The Patriot Post

• MAIN OFFICE REMINDERS
• Happy New Year!
• Absence Notification
• Attendance Letters
• Early Release
• Pre-Arranged Absences
• Cell Phones, Smart Watches & Earbuds/Headphones Policy

• Before School Drop Off - After School Pick Up

• SCHOOL EVENTS & CLUBS
• Music Concert Dates *updated*
• COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
• Seal-A-Smile Program
• Winter Formal
• Fidelis Consulting Service
• ATHLETICS INFORMATION
• Winter Sports Sign Up & Information
• OTHER USEFUL LINKS FROM PREVIOUS UPDATES
  

By 9:00am on the day a student is absent, parents/guardians must call the Main Office at 715-345-5422 reporting the absence. Parents/Guardians will provide the reason for the absence. Absences not reported by parents/guardians will be marked “unexcused” and will remain unexcused until we receive a phone call/voicemail or note from the parent or doctor with a reason for the absence.

Parents will receive absence information twice per day by phone through the automated attendance system used by the district. If you have any questions regarding attendance, please contact the Main Office at (715) 345-5422 or Student Services Office at (715) 345-5423.

Parents/guardians may also EMAIL any absences to PJJacobs-Attendance@pointschools.net.

Consistent attendance is foundational to your child's success in school. When students attend school regularly, they are more likely to engage fully in classroom activities, develop strong relationships with their teachers and peers, and keep up with their coursework. Here are several key reasons why regular attendance is essential:

1. Academic Achievement: Regular attendance allows students to participate in daily learning activities, receive timely instruction, and engage in discussions that enhance their understanding of the material. Missing school means missing out on valuable learning experiences that can hinder academic progress.

2. Skill Development: The school environment provides opportunities for students to develop important skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills are best acquired through consistent practice and active participation in class.

3. Social and Emotional Growth: School is not just a place for academic learning; it is also a social community where students build friendships, learn social skills, and gain emotional support. Regular attendance helps students feel more connected and engaged with their school community.

4. Long-Term Success: Studies have shown a strong correlation between regular school attendance and higher graduation rates. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to complete their education and pursue higher education or enter the workforce with the skills they need to succeed.

We understand that there are times when absences are unavoidable due to illness or family emergencies. However, we encourage you to prioritize your child's attendance and work with us to minimize any disruptions to their education. Please be aware of the following expectations that continue to be in place regarding how attendance is documented for all secondary students:

● If your child/children are absent for more than 8 days, you will be notified with an auto-generated letter from their school.

● A similar letter will follow if absences exceed 11 days. At this point you may be asked to provide a physician’s note for all future absences.

If your child is experiencing challenges that affect their attendance, please reach out to our school staff. We are here to support you and provide resources to help ensure your child can attend school regularly.

Thank you for your commitment to your child's education and for partnering with us to ensure their academic success. Together, we can make a positive impact on their future.

Parents and Guardians are reminded of how students can be released early from school:

Option 1 (preferred) - EMAIL PJJacobs-Attendance@pointschools.net the DAY of their appointment

Option 2 - Send your student with a NOTE to school the DAY of their appointment

Both options should include the following information:

• Student Name (First & Last) & Grade
• Reason for leaving
• Time they are leaving
• Parent Signature (if handwritten note)
• Phone Number
• Include info regarding who is picking up the student

Can I release my student with a phone call?

If you call the Main Office to release your student because they do not have a note, you will be asked to come inside the main office to sign them out. Your student will be called down at the time of your arrival. We recommend coming early if they're leaving for appointments.

We request parents and guardians to come inside if no note was provided to your student as a request for student safety (as an ID is requested upon arrival) and to keep students in class as much as necessary. There are a lot of different circumstances that may prevent a ride from arriving; we don't want your student to dawdle or wait longer than needed.

This procedure is the same across both junior high schools and it applies to all students.

Do I need to call if I send an email or a note?

If you send a note/email, no additional phone call is needed. Your students signs out and meets you outside. Just give us a ring if they're not out - because yes, kids do forget.

I forgot to send my student with a note, do I have to come inside?

We get it - life happens (notes are forgotten or left on kitchen counters). The easiest option is to email the Main Office using your Skyward Approved address. The Main Office will then print out your email and provide it to your student as a 'note'. Please do not email the main office less than 30 minutes before an appointment - you will be asked to come inside.

Is your student going to be away from school for a vacation or a hunting/fishing trip? Any time a student will be away from school for over three days for a trip, they need to complete a Pre-Arranged Absence form beforehand.

To receive a Pre-Arranged Absence form, students must:

1) (Preferred) Bring a signed note from a parent/guardian, indicating the dates they are gone. The Main Office will staple the note to a yellow Pre-Arranged Absence form and provide it to your student.

