SJHS Newsletter 2.15.26

Weekly Highlights:

• February 15 - School Resource/Safety Officer Appreciation Day
• February 16 - Presidents' Day/NO SCHOOL
• February 17 - Lunar/Chinese New Year
• February 20 - ACT Test Prep Begins at SJHS Library
  
  

Future Events - Save the Dates:

• February 24 - ASVAB Test (for all Seniors and interested Juniors)
• February 25 - Northern Arizona University will be in the Career Center
• February 25 - SJMS STUCO Talent Show
• February 27 - NAVIT Registration for 2026-27 Deadline Extended

As we approach President's Day this Monday—a holiday honoring the visionary leaders who shaped our nation, from George Washington's unyielding resolve during the Revolutionary War to Abraham Lincoln's steadfast commitment to unity amid division—it's a perfect time to reflect on the power of perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. In a world that often feels chaotic, let's draw inspiration from those who refused to surrender to pessimism and instead built the foundations of freedom we cherish today.

I recently heard Elon Musk share a candid insight about his experiences navigating government bureaucracy. He described how "it's extremely difficult even to cut very obvious waste and fraud from the government—because the government has to operate on who's complaining. If you cut off payments to fraudsters, they immediately come up with the most sympathetic sounding reasons to continue the payment. They don't say, 'Please keep the fraud going.' They're like, 'You're killing baby pandas!' Meanwhile, there's no baby pandas who are dying. They're just making it up. The fraudsters are capable of coming up with extremely compelling, heart-wrenching stories that are false—but nonetheless sound sympathetic."

It's easy to nod along cynically and think, "That's just how it is—everywhere, at every level of government." The temptation to give in to despair, to become "black-pilled" and tune out, is real. But then I recall the timeless words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower: "Pessimism never won any battle." As we celebrate President's Day, Eisenhower's wisdom reminds us that great leaders like him didn't lead by dwelling on obstacles; they charged forward with optimism and action.

In today's world, it's no secret that many of us—doomscrolling through endless news feeds or social media—feel overwhelmed and beaten down. Headlines scream division, local issues pile up, and it can all seem so isolating and discouraging. The work of preserving our core principles, building a better community, or even tackling a school project can feel utterly insurmountable. But here's the truth: you're not alone, and history proves that a determined few can ignite massive transformation. Of course, it's far easier to criticize than to create, to point fingers than to step up, to blame others than to take responsibility. Yet, as Thomas Paine warned in "The American Crisis" during the darkest days of the Revolution, "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." Don't be the fair-weather patriot who fades when times get tough—be the steadfast winter soldier who endures the storm and fights for what's right. And consider this motivating fact: only about 30-45% of the population actively supported the Patriots' cause or identified as Patriots. Another 15-20% were Loyalists backing the British Crown, while the rest stayed silent, avoiding the fray. That's right—just a minority stood firm. Yet, under the bold leadership of figures like George Washington—our first president, whose birthday we originally celebrated on this holiday—a handful of resolute individuals refused apathy and entitlement. They turned the tide of history, forging a new nation from the ashes of doubt.

As high school students, you're at the forefront of tomorrow's leadership. Whether it's speaking up in class, organizing a club event, or volunteering in your community, remember that small steps fueled by courage can create ripples of real change. We must heed the rallying cry of Thomas Paine: "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." On this President's Day, let's honor our past presidents not just with a day off, but by embodying their spirit—rising above cynicism, embracing responsibility, and stepping up as the leaders our world needs. The future isn't written by the complainers; it's built by the doers. You've got this—Eyes Up.

by Bianca Diaz

February is all about connection, kindness, and showing appreciation—and there’s no better way to do that than by showing up for one another every day. This Valentine’s season, we want to send a big thank you to our amazing students and staff who make our school a place worth being. Being present, on time, and ready to learn (or teach!) makes a real difference, not just for you, but for everyone around you. When you’re here, you’re part of the energy, the learning, the laughter, and the support that make our school community strong.

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Kindness doesn’t have to be big to matter. During Random Acts of Kindness Week, we’re encouraging everyone to show up—not just to school, but for the people around you. Being present is one of the most powerful ways to support others, and small acts of kindness can make someone’s entire day.

Here are a few simple ways to spread kindness wherever you are:

Acts of Kindness for Family

• Leave Notes: Write encouraging messages on sticky notes for bathroom mirrors or tuck one into a lunchbox.

• Do Chores: Take care of a chore for a family member without being asked.

• Quality Time: Plan a surprise game night or movie—or simply tell them how much you appreciate them.

• Cook: Prepare a meal or surprise your family with a favorite treat.

Acts of Kindness for Students

• Encouragement: Compliment a classmate on their work, ideas, or effort.

• Share Notes: Help a struggling peer by sharing notes or offering to study together.

