My lovely blank newsletter

Do you need this newsletter translated? Open the newsletter in your internet browser, then on the bottom right hand corner you will see an icon of a person, click on the icon, click on “Translate Newsletter” and select the language you need from the drop down menu.

¿Necesita traducción de este boletín? Abrir el boletín en su navegador de Internet, luego en la esquina inferior en la derecha verá un ícono de una persona, haga clic en el ícono, haga clic en “Traducir boletín” y seleccione el idioma que necesita en el menú desplegable.

Dear Families,

We are back, and our students are working hard this quarter! It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back into the building and see students reconnecting, settling into routines, and getting back to the important work of learning.

As we begin the school year, we have been spending time reviewing building expectations with students. These reminders are simply part of helping everyone have a safe, productive, and successful school experience.

As a reminder, students may not have cell phones, wireless earbuds, smart watches, or other communication devices during the school day. Signs are posted at student entrances as a reminder to turn these devices off and place them securely in a backpack or purse before entering the building.

If a student is found in possession of a device, they will receive a referral, and the device will need to be brought to the office. Our progressive consequences are:

• 1st Violation: Device kept in the office
• 2nd Violation: Device kept in the office and parent/guardian contacted
• 3rd Violation: Device kept in the office, parent/guardian contacted, and OSS
• 4th Violation: Device checked in and checked out through the office each day

Refusal to surrender a device will result in a one-day suspension. Of course, our hope is that we never have to get to that point!

Finally, we know that communication with your student is important. Students have access to a school phone if they need to make a call. Families may also call Journey School of Choice at 913-288-3690 if you need to reach your student during the school day.

Another procedure we have reviewed with students is our random bag-check process. At least once each quarter, Journey School of Choice conducts a random safety check during the school day. During a bag check, bathrooms are temporarily secured, and students are directed to the cafeteria where they complete a bag check and walk through the metal detectors. Once students complete the process, they are moved to a supervised classroom in the academic hallway.

If a student would prefer not to complete the process in the cafeteria, they are welcome to come to the office and complete the check there. Our goal is always to maintain student dignity and treat every student with respect. If a student knows there is something in their bag that should not be there, I encourage them to come talk with me privately. We can address the situation discreetly in my office whenever possible.

We all make mistakes. Learning to take responsibility, own our choices, and ask for help when we need it are important life skills. We want our students to know that making a mistake does not change the way we see or value them.

Beyond the Bell students, please continue working toward 6–7 hours of coursework each school day and remember to complete your tests with teachers. You are always welcome in the building when you need to test or receive support. Please remember, however, that when you are in the building, you are subject to the same expectations, policies, and procedures as all Turner USD 202 students. That includes keeping cell phones and other communication devices put away.

Final Note for All Families:

We are incredibly fortunate to work with such wonderful students and families. Every day, we see students learning, growing, making good choices, and figuring out what comes next and it is a privilege to be part of that journey.

Thank you for partnering with us and for helping reinforce these expectations at home. When school and families work together, our students are the ones who benefit most.

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

Thank you for being part of our school community!

Dr. Frankie Lizar

Alternative Principal/Real World Learning Coordinator

Step One: Mark YOUR calendars with these dates

• Wednesday, May 19 - Senior Last Day
• Monday, May 24, at 7:00 PM Turner High School Graduation
• Tuesday, May 25, at 7:00 PM Turner High School Graduation Rainout Date

Step Two: Review these things to consider

1. Check your Student's Fees in Infinite Campus - school and lunch fees: All fees must be paid prior to the ceremony. The senior fee of $40.00 will cover your student's cap and gown fee.
2. Does your Student have the CLASS of 2026 in Schoology? - This class is where all things senior are posted. This includes trash bag sale alerts, ordering cap and gown, all the things! We check with them often, but many of your questions can often be answered here.
3. Culturally Significant Regalia Requests - This will post and be announced in newsletters. Keep an eye open. All changes to the traditional cap and gown must be culturally signifigant and be approved by committee. This process is announced later in the semester/beginning of January.

