Jackson High School Newsletter

1. As a reminder, there is no school on Friday, April 18. Classes will resume on Monday, April 21.

2. Many of our students will continue to take Ohio State Tests (OST) next week. Please note that we have testing days next week on Wednesday, April 23 and Thursday, April 24 for Algebra 1 and Geometry. Please see the letter below from Mr. McGugin, our testing coordinator, that highlights our modified schedules on these days. All students that are testing should report to their homerooms by 7:40 a.m. Please note that if you do not have a state test on any of the dates below, then your first period of the day will begin at 10:00 a.m.

3. Administrative Professionals Day is on Wednesday, April 23. Please help me in celebrating all of our incredible support staff that help our building to run so efficiently throughout the school year!

Thank you, and Go Bears!

Mr. Ziders

Last week, students received their scheduling cards and initial information on the scheduling process. Next week, our counselors will begin scheduling our students.

Each student will get an opportunity to meet one-on-one with their school counselor to discuss classes and input requests. Students will meet according to the following schedule:

Juniors: The week of March 3rd out of English classes

Sophomores: The week of March 17th out of English classes

Freshmen: The week of April 7th out of World History classes

*If a student does not have the specified class at JHS or they are absent during their assigned time, please use your counselor's Calendly (located on the Student Services website) to set up a meeting*

Please note that the Schedule Change Policy has been updated. Schedule changes can have a serious impact on class size, teacher assignments, and the master schedule. Minimizing schedule changes helps maintain a productive and organized learning environment. In order to balance class sizes, provide sufficient staff and resources, and allow teachers to plan and maintain course objectives and efficiency, a schedule change policy must be enforced. Students will have until June 4, 2025, to request a schedule change. There will be minimal schedule changes in August. Please see the NEW policy in its entirety by clicking on this link.

Please feel free to reach out to our Student Services Department with any questions.

Jackson will be offering Sports Physicals on Friday, May 30, 2025.

• Time 1:30- 4:00. Must be in line no later than 3:45.
• Please enter at the lower level of the High School through Door 16W
• Please bring your official 2025-2026 OHSAA physical form from the OHSAA website with the parent and student section fully filled out and signed. If the form is not signed by a parent/guardian your student-athlete may be turned away. Students will be sent home with the paper copy of their physical which should then be uploaded to their Final Forms account. We will not be accepting paper copies of physicals.
• Price: $15.00.
• Check or cash will be accepted. Checks payable to: Jackson Local Schools

Please visit the following website for more the student athlete physical form: https://jacksonpolarbears.org/jackson-high-school-student-athlete-physical-form/

Please know that once a student reaches 65 hours of absence (which is approximately 10 days of school), that their absences moving forward will be unexcused unless there is medical documentation. Students with unexcused absences may not receive credit for work that is due that day.

If your child is sick and has a medical note, please turn these into the attendance office immediately upon return to school as medically excused absences do not count into these 65 hours. This would also include doctor's appointments throughout the year.

Students will continue to be exempt from taking their final exams if they have an A average in a course. However, our policy states that if students receive an attendance letter, meaning that they have missed at least 65 hours of school, then they will be required to take their final exam even if they have an "A" average in the course.

Dear Parents,

Artificial intelligence is the defining technology of our times: in our voice-activated devices, smartphone face recognition systems, autonomous vehicles, and now in generative AI like ChatGPT. The potential for all students with diverse interests to apply this technology for good is limitless.

I’m excited to share with you that this summer, Jackson High School is offering an in-person project-based artificial intelligence program through Inspirit AI, an AI education program developed and taught by Stanford and MIT alumni and graduate students. The program will consist of 9 3.5-hour sessions on weekdays from June 16-27 (except June 19th).

Students from grades 6-12 who will learn the fundamental concepts of AI and gain a deeper understanding of how AI is used to build ChatGPT and generative AI, fight the COVID-19 pandemic, power self-driving cars, and more. Students will learn to program AI using Python, discuss ethics and bias within AI, and complete a group project applying AI to disciplines like healthcare, astronomy, finance, and more! No prior computer science experience is required to participate, and advanced cohorts are available. Separate middle and high school sections will be offered.

If your student may be interested in participating in this unique opportunity, please fill out this short interest form. The program is offered at cost of $1400 for 31.5 hours of hands-on learning with AI practitioners and graduate students from Stanford and MIT who will travel to Massillon to teach this pre-college program. Feel free to explore the program brochure for more information about the curriculum, schedule, projects, teaching team, and more!

If you think you could qualify for free and reduced lunch status it is IMPORTANT that you fill out the application. In addition to free and reduced meals, your child(ren) may qualify for additional cost waivers for college entrance exams and other school fees. Contact your school counselor for more details, and visit the following webpage to access the form: https://www.jackson.stark.k12.oh.us/Page/161

The Backpack Food Program, a partnership with RiverTree Jackson, is a service we are

pleased to offer to the families of Jackson Local Schools. The goal of this program is to send

home a variety of easy, ready-to-eat meals and snacks for your child over the weekend.

There are no income requirements for this program. The bags will be delivered to your child’s

school and be ready for pick up each week.

To apply to be part of the Backpack Food Program, all you need to do is fill out the quick

application form by clicking the link below:

https://forms.gle/CpAP8dwQ7fXJBFS78

The Jackson Local School District has a page on the District's website where information related to student enrichment opportunities (academics, arts, athletics) can be found. The website can be found by clicking on the link button below.

The materials provided herein are solely for informational purposes and do not constitute an endorsement by the Jackson Local School District of any individuals or organizations involved nor of the messages conveyed within these materials. Absent a specific and express statement to the contrary, please be advised that the activities promoted by these materials do not have an affiliation with, nor are they sponsored or endorsed by, the Jackson Local School District.

Email: miz2jc@jackson.sparcc.org
Website: https://www.jackson.stark.k12.oh.us/Page/732
Location: 7600 Fulton Drive Northwest, Massillon, OH, USA
Phone: 330-837-3501
Twitter: @mziders