Dear Jayhawks,

February has been an important month at JHS. Students have been meeting with their school counselors to make their selections for the 24-25 school year. In addition, we hosted an important assembly entitled "Words Can Hurt". Our partners at Northwell were so impressed by our students during these workshops which took place during physical education classes last Wednesday and Thursday. As we look ahead, we are excited to be hosting Battle of the Classes on Friday, March 1. It will also be a Wellness Day.

This issue of the Jayhawk Blast is filled with a lot of important information including key dates, short videos highlighting our POPS Concert, a link to our latest Counseling Newsletter, and much, much more.

Please take the time to read through the entire issue and follow the links to learn about all of the details.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and restful break.

Our best to you and your families,

Mr. David Cohen & Dr. Joe Prisinzano, Co-Principals

JHS has two Assistant Principals. They are always available to our students and supporting their needs.

Mr. Brian Cummings has an office just outside of the cafeteria and can be reached at phone extension x3226.

Dr. Micheala Finlay has an office in the Social Studies across from room 244 and can be reached at phone extension x3224.

• 2/19-2/23- Schools Closed

• 2/26-3/1- Spirit Week

• 3/1- Battle of the Classes

• 3/5- HS PTSA Exec Meeting (9:00am)

• 3/5- HS PTSA Meeting& Principal's Coffee Hour (10:00am)

• 3/6- HS Musical Senior Citizen Preview (10:00am)

• 3/7- HS Musical Production of SpongeBob (6:30pm)

• 3/8- NYSSMA Piano Festival (3:00-9:00pm)

• 3/8- HS Musical Production of SpongeBob (7:30pm)

• 3/9- SAT ***Not in Jericho (8:00am)

• 3/9- NYSSMA Piano Festival (3:00-9:00pm)

• 3/9- HS Musical Production of SpongeBob (7:30pm)

• 3/11- Joint PTA Council Exec Meeting (9:00am)

• 3/11- Joint PTA Council Meeting (9:30am)

• 3/12- HS International Night (7:00pm)

• 3/13- Joint PYA Council Meeting with the Board of Education (6:00pm)

• 3/13- Budget Review Meeting (7:00pm)

We are excited to offer JHS students our full complement of clubs for the 2023-24 school year. Please follow the first link below for a list of clubs now being offered, the name of the advisor(s) and a description of each club. The second link below provides a schedule of when each of the clubs meet. Please email the advisor if you have any questions about the club. All of this information is also available on the JHS website.

Each of our teachers at the high school provides opportunities for students to receive extra help. Please use the link below to see the schedule.

Traffic on campus is typically very busy. As you plan for your child's travel to and from school this year, please know that one way to alleviate traffic issues is for students to utilize our bus service. Our buses are safe, fast and the easiest way for students to travel to and from school. If you will be dropping off or picking up your child from school, there are two access points; the HS attendance entrance via route 107 and the upper senior parking lot via route 106 (You may not use the front circle for drop-off).

Safety is our primary focus, particularly at dismissal. If you are picking up your child it is critical that you adhere to the following procedures:

• Car lanes are single file and drivers should never leave the line unless directed by a security agent
• When using the route 106 access, drivers must pull into available parking spaces in the upper lot and wait for their child
• Security agents are on site to assist drivers when pulling out of spaces and moving back into the single lane of cars. Please understand that the security agents are focused on ensuring a safe and efficient process so please be courteous and understanding of their role.

Please anticipate a potential wait when dropping off and picking up your child. We ask everyone to demonstrate patience and to provide extra time to account for traffic volume.

Thank you for your support.

On February 7th and 8th, our partners at Northwell presented to our students about "Words Can Hurt". For the first time, we also included students from our L.E.A.D. club in the assembly to provide important student perspectives and insights regarding this essential topic. On March 6, Northwell and L.E.A.D. students will present at the HS PTSA meeting. We encourage our parents to come and join us for this important event.

On February 9th JHS recognized P.S. I Love You Day with this year's theme "Love is Meant to be Given". In life, we are presented with different events. Some are highlights that lighten up our life. Other times are challenging that allow us to reflect on our inner strength. Jericho Mindfulness Ambassadors along with all students, teachers and staff encouraged all to spread love to the world, others and most importantly, yourself.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Chinese New Year 2024~ Year of the Dragon. Last week, students from the Chinese Honor Society and our Chinese classes took part in the Lunar New Year festivities. See some highlights below.

