HJS Update-November 18, 2024

Dear HJS Families,

We’re now halfway through the second quarter, and it’s been an exciting and productive few months! Our recent conference night was another success, providing an opportunity for parents and teachers to connect and discuss student progress. We also saw our 8th-grade students shine, demonstrating our core values throughout their daily activities and during their Washington, D.C. trip. Additionally, we came together as a school community to express our deep gratitude to our veterans during our Veteran’s Day assembly—an inspiring moment that reminded all of us of the importance of service and sacrifice. As we look ahead, winter sports are just around the corner, bringing new opportunities for student athletes to excel, work as a team, and show their school spirit. It’s been a wonderful first half of the quarter, and we are excited to keep the momentum going as we move toward the rest of the year!

Weekly Calendar

Monday, November 18:

• No JS Events Scheduled

Tuesday, November 19:

• No JS Events Scheduled

 Wednesday, November 20:

• National Junior Honor Society Meeting
• ALL Members
• 7:00AM, Community Room

Thursday, November 21:

• No JS Events Scheduled

Friday, November 22:

• JS Drama – Anastasia
• 7:30PM, Martin Marietta Theatre

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. Here are some highlights:

• Mr. Starnes classes are building roller coasters to learn about potential and kinetic energy!
• Mr. Bowser’s class is learning about chemistry as they prepare to make ice cream in class!
• Mrs. Johnson’s entrepreneurship class made their trip to Kroger to buy ingredients for their food truck sales THIS week! Be sure to check them out!

Social Growth

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

• Be sure to check out www.facebook.com/@harrisonjuniorschool for more information regarding winter activities!
• We celebrated our success in demonstrating Core Values with a fun PBIS incentive this week!
• 8^th Grade enjoyed a trip to the Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game!
• 7^th Grade and 6^th Grade had a blast watching movies, having a play day, decorating cookies, and enjoying delicious snacks!
• It was a great way to recognize and reward our students for their hard work and commitment to our Core Values! Keep up the hard work!
• Golf – 8^th Grade Girls ONLY
• Ready to take a swing at golf? The girls' golf team is kicking off off-season practices this November, and we’d love to have you join us! Practice will be held at our school’s indoor facility, so no worries about the weather!
• Interested in playing or want to know more? Head to HarrisonGirlsGolf.com for info and to sign up!
• Ski Club
• Harrison High School Ski Club would love to get our future members out on the slopes as early as possible. Members of the High School Ski Club are able to get great discounts on season passes or the exclusive 4-visit club passes not available to the general public. The great news is now anyone can get those same deals even if you are not a high school ski club student!!! What’s better to give for the holidays than the gift of some outdoor fun?!
• Go to www.perfectnorth.com/clubs/
• Search the ABC Chart to find our club: Harrison High School
• Username: harrison Club password: snowflake
• Contact Mrs. Barker at jenny.barker@southwestschools.org with any questions!
• Harrison Community Basketball
• Looking for a fun way to stay active and make new friends? Join the local community basketball program! It’s perfect for kids of all skill levels who want to learn the game and have a blast with teammates!
• Visit www.harrisonbasketball.org for more information.

Safety 

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

• 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: Focus

This week, we’re highlighting the power of focus—one of the most valuable skills for academic success and personal growth. In a world full of distractions, learning how to stay focused can be challenging but is key to getting things done efficiently. Help your child build this skill by setting up a distraction-free study area, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and using timers to encourage short, productive work sessions followed by breaks. You can also model focused behavior by staying engaged in your own tasks and creating a routine that promotes attention. Small steps today lead to big gains tomorrow!

Other ways to be involved are by creating a routine and expectation for your child each night.  This includes them completing their homework, reading, and making education a priority in your home.  Additionally, teens need 8-10 hours of sleep every night which is essential for academic success, physical and emotional health. Tips for better sleep include setting a sleep schedule, creating a relaxing sleep environment, and keeping electronics out of the bed. If your student is struggling to fall asleep consider a relaxing activity like reading or listening to music. 

Upcoming Events:

• 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.