Dear Marsh Gator Families,

Every year about this time, school districts in California hold their annual parent/community input meetings as part of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) process. The LCAP is essentially the district's plan for how it will allocate taxpayer dollars to best meet the needs of the local student community. In turn, each school site has their own site-level LCAP plan (sometimes referred to as The School Plan for Student Achievement, or SPSA).

As you know, at Marsh Junior High School, we try to solicit your input throughout the school year and we use all forms of communication (newsletters, website, official meetings, emails, texts, phone calls, etc.) to increase the likelihood that you as an individual family will feel like you have a voice in our school community. We would also like to invite you to attend these upcoming LCAP meetings to provide your input and be a part of the process. I have linked the document with all of the dates and times HERE.

The first Family & Community meeting will be held on March 8 at the Marsh Junior High School Library, from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided.

You will notice that some meetings are focused on targeted student populations (like Students with Disabilities or English Learners). State law requires these specialized meetings to ensure that districts' plans address the unique needs of all learners based on available data. I want to clarify that ANYONE may attend ANY meeting. The meeting times/dates will also continue to run in our weekly Marsh newsletter.

Please reach out to me with any questions. I look forward to seeing you at these important planning meetings.

Respectfully,

Jessica Kamph
Principal, Marsh Junior High school
jkamph@chicousd.org
530 -891-4110

Positions are open on the PV PTA board! check out this flyer for more details

Gators, we are so proud of the many kind acts you completed through the Marsh Kindness Challenge. You truly showed what it was to be a Gatorific Gator!! Your kind acts make a huge differenc on our campus. Our challenge to you is to continue to show the world that KINDNESS MATTERS!!

We would greatly appreciate more donations for our Gator Shack! If you are able to assist, here are some

items we are in need of at the Gator Shack that can be purchased from our Amazon Wish List https://a.co/6y6CWqA or in any store:

Ear Buds

Mini Animals

Lifesavers

Ring Pops

Blue Now & Laters

Airheads

Gatorades

Rubik's Cubes

Grandma's Cookies

Rice Crispy Treats

Hershey's Chocolate Bar Variety Pack

Candy Necklaces

CJSF 8th graders walked over to Parkview 2/15 where they met up with our little buddies in 3rd grade to have some fun with a STEM activity. We built towers with candy hearts and predicted their height along with other fun math problems. Our little buddies love getting to see our 8th graders and it warms our hearts to see our CJSF kids working so well and having fun with them!

We have implemented several supports for our Gators who are out on quarantine or absent and may need support getting caught up with their assignments. we encourage our Gators to take advantage of these supports..

Center for Success:

Students who are returning from quarantine will be placed in our Center for Success program at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They’ll receive a front of the lunch line pass and go straight to a teachers classroom to work on assignments from their absence. They can continue to attend Center for Success as long as they need to get caught up.

Saturday Academy:

We also offer Saturday Academy various Saturdays of the year. Students attend the full session from 9-1 and work on any current or absent work with the support of a teacher.

Virtual Support:

While absent, students may take advantage of our Virtual Support, hosted by a teacher from Marsh. Students can access the school wide Google Classroom and log on at the specified times to meet and ask for help from the host teacher. Students have received log on instructions in their English class.

Students who are absent or on quarantine should monitor their Google Classroom regularly and reach out to their teachers by email. They are also encouraged to complete any work that was started before going on quarantine to prevent more build up of assignments when they return. You've got this Gators!!

Yearbooks are still available for purchase in the Marsh Student Store (Main office). Yearbooks are $45 and available for purchase online or in the main office.

Student Store Hours:

Monday: 7:30 - 11:00

Tuesday 7:30 - 3:15

Thursday: 7:30 - 3:15

Yearbooks can be purchased

online at the MJHS online store:

Store | Featured (myschoolcentral.com)

Questions regarding Yearbook

Purchases contact:

srsnow@chicousd.org

Improved academic performance

Studies have found that more than 40 percent of students showed improved reading and math grades after attending quality afterschool programs. Regular attendance and stellar instructors also help to realize these gains.

One of the main draws is time devoted to completing homework. This is especially helpful for kids who need more instruction to understand a particular lesson. Completing work right after school, even in a more informal setting, is better than waiting until later when children are tired.

