Dear Jayhawks,

The past month has been important at JHS. After the break we finished February with our annual Black History Month Assembly Showcase which highlighted student performances. We then began March by hosting Battle of the Classes. It proved to be one of the more spirited days at JHS in many years. The day was filled with friendly competition and endless smiles. A special highlight was the spring musical. This year our students performed "Spongebob Te Musical". As we prepare for spring, we are excited for the new sports season and wish our Jayhawks well.

This issue of the Jayhawk Blast is filled with a lot of important information including key dates, short videos highlighting some performances and much, much more.

Please take the time to read through the entire issue and follow the links to learn about all of the details.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and restful weekend.

Our best to you and your families,

Mr. David Cohen & Dr. Joe Prisinzano, Co-Principals

Mr. Brian Cummings has an office just outside of the cafeteria and can be reached at phone extension x3226.

Dr. Micheala Finlay has an office in the Social Studies across from room 244 and can be reached at phone extension x3224.

• 3/25- HS Art Honor Society Induction & Exhibit (7:00pm)

• 3/26- SEPTA Fundraiser (6:00pm)

• 3/27- MS/HS 3rd Marking Period Ends, Parent Portal Closed

• 3/28- Schools Closed

• 3/29- Schools Closed

• 4/1- MS/HS Jazz Concert (7:30pm)

• 4/2- SEPTA Exec Meeting (6:00pm)

• 4/2- SEPTA Meeting (7:00pm)

• 4/3- HS National Honor Society Induction (7:30pm)

• 4/4- HS Alumni Hall of Fame Induction (7:00pm)

• 4/8- HS Thespian Honor Society Induction (7:30pm)

• 4/10- Schools Closed

• 4/11- Board of Education Meeting (7:15pm)

• 4/16- B.O.E. Meeting, BOCES Budget Vote (8:30am)

• 4/16- 6th-12th Grade Spring Orchestra Concert (7:00pm)

• 4/18- Board of Education Work Session (6:00pm)

We are excited to offer JHS students our full complement of clubs for the 2023-24 school year. Please follow the first link below for a list of clubs now being offered, the name of the advisor(s) and a description of each club. The second link below provides a schedule of when each of the clubs meet. Please email the advisor if you have any questions about the club. All of this information is also available on the JHS website.

Each of our teachers at the high school provides opportunities for students to receive extra help. Please use the link below to see the schedule.

Traffic on campus is typically very busy. As you plan for your child's travel to and from school this year, please know that one way to alleviate traffic issues is for students to utilize our bus service. Our buses are safe, fast and the easiest way for students to travel to and from school. If you will be dropping off or picking up your child from school, there are two access points; the HS attendance entrance via route 107 and the upper senior parking lot via route 106 (You may not use the front circle for drop-off).

Safety is our primary focus, particularly at dismissal. If you are picking up your child it is critical that you adhere to the following procedures:

• Car lanes are single file and drivers should never leave the line unless directed by a security agent
• When using the route 106 access, drivers must pull into available parking spaces in the upper lot and wait for their child
• Security agents are on site to assist drivers when pulling out of spaces and moving back into the single lane of cars. Please understand that the security agents are focused on ensuring a safe and efficient process so please be courteous and understanding of their role.

Please anticipate a potential wait when dropping off and picking up your child. We ask everyone to demonstrate patience and to provide extra time to account for traffic volume.

Thank you for your support.

On March 18th, JHS Jazz Band traveled to Albany for an inspiring performance.

The week of March 11th was World Language Week. JHS hosted International Night. There was lots of delicious foods and incredible performances, celebrating various cultures.

March 1st was our annual Battle of the Classes! It was a fun day of activities and contest between each of the classes. In the end, Seniors prevailed as the winners!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of SpongeBob the Musical! A fantastic show filled with tremendous talent. Bravo!

On February 29th, JHS/JMS celebrated Black History Month with a wonderful assembly showcasing student performances including music from our jazz band. Please click below to view a sample of a beautiful performance from that day.