• Inclusion: Invite someone sitting alone to join you for lunch or a game.

• Small Gestures: Hold doors open, sharpen a friend’s pencils, or leave a kind note.

Acts of Kindness for the Community

• Clean Up: Pick up litter in your neighborhood or a local park.

• Support Local: Leave a positive review for a local business or buy a gift card to give away.

• Help Commuters: Let someone go ahead of you in traffic or in line at the store.

• Public Kindness: Return a stranger’s shopping cart.

Be Kind to Yourself

• Kindness isn’t just for others—it’s for you, too. Being kind to yourself helps you feel happier and makes it easier to spread kindness around you. Today’s mission: write down five things you love about yourself. Big or small, celebrate what makes you you and take a moment to appreciate the wonder that is YOU.

Attendance = Appreciation

• Showing up is more than just a requirement—it’s a way of saying “I care.”
• We’re proud of our students and staff who make attendance a priority and help build a school culture rooted in respect, kindness, and commitment.
• Let’s keep the momentum going—be here, be kind, and keep making February a month full of heart.

Quarter 3 Incentive: No Tardy Party

To encourage positive attendance habits, the class with the fewest tardies and absences during Quarter 3 will win the No Tardy Pizza Party! This incentive promotes accountability, teamwork, and school pride while recognizing students who prioritize attendance and punctuality.

Parents/Guardians/Community Members: If you would like to help or donate rewards to our students for good or improved attendance, please fill out the form below.

We are noticing a growing number of students arriving late to 1st hour. The first few minutes of our day are dedicated to the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence, and important announcements. Students being late to 1st hour disrupts this important routine. We are kindly asking for your help in making sure students arrive at school on time each morning. As a reminder, 1st hour begins at 7:45AM and students need to be in their seats by then. Thank you for your continued support.

with Mr. Johnson

College/University Visits at SJHS

• February 25 at 12:30 - 1:30 PM - Tezbah Smiley from Northern Arizona University will be in the Career Center to help students with registration, scholarships, programs, and housing.
• If you are interested in applying to NAU or have questions, stop by the career center during this time.

ASVAB Testing at SJHS

• February 25 at 8:30 - 11:45 AM - SJHS will be offering the ASVAB for a 2nd time this school year. All seniors are expected to take the ASVAB and interested juniors are also invited to participate. Please see the flyer and registration form below. Visit Mr. Johnson with any questions.
• The ASVAB isn’t just a military test—it’s a comprehensive strengths profile. Students get a detailed breakdown of how they perform in areas like:
• Mechanical reasoning
• Spatial awareness
• Word knowledge
• Math problem‑solving
• Coding speed
• Technical comprehension
• That data is then paired with the Career Exploration Program, which matches students to hundreds of civilian careers based on their natural abilities—not just their interests.
• For a teenager who isn’t sure what comes after high school, this can be eye‑opening. It often reveals strengths they didn’t know they had and points them toward fields like engineering, healthcare, IT, automotive technology, culinary arts, construction, design, and more.
• Additional benefits for students:
• It’s free—a high‑quality aptitude assessment they don’t have to pay for.
• It helps with CTE pathways by highlighting areas where they’re naturally strong.
• It builds confidence by showing students what they can do, not just what they think they like.
• It supports post‑secondary planning for college, trade school, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
• It’s low‑stakes—no impact on GPA, transcripts, or college admissions.

The President’s Scholars Program is Northland Pioneer College's most prestigious merit award that recognizes your high level of academic performance in high school. Because of your achievement, NPC offers you an opportunity to become a President's Scholar. This honorary program includes specialized attention from faculty, as well as a scholarship that covers your tuition, fees and books at NPC for four semesters! For more information or to apply online, visit: https://www.npc.edu/presidentsscholars

• Tuesday, February 17 - 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM in the Library

• Wednesday, February 18 - 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM in the Library

• Thursday, February 19 - Saturday, February 21

St. Johns High School Boys' and Girls' Basketball both reign as Region Champs! The boys were victorious during their semifinal game against Valley High School (Sanders) Saturday morning, and then battled NPA in the finals Saturday evening to win the trophy! The girls dominated against Piñon in the semis Saturday afternoon, and wrapped up the regional tournament Saturday with a strong victory over Valley High School (Sanders)! Congratulations to these athletes and their coaches!

The Girls' Basketball team began the Copper Division tournament with a win against Fountain Hills on Tuesday night. The Boys' Basketball team will face Wilcox at home on Friday, February 13 at 7:00 PM.

• February 13 - Boys Basketball vs. Wilcox
• February 14 - Wrestling Sectionals @ Winslow
• February 17 - Boys Basketball (TBD)
• February 20-21 - Wrestling @ State, Phoenix
• February 21 - Girls Basketball State Quarterfinals (TBD)

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We Are One. We Fear No One. Eyes Up.