Welcome to the sixty-first edition of the

Panther Press,

a biweekly electronic newsletter sent to families and friends of 

San Joaquin Memorial High School.

Friendly Reminder: When opening this newsletter in your email please make sure you click on the "View entire message" link at the end of the email message!

Parent Service Hours Obligation

Hello SJM Parents,

We want to give you some information regarding your parent service hours obligation for the 2022-2023 school year. The parent service hours obligation is 15 hours per family. (Hours can be completed by volunteering at school functions OR by donating money and/or goods – parents will receive 1 hour credit for every $20 spent/donated.) In addition, parents will also receive parent service hours credit for attending Counseling department grade level meetings, back to school night and auxiliary parent group (Boosters and Guild) meetings.

The Counseling department, Boosters and Guild provides us with a list of who attended their meetings or assisted in the snack bar or donated to functions. If your name was mistakenly left off of a list when we begin reporting hours completed in November 2022, please rest assured that we will correct our files.

If you are looking for some ideas on how to complete your parent hours obligation, please consider donations we need the most at this time. The school is currently in need of five palettes of bottle waters. If five different families would consider donating one palette each, it would help various departments across the campus and you would complete those families parent hours obligation with this one event. If you have the ability to deliver the water to the campus, we would appreciate it. If you are able to pay for the water but unable to get it to the campus, please contact Lisa Jones so she can make arrangements. Her email address is ljones@sjmhs.org or her direct line at 559-475-5838. In addition to bottle waters, the other area of greatest need is facial tissue/Kleenex. Specifically, we are requesting the 2-ply 230 count, per box, 10-pack that can be purchased at Costco, Sam’s Club, or other big bulk stores. If it is easier for you to simply write a check to cover that donation and you want us to do the shopping, that can be arranged.

If you are not in a position to make a donation at this time, please consider volunteering at our SJM 45th Annual Auction on Saturday, November 5, 2022. We are looking for parents, family members and friends who can assist us in the evening with check-out and at breakdown after the event. This is another event where many of our SJM Parents can complete all of their hours in one evening.

Please contact Lisa Jones (contact info. above) if you may be able to help. Your consideration of this request is greatly appreciated.

Those families receiving financial assistance have an additional parent hours obligation which was outlined in your financial aid award letter. If you have any questions or do not recall the specifics of your obligation, please contact Lisa Jones at the email or telephone number above. Thank you for all you do for Memorial!

Thank you, 

-SJM Administration

45th Annual Auction Invite from our MCs!

Our 45th Annual Auction will take place on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at San Joaquin Memorial campus! We look forward to seeing you all there!

Become a Sponsor Today! 

For sponsorship opportunities or if you have any questions, please contact Shirley Boujikian, Constituent Relations Coordinator; (559) 475-5831 or sboujikian@sjmhs.org

Memorial's FFA Students Won 3rd Place in the Landscape Garden Display Contest at the Big Fresno Fair!

The SJM FFA Ag. Leadership class participated for the first time ever at The Big Fresno Fair in the Landscape Garden Display contest. They won 3rd place overall for their very 1st year ever participating! It was a judged contest where the student’s took the Fair’s theme and designed a garden display in a 10x12 above ground garden box. For the past weeks they have been working very hard planning and designing their display.

You will have the chance to see their awesome display at the fair from October 5-16 while the fair is open. Their display is located across from the Livestock Pavilion south of the Greenhouse Building. If you went to the Fair last year, the display boxes will be located where the Food Truck Alley and covered canopy was last year. Please go check out the SJM FFA Leadership Landscape Garden Display and support our Fresno-SJM FFA. 

"They all worked very hard from the planning and drawing stages to the designing and cutting wood / painting stages to helping search for plants and looking for things around their homes to making sure that everything came together so we were ready to go set it up and of course put it all together at the fairgrounds," said Mrs. Flack, SJM FFA Advisor. "I think they did a phenomenal job while following all the contest rules."

CONGRATULATIONS Panthers!

Grandparents Visit Memorial

On Thursday, October 6, 2022 some of our current student's grandparents visited them on campus. It was a beautiful and joyous morning where grandparents had the opportunity to meet their grandchildren for refreshments and socializing. We loved seeing all the beautiful smiles. Many of the grandparents who participated are SJM Alumni. We are thankful to all of our Auction Chairs who helped put this event together. 

Click on the photos above and below to view a gallery of photos. 

