The Paw Print - December 2024

SJHS Families:

As we have officially ended the 1st semester of the 2024-2025 school year and embark on the holiday break, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and reflect on the hard work, growth, and achievements we've seen so far from our students this year. We strive to continue building on the success of our students despite the challenges and obstacles that can lie in their way. I am continually inspired by the resilience and effort our students demonstrate in and out of the classroom. Outside of the classroom, our Terrier girls' basketball program showcased a stellar season with 7th grade being name State Champions and 8th grade securing 3rd place in Class 3A!! I am continually impressed by what our students are capable of both in AND out of the classroom. And whether through academic progress, extracurricular participation, or simply supporting one another, our school community has truly shone. It's been a great semester to be a terrier!

The holiday season is a time to rest, recharge, and enjoy quality time with those closest to you. I encourage students to take time to relax, celebrate, and reflect on the great progress they've made this past semester and to look forward to new opportunities in the year to come. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year, refreshed and ready for the opportunities and challenges of the second semester.

I also want to take the time to thank you, our families, for your ongoing support and partnership. Your involvement and encouragement are invaluable. Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful holiday season. May the new year bring you happiness, health, and success. Can't wait to see what 2025 holds!

Sincerely,

Mr. Ryan Pirok

Principal

Congratulations to our 7th grade girls basketball team for being named Illinois Elementary School Association Class 3A State Champions! They ended their season with a perfect 24-0 record. They are coached by Josh Clark with assistance from Jen Abert. We are so proud of them in this memorable, historic achievement!

Congratulations to our 8th grade team for ending their season successfully by place 3rd at the IESA state tournament in Class 3A! They ended their season with a record of 18-7. They are coached by Jennifer Abert with assistance from Josh Clark. Our school and community are so proud of these student athletes concluding their basketball seasons with such a strong finish!

On December 2-5, Staunton Jr. High hosted the 18th annual 7th grade boys basketball tournament and the 65th annual 8th grade boys basketball tournament. 8th grade ended up winning 1st place in their tournament bracket with Weston Washburn being named to the all tournament team and Austin Spickerman and Jace Spickerman being name tournament MVPs. Congratulations, boys!!

Please make note of 2nd semester dates of early releases, breaks, and holidays!

January 2025

⛄Tuesday, January 7: Students Resume/2nd Semester Begins

⛄Monday, January 20: NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

🥞January Breakfast Menu

🥪January Lunch Menu

Volleyball season will be underway once we return in January. Be sure to come check out our volleyball teams in action this season! Good luck to Coach Lucykow, Coach Weller, and our terrier volleyball team!

Click the link to access the 2025 Volleyball schedule: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_kAjiqdAcHoskvA5CxjLKYEAzBDs_1P8/view

We will restart the semester incentive criteria for 2nd semester! Students get a fresh slate that we will look at when determining rosters. Please note that unexcused absences count against students, so please try to ensure all absences stay within what's considered excused in order to allow students to achieve the incentive. For the incentive for 2nd semester, we will take students off campus; more details will be shared as we approach the closing of the school year. The 2024-2025 Semester Incentive Policy is linked for you; it's also an appendix in our junior high parent/student handbook.