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Springboro Junior High Newsletter
January 3, 2021
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Calendar & Event Information
Dec 21 - Jan 1: NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
Jan 4-7: Remote Learning Schedule for Model A & B Students
Jan 6: Open House for New Model A Students for 3rd Quarter, 3-4 p.m.
Jan 8: Intervention/Assignment Day
Jan 11: Model A & B Learning Models Resume; 2nd Quarter Report Cards Sent Home with Model A Students & Mailed Home to Model B Students
Jan 12: Picture Retake Day
Jan 18: NO SCHOOL - MLK, JR. Day
Feb 1-4: IOWA Tests (7th graders only)
Feb 12: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Inservice
Feb 15: NO SCHOOL - President's Day
Mar 12: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
Mar 29 - Apr 5: NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
May 31: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
June 3: Last Day of School for Students
For more information, read the ...
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3rd Quarter Model Switches Information |
Transitioning to Model B At-Home Virtual Learning: Students transitioning to Model B At-Home Virtual Learning from Model A In-Person Learning, starting the 3rd quarter, met with the Junior High school counselors from 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Model B Information and student expectations were communicated to these new Model B At-Home Virtual Learning students. Further information has been emailed to these students and parents/guardians, including the Transition to Model B At-Home Learning Guide.
Transitioning to Model A In-Person Learning: Students transitioning from Model B At-Home Virtual Learning to Model A In-Person Learning, starting the 3rd quarter, are invited to an Open House scheduled for Wednesday, January 6, 2021 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. During this Open House, your student will receive their class schedule, locker information, and be able to walk the building and identify their class locations. Please keep attendance for this event to one parent/guardian and your student. You can show up to the building at any time during this hour time range. If this date and time does not work for you, please contact Mrs. Sinclair, administrative assistant at 937-748-3953. If needed, evening appointments are available.
Model B At-Home Virtual Learning Students that are transitioning to Model A In-Person Learning can learn more information about what their first day of school will look like on this document, A Day in the Life of a SJHS Student.
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Parent/Guardian Notification of the Gallup Student Poll |
On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, Springboro Junior High students will participate in the Gallup Student Poll. This is the fourth year in a row that Junior High students have participated in the Gallup Student Poll.
Gallup provides analytics and advice to organizations around the world, and it launched the Gallup Student Poll in 2009. The Gallup Student Poll is a brief, 22-item survey available online for students in fifth through 12th grades. The Gallup Student Poll covers the following themes:
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Engagement is students’ involvement in and enthusiasm for school.
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Hope is the ideas and energy students have for the future.
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Belonging is feeling accepted and included as part of the school.
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Social and emotional learning is how people learn to understand and manage emotions and establish positive relationships with others.
The Gallup Student Poll gives students a voice in building great schools, and results provide schools with important, actionable information beyond standard measures, such as grades and test scores, to help schools make kids ready for the future. To date, there have been over 6 million completes of the Gallup Student Poll. Please visit the Gallup Student Poll homepage at http://www.gallupstudentpoll.com to view the survey items and learn more.
This survey is anonymous and voluntary. That means Gallup cannot identify your student, and your student’s individual responses will not be shared with anyone. Only grade, school, district and other group-level results will be shared with our school. Students do not have to participate if they do not want to, and they may skip any item they do not wish to answer. There are no consequences or penalties if your student does not participate.
If you prefer to have your student opt out of the Gallup Student Poll, please notify Jon Franks, building principal, in writing by Tuesday, January 12.
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Remote Learning Information: January 4-8 |
Monday, January 4 through Friday, January 8 (the five days after Winter Break) will be Remote Learning days for ALL students in the district (Grades PreK - 12).
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What is Remote Learning? When the district uses a ‘Remote Learning’ model, this means that all students (Model A and Model B) will learn from home using the same schedule. Model A and Model B students will be in classes together.
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When Remote Learning? Grades 6 - 12: All Model A/Model B students will be on the same remote schedule January 4 -7 (see image below or linked schedule below) with all students attending live Google Meet sessions throughout the day. Friday, January 8 being will be a remote Intervention/Assignment Day.
