GJH Parent Portal

A big thank you to all students and families that supported our GJH Fundraiswer this year!

Those who sold items will need to pick them up at GJH on Wednesday, October 13th. Students may take their items home from school with them if able, or they can return with parents before 6:00 p.m.

We are still working to establish a date for the reward field trip to Trine University for those students that qualified. More information will be provided soon.

Ms. Quiroz is our new welcome center secretary. She is a graduate of Goshen community schools, having attended Parkside, GMS, and GHS. Some of her hobbies include listening to podcasts and reading on her Kindle. Ms. Quiroz has 2 dogs, a German Shepherd and a terrier mix. While in high school, she ran cross country and played the violin. You will most likely always see or smell coffee if you come to the welcome center! Ms. Quiroz says that she is enjoying being at GJHS because everyone is very positive and helpful.

Goshen Community Schools will begin the 2021-2022 screening process for high ability programming very soon. If you have a child in 7th grade and would like him/her to be screened for high ability identification, please contact one of our school counselors to be put on the list for further screening and assessments.

GJH school counselors are:

Mrs. Koop Liechty(7th grade) jliechty@goshenschools.org

Mrs. Christofferson (8th grade) kchristoffersen@goshenschools.org

Mrs.Desmarais-Morse jandm@goshenschools.org

All parent requests need to be made before Friday, November 12th, 2021. By requesting screening, parents/guardians give approval for students to take all screeners necessary for identification.

Many of you are aware of the recent "TikTok Challenge" that involved students recording video footage of themselves causing damage to the school restrooms and posting the videos on TikTok. This challenge resulted in significant repair costs and many hours spent by our wonderful custodians to clean up messes. It was also the reason we had to close all but the most central restrooms at GJH.

Additionally, we made the decision to no longer allow students to have cell phones in their possession during the school day. Students may bring their phones to school and leave them locked in their lockers until after dismissal. Students found to have their cell phones with them during the school day will be asked to turn them in to the office, where they will be locked up for parents to pick up at their convenience.

We also want to help our students understand the importance of using cell phones and social media responsibly. Many times, adolescents do not realize or think through the consequences of their actions. We need to remind them that everything they post or send in a message has the potential to be shared with many others, even after they have "deleted" it on their end, potentially getting them in trouble or putting them in harm's way.

Parents, we appreciate your help in talking with your children about using social media and cell phones responsibly and safely. Monitor messaging and social media use, and remind your child that if they wouldn't want you to see their post or message, perhaps they shouldn't be sending it.

Click on the link for an article containing helpful tips for parents as well as apps that can be used to monitor your child's technolgy use.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/artificial-maturity/201803/parent-s-guide-social-media-use-kids

Curricular materials fee statements were recently mailed. After 7th Grade statements were sent, it was discovered that students should have been charged $2 for earbuds. Please add $2 to the amount you pay for fees.

If you have questions please contact me at mstrite@goshenschools.org or 533-0391, extension 31003.

-- Michelle Strite, Bookkeeper

All GJHS students received a letter on Tuesday, September 28 to take home to parents regarding the Monique Burr Foundation Child Safety Matters program sponsored by the Child and Parent Services, Inc (CAPS) of Elkhart County. The form only needs to be signed and returned by Oct 11, 2021 if you would like to opt out of the program. Contact the GJHS office if your child did not bring the letter home to you. You will also find both the English and Spanish versions of the letter below. Thank you.

Some GJHS after-school clubs are currently meeting. There will be a late bus at 5:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursday only for these clubs.

Ultimate Frisbee Club meets on Mondays.

Chess Club meetis on Tuesdays.

Latino Club the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Look for information about other GJH Clubs in the daily student announcements or on Parent Square.

Builders Club is the largest service organization for middle school and junior high students, with more than 45,000 members worldwide.

GJHS Builders Club will meet on the second Tuesday of each month after school, from 4-5 pm. Our next Builders club meeting will take place on Tuesday , October 11th in room 256, from 4-5 p.m. Students may have a ride at 5:00 or take the late bus home.

E-Sports Club will be starting October 28. The club will meet on Thursdays at GJHS from 3:45-5:00. E- Sports is a growing digital sports community using PC and console games to compete in leagues and competitions with fellow students from across Indiana and the United States.

Examples of these games are:

• League of Legends (https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/)
• Overwatch (https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/),
• Super Smash Brothers Brawl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Smash_Bros._Brawl)

Junior High E-Sports Clubs are established to help students learn teamwork, sportsmanship, strategies, and skills in these styles of games. Students can then use these skills to compete on high school teams and open options for college and scholarships.

We welcome all students to join and look forward to helping them discover the fun of team gaming. Students may take the 5:00 bus home if needed.

1. Please watch video (episode #2) for important information about participation in athletics and intramurals in 5 through 8. https://youtu.be/IHKbTZh-Pm4
2. October 8 is end of the first grading quarter. Athletes need to make sure they are passing their classes and have assignments turned in so they’ll be eligible to pay! Every Monday, every student at GJH checks their grades, missing work, and attendance during Homeroom class. This happens weekly, so you should always be up to date on your classwork. Students can check these items as many times as they want during the week also.
3. The GJH Athletic Department would like to hear from you. We will have two Parent Listening Sessions on Wednesday, October 6th to get feedback, along with suggestions on ways we can improve athletics at GJH. Start times for these sessions are 7:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Bistro Room- opposite the Auditorium. Just follow the signs. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by emailing Mr. Sheets at jsheets@goshenschools.org
4. 7th and 8th grade Boys Basketball tryouts are October 7th, 8th, and 11th. Boys need to be at all days of the tryouts. No late tryouts will be allowed as there is a limited number of players. Each student trying out needs to have a physical packet completed. If you were in a fall sport, you already have a physical packet completed and just need to get your clearance card from the athletic office the week of tryouts.
5. 7th and 8th grade Basketball Cheerleading tryouts will be Friday October 15th. You may pick up information in the athletic office beginning next week! Each student trying out needs to have a physical packet completed. If you were in a fall sport, you already have a physical packet completed and just need to get your clearance card from the athletic office the week of tryouts.

Please contact us if you have any questions.
Mr. Sheets and Mrs. Worthman

Every student can receive a free breakfast and lunch each day this year.

If students want “extra” items in addition to the regular meal, they can purchase these.

You can add money to your child’s lunch account by going to myschoolbucks.com

Friday, Oct. 8 - End of first quarter

Oct. 18-22 - Fall Break, No School

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/goshen.middle.school/
Twitter: @GoshenJrHigh