Wow, it is hard to believe that we have completed the first semester of school. This is an exciting time of year. The freshmen have completed their first high school finals, the sophomores have finally settled into their daily routines, the juniors begin looking into the future, and the seniors are anxious for graduation and all that it entails. This is a time when our students begin to look forward and plan on their futures. Earlier this month we hosted two very successful 8^th grade parent nights. These nights were very well attended at both high schools. It was great to see so many excited faces as each family began to think about the future as high school students.

            Now that January is almost over, it is time for the course selection process to begin. When you receive your course selection materials please take a close look through the course guide and select courses that best fit your interests and needs. I encourage parents to take an active role in this process. Have conversations about the different courses prior to the assigned course registration night. We are proud to offer a wide variety of courses to fit the needs of all of our students. If you have any questions, contact your counselor to help determine the best courses for you. Both of our counselors will be available on the course selection nights.

Parents continue to have a strong influence on their teenagers.  JDHS staff encourages parents to keep open lines of communication with their teens by maintaining family time to discuss things and share common activities, enforce consistent rules that help adolescents learn the relationship of independence and responsibility, and show that education is important by encouraging homework and reading, knowing the student’s teachers, and supporting post-secondary education planning. 

Parents can also be involved at JDHS in the following ways;

1.     Volunteer to be a hall walker.

2.     Apply to be a member of the Site Council (first Monday of each month).

3.     Come to the Monthly Parent Group Meeting (second Thursday of each month).

4.     Volunteer to be a chaperone at a dance.

5.     Come support JDHS activities as a fan or audience member.

6.     Regularly monitor your student’s attendance and progress on PowerSchool.

7.     Learn more about JDHS’s academic program via the home website.

Thank you for all your support!