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Information on Intervention/Assignment Day (January 8, 2021): All students in Grades 6 - 12 will be given an assignment/project posted to Google Classroom to work through on Friday, January 8. This assignment will be related to concepts that are taught during the two live block schedule instructional periods that students participate in for each period on Monday through Thursday (January 4 - January 7). There are NO live Google Meet class sessions that students are required to attend on Friday.
- Any student in Grades 6 - 12 with a 2nd quarter grade that is below 60, or otherwise puts them in jeopardy of failing, will have an appointment with their individual teacher(s). This meeting will be set up with the teacher, student and parent to discuss a success plan for the remainder of the school year. Students and parents/guardians invited to this intervention meeting will be notified by Wednesday, January 6 via an email sent by the teacher. Please be on the lookout for these meeting requests in your email.
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What if my student already is a Model B: At-Home Virtual Learning student? For these five school days, pretend that Model A & Model B do not exist. All Model A: In-Person Learning (including quarantined students) AND Model B: At-Home Virtual Learning 7th and 8th grade students will using the same schedule and remotely attend classes together. Teacher-recorded videos WILL NOT be posted to Google Classrooms for Model B students to watch at their convenience. Starting Monday, January 11, Model B students can resume their regular Model B At-Home Virtual Learning schedule.
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Attendance Expectations: January 4-7 are school days in which students are expected to attend classes per the schedule linked above. Attendance is mandatory for these school days. Students not in attendance on these school days will be marked absent by their classroom teachers, reported to the attendance office and documented accordingly in Progress Book. If you know your student will be absent on one or more of these school days, please report this absence at 937-748-3953.
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Current Model B students DO NOT need to fill out their typical Attendance Google Forms January 4-7.
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How do students attend classes? For Remote Learning, all instruction will take place live. There will be no teacher-recorded videos posted to Google Classroom for students to watch at their convenience. Students will join the Google Meet link provided on their teachers’ Google Classroom page during the times listed in the schedule linked above. For example, if a student has 1st period Math, then this student will join the Google Meet listed in their Math Google Classroom by 8:30 a.m. on Monday, January 4. If a student has 4/5th period Social Studies, then this student will join the Google Meet listed in their Social Studies Google Classroom by 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 5.
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What is a Block Schedule? The grades 6-12 Remote Learning Schedule is a block schedule. Students’ classes are longer than typical, meaning that they will not attend all of their classes each day. The benefit of a block schedule is that it (1) allows teachers to give live direct instruction in Google Meet; (2) gives students time to work on their assignments; and (3) allows students to return to the live Google Meet in order for the teacher to assess student learning and answer questions all within one class period.
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Office Hours: This time is dedicated for teachers to communicate with students and/or parents. Teachers will use this time for conferencing, answering student/parent questions, and monitoring student performance and attendance. Teachers will use Google Meet, telephone, and email for student/parent communication.
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New 3rd Quarter Classes: If your student has a new 3rd Quarter Specials/Elective classroom, the teacher will be inviting them to a Google Classroom. This Google Classroom will contain the Google Meet link needed for Remote Learning, January 4-7. In addition, Google Classroom Codes for the 3rd Quarter can be found on this document.
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Study Hall: Students DO NOT report to a Google Classroom and/or live Google Meet during their scheduled Study Hall class period. Students can use this time to complete assignments, study, and/or read a book at home.
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Technology: Students will need technology at home to join live Google Meets throughout the school day January 4-7 and complete assignments on January 8. If students do not have access to their own technology (computer with camera) at home during these two Remote Learning school days, then they were required to take home a school-provided chromebook on Friday, December 18 so that they would be able to participate in Remote Learning. If you need technology for Remote Learning, please contact the main office starting at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4 to ensure that you have the proper technology for the start of 1st period at 8:30 a.m.
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Remember: Students cannot plan on sharing technology at home with a school-aged sibling since all students are expected to join live Google Meets throughout the school day during the designated times listed on the Remote Learning Schedule.
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Other Information: Students are expected to wear dress code appropriate clothing during Remote Learning. In addition, unless directed otherwise by teachers, students are expected to keep their chromebook/computer’s camera on during live Google Meets.
