December Eagle News
CHRISTMAS NEIGHBORS
In 2023, the Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors Program celebrates its 71st year of helping families and children in need with toys, mittens, and food with much (and continued) thanks to the communities of Jefferson County, Wisconsin. With such wonderful support, we open our application process for the 2023 Holiday Season on Monday, October 30, 2023.
What to expect this year:
Families will shop for their children’s toys and will be able to select two (2) new toys per child from the new toy area ($50 value per child) and one (1) additional toy per child from the used toy area. In addition, families may select one (1) blanket and one (1) item per family member from the used housewares and holiday décor area. Each child in the family will also receive a hat, a pair of mittens, a scarf, and a roll of wrapping paper. But distribution doesn’t stop there . . . Families will also receive a box of food complete with canned and dry goods as well as some perishable items (such as ham or turkey).
Application Process:
Residents of Jefferson County seeking to be recipients can choose from one of two programs: "Toy Give-Away" or "Adopt-a-Family". Please note you must be an active participant of a state-funded child welfare program, with a case worker (such as WIC, etc.), and be the legal guardian of at least one child (infant to 17 years of age) to be considered for acceptance into either program.
To complete an application, please call our office and a volunteer will help you complete the application form by phone. The office hours are from 9 am to 4 pm., Monday through Friday, October 30 through December 4, 2023. We will NOT accept in-person applications at our office this year due to COVID 19.
Phone applications for either of this year's programs must be received NO LATER THAN Monday, December 4, 2023, to be eligible for participation in the current year's programs.
If you have questions about applying, please reach out to our volunteers by calling 920-674-4499 starting October 30, 2023. Applicants are asked to call during office hours whenever possible or to leave a message with their name and a phone number where they can be reached.
Donations Needed:
Donations can be made by individuals or businesses. We accept new and used toy donations, new blankets, wrapping paper, and new hats and mittens. Community support for the Christmas Neighbors has been great over the years. And as need grows in our county, we must rely heavily on our fantastic supporters!
Donations can be dropped off at the following places through December 11; all Premier Bank and Badger Bank locations, Fort Community Credit Union, County City Credit Union, and Theisens. You can also bring your donations to the activity center at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, December 12.
Monetary donations are greatly appreciated and can be mailed to P.O. Box 177, Jefferson, WI 53549. If you prefer, you may donate through PayPal or a credit card using this link. Click on the PayPal button and you will be linked to a page where you can make a donation in the amount you choose.
VECINAS DE NAVIDAD
En 2023, el Programa de Vecinos de Navidad del condado de Jefferson celebra su 71.º año ayudando a familias y niños necesitados con juguetes, guantes y alimentos con mucho (y continuo) agradecimiento a las comunidades del condado de Jefferson, Wisconsin. Con tan maravilloso apoyo, abrimos nuestro proceso de solicitud para la temporada navideña de 2023 el lunes 30 de octubre de 2023.
Qué esperar este año:
Las familias comprarán los juguetes de sus hijos y podrán seleccionar dos (2) juguetes nuevos por niño del área de juguetes nuevos (valor de $50 por niño) y un (1) juguete adicional por niño del área de juguetes usados. Además, las familias pueden seleccionar una (1) manta y un (1) artículo por miembro de la familia del área de artículos para el hogar usados y decoración navideña. Cada niño de la familia recibirá también un gorro, un par de manoplas, una bufanda y un rollo de papel de regalo. Pero la distribución no termina ahí. . . Las familias también recibirán una caja de alimentos completa con productos secos y enlatados, así como algunos productos perecederos (como jamón o pavo).
Proceso de solicitud:
Los residentes del condado de Jefferson que deseen ser beneficiarios pueden elegir entre uno de dos programas: "Toy Give-Away" o "Adopt-a-Family". Tenga en cuenta que debe ser un participante activo de un programa de bienestar infantil financiado por el estado, con un asistente social (como WIC, etc.) y ser el tutor legal de al menos un niño (bebé hasta 17 años de edad) para ser considerado para su aceptación en cualquiera de los programas.
