May 2013

To All SJHS Parents and Students:

The end of the 2012-13 school year is fast approaching! As this is the last newsletter, it contains a great deal of information regarding activities taking place between now and the end of school; please be sure to read it through completely. Of particular importance are the many tests that are administered. We have already administered the NYS assessments in mathematics and English Language Arts to 7th and 8th grade students. There are many other assessments still to go as you probably know from previous newsletters and/or PTA meetings. Be sure to look at the Calendar of Assessments later in the newsletter. Your help in making sure that students are in school, prepared and ready to take these tests seriously will be greatly appreciated.

Our upcoming evening 8th Grade Awards program and dance has been set. We will hold our evening awards program followed by the 8th grade dance for all eligible eighth graders on Friday, June 14. Please refer to the article in this newsletter for more specific information.

For our 7th grade students, there will be informal block awards programs, including snacks and various recognitions, to bring a positive end to the school year for them. These will take place the last half day of school for 7th graders, Thursday, June 20, and will be for students and staff. On that last half day, Thursday, June 20, please keep your 8th graders home - there is nothing for them to do on that day! We will dismiss that day at 10:00. Eighth graders’ last day will be Wednesday, June 19. The Integrated Algebra Regents exam is at noon on Wednesday, June 12. Students taking this Regents exam DO have to attend school that morning; Also, the earth science Regents exam will begin at 8:00am on Friday, June 14.

A reminder: the Orientation program for Parents of Incoming 7th graders is set for Thursday, June 6. It will commence at 7:00PM sharp!! Parking will be a problem – please, no parking on Rt. 155 or in our fire lanes! You’re encouraged to park at the high school and walk over to the junior high. A letter will be posted online and mailed as a reminder about this event AND the student orientation on June 14.

June 14 is the incoming 7th Grade Student Orientation. At the conclusion of our orientation program, students will be taken back to their elementary schools for an immediate dismissal. Students will take their regular bus home, or parents may pick them up at their elementary school, at approximately 2:15 PM!

This time of the school year can get very crowded and hectic and students’ attention can easily wander. We always see an increase in misbehavior and referrals for discipline in May and June; most of this is due to students looking past the last five weeks of school to summer. It is important to reinforce at home that school is not over until June 19 for 8th graders and June 20 for 7th graders and what happens between now and then is crucial. Monitoring your child’s achievement and behavior will help us bring the year to a successful conclusion. We want all students to end the year on a positive note. Attendance is always critical for proper student preparation and learning and it is even more so at this time of year. Please continue to have your sons and daughters in school regularly and try to avoid any appointments that may conflict with important dates. Another issue this time of year regards student attire. We stress to students that school is their place of business and they should dress accordingly. We want to maintain an environment conducive to a successful conclusion of the school year and dressing appropriately is a key part of that. You will remember that we revised our student dress code – most students dress very appropriately! A copy of the dress code is included in this issue. Your assistance in this is greatly appreciated.

Even though we have a month to go, in looking back the 2012-2013 school year has been very successful. Thanks to each of you for the effort you have expended to reinforce at home what we work to accomplish in school. It is very difficult to be effective when different messages are given to youngsters--this confuses students by giving them conflicting values and priorities. We are fortunate at SJHS to have a very high percentage of supportive parents who understand the need for consistent communication to students. Thanks to all parents for the support shown this school year; we know how much it helps your children and we appreciate it.

Russell B. Moore, Ph.D.
Principal