BUZZThe

at PJHS

ADMINISTRATION

ISSUE 1FEBRUARY 2016

Brent Swartzmiller, Principal

Don Christie, Assistant Principal

Dwight Fertig, Assistant Principal

Cindy Nutter, Dean

PERRYSBURG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

550 E. South BoundaryPerrysburg, OH 43551

419-874-9193

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGEDear Parents and Guardians,

Surveys sent to parents and community members shared that printed newsletters are still desired. Most of us like the ease of sending and receiving electronic newsletters, but many of us still appreciates getting the printed newsletter from our schools. As a result, we investigated options for a printed newsletter to be mailed to your homes.

We will have a total of three mailed newsletters to end this school year. Our hope is that this will help in communicating important information to you, while also highlighting the many great things that are taking place within our building. We will continue to send the PJHS Daily Update to you every day. This will remain a great resource for you to find announcements and upcoming events. This newsletter will not replace these updates.

There has been a positive energy in our building this year, strengthening our excitement in working with you as partners in your child’s education. As partners, we look forward to the joys and challenges we will face in helping your child reach his/her full potential. Working together, our children have the best opportunity to attain this goal. With mutual respect and open lines of communication, your child’s learning possibilities are endless! Together, we CAN and WILL make a difference.

We will continue to exert extra effort in strengthening home-school communication. If you have specific questions, concerns or simply want to share your insights, please do not hesitate to contact our school. Our goal is to improve daily, which can only happen with your support, confidence and wisdom.

Respectfully,

Mr. Brent Swartzmiller, Principalbswartzmiller@perrsburgschools.net

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FROM THE DEAN’S DESKAttendance InformationWe are very proud of your child’s attendance! We recently recognized 682 junior high students for their excellent attendance during semester one! Those students who missed no more than two days for the first half of the school year were recently given a certificate during their AO period. Way to go students!

Attendance LettersHave you received an attendance letter? It is our policy to keep parents informed regarding their child’s attendance at school. Parents are notified throughout the school year when a student accumulates five, ten, twelve and fifteen and more absences.

PCA FormsPlease remember to complete a personal convenience absence form (PCA) for any planned trip so that these can be marked as excused absences. The forms are available online at the Perrysburg Schools’ web site (www.perrysburgschools.net) under the Parent tab or can be picked up in the junior high guidance office.

Doctor’s NotesPlease send a doctor’s note when your child returns to school after any medical appointments or sick visits. These notes should be brought to the attendance office so that we are informed that their absence is for a medical reason. Thanks for your help with this.

Cindy Nutter, Dean of Students

THE COUNSELOR’S CORNERThe first semester at PJH was awesome! The school counselors, along with our counselor intern Mr. Clark Ausloos, have been conducting various groups on dealing with anger management (6th), divorce/separation (7th), friendship skills (6th), grief (6th & 8th), new students (6th, 7th & 8th), stress (8th) and study skills (6th). Groups help students process their feelings in positive ways and let them know that they are not alone. Thank you parents, guardians, teachers and staff for allowing students to participate in these groups.

Here are a few important dates and events during second semester:• Feb. 16, 17 and 18: The high school counselors will be visiting 8th grade Social

Studies classes to complete registration for freshman year. Feb. 19 will serve as a make-up day, in the event of a delay or cancellation.

• March 3: The 8th grade will take a field trip to Penta Career Center for the 8th grade Career Expo. Students will learn about various career options and potential career paths.

• April 8: Frosh Fest for 8th grade students. They travel to the high school for half of the day. They will take tours, play games and learn about all of the activities offered at the high school.

• OhioMeansJobs: This is a great web site for your child to explore careers and future jobs. Here is the web site: https://jobseeker.k-12.ohiomeansjobs.monster.com/seeker.aspx. To learn more about this web site, click on “Take the Guided Tour”.

Your School Counseling Team,Andrea Monheim, 6th GradeTom Przybylski, 7th GradeNicole Wagner, 8th GradeClark Ausloos, Intern from the University of Toledo

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TOO SICK FOR SCHOOL?While we are in the middle of cold and flu season, there are still many other illnesses that may result in the need to stay home from school. Students who return too soon after an illness do not learn well and may expose other students to the illness. A student with diabetes, asthma or a weakened immune system will miss much more school time and require a longer recovery period from an illness than students without those underlying complications. Any time your student is ill he or she should stay home until:

• Fever free for 24 hours, below 100.0 degrees, without fever lowering medication like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin.

• 24 hours since the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea AND a normal diet has resumed.

• 24 hours after an antibiotic started for a bacterial infection such as strep throat, impetigo or pinkeye.

• When a physician certifies with a note stating that your child is able to return to school.

Failure to follow these guidelines means that your child will be sent home until recovery is complete.

Remember, practicing good hand washing techniques will make it a habit and will greatly reduce the risk of catching an illness. Also, teaching children “Do not touch the T-Zone” will help keep germs away. The T-Zone is any area near the eyes, nose and mouth. An even better way is to teach them not to touch their face, without washing their hands first.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me in the clinic: 419-874-9193, Ext. 4011.