Para completar una solicitud, llame a nuestra oficina y un voluntario lo ayudará a completar el formulario de solicitud por teléfono. El horario de oficina es de 9 am a 4 pm, de lunes a viernes, del 30 de octubre al 4 de diciembre de 2023. NO aceptaremos solicitudes en persona en nuestra oficina este año debido a COVID 19.
Las solicitudes telefónicas para cualquiera de los programas de este año deben recibirse A MÁS TARDE el lunes 4 de diciembre de 2023 para ser elegible para participar en los programas del año actual.
Si tiene preguntas sobre la solicitud, comuníquese con nuestros voluntarios llamando al 920-674-4499 a partir del 30 de octubre de 2023. Se solicita a los solicitantes que llamen durante el horario de oficina siempre que sea posible o que dejen un mensaje con su nombre y un número de teléfono donde puede ser alcanzado.
Donaciones necesarias:
Las donaciones pueden ser realizadas por particulares o empresas. Aceptamos donaciones de juguetes nuevos y usados, mantas nuevas, papel de regalo y gorros y manoplas nuevos. El apoyo de la comunidad a los Vecinos de Navidad ha sido excelente a lo largo de los años. Y a medida que crece la necesidad en nuestro condado, ¡debemos confiar en gran medida en nuestros fantásticos seguidores!
Las donaciones se pueden dejar en los siguientes lugares hasta el 11 de diciembre; todas las ubicaciones de Premier Bank y Badger Bank, Fort Community Credit Union, County City Credit Union y Theisens. También puede llevar sus donaciones al centro de actividades en el recinto ferial del condado de Jefferson el martes 12 de diciembre.
Las donaciones monetarias son muy apreciadas y pueden enviarse por correo a P.O. Box 177, Jefferson, WI 53549. Si lo prefiere, puede donar a través de PayPal o tarjeta de crédito utilizando este enlace. Haz clic en el botón PayPal y serás vinculado a una página donde podrás hacer una donación por la cantidad que elijas.
SENIOR ATTENDANCE AND GRADUATION
Dear JHS Seniors and Parent/Guardian(s) of a JHS Senior,
We wanted to take this moment to once again inform parents and students of our attendance policy for our senior class. In 2018, the board of education reviewed and revised our senior attendance policy. We informed our Senior Class of 2024 of this attendance requirement during our fall student class meetings. Our goal as a school is for every student to participate in the commencement ceremony. Best practices indicate that student attendance is one of the leading contributing factors to school success. On pages 11-12 of the Jefferson High School - Student Handbook, we address the importance of attendance:
By holding all of our students to the high standard of attendance set by Wisconsin State Law (Wis. Stat. sec. 118.15 & 118.16), the School District of Jefferson knows our students will be more successful. Our Senior class will be held to that same standard and be required to earn the privilege of participating and walking during the commencement ceremony to receive their diploma.
All students that meet the graduation requirements for Jefferson High School have the right to graduate and receive their transcripts, but participation in the commencement ceremony is a privilege. Our goal once again is student-driven. We understand the vast majority of our students will have little to no problem meeting this standard and we greatly appreciate parents' support in this matter.
As members of the administrative team of Jefferson High School and the School District of Jefferson, we are passionate about your son or daughter attending school and being as successful as they can be. Reaching one’s full potential can be guided while in class and working in person with our faculty.
If you have questions or concerns, please call or email the Principal or Associate Principal at Jefferson High School Administrative Office, at 920-675-1100.
SEAL OF BILITERACY TESTING
ATTENTION Seniors and Families
Are you fluent in a language in addition to English? Do you have at least intermediate reading and writing skills in both languages? Please see Mrs. Spitalli in Room 146 to test for the Wisconsin State Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal is a special designation on your diploma at graduation that gives you an advantage in applying for college admission, scholarships, and jobs in the community. The test of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills will be given at JHS on Monday, January 23, and is free to eligible students.
TEST PREP AND TEST DATES
COUNSELING NEWS AND
PARENT/STUDENT RESOURCES
ACT
* Request score reports
* Register for a national test date
* Practice for the test with ACT readiness questions
PSAT Student Reports
PSAT student reports are available for viewing using this link.
Students can also use these videos to help them interpret score reports.
Parent Powerschool Access
Parents can check their student’s grades and attendance directly via the PowerSchool parent portal. Can’t remember your password? Please contact Mrs. Dwyer and she can reset your parent password.
