And here we are… there are just 21 school days until the end of semester 1.  That means your student has less than 15 class periods remaining for each of their courses.  Final exam week is December 20-22, and then we are off from school until January 10, 2022.  Gradebooks are being updated this week since Friday the 19th was the end of the final progress period.  Semester grades are the grades that are entered on the permanent record, and they are the indicator for earned credit.  Now is the time to review with your student their academic goals, and places where they can leverage a grade to the next higher one.  Grade point average (GPA) and earned credit are the ultimate markers for high school transcripts and earning our high school diploma.  Thank you for making sure that these conversations are a high priority going into this final stretch!

Cold and flu season appear to be here, so we want to remind everyone that one of our best mitigation strategies is to maintain a symptom free environment.  That standard applies to all members of our JDHS community, including me!  We know how disruptive it can be to miss a day of school or work, but we also know how critical it is to your student’s learning that we are open and serving students in person.  In the event that your student is feeling the pressure to come to school because of a test or an assignment please reach out to the teacher, the school counselor or myself so that we can support them in making that work up due to their medical absence.  In 99% of these scenarios we are just miscommunicating, and not slowing down to be mindful of the situation.  We can work through this together.  Our school system depends on that. 

, November 14th was Dr. Walter Soboleff Day a day to remember an iconic public servant who advocated for the rights of all throughout his lifetime.  Dr. Soboleff was known for his handwritten notes and letters, and one of the suggestions for Alaskans on that day is to write a letter of gratitude.  As we move from the 14th into Thanksgiving and ultimately winter break I would like to extend the challenge to each of you to write a letter of gratitude for someone in your life who is making a difference for you.  Letter writing is quickly becoming a pastime with the ease of electronic communication.  Modeling this, albeit once a year, is one way to encourage your student to practice thoughtful communication and kindness.  And who doesn’t want to get a piece of mail that isn’t a bill?  I will be sending my letters by the end of November,and hope that many of you will do the same, in the spirit of gratitude.