3) Students are then expected to retrieve teacher signatures and information on homework

4) Return it to the Main Office for a copy! The absence dates will then be added to their attendance.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Main Office at 715-245-5422. We're happy to assist!

Cell phones must be turned off and put away in locker or in the pouch found on the front of the chromebook case immediately upon entering the building (7:00am or after) until 2:55pm. Cell phones are NOT allowed to be on your person.

If a student is in violation of this policy, teachers will take the student’s phone or staff from the Main Office will pick up. Phones will remain on check in/out in the Main Office for the following durations:

● 1st: 3 weeks

● 2nd: 9 weeks

● 3rd: rest of year

If a student is on check in/out, they are expected to report to the main office before 7:40 to turn in their phone or to notify the Main Office that the phone is at home. Parents/guardians will then be called to confirm.

If a student on phone check in/out habitually forgets to turn in their phone or does not notify the main office that the phone is at home, their check in/out time will be extended by a week every time it is forgotten. If a student habitually forgets and is on check in/out for the entire school year, then additional consequences may be issues (i.e. lunch detention).

Absolutely no cell phones are allowed in the locker rooms and bathrooms under any circumstances. NO EXCEPTIONS! Disciplinary action will be taken for infractions of this rule and students will be required to check in/out for the remainder of the school year.

Students who are experiencing illness must report to the Health Office. Students are not permitted to use personal devices to contact parents without permission from Health Office staff. If students are ill, they should follow school procedure for going home ill. Students who are violating this process will be subject to the protocol listed above.

Students are permitted to wear smart watches. However, it is at the teacher’s discretion to ask students to remove them during summative assessments or any other time when they can interfere with learning. If watches are a disruption in any capacity, teachers can request removal and turn into the Main Office and will be subject to the protocol listed above.

Earbuds and Headphones must be turned off and put away in locker, in the pouch found on the front of the Chromebook case or looped in the handle of the Chromebook case. Earbuds and Headphones are NOT allowed to be on your person, especially during passing time and lunches. These devices may only be used in the classroom setting with teacher permission. Students that use their personal electronic devices to record or photograph students/staff without their permission, or document bullying/harassment, physical or verbal altercation will receive additional disciplinary action. Students who post or share such photos or videos may be subject to disciplinary action as well.

Students can be dropped off or picked up on the Michigan Avenue sidewalk and enter the school using door number 19 or along the fence by the city park tennis courts and enter the school using door number 1. Due to heavy bus traffic, do not drop-off/pick-up students in the parking lot in the mornings or afternoons 20 minutes before/after 7:40AM and 2:55PM.

Families are reminded that in order for a student to receive medication from the nurse, an OTC (Over the Counter) form MUST be filled out and turned in to Student Services or the nurse. We will not be calling home to authorize over the counter medications unless it is an emergency situation.

• 01/10/2025 - PJ Chamber Orchestra Elementary Outreach Tour *updated*
• 01/14/2025 - PJ Concert Band Elementary Outreach Tour *updated*
• 03/01/2025 - WSMA District Solo and Ensemble Festival
• 03/11/2025 - All - District Orchestra Concert
• 04/08/2025 - District Jazz Night
• 04/24/2025 - PJ Jacobs Spring Band Concert
• 05/03/2025 - WSMA State Solo and Ensemble
• 05/08/2025 - PJ Jacobs Spring Choir Concert
• 05/13/2025 - PJ Jacobs Combined 6th and 7th Grade Bands
• 05/14/2025 - PJ/Ben/SPASH Bandshell Concert *updated*
• 05/19/2025 - PJ Jacobs/Elem Strings Spring Orchestra Concert
• 05/22/2025 - PJ Award Ceremony Jazz Band Performance

We're hiring! SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Apply today: District Employment Opportunities

Call us at: (715) 496-7005 or email one of our Managers

• spellegromfidelis@pointschools.net
• jwojcikfidelis@pointschools.net

P.J. Athletics - Winter Sports Information

Winter Sports Newsletter 7th-9th Grade LINK

• Fee Waiver
  
• Free/Reduced Lunch Waiver

• Frequently Used District Forms
• Student Handbook

Your days are filled with opportunities you do not want to miss!

Website: https://www.pointschools.net/PJJacobs
Location: 2400 Main Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: 715-345-5422
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJJacobsJuniorHigh

Yog xav tau kev pab txhais cov lus no, thov hu rau Mai Kou Yang ntawm 715-343-7139 los 715-340-0656 lossis sau email rau: myang@capmail.org

Si necesita ayuda traduciendo información que se encuentra en el correo electrónico, por favor, contacte a Jami McGriff al correo jmcgriff@pointschools.net o llame al 715-498-1976