Welcome to Memorial Black Student Union (BSU)

We are thrilled to present to you a new club on campus this year Black Student Union (BSU). The purpose of BSU is to embrace African-American culture and history and discuss relevant news that affect people of all races. The club will also bring enlightenment to issues of stereotyping, race, and inequality. Initiating education is the main platform for the group.

We cannot wait to see all the various activities, events and discussions you all put together this school year.

Veer Patel '24 Completed a Service Trip in Africa 

Photo provided by Veer Patel

Our current students are truly making a difference in our world. Veer Patel '24 traveled to Africa last month and completed a beautiful Mission Trip along with a group of local dentists and served in a small African village and provided dental care to hundreds of people. He spent 3 days helping out children and families that had dental needs.

Veer shared the following with us... "I completed this dental outreach program through Hopewell Inc. to Kenya. Hopewell is the only free school in Kenya and is sponsored by many people and fundraisers in the valley. Our group traveled to Nakuru, a city in Kenya where we gave dental care to the Hopewell students along with one other school. My role in the outreach program was to help assist the dentists in doing their various procedures including root canals, extractions, and cleanings. I was also given the opportunity to do fluoride treatments on the patient's teeth which was a great experience. Along with assisting with the dental procedures I helped log medical information for the students we saw. I was talking to two students there who said that they were from Sudan, they came from poor families and could not afford schooling. So when they heard about Hopewell they left their families to pursue their dreams. Listening to the two students talk about their struggles to get an education makes me appreciate all the opportunities I have without the hardships these kids have. All in all, my trip to Kenya was very fulfilling and an eye opening experience. Helping those students really put life into perspective for me."

We are very proud of you Veer and your desire to make this world a better place. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story with all of us. Go Panthers! 

Photos provided by Veer Patel

Memorial Students Joined the Fresno Chamber of Commerce Junior Board

Karan Masson '24 and Mary-Ellison Hage '24 along with a few other SJM students were honored with the opportunity to be on the Fresno Chamber of Commerce Junior Board. They were selected after going through an application process. The photo above was taken after their first official meeting of the year. 

UCSD & UOP Representatives Visited Memorial

Memorial students met with UCSD and UOP representatives on campus on Wednesday, October 5. During these sessions they had the opportunity to listen to an in-depth presentation, ask questions and find out details about each university. This experience was made possible thanks to our College and School Counseling Office. 

Sadies was Fun! 

Sadies dance took place on October 1st, 2022 on campus! It was a well attended dance by our student body and their guests. It was a very fun evening for everyone who participated. This year's theme was Country vs. Country Club. Click on the photos above and below to view a gallery of photos. 

S-Club Spreads Kindness on World Teacher's Day

Through the Nurturing Kindness service project organized by Lisa Kauls and Gianna DeMera in the memory of former student Nick Kauls members of S-Club were able to come together and spread kindness by creating thoughtful cards to share with teachers /staff who guide them in school every day. Memorial students are thankful that teachers / staff are able to be present in their lives while preparing them for what the future holds! 

In addition, S-Club students gifted teachers / staff the beautiful carnations on World Teacher's Day which was celebrated on our campus on Friday, September 30, 2022! 

Memorial Celebrates Mexican Independence Day & Hispanic Heritage Month

On September 27, 2022 Memorial had a beautiful "fiesta" celebrating Mexican Independence Day / Hispanic Heritage Month! It was a great celebration where students enjoyed delicious food, great music and also learned about the history of Mexican Independence Day. We were happy to see all the student involvement on this day. 

We are thankful for all the volunteers who organized this fun and beautiful event for our school community.

SJM's Drama Needs Props!

This semester, the drama program is putting emphasis on sets and costumes, which means we are in need of different things for EMMA's production. If you click here you'll see very basic regency era dresses and men's clothing, so if you have something that could be altered to look like these, please donate or loan to our Drama team.

Here's a list of additional props the Drama team needs:

1. Two identical lightweight benches (that we can paint?)

2. Lots of fake greenery!

3. Small lightweight table

4. An 1800s looking baby carriage

5. Two spherical shrubs (pictured here)

6. One 1800s looking umbrella (not frilly)

7. Old fashioned Christmas decor

Please email Grace Robinson, Performing Arts Teacher at grobinson@sjmhs.org if you are able to donate or loan some of the mentioned items.

