Panther Way Newsletter

Dear HJHS Families,

October is recognized as National Bullying Prevention Month, and at Huntsville Junior High, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and welcoming school environment for every student. Throughout the month, our students will participate in activities and discussions designed to promote kindness, empathy, and responsibility.

As important as these lessons are at school, they become even more meaningful when reinforced at home. We encourage you to have conversations with your student about what bullying looks like, how to respond if they experience or witness it, and the importance of treating others with respect, both in person and online. When families and schools work together, we can ensure that every child feels supported and valued.

Thank you for partnering with us to make Huntsville Junior High a place where all students can learn and thrive.

Sincerely,
Dr. Tony Bonds
Principal, Huntsville Junior High School

AMSTI Math equips teachers with professional learning, materials, and side-by-side support to help improve student growth and learning throughout the state of Alabama. They strive to help teachers successfully implement the standards in the ​Alabama Course of Study: Mathematics through partnering with teachers in their everyday work. AMSTI promotes understanding through the hands-on exploration of mathematics concepts and procedures. We believe in learning by doing. Showing every person the joy and wonder of mathematics, and that mathematics is fun!

Dear HJHS Families,

Getting to school on time is an important part of student success. When students arrive on time, they begin the day prepared, engaged, and ready to learn without missing valuable instruction. Tardiness not only disrupts a student’s own learning but also interrupts the flow of the classroom.

Please note that students who arrive after 8:00 AM must be signed in by a parent or guardian in the front office. This policy helps us ensure student safety and accountability while also reinforcing the importance of punctuality.

Thank you for your support in helping our students build positive habits that lead to success in school and beyond.

Instructional Update from Huntsville Junior High School

At Huntsville Junior High, we are committed to raising expectations and ensuring that every student is challenged, supported, and encouraged to grow.

During the month of September, our teachers focused on setting strong academic foundations for the year. Instruction emphasized clear learning targets, daily bellringers, and lesson closures that helped students connect their learning. Teachers engaged in collaborative planning to ensure consistency across classrooms and implemented strategies designed to increase rigor and student engagement.

As we move into October, we are building on that momentum by continuing to raise expectations in every subject area. Teachers will be incorporating more higher-order questioning, writing opportunities across content areas, and collaborative learning activities that require critical thinking. We are also placing a strong emphasis on students taking ownership of their learning by tracking their progress and reflecting on goals.

Our mission is to make sure Huntsville Junior High is a place where students are challenged to think deeply, work hard, and achieve at their highest potential.

I’d like to share a few reminders and updates with you:

Dress Code

Our goal is to maintain a safe and respectful learning environment where every student can focus on learning. The dress code helps us create consistency and minimize distractions. Thank you for helping your student make good choices each morning before coming to school. The full policy can be found in the Student Code of Conduct, but here are a few key reminders:

• Oversized shirts should be tucked in.

• Hoodies and sweatshirts must fit appropriately (hoods off while inside).

• Shirts should cover midriffs when arms are raised.

• Tops should provide full coverage (no halter, spaghetti straps, or large armholes).

• Undergarments should remain fully covered.

• Leggings/jeggings are permitted if tops provide coverage.

• Shorts, skirts, skorts, and dresses must extend to mid-thigh.

• Pants with holes above mid-thigh should have leggings/shorts underneath.

• Pajamas are for spirit days only (with approval).

• Pants should fit securely at the waist.

Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Student safety is always our top priority. To keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely:

• Please use only the front circle entrance for drop-off and pick-up only. Please refrain from dropping students off on Adams or Townsend.

• Pull forward to the furthest staff member, yellow line, or car before letting your student out.

• Attempt to have students exit on the passenger side of the vehicle.

• Remind your child to be ready to exit quickly.

• Treat Adams Street as a school zone: 15–20 mph, watch for buses, and be alert for students.

• Please avoid parking in the front faculty lot during pick-up and drop-off.

Student Conduct

At HJHS, our expectations are simple: Be Respectful, Be Resourceful, Be Responsible.
We encourage students to focus on positive interactions and to walk away from negative ones. Thank you for reinforcing these values at home—we know it makes a big difference. Fighting will not be tolerated, and our staff is here to support students in handling conflicts the right way.

Schedules

There will not be any further schedule changes.

Communication

Please keep your phone numbers and addresses updated throughout the year. This ensures we can reach you quickly if needed, especially in emergencies.