HJS Update-December 16th, 2024

Dec 17, 2024

at 12:00 am

Dear HJS Families,

As we wrap up the final week of the quarter, students are finishing strong and making the most of the remaining days before the semester ends. With projects, assignments, and lessons coming to a close, it's clear that everyone is pushing through with determination and enthusiasm. From hands-on experiments to creative projects, students are demonstrating their growth and knowledge, setting themselves up for success as they head into the next chapter of the school year. Let's finish strong and carry that momentum into the new semester!

Weekly Calendar

12 Days of Food & Clothing Drive continues this week! Check out the dress up theme of the day and consider bringing in a non-perishable item for donation.

Monday, December 16:

12 Days of Food and Clothing Drive: Family Photo Day – Wear a flannel!
Hoops for the Holidays

Tickets go on sale starting today!

Boys Basketball Games

7^th Grade: 5:30PM @ Ross Middle School
8^th Grade: 6:30PM @ Ross Middle School

Girls Basketball Games

7^th Grade: 4:30PM @ HJS
8^th Grade: 5:30PM @ HJS

Tuesday, December 17:

12 Days of Food and Clothing Drive: Santa Claus is Coming to Town! – Wear your favorite Santa hat!
NO JS Events Scheduled

Wednesday, December 18:

Wrestling

4:00PM @ Delhi Middle School

Holiday Band Concert

6:00PM @ Martin Marietta Theatre

Thursday, December 19:

Hoops for the Holidays!

Friday, December 20:

NO SCHOOL – Winter Break Begins
NO JS Events Scheduled

Reminder to please check HarrisonWildcats.net - Harrison Harrison High School Athletics - Harrison Wildcats for any upcoming athletic events throughout break!

Will you be at Harrison Junior School for an event before December 19? Bring a new, unwrapped toy or game and place it in the bin as you enter the gym! Toys are being collected for the Harrison Mayor’s Fund Christmas Toy Drive, in partnership with the Southwest Local School District and JTM Food Group. Donations stay right here at home, helping neighbors in our communities to have a happy holiday season!

Academic Growth

This week, our students have been actively applying their knowledge to real-world scenarios, whether through hands-on projects, problem-solving in class, or engaging with their community, demonstrating how classroom learning translates into meaningful, practical experiences. Be sure to check out the amazing accomplishments via www.facebook.com/@harrisonjuniorschool. Here are some highlights:

Mrs. Watson’s classes are delving into energy transformations by exploring the connection between gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy, using rubber bands to launch rockets in exciting hands-on experiments!
Mr. Heim’s students have been busy creating topographic maps and scale models of Earth's layers, setting the stage for their upcoming exploration of plate tectonics in the next unit!
Mrs. Purdy’s creative writing class is wrapping up their final project, where students are challenged to write a graphic novel, novella, or short story, unleashing their creativity in storytelling!
Students in Mr. Parks’ class were placed into “battle stations” to immerse themselves in the major battles of the American Revolutionary War, engaging with history in a dynamic, interactive way!
Mrs. Ahr’s students had a blast using HotWheels cars and tracks to visualize how potential energy transforms into kinetic energy, reinforcing their understanding through hands-on learning!
Mr. Berwanger’s students have been identifying and labeling countries across various continents, with this week’s focus on Asian countries, expanding their geographical knowledge!
Mr. Bontrager and Mr. Dalton have been on the lookout for the next Simone Biles, as their students near the end of an exciting gymnastics unit, showcasing their newly acquired skills and techniques!

Social Growth

At HJS, we believe in nurturing well-rounded individuals. This week, our social growth initiatives included:

Reminder to please check HarrisonWildcats.net - Harrison Harrison High School Athletics - Harrison Wildcats for any upcoming athletic events throughout break!
Choir Concert

Bravo to our wonderful choir students and the incredible Miss Adams for their outstanding performance at the holiday chorus concert! We’re so proud of their achievements!

Girls Basketball

7^th Grade: 4-0
8^th Grade: 4-0

Great job, ladies!

Boys Basketball

7^th Grade: 4-1
8^th Grade: 3-2

Wrestling

Girls: placed 3^rd out of 23 overall at their meet!
Boys: placed 2^nd out of 18 overall at their meet!

Cheerleading

Our cheerleaders continue to bring the spirit on the sideline!
The cheer team also placed 2^nd overall at their latest competition!

Safety

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

School Messenger Notifications

As winter approaches and the chances for winter weather increase, please make sure your contact information is current in Final Forms. If you are already getting emails, texts and phone calls from us via the School Messenger Mass Notification system, you should be all set to receive weather-related information. You can also check the District website (southwestschools.org) and the official District social media accounts for the most up-to-date, accurate information.

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: Building Positive Relationships

Fostering strong, positive relationships with your child is key to their emotional and social growth. This week, focus on strengthening your bond by showing genuine interest in their day, actively listening to their thoughts and feelings, and offering consistent support and encouragement. Make time for fun, low-pressure activities that allow for connection, whether it’s reading together, playing a game, or simply having a heartfelt conversation. Building trust and showing empathy creates a foundation of love and understanding that helps your child thrive.

3^rd Annual Family Education Day:

MindPeace and 1N5 are partnering with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Zoo to offer families an opportunity to get game-changing insights on supporting yourself and loved ones through anxiety and depression in a fun, supportive atmosphere!

Register at cincinnatizoo.com/familyeducationday2025
$12/person, includes breakfast & lunch + ZOO admission for the day!

Adolescents (14+) and young adults with depression or anxiety and their parents or caregivers are invited to attend insightful sessions covering topics such as:

Adolescent brain health, latest treatments for anxiety & depression, peer support, personal stories from individuals & families affected by mental health conditions.

Upcoming Events:

Holiday Assistance

Sign-ups are now open to receive holiday assistance with food, toys and clothing through the Harrison Mayor’s Community Fund, Christ’s Loving Hands, and the Southwest Local School District. Click HERE to register online or to get information on in-person sign-ups.

2024-2025 Yearbooks on Sale!

Harrison Junior School yearbook sales are now open! Purchase your 2024-2025 yearbooks before December 31st to avoid the price increase. Current yearbooks are $35 and the price will increase to $40 on January 1, 2025. Yearbooks will be available for pickup at the end of the school year. PLEASE KEEP YOUR RECEIPT UPON PURCHASE.
Purchase link: https://bit.ly/hjsyearbook

Email Mrs. Adleta (haley.adleta@southwestschools.org) with any questions.

At Harrison Junior School, we believe in fostering a supportive environment where students feel empowered to keep trying. Let's work together to help our Wildcats see the value in persistence and hard work! Our team is here to support you in this process. If you need help creating this routine, please reply to this email or call our office at 513-367-4831.

We appreciate your continuous support and collaboration.