May 23, 2008
 

To All SJHS Parents and Students:
 

The end of the 2007-08 school year is fast approaching! Please view the May Middle Years 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 and the NYS grade 8 science assessment. 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 eighth graders on Friday, June 13. 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, Wednesday, June 25, and will be for students and staff. On that last half day, Wednesday, June 25 please keep your 8th graders home - there is nothing for them to do on that day! We will dismiss that day at 10:00. 8th graders’ last day will be Tuesday, June 24, when they will complete their math final exam. Students who are in Math 9R completed their Regents exam earlier; they do not have to report on the 19th. Other students will be taking their math finals that day, and 9R students will have completed theirs on the 17th.

A reminder: the Orientation program for Parents of Incoming 7th graders is set for Thursday, June 5. 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 was recently mailed as a reminder about this event AND the student orientation on June 20th.

The 20th is a half day for elementary schools. 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 24 for 8th graders and June 25 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 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. Your assistance in this is greatly appreciated.

Even though we have a month to go, in looking back the 2007-2008 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.
 

Sincerely,

Russell B. Moore, Ph.D.
Principal