Be sure to choose a program with a qualified instructor or teacher who can help in areas of need.

Healthier social and emotional intelligence

Kids who attend afterschool programs with smaller teacher/student ratios exhibit more socially appropriate behavior. They’re getting attention and help with their school work. As a result, they feel less frustrated and are less likely to act out. Programs promoting cooperation, support, and respect encourage kids to join in activities and start conversations.

Afterschool activities that also allow time for play, with adult supervision, help students to blow off steam. Active kids have more opportunities to develop healthy identities. They manage emotions more effectively.

Higher self-esteem

An afterschool program doesn’t feel as strict as school. For instance, there isn’t the same level of pressure. Kids are more relaxed and subsequently feel freer to ask more questions than during regular class time.

This is also an opportunity for them to give sports and creative arts a try. Since many school districts are cutting these subjects, outside school is the only chance for some kids to try them. Taking healthy risks like performing for an audience or playing a soccer game can also lead to higher self-esteem.

When kids feel better about themselves, they don’t utilize sick days as often and dropout rates go down.

Improved eating habits

Quality afterschool programs usually offer plenty of water and healthy snacks. This is important. Kids left on their own don’t always make the healthiest choices.

When kids are bored, they eat more. They tend to pick snacks filled with sugar and trans fats. On the contrary, overeating reduces boredom and overeating in children.

Any good program should emphasize healthy options and regular physical activity. This will help encourage better lifestyle choices as kids grow older.

A wider circle of friends

After school is also a great time for kids to meet new people.

Programs can provide kids with chances to make friends from outside their classrooms. Interacting with kids from different backgrounds will broaden a child’s horizons.

Improve verbal and nonverbal communication skills

STEM, arts and sports programs encourage kids to work together as a team. Projects, games or performances help foster cooperation. Participants learn to rely on one another.

Kids also pick up cues and learn that facial expressions can be as powerful as verbal commands. This helps them communicate more effectively with their peers.

Make learning more enjoyable

It’s meaningful for kids to take part in activities they enjoy. It also helps them retain knowledge. If they’re having fun while learning, long-term memory storage is the result.

Did you know that Marsh Junior High School is the only Junior High in Chico Unified that is trained as an AVID school? So what is AVID and how does it impact my midddle schooler?

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program that changes lives by helping schools shift to a more equitable, student-centered approach to teaching. It is designed to close the opportunity gap, so they can prepare all students for college, careers, and life.

Students receive the additional academic, social, and emotional support that will help them succeed in their school’s most rigorous courses.

AVID Instruction promotes:

• WICOR Strategies
• 21st Century Skills
• Student Leadership Skills
• Goal-Setting/Monitoring
• Rigor for All

AVID School Wide Culture fosters:

• College Awareness and Preparation
• Common Belief in Student Success
• Family and Community Involvement
• High Expectations for All
• Positive and Safe Learning Environment

Marsh teachers use AVID WICOR strategies to promote students success, close the opportunity gap, so they can prepare all students for college, careers, and life. WICOR is an acronym for Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading and provides a learning model that educators can use to guide students in comprehending concepts and articulating ideas at increasingly complex levels. Within WICOR are variety of teaching strategies essential to student learning and work well in all types of classrooms. Why WICOR?

• WICOR is: A proven learning support structure, for any content area.
• Teachers who WICORize: Guide students to deeper comprehension and increasing skill levels. Choose WICOR strategies appropriate to the content and skill objectives of their content area.
• Students who WICORize: Actively work with new information in order to think, talk, write, read, and ask questions, leading to long-term learning. Develop skills and attitudes that will serve them well in postsecondary life.

Check out last week's Atta Gator Award winners! The Atta Gator award is chosen by staff who nominate a student who showed excellency that week!

We are revisiting the word Encouragement! This week we are going to encourage our classmates with kind words that help us inspire them toward their unique greatness. We will also be meeting Houston Kraft who shares his inspiration for spreading kindness. When you see someone working towards their personal goals or hobbies, tell them what a great job they're doing! When you hear a classmate encouraging a friend jump in and maximize the kindness! Go get'em Gators!

The Kids Leading Everyone Against Nicotine club seeks to provide a fun, engaging learning environment to teach middle schoolers to stand up against nicotine addiction and vaping. Every Wednesday in P-29 KLEAN club will host engaging activities and opportunities at lunch!

