jchsmaynewsletter - Geary County Schools USD 475

Junction City
High School
Dear JCHS Community,
It is hard to believe we are
counting down to the end of
another school year. Please
work with your sons and
daughters to help them finish
the year on a strong note. The
last day of school is May 20th.
Let’s stay focused on education
through that particular date!
Seniors need to be especially
diligent these last few weeks;
let’s not stop short of the finish
line.
Parent Newsletter
Principal’s Corner
Dear Parents/Guardians of JCHS Students,
IN THIS
Issue
1 Principal’s Corner
1 TASMAD news
2 - 3 News From the Counselors
3 JROTC News
4-5 Feature Academy: BIT
6 News from Athletics/Activities
7 Senior Class News, online
food payments info
Junction City High School
900 N. Eisenhower
Junction City, KS 66441
http://jchs.usd475.org
785.717.4200
Important Dates for Seniors
• May 6, 9, 10, 11 – Senior Finals
• May 11 – Seniors’ last day of
classes
• May 13 – Graduation
Ceremony Practice @ 9:00 a.m.
in Shenk Gym
• May 15 – Baccalaureate,
3:00 p.m. in Warren Settles
Auditorium
• May 15 – Graduation
Ceremony, 6:00 p.m. in Al
Simpler Stadium
Senior parents, please
emphasize with your sons
or daughters about the
importance of maintaining a
focus on finishing the semester.
It is very disappointing to
have to inform seniors and
their parents that they will not
be a part of the graduation
ceremony because of the lack of
effort these last few weeks.
Underclass Final Exam
Schedule
• May 16, White Day, 2nd Period
• May 17, Blue Day, 1st and 3rd
Periods
• May 18, White Day, 1st and 3rd
Periods
• May 19, Blue Day, 2nd and 4th
Periods
http://jchs.usd475.org
May | 2011
Junction City High School staff
thanks you for a very successful
and enjoyable school year.
Thank you for the opportunity
to work with your students. Let’s
have a strong finish these last
six weeks!
ENTHUSIASM MAKES THE
DIFFERENCE!
Sincerely, Stan Dodds
TASMAD
TASMAD (Take a Second Make
a Difference) has adopted
Ms. Laffrey’s 4th grade class
at Milford Elementary. The
approach compares to
Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Activities include letter
writing, leadership training,
making “Doing What is
Right” videos, exchanging “I
Make a Difference” bracelets
and building positive role
model relationships. Letters
are exchanged weekly and
members look forward to the
monthly visits. The hope is
that these relationships will
continue through the summer
and next school year and
make lasting connections.
The program has “Made a
Difference”.

PARENT NEWSLETTER
2
Counseling Department
Counseling Center News, April-May
2011
With approximately four weeks
remaining in the 2010-11 school
year, the counselors want to
encourage parents to support their
students in striving for a strong
finish. It is always disappointing
to see a fine effort for most of the
school year tarnished by some poor
decisions in the last few weeks.
All students should remain focused
on their academic class work and
prepare to do well on final exams.
Seniors in particular need to make
sure they are fulfilling all remaining
graduation requirements. Also, there
are still a number of scholarships
available, so seniors should continue
their efforts in that area.
Important Dates for Seniors
Of course there are several very
important dates for seniors in
May. The Senior Awards Night is
scheduled for May 9 at 7:00 p.m. in
the JCHS Auditorium. The seniors’
last day of school is May 11, and
graduation practice begins at 9:00
a.m. on May 13 in the Shenk Gym.
Finally, graduation takes place on
May 15, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in Al
Simpler Stadium.
Seniors Deficient in Service Hours
There are still seniors who have
NOT completed the required service
learning hours for graduation from
Junction City High School! Parents
and guardians, please remind your
senior to turn those hours in to Mr.
Honas now. Time is running out. The
final deadline to turn hours in is May
Counseling Personnel
Freshman Success Academy ................. Sarah Reynolds .......sarahreynolds@usd475.org
Business Information Technology ....... Sue Carlson ..............susancarlson@usd475.org
Science, Engineering, Technology....... Tom Kite ....................thomaskite@usd475.org
Internship Coordinator ............................ Joy Davis ...................joydavis@usd475.org
Career Counselor ....................................... Ernie Honas ..............ernesthonas@usd475.org
Registrar (Student Records) ................... Anita McLean ..........anitamclean@usd475.org
Information Systems Coordinator ....... Ellie Dillon ................marydillon@usd475.org
11, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Graduation is
right around the corner!
