St. Joseph High School
August 14, 2023
Please take a few minutes to click through the Table of Contents on the left. It includes several important back to school tidbits that will help us start strong. We also want to encourage all parents and guardians to read about our new attendance policy, our dress code, the vape policy and our new daily bell schedule.
Welcome Back
Dear Parents & Guardians,
On behalf of our staff, we want to welcome you back to St. Joseph High School. At St. Joseph High School we value learning and creating an environment where students want to come and not a place where they have to come! As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we are excited about the opportunity to work with each and every student, each and every day. To ensure this, we are building in daily intervention and support to our schedule. This allows our professional teaching staff to dial in on what students know or don't understand, make a timely plan to support individual or small groups when there are gaps in learning and also build best practices for helping and growing all learners throughout the semester.
We will once again be running our modified schedule on the first day of school in order to get a lot of the first day activities and tasks out of the way so that students can get right to learning. Chromebooks will be distributed to every SJHS student the first day of school; the Chromebooks will be the device each and every student is to have with them to use everyday! Please note, we will continue to use Google Classroom as the primary source for coursework communication. More information will be coming to all of you with Google Classroom as we return to school and attend upcoming events such as Freshman / New Student Orientation (Monday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m.) and Back to School Night (Tuesday, September 12 at 6:15 p.m.).
Please take a few minutes to click through the Table of Contents on the left. It includes several important back to school tidbits that will help us start strong. We also want to encourage all parents and guardians to read about our new attendance policy, our dress code, the vape policy and our new daily bell schedule.
The front office staff and administrative team are back from summer break at the high school and available if you have any questions. The guidance counselors will return on Monday, Aug. 14th, and will be working to prepare new student schedules and making final adjustments to student schedules.
We are looking forward to a great year at SJHS!
GO BEARS!
Greg Blomgren – Principal
Contact Information:
Main Office Phone Number: 269-926-3200
Administration
- Principal Secretary
- Principal
- Assistant Principals
Athletic Office Phone Number: 269-926-3220
Attendance Office Phone Number: 269-926-3205
Guidance Office Phone Number: 269-926-3210
Guidance Office
- Guidance Office Secretary
- School Social Worker
- Counselor for Students with Last Name Beginning with A - G
- Counselor for Students with Last Name Beginning with H - O
- Counselor for Students with Last Name Beginning with P - Z
Freshman (9th Grade) & New Student Orientation:
Monday Aug 21, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. @ Auditorium
Please park in the parking lot adjacent to the football field.
Monday, August 21, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph High School.
Orientation night is for all incoming 9th grade students and any other students new to the district.
All parents / guardians are highly encouraged to attend.
Several Clubs & Activities tables may be visited in the Student Center.
The Administration and Counseling staff will provide information from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the John & DeDe Howard Auditorium. Students will be able to pick up schedules at this event and have access to all areas of the building for a walk-through.
Senior Student Mentors will be present to assist as building guides.
Passwords, locker combinations, and Parent Portal information (both student and parent) will be printed on the schedules.
Free Breakfast / Lunch
St Joseph Public Schools is excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students starting this new school year thanks to the Michigan Healthy School Meals Program!
Breakfast will be offered daily in all schools. Please check your school’s website for mealtimes. Adult meal price is $3.00.
Lunch will also be provided on full school days in all cafeterias. Adult meal price is $4.95
Ala carte will be offered for purchase at both Upton Middle School and SJ High School. Student’s must have funds to purchase these items. No charging will be allowed for ala carte.
Even though meals will be provided for free, it is important for families to continue sharing household income information in order for our schools to receive full access to federal and state funding for educational programs that our students are entitled to. The Education Benefit Form helps to fund other programs and may waive other fees for you family - Submit your today at https://stjosephmi.familyportal.cloud/ or request a paper form from any front office.
NEW this school year is our online interactive menus! Bookmark this link:
https://myschoolmenus.com/organizations/1958 or download "My School Menus" on any App Store and download the app for free. You'll see pictures of what is being served and be able to access allergen info, carbs, calories and more!
Demrhy Youngquist, Director, Food Service
2521 Stadium Drive
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085
Phone (269) 926-3127
Fax (269) 983-1470
dyoungquist@sjschools.org
Student Drop-Off Procedure:
Bus Riders / Student Drivers / 11th & 12th Grade:
- Enter/Exit through Door #1 by the Circle Drive
9th & 10th Grade Parent Drop Off & Pick Up:
- Enter/Exit through Door #20 by Lakeview Avenue
Lakeview Avenue drop-off: For cars coming to the back of the school for drop-off, the designated area will be towards the south side of the building. Door #20 will be open until 7:45 a.m. Please pull forward to give more room for traffic and not back cars up on the street.
