SJHS Newsletter 9.13.26

Today:

• September 11 at 5:45 PM - 9/11 25th Anniversary Program & Walk at the SJHS vs RVHS football game (see flyer for more details)
• September 11 at halftime - Rivalry Week Competition ENDS - winner announced during 3rd Quarter (see flyer)

Important Events - This Week:

• September 15 - U of A on SJHS Campus
• September 15 at 6:00 PM - Site Council Meeting in the SJHS Library
• September 15-16 - Spiritline Mini Cheer Camp, see flyer in the athletics section
• September 16 - National I.T. Professionals Day
• September 17 at 7:30 PM - Booster Club Meeting in the SJHS Library

Upcoming Events - Save the Dates:

• September 21 - Balfour on Campus

• September 22 - NHS Blood Drive (see flyer to make appointment)
• September 28 - October 3 - Homecoming Week (see "StuCo Stuff" for more information)
• September 29 - Safety Town Assembly

Dear SJHS Families,

As we prepare for Friday night’s memorial event at our home football game, I want to #KeepItReal by sharing a personal reflection. Like many of you (not students, but teachers, parents, and grandparents), I remember exactly where I was on September 11, 2001. I was a young high school teacher in Utah, only in my 3rd year of teaching English, Spanish, and Yearbook. I had driven to work that morning without the radio on, unaware of what was unfolding. When a colleague told me a plane had crashed into one of the towers, I assumed it was a tragic accident. But when I turned on the TV in my classroom, everything changed. The world changed. I remember our principal coming over the intercom, asking us to turn off our TVs and resume teaching “as normal.” But nothing felt normal. The invincible naivety of September 10th was gone. For months afterward, I would choke back tears during the Pledge of Allegiance--something I think I take for granted now when we recite it each morning here at SJHS. What sticks out the most from that time was the unity we felt as a community— the shared compassion, the solidarity, the way we cared for one another without regard for political differences, religion, or background. We were simply Americans, grieving together and supporting each other.

Years later, I visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City — the reflecting pools set in the footprints of the towers, the names etched in bronze, the museum honoring the lives lost and the stories of courage. It felt sacred and solemn, much like other places of deep historical weight I have visited, including Gettysburg, Arlington National Cemetery, Pearl Harbor, National World War II Memorial, the Holocaust Museum, Mauthausen Concentration Camp in Austria, and the beaches of Normandy, France. These places remind me of both the fragility and the resilience of humanity.

Five years ago, when my daughter was nine, I found a drawing she had made on our family calendar in our kitchen (pictured below). It showed two rectangular formations side by side, with what looked like a misshapen star next to them. At first, I was confused by her drawing but then realized she had drawn this on September 11th. When I asked her about her artwork, she quickly added "twin towers" to label the drawing and said, “Mom, did you know that a long time ago, there were some bad guys that crashed planes into the twin towers? That’s so scary.” Her 3rd grade teacher had taught the class about 9/11, and she was listening — really listening. I was grateful for her good teacher, who shared this important event in history with clarity, care, and professionalism. Our students are absorbing more than we realize.

As we honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 tonight, I hope you will join us for the Cpl. Joe McCarthy Foundation Memorial and Walk, as well as the special recognitions before the game and during halftime. It is a meaningful opportunity for our students, families, and community to come together — to remember, to reflect, and to stand united in gratitude for all who serve and protect.

With appreciation,
Mrs. Mo

Click the button below to see the September Attendance Newsletter! Including ...

• Important Reminders
• Bell Schedule
• A Word from Mr. Bradshaw
• Updated Attendance Codes for 2027
• Attendance Tips

Just a reminder ... appointments can be made online to see Mr. Johnson through our high school website or by using the link https://calendly.com/rjohnson-staff/30min.

Keep in mind the two-week window for changing your schedules has ended. Any future schedule changes will only be allowed for special circumstances requiring administration, teacher, and academic counselor approval.

Warmly,

Rick Johnson
Academic School Counselor

• Monday, September 14 - 11:45AM - 12:30PM in Mrs. O's Classroom

• Monday, September 14 - 11:45AM - 12:30PM in Mrs. Johnson's Classroom

• Wednesday, September 16 - 11:45AM - 12:30PM in the Career Center

• Wednesday, September 16 - 11:45AM - 12:30PM in the Library

• Thursday, September 17 - 11:45AM - 12:30PM in the Library

Here's what's happening this week:

• September 11 - Football vs Round Valley
• September 12 - Volleyball @ EPIC Small Schools Tourney
• September 15 - Volleyball vs Hopi
• September 15-16 - Spiritline Mini Cheer Camp (see flyer below)
• September 16 - Volleyball @ Snowflake, Boys Soccer vs Northland Prep
• September 17 - Girls Soccer @ Holbrook, JV Football @ Pima
• September 18-19 - Volleyball @ Be Like Nat Tourney, Boys Soccer @ Show Low Tourney
• September 19 - Football vs Pima

SJHS Classes of 1977 and 2002: mark your calendars and save the date, as we'll be honoring your classes during homecoming this year on Friday, October 2, 2026.

Please reach out to your class officers or select a representative to reach out to the school on your class's behalf. We will need to know who will be speaking for your class at the assembly and how many will be attending the luncheon by September 21.

Don't know who's in the class? Check out the QR code.

SJHS Classes of 1977 and 2002: mark your calendars and save the date, as we'll be honoring your classes during homecoming this year on Friday, October 2, 2026.

Please reach out to your class officers or select a representative to reach out to the school on your class's behalf. We will need to know who will be speaking for your class at the assembly and how many will be attending the luncheon by September 21.

Don't know who's in the class? Click on the link below.

https://canva.link/jpsucptaymeurrk

Get & Stay Connected! Scan the QR codes to keep up on the latest happenings at SJHS. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch our daily morning announcements, and don't forget to turn on notifications. #like #subscribe #keepitreal

A Booster Club membership drive will be happening at home football and soccer games starting this fall. More details to come!