Underclass Awards Night
The Underclass Awards Night, for
freshmen, sophomores, and juniors,
is scheduled for May 9 at 5:00 p.m. in
the JCHS Auditorium.
Information for Juniors
For juniors, the spring semester can
be a very important time. These
students should be narrowing
their college search and perhaps
even scheduling some college
visits. Juniors who are interested
in applying to highly selective
universities and the military
academies should visit with their
academy counselor about starting
that process this spring. One
very important item for students
interested in highly competitive
schools is that they should take the
ACT during the second semester
of their junior year. The final ACT
date for this year is June 11, and the
registration deadline is May 6.
Also, juniors are eligible to apply
for an internship during their senior
year. Internships are intended to
give students exposure and training
in a job related to their career choice.
Placements are made with agencies
or businesses in the area, including
Fort Riley. Students who are interns
will receive a grade and earn credit
equal to a class for the experience.
This is a great opportunity for
students to work with professionals
in the community and have some
real experience in their chosen
career field. Applications are
available from Mrs. Davis in Deever
126. For more information, you may
reach Mrs. Davis at 717-4238.
By the time parents receive this
newsletter, students will have
completed the process of choosing
their courses for the 2011-12 school
year. Counselors and administrators
are now in the process of compiling
this information and building a
master schedule.
For freshmen, the enrollment
process included the choice
of a career cluster, which
determined their career academy
assignment for 2011-12. This
career cluster selection was done
primarily through the Freshman
Communications classes.
I do expect all of us to rise to the expectations of the
“BLUE JAY WAY”!!!
Practice makes permanent!!

The Blue Jay
Counseling
continued...
continued from page 2..
Finally, we would like to add a note
about summer school. If your student
fails a required class during the school
year, you should consider having him/
her make up that class during summer
school. If you have questions about
summer school, please contact your
student’s academy counselor. Also,
we will be sending summer school
recommendation letters the week
immediately after school is out.
2011-12 Enrollments
Enrollment packets will be mailed
to all returning students including
upcoming 9th graders on July 18th.
We ask that if you have moved to
different housing during the school
year, please make sure that you have
given us your newest address. We
have slimmed down the packet so
there will be less to complete. There
are a couple of new questions on the
forms that the state has requested
information on so please take the time
to complete those. Packets need to be
returned by August 1 so the schedule
your student chose will be activated
prior to the start of school. If you have
any questions concerning enrollment
for returning students please call the
high school, we will have secretaries
here during the summer to answer
your questions.
Moving
We are sure that some of you will be
leaving our area this summer and will
need to withdraw your students. Let
us know as soon as possible of your
move. We like to let you hand carry
records with you to help speed up the
enrollment of your student in their
new school. You can call 785-717-
4211.
JROTC
Congratulations to the Junction City High School Bluejay Battalion’s JROTC
Program for earning the “Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD) “ designation
on April 19, 2011 during a formal inspection conducted by 3rd Brigade, U.S.
Army Cadet Command’s JROTC Education and Training Technician, Tyrone
Middleton. The 219 cadets comprising the Bluejay battalion now get to wear
the Gold Star on their uniform representing this very high achievement. Mr.
Middleton’s inspection team consisted of two Senior ROTC cadets and a supply
technician from KState University as well as two Noncommissioned Officers
from Kansas National Guard.
The formal inspection occurs only once every three years and determines
whether or not a JROTC Unit receives a rating of:
• Honor Unit with Distinction Score at least 96% on each element of the
evaluation and participate in Level I of the JROTC Leadership and Academic
Bowl – GOLD STAR
• Honor Unit –Score at least 90% on each element of the evaluation -BLUE
STAR, or
• Merit Unit Score at least 80% - WHITE STAR.
The Cadet Formal Inspection is a cadet leadership event where the cadets
demonstrate their leadership skills and abilities. The inspection areas
consisted of evaluations of the Cadet Staff Briefing, Curriculum Knowledge,
In-Ranks Inspection, Cadet Attendance/Participation/ Cadet Supply Room
Inspection, Records and Administration, Training Management (S3)/
Security(S2), Public Affairs(S5), Drill and Ceremony and Color Guard.
