HJS Update-February 18, 2025

Dear HJS Families,

We are over halfway through the third quarter, keep up the hard work! 

Weekly Calendar

Monday, February 17:

• President’s Day - No School

Tuesday, February 18:

• No JS Events Scheduled

Wednesday, February 19:

• No JS Events Scheduled

Thursday, February 20:

• No JS Events Scheduled

Friday, February 21:

• Teacher/Team Core Value Incentive

February is also Bus Driver Appreciation Month, and we want to take a moment to give a huge shoutout to our amazing bus drivers! They play a crucial role in getting our students to and from school safely every day, and we are so grateful for their hard work and dedication!

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!

• Conferences
• It was great to have parents and teachers connect during our final conference night, we appreciate the continued support in helping our students grow!
• PTO Book Fair
• Thank you so much to our amazing PTO for putting together the book fair! We raised a few thousand dollars that will be returned to the teachers for books and supplies, we wouldn’t be able to make this possible without your continued support!

• Current 8^th Grade Parents: College Credit Plus Meeting
• Thursday, February 27 at 7:15AM in the Martin Marietta Theatre

Thank you to all the 8th grade families who attended the high school scheduling presentation.  We have posted copies of the slideshow from that presentation, as well as the slideshow we shared with the 8th grade students earlier that morning on the high school’s Guidance Department webpage.  This site also includes our course description book and our Pathways brochure, which we shared at the 8th Grade Open House in November.  Please be sure to reach out with any questions!

• 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. Winter athletics have officially wrapped up, and we want to extend a huge congratulations to all our student athletes and coaches for their incredible hard work and dedication throughout the season! As the spring season kicks off, we are excited to offer new opportunities to get involved!

• Track
• There will be an informational track meeting during lunch this week! More info to come!
• Running Club
• It’s not too late to join Running Club! All interested 6^th, 7^th, & 8^th graders please message Mr. Napier on Teams or email him at robert.napier@southwestschools.org
• Percussion Club
• Would you like to be a percussionist? All grades are welcome to join Percussion Club, see Mr. Egan with any questions or email him at brian.egan@southwestschools.org
• 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 this past week, 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:

• School Messenger Notifications
• 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: Social Media Usage and Safety

This week, we are focusing on the important topic of Social Media Usage and Safety. As our students continue to engage with online platforms, it’s essential to understand how social media can impact their well-being and school life. Issues arising from online interactions such as misunderstandings, drama, or cyberbullying often spill over into the school day, affecting focus, friendships, and overall mood. Additionally, it’s important to remember that everything we do and share online contributes to your “digital footprint” which can have long-term consequences. We encourage open communication about responsible social media use and remind your child to take breaks and protect their privacy, and the lasting impact of their online actions. Together, we can help ensure a safe and positive experience both online and offline.

Upcoming Events:

• 80’s Clothing Drive
• WHHHS Drama Department seeking donations of ALL 80’s themed clothing for their upcoming production of Footloose! Items needed include flannels, cowboy hats/boots, roller skates, formal & semiformal dresses, jewelry, heels, hair accessories, formal gloves, and sweaters! (sizes XXS – XXL)
• Donate and scan the QR code for your chance to win a raffle basket at the show! Donations will be accepted through February 21!
• Contact ebenight1@gmail.com with any questions.
• Athletic Boosters Sports Stag
• This coming Thursday is our 2025 Harrison Wildcats Athletic Boosters Sports Stag! Don’t miss hearing from legendary UV basketball coach Bob Huggins, and former WCPO Channel 9 sports anchor Dennis Janson!
• For tickets and sponsorship information please visit www.harrisonathleticboosters.com or contact harrisonathleticstag@gmail.com
• MUST be 21 years or older to attend.
• Harrison Night at the Cincinnati Cyclones Game
• PTO is hosting Harrison Night on March 15! Gather your friends & family for a fun-filled evening while supporting several Harrison organizations! A small portion of ticket sales benefit the PTO, Harrison High School A Capella will be performing the National Anthem and God Bless America, Harrison High School ASL students will be signing during the National Anthem, and the CAT Boosters will be selling split the pot tickets during the game!
• Purchase our tickets here: http://cyclonesgroups.com/harrisonjrsrhs
• Contact PTO with any questions at HarrisonJrSrPTO@gmail.com

We appreciate your continuous support and collaboration.

Thank you for your attention to this weekly update. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 513-367-4831.