Jackson-Reed eNews: Week of April 1, 2024

Principal's Message

Greetings Jackson-Reed Community,

I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend. This week will be the final week of Term 3, and students will have four days of school. On Friday, faculty and staff members will engage in professional development and record-keeping. It’s important for our students to finish the third term strong by meeting the required deadlines for their assignments and maximizing the revision days provided by our teachers.

This week we will also start the month of April, which is Arab American Heritage Month. We are thankful for the contributions made by Arab Americans and look forward to celebrating the rich heritage throughout the month. Speaking of celebrations, this week is also National Assistant Principal’s Week!

We are extremely fortunate to have incredibly talented, supportive, and knowledgeable Assistant Principals at Jackson-Reed. Please join me in sending a huge “Thank You” to our Assistant Principals:

Greg Bargeman
Camille Robinson
Ron Anthony
Marc Minsker
Porshia Ojigbo

These individuals work behind the scenes and have done so much for our students and school in our quest to become the model urban high school in the United States!

Tigers R.O.A.R.,

Sah Brown

Principal

Events this Week

Mon Apr 1

11:00am - 11:45am, Counterfeit Drug Awareness Emergency Town Hall
11:45am - 12:30pm, Board Games in the Atrium

Tue Apr 2

11:45am - 12:30pm, Board Games in the Atrium
11:45am - 12:30pm, Trans Day of Visibility
11:50am - 12:40pm, Peril Student Leadership Session
3:45pm - 5:30pm, Credit Recovery

Wed Apr 3

11:45am - 12:30pm, Board Games in the Atrium
3:30pm - 4:30pm, UDC Tutoring After School
3:45pm - 5:30pm, Credit Recovery

Thu Apr 4

7:45am - 8:30am, JROTC Formation/Drills
8:00am - 2:30pm, NAF Career Fair
10:00am - 11:30am, Parents Cafe - ELL
11:45am - 12:30pm, Board Games in the Atrium
11:50am - 12:35pm, 10th Grade Study Skills Group
3:30pm - 4:30pm, UDC Tutoring After School
3:45pm - 5:30pm, Credit Recovery
6:00pm - 7:30pm, Parent Cafe - ELL
7:00pm - 8:00pm, Italian International Studies Family Meeting

Fri Apr 5

8:30am - 12:30pm, Mock AP US History Exam
8:30 am – 3:30 pm, End of Term / Half-Day PD & Half-Day Records Day / No School for Students
6:00pm - 9:00pm, Locked In All-Star Games (Boys & Girls)

Sat Apr 6

7:00am - 3:00pm, JROTC Leadership Competition
9:00am - 12:00pm, DC CAPE & Crepes Saturday

Upcoming Events

Mon Apr 8

11:30am - 12:45pm, NAF Student Leadership Applications
11:45am - 12:30pm, Board Games in the Atrium
2:30pm - 3:30pm, NCAA Recruiting Talk

Tue Apr 9

8:00am - 4:30pm, NAF First Aid/CPR/AED Training
11:45am - 12:30pm, Board Games in the Atrium (Tentative Schedule)
11:50am - 12:40pm, PERIL Student Leadership Workshop
11:50am - 12:35pm, NAF Monthly Academy Listening Session
3:45pm - 5:30pm, Credit Recovery
7:00pm - 8:30pm, Ward 3 Education Network

Wed Apr 10

11:45am - 12:30pm, Board Games in the Atrium (Tentative Schedule)
3:30pm - 4:30pm, UDC Tutoring After School
3:45pm - 5:30pm, Credit Recovery

Thu Apr 11

7:45am - 8:30am, JROTC Formation/Drills
8:00am - 3:30pm, 9th Grade Advisory Recruitment
11:45am - 12:30pm, Board Games in the Atrium
11:50am - 12:35pm, School Counseling Department Study Skills Group
3:30pm - 4:30pm, UDC Tutoring After School
3:45pm - 5:30pm, Credit Recovery

Fri Apr 12

All day, A-Day
8:00am - 3:30pm, 9th Grade Advisory Recruitment
11:45am - 12:30pm, Board Games in the Atrium

#TigerPride

Pictured above are our amazing Attendance Counselors and Attendance Champions highlighting students who have made significant progress on their in-seat attendance rate! Our ESOL Department also went on a field trip to visit the National Mall and got a chance to see the cherry blossoms blooming!

Athletics this Week

2024 AP Exam Administration

The 2024 AP exam administration will be held from Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 17. The AP exam schedule is set by College Board; see the full schedule here.

Students in AP courses should log into their College Board account and check under "My AP” to make sure that all of the AP courses they are enrolled in appear there.

Testing locations, arrival times, and school entrance to use will be announced in mid-April.

Requesting Late Testing

If a student has two AP exams on the same day or needs to request late-testing for another reason considered valid by College Board (see reasons here), they should come to see Ms. Levenson in the College and Career Center to change one of the exams to the late-testing administration, which will be held Wednesday, May 22 through Friday, May 24. See the late-testing schedule on the College Board website here.

