SJHS Newsletter 3.29.26

Today & Tomorrow:

• March 27 at 7:00 PM - Spring Musical
• March 28 at 8:30 AM - Saturday School (for those required to attend)
• March 28 at 7:00 PM - Spring Musical

Weekly Highlights:

• March 30 at 7:00 PM - FINAL NIGHT of the Spring Musical (see flyer)
• March 31 - April 1 - St. Johns Fine Arts Talent Show Auditions (see flyer)
• April 1 - State Testing Day (all 9th, 10th, & 11th Graders) - See SJHS State Testing Newsletter
• April 1 - Remote Learning Day for all 12th Graders
• April 1 at 6:00 - 7:30 PM - Girls' Basketball State Champs Celebration at SJHS Gym (see flyer)
• April 1 at 6:30 PM - School Board Meeting at the District Office
• April 3 - No School (Snow Day)

Future Events - Save the Dates:

• April 7 - ASVAB Make-up Testing
• April 8 - State Testing Make-up Day (for any students who missed March 24 or April 1)
• April 8 - TEP Empowering Individuals Field Trip (by special invitation)
• April 14 - SJHS & Community Blood Drive (see flyer)

The St. Johns High School Drama Department presents

Les Misérables

FINAL SHOWING, March 30 at 7:00 PM

Missed our State Testing newsletter?

Click this link to see all of the important information regarding testing at SJHS! https://app.smore.com/n/4xjdc

Dear SJHS Families,

This week, our juniors demonstrated outstanding commitment by reaching 96.6% participation on the ACT! We have just two students left to complete make‑ups, and once they do, we will achieve 100% participation.

Why Does it Matter? Arizona requires a minimum of 95% participation for state accountability, but reaching 100% participation earns SJHS bonus points toward our school letter grade. Because both participation and proficiency contribute to maintaining our A rating, every student who shows up and does their best makes a real difference for our school community.

We continue our state testing on April 1 for all 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Please help your student prepare for testing by getting a good night’s sleep, eating a good breakfast, and arriving on time. These assessments help us understand student learning and guide our improvement efforts. Review our Testing Newsletter for all the details. NOTE: Seniors will have a remote learning day (they need to complete work for each class in their Google Classrooms to be marked present).

This week also brought the opening of our spring musical, Les Misérables, and it was nothing short of phenomenal! Our cast and crew delivered a performance full of humility, heart, and hope—qualities that reflect what we ask of our students, especially as we continue the final quarter. This musical holds a special place in my heart; it was the first off-Broadway musical I saw as a teen with my family, after reading the abridged novel on which the musical is based. My dad, Russell H. Burdick, Jr., loved the story, and as an attorney, a community leader, and a religious leader, he keenly felt the dichotomy between justice and mercy that is embodied in the show. Regularly during high school, I would sit at our family piano and accompany my dad singing, "Bring Him Home," his favorite song. His high tenor voice still echoes in my mind and heart after all these years, and now that he has passed away, it is even more poignant listening to the two students playing Jean Valjean sing this song on stage. I know he would have loved to be here and see the amazing job the SJHS students have done with this show. Perhaps he is watching from the Heavenly catwalks!

During the finale of the musical, the epilogue lyrics of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" include the lines: “Even the darkest night will end / And the sun will rise.” This reminds me that even during times of struggle, stress, or pain, these challenges won't last forever. Through effort, perseverance, and grit, brighter outcomes are on the horizon. I hope that this message rings in the hearts of our students and teachers, as they continue to work hard during this last quarter, to make every day count, to show up, and to do their best.

With Gratitude,

Mrs. Mo

by Bianca Diaz

In the era of digital learning and "catching up on Google Classroom," it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that school is just a series of tasks to be checked off a list. If the work gets turned in, does it really matter if the student was physically in the room?

At St. Johns High School, our answer is a resounding yes.

The Hidden Value of the Classroom

When a student is absent, they aren't just missing a lecture; they are missing the "in-between" moments that define the high school experience. Education is a social process. It’s the spontaneous debate in Government class, the collaborative problem-solving in the chemistry lab, and the shared laugh during a transition period.

These moments cannot be "made up" or downloaded. When a student is gone, the classroom ecosystem changes:

• Collaborative Gaps: Lab partners and project groups lose a vital teammate, stalling the collective progress of their peers.

• Lost Perspectives: Every student brings a unique lens to a discussion. Without that voice, the entire class loses out on a different way of seeing the world.

• The "Connection" Tax: Returning after an absence often feels like jumping onto a moving treadmill. The stress of "catching up" often outweighs the original reason for the absence.

Breaking the Cycle of Isolation

We know that the "Mid-Semester Slump" is real, and sometimes the bed feels much safer than the hallway. However, research consistently shows that consistent attendance is one of the most effective ways to combat feelings of social isolation. By being present, students reinforce their safety net of friends, mentors, and supportive staff.

We Are Partners in This

We understand that life happens—illness, family emergencies, and mental health days are a reality. Our goal is purposeful attendance. If your student is struggling to find their "why" for coming to school, or if there are barriers keeping them from the classroom, please don't navigate that alone. Our counseling department and administration are here to help create a plan that makes school feel like a place they want to be, not just a place they have to be. (Check out our Monthly Attendance Newsletter for more resources.)

Because at the end of the day, a classroom is just a room—until your student walks through the door.

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.

with Mr. Johnson

• Monday, March 30 - 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM in Mrs. Johnson's Classroom

• Tuesday, March 31 - 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM in the Library

• Thursday, April 2 - 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM in Mrs. Hitchcock's Ag Classroom

• March 28: Baseball @ San Manuel
• March 30: Boys Basketball Open Gym 5:30am
• March 31: Boys Basketball Open Gym 6:30pm
• April 1: Boys Basketball Open Gym 5:30am
• April 2: Track @ Blue Ridge
• April 2: Baseball @ Chinle
• April 2: Softball @ Chinle
• April 2: Spring Volleyball 4pm
• April 2: Boys Basketball Open Gym 6:30pm

• April 3: Baseball @ Pinon
• April 3: Softball @ Pinon

• April 4: Softball @ Joseph City (playing Horizon Honors)

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