Griffin Pride
SPJHS School Edition * December 2020*
December Newsletter 2020
Dear Griffin Families,
Welcome to December! We are hoping to keep the students on task as much as possible in the next three weeks. It is a challenging feat indeed! The minds of our students tend to wander to all that the Winter Break has to offer. November was a quick and busy month for the staff and students at SPJHS. I hope that you have had the opportunity to meet or talk with your child’s teacher and have a good idea of how your young student is doing with their school progress.
SPJHS Staff Corner
We have several non English speakers, we have a diversity of levels here at SPJHS. We are helping them understand the culture of America, while including the structures of written and spoken language. As difficult as it may seem our students have excelled in online learning. ~Ms. Gutierrez & Ms. Johnson
Tutoring is going amazing and if you are still interested see Ms.Chavez or Ms. Gutierrez!
Tutoring is every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 pm. ~ Ms. Chavez
A reminder to all families, please update tyour contact information (address, phone number, email) Important dates coming up: There will be a half day on Friday December 18, 2020.
There will be no class held on December 21, 2020- January 4, 2021 - WINTER BREAK
Student will return to remote leaning on January 5, 2020 ~Mendez
We are currently working on a Solar System Project in Science Class. Students have been busy researching planets, asteroids, and comets and using this information to create some really amazing work! Many students are giving their projects some creative flair and they look amazing already! ~Labuz
For the remainder of block 2 in English Language Arts; students will focus on figurative language, text structure, poetry, and drama. Students will be able to have a great amount of practice on all of these ELA standards. ~Souva
Reminder to parents that community involvement will be key to student success, thank you parents for your continuous efforts. Let’s continue to encourage our Griffin’s to try their best. ~Flores
Did you know that, although Thanksgiving was a tradition in most New England, in 1777 the Continental Congress declared the first national American Thanksgiving following the Patriot victory at Saratoga. In 1789, President George Washington became the first president to proclaim a Thanksgiving holiday, when, at the request of Congress, he proclaimed November 26, a Thursday, as a day of national thanksgiving for the U.S. Constitution. However, it was not until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving to officially fall on the last Thursday of November, that the modern holiday was celebrated nationally. Both Presidents called for a day of celebration following a difficult year. This Thanksgiving, I would like to say THANK YOU for everything that you are doing to support your child's education during this difficult year. In Eighth Grades Social Studies we are beginning the Great Depression and the start of World War II. The Eighth Graders did a great job preparing their Projects for WW I and they will be doing another project for WWII. The Seventh Graders are concluding the Jackson and Administration and head into studying a period of expansion in the United States. Again, thank you for your support. ~ Heather Hensley
Virtual Bell Schedule
Upcoming Calendar Events
There will be a half days on:
Friday December 18, 2020
There will be no class held on:
December 21, 2020- January 4, 2021 - WINTER BREAK
Student will return to remote leaning on January 5, 2020
Covid Safety Measures
Families if you are opting for your student to do in-person learning the following guidelines are expected of all persons entering campus. If in the past ten days the student or any member of their household experienced any of the following symptoms they are directed to remain home.
- Fever 100.4℉ or higher
- New or worsening cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore Throat
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- New loss of taste or smell
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
If the student or anyone in their household has had a significant exposure with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspected to have COVID-19 the student is directed to remain home. (Significant exposure is defined as exposure for greater than 10 minutes or less than six feet apart)
Reminders:
- SPJHS Mask-Up (masks are required of persons on SPJHS campus) (Solid, Pattern, No Wording)
- Wash hands often and thoroughly
- Use hand sanitizer as often as possible
- If you are showing any symptoms or someone in your household inform the school and remain HOME
So what is StudentVue and ParentVue?
StudentVUE is an excellent way to monitor your education at Leona Group Schools. StudentVUE will provide you with the latest information about your attendance and grades, among other features. To activate your account and login for the first time, there are 8 easy steps to follow. firstname.lastname@southpointejh.com for your letter, if you didn’t receive it contact the school office.
Activation First Name XXXX
Activation Last Name XXXX
Activation Key (7digt unique numbers/letters)
Web Address: https://leonagroup.apscc.org/PXP2_Login_Student.aspx ( Button on the Homepage Website)
Your Activation Key has no expiration.
ParentVue
Parents and Guardians, if you want to stay on top of your students' grades, missing assignments, and attendance, you can do this by accessing your ParentVue account. Activation letters are being mailed out this week. Please remember to use the personal email account you have on file with the school office and follow the step by step instructions.
Upcoming Benchmark Testing
Benchmark Testing will take place on:
December 1, 2020 - 6th, 7th, 8th grade - Reading
December 2, 2020 - 6th, 7th, 8th grade - Language
December 3 -18, 2020 - Make-up Testing
Please ensure that your student logs in during testing day to complete these important assessments.
Student Norms "Virtual Learning Norms"
At South Pointe Junior High School we want to make sure that our students’ have the best ability to focus and learn while engaged in remote instruction and virtual lessons.
To ensure that students are able to learn effectively during virtual lessons it is each student’s responsibility to abide by the following Virtual Learning Norms:
Set aside a quiet place free of distractions (away from TV’s, toys, etc.) that you can focus on your instruction.
Be prepared! Just like in the classroom, you should be ready with any of the materials you’ll need and give your complete attention to the lesson.
Be on time! We’ve helped you schedule your day to complete all your work. Please make sure you are signed in and use the online live help with your teachers when you need it.
During live help sessions - wait for the teacher to start the video call.
During live help sessions-mute your microphone when you aren’t speaking. You and your classmates need to be able to hear the teacher and each other.