Late Arrivals:
- Once the school day starts all students will need to enter through the main entrance of the high school on Circle Drive.
Students are not permitted inside the school building more than 30 minutes before the start of their first class (7:15 a.m.) without prior approval or supervision of a teacher.
Students are not permitted to remain in the school building beyond 30 minutes after the completion of their last class (3:15 p.m.), unless they are involved in an after school-related activity or being supervised by a teacher.
The main entrance to the high school will be the designated wait area for students waiting for a ride after 3:15 p.m.
Parents please make arrangements for this daily; we will not be allowing students to loiter in the building after designated times.
Student Parking:
We want to encourage our students to park in the student lots during the time they are in the building and not on neighboring streets. We want to do our best to be good neighbors. For this reason, we are continuing the window parking sticker system.
Students must register their vehicles in the Attendance Office. Upon properly registering the vehicle, students will be issued a parking permit.
The permit is to be attached at the bottom driver side of the windshield in a non-obstructive position.
The cost of the parking permit will be $10.00 for the 2023-2024 school year. If a student previously registered a car, that permit will remain good for the year.
All cars parking on school grounds during the school day will require the sticker.
A student can register more than one car. These permits provide us the ability to recognize and communicate easier with car owners. For example, a student leaves their lights on; we can quickly identify the owner of the car. It also assists us with building security.
Students may stop in the Attendance Office at any time to get their registration taken care of. The Attendance Office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. until the time school starts. Parking Stickers will be required by September 29. Reminders will be announced.
Bus Transportation:
Your students are now REQUIRED to register for bus transportation online. There is a link to sign up under each school tab on the St. Joseph website and also under the link under Parents and then under Transportation.
Bus tags will be handed out at the Upton start up day and at the elementary ice cream socials.
High School students will not have bus tags, but we still need them to sign up so we have an accurate list of students riding our buses.
If you have any further questions, please call the Transportation Department at 269-926-3900.
First Day of School: August 28
We will utilize the morning of the first day to complete school pictures, class meetings, homerooms, and Chromebook distribution / training for all students.
On the first day of school we will need students to report to the following locations by 7:45 a.m. on Monday, August 28. Students will be directed where to go following their first meeting. All staff will be available to assist to ensure a successful morning. Senior Student Mentors will be wearing bright tangerine t-shirts and are available to answer any questions as well.
*WHAT’s COVERED Descriptions:
Class Meeting
Welcome back meeting, Guidance Department information, Rules/Expectations, Student Senate, & upcoming events.
School Pictures
School dress code rules apply! Please dress appropriately for school & school photos.
Picture packets were mailed home if you are interested in purchasing school photos.
Students will pick up their schedule and emergency card..
All students take photos even if they don’t intend to buy them. These photos are used for school ID cards.
Chromebook / Technology Info
Students will receive Chromebooks & additional Technology information/training.
School Expectations & Forms
Student handbooks will be reviewed online.
Optional forms you would like on file for your student should be returned and submitted at this time. Please refer to www.sjschools.org to get free/reduced lunch forms, prescription medication forms, food allergy action plan forms, and student publications/recruitment opt out forms.
Students will need to complete their digital emergency information on PowerSchool.
First Day Bell Schedule:
Back to School Night: Tuesday, Sept 12
Back to School Night is an event geared towards parents / guardians. It allows them a chance to walk their student’s class schedule and meet their student’s classroom teachers. Please plan to arrive at St. Joseph High School by 6:15 p.m. Parents / guardians follow their student's schedule. First hour class will begin at 6:30 p.m. Announcements for parents will take place in their student’s first hour class. Please consider joining us.
Daily Bell Schedule:
Daily class schedule times can be accessed at www.sjschools.org.
Students are not permitted inside the school building more than 30 minutes before the start of their first class (7:15am) without prior approval or supervision of a teacher.
Students are not permitted to remain in the school building beyond 30 minutes after the completion of their last class (3:15 p.m.), unless they are involved in an after school-related activity or being supervised by a teacher.
The main entrance to the high school will be the designated wait area for students waiting for a ride after 3:15 p.m.
Parents please make arrangements for this daily; we will not be allowing students to stay in the building after designated times.
Student Course Schedule:
Schedules for 10th – 12th Graders
- Students will be able to view their tentative schedules on Friday, August 18th by 3:00 p.m. logging into PowerSchool (not the Phone App).
