GJH Parent Portal

It has been a great start to the school year! Staff and students have enjoyed seeing each other again, and we have jumped right in to learning and activities!

Speaking of activities . . . Studies show that students who are involved in extracurricular activities have better school attendance, behavior, and academic success.

Extracurriculars help students build relationships with other students and staff, develop skills that they will use for life, and feel more motivated to come to school. Check our newsletter, Parent Square, and GCS website for opportunities for your child to get involved!

Our GJH Fundraiser for 2024-2025 started on Friday, August 30. If your child has not returned a permission slip and taken home a box of chocolate bars to sell, it is NOT too late!

All money raised goes directly to support students in clubs, athletics, field trips, rewards, and school celebrations.

Once a student turns in their money from selling the first box, they can take a second box home to see (with parent signature on the envelope giving permission). Students can sell as many boxes as they would like! With every box sold, the student's name is entered an additional time in the prize drawings. And, every student who sells at least one box of chocolate bars will be able to go to the skating party in October!

See the flier below for more information about our fundraiser and prizes available to students who participate. Email lherschberger@goshenschools.org with questions.

Thank you for your support of our fundraiser!

Students will have a reward field trip opportunity at the end of the school year for those who qualify based on attendance, behavior, and being on time to classes.

Qualifying 7th graders will have the opportunity to go to Deep River Water Park.

Qualifying 8th graders will be able to go to Cedar Point.

Students must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for these trips:

1. Six or fewer absences (excused and unexcused absences count)
2. Thirty or fewer tardies to class
3. One or less referral (excluding major referrals)

Administrators will make the final decision about eligibility for any exceptional cases.

Students will have a reward field trip opportunity at the end of the school year for those who qualify based on attendance, behavior, and being on time to classes.

Qualifying 7th graders will have the opportunity to go to Deep River Water Park.

Qualifying 8th graders will be able to go to Cedar Point.

Students must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for these trips:

1. Six or fewer absences (excused and unexcused absences count)
2. Thirty or fewer tardies to class
3. One or less referral (excluding major referrals)

Administrators will make the final decision about eligibility for any exceptional cases.

School picture retakes will take place on Wednesday, September 25. Retake orders should be placed online at Inter-state.com/order using order code: 86648KU

Anyone who is dissatisfied with their original picture will need to return their picture package on retake day to be able to take a new picture, unless the student missed the original picture day or did not purchase a package.

PLEASE NOTE: If any student forgets to turn in their original picture package on retakes for credit, they will have 24 hours to return it to our office. If they wait longer, we are no longer able to accept them for credit and they will have to purchase the new picture.

Mr. Caton joined the GJH staff this year as an 8th grade science teacher.

Mr. Caton grew up in El Paso Texas and earned degrees in Physical Education and Science, as well as a Masters Degree in Sports Sciences, from UTEP. He has worked in the sports/fitness industry in addition to being a teacher and coach.

Mr. Caton and his wife of 35 years, Cindy, have two adult daughters. They lived in Colorado for 23 years before recently moving to Indiana to be near their granddaughter, June.

Mr. Caton enjoys exercising and outdoor activities such as running, cycling, hiking, and kayaking. He has a very active side business called ACE Method Coaching, through which he supports coaches and athletes who need help with hurdling. He also creates videos for his YouTube channel to promote his business.

When asked what he likes about working at GJH, Mr. Caton said, "Without exaggeration, it has the best teachers and admin I have ever seen! It is the most well-run organization I have ever worked for, even outside education. And, my fellow teachers are the most helpful I have ever experienced!"

Welcome to GJH, Mr. Caton! We are glad you are here!

The GJH Chess club will meet every Tuesday, starting on September 17, in Room 252 from dismissal until 5:00. We'll meet until Christmas Break. If there is interest, we will continue into the spring semester. Cost for the program is $15. See the flier below for mor information.

The first German Club meeting of the year will be September 17th, from 4-4:55 p.m. in room 117. Students may take the 5PM activity bus home afterwards. Danke!

Monday, September 16 - Last Day for GJH Fundraiser

Wednesday, Sept. 25 - Picture Retake Day

Tuesday, Oct.15 - Parent-Teacher Conferences. NO SCHOOL!

Oct. 21-25 - Fall Break, No School

To communicate more effectively with parents, GCS will expand the district’s fall Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Teachers will be at school to meet with parents throughout the day on Tuesday, October 15.

Students will not have school on October 15. This will NOT be an e-learning day.

At GJH, our goal is for every student to have at least 94% attendance. This means students should not be absent more than 10 days during the school year (excused or unexcused). Every day at school is an opportunity for your child to learn and have experiences that contribute to academic and personal growth.

Of the 942 students enrolled at GJH, 782 (83%) of our students have missed only 1 day or less of school so far this school year and are meeting the attendance goal! Congratulations, and keep up the good work!

Students who miss no school each week are entered in a drawing. Twenty names will be drawn, and the drawing winners will each receive a certificate and free slushie during lunch period. Every week is a new opportunity to have perfect weekly attendance and be entered in the drawing.

Goshen Schools uses LINQ Connect for managing students' breakfast and lunch accounts.

You can create an account at https://linqconnect.com/.

Parents who wish to apply for assistance should complete the meal application for free and reduced pricing for meals. This can also be done at https://linqconnect.com/ .

If you have questions, please contact GJHS bookkeeper Michelle Strite by calling the school or emailing at mstrite@goshenschools.org .

Goshen Community Schools Dress Code can be found in the online student handbook at Student Handbooks - Google Drive

Our goal is to help students understand and evaluate appropriate settings for formal vs. informal attire, which is a skill they will use in the world beyond school. Students will see this addressed starting on the first day of school.

We appreciate parents working with us on this. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact an administrator.

For the safety of students, car traffic is not allowed in the front parking lot during our arrival (8:45-9:30) and dismissal (3:30-4:30) times. At any time when there are buses in the front lot, parents must drop off or pick up students in the North or South lot. Please communicate with your child ahead of time so s/he will know where to find you after school.

Requirements:

1. You must have a 24-25 IHSAA Sports Physical completed and submitted before you are eligible to practice or tryout.

2. All forms must be completed on FinalForms. Go to: goshen-in.finalforms.com to complete these forms.

GCS provides many valuable online resources for parents and students. Skyward, Canvas, Parent Square . . . and the list goes on!

Detailed instructions and support for using these resources can be found here: https://goshenschools.instructure.com/courses/9841

Click this link to access student handbooks in English and Spanish:

https://gjhs.goshenschools.org/about/

Do you know of a GJH staff member who has "gone the extra mile" to make a difference in the life of a child? Take a moment to recognize and thank someone who has shown the Heart of a Redhawk! Click on the link below to fill out a nomination form. This is a simple, meaningful way to thank someone for a job well done.

www.goshenschools.org/heartofaRedHawk

Email: lherschberger@goshenschools.org
Website: https://gjhs.goshenschools.org/
Location: 1216 S. Indiana Avenue, Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: (574)533-0391
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goshenjrhigh/
Twitter: @GoshenJrHigh