August 7, 2023

Dear Viking Families,

Welcome to our 2023-24 school year! We hope the summer afforded you some days of relaxation and family time. This year we are looking forward to creating an amazing educational experience for your student! Jackson High School (JHS) is unique in many ways and we offer our students a vast array of opportunities, including academic enrichment and extracurricular activities. At JHS we know that it is essential to take care of each student as a whole child and as we transition to a new school year, we will ensure that all students are afforded equitable access to education. 

As we quickly approach opening day on Wednesday, August 23, 2023…we would like to bring your attention to some of our upcoming events and policy changes. Help us welcome our new staff members to our JHS family:

Mary Csage (Administrative Assistant for the Principal for Instruction and Seniors) 

Tracy Ambs (11th grade Administrative Assistant and Switchboard)

Kathryn Mara (English)

Jillian Bowe (Music)

Douglas Greer (Special Education)

Bernard Schmit (Math) 

Jenita Landrum (Art)

New this year, Jackson Public Schools will have six early release days throughout the school year. On the early release days, students will be released at 1:04 pm  for the day as staff participate in Professional Learning in the afternoon. 

EARLY RELEASE DAYS

SEPTEMBER 27 

OCTOBER 25

NOVEMBER 29 

JANUARY 24

FEBRUARY 28

APRIL 24

The school year is just around the corner and the fall sports teams are gearing up for their first official practices. If you are interested in participating in any of the fall sports it is not too late. Please contact the athletic office for details @ 517-841-3715. 

Schedules will be available the week of 8/14/23 in PowerSchool or for pick up at Open House on 8/21/23 in the cafeteria.

Please return the Student Health Information form and the Education Benefits Form.  These are required for each new school year.

Thank you for your help and support of our learning environment, our teachers and your student. If you have any questions, please contact us. We are anticipating an exciting school year filled with memories and accomplishments! 

We are the Hype! 

Monica Pierce

JHS Principal for Instruction

monica.pierce@jpsk12.org 

517-841-3700

Right now is the best time to create your tomorrow. ~ Ken Poirot 

Jackson High School 

Off and Away

Electronic Device Policy 

2023-24

At Jackson High School (JHS) as we prepare our students for academic excellence and workforce readiness, we have created a new electronic device policy called Off and Away. The administration, teachers, and staff at JHS believe that what you pay attention to is what you learn. The Off and Away policy has been created to increase engagement and academic outcomes and decrease incidents of negative behaviors. 

The Off and Away policy, which is aligned to our JPS Board electronic device policy, means that each student will have their cell phone, earbuds and/or headphones powered off, and put away or kept in their locker. Cell phones or headphones are prohibited during instructional time. If a student has a cell phone/earbuds/headphones in class and they are heard or seen, the student will be addressed and the policy below will be followed. 

Please have a conversation with your young person about them waiting to use their phone during socially constructed times like lunch or between classes and not while they are participating in the process of learning. 

In the event of an emergency, please call 517-841-3700. Classroom phones and office phones will also be available for students to use throughout the day to contact parents/guardians if/when necessary. 

If you need to get in touch with your student during the day, here are the phone numbers to the respective grade offices:

Freshmen: 517-841-3798

Sophomores: 517-841-3728

Juniors: 517-841-3763

Seniors: 517-841- 3702

Off and Away Policy Violation Consequences

First Offense:

• Student will be given a verbal warning and reminded about the policy and consequences

Second Offense:

• Student’s cell phone/headphones will be confiscated by staff member and kept until the end of the class period.
• Staff that confiscated the device will enter a log entry for documentation and contact parent/guardian.

Third Offense:

• Student will be sent to the office with a pass denoting cell phone violation.
• Cell phone/headphones will be confiscated and held in the respective grade office until the end of the school day.
• Student will be issued an after school detention (ASD).
• Student can pick up the cell phone/headphones after it is confirmed that they served an ASD for one hour.
• Grade secretary will enter a log entry for the third offense and ASD and notify parents.

Fourth Offense:

• Student’s cell phone/headphones will be confiscated and held in the respective grade office until the end of the school day.
• Parents/guardians will be notified and required to pick up the cell phone/headphones from school and meet with the respective grade level administrator.
• Student will be in IST for one full day and the cell phone/headphones must be kept in the locker for the duration of the day for the remainder of the school year. 

A student who is defiant/insubordinate, refusing to give up electronic devices, will be sent directly to their respective grade level office. Parents/guardians will be contacted to pick up the student.  Progressive discipline will be used for repeat violations. 

