Community Connection

January 24, 2025

Message From the Office

Dear Families,

Definition of the word Excited: having, showing, or characterized by a heightened state of energy, enthusiasm, eagerness, etc. : feeling or showing excitement.

As I was reading through our community newsletter, I noticed that I tend to use the word 'excited' quite a bit. While I will work on expanding my vocabulary, I want to take a moment to express how truly thrilled and honored I am to be a part of the Jayhawk community.

We recently said farewell to our SRO, Officer Klayton Pascale, and welcomed Officer Jacob Crahan. We are grateful for all that Officer Pascale did to ensure Jayhawk remained a safe place for our students and staff. We wish him the very best in his new position. At the same time, we are excited to welcome Officer Crahan and look forward to getting to know him as he becomes a part of our Jayhawk community.

Think Before You Post Assembly Coming January 29
We Ae excited to host the Think Before You Post assembly, a nationally recognized program that has reached over 750 schools since 2019. Presented by founder Chet Kuplen—named one of "50 Kansans You Should Know" in 2023—the assembly focuses on digital citizenship, cyberbullying, mental health, online safety, and more. Geared for grades 6-12, this 60-minute presentation empowers students to navigate the digital world responsibly.

Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

Thank you,

Dr. Samuels - Principal

Mr. Beckham - Assistant Principal

Screenagers

Exciting Opportunity During Parent-Teacher Conferences

We are excited to announce that we will be showing the documentary Screenagers during Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, March 11, and Wednesday, March 13.

Screenagers explores the impact of screen time on kids and offers practical strategies for navigating this digital age. It’s a powerful resource for families looking to strike a healthy balance with technology at home and school.

Showtimes:

March 11: 6:00 p.m.
March 13: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Jayhawk-Linn High School Auditorium

We encourage all parents and guardians to take advantage of this opportunity. You are welcome to attend while waiting for conferences or plan a time to join us.

We want to work together to support our students in becoming responsible digital citizens.

SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in The Digital Age has been screened more than 8,000 times to 4 million people in more than 70 countries around the world.. With multiple screenings happening daily in communities across the globe, SCREENAGERS is the first feature documentary to explore the impact of screen technology on kids and offer parents and families proven solutions that work. What started out as a personal story for one has grown into a national movement, helping millions of teens and their families navigate growing up in a world with instant access to screens.

Cultivating Kindness

Bristol Davis

7th Grade

Truman Schneider

11th Grade

We are excited to announce that Reality U is just around the corner, and we are looking for volunteers to make this event a success. Reality U is a financial literacy program for middle and high school students that helps them understand the challenges of adulthood. The program uses a 75-minute simulation to teach students how their current choices can impact their future.If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact Stephanie Nichols at snichols@usd346.org or 913-795-2247.

KESA 2.0 Action Plan

Cell Phone Policy

Students are permitted to use cell phones in designated areas and times as outlined below:

Before School: Cell phone use is allowed.
After School: Cell phone use is allowed.
Lunch: Cell phone use is allowed.
Passing Periods: Cell phone use is allowed.

Classroom and Academic Time

When the Bell Rings:

Cell phones must be silenced, stored away, and out of sight.

During Academic Times:

Cell phones are not to be used, including if students leave the classroom for any reason.

Consequences for Policy Violations

1st Offense:

Reminder to put cell phone away.
Student may be sent to put the phone in their locker.

2nd Offense:

Teacher will confiscate the phone.
Phone will be delivered to the office by the teacher.
Phone will remain in the office until the end of the school day.
Parents/guardians will be contacted.

3rd Offense:

Teacher will confiscate the phone.
Phone will be delivered to the office by the teacher.
Phone will remain in the office until the end of the school day.
Student will serve a detention.
Parents/guardians will be contacted.

4th Offense:

Teacher will confiscate the phone.
Phone will be delivered to the office by the teacher.
Phone will remain in the office until the end of the school day.
Student will serve a half day of In-School Suspension (ISS).
Parents/guardians will be contacted.

5th Offense:

Teacher will confiscate the phone.
Phone will be delivered to the office by the teacher.
Phone will remain in the office until the end of the school day.
Student will serve a full day of In-School Suspension (ISS).
Parents/guardians will be contacted.

Subsequent Infractions:

Will be handled on a case-by-case basis by administration.

Key Points to Remember

Silencing and Storing: Students must ensure their cell phones are silenced and stored away when the tardy bell rings.
Confiscation: Teachers are authorized to confiscate phones if students violate the policy.
Communication: Parents/guardians will be contacted for repeated offenses.
Escalation of Consequences: Repeated violations result in progressively severe consequences, including detention and In-School Suspension.

By following this policy, we aim to create an environment conducive to learning while allowing reasonable cell phone use during non-instructional times.

Counselor Corner

Weekly Counseling Updates

Weekly Updates:

* Spring Enrollment is open for FSCC online classes for Juniors and Seniors. Please come see Mr. Kramer ASAP if you need help enrolling for the spring semester.

* 1-30-25 KS Virtual Health Care Career Day / Click here to register / Please let Mr. Kramer know if you plan on registering for this / All Grade levels are welcomed for this event / Click here for more information

* Click here for helpful links for seniors

* For those Seniors that are needing help on anything from applying to college or even figuring out what they want to do after high school please stop by Mr. Kramer's office for help.

* Mr. Spencer and I were able to secure two $1,000 dollar scholarships for anyone that plans on an Engineering Technology degree at Pittsburg State. Please see Mr. Kramer if you are interested.

*FAFSA has opened up . Each student planning on going to college will need to fill out the FAFSA. First step is going to https://studentaid.gov/ and creating a student ID. This will only take a few minutes but you will need your social security number. Your parent will also need to create a FAFSA ID as well (only one parent will need to create an ID if parents are divorced please see me on which one will need to create an ID ) Once you create your ID and password take a screenshot of it or write it down somewhere. It will take a day or two before your ID and password goes through before you will be able to login to FAFSA and complete it. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Here are some helpful links for the FAFSA

Click here for video on FAFSA information for this year / Click here for the PDF-Powerpoint of this informational video on the FAFSA

*For Seniors that are planning on attending KSU, click here for a letter they sent me with upcoming deadlines and information.

*Click here for information about BOYS STATE that will take place in June.

Thank you,

Brett Kramer

Jayhawk-Linn 7-12 Counselor

Head Wrestling Coach

bkramer@usd346.org

Jayhawk Events - Link to District Calendar