Science Hill High School Newsletter

Students and Families,

Class Registration

It is time for all students who will return to SHHS next year (rising 10th-12th grade) to register for classes. Students will choose eight classes for next year, along with three alternates. Teachers and counselors will help advise students, but we encourage parents to help guide their students as well. Our process for registration is designed for parent input and engagement.

On February 19, all rising 10-12th grade students will receive a registration packet. This packet will include a graduation status report, a current transcript, list of available classes, and instructions on how to register for classes using the online portal. We will also open the online portal on February 19. The online portal is where students will register for classes. Again, we encourage parents to assist their students in choosing classes.

We will have a parent meeting on February 20 for all rising 10th-12th grade students. We will discuss the registration process, graduation requirements, different programs, and online portal instructions. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the SHHS Auditorium.

The online portal for registration will close on March 3. We have a class registration page on our website. It can be found here.

Mid-Term

This week marked the mid-term of the Third Quarter. Please check your students’ grades in Parent Portal. If you have any concerns, please contact teachers or counselors.

Thank you and Go Toppers!

Josh Carter

SHHS Principal

Students taking the ACT should arrive no later than 8 a.m. with a printed copy of their admission ticket, a photo ID, sharpened No. 2 pencils, a permitted calculator and snacks. A watch or other timing device (with all alarms silenced) is permitted, but you may not use a cellphone, smart watch or other devices with recording or communication capabilities during the test period. Cellphones and wearable devices MUST be turned off and out of sight from the time test-takers are admitted to the testing room until they are dismissed at the end of the test, including break times. For more information about what to expect on test day, visit ACT's website.

Students and parents are welcome to attend a FAFSA Night at 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 13 in Science Hill's Library. Experts will provide help in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Make sure to create separate student and parent accounts at least three days prior to the meeting, have student and parent social security numbers handy, and bring an electronic device with access to the internet, a phone number and email.

Science Hill's Choir and Orchestra programs will present their Valentine's Day concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 13 in the school's auditorium.

Students will attend school on Monday, February 17 as a make-up day for an inclement weather cancellation on January 10.

Parents of students starting the 9th grade next school year may attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, February 18 in the auditorium at Science Hill. The meeting for parents of students with last names beginning with A-M starts at 6 p.m., and the meeting for parents of students with last names beginning with N-Z will start at 7 p.m.

Parents of students starting the 10th through 12th grades next school year may attend an informational meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 20 in the Science Hill auditorium. Topics will include the registration process, graduation requirements, different programs, and online portal instructions.

Take a look at our online calendars to stay up to date with what's going on at Science Hill:

The SHHS Showstoppers started 2025 off with back-to-back competition wins!

At the Dr. Kathy Ligon Invitational in Cookeville on Jan. 18, they placed 30 performances into finals, beat 21 schools to win the Team Sweepstakes and won six events. First Place winners were Olivia Castillo (Cavalier Commercial Break), Cassie Rogers & Sophie Young (Duo Improv), Cassie Rogers & Taylor Robey (Duo Interpretation), Sawyer Franklin (Pantomime and Storytelling), and Madelyn Campbell (Program of Oral Interpretation).

At the Lovebug Invitational at Sullivan East High School on Feb. 1, they placed 36 performances into finals, again won the Team Sweepstakes and earned eight event wins. First Place winners were Olivia Castillo (After-Dinner Speaking), Carrie Ledford (Dramatic Interpretation), Seamus Blackburn & Madelyn Campbell (Duet Acting), Amy Li (Impromptu Speaking), Cassie Rogers & Sophie Young (Improvisational Duet Acting), Sawyer Franklin (Pantomime Acting and Storytelling), and Avery Gillert (Poetry Interpretation).

So far this season, the Showstoppers have earned 215 individual awards, including 42 first-place awards for events!

Three exemplary Science Hill student athletes committed to play on collegiate teams this week! Linebacker Baylor Necessary signed with VMI, wide receiver and cornerback Steven Famoyin chose Carson-Newman and tennis player Meredith Berry heads to Milligan's team.

