Last week, a group of our JCHS Ag students visited the Agronomy Innovation Center at Rend Lake College. Our students learned about their program and classes they are offer, in addition to all the community outreach opportunities they participate in and host!
Students were able to see new technology advancements in agriculture through many different activities and visual aids during our personal visit. The students had a blast running the sprayer on the side-by-side and driving the self-steering tractor!
This group had a great time and can't wait to go back next year!
Friendly reminder to parents/guardians,
This Thursday, May 1st, there will be an information meeting for families with a child entering Kindergarten the 2025-2026 school year. This meeting will take place at Jefferson Elementary School starting at 6 p.m.
To be eligible for Kindergarten, children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025.
Registration packets will be provided at this upcoming meeting. If you have any questions, call Jefferson School at 618-983-7561.
LETS GO, MATH TEAM!
Our math team is away today taking part in the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) High School State Math Competition being held at the University of Illinois in Normal.
These students have put in countless hours practicing and preparing for this day. Our JCHS math team has a long-standing reputation for being one of the best in the state, and our current members are continuing that tradition of excellence.
We're so proud of our JCHS students who are pursuing a career in healthcare.
This hardworking and dedicated group of students were recognized during special ceremonies at the high school today.
The large group photo highlights our students who received a speciality pin for their Emergency Medical Responder certification. Meanwhile, individual photos showcase our students who received a certification as a pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, or direct support professional.
Our students are gaining valuable, hands-on training before graduating high school, so they be prepared for a future career in healthcare.
Our WMS 8th grade student leaders are stepping up and guiding their peers to success! These students worked together to create and present the latest Habitudes lesson, focusing on important social-emotional skills that help build character, leadership, and resilience.
By leading small group discussions, they are not only strengthening their own skills but also inspiring and empowering their younger classmates. Way to go, 8th graders—your leadership is making a difference!
Construction at Jefferson Elementary School is making significant progress. This project includes renovations and expansions to the building.
Read more here: https://www.jcindians.org/article/2165924
It's a BEAUTIFUL Spring day! We're seeing some sunshine, the birds are chirping, and the temperatures are starting to warm up 🌞🐦
At Lincoln Elementary, our students along with our parent mentors spent some valuable time outside on Tuesday for Earth Day. 🌎🌏 They participated in fun activities like creating DIY reusable bags, planting seeds, and an environmentally friendly science experiment making Oobleck.
Our kiddos went home with a flyer sharing “art from trash” craft project ideas as well as a list of ways that kids can reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Who said drawing on the walls is okay? In this case, Mr. Kee did!
The second grade teacher snapped photos of his students drawings on the hallway walls outside of his classroom. 🖍🖍 This wall will be demolished and expanded as part of a renovation project at Jefferson elementary.
These 2nd graders left some sweet messages like, "Love this Class," and colorful drawings of Easter eggs, flowers and even our solar system.
Adventure is alive in Mr. Harris' class at Washington Middle School!
Students are diving into an upgraded role-playing board game with an old school classroom twist: THE OREGON TRAIL!
Students are building characters, solving challenges, and using strategy, teamwork, and creativity to navigate their 45 day story-driven quest along the Oregon Trail.
JCHS alumnus Cade Cockburn is recognized as a 2025 SIU System Distinguished Service Award recipients.
On April 17th, the SIU Board of Trustees and the Student Advisory Council for the SIU System (SACSS) honored outstanding students in the SIU System. They selected Cockburn as Carbondale's graduate student recipient.
Cade graduated from JCHS in 2021, as one of four Valedictorians. Additionally while at JCHS, he served as the Student Body President, President of the George R. Kee Chapter of the National Honor Society, and FFA President.
Since graduating from JCHS, Cade has been a student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He was a recipient of the university’s most prestigious undergraduate award, the Chancellor’s Scholarship, which was valued at more than $103,000.
As an undergraduate, Cade was a Saluki Ambassador, Agbassador, and a member of the Student Alumni Council. He held student employee positions in both SIU Undergraduate Admissions and the SIU Alumni Association. He graduated in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems and Education & Agribusiness Economics.
Cade is now a graduate student at SIU pursuing a Master of Science in Business Analytics, which he is set to graduate with in August 2025. He currently works for SIU Undergraduate Admissions as the department’s Graduate Assistant.
