
Allyson Edelman
Senior families, please see this important information about the senior party:
Membership
Please support our PTSA by sending in your membership dues today. Membership is $10 per person. Membership is mandatory for 4 years of HS in order to be eligible to receive a PTSA Scholarship as a senior.
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HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
JHS Celebrates Senior Day
Jericho HS hosted its first ever Senior Day on Monday, January 27th. Seniors began the day with a celebration during which they received their senior T-shirts, signed the Class of 2020 mural, and participated in an auction of a prime parking spot to raise funds for the prom. Teachers led special activities in their classes to honor the seniors, and the day culminated in the gym with the annual senior yearbook photo.
On Saturday, February 1, 2020, the Jericho High School Science Olympiad team along with their advisors, Ashley Valentino, Ellen Hempel, and David Dalen, attended the Nassau East Regional Science Olympiad Competition at Division Avenue High School in Levittown. As a result of the dedication and hard work of the team officers, Alicea Gosal, Benjamin Yao, and Julia Lin, the Science Olympiad team has earned a spot to compete at the New York State Science Olympiad competition at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY for the fourth consecutive year. Great job, team!
Mrs. Song’s Chinese classes put together a wonderful assembly program on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2020. The show started off with a traditional lion dance to welcome in the Lunar New Year. The red and yellow lions danced on stage and paraded through the aisles. Next, Ms. Corbett’s 6th period class also showcased an American dance performance during our intercultural celebration. Thereafter, 10th grade students of Chinese danced to a rap song while one student sang it. The show concluded with another dance and John Lennon’s “Imagine” to end off. There was truly a modern fusion between traditional Chinese culture and modern Chinese culture. For instance, the performances involved a good mix of traditional Chinese dances and modern rap songs in Mandarin. The students had spent a great deal of time preparing their performances, and their efforts paid off. Thanks to Mrs. Song and the students for ringing in the Year of the Mouse!
On Wednesday, January 29, the Jericho High School Concert Band and Symphonic Band performed at the Winter Band Concert. The MS/HS Auditorium was filled with beautiful music, created by our very own outstanding Jericho musicians. Some of the many selections showcased were songs from Fiddler on the Roof, Greensleeves, Irish Tune from County Derry, and medleys of Michael Jackson's greatest hits. Both performances were well received and appreciated by every audience member. The success of this concert was attributed to the student's hard work and passion for music, which was clearly portrayed through their amazing performances.
On Wednesday, February 5th members of the middle school and high school chorus performed a collection of contemporary songs to an enthusiastic audience. The evening's conductors, Elizabeth Owens (6th Grade Chorus) and Ronald Verderber (7th, 8th, and HS Chorus) were delighted with their students performances. All in all, it was a night to remember!
Please enjoy the videos from the concert below!
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Visit Jericho High School’s award-winning online newspaper: The JerEcho!
For over 50 years, The JerEcho has reported on school, local, and national issues.
Currently, we report the news through a variety of articles, videos, and podcasts. We’re comprised of a dedicated coalition of editors, reporters, and photographers.
We hope you enjoy exploring our site.
-The JerEcho Team
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COUNSELING CORNER
Attention Seniors:
Use the link below to access a document listing all of the Common Application Deadlines and Requirements.
Method Test Prep
Jericho High School is delighted to provide your child with free access to Method Test Prep (MTP), an online SAT/ACT test prep program that helps students build their math, reading, and writing skills. Students can listen to tutorials, watch instructional videos, and take quizzes to test for mastery. The program is highly adaptive and keeps track of a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Students have access to a large pool of practice questions and receive instant feedback upon completion of each question.
Students in grades 9-12 can access Method Test Prep through their Canvas accounts. The link to Method Test Prep is listed on your child’s Canvas account below the link for Naviance. Please have your child see their counselor if they require any assistance in accessing this free resource.
Method Test Prep is interactive, time efficient, and designed to be used independently or as a supplement to other SAT or ACT prep. We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable resource. To view a brief instructional video that highlights the features of Method Test Prep’s online tool visit:
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Jericho High School on the Web
Visit the Jericho High School Website!