St. Joseph High School News 3/22/21-3/26/21
St. Joseph High School News
MME Testing Week:
Tues. 4/13
11th Graders - Take SAT - 7:30am-1:15pm @ SJHS
9th and 10th Graders - Take PSAT @ SJHS 7:45am-11:45am
12th Graders - Senior Career Day Experience - Virtual
Virtual Students - Will follow the same testing schedule above and report to SJHS where we will have designated testing areas for Virtual Students only.
Wed. 4/14
11th Graders - Take Work Keys Test - 7:30am-11:30am @SJHS
Virtual Students - Will follow the same testing schedule above and report to SJHS where we will have designated testing areas for Virtual Students only.
Thurs. 4/15
11th Graders - Take M-Step
Last Names - Alexander through Klitchman - 9am-11am @ SJHS
Last Names - Konopacki through Yeager - 12-2pm @ SJHS
Virtual Students - Will follow the same testing schedule above and report to SJHS where we will have designated testing areas for Virtual Students only.
Key Club News:
For the first time in SLC history, the 2021 Key Club Service Leadership Conference was held VIRTUALLY. Michigan high school Key Club members from 33 different high schools came together to celebrate the service work they accomplished this extraordinary year. Awards are given to outstanding leaders at the club and state level for their hard work and for exceptional individual club
projects. Members also participated in service workshops online, leadership training, fundraising idea
workshops, K-Fam relations, and more!
Our club brought home 1st Place Single Service Award - Caring Circle Partnership (write-up of the project is attached below)
We are representing our whole Division, as Hannah Bogner was elected an International Trustee! We look forward to her leadership for the State of Michigan Key Clubbers and we are so proud!
And last but certainly not least, a HUGE thank you to our past Executive Board members for their year of dedication and service:
Hannah Bogner - 2019-20 DISTRICT EDITOR
Katie Hokanson - 2019-20 PROJECTS CHAIR
Congratulations to all these hard working members! WAY TO GO BEARS!
Caring Circle Partnership, Single Service Award
The St. Joseph High School Key Club has been working with Caring Circle for the last few years but
this year we really increased our partnership as the pandemic has been especially hard on our health
care heroes. This project was broken into 3 parts. During one of our remote teaching breaks this
winter, members picked up blanket kits from school and made blankets on their own at home. They
brought them back to school and we stockpiled them to be added to our donation in March. These
blankets are given to patients as they enter hospice and remain with them throughout their time at
hospice. Then that blanket is donated to the patient’s family. This gift is very meaningful as it is often
the last object to be close to their loved one. Then on March 3, 2021 the St. Joseph High School Key
Club created 75 thank you cards filled with encouraging words for the health care employees and
delivered them with chocolates the next afternoon. Finally, on March 14, 2021 the club met with the
Lakeshore High School Key Club at Caring Circle to make more tie blankets for the hospice patients.
Prom:
Over the last couple of weeks we have been doing our homework on end of school year events and activities,
usually pertaining to our Seniors. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) along
with the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals have given the ok for Prom with the following
current restrictions.
Restrictions:
Event must be held outdoors to maximize capacity.
Masks must be worn at event at all times.
Limited to 300 attendees including chaperones.
Rapid testing may be required in order to attend.
With the current restrictions, we will not be able to accommodate all Sr. and Jr. at SJHS. Please see Prom FAQs,
Prom FAQs, for more information.
Also, I would like to share that this Prom will not be like any Prom we have had in previous years. Meaning, not knowing how Covid might impact our Prom plans and the fact that weather could be a factor, I would not recommend getting carried away with expensive dresses and tuxedo rentals as we cannot predict whether this event will even occur at this time. Please use your discretion.
Last, please know this is an optional event and if you or your family has any reservations because of Covid and
safety concerns then I would not attend this optional event.
Seniors and Senior Parents:
Senior Parents,
The 2021 Senior Class Parent Committee is hard at work planning a fabulous end of the school year for
our seniors.
Here’s what they have planned:
4 Week Countdown - weekly surprises for the seniors beginning in May
Senior Celebration - this is taking the place of the Senior Dinner Dance and the All Night Party immediately following graduation, on Sunday, June 6th. Students will be bused immediately following the ceremony to a surprise location. Every senior student, in school and virtual, is invited to this free and semi-formal event.