Thank you to everyone who donated items or volunteered to make the PTSA's Faculty and Staff Appreciation popcorn and drinks a success!

Reminders:

• The window for Teacher Grant applications is still open.

• Scholarship forms are available in counselors' offices. Seniors with outstanding community service who plan to attend a college or university and students who plan to attend a trade school may apply. Applicants for the college or university scholarship must submit a typed personal statement about a community service or volunteer experience and a resume. Applicants for the trade school scholarship must submit a typed essay explaining how this scholarship would support their career in a trade and why they're the best candidate.

Join the PTSA or support its educational programs at sciencehill.givebacks.com.

Everyone needs a little advice and support at times. Our dedicated counselors are always ready to help! Check out the SHHS Counseling page, or email a counselor directly below:

• Joe McPherson (last names A-Carp) mcphersonj@jcschools.org
• Kim Thompson (Carr-E) thompsonk@jcschools.org
• Dr. Stacey Philbrick (F-Hon) philbricks@jcschools.org
• Ryan Goines (Hoo-Maq) goinesr@jcschools.org
• Suzanne Reaves (Mar-Pa) reavess@jcschools.org
• Seth Douglas (Pe-Sti) douglass@jcschools.org
• Eva Price (Sto-Z) pricee@jcschools.org
• Josh Jarnigan (Career Counseling) jarniganj@jcschools.org
• Chad Plaisted (Topper Academy) plaistedc@jcschools.org

• Seniors should be finished or almost finished with their college applications and should now be looking for scholarships. There are several scholarships listed on the Financial Aid/Scholarships page. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your counselor.

• FAFSA is now open. If you have not scheduled a meeting with Holly Frye to help you with this, email her at hfrye@niswongerfoundation.org. There is one remaining workshop to help with the application on Thursday, February 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. See your counselor for details.

• Make sure that you have an updated resume ready to go, whether you are going to school, military or straight to the workforce. You WILL need one.

Attention Seniors: The local scholarships are here! These are specific scholarships that are guaranteed to be awarded to a Science Hill student. Go to the Counselor tab of the SHHS website for a complete list. All scholarship applications are on the Scholarship Wall right past Mr. Douglas' office on Counselor Row. The deadlines are different and some scholarships require letters of recommendation, so start early and check out the scholarships today!

Daily Announcements
Check out our announcements page that are updated daily on the website! This is where you can find more information about detailed events, student opportunities, club meetings and more! Follow the link above or press the button on the website's main page that can be found by scrolling halfway down.

Social Media

Social Media can be a great communication tool to push out important events and information in a fun and entertaining way. Both our official Instagram (handle: sciencehill_jcs) and Facebook (ScienceHillJCS) are used to showcase what's going on at the hill both academically and athletically while keeping both families and students informed with the most updated information

All student and parent forms can be found in our Main Office in two main places: on a grid on the wall by the main entrance or on our counters.

On Wall in the Main Office

PTA Forms - How to sign up and be informed with PTA events and news.

JCS Communication Tools - Information on how to stay connected with Johnson City Schools.

Gradebook Portal Request Form - To request access to PowerSchool parent account.

DMV Form - Needed to obtain their learner's permit. It must be filled out and signed before taking it to the DMV.

Community Service Hours Form - Log form for students' community service hours. Must be signed by a the volunteer supervisor.

Transit Request Forms - Must be filled out, approved, and on file before students can use the school bus system.

Medicine Administration Permission Form - Must be filled out and turned into the nurse if students have medicine that needs to be taken during the school day.

Parent Observer Request Form - To request access to Canvas parent account.

On the counter in the Main Office

Lunch Form - For more information about our lunch program. There is a QR code that will direct on how to fill out forms regarding free and reduced lunch.

School Map - For a layout of the school so that students are able to locate their classes.

Drop-Off/Pick Up Map - For car drop off and pick up locations.