GJH Parent Portal

We look forward to welcoming students back into the building this week! This edition of the newsletter contains important information to help us get off to a great start. See you soon!

7th Grade Open House - Tuesday, August 13, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 14 - First Day of School for 7th Graders

8th Grade Open House - Wednesday, August 14, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 15 - First Day of School for 8th Graders

Friday, Aug. 16 - School Picture Day

Friday, Aug. 30 - GJH Fundraiser Kickoff

Monday, Sept. 2 - Labor Day, No School

Tuesday, Oct.15 - Parent-Teacher Conferences. NO SCHOOL!

Oct. 21-25 - Fall Break, No School

We will hold separate Open House Nights for students and parents of each grade level this week. This is an opportunity to see your child's classrooms and meet their teachers.

Please note, this is open house style. If you have specific concerns that you would like to discuss with your child's teachers, please call to schedule a meeting so we can give you our full attention.

7th Grade Open House - Tuesday, August 13, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

8th Grade Open House - Wednesday, August 14, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there!

GJH students will have school pictures taken on Friday, August 16. Parents should preorder pictures at inter-state.com/order using order code 86648SB. Students not ordering a picture package should still plan to have their photo taken for the yearbook.

• All students in grades 7-12 who do not live in a walk-zone must register for transportation.
• Follow this link for detailed information about how to register your child for bus transportation: https://www.goshenschools.org/transact-busquest

To communicate more effectively with parents, GCS will expand the district’s fall Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Teachers will be at school to meet with parents throughout the day on Tuesday, October 15.

Students will not have school on October 15. This will NOT be an e-learning day.

We will again be selling World's Finest Chocolate Bars for our GJH fundraiser. This was a successful fundraiser last year, and we hope to do even better this year! Rewards will be offered to students who participate.

The fundraiser will begin on Friday, August 30. All money raised goes directly to support students in clubs, athletics, field trips, rewards, and school celebrations.

More information will be shared soon. Start thinking about events and opportunities for your child to sell chocolate to earn money for GJHS students!

Thank you for your support of our fundraiser!

Every day at school is an opportunity for your child to learn and have experiences that contribute to academic and personal growth. At GJH this year, we will focus on continuing to improve student attendance.

The goal is for each student to have at least 94% attendance. This means students should not miss more than 10 days during the school year (excused or unexcused). More information about our attendance policy and support plans will be shared in future parent newsletters.

Here are a few reasons why consistent school attendance matters:

1. Academic Progress: Attending school regularly allows students to participate in classroom discussions, learn from teachers, and collaborate with peers. Missing even a day can lead to gaps in their understanding, making it harder for them to catch up.

2. Continuous Learning: Lessons in most subjects are built sequentially. Missing school can disrupt this sequence and result in students struggling to understand later topics.

3. Social Interaction: School is not just about textbooks; it's a place where children build friendships and learn to work with others.

4. Routine and Responsibility: Attending school on a regular basis teaches children the importance of punctuality and responsibility. These are skills that will serve them well throughout life.

5. Teacher Support: Teachers are there to guide and support your child's learning. When students attend consistently, teachers can better understand their strengths and challenges, and they can provide help when needed.

We understand that circumstances can sometimes lead to unavoidable absences. However, we request that you prioritize your child's education by ensuring they attend school as consistently as possible. If your child is experiencing any challenges that affect their attendance, please communicate with us so that we can provide appropriate support. Let's work together to make sure students don't miss out on the opportunities that regular school attendance brings!

Goshen Schools uses LINQ Connect for managing students' breakfast and lunch accounts.

You can create an account at https://linqconnect.com/.

Parents who wish to apply for assistance should complete the meal application for free and reduced pricing for meals. This can also be done at https://linqconnect.com/ .

If you have questions, please contact GJHS bookkeeper Michelle Strite by calling the school or emailing at mstrite@goshenschools.org .

Goshen Junior High is offering new options for spirit wear. In the attachement below is a QR code or link that will take you to the online catalog. Orders should be placed by Friday, August 30 and will be delivered 2-3 weeks later to GJH.

Goshen Community Schools Dress Code can be found in the online student handbook at Student Handbooks - Google Drive

Our goal is to help students understand and evaluate appropriate settings for formal vs. informal attire, which is a skill they will use in the world beyond school. Students will see this addressed starting on the first day of school.

We appreciate parents working with us on this. If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact an administrator.

For the safety of students, car traffic is not allowed in the front parking lot during our arrival (8:45-9:30) and dismissal (3:30-4:30) times. At any time when there are buses in the front lot, parents must drop off or pick up students in the North or South lot. Please communicate with your child ahead of time so s/he will know where to find you after school.

Requirements:

1. You must have a 24-25 IHSAA Sports Physical completed and submitted before you are eligible to practice or tryout.

2. All forms must be completed on FinalForms. Go to: goshen-in.finalforms.com to complete these forms.

GCS provides many valuable online resources for parents and students. Skyward, Canvas, Parent Square . . . and the list goes on!

Detailed instructions and support for using these resources can be found here: https://goshenschools.instructure.com/courses/9841

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/goshenjrhigh/
Twitter: @GoshenJrHigh