Cade's mother, Channa Cockburn, works as a Special Education teacher at Johnston City High School. Her hope is to show our current students that with hard work and grit, they can achieve anything they set their minds to!
You can read more here: https://news.siu.edu/2025/04/042125-three-siu-carbondale-students-receive-2025-siu-system-distinguished-student-service-awards.php
We're continuing to highlight April as Mathematics Awareness Month.
Mrs. McCluskie’s 7th grade class at Washington Middle School took math to the next level by practicing percentages with an M&M activity!
Students used colorful candies to calculate percentages in a fun, hands-on way that made learning both engaging and delicious. Who knew math could taste this good? 📊🍫
JCHS students continue to volunteer for the food distribution at the First United Methodist Church.
This is the third month in a row that students have volunteered to unload the truck from the St. Louis Area Food Bank, hand out perishable and non-perishable items, and help carry food to cars.
In case you missed it, our schools will have early dismissal today, Thursday, April 17th. The elementary schools and middle school will dismiss at 1:50 p.m. Johnston City High School will
dismiss at 2 p.m.
There is no school tomorrow Friday, April 18th, and there is no school Monday, April 21st.
Enjoy your break and we will see back in the classroom Tuesday, April 22nd!
The Shawnee Region - Illinois Principals Association hosted its annual Student Recognition Dinner at SIU last night. Each principal can nominate two students from exiting grades based on scholarship, character, leadership, or other traits deemed important to their school.
Students left to right: Alexandria Carpenter (8th grade), Patrick Sims (8th grade), Haedyn Lewis (4th grade), Britlynn Williams (4th grade), Kylie Dugger (12th grade), Chase McReynolds (12th grade).
Lincoln Elementary Principal Michelle Smiley, "They are both outstanding 4th grade students who are hardworking, polite and they never give up and they are both great assets to our building!"
Washington Middle School Principal Kristina Armes, "They are both amazing 8th graders that are driven by heart and purpose. They give service and provide leadership, they don’t just make a difference; they make our school a better place for everyone.”
Johnston City High School Principal Kristi Schell, "Kylie and Chase excel in academics and are also involved in extracurricular activities, community service, and serve as leaders at JCHS. We are very proud of all their accomplishments. "
Students at Jefferson Elementary are celebrating Heart Week.
The school has been raising funds for the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge. Students have also been learning life lessons like getting active, asking for help, resting well, and being kind.
To celebrate, students had the chance to wear their pajamas to school today. Here's a look at Mr. Kee and Mrs. Cheers' classes in their comfy PJs.
Last week, FFA members attended SIU's Livestock Judging competition. There were approximately 300 students from across Southern Illinois in attendance!
While all of our FFA members in attendance did great, we had a couple students that stood out in our group. Gracie Barker placed 40th in Varsity and Sophia Altier placed 31st in Junior Varsity.
REMINDER: Tomorrow is the deadline to sign-up for the new basketball program for all students in the 2nd - 6th grade. Please fill out the form and have your child turn it into their school.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r37ReF0q2HerRISsBdRuLYDauTnyoIv_EYHGG0XM48A/edit?tab=t.0
Parents/Guardians,
A friendly reminder our schools will have early dismissal tomorrow, Thursday, April 17th. The elementary schools and middle school will dismiss at 1:50 p.m. Johnston City High School will dismiss at 2 p.m.
There is no school Friday, April 18th, and there is no school Monday, April 21st.
Enjoy your break and we will see back in the classroom Tuesday, April 22nd!
❤️ It's Day two for Jefferson Elementary's Heart week! 🖤
Students are continuing to dress up to spread more awareness about the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge. Recently, our students learned Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of a stroke.
Today students celebrated their new skills by wearing their favorite superhero gear, including 1st graders in Ms. Smith's class and Kindergartners in Mrs. Cheers' class who are showing off their SUPER-sized muscles! 💪
At Lincoln Jefferson, Mrs. Cheers uses several classroom management strategies to ensure students are ready for learning.
Every day, her class starts with meditation by doing some vagus nerve stimulation, which is known to reduce stress and improve mood. Then, it's circle time with a Native American talking stick where students take turns sharing and responding to a question of the day!
Mrs. Cheers also uses natural lighting, alternative seating, and sign language and allows students to wear slippers for comfort!
