CJH Connections
An update for parents and families
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hi everyone!
We are less than three weeks from spring break, and are now well into 2nd semester. There is a lot going on around CJH these days, including this week's change in masking requirements. To make certain that this change was as seamless as possible, we purposefully and preemptively set the stage for students to be welcome and comfortable with whatever choice they made. This included early announcements, as well as a special emphasis on staff members keeping an eye on the many conversations happening in classes and around the school. I must say that our students did a wonderful job navigating this recent change, and are hopefully finding that CJH continues to be a place where they are supported.
This a time in the school year where it can be hard to keep momentum. March is a long month and students most likely put in a lot of effort to end first semester well. We had a Family meeting during CORE/FLEX yesterday, and are kicking off a new round of CORE/FLEX today, which will last about five weeks. This academic support has been, and will continue to be, essential as we work to help students find time to tackle their school work.
We would ask that you take a quick moment to sit down with your child and ask how this month and the start of 2nd semester is going. This can include taking a quick second to look at Skyward. We suggest that you consider emailing your child's teachers directly so that you can get the most accurate and timely information, especially as we try to help students approach the next break with a sense of accomplishment.
Please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can work together to help your child be academically successful this year.
Whatever it takes!
Mark Robinson
CJH Principal
(253)517-1600
Recent message from Superintendent Alfano
March 9, 2022
Dear Fife Public School Staff and Families,
As I am sure you are aware, the statewide mask mandate will end at 11:59 pm on Friday, March 11th. This means that starting on Saturday, March 12th, masks are no longer required in our school buildings at any time.
Monday, March 14th will be our first school day with the mask mandate lifted. Masks will be optional for all students, staff members, and families.
In Fife Public Schools we will respect everyone’s - staff, students, and visitors - personal choice to continue wearing masks in our buildings. We will work with our students to make sure everyone’s personal choice is respected at all times.
While, in general, this means we are moving in the right direction in regard to the pandemic, our state and local public health officials are still cautiously approaching other mitigations in the school setting. There are still requirements and recommendations that we will follow. I love the analogy of “the turning of the dial and not the flip of the switch” when it comes to moving through the different stages of the pandemic. We are turning the dial.
An example of a mitigation strategy that we will assess in the near future is the set up of the common spaces in our schools, such as cafeterias. Each cafeteria is set up a little differently, with different furniture and differing schedules. Our building administrators need a little time to assess their current set up and adjust accordingly.
The following is a graphic, from the Washington Department of Health (DOH), that summarizes the required versus the recommended/optional mitigation strategies we will be assessing in the coming weeks.
If you’ll notice, masks are still required in some settings and/or situations like our health rooms.
I also want to thank you for your continued support. It was Friday, March 13, 2020 that we last had a school day without the mask mandate. Two years and one day later, we will return to school without the mandate once again. It has been quite the journey with many miles to go, but I thank you for supporting our staff and students every step of the way.
Together we are Fife!
Kevin Alfano, Superintendent
Important dates:
- Tues, 3/8 - Mid-quarter progress reports
- Thurs, 3/24 - Spring Conferences (Sign up opens to all on Wednesday, 3/16, after our initial round of targeted invitations
- Mon, 4/4 - Fri, 4/8 - Spring Break
- Tues, 4/14 - End of 3rd quarter
Students in the 9th grade will be registering for their high school classes by the time we wrap up March. See information below in this newsletter!
Students in the 7th and 8th grade will be registering for next year's classes after we get back from spring break. This information will be in the next newsletter, which will come out prior to spring break. More to come on this.
Spring SCHEDULED conferences
With limited availability, our staff has made it a point to make targeted invitations these past couple of weeks. We are now opening up any remaining slots to families who would like to participate in this conference night. The QR code is included, and if you have questions or are encountering any issues, please reach out to our school counselors.
Mr. Neufeld - Students with last names that begin with A-K
Mrs. Holmes - Students with last names that begin with L-Z
A special note to current 9th grade students - Future FHS Trojans
Sophomore Registration Information
Step 1: Fife High School counselors will visit 9th grade science classes on Monday, March 21. Students will learn about course offerings and graduation requirements for the class of 2025. Students will also begin pre-registering for classes.
Step 2: Explore the FHS Course Catalog and Virtual Curriculum Fair to help you choose classes.
Step 3: Attend Future Trojan Night on Wednesday, March 23 from 6:00- 7:00pm at Fife High School.
Step 4: Complete and submit the sophomore pre-registration Google form by Friday, March 25.
Step 5: Students will enter their final course selections into Skyward on Monday, March 28 during 9th grade science classes. Counselors will be available to assist.
Questions? Please contact your CJH school counselor.
Brian Neufeld (last names A – K)
Deana Holmes (last names L – Z)
Essential items
Attendance Matters
This year, CJH is making a special effort to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. If your child is going to be absent, it is important that you call the main office or email Mrs. March at amarch@fifeschools.com. If the absence is related to illness, it may also be necessary for you to speak with our school nurse.
Under Washington State Law, students who have three (3) unexcused absences in one month are required to meet with school staff to identify barriers and supports needed to ensure regular attendance. Students who have seven (7) unexcused absences in any month or fifteen (15) unexcused absences within the school year, schools are required to file a petition with the Juvenile court, alleging a violation of the states mandatory attendance laws (RCW 28A.225.010).
If you have questions about your child's attendance, please contact Mrs. March at amarch@fifeschools.com.
Transportation information
Buses will be running on our normal bus schedule. You can go to the transportation department's webpage on the Fife Public Schools website.
Student Drop Off: If your child gets dropped off in the morning, please know that we use the drive-through area in front of the CJH main office. Please remember to be safe and patient as students arrive at school each day.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Information and updates regarding COVID-19 are coming at a fast pace as we receive guidance from the health department and elected officials. We will use this page to share updates and resources!
Mark Robinson
Email: mrobinson@fifeschools.com
Website: https://cjh.fifeschools.com/
Location: 2901 54th Avenue East, Fife, WA, USA
Phone: 2535171600
Facebook: www.facebook.com/columbiajrhigh/
Twitter: @cjhprincipal