Editor:
In response to the editorial in the Jan. 7 edition, Sweet Home Junior High is committed to preparing every student for future success. The junior high does an outstanding job preparing kids academically, but it doesn’t stop there. Every educator at the junior high is also committed to promoting responsible and respectful behaviors that build character and pride in each of our young adults.
Sweet Home Junior High accepts the task of promoting responsible student behavior both socially and academically. We welcome the task of having students understand what constitutes responsible behavior and the consequences for irresponsible behavior, and we take on the challenge of showing students the power of character, kindness, and good sportsmanship.
The junior high promotes responsible, respectful, and kind behaviors in a variety of ways utilizing the PBIS framework. SHJH takes great pride its PBIS program. We have several branches of our PBIS program, which promote character in each student. Some of our branches are Tiger Pride Tickets, Citizenship Celebrations, Achievement Award Field Trips, and our Be Kind program.
Along with these school PBIS programs, we also promote character through weekly Homeroom activities, peer to peer mentoring, JAG student government, TLC leadership class and all of our athletic programs, which are committed to building character and good sportsmanship. SHJH understands the challenges of molding adolescence for their future.
A PBIS program at a junior high or at a high school might not look the same as one that is run at an elementary school. Motivating 14-year-old students looks different than motivating 8-year-old students, after all, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t as committed to the high standards of academic and behavioral performance of each of our students, and all the positives that go along with it.
Josh Dargis
Assistant Principal
Sweet Home Junior High School