Schedule Changes
The only reason you can see a counselor regarding schedule changes is if:
a student is in a course that has already been successfully completed,
the student has an incomplete schedule, or
a senior needs a course required for graduation.
Process for All Other Scheduling Requests
- Students may pick up a drop/add request form from the teacher of the class you want to drop starting Monday, August 28. All teacher and parent signatures must be completed before turning form into the Guidance Office.
- No schedule change requests will be accepted after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31.
NEW Attendance Policy:
At St. Joseph High School we believe regular attendance is vital to academic success and growth. Therefore, we have increased attendance expectations and want everyone to be on the same page to encourage regular school attendance.
For more information regarding the change and the why behind these changes, please click below.
1:1 Chromebook Agreement:
St. Joseph High School is a 1:1 Chromebook school. All students will be issued a district-provided touch screen Chromebook and charger on the first day of school and do not need to bring their own device.
BYOD is not an option for students at St. Joseph High School--please leave personal laptops and tablets at home.
Students are expected to bring their fully-charged Chromebook to school each day.
Care of the device is the responsibility of the student.
All families are asked to complete a 1:1 computing agreement via this link. The agreement includes the option to purchase damage insurance for $20 which covers the device should it be lost or broken.
More information regarding the Chromebooks will be shared with your student on the first day of school and with parents at Back to School Night: Tuesday, September 12 @ 6:15 p.m.
Google Classroom - Learning Management System (LMS)
St. Joseph Public Schools will continue to use Google Classroom as its primary Learning Management System (LMS). The purpose of an LMS is for teachers to communicate assignments and deliver digital learning resources to students, as well as provide course information for parents.
All students in SJPS automatically have a Google Classroom account.
Teachers will share more information with their students during the first week of school regarding how to join their Google Classrooms for each class.
All students will be invited to be a member of a Google Classroom specific to their graduation year. Instructions on this, as well as other relevant technology information, will be shared with students on the first day of school.
Behavior Expectations:
Vapes:
We are asking for your assistance in reinforcing the health and safety conversation regarding vaping as well as reviewing our updated school expectations with your student(s). This conversation can be difficult or hard to navigate, but important nonetheless. Click here for tips in talking to your teen about vaping.
We are raising the expectations and consequences for use, possession or distribution of these items by adding legal action to our protocol for addressing vaping by our students on school property. School and legal consequences will include:
1st Offense - 3 Day In-School Suspension (ISS) for nicotine products. School and legal consequences for THC or marijuana products start at 2nd Offense (see below) and progress from there.
2nd Offense - 4 Day In-School Suspension(ISS) and a police issued state civil infraction (up to $50 fine for nicotine/ $100 fine for THC). The court may also order the student to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program. In addition, the court may order the student to perform up to 16 hours of community service.
3rd Offense - 6 Day School Suspension (3 Days ISS, 3 Days Out-of-School Suspension, OSS) and a police issued state civil infraction (up to $50 fine for nicotine/ $100 fine for THC). The court may also order the student to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program. In addition, the court may order the student to perform up to 32 hours of community service.
4th Offense - 8 Day School Suspension (4 Days ISS, 4 Days OSS) and a police issued state civil infraction or misdemeanor charge (up to $50 fine for nicotine/ $100 fine for THC). The court may also order the student to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program. In addition, the court may order the student to perform up to 48 hours of community service.
5th Offense - 10 Day School Suspension (5 Days ISS, 5 Days OSS) and a police issued state misdemeanor charge for having more than 2 prior judgments. Pursuant to a probation order, the court may also require the individual to participate in a health promotion and risk reduction assessment program, if available. In addition, the court may order the individual to perform not more than 48 hours of community service.
Distribution or Selling Tobacco / THC / Marijuana- 10 Day School Suspension (minimum of 10 Days OSS) with possibility of going before the St. Joseph School Board and facing expulsion.
Anyone under the age of 21 is considered a minor with vapes, nicotine, tobacco and THC/Marijuana within the law;
It is illegal for any minor to purchase/possess/use any type of vaping product.
Per the student handbook pg. 15: M. Elastic Clause. The school administration reserves the right to establish fair and reasonable rules and regulations for things requiring actions that are not covered in the Student Handbook. In all cases, rules, regulations, and possible consequences shall be as consistent as possible with previously established rules, regulations, and consequences for similar incidents.
Dress Code:
The style and manner in which a student dresses while attending school and school-related functions is largely the responsibility of the student and the student’s parents. The School District, however, maintains the right to impose reasonable restrictions on dress and grooming, where the style of dress or grooming is reasonably considered disruptive or detrimental to the School District’s mission and/or the health, safety, or welfare of the student or other students with whom the student attends school.
