Hellllllooooooo Vikings!
Be prepared and get comfortable…there is A LOT OF INFORMATION IN THIS EMAIL!
Well, here it is…the email that signals the summer is coming to an end. As always, the time goes by way too quickly, but I hope all of you had time to relax and connect with those things you find most meaningful. I am so very excited to have teachers and students back in the building. Summer is great, but it gets a little quiet and lonely around here. We have been working all summer and there are some changes coming. I hope you know how hard we work to try and create the best possible school experience for your students. We want your students to feel confident and find success in junior high. This Bonneville community has taught me so much over the past two years and I am beyond proud and grateful to be your principal. I cannot wait for this school year…the growth and achievement from last year has been outstanding. Thank you for your continued support and sharing your amazing students with us. Here’s to a fabulous 2023-2024!
At the end of July, we sent out a mailer to all our families. I am hoping that you received this. If for some reason you did not, you may be a new enrollment and we didn’t have your address at the time OR the address we have on file is not current. This is a great time to check with Mrs. Erickson, our registrar, to make sure we have the correct address. Our registration process opens August 1st and will be completed online. You should have received communication from Granite School District about our new student information system, FOCUS. Every parent/guardian will be required to create a new account. We have also posted all instructions and materials on our school webpage for easy access. If you need help, the school is open each day from 8-3.
For those of you with incoming 6th graders or new students…you are 100% welcome to come to the building any time before school starts to get familiar and explore! We are open each day from 8-3. Please feel free to come and visit and get to know the hallways of Bonneville!
I know that with registration also comes the excitement, nervousness, and potential worry over class schedules. Our goal is to provide every student with what they need to succeed academically. Our counselors returned to work this week and have been working diligently to return emails and phone calls, meet with new students, and work with students and families on schedule changes. This is on top of their required district meetings and trainings. Please be patient and work with your counselor to address your student’s needs. Due to schedule constraints, we are not always able to provide students with their desired class or teacher. When requesting a schedule change, please note there are two types of changes: Required Schedule Changes and Elective Schedule Changes. Required Schedule Changes are the changes that need to take place to ensure that a student is getting a complete educational experience. Examples: Missing a required core class, not having a full schedule, etc. Elective Schedule Changes are the changes which a student may want but are not a result of a scheduling mistake or missing core class. Examples: Requesting a different teacher, requesting a different class period, changing elective classes, etc. Elective schedule changes are based on availability and not guaranteed. If changes are not made, please know that we tried but the schedule change was not possible.
Thank you again for being such an outstanding community! Bonneville has my heart and I am looking forward to an incredible year!
2 Significant Changes
Bonneville’s Dress Code Policy and Cell Phone Policy have been updated and changed for this coming school year. I know that some of this may be an adjustment but wanted to communicate clearly. Please understand the amount of time, effort, and input we considered to create these policies. I can speak honestly for both Mrs. Haider and me that we truly want your students to have a wonderful junior high experience and feel good about coming to school.
I have attached the Dress Code Policy as its own document and an FAQ about cell phones. Below is a more in-depth explanation in regard to cell phones.
As educators, we are constantly striving to create a positive and productive learning environment for our students. Recently, we have noticed that the presence of cell phones and headphones in the classroom are hindering this objective. After careful consideration, including discussions with school leadership, community members, and our neighboring schools, we are implementing a school-wide ban on these electronic communication devices in classes, hallways and bathrooms starting the 2023-2024 school year. Students may use these devices before school, after school, and at lunch. Basically, we are asking students to put these devices away when it’s time to focus on learning so everyone can be more engaged and connected to our Bonneville community.
We understand these devices are an important part of modern life and provide numerous benefits such as easy communication, access to information and entertainment. We also understand how important they are to our students. However, they are also causing distractions, disruptions, and even safety concerns in the classroom, hallways, and bathrooms. Research shows that students who use their phones during class tend to perform worse academically than those who do not. Cell phone and headphone use can also cause disruptions during lessons and affect the overall learning environment for other students.
We also acknowledge that you, as parents/guardians, may have some concerns about what this will look like as far as getting in touch with your student(s). To help with this, we have included a Frequently Asked Questions page. However, if you have a question or concern that is not addressed there, please let us know. We want to make sure we have addressed everything we can think of prior to the first day of school.
If a student’s electronic device is confiscated it will be delivered to the main office. Students will be allowed to retrieve their device at the end of the day for the first and second offense. A parent or guardian will need to pick up the device on the 3rd and subsequent offenses.
We understand that this decision may be inconvenient for some families, but we believe it is in the best interest of our students. We encourage you to work with us as we teach our students to responsibly use electronic devices to create a distraction-free learning environment. Again, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details and don’t hesitate to reach out with additional concerns.