Thank you all and please spread the word! We hope to see you at our school production of EMMA, which will perform at the end of October.

SJM Class of 2024 order your Class Ring Today! 

Memorial's Preview Days are a Success! 

Wednesday, October 12th is All-School Testing Day (except Seniors)

All-School Testing Day:

Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors – Wednesday, October 12th, is All-School Testing Day. Freshmen and Sophomores will take the Practice ACT and Juniors will take the PSAT (practice SAT). It is a regular attendance day at the regular 9:00 start time in regular uniforms.

Please do not forget to bring a calculator and #2 pencils.

You will be dismissed when all testing is completed by 1:00 PM. Seniors, enjoy the day off. It would be an excellent chance to go on a visit to one of our local colleges like Fresno State or Fresno Pacific, as well as complete some service hours.

Good luck Panthers!

Panther Parents for the Arts Boosters Club Invites You to First Meeting

Panther Cub Camp is on October 15th

Homecoming Week 2022

2022 Homecoming Tailgate (10/21): Football & Tacos... Click on the photo below to register! 

All-School Mass is on November 1st

November Prayer at the Fountain!

Service Deadlines!

Dec. 1 - Fall Semester Service Hour Deadline

· 50% of Required Service hours need to be verified and approved by this date in order to participate in Extracurricular Activities

· 9th grade: 7.5 hours

· 10-12th grade: 10 hours

Mar. 1 - Senior Deadline (100% complete)

· 20 hours

Apr. 1 - Frosh, Soph, Junior Deadline (100% complete)

· 9th grade: 15 hours

· 10th & 11th grade: 20 Hours

Save The Date!

Dress-up Days for Friday Night Lights

Let’s get ready to have some fun under the FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS! Here are our themes for the next 4 games! Stay tuned for more details, but start working on those dress-ups now! Let's Go Panthers… Win BIG!

SJM Peer Tutoring

Students please scan the QR code above to sign up to get a tutor for any subject. This QR code will be necessary for students as well as parents to have access to the tutoring platform. Parents you can also create an account to check your students progress with tutoring. 

Please click on the image below to read the Fall 2022 Counseling Newsletter

All-School Testing Day - Wednesday, October 12

On Wednesday, October 13th, we will have All-School Testing Day. All freshmen, sophomores and juniors will be taking national college admissions practice tests. Freshmen and sophomores will take the Practice ACT and juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). It is a regular attendance day with a 9:00 start time. Students should bring a calculator, #2 pencils, and substantial, healthy snacks (snack bar will not be open). Students will be dismissed when all testing is completed by 1:00 PM. Seniors will not report to campus that day. It would be an excellent chance to go on a visit to one of our local colleges like Fresno State or Fresno Pacific or to work on college applications!

FAFSA - College Financial Aid Application is now Open

All parents of seniors are encouraged to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This application is required by colleges and by the California Student Aid Commission to award need-based and merit-based financial aid. A Step-by-step guide can be found here. 

Join SJM's Parent Guild! 

Why join the SJM Parent Guild?

One of the many reasons parents in the Central Valley choose to send their children to San Joaquin Memorial High School is the community of fantastic families and their quality of character.

Like-minded parents and staff that share in the moral development, catholic faith and ethical standards of children - THIS is what sets SJM apart from other schools in the area.

The best way to participate in and contribute to that community is to join the SJM Parent Guild because you'll:

•Get to know parents, staff, and students!

•Be “in the know” for all campus activities!

•Parent Guild brings the fun and it’s the best way to get your mandatory parent hours!

To learn more go here. 

Purchase your SJM Athletic Boosters Club Membership Card 

You can get your SJM Athletic Boosters Club Membership Card TODAY!

The mission of the San Joaquin Memorial High School Boosters Club is to provide fundraising support to the school’s athletic programs.

Funding for facility improvement projects and general athletics operations are the club’s main focus.

Become a member of the Boosters Club today! By joining the Boosters Club, you are helping to improve the quality of facilities and equipment for our student-athletes.

Club dues are $100 for two memberships or $50 for a single membership for the school year. Cards provide admittance to all home Panther athletic events (excluding playoffs) for the 2022-23 school year.(pass will be mailed to the address you provide – pass must be presented at home games at all times for free admittance).

Click here to purchase you membership card. 

We are grateful to have reached 3,400 followers on Instagram. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and all the other social media platforms! 

 Click here to  Donate to SJM!