Standardized tests make up a HUGE part of our school report card. These tests can make the difference between being unsatisfactory or AVERAGE, which our school has worked so hard to accomplish this year. We cannot do it without your help, so please make sure that your scholars are studying, getting much needed rest, and completing the work that is being given by their teachers. Lastly, please make sure that your child is present every day. By doing these things we can accomplish our goal and show Richland County and the state of South Carolina what our students and community are truly capable of!!!

CSI schools are defined as Title I schools performing at or below the 5th percentile of all Title I schools in the state. CSI schools are identified every three years, in alignment with the state’s interim targets cycles. Each school will receive technical assistance funds and be assigned a state level transformation coach.

We have exited the list based upon our academic achievements last year and we on track for even higher this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:

Thursday, May 1, 2025

AVID Senior Night Heyward Career & Technology Center

Friday, May 2, 2025 (Clubs)

May 8 Biology 1 EOCEP

May 9 English 2 EOCEP Reading

May 13 USHC EOCEP

May 14 Algebra 1 EOCEP

Senior Exams Only (3rd & 4th Pds. Only)

May 15 Senior Exams Only (1st & 2nd Pds. Only)

I want to celebrate the life of Dr. DeCarlous Sims, someone who not only educated students but encouraged friends and staff. On behalf of C. A. Johnson High Schools, I extend my deepest condolences to Dr. Sims family, friends, colleagues, and students.

At CAJHS Dr. Sims was more than a social studies teacher; he was a storyteller, a mentor, a comedian and a passionate guide through the complex tapestry of history, government, and culture. He helped students not only understand the past but also see their place in the world’s future.

For 3 years, Dr. DeCarlous Sims brought our school community many lessons, but most of all he brought love and compassion. Dr. Sims will truly be missed, and the Sims family is in our hearts and prayers.

Class Of 2025,

The is a reminder about your cap and gown. Time is approaching fast. Please see the graphic below. Mrs. Wells will post it on the school webpage.

Remember you don’t have to order everything, i.e., invitations, hoodie, sweatpants, etc. Because you have to pay for EVERYTHING before Josten’s will send you your cap and gown if you order the extra stuff. You simply need the basic package of the cap, gown, tassel and portfolio cover. That costs about $85.00. To participate in graduation ceremony, a cap and gown is required.

In addition, Senior fees ($100.00) are due immediately. Yearbook cost is $35.00.

PROM – DATE: APRIL 26, 2025

Tickets on sale now. Early bird couples’ price will be $50 for the entire month of January. In February it will be $50 per person and the price will go up each month until the prom. To purchase prom tickets, you will do so like you do for athletic event tickets. For questions or problems, contact Mrs. Boykin (jamella.boykin@richlanodne.org)

ACT/SAT

Sign up for the ACT or SAT ends on January 21. It is free. Contact Dr. Mitchell (connie.mitchell@richlandone.org) if you would like to the either test.

ACT will be March 11 and it is paper.

SAT will be March 18 and it is online.

SENIOR SUPERLATIVES

Here is the link for your nominations. Nominate your classmates. Please see the dates below for the cutoffs and voting. You will receive an email to vote as well.

https://forms.office.com/r/QKfMMV2bAw

GRADUATION - MAY 27, 2025

We realize that you have some time but please keep the below in mind.

Graduation Attire:

Males Females

Dark dress slacks Attire equal to or shorter than the robe/gown.

WHITE dress shirt NO LONG PANTS!

Dark dress shoes Black or dark FLAT shoes

Dark tie/bowtie Open-toe shoes are acceptable

NO SNEAKERS! NO SNEAKERS!

Cap Decorations Details: The Class Of 2025 may decorate their caps, but:

• Decorations may not be 3D (Must be flat to surface of cap)
• Decoration may not overhang the edges of the cap.
• Decorations must be school appropriate
• Decorations cannot be of inappropriate language
• If you’re in doubt, don’t

NOTE: If the decorations are not appropriate the student must remove the cap (cap will be given to administration) and the student will be given a plain cap to wear during the ceremony. The inappropriate decorated cap will be returned to the student after the graduation ceremony is over.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Irby and Mr. Franklin

In alignment with our district policy and state mandates, students will not be allowed to have cell phones on their person, on, and/or visible during instructional time. Teachers will have options for students to store cell phones, but any student that violates this policy is subject to receive discipline as outlined by the Student Code of Conduct. This change will maximize instructional time and eliminate the number one distraction in the learning environment, which is the cell phone.

