CHARGE!
Fishers Junior High, April 2021
Home of the Chargers
Principal: Dr. Crystal Thorpe
Assistant Principal: Mr. Tige Butts
Athletic Director: Mr. Scott Timmons
Guidance Director: Mr. Basel Maarouf
Email: vax@hse.k12.in.us
Website: fjh.hseschools.org
Location: 13257 Cumberland Road
Phone: 317-594-4150
Twitter: @FJHChargers
March 26th, 2021
Fishers Junior High Staff Meeting
Greetings Charger families
Hopefully, everyone will be able to enjoy spring break, whether you travel, visit a park, or just relax at home. FJH extends a heartfelt welcome to all of our returning students!
As you know, on Monday April 12, students who have chosen to attend school In-Person will attend Monday through Thursday. Our Virtual students will continue Zooming each day with their teachers. The chosen method of instruction will remain in place until the end of the school year. We will also remain on the Block schedule.
Right now, we have approximately 76% of our students choosing In-Person learning. Please understand, we will not always be able to adhere to the CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and cohorting, particularly in the cafeteria during breakfast and lunch. Therefore, it is imperative, now more than ever, that you keep your student home if they develop Covid-like symptoms to limit students having to quarantine. Please remember that masks are mandatory at school.
We are transitioning to a three-foot social distancing standard, but even that will be difficult in some circumstances. Our goal is to keep our students as safe as possible, and we can only do that with your assistance. We are excited to have more students back in the building.
ILEARN Dates and Details
Hello Parents!
ILEARN is just around the corner! We will be taking the practice ILEARN tests the week after spring break (April 13th & 15th) during BEST. The State of Indiana requires students to take the practice test prior to taking the ILEARN assessment. There will be no alternate schedule used this week.
The actual ILEARN test will begin the week of April 19th. Students must be present at school on testing days. Testing will take place from 8:15-10:25 each of the testing days. Testing days are as follows:
- Wednesday, April 21st – ELA CAT
- Thursday, April 22nd – ELA PT Test 1 & Test 2
- Wednesday, April 28th – Math CAT
- Thursday, April 29th – Math PT
We will be operating on an alternate schedule during these 4 days (link below).
**Please make sure your students are present on these days, have a fully charged ipad, and bring headphones, iPad charger and keyboard to school.**
Students who use a personal ipad (not school issued) need to download the ILEARN testing App to their iPad. The name of the app is “Secure Test Browser”. It is available in the Apple Store or through Manager. Please have this app downloaded prior to returning from spring break.
Virtual families have received a separate Skylert regarding the testing dates for their student.
Traveling out of the Country?
If you plan to travel outside the United States, the CDC offers recommendations for a safe return to the U.S. and school:
Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel.
Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. (10 days isolation from start of symptoms or test date, whichever occurs first)
If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
Here's the link to the travel restrictions and recommendations: Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States | CDC
Spirit Shop is OPEN!
Your PTO is partnering with 1st Place Spiritwear to provide FJH spirit wear. 1st Place is an on-demand provider meaning they don't print until you order - which provides the opportunity to customize the garment and the logo combinations.
Please be aware that because orders are unique, they are not returnable or refundable. Please pay close attention to the size & fit guides shown with the items and select sizes carefully.
Items will be shipped directly to your home and can be ordered anytime. Please check out their current promotion which ends 4/4 or watch our social media for new promotions. We are super excited to share this opportunity with our Charger families! It's a great chance to get some new swag with our updated logo!
https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/IN/Fishers/Fishers+Junior+High+School
Join the PTO for Next Year!
Plans are in the works for 2021-22 and there is so much excitement about a fresh reboot after such a crazy year. If you have a heart for the FJH community, please consider joining the PTO board. Email us at FJHChargersPTO@gmail.com if you want to learn more!
International Fair - Around the World Virtually
This year our fair is virtual! It’s a terrific way to share our students’ work with friends and family around the world.
The link will take you to the International Fair website and the student projects are on their respective teacher’s page. If prompted, please use password FJH (all caps).
http://fjhinternationalfair.weebly.com/
The countries we are celebrating are listed below. Each one of these countries is a part of our FJH family and we are so very fortunate to have them.
Algeria, Angola, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada
Cote D'Ivoire, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Germany
Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel
Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lithuania, Mexico
Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama
Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania
Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Korea, Tanzania
Ukraine, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Sub Spotlight!
We are so grateful to all who stepped up and answered the call for substitute teaching during the pandemic. Kris and Jim Perillo have spent a combined 20 days subbing at Fishers Junior High for a variety of teachers and subjects. They were inspired after hearing that schools needed substitutes in order to stay open.
Kris taught for 42 years with the last 26 at New Britton Elementary School in Fishers. Kris retired in 2018 but has continued to stay engaged with the school system through substitute teaching. She enjoys subbing so she can see how her past students continue to grow and mature. She enjoys reading and spending time with her family, especially her granddaughter.
