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,

What a FANTASTIC first week of school!

Our learners jumped right into the new school year by reviewing schedules, beginning their Edgenuity, attending live-taught classes, and working toward earning the credits they need for graduation. But perhaps most exciting was seeing the conversations happening beyond academics. Students began thinking about their post-secondary assets, their goals, and what their future can look like beyond high school. These conversations are at the heart of what we do: helping every learner see a future worth working toward.

And then there was something else we noticed. Cell Phones Down. Conversations Up. We saw real communication, connections, laughter, and relationships developing. Creating an environment where students can focus, connect, and feel like they belong is incredibly important to us. Overall, it was a FANTASTIC WEEK, and I am so proud of our students.

Their success reflects the support, encouragement, and expectations they receive long before they walk through our doors. Thank you for being such incredible partners in your learner's journey. We truly appreciate the role you play in helping us prepare them for a bright future.

What You Can Expect From Me - You will receive a newsletter from me every two weeks.

These newsletters will include important information such as:

• Upcoming dates and events
• Information related to graduation and post-secondary planning
• Things happening across Journey School of Choice and Beyond the Bell

Please make sure you take the time to read each newsletter. We want to make sure families have the information they need to stay connected and support their learners.

If you have questions, concerns, or simply want to talk about how we can better support your learner, please reach out. You can always contact our office at 913-288-3690. We are happy to schedule a time to meet with you in person or talk with you over the phone.

Our goal is simple: to partner with you to ensure a bright future for your learner.

A Few Final Notes:

Journey School of Choice Students: Lunch should be back to normal this week. Thank you for your patience as we worked through this beginning-of-year adjustment.

Beyond the Bell Students: Please make sure your learner is logging between 6–7 hours each day. Students received an email from me on Thursday with:

• Teacher email addresses
• Instructions for accessing Edgenuity
• Important information about the new login process through Clever

The first week showed us what is possible when students, families, teachers, and staff work together. We are excited about what this year will bring and, most importantly, about the futures our learners are building. Thank you for trusting us, partnering with us, and believing in us to help.

Let's make it a great year!

Dr. Frankie Lizar

Alternative Principal/Real World Learning Coordinator

Can a student still attend events at Turner High School? YES - We are part of Turner High School, and if a student is in good standing, they can still attend all events at Turner High School.

Can I go out for THS sports? Depends. We will not transport for practice, but if you meet the guidelines to play for basketball and have transportation for practice and can meet the expectations for the team, we would love for you to represent and have a "hoot" of a time!

Do we have clubs? YES - StuCo has a chapter that meets here periodically and being a part of things at THS is also possible if you check in with Dr. Lizar and make a plan.

Can I take a class at THS? Depends. Talk to Dr. Lizar and discuss options.

Can my student have a shortened schedule? See work experience under graduation information.

What will my diploma say? Turner High School

Have a question - Email Dr. Lizar at lizarf@turnerusd202.org!

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 2029, 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.

Our alternative learning environments are learning communities with the expectation that students are raising their personal bar higher and achieving more. We want students that are setting goals and determining their path in the world. Everyone has a reason for being here and a job to do. We expect our students to conduct themselves responsibly and to make good choices, and in return, we will help them find ways to pursue their future.

We look forward to working with you this year, and we hope that you will reach out to us with questions as we partner with you. If you are interested in being a member of our site council or high school PTA, please reach out to Dr. Lizar. Meetings are held quarterly.

Ms. Alma Loredo, Alternative School Secretary

Bilingual Spanish

913-288-3690

Dr. Frankie Lizar, Principal

913-288-3692