AP Exams: Students with Accommodations

As messaged out in this newsletter in the fall, College Board’s deadline for requesting accommodations for AP exams was January 18, 2024.

If a student with accommodations wants to waive any of their accommodations, the parent/guardian must provide the request to waive in writing by emailing AP Coordinator Elizabeth Levenson, elizabeth.levenson@k12.dc.gov.

Looking for Additional AP Exam Proctors

Thank you very much to all those who have completed the interest form to be an AP exam proctor! Every AP proctor slot that is filled by a parent volunteer relieves a Jackson-Reed teacher or staff member of this duty, and we really appreciate it. Proctors hand out materials and monitor the exam rooms; training will be provided.

Elizabeth Levenson, AP Coordinator (elizabeth.levenson@k12.dc.gov)

NAF Academy Updates

Click here to see additional updates for J-R NAF Academies.

DC CAPE Tech Check – Wednesday 4/3, 2nd Period

This year, DC CAPE will be replacing PARCC as the standardized summative assessment for English, Math, and Biology classes. Students will need to use a DCPS-issued device for DC CAPE so if they have a DCPS computer that they do not regularly bring to school, please ask them to start bringing it next week as we will be conducting a DC CAPE “Tech Check” on Wednesday at the end of 2nd period. If students do not have a DCPS computer, they should go to the Help Desk in the atrium to check one out.

Student Recognition!

Winkelman, Naomi (DCPS)_thumbnail_image0 (1)

One of our Jackson-Reed students visited the 1790 DC Boundary Stone for some extra credit in Ms. Winkleman's DC History Course

The Medical Ascension Awards Ceremony on Saturday April 13, 2024 from 10:30am to 1:30pm at UDC will recognize Jackson-Reed's Salome Torress who has gained clinical skills and knowledge through the program. Students recognized will run their own health fair for their invited friends, family, and community guests , provide informed health group discussion, and earn certificates and white coats as their family and friends cheer them on! Congratulations!
Our AP Computer Science Principles class and AP Computer Science Applications classes are going to be joining one of our community partners, Association of American Colleges at their beautiful headquarters downtown for a day-long hackathon on April 3rd!

Events this Week!

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Gerhardt, Simona S. (DCPS)_Futsal_Week 2

Important 2024-2025 School Year Information

Course Request for SY 2024-2025

It’s course request time! Students will request courses for next school year through ASPEN this year. Please see below for resources to help you select courses by grade level. The course request period is open until April 12th. To assist you, the course descriptions can be found on our website at https://jacksonreedhs.org/course-catalog/. Please also use the school website to view the course pathways as well as our Academy pathways.

Be sure to check your transcript to review the courses you have already completed and received credit.

School Counselors will be visiting classes to assist students beginning March 25th for rising seniors, and April 1st for rising sophomores and rising juniors.

Steps/Help for Selecting Courses by Grade Level

Class of 2027 Current 9th graders (rising 10th): CLICK HERE
Class of 2026 Current 10th graders (rising 11th): CLICK HERE
Class of 2025 Current 11th graders (rising 12th): CLICK HERE

SY24-25 Enrollment – 100% Submitted by May 1st

Parent/Guardians can now submit enrollment forms and proof of residency for the upcoming 204-25 school year! Go to the enrolldcps.dc.gov website and follow the links to enroll. If you have issues with online enrollment, paper packets will be available at the school. Our school-wide goal is to have all students reenrolled by May 1^st. Families that submit their forms during the month of April will be given priority during course request and class scheduling. Additionally, the first 100 families that submit enrollment online will receive NEW JACKSON-REED SWAG!

Yearbook Reminders!

Kamara, Hawa (DCPS)_Purchase the 2024 JRHS Yearbook (1)

Attention all JRHS Senior Families!

There are a numerous amount of students who have not taken a senior photo with Prestige, or other companies. If you don't have a photo in a black Tux or black drape with a blue background, you will not be in the Yearbook. In addition, the last day to purchase an Ad space for Senior Shoutouts is on April 6th. All Yearbook and Ad Space purchases can be made on www.yearbookordercenter.com by entering the school code: 5676.

Jackson-Reed PTSO Announcements

Bridging Differences: A Facilitated Discussion for JRHS Parents/Guardians

On April 11, the JRHS PTSO will host a facilitated session for parents/guardians to share ideas for ways our school community can support all of our students amidst an ever-changing, and often polarizing, world. Please RSVP to attend so that the facilitator can anticipate the size of the group.

Survey: Help the PTSO Raise $500 by Answering Questions About Careers

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have offered our PTSO $500 in exchange for 100 responses from our community to a survey about the perceptions of parents of high school students regarding shop class, vocational/technical training, and careers in construction. The project is collecting data from schools in different metropolitan areas (Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington, Los Angeles, and New York City). See full details and share your perceptions:

Active Opportunities (Click to Access Opportunities Page)

Youth Agriculture & Career Expo April 19th (8am-5pm); April 20th (8am-3pm)

Join National Park Service volunteers on Sunday, April 7th from 1 PM - 3 PM

Community Service Opportunity: Sunday, April 14

We know it's during Spring Break but is an enjoyable way to earn service hours if you are staying in town!