Jim spent 42 years in retail loss prevention, retired in 2018, and took a position with the University of Indianapolis as an adjunct instructor in Criminal Justice. Jim started subbing in January 2021 because there was a need for substitute teachers and he wanted to help the teachers and students. He really enjoys interacting with the kids in school. Jim enjoys playing golf, watching anything Florida State and spending time with his family.
Virtual Science Fair results
Students from FJH participated in the Virtual Central Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 13th.
Adam Koltuniuk is the Grand Champion for Grade 7 for the Central Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair. He has been asked to represent FJH at the State Science Fair. He has also been nominated to participate in the Broadcom Masters Competition.
Braedon Kohlenberger received the award from the Office of Naval Research Award.
Jonathan Desilva Corson was awarded the U.S. Metric Association Award.
The Indiana State Museum will be holding its annual Eco-Science Challenge on April 23rd. The following students will be representing FJH at this Challenge:
- Jonathan Desilva Corson
- Braedon Kohlenberger
- Adam Koltuniuk
- Owen Talbot
- Eva Todd
Please wish them luck.
Great Book Binge
We are doing a team competition in the 8th grade called The Great Book Binge! The team who reads the most books, wins! It goes until the second to last week of school.
Ask your student if they've logged their books with their English teacher (Sangiorgio, Smith, Watson).
Menu Changes in April
Starting 4/14 (Wednesday/Week 1 on the menu) we will replace the beef tenderloin sandwich with a spicy chicken sandwich.
Starting 4/1 (Thursday/Week 2 on the menu) We will switch from the sausage/cheese/biscuit to chicken and biscuit.
Vision Screenings for 8th Graders
Vision Screening is required by the Indiana State Board of Health for all 8th graders. After spring break, the school nurse will continue to test students who are in person. Virtual students will be tested during ILEARN testing days on April 23 and 30th.
You will only be notified if your student did not pass the screening. If you have any questions, you may contact the school nurse at lkeefe@hse.k12.in.us or call at 317-594-4150 Ext. 5717.
Cheerleading Squad announced!
Congratulations to our combined 7th/8th Grade Fall Football Cheerleading Squad!
Coaches Forman and Passwater are looking forward to getting to work with these athletes and having a way-more-like-normal experience this season!
8th
Lauren Badgett, Campbell Chastain, Kaley Kavanaugh,
Miah Landers, Ellie Snider, Lauren Terry
Maddie Vetter, Carolyn Weckbaugh, Gabby White
7th
Kylee Black, Lauren Grannan, Lanie Hawes
Micah Huddleston, Emily Matson, Anna McCord
Madeline Metzger, Avery Rafalski, Teresa Schaffer
Ashlyn Small, Lily Walden
Go Chargers!
Don't Miss Out on Nothing Bundt Cakes!
Use the order form below or pay via Venmo (@FJH-PTO), please indicate the number of dozen ordered and your phone number) to order dozen variety Bundtinis, with a portion of the sales donated to FJH PTO!
Orders and payments are due by April 15. Pick up will be at FJH from 5:30-7:30 on April 23. See the flyer below for details.
IPAD Returns
As the end of the year approaches and preparations for iPad turn in begin, it is important to know exactly what will need to be returned.
The iPads and cases issued to junior high students consist of five parts: The keyboard, the cradle, the frame, the cap and the iPad itself (See picture below).
In order to avoid a charge at the end of the year it is important to return all 5 parts. An iPad returned missing one part cannot be re-issued to another student and will result in a charge.
Students have a tendency to transport and use their iPads with one or more pieces missing or removed. You may find it beneficial to verify with them that they have all of the individual pieces accounted for and encourage them to keep the case all together at all times.
2022 Washington DC Trip (7th Grade Sign-ups)
As this years 8th graders finalize their itinerary this April/May and fly out to DC in our postponed June trip, 7th graders will have the opportunity to get registered for next year’s trip that will be moved back to our normal February Presidents Day Weekend.
Information packets will be passed out to all 7th graders the week we’re back from Spring Break and an informational parent meeting will be held on April 21st at 7:00 via Zoom.
Although 7th graders will still be able to sign up next Fall, early registration means a discounted price, early access to Flag Scholarship Assistance, more time to spread out payments with their Extended Payment Plan, and much more. Be on the look-out for detailed information coming soon!
Steve Heiniger, trip sponsor
Withdrawing Your Student?
If your child will be withdrawing from FJH, you must notify the Guidance office in advance of your student’s last day. Withdrawal forms prepared by the Guidance office must be signed by the parent/guardian.
2021-2022 School Year: If your child will be attending another school outside HSE School District next year, please call the Guidance office before May 1st so records can be prepared for the new school.