Students in the photography classes had the amazing opportunity to photograph the night sky during an evening field trip to Jones Beach last week. The state parks department shared that JHS was the first high school on long island to receive a permit for this purpose. Such a great event!!!!!

As you know, student wellness has been such an important focus for us at JHS. The NEST program, is aimed at supporting students and the stress many of them face. This is accomplished by creating safe spaces for students to engage in restorative circle discussions while increasing their connections with peers and adults in the school. The vision statement for the program is "The Nest Period is a safe and supportive space for students to feel a deep connection with the members of our community and share voices for making positive change. "

During the past month, students have engaged in NEST sessions in our English, Math and Science classes. In English classes, students worked on personal goal setting. Some of our Science classes had students engage in a fun scavenger hunt to connect with individuals and artifacts throughout the building.

Making connections throughout the entire JHS community is one important step towards ensuring a healthy and supportive school community. We look forward to working with all of our students to make the NEST a place where each of their voices counts. Remember, every student has a home in the NEST

.

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the PTSA Connections Corner! Here you will find the latest PTSA news and information about upcoming events and happenings that the HS PTSA sponsors and/or supports. We are always available to answer any questions and look forward to a wonderful school year. We thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Your PTSA Co-Presidents

Marni Rubin

Sheree Weingarten

Please use the link below to become a member of the PTA this year.

Attention seniors and families. Please click here to view a flyer about donations to support this year's Senior Party to celebrate the Class of 2024 on June 5, 2024.

SEPTA is an organization that supports all students in the District. Below is a link to some important flyers from SEPTA. Each flyer has English and Mandarin versions.

Please take a few minutes to read through the flyers. We encourage all families to become members of SEPTA.

Danielle Smith, High School Psychologist

Wendi Goldstein, High School Psychologist

Ray Velez, High School Social Worker

Meet Jaxson and Tucker

Jaxson and Tucker are certified therapy dogs through the organization, Therapy Dogs of Long Island. They belong to one of our psychologists, Dr. Wendi Goldstein. Dr. Goldstein has brought Jaxson and Tucker to visit school several times over the course of the year to assist in classrooms, counseling sessions, and school activities/functions.

“Jaxson and Tucker provide a source of comfort during a long and difficult day” -Harly Fistel, Grade 11

“Having Jaxson and Tucker as part of the Jericho community has brought everyone closer. They are a great addition to our team” - Sari Grebstein, HS Counselor

“I like having Jaxson and Tucker in our school. They are very cute and calming” - Emily Abukoush, Grade 11

“It’s a great stress reliever for kids and they make everyone’s day” -Akshara Keshri, Grade 12

Other districts throughout Long Island such as Sachem, Smithtown, Northshore, Hewlett- Woodmere, and Freeport have introduced therapy dogs to their schools over the past several years to help students with stress management and anxiety and to boost morale in the school buildings. Research supports that the need and interest for therapy dogs in schools has been growing. Walking or petting a dog at school infuses a sense of calm when a student feels agitated or anxious. Therapy dog organizations have reported that these special pups can boost self-esteem, reduce anxiety and stress, uplift one's mood, enhance social interaction and have a calming effect on humans.

Jaxson and Tucker are kind and sweet pups who provide our students with both social emotional support and cognitive benefits. Our students, along with faculty, staff and administration, have fully embraced their presence and look forward to their visits.

To read more about the benefits of therapy dogs visit:

• The high school counseling center has been hard at work assisting seniors with their college applications. Students should continue to communicate with their counselors about their post-high school plans!
• Save the date- Long Island Spring College Expo- Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Dates to Remember

Upcoming SAT Dates

• May 4th (registration deadline: April 19th)
• June 1st (registration deadline: May 17th)

Upcoming ACT Dates

• April 13th (registration deadline: March 8th)
• June 8th (registration deadline: May 3rd)

When Science students were asked to take a picture with Mr. Cohen for their NEST day scavenger hunt, some were surprised by the photo opportunity.

Visit the Jericho High School Website!

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https://twitter.com/DaveCohenJHS