Reminder for All Parents
While school-sponsored field trips are great fun and designed to enhance the educational experience for students, they require planning and special considerations related to the health needs of students. Standards for safe medication administration and provision of care for students with special health needs require advanced coordinating, planning, and training of staff. Please be mindful of completing and turning in all field trip forms by the assigned due date. Read forms carefully and provide any pertinent information to assist staff in providing care for your student. The school nurses are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have (920) 675-1094
Parents of Seniors
A link to the Senior Application Checklist is provided below. Please review these general steps with your student.
The 2023-24 Jefferson High School Scholarship Booklet will be distributed to seniors during homeroom on December 6. Counselors will preview the online application database and discuss the scholarship application process as a whole.
Please continue to check Schoology often. Our counseling department is utilizing Schoology to distribute links to virtual college tours, college application deadlines, etc.
Please be sure your child has completed their college applications. Many application deadlines are December 1.
Reminder for all Students
Please remember to check the Schoology “Class of” courses OFTEN! These courses are updated daily/weekly.
WISCONSIN WAYFINDER -
CHILDREN'S RESOURCE CENTER
Connecting WI families with special health care needs to essential support and resources.
Last week the Wisconsin DHS launched a new service that will transform the support structure for families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, or mental health conditions. Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children’s Resource Network includes a user-friendly website and toll-free helpline that lets families easily connect with real people (dedicated children’s resource guides) who will help navigate through the essential services and supports that will enable their children to thrive.
“This service is a critical step toward improving the way families with special health care needs access and connect with the vital resources they need, especially during crucial moments like after an initial diagnosis,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Deb Standridge. “Our children’s resource guides are people committed to personally assisting families on this journey. Wisconsin Wayfinder embodies our commitment to inclusivity, support, and accessibility for our state’s children and their families.” View the entire news release.
A statewide user-friendly website (Link to Wisconsin Wayfinder webpage) and toll-free number, 877-WiscWay (877-947-2929), provide families with convenient, direct access to compassionate and knowledgeable children’s resource guides.
SENIOR PHOTO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Deadline for submission of
senior portraits is January 19, 2024.
From the student handbook:
Jefferson High School prides itself as being a place where students can enjoy their freedom to get involved in many activities, choose their classes of interest, and express their individuality. Although we respect a student’s right to make these choices, we also need to set appropriate standards. In light of recent trends in dress, we, as an educational institution, feel the need to establish a more specific dress code to limit the definition of clothing that is appropriate for our educational setting. As always, garments bearing offensive words or offensive slogans including references to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gangs or sexual activity are not allowed. Hats and other headgear (other than for religious and/or medical purposes), such as, visors, hoods, or bandannas/headbands on the forehead, are not to be worn in the school building. These items should be kept in your locker during the school day. This excludes; pony tail holders, hair clips, and hair accessories with the purpose of keeping hair out of students’ eyes.
Building Administrators will have the final decision-making authority in all matters related to dress code and your senior photo submission.
Recommended:
- Jefferson High School uniforms for sports, music, or extra-curricular activities.
- Props that are school appropriate. For example, these may include sports gear, flowers, books, or musical instruments. Props that are not school related are prohibited.
- Nature settings that involve things like sunflowers, fallen leaves, or water are also encouraged.
Simply put, please provide a senior yearbook picture that is formal/semi-formal and is appropriate. This will be captured in the yearbook forever. Make your photo something that you can be proud of. Thanks.
Please be aware that we accept close up or long shots for student photos, yet we reserve the right to edit said photo in order to fit in the space provided.
Submitting photos:
Preferably, we would like you or your photographer to submit a photo electronically. Please email to hardinj@sdoj.org or copy onto a CD. We appreciate the photos to be of highest quality, at least 300 pixels/square inch. If this is not possible, we will enhance it ourselves.
To submit a photo manually, please send a wallet-size photo to Mrs. Hardin in room 213 at the high school. Please note that the photo will not be returned.
Note: JHS Yearbook and administration reserves the right to refuse submission of photos. If your photo is deemed unacceptable, you will be given a chance to submit a different photo. However, there will be no discussion on the matter. In other words, we do not need to explain why it is not being accepted.