Please click the link to enjoy a video of the Lion Dance

On February 7th JHS and JMS hosted a fun, upbeat music event featuring chorus ensembles of grades 6-12 under the direction of Mr. Verderber and Ms. Owens. Please click the buttons below to take a listen at some samples from our talented students.

As you know, student wellness has been such an important focus for us at JHS. The NEST program, is aimed at supporting students and the stress many of them face. This is accomplished by creating safe spaces for students to engage in restorative circle discussions while increasing their connections with peers and adults in the school. The vision statement for the program is "The Nest Period is a safe and supportive space for students to feel a deep connection with the members of our community and share voices for making positive change. "

During the past month, students have engaged in NEST sessions in our Social Studies classes. The students focused on current global issues and empathy. They created an action plan based on a specific event and worked in groups to recognize the thoughts and feelings of others. Below are some samples that came out of the activity.

Making connections throughout the entire JHS community is one important step towards ensuring a healthy and supportive school community. We look forward to working with all of our students to make the NEST a place where each of their voices counts. Remember, every student has a home in the NEST

.

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the PTSA Connections Corner! Here you will find the latest PTSA news and information about upcoming events and happenings that the HS PTSA sponsors and/or supports. We are always available to answer any questions and look forward to a wonderful school year. We thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Your PTSA Co-Presidents

Marni Rubin

Sheree Weingarten

Membership

Please use the link below to become a member of the PTA this year.

SENIOR PARTY DONATIONS

Attention seniors and families. Please click here to view a flyer about donations to support this year's Senior Party to celebrate the Class of 2024 on June 5, 2024.

Information from SEPTA

SEPTA is an organization that supports all students in the District. Below is a link to some important flyers from SEPTA. Each flyer has English and Mandarin versions.

Please take a few minutes to read through the flyers. We encourage all families to become members of SEPTA.

Danielle Smith, High School Psychologist

Wendi Goldstein, High School Psychologist

Ray Velez, High School Social Worker

Love is Meant to be Given

Last Friday Jericho High School joined 600 other schools in celebrating P.S. I Love You Day based on the theme, ‘Love is Meant to be Given.” P.S. I Love You Day was created in 2011 by co-founders Jaimie and Brooke DiPalma to celebrate the memory of their father, Joseph DiPalma, Jr. and others lost to suicide. In life, we are presented with different events. Some are highlights that lighten up our life. Other times are challenging that allow us to reflect on our inner strength. On this day we were encouraging all to spread love to the world, others and most importantly, yourself. P.S. I Love You Day is to remind people that they are never alone.

At the high school, the students and faculty were encouraged to wear purple to show unity in supporting that no one is ever alone. Teachers led class lessons on kindness and gratitude and the school counselors created kindness pledges with students throughout the day in the high school cafeteria. The hallways were covered in purple hearts and decorations with inspirational quotes. Our Jericho Mindfulness Ambassador Council (JMAC) sold inspirational bracelets (proceeds were donated to Long Island Crisis Center) and created a self-affirmation station with mental health resources/giveaways.

The love and support in our school community was felt by all!

• The high school counseling center has been hard at work assisting seniors with their college applications. Students should continue to communicate with their counselors about their post-high school plans!
• Save the date- Long Island Spring College Expo- Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Dates to Remember

Upcoming SAT Dates

• March 9th (registration deadline: February 23rd)
• May 4th (registration deadline: April 19th)
• June 1st (registration deadline: May 17th)

Upcoming ACT Dates

• April 13th (registration deadline: March 8th)
• June 8th (registration deadline: May 3rd)

Online Newspaper

Visit Jericho High School’s award-winning online newspaper: The JerEcho!

For over 50 years, The JerEcho has reported on school, local, and national issues.

Currently, we report the news through a variety of articles, videos, and podcasts. We’re comprised of a dedicated coalition of editors, reporters, and photographers.

We hope you enjoy exploring our site.

-The JerEcho Team

The JerEcho pblished it's 1,000 on-line media post!! Congratulations to Ms. Valenza and all of our brilliant student journalists, both past and present, for contributing to Jericho High School's very own news program. You are a model of what quality news is all about.

Visit the Jericho High School Website!

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https://twitter.com/DaveCohenJHS