This week is National School Counseling Week, and GJH has the best counseling team around!

These four ladies go the extra mile every day to build relationships with students, teachers and families. They help students implement plans to improve attendance, academic performance, and behavior. They suport students who need a listening ear and help them develop problem-solving skills. They educate students about college and career choices after high school and how to prepare for them starting now. And they do so much more . . .all with smiles on their faces!

We are very thankful for our school counseling team, shown here from left to right:

Mrs. Jan Desmarais-Morse

Mrs. Jill Koop Liechty

Mrs. Katherine Christoffersen

Mrs. Angie Schwartz

Miss Miller is the 8th grade Design/STEM teacher at GJH. She has been at GJH for seven years, and she has taught English, Social Studies, Math and Science in addition to her current role!

Miss Miller grew up in southwesterrn Pennsylvania and then graduated from Goshen College. After college, she spent a year teaching English in Barcelona, Spain. Miss Miller enjoys outside activities such as biking, hiking, and kayaking. She also likes to spend time reading, knitting, and baking. Miss Miller travels as much as she can. She recently visited the Smoky Mountains and hopes to return to Barcelona sometime also.

Miss Miller loves the people at GJH. She has met so many amazing friends and mentors, which creates a great support system for students.

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)

The cast and crew of Shrek, Jr. put on an oustanding show at GJH last weekend! Congratulations to all the students involved and to their directors. Great work!

A big thank you to Lael Nafziger Photography for the photos.

Builders club will be making dog toys for the Elkhart county Humane Society soon.

If you have old tennis balls or towels that you would be willing to donate, please contact Mrs. Rose Bickel, rbickel@goshenschools.org

Thank you!

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.

GJHS apparel is available for purchase from the bookkeeper, Michelle Strite. Short Sleeved T-Shirts are $10, 3/4-Sleeve Baseball Tees, $15, and Hoodies are $20. Cash or check only. All items are adult sizes.

Pre-orders for the 2021-2022 Yearbook are due February 28 with the order form (attached) and payment of $22 (cash or check made payable to GJHS) to the GJHS bookkeeper as the yearbooks will be ordered in March. Extra yearbooks will be ordered however, to ensure your student receives a yearbook, pre-orders are recommended. Yearbooks will now be delivered at the end of the schoolyear and not the following schoolyear as was noted in the January newsletter. Any questions may be directed to Bookkeeper, Michelle Strite at 533-0391 ext. 31003 or mstrite@goshenschools.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 February 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, February 22 / 7-8 PM
Join us for book discussion, games, crafts, & more! This month's book is Legend by Marie Lu. Check out the book from the library or find the ebook on Overdrive before the meeting so you're ready to discuss. Registration is recommended but not required; the first 3 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 shrinky dink keychains & charms. Kits are available at the Circulation desk beginning February 4 until supplies run out. No sign-up required, first come first served.

It’s hard to believe it’s time to start thinking about SPRING SPORTS!!

Track, Tennis, and Golf will all be starting up mid-March. We will have dates for you soon but for now you can work on getting those physicals and the rest of the athletic forms turned into Mrs. Worthman. All forms can be picked up in the Athletic Office or found on our website goshenathletics.com. If you played a Fall or Winter sport, your forms should be on file and all you need to do is get a clearance card from Mrs. Worthman prior to the first practice.

If you have any questions, please call the GJHS Athletic Office.

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

Friday, February 18th - No School

Monday, February 21st - President's Day - No School

Friday, March 4th - End of 3rd Quarter

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