On Monday, January 3rd, the GJH administration team met with all stduetns to review school expectations. Please take a moment to read this information and discuss it with your child.

1. Cell phones: If students bring cell phones to school, they are expected to keep them locked in their lockers during the school day. If a student has his/her phone out during the school day, the phone will be turned in to the office where it will be locked up until a parent or guardian can pick it up.
2. ID cards: Every student received a new ID card and lanyard today. Students are expected to wear their ID cards on lanyards around their necks at all times during the school day.
3. Punch passes: Every student received a punch card today for passes out of class. Each student is allowed nine passes out of class for the grading period, at the teacher's discretion. Students are encouraged to use their passing periods to go to the restroom or locker whenever possible.
4. Dress Code: Students should review the school dress code in the student handbook, found on the GCS website.
5. Hats and hoods are not to be worn inside the school building.
6. Computers: Students were reminded to treat their school computers as they would treat their own devices. Intentional damage (or repeated accidental damage) requires the student/parent to pay for repairs. Details of this policy are also found in the GJH student handbook.
7. Vaping - please see the artlce below for details of the Goshen Schools Vaping policy.

Thank you for supporting your children in meeting these expecations. Don’t hesitate to email or call a GJH administrator if you have any questions.

Jan Baker, GJH Principal jbaker@goshenschools.org

Lisa Herschberger, GJH Assistant Prinicpal lherschberger@goshenschools.org

Kaylee Shepherd, GJH TOSA kshepherd@goshenschools.org

The goal of Goshen Schools is to continue to educate students about why vaping is addictive and unhealthy. There will also be consequences for students who are vaping or in possession of vaping materials at school. The following policy was approved by the GCS school board on December 13, 2021:

• Nicotine first offense – Online course and three-day suspension, may reduce the suspension if course is completed early.
• Nicotine second offense – Police-issued ticket ($145) and 5-day suspension.
• Nicotine third offense - Second issued ticket, expulsion referral.
• THC or drugs other than nicotine- Automatic expulsion referral.
• Selling of any paraphernalia - Automatic expulsion referral & arrest.

Miss Horning is in her first year as an Orchestra director for GJH. Just this past weekend, she was named the Indiana ASTA New Teacher of the Year!

Mis Horning is a GCS alumni. She attended Model, Waterford, Chandler, GMS, and GHS as a student. She graduated from Anderson University in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Music in Education.

Miss Horning loves spending time with her family and friends, drinking iced coffee, and cuddling with her cat! In addition to teaching orchestra, she enjoys playing and performing on her own instrument. She also loves traveling and experiencing history and culture. Outside the US, Miss Horning has traveled to Canada, Puerto Rico, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. She is planning a trip to London and Ireland with her family this summer.

Miss Horning has really enjoyed the collaborative and supportive culture among the staff she works with. We have wonderfully creative and energetic students who constantly amaze me with what they can accomplish!

8th Grade Parents: High school transitions have begun! GHS counselors will begin meeting with students to choose electives for Freshman year and beyond. If your childis in 8th grade, they should have already brought home an electives paper to discuss with you. If they need another one, they can get one from Mrs. Christoffersen, the 8th grade counselor. Elective choices will be finalized in February!

Algebra/Geometry Parents: In February, Algebra and Geometry students will have the opportunity to apply for The John G. Blakesley Mathematical Excellence Scholarship. One student in Elkhart County will be awarded approximately $1250 a year for each of four years at an accredited college. Students will learn about this opportunity in their Algebra or Geometry class. FOR MORE INFO, VISIT: John G. Blakesley Mathematical Excellence Scholarship for 8th Grade - CFEC (inspiringgood.org)

Goshen Public Library offers programs for teens in grades 7-12. All activities are free and no registration is required. Please join us in January for…

· Teen Cafe: Join us every Thursday from 4-5:30 PM in the library's teen space. Hang out and relax with your friends. Make some crafts, play a game, work on homework, read, listen to music…just enjoy chilling at the library. Masks are strongly encouraged, and are required at library programs when County Covid-19 status is Red.

· Read That Book Club: Tuesday, January 25 / 7-8 PM
Join us for book discussion, games, crafts, & more! This month's book is Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee. Check out the book from the library or find the audiobook on Hoopla before the meeting so you're ready to discuss. Registration is recommended but not required; the first 5 people to register get a copy of the book to keep! To register, visit the Circulation Desk or email teens@goshenpl.lib.in.us. Masks are strongly encouraged, and are required at library programs when County Covid-19 status is Red.

· Take-and-Make Kits: Pick up a kit to make your own camera-shaped journal. Kits are available at the Circulation desk until supplies run out. No sign-up required, first come first served.

Girls Basketball and Wrestling are underway and off to a great start!

Those of you interested in Swimming, please make sure all your physical forms are turned into Mrs. Worthman. Practices will begin in mid-February. More information will be coming soon!

This year in Homeroom, 7th grade students have been using Lexia PowerUp, a computer-based reading program that tailors instruction to their specific skill level. The activities support and build on content area reading and our English/Language Arts curriculum. The program’s focus is on three areas essential to becoming a proficient reader: word study, grammar, and comprehension. PowerUp not only supports readers who may lack the skills in these areas to read fluently at grade level, but it also challenges higher level readers to attain advanced skills.

Each student has a weekly usage goal that can be seen on the student dashboard. Choosing to work on the program at home, in addition to their work during Homeroom, can help students excel in the program and meet their usage goals. Please encourage your student to work in the PowerUp program at home.

Here’s how you can set your reader up for success:

• Provide a quiet space for learning. Headphones can be helpful but aren’t required.
• Allow students to complete the tasks on their own. That means no hints or tips from grown-ups, friends, or siblings! This is important because PowerUp provides extra support and instruction if students struggle with a task, and alerts teachers when further help is required.
• Encourage and celebrate your child’s progress via the Your Progress tile found on the PowerUp student dashboard.

Thank you for supporting your student’s learning in this way! Please contact your student’s Homeroom teacher if you have any questions.

Orders for the 2021-2022 Yearbook are due January 31 with the order form (below) to the GJHS bookkeeper. The cost is $19. After the 31st, the cost will be $22. Make checks payable to GJHS.

Yearbooks will not be ready until the 2022-2023 school year. If your student will be at the high school, yearbooks will be sent there and distributed to students. Any questions can be directed to Bookkeeper, Michelle Strite at 533-0391 ext. 31003 or mstrite@goshenschools.org.

Parents should check Skyward and not Canvas for the most accurate information about their children's grades.

Follow this link for detailed information about useful websites and apps including Skyward, Canvas, ParentSquare, MySchool Bucks, and GoGuardian.

https://www.goshenschools.org/files/2021/11/2021-2022-PARENT-LOGIN-INSTRUCTIONS.pdf

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

Monday, January 17th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School

Friday, February 18th - Make-up Day

Monday, February 21st - President's Day - 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