“I am so proud of cadets who worked so very hard to earn this rating”, said
LTC (R) Maria Bentinck- Senior Army Instructor. “I am also very thankful to
the faculty and staff of JCHS and the local community for the overwhelming
support of the JROTC Program. “A JROTC instructor compared the Gold Star
unit rating to winning a State Championship, that is a very good comparison
because this is, in fact, a major victory for our JROTC program, Geary County
School district, Fort Riley and Junction City community. “
In addition to the visual “Gold Star” recognition each Cadet will wear on
his/her uniform, there are other tangible benefits attached to the Honor Unit
with Distinction ranking. All military service academies (West Point, Naval
Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy) receive orders each year
identifying and validating the units who are ranked as an “Honor Unit with
Distinction.” With this ranking, the Senior Army Instructor of the JROTC holding
a HUD status can make a recommendation directly to a Congressman, Senator,
or to the military service academy
nominating a cadet for admission if
they are otherwise qualified.
Congratulations to the cadets of
the Bluejay Battalion for your hard
work and dedication to the JROTC
Program.
TRAIN TO LEAD! WE MOTIVATE!
3

Business Information Technology Academy
4
PARENT Relevance NEWSLETTER
2
Rigor
Relationships
The mission of Junction City High
School’s Business Information
Technology (BIT) Academy is to
prepare productive citizens, build
diverse relationships, and develop
employable skills focusing on the
business and technology sectors of
today’s society. In order to achieve
this mission, students in the BIT
Academy can choose from the
following clusters:
•Business and Administration
•Finance
•Government and Public
Administration
•Hospitality and Tourism
•Information Technology
•Law and Public Safety
•Retail/Wholesale Sales and Service
Relationships
•The Business Information
Technology Academy would like to
welcome our new staff members:
Rachell Weiss (Science), Penny
Macumber (Communications), Helen
Hellwig (Special Education)
•Roxanne Whaley took 34 students
to a Leadership Conference in
Topeka sponsored by KYLA (Kansas
Youth Leadership Academy). Topics
included: diversity and integrity,
definition and character traits of a
leader, social and civic responsibility
and numerous teamwork activities.
These same students have been
positive role models and change
agents for the new students at JCHS.
To date over 150 new students have
attended the Leader/New Student
seminar. The new students are given
a “Student Guided Tour”, “rules of
the handbook” and are involved
in teaming games and activities to
welcome them and introduce them
by the leaders of JCHS.
Relevance
•Mrs. Wild’s Pro Start class continues
to cater the Superintendent-Teacher
luncheon. During this once-a-month
event the Superintendent and
teachers, of various contents and
buildings, gather for professional
discussions concerning school
improvement.
•Roxanne Whaley’s Accounting II
students are busy applying the
TaxWise system to prepare tax
returns for this year. Last year over
150 Federal and State returns were
prepared and E-filed free of charge.
This is a relevant learning experience
for these students. This year the
Accounting II class has experienced
an increase of returns requested on
the TAX Hotline.
•“Getting Ready for the World” Mrs.
Jahnke’s English IV students were busy
this past six weeks preparing for real
world experiences by completing a
Career Research Project. Using various
sources, students had to research two
careers and include two interviews per
career. This project prepares students
for real life job related experiences
and provides them with budgeting for
future expenditures.
•Student volunteers helped out with
our OLWEUS Anti-Bullying program
by holding a school-wide assembly
showing the reality of bullying. The
assembly was followed up in seminars
with a spectacular video presentation,
created by our Anti-Bullying
Committee (consisting of students
and staff). The video fostered an open
discussion between student and staff
pertaining to questions such as :
• What types of things do you do
that could be considered bullying?
• How did the examples of bullying
you saw today make you feel?
• Every day you have a choice to
be a better person. What can you
do to impact relationships in a
positive way?
Students and staff alike were pleased
with the presentation and felt it was
very impactful. The OLWEUS Anti-
Bullying committee will continue
to work on this issue in hopes of
bettering our environment here at
JCHS.
Business Information Technology Academy
Academy Office Staff
Office Number: 785-717-4206
Academy Administrator: Lyn Green, e-mail: lyngreen@usd475.org
Academy Leader: Jennifer Lashley, e-mail: jenniferlashleyhill@usd475.org
Academy Counselor: Sue Carlson, e-mail: susancarlson@usd475.org
Academy Secretary: Johanna Noriega, e-mail: johannanoriega@usd475.org

BIT Continued....