Volunteers are needed for all events. If interested, please click on this link.
Senior Scholarship Opportunities:
SENIORS - some great scholarship opportunities have extended deadlines. Please check out Berrien Community Foundation website and get those submitted!
https://www.berriencommunity.org/scholar#Saint%20Joseph
And check out many more scholarships listed on the SJHS Guidance Website:
https://sjschools.org/guidance/scholarships/scholarship-applications-deadlines
Guidance Office News:
GUIDANCE NEWS
PERSEVERANCE is our theme for March
As we adjust to the time change, inch closer to Spring Break and the end of the 3rd marking
period, we must continue to persevere. This is the time to dig in and finish strong. We know
that this can be a challenge.
If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out!
Please remember to check our family google site regularly for updates.
What's New This Week in COVID-19, Guidance & SEL:
In the Community Resources section:
We had the privilege of a recent visit from the Out Center highlighting resources.
Mosaic Health & Healing Arts - Family medical practice openly welcoming LGBTQ people - located in Goshen, IN
Family Acceptance Project - supporting youth in coming out to family
GLSEN - advocating for LGBTQ students
The Trevor Project - crisis intervention & suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth
In the Counseling Resources section:
Free Counseling at Andrews University Community Counseling Center -
telehealth visits available within a week or two; located in Berrien Springs, MI (269-471-6238)
What’s Happening at School:
At Upton we have motivational quotes about perseverance on our hall calendar.
We’ve also had Mr. Leonard’s 6th grade classes working on designing t-shirts to highlight
people being ‘more than a label’. Another way that we are honoring Mr. Leonard is through a
friendly homeroom competition for a good cause. Our students are encouraged to bring in
donations (starting Monday 3/22) for a “March Madness” fundraiser for the American Heart
Association & Mr. Leonard’s family.
Please remember we are here to support you - reach out if you have a question/concern:
guidance@stjoebears.com
Interact News:
Way to go SJHS Interact Club!! Fundraising Director, Breanne Pratley, presented a check to the Berrien Community Foundation for $737.50 to go directly to the Southwest Michigan Cares Fund for COVID relief in Berrien County.
DECA News:
The St. Joseph DECA Chapter had 26 students compete in the Virtual State Career Development Conference
Tuesday March 9th-Friday March 12th. St. Joseph High School was also awarded the “Gimme 5” award for
growing our chapter by five members this school year. Our students competed in events related to marketing,
finance, hospitality and management.
We had 5 finalists for our Chapter this year who all received red, white and blue medallions:
Grace Portenga- Apparel & Accessories Marketing
Mason Haught & Matt Owen- Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making
Sophia Arent & Savana Glisson - Ethics Team Event
In addition, we are proud to announce that Madison Jackson has qualified for the International Career Development Conference which will be held virtually April 12th- May 6th. Madison competed in the Independent Business Plan where she presented a full scale Business plan of her company “Mindful Eats”.
Madison received a red, white and blue medallion, coveted DECA glass award and a chance to compete at the ICDC competition.
Scholastic Art Awards: Congratulations!!
We are pleased to announce that Sophia Confer has earned national recognition in the Scholastic Art Awards
of 2021. Sophie is currently a CTE Student in our Graphic Arts Program and an AP Design student next
year. This year, nearly 320,000 works of art and writing were submitted. Only the top 1% were recognized at
the national level. This year, nearly 320,000 works of art and writing were submitted. Only the top 1% were
recognized at the national level. These student's work will be exhibited at world famous Carnegie Hall in
New York City. Her name and accomplishment will also be engraved on our Scholastic Hall of Fame plaque
in the high school art room. If you see Sophie please congratulate her on the prestigious accomplishment!
Athletics:
Monday:
None
Tuesday:
None
Wednesday:
7:00 Girls Varsity Basketball vs. K. Central @ K. Central/Districts
Thursday:
7:00 Boys Varsity Basketball Semi Final Game vs. TBD
Friday:
TBD State Swim and Dive Finals @ Hamilton H.S.
6:00 Girls District Basketball Championship @ K. Central
Saturday:
TBD State Swim and Dive Finals @ Holland Aquatic Center
TBD Individual Regional Wrestling @ Mason
6:00 Boys District Basketball Championship
Upcoming Events:
3/24 - Wed. - 1 Hr. Late Start