Students will be allowed to use their device during the highlighted times and during passing time which is five minutes in between each class (7:00- 7:20a.m, during lunch, and after school at 2:20pm).

JHS Daily Bell Schedule:   

Dear Viking Parents/Guardians and Students:

I hope you are all enjoying the remainder of your summer. School is quickly approaching and we are looking forward to having you back! 

You are no longer the new faces at Jackson High School! As incoming 11th graders, I look forward to seeing you set the way for our incoming Freshman. It was a privilege to watch you grow, mature, and learn throughout many new adjustments last year. I hope you are ready to come back to normalcy, and some awesome new upgrades throughout our building! 

At JHS we know that it is essential to take care of each student as a whole child and as we transition to a new school year, we will ensure that all students are afforded the equitable opportunity to find success in all aspects of life and education.

This past year we were able to celebrate successes and here are the highlights:

• Decision Day (celebration of seniors)

• 1:1 Computing (equitable access for all students)

• After School Tutoring/Athletic Study tables (reinforcing a culture of academic excellence)

• Vikings Give (bringing our community together through donations from students and families)

• Restorative Sessions (conflict resolution, communication, and empowering voices)

• Viking Voice Advocacy (students sharing their voice on JHS policies 

• Virtual Ambassador Auction (scholarships for students and mini grants for teachers)

• Community Closet (providing food, clothing, hygiene items, etc)

• Student Assemblies and Pep Rallies (mental health awareness, Battle of the Classes…) 

• Homecoming

• Summer School (over 230 credits were earned)

• ...and much more…

JHS classes will begin on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

Thank you for your help and support for our teachers and your student. If you have any questions, please contact us. 🧡🖤

We are the Hype! 

Joe Zessin

Assistant Principal (11th Grade)

Joe.Zessin@jpsk12.org

517-841-3700

Hello Vikings

This is Mr. Willie Lewis, your 9th grade principal.  I am a proud Viking from the class of 89’ so I can understand your excitement and anticipation of the coming school year.  The next four years of your life will be marked by challenges and triumphs.  You will form relationships that may be life long at the same time that you grow intellectually, socially and physically.  We are excited to be on this journey with you and your families.  On behalf of the staff of Jackson High School I would like to welcome you to the 2022-2023 school year.  

We are looking forward to a great year filled with smiles, accomplishments and hard work. The hallways and classrooms are being cleaned, the floors are being waxed, and the rooms are being assembled with you in mind.   This year promises to be special not only because you're joining us but also because we are renovating spaces (Media Center, Athletic Training Facility and our locker room spaces) and adding programs (AVID,...) 

To welcome you properly we have some special events planned for you. 

Aug 10th. Viking Voyage is our opportunity to host you and your family to experience “a day in the life of a Viking”.  Parents are welcome to come but this is a student centered morning.  Students will be able to hear from staff about the many possibilities to be involved in at JHS including clubs and programs. You will also have the opportunity to get your locker and follow your class schedule so that you can begin to map the building.  We are hosting a lunch for students in the cafeteria.  We have a few surprises in store for you so be prepared to get wet.   

Aug 15th. Class Dinner-  This is another opportunity to come together and learn about all of the opportunities that are available at Jackson High School to be successful. Families will be able to pick up schedules during the dinner.  This event is more formal and family centered.   

Class shirts will be available for $10 and will be available at both events.  (See attached flier)

JHS classes will begin on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. 

The school year is just around the corner and the fall sports teams are gearing up for their first official practices so if you are interested in participating in any of the fall sports it is not too late. Please contact the athletic office for details @ 517-841-3715 

We are thankful that you have made the choice to partner with us in graduating your student into adulthood.  We welcome your input and support so please communicate with us so that we can serve you best.   If you have any questions please contact my office at (517) 841-3729.    

Sincerely,

Willie R. Lewis

9th Grade Principal 

Principal of Jackson Pathways High Schools

517-841-3729

willie.lewis@jpsk12.org    

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I am enthused to start the school year and begin implementing strategies and practices that will build our student and faculty agency. 

Over the summer, our administrative team has experienced several informative professional developments through Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and Adaptive Training. These trainings provided structures that build students' capacity to learn and strategies that effectively use communication to enhance collaboration between faculty and groups. 

 I am committed to utilizing the strategies and processes learned from Adaptive Training to provide effective conversations during group collaboration or discussions. In addition, I will use the training I received from the AVID professional development to ensure our building is using the best practices that are preparing our students for college and career readiness. 

We are excited to begin this school year and looking forward to great success!