Cell Phone Use:
Cell Phone Use – We will continue to implement the Red / Yellow / Green card system in all classrooms regarding student cell phone use.
It will be assumed that any student entering a classroom is under a “Red Zone,” which means no cell phones should be visible.
A “Yellow Zone” may be displayed by the teacher if he/she wants to allow students to use (1) ear-bud or (1) headphone.
A “Green Zone'' may be displayed when a teacher assigns a lesson where a cell phone can enhance the learning goal.
Students may use cell phones before and after school, as well as during lunch; however, if headphones/earbuds are worn, then (1) ear must always be exposed. Specific consequences for cell phone violations may be found within the cell phone policy section.
Closed Campus:
St. Joseph High School is a closed campus. This means a student is not permitted to leave the High School grounds or assigned area without permission. This includes the lunch period.
Student Handbook:
Students will receive important Student Handbook information on Monday, Aug 28 regarding rules & forms. Both students and guardians should read the Student Handbook section concerning rules, regulations, and expectations. The students and guardians will be asked to sign an Acknowledgement Form indicating their responsibility of reviewing and understanding the rules/expectations of St. Joseph High School:
Students will also complete a short handbook quiz during the first week of school.
Complaint Procedures for Discrimination:
Section I
Any person who believes that s/he has been discriminated against or denied equal opportunity or access to programs or services may file a complaint, which may be referred to as a grievance, with the District’s Civil Rights Coordinator, Director of State/Federal Programs, 2580 S. Cleveland Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085, 269-926-3100.
Section II
A person, who believes s/he has a valid basis for a complaint, may discuss the matter informally and on an oral basis with the District’s Civil Rights Coordinator, who will investigate the complaint and reply with an answer to the complainant. If the information procedures do not resolve the matter to the complainant’s satisfaction, or s/he skips the informal process, s/he may initiate formal procedures according to the following steps:
Step 1: Investigation by the District Civil Rights Coordinator: A person may initiate a formal investigation by filing a written complaint with the District Civil Rights Coordinator. The complaint must contain the name and address of the individual or representative filing the complaint, be signed by the complainant or someone authorized to sign in sufficient detail to inform the Civil Rights Coordinator of the nature and date of the alleged violation, and propose a resolution. The complaint must be filed within thirty (30) calendar days of the circumstances or even giving rise to the complaint, unless the time for filing is extended by the Civil Rights Coordinator for good cause. The Civil Rights Coordinator will conduct an impartial investigation of the complaint. As part of the investigation, the Civil Rights Coordinator shall interview any witnesses and review other evidence provided by the complainant. The investigation shall be completed within ten (10) business days of the written complaint being filed. The Civil Rights Coordinator will notify the complainant in writing of his/her decision and will maintain the District’s files and records relating to the complaint.
Step 2: If the complainant is not satisfied with the Civil Rights Coordinator’s Step 1 decision, s/he may submit in writing a signed statement of appeal to the Superintendent of Schools within five (5) business days after receipt of the Coordinator’s response. The Superintendent shall meet with all parties involved, formulate a conclusion, and respond in writing to the complainant within ten (10) business days of receiving the written appeal.
Step 3: If the complainant remains unsatisfied, s/he may appeal through a signed written statement to the Board of Education within five (5) business days of his/her receipt of the Superintendent’s response in Step 2. In an attempt to resolve the complaint, the Board shall meet with the concerned parties and their representative within twenty (20) business days of the receipt of such an appeal. A copy of the Board’s disposition of the appeal shall be sent to each concerned party within ten (10) business days of this meeting.
Section III
PROHIBITION AGAINST RETALIATION: The Board will not discriminate against, coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any individual because the person opposed any act or practice made unlawful by any Federal civil rights law, or because that individual made a charge, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under those laws or because that individual exercised, enjoyed, aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any right granted or protected by those laws.
The complainant may be represented, at his/her own cost, at any of the above-described meetings/hearings. The right of a person to prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies such as the filing of a Complaint with the Office of Civil Rights or the filing of a court case in the appropriate Federal District Court. Use of this internal complaint procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
The individual may also, at any time, contact the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Cleveland Office, 600 Superior Avenue East, Suite 750, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2611; Telephone: (216) 522-49790; Fax: (216) 522-2573; TDD: (216) 522-4944;
E-mail: ocr.cleveland@ed.gov; Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr
PowerSchool Parent Portal:
The PowerSchool Parent Portal at the High School has been a great success. The program will once again be up and running for use by parents and students once the Guidance Department has solidified all student schedules.