First Senior Meeting - Wednesday, September 2 - We will be taking our students to the meeting. If you are a senior enrolled in Beyond the Bell and would like to attend. Please report to the THS office by 9:20 AM, to be approved to come to the auditorium. Letting me know you are coming is a GREAT idea as I can meet you and walk you down. After this meeting, you will receive an email from Jostens on ordering - all orders are due by September 22 with delivery at a later time.

Keep an eye on the Turner High School PTSA Facebook page - The campaign will start soon to purchase the "Its a Turner Thing" featuring the Turner Bear and the JSOC Owl!

The Golden Bear Award recognizes one classified and one certified staff member each month who demonstrates outstanding dedication, embodies the values of Turner USD 202, and makes a positive impact on students, colleagues, and the community.

• In addition to the recognition at the board meeting, a short video will be made highlighting the recipient. The video may include clips of the individual in action, the actual nomination by the individual who made it, and comments from others. The videos are a great keepsake for the recipient, and we have the ability to post it on social media and our website. The administrator/department supervisor as well as the individual who made the nomination will be invited to attend the BOE meeting but not be expected to read the nomination(s) or make an additional speech.
• The Golden Bear recipients will receive a copy of the nomination(s).
• Employees nominated but not selected in a given month will be eligible for future months. Starting this year, copies of all nominations will be delivered to schools to distribute the last week of April.
• The nomination link should go out to families through the newsletters and building social media, and the QR code could be posted in the main office and present for after-school events.

The Journey School of Choice calendar is a four day week - Monday-Thursday. This schedule will vary from the district calendar, and days off will sometimes not coincide with other buildings. Please review the calendar for your JSOC student.

This is a question that is often asked, and the answer depends on what year the student is going to graduate. If the student is graduating this year or in the Class of 2027, the answer is they need 25 correct credits, and it looks like this:

• 4 units of English – English 9, 10, 11, 12
• 3 units of Math
• 3 units of Social Studies
• 3 units of Science
• 1 unit of PE/Health
• 1 unit of computer/STEM
• 1 unit of fine arts
• 9 units of electives

If the student is graduating in the Class of 2028 or after, this answer changes. The courses will start to look a little different and add in some different classes. It will also add 2 Post-Secondary Assets. The term PSA will be a term we will talk a lot about when talking about graduation – What PSAs will your student be working to attain?

Journey School of Choice works to provide community service opportunities and will expand these opportunities as they can to Beyond the Bell students. Please note that 40+ community service hours documented by the school does provide a learner with a Post-Secondary Asset.

Community Service documentation can be found in a student’s “Class of” information in Schoology. If your student does not see their “Class of” course in Schoology, please have them contact Ms. Loredo.

Students can earn credit for working in their third and fourth year of high school. Working for credit typically happens outside of the four-day JSOC bell schedule. Students should share their school schedule with their supervisors and state that they cannot work before 5:00 pm on Monday – Thursday.

Students earn 0.50 credit for 180 hours worked. Students can earn 1.00 (360 working hours) elective credit during their third year of school and 2.00 (720 working hours) elective credit during their fourth year of school. Students earn credit by submitting their pay stubs to their Schoology course for Work Experience. Credit is earned in the quarter it is completed.

Exceptions to this policy:

• Fourth year students who are on track for graduation with prior approval from Dr. Lizar may get a work lab added to their schedule.
• Third year students who are working linked to their IPS goals may also be allowed to have a work lab added to their schedule with prior approval from Dr. Lizar. Work experience tied to the IPS goals will count towards PSA credit for graduation in the Class of 2028 and after.

Students should also review the RWL Opportunities for internships and possible apprenticeship opportunities that are available.

Ms. Alma Loredo, Alternative School Secretary

Bilingual Spanish

913-288-3690

Dr. Frankie Lizar, Principal

913-288-3692