Tardiness makes up 40% of our discipline here at C. A. Johnson High School. Students have to understand the importance of being on time and the value in time. This year, we will be putting forth a stronger effort to decrease student tardiness, which will help in maximizing our instructional time. This will not only allow us to continue making huge academic gains, but better prepare our students for the workforce and life after C. A. Johnson High School.

Richland One Student Transportation Services is proud to announce the upcoming district-wide rollout of Traversa Ride 360, a secure mobile app that has been provided by the South Carolina Department of Education. Our official launch date will be Monday, January 22.

Traversa Ride 360 is a secure app that will allow a parent or guardian to have instant access to their child’s school bus transportation information through a real-time GPS tracker. It provides an easy set-up and secure registration. Parents and guardians will access the free app by searching for “Traversa Ride 360” in the App Store (Apple iOS) or Google Play for Android. They will need to install the app and register in the app.

Through the app, parents will be sent an alert of the estimated time of arrival (ETA) of their child’s bus. Also, the district can send important and timely push notifications through the app, such as notifying parents of a late bus or use of a substitute bus. Parents must stay logged in to the app to receive push notifications from Student Transportation Services in real time. We hope this added safety benefit will provide better communication and customer service for our parents and students regarding their bus service.

Richland One conducted a Traversa Ride 360 pilot with six schools in late-November and December, and it is now time to roll it out district-wide. This service will only be available for the state school buses/routes. Unfortunately, our Richland One district programs/buses will not have this service available at this time. We will provide a list of those affected bus numbers to you.

I would like to ease your mind about security: Parents/guardians must use their child’s student ID number and date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD) to add their child in the app. This is necessary to log in to the app each time. They will follow the same steps for additional students in the family. Also, parents will control with whom they want to share their child’s information, such as another family member that may be assisting with child care, for example. The school sites are not responsible for keeping up with this information.

Please click this link (https://www.richlandone.org/Page/15469) for more information and directions on installing and registering in the Traversa Ride 360 app and navigating the website; after you click the link, log in with your normal user name and password. This link will go live on the Student Transportation web page Monday, January 22. After you review this information, please provide any feedback, questions or concerns you may have by the end of the day Tuesday, January 16. Contact me at rick.grisham@richlandone.org or (803) 231-7002.

The Office of Communications will inform all Richland One parents about the app through SchoolMessenger, the district’s website and social media. You can assist by including the information in your school newsletters, websites and other school communications platforms. Also, the Office of Communications is working with Student Transportation Services to produce a short, informational video to educate parents about how to access and use the Traversa Ride 360 app. The link to the video will be included in the information that will be sent to parents Friday, January 19.

Please be advised that we do not have any spare laptops at this time. Students must take care of their assigned device(s) and be mindful when lending their assigned equipment others. We still have broken laptops from last year that have not been fixed.

R1 Portal can be accessed using the students' laptop and going to Richland 1 website. By clicking on ClassLink it should direct you to all of the students' apps and you can click on PowerSchool.

Our schoolwide AVID WICOR focus is "Inquiry". Below are a few strategies that can be used in any classroom. Please let one of the AVID Site Team members know if you have any questions.

Inquiry

• Context-based gallery walks

• Student generated academically challenging word problems

• Costa's three levels of questioning

• Research projects applying math concepts to real-life experiences

• Critical thinking activities

• S.L.A.N.T. Classroom protocol

• Q.A.R. (question, answer, relationship)

• Issue bins/parking lots

We will begin offering more Dual Enrollment Courses through Midland Tech starting this year. If you are interested in taking these courses or learning more about them, please contact Dr. Connie Mitchell or Ms. Johnson.

Mr. Abrams and Mr. Franklin are currently looking for students interested in getting into the workforce. If you know any students, please contact these individuals.

Please congratulate Mrs. Jones on being selected by Columbia College as their APEC Teacher of the Year!!!!

We express this by making each moment meaningful and encouraging those who do not want or even accept our shared beliefs. We pour into these young minds, bodies, and souls each day not only with instructional material, but with professional skills that they will need after they graduate!!!

Let's work together to make sure our students are successful. One of the ways that we can do this is by getting your feedback and input. Please click the link below to share your feedback and I look forward to seeing you at the next School Improvement Council Meeting in January 2024.