1st Day of School
School begins, Wednesday, August 16th. In Granite, we are trying something new this year with our incoming 6th grade students. We fully understand this is a new format and want to at least give it a try! On the first day of school 6th GRADE STUDENTS ONLY will begin school at 7:45 AM. Parents, please bring your kids to school, take some pictures, get excited with them, and then let them explore on their own. This event is taking place of our 6th Grade Orientation that was held each year before school started. We will welcome your 6th graders into the auditorium and then they will be involved in activities until school begins at 9:45 AM
Parents of 7th and 8th grade students…YOUR STUDENTS WILL BEGIN SCHOOL AT 9:45 AM. Please DO NOT drop your students off early on this day. All of our teachers and staff will be working with the 6th grade students. Let’s all work together to make this a great experience for our youngest Vikings.
If you ride a bus, bus routes will run twice that morning. The first route will run at the correct time and the late start students will pick up the second route which will run 2 hours later.
ALL STUDENTS WILL FINSIH SCHOOL AT 2:45
Lockers
Student lockers are optional this school year. They are not required, and students will have the option to carry their backpack. Keep in mind that backpacks are not allowed in the lunchroom and they MUST be stored in another space…NOT THE HALLWAY!
If you would like to sign up for a locker please click on the link https://forms.gle/wbLpRWi9DynVHgUa9 However or scan the QR code to complete the form
Mrs. Chapman will need a couple of days to get the information entered into the system but will then notify you by email with the locker assignment and combination. You are welcome to come in before school starts and practice on your locker as much as you need to. You can also wait until school begins to complete a locker request form.
Spanish Teacher and Other Job Postings
I am wanting to share information and be transparent about our current Spanish teaching position. Our wonderful Senora Jensen moved over the summer with her family. I have been posting for a part-time Spanish position since May. As of now, we have not been able to fill this position. If I am unable to fill the position, we will have to make a very hard decision that could include not offering Spanish this school year. When a final decision is made, I will let you know. If you know ANYONE that has a degree in Spanish and potentially some teaching experience and would like a part-time job…PLEASE encourage them to apply at https://www.applitrack.com/graniteschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?AppliTrackPostingSearch=location:%22BONNEVILLE+JR.+HIGH%22
We are in desperate need of paraeducators to work in our Special Education classes as well. Currently, we have 29 hours/week positions which are paid hourly and 40 hours/week positions with a salary and benefits. Please consider applying and working with some amazing students and teachers. You can click on the same link above for these positions.
School Community Council (SCC)
Bonneville Junior High will have 5 openings for the 2023-2024 school year on our School Community Council. If you are interested in applying please complete the attached form and return it to the school or email me directly with the completed form at jjohnson@graniteschools.org. Applications are due by August 17th. If elections are necessary, they will be held August 22nd-24th.
Declaration of Candidacy – English
Declaration of Candidacy – Spanish
Immunization Clinic
Scheduled for Thursday, August 3rd 9:00-12:00. Please come to the school at this time for assistance.
Save the Date
Back to School Night for the whole family! Wednesday, August 23rd from 5-7 PM. Come meet your teachers, sign-up to volunteer and get involved, grab a treat, and see what Bonneville has to offer!
Bonneville Goals for 2023-2024
Each year our school leadership team, community council, and administration work to articulate our school goals and focus. These goals help drive our professional development, what we focus on with our students, and how we spend allotted money. We have 3 goals for the 2023-2024 school year:
#1. Improve Reading Proficiency
#2. Improve Student Sense of Belonging
#3. Increase Faculty Peer Observations.
Please help to support and encourage these goals at home with your student. Your student’s success and happiness are extremely important to us and we will work diligently throughout the year to promote these goals.
PTSA
During the registration process we encourage you to join our PTSA! Additionally, our PTSA is encouraging a “suggested activities donation” this year when you pay your school fees. This is completely OPTIONAL, but it will go 100% to our students! Michelle Call is our amazing PTSA President this year and she is excited to be involved and help build our community at Bonneville! Michelle’s e-mail is michellecall@ymail.com If you are interested in volunteering, becoming a community partner, or know of businesses that are willing to be involved and donate…PLEASE E-MAIL HER!
School Lunch
In order to qualify for free/reduced lunch you must apply at www.myschoolapps.com. Also, if you would like to pre-pay for school meals please visit www.paypams.com to create an account or add money to your existing account.
Counselor Comments
Sarah Jensen, School Counselor- A-H sjensen3@graniteschools.org.
Emily Gale, School Counselor Intern- I-L edgale@graniteschools.org
Stacy Wood, School Counselor- M-Z srwood@graniteschools.org
Follow us to keep updated on school information!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BonnevilleJunior
Instagram: @bjh_vikings and @bjhcounseling
I know this is A LOT of information and I appreciate you taking the time to read and be informed.
We are going to have a great year. I am so excited to get back in school and get working with your students!
GO VIKINGS!
Jen Johnson, Principal
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