Are you looking for something fun to do at lunch? Do you like games or sports? Would you like a place where you can hang out with friends? If so, tcheck out these fun activities happening during the lunch period.

Games In the Library - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

* Fuego, Uno, Battleship, scattegories, and much more!

Sports Activities - Tuesdays and Thursdays

* Basketball, Football, Soccer, and more

Join the Marsh Multicultural Club - everyone welcome. This club is a fun way to learn, explore, and foster appreciation for the cultural diversity on our campus. Through this club you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people while contributing to building better school climate for all.

We have been seeing a surge oin COVID-19 cases since the return of winter break. Please remind your student about proper mask use and following safety and social distancing protocols. If your student has any of the COVID -19 syptoms, please keep them home until they are symptom free.

-Cough (new onset not related to asthma or allergies)
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of taste/smell

-Fever above 100.4
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Nasal congestion/runny nose
- Fatigue/muscle or body aches
- Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

In an ongoing effort to help maintain a healthy campus environment, Chico Unified School District is offering FREE COVID-19 testing opportunities for CUSD students, staff and volunteers at their current school site. View the Testing Schedule

Parent/Guardian COVID-19 Resources & Information

• CUSD COVID-19 Reporting & Information Hotline: (530) 801-2813 (phone line is staffed school days M-F from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
• Butte County Public Health Department Community Resources: https://www.buttecounty.net/publichealth/Home/fbclid/IwAR3fSGcPIbTuP9oMALIinPe68ft2E_vscQm2hDlGwwyilvdXog7KZwY9vTw

If you have any questions/concerns, please contact our CUSD COVID-19 Reporting and Information Line at (530) 801-2813.

Check out some sweet highlights from McGarr's Pickleball unit!

Please join Living works youth summit for an online training program based on supporting our students through suicide prevention. This free training can be accessed through the link provided here https://www.lwyouthsummit.com/access-training or by texting "start" to 888-707-0780. The program is open to all California students and staff!

Need help from a Counselor? Come scan any one of these posters, or click poster itself to get in contact with one of our team!

The Allstar parent program, based on the Rezilientkidz.com curriculum, is a workshop designed to promote communication and understanding for both parents and kids. This event will be hosted for 13 weeks at Emma Wilson Elementary, Wednesdays at 5:45pm, with meals provided at 5:15. Please contact your schools targeted case manager to sign up for the second session

El Programa de Padres Estelares esta basado en el currículo de Rezilient Kidz y es un taller de 13 semanas diseñado para construir familias más fuertes, proporcionando confianza, herramientas y capacidades que los padres necesitan para criar hijos saludables, responsables y atentos. Este evento comenzará el dia 23 del febrero en la escuela Rosedale (Sesión de Español de 9:30 AM-11:00 AM) y la escuela Emma Wilson (Sesión de Ingles de 5:30 PM-7:30 PM). Habrá comida y cuidado de ninos. Comuníquese con el administrador de casos específico de su escuela

THRIVE's newest project - The CARE Team. This program is for Butte County high school-aged youth.

The CARE Team helps connect young people and their immediate circle with support and resources . Their mission is to prevent and limit the recurrence of youth suicide in our community and ensure every young person knows just how much they matter. Click the links below to learn more.

Visit the North Valley Community Foundation THRIVE Online Resource Page

- or -

Visit the North Valley Community Foundation CARE Team (Community, Assessment, Response and Education Team) Website

Did you know that Parents and Guardians can view Attendance Notices on their app or website and can submit notes back to the school? See how in the information flier below.

Students have many opportunities to stay connected and have fun during the lunch period at Marsh. Gators check out some of these activities next time you are at lunch.

Cube Club - Wednesday

Club Live -Tuesdays and Thursdays

Flag Football - back field

Basketball - basketball courts

4 Square - back courts

Volleyball - back courts

Board Games and Cards - library

Fun Friday; Spikeball cornhole, and music - WIFI area

MJHS Website: http://mjhs.chicousd.org/

MJHS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicoUnified.MJHS/

• Address: 2253 Humboldt Road Chico, CA 95928
• Phone: (530) 895-4110
• Fax: Fax(530) 895-4111
• Attendance: (530) 895-4115
• Parent Portal

MJHS PTSO Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/233308576872298/