It is hard to believe that we have already progressed through 25% of the school year. Semester classes are already halfway completed, and before we know it final exams and the end of term will be here. For our senior families, we know the time is likely flying. Senioritis is a thing, so keep up your conversations at home regarding attendance, academic marks and graduation festivities that will be here in the blink of an eye. For our ninth-grade families, now is the time to firmly establish household conversations about school, post-secondary readiness and building a competitive high school transcript. Our goal at JDHS is for each of our graduates to be ready for any after high school opportunity that comes their way. Enrolled, enlisted or employed!

The second academic quarter is often broken up with holidays and staff Inservice days. Please take a peek now at the school calendar so that you and your student know when bell schedule shifts and days without student attendance will occur. While you are looking ahead, please also take some time to review the winter weather procedures, including remote learning days. The winter darkness and cold are setting in, which means the chance for remote learning days are increasing (formerly known as snow days). We want everyone to be familiar with the expectations for attendance and academic proficiency before any days are called.

Everything we do here, and in schools, is in partnership with students and families. As such we rely on your communication, and feedback cycles, so that our system is in a constant state of improvement. Evening events, such as Junior Night and/or PowerSchool support, are designed with you, the family in mind. Larger scale opportunities such as Parent Teacher Conferences and open house are other examples. Even how we communicate (Friday messages, the daily bulletin and a quarterly newsletter) are open for both praise and critique. As we move ahead with this school year we want to encourage you to be proactive with your ideas and suggestions for improvement. JDHS aspires to be dynamic in how we work with you, from our classrooms to our school-wide routines. We hope that you feel empowered to email, call or arrange for an appointment when you and/or your student need us to step up in pursuit of their high school diploma. That is what we are here for!