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What happens at the conclusion of Remote Learning on January 8? Students, teachers, and staff who are symptom-free (and do not meet our exposure criteria) will return to school on January 11, 2021. More specifically, students will return to learning through their respective models, Model A or Model B.
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Remote schedules for all grade levels have been posted to our COVID-19 webpage under the “Remote Schedules (Elementary & Secondary Grade Levels)” tab . In addition, further details on the expectations for the January 8 Intervention/Assignment Day (Grades 6 - 12 only) can be found - www.springboro.org/COVID-19Resources.aspx.
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What do I do if my student is ill or tests
positive for COVID-19 over Winter Break?
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If your student becomes ill or tests positive for COVID-19 over the Winter Break, we would ask that you reach out to your Medical Provider and or the Warren County Health Department @ 513-695-1228 for guidance and questions. Our district COVID Page has multiple resources and information, including the newest Quarantine guidelines from the CDC and Ohio Department of Health: CDC/ODH Quarantine Options
Our Building Staff will return on January 4, 2021. In the event you need to reach out during the Winter Break please email Jon Franks, Principal; Bronwyn Patterson, District Nurse; and/or Wendy Ford, Mental Health Coordinator.
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Announcements for Parents
Transportation (Bus Route Information: All Grade Levels Pre-K - 12)
If your student rides a bus to school, please visit the Transportation Department webpage - www.springboro.org/Transportation.aspx, in order to recheck your student’s bus route information. Given some students recently switched models (in-person or at-home learning), there is the potential for the bus route information to have changed for the beginning of Quarter 3. Please recheck this information for your student(s) on the Transportation Department's webpage (Using the “Bus Route Information Available Here” Link).
Change to Bus Pick Up Time (Grades 6-12 Only)
Currently, in-person (Model A) students in Grades 6 - 12 are released at either 1:20 p.m. (SI and JH) or 1:25 p.m. (SHS). This still remains the same. However, starting January 11, 2021, Grade 6 - 12 students who leave school via the bus, will now be transported by bus one hour later: 2:20 p.m. (SI and JH) or 2:25 p.m. (SHS). There are no changes for students who DO NOT ride the bus home. Any Grade 6 - 12 student who DOES NOT ride the bus can leave school/be picked-up any time between 1:20 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. (SI and JH) or 1:25 p,m.– 2:25 p.m. (SHS).
It is best to view this one hour after dismissal as a study hall. Just as is the case with lunch during the day, students who are awaiting bus transportation will have assigned seats in the cafeteria, supervised by a teacher, staff member, or administrator, and will use this time to complete homework assignments, read, etc. Students will not be up walking around interacting with one another, nor will they be permitted to sit in groups or gather together. Face coverings will be required at all times, per the district’s Face Coverings Policy. Again, this will look very similar to a study hall setting.
In the case that the cafeteria does not allow enough space for all our students waiting on bus transportation, we will not simply pack everyone in. An area such as the gymnasium, auditorium (SHS), etc. would be used. Any location used will be supervised by a teacher, staff member, or administrator, and will have assigned seating for students that are spaced apart. The time spent in these areas after school, awaiting bus pick up, will be used for students to complete school work.
Click Below to Read the Superintendent's Letter on the Bus Pick Up Schedule Change:
Spelling Bee
Did you know that the Scripps National Spelling Bee has been around for 90 years? The school-wide, socially-distanced spelling bee will be held after school on Tuesday, January 12 at 2:30 PM in the library. The winner of the school spelling bee will then take a short, online test to see if they qualify to move on to compete at the regional spelling bee on March 13 at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. They are still determining if the regional bee will be in-person or online. If students are interested in study materials, they can stop by Mrs. Corcoran’s room (Rm 122) to pick up a word list. Additional spelling materials can be found at www.spellingbee.com.
Black History Month Contest
Open to All K - 12 Students: Calling all Springboro area students! Students are invited to compete in the Black History Month Contest. The contest is a part of the Black History Month celebration sponsored by Parents Empowering All Children of Color (PEACOC) in conjunction with the City of Springboro, Clearcreek Township and the Springboro Community City School District.
PEACOC is excited to provide an opportunity for Springboro area students to celebrate unsung Black heroes during Black History Month.
