HJS Update-April 7, 2025

Dear HJS Families,

April brings with it our State Testing, and we want to ensure that all students are prepared for this important event. Our large groups testing will take place on Tuesday and Thursday of this week for the Reading Test.  Please help us be ensuring your child is rested, fed, and ready to go on test days!

Additionally, we’d like to remind you that our communication system is now running in parallel with ParentSquare. If you haven’t yet signed up, we encourage you to do so, as it’s another great tool to stay connected with school updates, announcements, and events. We’re looking forward to a productive and exciting month ahead!

Weekly Calendar

Monday, April 7:

• No JS Events Scheduled

Tuesday, April 8:

• ELA Large Group State Testing
  • Come prepared with charged laptop!

Wednesday, April 9:

• Track Meet: vs Rapid Run
  • 4:30PM @ Oak Hills High School

Thursday, April 10:

• ELA Large Group State Testing
  • Come prepared with charged laptop!

Friday, April 11:

• No JS Events Scheduled

Academic Growth

This week we are celebrating academic milestones, from new skills to personal growth, our students continue to shine and push themselves further every day. Keep up the amazing work!

• Ohio State Testing
  • Ohio State testing begins next week! It’s important to ensure your child is well-rested and ready to give their best effort. A good night’s sleep is essential for focus and performance, so encourage them to rest up. Also, make sure their laptop is fully charged and ready to go for the test. Being prepared will help them feel confident and set them up for success!
• Extended Learning Program (ELP)
  • ELP is an after-school program that allows students to tutor in small groups with some of our core teachers or support staff.
  • Our goal is to help any students that are struggling to get on track. If you would like to request the opportunity for your child to be involved in ELP, please contact Ms. Kenner at abby.kenner@southwestschools.org

Social Growth

At HJS, we believe in nurturing well-rounded individuals. Here’s how to get involved:

• Unified Fitness Club 
  • Want to get fit and have fun? Join Fitness Club!
  • Starting April 1, every Tuesday from 2:45-3:30PM.
  • See Mrs. Siegel or stop by room 160 with any questions!
• Spring Art Show 
  • HJS and WHHHS artists will have their masterpieces on display at The Coffee Peddlar!
  • Opening night is Friday, April 4 from 5:00-7:00PM.
• Harrison Music Boosters Fundraiser: Egg Your Yard
  • The Harrison Music Boosters are EGG-CITED to announce that EGG YOUR YARD is back! Don't stress about Easter this year, let our High School and Junior High band members do the work for you!! Our band student volunteers are helping the EASTER BUNNY and will come to your house after dark to hide eggs for your little one(s) to find the next morning! We will also leave a note/sign from the Easter Bunny! Place your order at www.harrisonmusicboosters.com
  • Pick a night: Friday (4/18) or Saturday (4/19)
    • 25 eggs = $20, 50 eggs = $40, 75 eggs = $60, 100 eggs = $75.
  • Please message us through Facebook Messenger with any questions! *We are happy to include the neighborhoods of Hidden Valley, West Harrison, Ross, and Cleves in addition to the Southwest Local School District.
• PigAbilities Race!
  • Everyone deserves to feel the joy of crossing the official Flying Pig Marathon Finish Swine, so we created PigAbilities: a one-mile event designed to be fully accessible for athletes of all abilities and their supporters! Participants are empowered to run, walk, or roll at their own pace. With no official times or winners, PigAbilities is a celebration of achievement and an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities! The PigAbilities Race will take place on Saturday, May 3 at 1:00PM, starting on Freedom Way!
  • Fundraiser: We are now an option under the fundraiser drop down box when you register for ANY event during the 2025 Flying Pig Marathon powered by P&G weekend! If you or anyone you know is planning on registering, please consider choosing Harrison High School-Junior School Special Olympics!
  • Register before April 16^th to receive a t-shirt, premium bag, medal, 3 Cincinnati Zoo tickets, and access to early packet pickup! Visit 2025 — 2025 Flying Pig Marathon Weekend — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising to register!
  • Please contact pigabilities@flyingpigmarathon.com with any questions!
• HJS will be partnering with Companions on a Journey (COJ) in 2025! 
  • COJ offers a School-based K-12 Grief Support program that helps transform schools into grief-informed spaces where students can process complicated feelings of grief and loss, connect with a caring community, and build a toolbox of critical wellness and resiliency skills. COJ collaborates with over 70 public, private, and parochial schools to provide monthly grief support, while also responding to school crisis situations. COJ work alongside administrators and counselors to build a grief-sensitive culture where bereaved students and staff feel loved, accepted, and supported. 
  • Students can join at any point in the school year, so if you know a student that could benefit from this kind of support or have any questions, please fill out this form Https://form.jotform.com/241706828041151 or email Mrs. Spurlock at emily.spurlock@southwestschools.org.
• Current 7^th Grade Families: Washington DC Trip Information
  • In case you were unable to attend the informational meeting, please visit Harrison Junior School - 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip - 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip | Southwest Local School District for registration and fundraising information!

Safety

The safety of our students is our top priority. Here are some updates and reminders:

• Parent Square  

  • Parent Square has now been rolled out to families!  The implementation of Parent Square is a direct result of last year’s Parent Survey where families indicated their desire to eliminate multiple communication platforms and apps.  This will accomplish that request, allowing a single district-wide platform to be used for all communication.  

    You received an email from Parent Square with a link to register your account.  (You may need to check your Spam folder to find the email). Click the link in that email and follow the instructions to register your account.  You also received a separate email from the Southwest Local School District with more in-depth information about Parent Square, directions on setting up your account, and a video on how to use Parent Square. 

    Beginning this week, students will receive an email on their MyWildcats.org email address allowing them to register for Student Square, the student version of Parent Square.  They should follow the directions in that email to register their account and enter their cell phone number, which will allow them to receive weather-related closing/delay information and other emergency notifications, like they now receive via School Messenger. This will also be the way coaches and club advisors will communicate with students, replacing apps like Band, Remind, TeamSnap, etc.

• Student Pickup Policy
  • For the safety and security of all students, please remember that students will only be released to individuals listed on their contact list. You can update these contacts at any time through FinalForms. When picking up your child, please bring a valid ID for verification. If someone not listed on the contact list will be picking up your student, a parent must call the school or send a note with the full name of the person who will be picking them up. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our school safe! 
• Medication Reminder:
  • For the safety and well-being of all students, medications must be brought to school by a parent or guardian in their original, labeled container. This ensures that the medication is properly identified and administered according to the prescribed instructions. Please refrain from sending medications with your child or in unmarked containers, as this helps us maintain a secure and effective environment for managing student health.

Please remind your child about the importance of following these safety guidelines both at school and at home.

Parent Tip of the Week: Preparing for State Testing

As state testing approaches, help your child perform at their best by focusing on healthy habits. Encourage them to get a good night’s sleep each night leading up to the test, as rest is crucial for concentration and performance. A healthy breakfast on test day will fuel their brain and help maintain energy throughout the day. *our cafeteria is always open offering breakfast. Lastly, make sure they come prepared with a fully charged computer or any necessary materials to avoid last-minute stress. A well-rested, well-nourished, and prepared student is set up for success and ready to shine!

Yearbooks

• It’s not too late to order the 2024-2025 yearbook! Get yours now via https://www.southwestschools.org/harrison-junior-school/parent-resources/yearbook-orders/. Please contact Mrs. Adleta (haley.adleta@southwestschools.org) with any questions!

We appreciate your continuous support and collaboration.