•Several students from the BIT Academy have participated
in the Internship program during the 2010-2011 Fall and
Spring semester. After being selected, they are placed at a
job in their career field and earn credit for on-the-job training
during the school day.
Axel Frangi/Court Services
Matthew French/Lead Horse Technologies
Brittany Guinyard /Ellen Westerhaus Studio
Ariel Sandoval /Total Care Dentistry
Stephan Wall /Geary Co. Sheriff
Matthew French /Lead Horse Technologies
Ryan Howard /Flint Hills Veterinary Hospital
Joshua Knight /Junction City Police Department
Gage Knudson /Brown Real Estate and Auctioneer
Sam Quigley/Gorilla Games
Jasmin Quijano/Kites Bar and Grille
Ariel Sandoval /Total Care Dentistry
Stephan Wall /Geary County Sheriff Dept
Kailene Ybarra /Geary Rehab & Fitness Center
• JCHS also offers Job Shadowing opportunities to all
upper classmen. Job Shadowing provides students with
the opportunity to observe the skills necessary for success
in a career, obtain answers to questions pertaining to their
career, gain information to help plan for career aspirations,
understand expectations in the workforce, develop a plan
of study, and see what actually takes place on the job. BIT
students that participated in Job Shadowing were:
Justin Ballard/Dick Edwards
Tanisha Flowers/Court Services
Phylicia Graves/Court Services
Tyriq Herbin/City of Junction City
Stephen Kao/Security Solutions
Alexandra Moore/Court Services
Ashley Morton/Dick Edwards
Karen Palacios/Dillon’s Bakery
Alex Poteat/Fine Line
Mercedes Williams/Dillon’s Bakery
Becky Mettao/Court Services
Holly Borgeson/Court Services
Excell Fain/JCMS
Dylan Macleod/Del Motors
Students may pick up Job Shadow Packets from Mrs. Lashley-
Hill in room 148.
Rigor
JCHS FBLA MEMBERS QUALIFY FOR NATIONALS
JCHS FBLA members participated in the Kansas FBLA
Leadership Conference on March 31st and April 1st.
They competed against FBLA members representing
chapters from all across the state. Members had over
55 competitive events in which to choose from to
demonstrate their business skills. Alexis Miskevish, JCHS
senior, earned 2nd place in Digital Video Production.
Justin Ballard, JCHS junior, earned 2nd place in Emerging
Business Issues and 5th place in Impromptu Speaking.
Sean Smith, JCHS sophomore, earned 2nd place in
Emerging Business Issues. All three students will advance
to compete
in these
events at the
national level
this summer
in Orlando,
Florida.
Donations
to help
send these
students to
the FBLA
National
Leadership
JCHS FBLA CLUB
Conference
can be sent to the
following address:
Junction City High School, FSA Campus
Attention FBLA Advisor,
Latrice Amparan
300 W. 9th Street
Junction City, KS 66441
5

6
Activities Director /Athletic Director
Matt Westerhaus
matthewwesterhaus@usd475.org
SUMMER ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
Phone 785.717.4214
Fax 785.717.4202
Athletics/Activities
Athletic/Activities Secretary
Deb Lumb
debralumb@usd475.org
For camp brochures, please visit athletic department/team web-site, stop by the JCHS Athletic Dept. or contact the head
coach of the sport your son/daughter is interested in participating.
