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“You are always a student, never a master. You have to keep moving forward.” ~ Conrad Hall
Dear Justice Families,
It is hard to believe that we are entering our third week of school! Our students have come in ready to learn and we have settled into the daily routines. Please remember that you play a vital role in your student’s success at school. You can help by asking your child about his/her day, ensuring that he/she arrives to school on time and following up with teachers and/or counselors as soon as you have a question or concern. Thank you for all your support!
Next week, we begin our tardy sweeps. Tardy sweeps are unannounced checks throughout the day to ensure that all students are getting to class on time. Students who are late to class during a tardy sweep receive a warning. Students who accumulate 3 warnings during each school calendar quarter, will be assigned an after-school detention. We are also working to make sure students arrive to school by no later than 8:10AM. This is when the morning bell rings and the start of 1st/2nd period.
For our students to fully benefit from their learning experience, attendance is vital. Once a child is behind in class it is difficult to catch up. Here are some keys to classroom success:
- Students show up and be on time.
- If your child needs to be absent, please prearrange with the office and their teachers.
- Do not let absences accumulate. We encourage that you make appointments outside of school time
- Tardies affect our students too. Being on time is as important as being present.
This week during our Den Time, students will be learning about perseverance and the school's honor code. Perseverance speaks to a refusal to give up the pursuit of a goal despite difficulties. It involves the ability to see failure as a positive learning experience and empowers the student to try and try again until the learning goal is attained. Perseverant students understand the value of hard work, hone their problem-solving skills and take responsibility for their own academic progress. Student perseverance is firmly rooted in the domain of social and emotional learning. It helps students shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, compliments, or observations, please let me know. You can also contact your student's teacher(s), counselor, or administrator.
Back to School Night is scheduled for September 19. Families are invited to join us beginning at 5:30 pm in the aux gym to explore clubs, activities and PTSA membership. We will also have information regarding Family Life Education (FLE) curriculum in the library at 6:00 PM. Beginning at 6:30, parents will follow an abbreviated version of their student’s schedule. Use this organizer to plan your night.
On September 11& 12th, 2019 the Student Services department will provide a presentation to seniors through their Social Studies class.
- Seniors will learn about various post-secondary options such as attending a 4-year university, a community college, joining the military and/ or apprenticeship programs.
- Students will have an opportunity to meet with their counselor to review the following but not limited to: transcripts, diploma type, senior contract, signing up for an individual meeting with their counselor, and answer any questions they may have about their senior year.
- Senior Packet due: 9/13/19 – Senior Packets can be found on the student’s school counselor’s Google Classroom page.
Getting Past Procrastination: How to Get Your Kids Organized, Focused, and Motivated...Without Being the Bad Guy, Friday, September 20 2019 10 a.m.-noon
Like any parent, you want your child to succeed. The problem is, otherwise smart and capable kids frequently find themselves stuck in a tumultuous, never-ending struggle with procrastination, motivation, and organization. Register
Voices from the IEP Table: Perspectives on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families, Friday, September 27, 2019 10 a.m.-noon
This workshop explores the individual perspectives of IEP meeting participants who work with students who are culturally and linguistically diverse. Register
In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and across the United States, students in grades 10 and 11 will take a Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) on October 16, 2019. FCPS will provide the PSAT/NMSQT to tenth and eleventh graders without cost. Only students in grade 11 are eligible to compete for the National Merit Scholarship; however, taking the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 10 provides students practice.
The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test designed to promote college readiness while preparing students for college entrance assessments. It measures evidence-based reading, writing and language, and mathematics with a focus on reasoning skills, knowledge, and comprehension. These are all skills that are important for college and career readiness.
Students taking the PSAT/NMSQT complete a pre-survey. The pre-survey questions (#15-23) are designed by the College Board to help connect students with colleges and additional scholarship opportunities. Through Student Search Service, answers to these questions may be shared with nonprofit educational organizations. The College Board strongly recommends that students answer all pre-survey questions, because the answers guide school counselors in helping students plan their future and help the College Board ensure that the PSAT assessments are fair and accurate for all students. However, parents may opt out their student from answering some of the pre-survey demographic questions asked on the test. Click here for the opt-out form. Here is an example of the pre-survey questions.
Please note, that October 16th is a two hour early release day. Students will be released at 12:55 PM.
On Thursday, September 12, 2019, from 6:30pm-8:00pm, parents of seniors are invited to hear from college representatives and Student Services staff about key timelines, procedures, and resources to help support their seniors in the college process.
If your student wishes to take one or more AP exams as a non-enrolled student (not enrolled in corresponding AP course), then they will need to pay $94 per exam before the test is ordered. Click here for the non-enrolled opt in form and it must be returned by October 25 with cash or check payable to Justice High School. Please remember FCPS will only pay for the first 6 exams that are associated with an AP/IB course enrollment. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the AP Coordinator, Shelley Terry at sdterry@fcps.edu or 703-824-3998.
September 21, Lake Barcroft, Beach 5
The Justice HS Scholarship Fund will hold its third-annual Bands at the Beach fundraiser on September 21 from 4pm until 7pm.
This fundraiser helps to support scholarships for Justice HS seniors. The event includes a food truck, desserts, beverages, and of course, a variety of bands. Advance tickets are available for purchase online: www.jhsscholars.org/tickets. BONUS: Special price for Justice Pyramid staff and students or just $10/ticket. Questions? Contact JHS Parent and JHS Scholars Board Member, Tara Rethore: tjreth@gmail.com
September 11 - PTSA meeting at 7:00 PM in the Library
September 12 - Senior Parent College Planning Information Night
September 19 - Back to School Night (5:30 Clubs; 6:00 PM FLE: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM classroom sessions)
September 21 - Bands at the Beach Fundraiser
October 14 - Student Holiday/Teacher Planning Day
October 16 - 2 hour early release - Students released at 12:55 PM
To view all of the Justice calendars (activities, schedules, etc.), please click here.
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