The Washington Douglass Chorale, DC's first choral group reflecting the ethnic and racial diversity of the city, is looking for greeters and ushers for their performance on Sunday, April 14 at 5:00 pm at National Presbyterian Church in NW Washington, DC.

Students can receive community service hours AND enjoy a magical performance for free. The commitment would be from 4 pm through the end of the concert. Email lsommers38@gmail.com for more details.

Click here to read more about Washington Douglass Chorale!

April Youth Advisory Council (YAC) – Mentoring Program

Metro Transit Police Department (Youth Services Division) cordially invites you to SPEAK YOUR PEACE at our April Youth Advisory Council (YAC) – Mentoring Program. Students will be able to:

• Receive Community Service (Student Service Learning) hours for participation

• Receive a letter of recommendation upon completion of our Ambassador Program (8)

• Hear from special guest speakers and develop mentorships with our officers

• Speak their opinions on everyday matters and conflict while gaining insight on policing

• Receive a meal during the program

Location: WMATA Headquarters

300 7th Street SW

Washington, DC 20024

Date & Time: Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 5pm-7pm

Spring Cleaning at Soapstone Creek

Great community service opportunity available for students interested in gardening, working outside, and helping to beautify our campus. Mr. Steve Dryden, former Environmental Studies teacher at Wilson high school, will be working in conjunction with our fabulous Greenhouse club to weed, prune, clean, and remove invasive plant species at Soapstone Creek on the south side of our campus (next to the pool). Thursdays starting on 3/28 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Earn up to 10 community service hours over the next month. Email Mr. Minsker if you are interested in volunteering after school.

Additional Information

Click on the headings below to see more information about each area. Please see "UPDATED" or "NEW" areas accordingly.

Mary's Center Resources

March Flyer

Please see the attached Mary's Center monthly newsletter covering topics of depression, signs to look for, and tips to help someone with depression. Please reach out to Ms. Julianne with any questions at JMonroe@maryscenter.org

February Flyer

February is Teen Dating Violence and Healthy relationship awareness month. Please see attached newsletter from Mary’s Center for tips and tricks on how to facilitate open communication with your teens about healthy relationships and what to do when suspecting if your child is in an unhealthy relationship.

Virtual Car Seat Program

Mary's Center's Virtual Car Seat program offers free car seats for DC residents. Please see the flyers below for more information.

Immigration Support

Looking for consultation in regard to immigration? Mary's Center can help! Please find information regarding these free services within the flyers below.

DBH Clinician's Corner

Family Engagement Info.

PTSO News

We're continuing to work to meet our annual fundraising goal and depend on the support of our community so we can provide grants to students, teachers, and the school. Text “JRHS” to 44321 for a donation link OR visit the “parents” section of the Jackson-Reed website to learn how you can support the PTSO.

Meet Your JRHS PTSO Class Representatives

Class of 2024: Alisa Gogarty, Elizabeth Tsehai, jrhsclassof2024@gmail.com
Class of 2025: Steven Brown, Sejal Dave, jrclassof2025@gmail.com
Class of 2026: Alysa MacClellan, Susan Pultz, jrhsclassof2026@gmail.com
Class of 2027: Karl Khoury, Amy West, jrhsclassof2027@gmail.com

New Heights

New Heights Program for Expectant and Parenting Students at Jackson Reed

My name is Beth Perry and I am the New Heights coordinator for Jackson Reed. For those who do not know, New Heights is a DCPS program that works in all high schools, and lately some middle schools, to support student parents, both moms and dads, to stay in school, graduate, and gain parenting and child development skills. Another significant aspect of our work is to help students find childcare so they can return to school after giving birth. Working with our partners, we provide diapers and wipes (monthly), car seats, strollers, cribs, etc. We also hold workshops at the schools that not only focus on child development, but also post-graduation plans, how to be an advocate for you and your child, early childhood programs, and really any other topic the students are interested in. I coordinate with social workers, counselors and teachers at all my schools to create a community of support.

We accept donations in very good condition—especially baby clothes. We will begin our winter campaign to collect toiletries for our student parents. Besides the toiletries, the “bag” also includes books for the children. Next month I will make that information available for anyone who would like to help.

As a former Jackson Reed parent, and someone who had been working in the DCPS school system for over 10 years, I believe New Heights is an important program. I welcome any support and input. Please contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached at: beth.perry@k12.dc.gov

Clubs

Tech Support & Tiger TV Information

Tiger TVLive: Please Subscribe & Like

TigerTVLive is the YouTube channel that provides Free live coverage of athletic and other events at Jackson-Reed High School. We strive to provide live broadcast coverage of all home games. TigerTVLive broadcasts can be found by clicking here.

Jackson-Reed developed a relationship with the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Network that also broadcasts live and has Video On Demand (VOD). The NFHS Network Broadcasts all home games and games at participating NFHS schools. VOD memberships are free. Live view subscriptions are $11.99 a month or $79.99 annually. Subscribe to the Jackson-Reed NFHS Network here.

March 23, 2025