Note: parents will use the same passwords as last year; students will also be using the same passwords as last year.
All Parent Portal information will be on printed schedules that students will pick up at the Freshmen/New student orientation on August 21.
We hope to have the Parent Portal open on August 21 so students can view schedules online prior to the first day of school. For more information, please contact the Guidance office (926-3210).
Senior Pictures:
- head/shoulder, all color, indoor, vertical shot (an outdoor pose with a clean, simple background is acceptable; horizontal photos will not be accepted), .jpeg format, electronically submitted.
- The Picture Day photo will be used if the senior or a photographer doesn’t submit one.
Please review the complete Senior Portrait Requirements and Submission Instructions here. If you have further questions, contact Mrs. Joyce Hunter at jhunter@sjschools.org.
CTE: Career Technical Education
If any students are taking off-campus CTE classes, then please be aware that the first CTE class will not meet until Wednesday, August 30.
All CTE students will be required to meet at St. Joseph High School on Monday, August 28 and Tuesday, August 29 with Ms. Hoskins (CTE Director) and Mrs. Cohoon in the L806 computer lab during the scheduled time for important CTE course information.
Athletics & Fine Arts:
Fall sports have started. We encourage participation in extracurricular activities as much as possible for our students. If your student is interested in playing a sport and needs information, please contact the Athletic Office at 269-926-3220.
Bear Wear:
Bear Wear is available in the Athletic Office. Family, student, and season passes are also available this year. We are now using the GoFan.co website for all ticket and pass purchases. Individual game tickets are now $7.00; cash payment will no longer be accepted. You may make your purchase online through the GoFan.co site or at the gate with a credit or debit card. Sports schedules are posted on the Big Teams website: https://stjosephhighschool.bigteams.com/ For questions please contact the Athletic Department at 269-926-3220.
Band and Orchestra Parents (We need YOU!!!)
First, the Band and Orchestra Parents Organization would like to thank all of the dedicated parents – past and present – for all that’s been done to bring our instrumental programs to their current level of achievement. It's that time of year again--time to start signing up for stuff! If you're interested in helping the Band and Orchestra Parents with concerts, scholarships and the artists in residence, among other things, in order to keep the kids sounding GREAT, watch for a sign up link soon.
The Band and Orchestra Parents need you to help with one of our biggest fundraisers for the instrumental music programs at St. Joe--Football Concessions. Whether you can volunteer at one or all of the games in any capacity, we'd LOVE to have you! Please watch for a sign up link soon.
Many hands will make for light work for all – AND – will make for continued success.
Opt-Out Publications & Recruitment:
Photo / Name Annual Opt-Out:
In the St. Joseph Public School District, students may be photographed or videotaped and their name and/or work displayed for educational and/or not- for-profit use in the newsletter articles, school informational publications, building videos, school news broadcasts, athletic team rosters, club rosters, as well as district, building, and classroom webpages, etc.
If you do not want your child identified in publications such as above, please print off the form at www.sjschools.org, click on For Families tab, and you will find the opt-out form; fill out the form and submit to Guidance Secretary, Allison Koch by September 8.
Requests must be made every year in order to ensure that the student’s identity will not be released.
Federal law requires the School District to provide secondary school students’ names, addresses and telephone numbers to recruiters upon request. A secondary school student or the parent of the student may request the student’s information not be released. This can be done by completing and returning the Student Recruitment Opt-out form. If you do not want your child’s information made available to recruiters (i.e. military recruiters; recruiters from post-secondary institutions, including trade schools; private institution recruiting, such as banks and credit unions; and recruiters from prospective employers, etc.)
The form is available at www.sjschools.org, click on For Families tab and you will find opt-out form. Requests must be completed and returned to the Guidance secretary, Allison Koch by September 8. This request must be made every year in order to ensure the student’s identity will not be released.
Picture Day: Aug 28
Our school photo company is Jostens Pix. Click below for more info on ordering school photos.
- Picture Day: Monday, August 28
- Picture Retake Day: Wednesday, September 27
School Resource Officer: SRO
We will again collaborate with the St. Joseph Police Department and have a resource officer present at the high school throughout the day at SJHS.
Our goal is to integrate this individual into our school community and family like any other staff member. The resource officer will interact with the students, staff, and community like any other employee within our district.
We are excited about this ongoing partnership and feel the resource officers have become a part of our school family here at SJHS while also providing another layer of safety and security for our school, students, and staff.