Dear Jones Family,

"No Homework Holidays"

Educators, parents, and students have long debated the efficacy of homework, its relative advantages and disadvantages. Advocates on either side of the issue have cited research on academic growth, social emotional development and health, and other factors. Looking at the big picture, I feel that we as a school have taken a balanced, responsible approach, with an emphasis on the relevance of the assigned homework to classroom learning. Our homework policy appears in the  Student Handbook. In addition, o ver the past several years, we have had numerous conversations regarding the possibility of a "no homework over holidays" policy. 

Our greatest concern is the health and well-being of our students. High school is a very stressful time for young people, and we have seen many instances where the pressures and demands kids face have manifested themselves in increased social and emotional dysfunction. Our kids are very academically capable, but they can succumb to stress that comes from the pressure to succeed. That is the reason we included "decompressing" activities as an option for students during Academic Lab. Our long school holidays (Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break) should afford our kids the opportunity to reduce stress, rest, spend time with family and friends, read for their personal interest, or otherwise pursue activities that help them recharge their batteries. Such respites are essential for our students to be effective learners.

Effective for the 2016-2017 school year, we are implementing a "No Homework Holidays" policy for all Jones students.  What does this mean in practice? 

• The policy will apply to the Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks.
• Any typical, average-length homework assignment due the week after one of these holidays will be announced at least 1 1/2 weeks before the start of the holiday.  Assignments will include all necessary instructions and materials. 
• The scope of an assignment should be such that students have ample opportunity to complete the work prior to the holiday break. This will also allow students to decide for themselves how much they wish to do before or even during the holiday period. 
• No exams, quizzes, or major projects or essays should be due on the day the students return from their holiday break.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time at  [email protected] or my direct office number 773-534-8606.

Sincerely,

 

 

Lace  Up for the 2nd Annual JCP Eagle Run!

 

 

Why: 5K run/walk to build the JCP community and support JCP Athletics.

* All participants will receive a free 5k training program

* Register by Oct. 4 to receive a free JCP technical race t-shirt!

* ALL f inishers will receive a race medal

* Top male and female faculty, student and adult finishers will  receive trophies

* New official timing system this year

 

When: Sunday, October 23 rd - Race Starts 10:00 AM - Pre Race Packet pick-up 8-9:30am.

 

Where: Beautiful Washington Park near the University of Chicago campus

 

Signup: Online at www.eventbrite.com , key word Jones College Prep Eagle Run. $17.50 for all students and Jones faculty and staff, $35 for adults. Register by September 25th to be included in a raffle for a free massage!

Train: Click HERE to download the official 5K Run training guide to prepare for the event.

 

Sponsor: Donate $250 or more to be an official race sponsor and get your business or family name on race t-shirts. Sponsorship deadline is Oct. 4th. Contact race director Sarah Jones at [email protected]. Thank you!

 

SIGN UP BY SEPTEMBER 25 TO BE ENTERED INTO A RAFFLE FOR A FREE MASSAGE.

 

 

JCP Boys Varsity Soccer make a great showing in their first invitation to the Chicago Boys Pepsico Showdown Tournament. 

 In additional to playing area high schools in the tournament, teams are asked to "give back" through volunteering, donations, etc.  JCP Boys Varsity Team collected 50 pairs of slightly used shoes for donation and happily helped the organizers load the donation truck with ALL the boxes and bags of shoes that were donated by all participating teams.  

Way to go!

JONES STORE HOURS

The Jones Store is located on the third floor of the South Building and is open during lunch periods every Thursday that school is in session. The current hours are:

Every Tuesday during Lunch (11:10 - 1:45) and "B" day ACLab (1:45 - 3:15)

Every Thursday during Lunch (11:10 - 1:45) and "B" day ACLab (1:45 - 3:15)
Hours are subject to change. Please check this page for updates.

NEXT POP UP SALE
10/17/15 Open House for 7th and 8th graders
11/19/15 Report Card Pick-up

Stop by to pick up spirit wear for the whole family.

 

Note: The Joneswear page is accessible but under construction as we add lots of new items this year. Plus, look for a catalog of items coming soon! 

Diverse Learners Book List

Join the Club

  

The Jones Book Club launches its season on Tuesday, September 27, at 3:30 PM in the school library. The Book Club moderators include English Department Chair Brady Gunnink, School Librarian Fran Feeley, English teacher Mary Ann Siegel, English teacher Ted Grossman, and Social Sciences Department Chair Jennie Harned.

Students are grouped by class year and meet for four book discussions per year. The book club own sets of all the books. The book clubs promote the joy of reading for pleasure and reading in community. It's not an overly demanding commitment, and it looks great on a college application! 

  Thanks to everyone who christened our new "Make Positive Change With Your Spare Change" box at Parent Night by making a contribution.  The box will remain in the lobby and it would be great if everyone could make a donation of any size with every visit to JCP.  Every penny counts!!

Senior Seminars kicked off the week of September 12th with sessions during Ac Lab.  The topic:  Naviance and the Common App.    

 

For the week of September 19th, all senior counselors will be in senior English classes covering the supplementary essay, JCP office forms and procedures, reviewing transcripts and covering types of applications.

 

The last event in the series will be Senior College Planning Night, September 26th from 5:30p-7:30p in the South Auditorium.  Parents and students are welcome!

  

 

We are very proud to announce the completion of the brand new Jones choir website!! Everything is on there about jcp choirs--- including a google calendar linking to events, course descriptions, philosophy, handbook (our syllabi) and great pics!

A big thank you to our wonderful choir president, Emily Adamson (senior, in her fourth year in choir), for her amazing work on completing this for the choir!

Enjoy!


www.weebly.jcpchoirs.com

  

 Sophomore Class Kicks Off Hamilton Ticket Raffle

Hamilton fever has hit Jones College Prep! The sophomore class launched a Hamilton ticket raffle during Back to School Night, selling $10 chances to win a pair of dress circle tickets for the December 9th performance of the new, sold-out Chicago production.

The first wave of 200 raffle tickets sold out in just 90 minutes, but JCP students, family and staff still have plenty of shots to make a purchase.

Sophomore student reps say the class plans to sell the $10 Hamilton raffle chances up until Report Card Pickup Day November 10, when they will draw, announce and contact the winner. They will hold a series of "Ham4Ham Wednesdays," with sales during lunch and AcLab, and will also have a table to sell tickets during JCP Open House October 15 and at the Jones College Prep Eagle Run 5K on October 23.

All funds raised will go into the Class of 2019 account to help pay for and reduce student fees for their class graduation, proms, etc.

Please support the 10th grade class with a $10 raffle donation, and you could end up holding two of the hottest tickets in town!

Sophomore class reps raked in the Hamiltons at Back to School Night. The $10 ticket raffle continues through Report Card Pickup Day on November 10.

Monday 9/19

B Day

5pm Boys Soccer vs Kelvyn PK

5pm Girls Swimming vs Von Steuben

Tuesday 9/20

A Day

3:30 Girls Soccer Meeting (all levels)

Wednesday 9/21

B Day

Thursday 9/22
A Day

4:30pm Boys Soccer vs Westinghouse HS

4:30pm Girls Frosh Volleyball vs Taft

4:30pm Girls Tennis at Northside Prep

4:30pm Girls Volleyball at Taft

 

Friday 9/23

B Day (Early Release)

2:15 Club Fair

For next week's schedule please log onto the Jones College Prep calendar.