As the month of February is about to begin, I would like to share some of the events and happening from JHS. The first semester has ended and second semester classes are underway. A number of recent events will be taken place including plays, staff training and school planning.
The drama department be presenting two one act play on Jan. 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. in the JHS south gym. The plays are So You Want To Be a Cheerleader, and The Shape of the Grave. The JHS Drama Department will also be participating in the Montana State Thespian Festival at the University of Montana in Missoula on Feb. 1 and 2. Students will also participate in workshops with students from around the state. Again, special thanks to the Woods and Art departments for set design, construction and painting. These cross-curriculum opportunities display the talents of JHS students in many areas.
Jefferson High School was recently awarded the opportunity to participate in a peer-to-peer Mental Health First Aid Program. JHS is one of eight school districts chosen nationwide. JHS will be working with Youth Dynamics, Inc. to provide training and instruction for students in grades 10-12. A couple of staff will attend a national training session the end of February, and all of the staff will go through an eight-hour Mental Health First Aid course. All materials are being developed at the national level and all collected data is being compiled as a research project through Johns Hopkins University. The intent is to use the data collected from the eight school districts across the country to develop a program to implement nationwide.
Jefferson High School has completed the first semester of implementing the literacy grant that was awarded through the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Program changes have occurred and additional offerings of corrective reading will be added to help identified students. A key component is assessment to see areas of growth or decline. MAPS testing is the assessment tool used and the second round of testing will occur from Feb. 4-7. The data provides students and staff immediate feedback and identifies areas of need across each subject area tested. Students will again be tested at the end of this current school year.
The winter sports programs continue to move through the season with basketball having a couple of weeks of conference play followed by districts. The wrestling program will be competing in the divisional meet in Townsend. Good luck to all student athletes in the upcoming events.
Finally, I would like to thank all the students, staff, school board, parents and community for their support and patience. JHS has embarked on some new endeavors that require time, changes and a new mindset.
I am excited for these opportunities for the district and the improvements that come. Have a great 2019, and Go Panthers!
