November Newsletter

Hurricane Family,

I am thrilled to share some incredibly exciting news with all of you. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) released the 2023-24 School Letter Grades, and I am beyond proud to announce that our school has achieved an A letter grade.

I am delighted to inform you that our school has made significant progress, elevating our school letter grade from 83.58 (a high B) last year to an impressive 92.33 (a high A) this year. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our exceptional staff, students, and supportive families.

Even more extraordinary is that we experienced the most growth and received the highest A rating of any junior high school in Gilbert Public Schools. This growth demonstrates the collective efforts of our entire school community and contributed to the district's overall A rating. Once again, congratulations to our entire school community on this outstanding achievement.

Sincerely,

Sean Jonaitis, Ed.D.

THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF AND OUR STUDENTS FOR TAKING PART IN THIS!

Miss Bowen came in 1st place and received the Golden Pumpkin Award for best costume. She will keep the title and award until next Halloween. She collected $160.62. Congratulations Miss Bowen!

Mrs. Leesley came in 2nd place and collected $108.95. Way to go Mrs. Leesley!

Mrs. Simon came in 3rd place collecting $103.12. Nice job Mrs. Simon!

Highland Junior High's Annual Spelling Bee Competition will be held on Wednesday, November 13th in the library/media center beginning at 8:45am. Parents of contestants are welcome to attend.

We kindly ask that you honor a few simple request: if you would like to take pictures, please do so between rounds of words, cell phones need to be on silent, and if small children are attending with you and they become noisy/fussy, they need to be taken outside to the courtyard immediately, so as not to distract the participants and hinder the judges' ability to hear each speller's spellings.

Students who qualified for the Bee were given specific directions to follow the day of the Bee, as well as a list of the Spelling Bee Rules and a word list to study in advance;. If you have further questions regarding the competition, please contact Mrs. Clarke. Good luck to all the contestants, and may the best speller win!

Monday, November 18th we will be having the second quarter Benchmark Testing.

Our bell schedule will be changed due to the testing.

Please note the schedule change is only for testing day!

Dear Amazing HJHS Parents,

Do you find yourself hiding when the school fundraiser forms come home? Does the thought of selling candy, candles, or...wrapping paper (again!) make you want to run fo the hills? Do you simply not have time to attend one more meeting? We get it, and we have great news!

There's a way to support our incredible PTRO without ever having to peddle $100 ice cream coupons again! By donating directly, you can help us fund amazing events, celebrations, and provide the much-needed support that our teachers and students deserve. No more awkwardly asking neighbors if they want to buy overpriced cookie dough, or trying to convince Grandma that she really needs another scented candle. Just pure hassle-free, feel-good giving! So, if you're ready to wave goodbye to fundraising chaos and say hello to simplicity, click that donate button and pat yourself on the back. You've just saved yourself from becoming the Candy Bar Sales Champion of 2024.

The PTRO has several amazing events and support opportunities planned through this year. In order to make those things happen we need your help. However, if we are not able to reach our fundraising goals you may be seeing a few more sign ups throughout the school year. Thanks for being awesome!

Paypal Link: paypal.me/hjhsptro

The PTRO Team

From now until December 31st, 20% of all orders made from www.honeybaked.com/undraising/HJHS_PTRO will come back to Highland Jr. High. If you purchase a gift card for any amount from their dashboard, the gift card will be delivered to the email you provide. You can then use your gift card to purchase anything available at Honey Baked Ham. What a great way to make your holidays easier while supporting our school!

IF YOUR CHILD IS LATE TO SCHOOL, PLEASE SEND HIM/HER WITH A NOTE OR CALL THE ATTENDANCE LINE AT 480-632-4739. THE SECURITY TEAM PROMPTLY CLOSES THE GATE AT 8:35AM. STUDENTS SHOULD BE IN THEIR FIRST HOUR AT 8:40AM. IF THEY ARRIVE AFTER THIS TIME AND YOU DON'T SEND A NOTE OR CALL-IN, IT WILL BE MARKED AS AN UNEXCUSE TARDY.

THIS IS PART OF OUR CAMPUS DRESS CODE AND SECURITY POLICY.

TEMPORARY IDs $1

REPLACEMENT IDs $5 (cash only)

Key Information:

• Please work with your students to ensure they bring their ID badge with them to school everyday.

• When students arrive at school they will enter through a secured door or gate and will be required to have their ID badge for entrance.

• Bus riders will use the barcode on their ID badge for getting on and off the bus.

• Students will continue to use the barcode on their ID badges to access nutrition services (cafeteria) and also when checking out a book from the library.

LUNCH DETENTION IS ISSUED IF STUDENT FORGETS THEIR ID

Apply online for the 2024/25 school year which will take you to LinQ connect - gilbertschools.net/mealshttps://linqconnect.com/main

Annual Update It is very important that all families complete the online ‘Annual Update’ to prepare for the new school year. The ‘Annual Update’ in Infinite Campus allows you to tell us of any updates to your contact information, address changes, and updates to emergency contacts. In order to ensure we can communicate with you regarding your student, or in case of emergency, it is essential that we have your up-to-date contact details. Please log in to your Infinite Campus parent portal and complete your student’s ‘Annual Update’ today. To access the IC portal visit www.gilbertschools.net/IC

The GPS App includes a link to IC, as well as access to your student’s school calendar, meal information, bus routes, and other helpful information for parents and students. Visit www.gilbertschools.net/app for more information.

Veterans Day - Nov. 11th - NO SCHOOL

Spelling Bee- Nov. 13th - 8:45AM

Athletic Pictures (quarter 2 sports) Nov. 15th - 3:45PM

English Language/Math Benchmark Assessments Test #2 - Nov. 18th

Performing Arts/Clubs Yearbook Pictures - Nov. 19th - 8:45AM

Gilberts Day Parade - Nov. 23 - 8:30AM

PTRO Meeting - Nov. 25th - 4:00PM

School Council Meeting - Nov. 25th - 5:00PM

Thanksgiving Holiday - Nov. 27-29 - NO SCHOOL

Thank-you for your support of HJHS! Please let us know if there’s anything we can do for you.

EVERYONE, EVERYDAY!