Strength/Conditioning: June 10th – August 12th @ JCHS weight room
Advanced (9th – 12th graders who have taken strength/conditioning class)
Monday - Wednesday - Friday 6:30 am – 8:00 am
Beginning (9th – 12th graders who have limited strength/conditioning experience)
Monday - Wednesday - Friday 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Middle School/(Elementary by permission only)
Monday - Wednesday - Friday 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Baseball: TBA
Basketball (Boys): TBA
Basketball (Girls): Camp – June 13th – June 17th @ Junction City High School
8:30AM – 12:00PM – (Middle School)
1:30PM – 5:00PM – (High School)
Summer workouts – TBA
Cross Country: Morning runs - meet in parking lot @ JCHS
June 6th – July 27th
Every M/W @ 6:30AM
Football: Camp – May 30th – June 3rd @ Junction City High School
8:00AM – 11:00PM - (High School)
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – (Elementary/Middle school)
Summer workouts – M/W 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Golf Golf Instructional opportunity with Jim Peterson at Rolling Meadows Golf Course
Every Monday in June and July from 8:00am – 12:00pm
Open to High School and Middle School students
Please contact Jim Peterson at Rolling Meadows Golf Course (785)-238-4303
Soccer (B/G): TBA
Softball: TBA
Tennis: (B/G) Summer Workouts @ Junction City High School
M – T – W – TH – during the month of June
8:00AM – 12:00PM - (elementary / middle school / high school)
Please contact Coach Micheel
Volleyball: Camp – June 5th – June7th @ Junction City High School
8:00AM – 12:00PM – (High School)
1:00PM – 4:00PM – (Middle School)
Summer workouts – please contact Coach Parks
Wrestling: Camp – June 27th – July 1st @ Junction City High School
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM – (High School)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – (Elementary/Middle School)

SENIOR CLASS NEWS & IMPORTANT DATES
SENIOR NEWS
From Mrs. Wiegand and Mrs. Dillon Co-Advisors to the Class of 2011
Monday May 9th -- 7:00 pm
All School Awards Night Shenk Gym/JCHS
May 6th-11th -- Senior Finals
Friday, May 13th -- 9:00am-11:00 am (MANDATORY)
Graduation Practice -Shenk Gym/JCHS
Friday, May 13th --
Following Practice Senior Picnic Al Simpler Stadium
Sunday, May 15th -- 3:00 pm (Optional Attendance)
Baccaularureate, Warren Settles Auditorium
Sunday, May 15th -- 6:00 pm
(Graduates need to arrive NO LATER THAN 5:15 pm)
Commencement -- Al Simpler Stadium
Sunday, May 15th -- 10:00 pm-5:30 am
Project Graduation Celebration -- Spin City
(ALL STUDENTS MUST BE REPORT BY 11:30 or they WILL NOT BE
ADMITTED)
Please visit our website http://intranet.usd475.org/school/jchs/
Activities/seniorclass/default.aspx for information about graduation.
You will find a document about appropriate attire for graduation. ALL
Graduates are expected to be dressed appropriately to participate
in commencement activities. We have put together a calendar that
includes dates and times relevant to our Class of 2011.
Project Graduation is a celebration for GRADUATES
ONLY following Commencement. NO OUTSIDE
GUESTS are allowed to attend. In order to be eligible
to attend Project Graduation students must meet all
requirements to participate in Graduation.
The parent committee has been working diligently
to put this event together so our Graduates
may celebrate their accomplishments in a safe
environment. ALL students will be expected to sign
a contract at Graduation Practice that outlines the
expectations in order to participate.
In addition we are still seeking chaperones for the
evening and family contributions to support this
event. We have a very generous community who
assists in sponsoring this event however we are still
trying to raise nearly $3,000 so we may provide a celebration for our
Graduates to remember.
Please contact Dana Wiegand at DanaWiegand@usd475.org if you are
willing to chaperone and all contributions can be mailed to:
JCHS ATTN: Project Graduation
900 N. Eisenhower
Junction City, Kansas 66441
N O W A V A I L A B L E !
ONLINE PAYMENTS FOR FOOD
SERVICE AND FEES
As a convenience to parents,
Geary County Schools
now provides parents an
easy way to add money to
their child’s food service
account and make payments
on outstanding fees, i.e.
Enrollment, Food Service, etc.
Online payments can be made
through the Infinite Campus
parent portal they currently
use. We have contracted with
Vanco, a national credit card
payment processor, to provide
a secure site for making
payments.
*You must have access to
the Parent Portal to make
payments; you may sign up
for the Parent Portal access at
you student’s academy office.
Library Earthday Activities
7

BIT Academy
(785) 717-4208
SET Academy
(785) 717-4209
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 4
JUNCTION CITY, KS 66441
Important Contact
Information
Main High School Office
(785) 717-4200
http://jchs.usd475.org
FAHS Academy
(785) 717-4206
FSA Academy
(785) 717-4312
USD 475
Junction City High School
900 N. Eisenhower Drive
Junction City, KS 66441