The Paw Print - March 2025

SJHS Families,

As we've moved into the month of March, we are officially entering the final stretch of the school year! The third quarter has been a time of hard work and growth, and I am proud of all the students for their dedication and resilience. Now, as we enter the last quarter of the year, it is important for everyone to maintain their focus and continue striving for academic excellence.

This final quarter is crucial for reinforcing what students have learned and finishing the year strong. I encourage all students to continue attending school regularly, participate actively in class, and give their best effort on assignments and assessments. With only a few months left, we want to make sure every student finishes the year with a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. Failure to pass could result in recommendation of retention for your child or summer school.

Please continue to support your child’s learning journey at home, and feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or need assistance. Together, we can ensure that every student has a successful and fulfilling end to the school year. Thank you for your ongoing support. Let’s make the last quarter the best one yet!

Sincerely,

Mr. Pirok

Principal

The Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) will be administered to all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders March 31-April 4. Please see the attached letter by clicking the button below for more information; this letter was shared with all families in early March. We want all students to do their best during these tests as it factors into our school report card, gives us an accurate snapshot of how we need to inform instructional practices, and showcases our meeting/exceeding proficiency levels, which are accessible to the public after results have been released. Please help encourage and prepare your child for their best effort during testing week.

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the educational experience for all students, we are participating in the 5Essentials Survey, a research-based tool that helps us assess our school climate and identify areas for growth. The survey provides valuable insight into five key areas that are critical to student success:

1. Effective Leaders
2. Collaborative Teachers
3. Involved Families
4. Supportive Environment
5. Ambitious Instruction

Your voice is important! The survey asks for your feedback on how well we are doing in these areas and will help guide our decisions as we work together to enhance the learning experience at Staunton Jr. High.

Here’s how you can participate:

• Survey Link: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
• Survey Closes: March 28
• The survey is anonymous and should take a short time to complete.
• Your feedback will be kept confidential, and results will be used to improve the overall experience for students, staff, and families.

We highly encourage all families to take part in this important survey. Your input will directly influence school improvement efforts and ensure that we are providing the best possible environment for our students. Thank you in advance for your time and input!

Each year, the Illinois Principals' Association (IPA) - Kaskaskia Region holds the annual Student Recognition Breakfast at Greenville University. Each principal from the region is allowed to nominate 1 student from his/her building to be recognized at this event. The Kaskaskia Region is made up of the following counties: Macoupin, Montgomery, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, and Marion. When going through the selection process, schools are advised to consider a student who has exemplified school values, achieved high academically, executed consistent attendance, and portrays good citizenship.

This year's nominee from SJHS was Cade Rucker! Each administrator was asked to write a brief blurb that they could read/announce to all participants. Here is what was highlighted about Cade at the event: Cade's name was unanimously mentioned when we discussed a nominee for this event. Cade is always the first to speak, gives everyone the utmost respect, and is supportive of all his classmates. He goes out of his way to be a great fan at our sporting events and has a standout personality. We are proud of him and all that he has accomplished. Congratulations, Cade!

Staunton CUSD #6 IPA Nominees (L to R)

Staunton Elementary: Johnnie Caldieraro

Staunton High School: Logan Miersch

Staunton Jr. High: Cade Rucker

3rd quarter ended on March 14, and all grades are finalized. If you haven't already done so, please login to Skyward at your convenience to access your child(ren)'s grades. The graphic below shows you where you can click to find all final grades once you sign in to Skyward. Any questions? Please feel free to contact the office at 618-635-3831.

◾March 28: NO SCHOOL - Full Day School Improvement

◾March 31-April 4: IAR Testing

◾April 14-21: Spring Break

◾April 22: Classes Resume

◾May 22: 8th Grade Promotion

◾May 28: TENTATIVE Last Day of School w/ Students

◾May 29: Teachers' Institute Day - No Student Attendance

All combination locks should be attached to the outside of each student's locker. For your information, at the end of the school year, we will be collecting them; if a student has lost or damaged his/her lock, he/she will be responsible for payment ($10) of the lock. Please check with your son/daughter to ensure he/she knows of the whereabouts of his/her lock AND is attaching the lock to the outside of his/her locker.

MARCH MENUS

🧇MARCH Breakfast Menu

🥪MARCH Lunch Menu

APRIL MENUS

🧇APRIL Breakfast Menu

🥪APRIL Lunch Menu

Our annual 5K will take place on Friday, April 11! Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for more information!!

On March 1st, Band and Choir students traveled to Granite City to participate in solo and ensemble contest. Below is the list of students who attended and the ratings received - congrats to all of our musically talented students!

◾Congratulations to the choir department on an outstanding 3rd Quarter Concert!

◾Catch some of the junior high choir participants in the spring musical production of Hadestown, which runs Friday, April 4; Saturday, April 5; and Sunday, April 6. Keep your eyes out for ticketing information.

◾The final choir concert of the school year is on Sunday, May 4!

Congratulations to the Terrier Scholastic Bowl team for placing 2nd at the Macoupin County Tournament!! The scholastic bowl team is coached by Mrs. Erin Woodson. Way to go!

A letter was sent home outlining the details of the 2025 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony. I have attached it below for your reference. Looking forward to celebrating all of our 8th grade students, who have met the requirements for admittance to high school!

Courage: Choosing Bravery Over Fear

Courage isn’t just about facing big, scary challenges—it’s about standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. It’s about speaking up when you see someone being treated unfairly, trying something new even if you’re afraid to fail, and being yourself, even when others pressure you to fit in.

For students, courage can mean raising your hand in class even if you’re unsure of the answer, standing by a friend when they need support, or pushing through a tough situation instead of giving up. It’s not about never feeling fear—it’s about acting despite it. This month, challenge yourself to take small steps outside your comfort zone and embrace the power of courage in your daily life!