Communicate and collaborate respectfully with your classmates. Use respectful language, just like you would in the classroom.
All Students must wear a South Pointe Junior High polo and be in uniform during virtual lessons, just like we do during school.
Remember to exit the live session when your class is over.
School Uniforms and Hoodies
School Uniforms can be purchased at the school office or by phone with cash or credit card. Costs are $8.00 each, 3/$20.00, or 5/$35.00. The cooler months are just around the corner so it’s the perfect time to buy your student Hoodies, the cost is $20.00 each. Mask are $3.00
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports --Kickboard Roll out to the Student/Family Portal
What is Kickboard?
Kickboard is an app and system that SPJHS uses to log positive and negative behaviors. It replaces the paper and digital Griffin Cards.
Kickboard is also a way for us to track and view how many Griffin Dollars each student has earned and how much they can spend on things like...
Admission to Fun Friday
SPJHS Gear/Apparel
Teacher Chair (for a Day)
Healthy Snacks
Treasure Chest Items
How to Sign Up for Kickboard - STEP #1
- Today in class we will walk through the registration steps.
- On your computer, go to www.kickboardforschools.com/login and select Student
- Select your role "student"
- Go to www.gmail.com and look for an email from Mr. Ramirez for your access code. Enter your birthday as they request and the code exactly as you see it. Enter your access code.
- You will then be asked to put in your email, you must use your South Pointe JH email (firstname.lastname@southpointejh.com)
- A code will be sent to your South Pointe JH email. Go to your email (www.gmail.com) and find the email from Kickboard. In this email will be a verification code, enter the verification code on the Kickboard website and create your own password. You may need to wait for a few minutes for the email to arrive.
- Once you have set a password that is 8 characters long (or more), you should have access to your Kickboard Student Portal. You will be able to view your Griffin Dollars Bank Balance and the positive and negative behaviors that your teachers will be logging. Next time, make sure you just login on the Kickboard home page (you do not have to enter your access code again).
Families reminder to keep an eye on your student and you can download and monitor daily behaviors on the Kickboard app. Positive behaviors tracked and redirections. Helpful tutorial was mailed home week of Nov. 23-27,2020.
For any questions regarding our PBIS Program, please contact Mr. Sidhu (PBIS Coach) at armen.sidhu@leonoagroup.com
Rights of Homeless Students under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
This school shall provide an educational environment that treats all students with dignity and respect. Every homeless student shall have access to the same free and appropriate educational opportunities as students who are not homeless. This commitment to the educational rights of homeless students, youth, and unaccompanied youth, applied to all services, programs, and activities provided or made available.
A student may be considered eligible for services as a “Homeless Student or Youth” under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act if he or she is presently living:
In a shelter, temporary shared housing, or transitional living program
In a hotel/motel, campground, or similar situation due to lack of alternatives
At a bus station, park, car, or abandoned building
In temporary or transitional foster care placement
According to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act, Eligible Students Have Rights to:
As a charter school, this Leona Group managed school has the obligation to enroll homeless students as a “school of origin.” The school of origin is defined as the school that the student attended when first experiencing homelessness. The school of residency is defined as the neighborhood school identified by the attendance area in which the student is currently residing. Therefore, all students who present themselves as homeless students will be immediately enrolled.
When this Leona Group managed school is the school of origin, the students have the right to remain in the School the entire time that they are homeless. All homeless students will be allowed to participate in any programs for which they are eligible, including Title I, National School Lunch Program, Head Start, Even Start, etc., and remain enrolled until the end of the academic year in which they move into permanent housing.
Transportation Services: A McKinney-Vento eligible student attending his/her School of Origin has a right to transportation to and from the School of Origin.
Dispute Resolution: If you disagree with school officials about enrollment, transportation, or fair treatment of a homeless student or youth, you may file a complaint with the school district. The school district must respond quickly, and it must be in writing. During the dispute, the student must be immediately enrolled in the school and provided transportation until the matter is resolved. The Homeless Liaison will assist you in making decisions, providing notice of any appeal process, and filling out dispute forms. You have the right to appeal a decision to the state level.
For more information, refer to http://www.ade.az.gov/asd/homeless/ or contact:
Name of Homeless Liaison
Tiffany Jeffries
South Pointe Junior High School
217 E. Olympic Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85042
(602) 243-8496
tiffany.jeffries@leonagroup.com
Silvia.Chavez
Homeless Education Coordinator
Arizona Department of Education
1535 W. Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-4963
Silvia.Chavez@ azed.gov
Tutoring / Student Support!
Virtual tutoring is in full swing 3 days a week! South Pointe Junior High School provides tutoring after school from 3:30 pm-4:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. If you need help understanding a lesson or need time to catch up on work, you are encouraged to join us! At South Pointe Junior High we are motivated to help each student succeed and are here to provide that extra support. Please join us using the Google Meet Code: spjhschavez
SPJHS Attendance
Students participating in the virtual education option will be considered as being in attendance if the students are successfully progressing in the virtual education coursework.
- Students must be visual (camera on, mic muted).
- Successful progression means the student is submitting assignments according to the pacing guide unless approved by SPJHS.
Administrative action may result if a student is not making progress. These actions include, but not limited to, probation or removal from the class, or a charge of truancy, if appropriate. School attendance is not only a good habit, state law requires it. Arizona State Law (15-802.E, 15-803.) requires every person who has custody of a child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall make sure the child attends school for the full time school is in session unless unable to attend due to illness or another legitimate reason.
Please visit your school’s handbook for information pertaining to attendance procedures if you are attending classes inside the school.