Basic information: The Black History Month Contest is open to all students in Kindergarten through 12th grade who live in Springboro or Clearcreek Township. All submissions must be received electronically at PEACOCswohio@gmail.com before 5pm on January 29, 2021. Contest winners will present their essays during an awards ceremony on February 26, 2021. Additionally, contestants in first, second, and third place will receive a monetary award from PEACOC and be recognized by local officials. Submissions that do not meet the criteria, that plagiarized others work, or do not include a complete application form will not be considered.
Please submit the intention to apply form by January 8th at the PEACOC website.
Eighth (8th) Grade Model B At-Home Learning School Supply Pickup
Eighth (8th) Grade Model B At-Home Learning Students need to pick up their copy of the book, Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different: A Biography. Students will begin using this book in class during the week of January 19 - 22. The Junior High main office is open for pickup starting Monday, January 4, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please feel free to pick up the book at your convenience.
-----------------------------------------Previous Announcements-----------------------------------
Past Junior High Principal Updates
To view past Junior High Principal Updates, please visit the Junior High main webpage and scroll down the right hand side of the page.
COVID-19 Health Information
As a reminder, it is critical that if your student, or a family member in your household, has been tested for COVID-19 and you are still awaiting results, please remain home until the results of the test are known. Do not have your student report to school while you are awaiting results. Also, if your student or a family member in your household has tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home to self-quarantine.
Do not report to school if either of these scenarios apply to you or your family. Only, if we work together, as a district, as parents, and as community members can we continue to maintain a safe school environment for all of our students and staff.
School Fees Update, 2020-21
This school year is unlike any other. In particular, as it relates to school fees, we wanted to share a few details on the particulars of school fees given the structure of this current school year.
As all students in Springboro Schools are given the option of transitioning between our Model A (in-person) and Model B (at-home/virtual) by quarter, this proves difficult when assessing school fees mid-year. Given this, we will review the school fees for our Model B students at the conclusion of the school year. In the event a Model B student did not receive all items within the school fee structure, those particular fees (or fee) will be prorated by quarter, and a credit or refund will be applied. Again, this will be done so at the end of this school year for any student who was in Model B during a particular quarter.
School Fees
School fees for the Junior High are now able to be viewed and paid online through Pay Schools Central. To access Pay Schools Central, click on the ‘Parents’ tab on the main webpage for Springboro Schools - www.springboro.org
In addition, schools fees can be paid by check made payable to ‘Springboro Junior High School.’ Please contact the main office at 937-748-3953 with any questions.
As a reminder, eighth grade students attending the 2021 Washington, D.C. trip must have their fees paid in order to attend the trip.
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2021 Washington, D.C. 8th Grade Trip Information |
Springboro's annual 8th grade student trip to Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg has been postponed to May 4-7, 2021.
This trip was originally scheduled for November of 2020.
Updated Payment Information: Six Hundred dollars ($600) was due by Monday, November 23, 2020. The final balance for the trip will be due on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. As a reminder, the total cost of the trip is anticipated to be in the range of $785-$887. The final cost of the trip within this range will be based on the total number of students attending the trip.
All payments can be made by sending a check/money order to Classic Student Tours (Springboro Junior High School does not accept payments) or paying by credit card on their website http://classicstudenttours.com
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The 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip is an exciting experience for students, aligning with 8th Grade Social Studies standards.
The only form turned back into the Junior High School is the Eligibility Criteria Form. The permission slip and all money payments are to be submitted directly to the tour company, Classic Student Tours. Springboro Junior High School does not accept money payments for the trip.
All 8th grade Washington, D.C. trip questions can be directed to the trip advisor, Mr. Guinther, at jguinther@springboro.org
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If you believe your child is being bullied, harassed, or you suspect any type of suspicious behavior, contact your child’s principal or report the incident through our Student Safety Reporting System.
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Thanks for reading this Junior High Principal Update.
Follow us on Twitter @Springboro_SJHS
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Springboro Schools
Engage. Prepare.
Inspire. Challenge.
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Springboro Junior High School
1605 S. Main Street
Springboro, OH 45066
937-748-3953
Office Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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