Jodi PeralesPJHS Nurse

The Buzz At PHJSFebruary 2016 • Issue 1Perrysburg Junior High School550 E. South BoundaryPerrysburg, OH 43551

4The musicians of PJH are buzzing around preparing for upcoming performances, musical rehearsals are in full swing and area honors groups are swarming with students from Perrysburg Junior High. Every morning, the auditioned ensembles of PJH can be heard filling the halls with the smooth sounds of our Jazz Band, the beautiful melodies of the AO orchestra and the pulse-pounding dance beats of our very own Golden Jacket Show Choir. Of course, the PJH pep band has also been adding their own brand of Jacket Spirit by revving up the crowds at basketball games!

AO Orchestra

This year’s long-anticipated junior high musical production of Bye Bye Birdie is right around the corner with shows on February 19th, 20th and 21st. You don’t want to miss these junior high students all decked out in the rockin’ styles of the 50’s! Classics such as “One Last Kiss” and “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” are sure to delight audiences of all ages. Tickets go on sale February 16th and 17th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at PJH.

Bye Bye Birdie Rehearsal

MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWSThank you to the music booster groups for supporting the endeavors of our young musicians! The Perrysburg Schools Band Boosters and The Perrysburg Orchestra Boosters award private lesson scholarships each year to PJH students. For the band, students fill out an application and write two short essays about their role in the PJH Band and how they feel the scholarship will help their music education. The applications and surveys are sent to a committee of teachers and community members for selection. This year’s PJH winners are: CJ Darr (6th, alto saxophone), Kieffer Doore (7th, baritone saxophone), Peter Erlenbusch (7th, trombone), Ethan Gruden (6th, percussion), Evan Hastings (7th, trumpet), Abbey Hudak (6th, alto saxophone), Emily Kernz (6th, clarinet), Karen Li (6th, flute), Abigail Ludwig (6th, flute), Lydia Mackiewicz (6th, percussion), Koen Masell (6th, percussion), Keith Ohanian (6th, trombone), Cade Pavlica (6th, trumpet), Will Swartzbeck (6th, clarinet) and Samantha Rettig (6th, clarinet).

For the orchestra, students completed an application and answered three short essay questions about their instrument, orchestra class and why they want to take private lessons. A panel of orchestra booster judges selected the top 25 applications submitted by students in grades 5-12. This year’s PJH winners are: Ian Russell (6th, violin), Grace Garee (6th, cello), Logan Johnson (6th, viola), Dominik Persiani (7th, viola), Daisy Schwind (7th, cello), Kathryn Fisher (7th, violin), Emily Cox (7th, cello), Quinn Baumgartner (7th, violin), Sydney Staats (7th, violin), Nathan Wiley (7th, viola), Megan Rogers (8th, cello), Connor Vaughan (8th, cello), Annika Keeton (8th, violin), Chloe Johnson (8th, violin), Sierra Hickerson (8th, cello) and Michelle Huynh (8th, violin).

There is never a shortage of PJH musicians represented at area honors festivals and performances. Congratulations to our fine musicians for being selected for these prestigious groups!

Wood County Honor Band Nineteen PJH band students were selected to represent Perrysburg in the Wood County Honor Band. These students attended two rehearsals with students from every junior high band in Wood County. The performance was at the Bowling Green Center for the Performing Arts.

5MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWSThe Wood County Honor Band students selected are: Tina Dong (flute), Ellis French (bassoon), Leah DiRubio (clarinet), Noah Palicki (clarinet), Nicole Stepp (clarinet), Abigail Connell (bass clarinet), Jerrick Ban (alto saxophone), Faith Obaob (alto saxophone), Kieffer Doore (baritone saxophone), Evan Hastings (trumpet), Chase Mackiewicz (trumpet), Stephen Morris (trumpet), Alex Murray (trumpet), Marah Pollock (trombone), Adam Mgebroff (tuba), Jack Terry (tuba), Mackenzie Bailey (percussion), Joshua Boyers (percussion) and Anabel Rossi (percussion).

BGSU Junior High Honor Band Tina Dong (flute), Noah Palicki (clarinet) and George Willis (baritone saxophone) were selected to perform in this year’s Bowling Green State University Junior High Honor Band. This group included students from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. They gave a performance in Kobacker Hall in the Moore Musical Arts Center at BGSU.

OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) Honors FestivalEvery year, band, orchestra and choir students from all over Northwest Ohio vie for a spot in the coveted Honors Band, Honors Choir and Honors Orchestra ensembles. Choir and orchestra students are nominated by their directors and band students submit a recording of two pieces of music for their audition. Only the top-ranked students from each participating school are selected to be a part of these all-star ensembles. The ensembles will rehearse twice as a full group, and then give a performance at the Stranahan Theatre on Sunday, February 14th, at 1:00pm.

Congratulations to the following students: Flute: Tina Dong; Clarinet: Noah Palicki, Olivia Thomas and Nicole Stepp; Alto Sax: Jerrick Ban; Tenor Sax: Michael Andruch and Jack Thompson; Baritone Saxophone: Kieffer Doore; Trumpet: Rachel Hefner and Chase Mackiewicz; Trombone: Marah Pollock and Jason Mefferd; Tuba: Adam Mgebroff and Jack Terry; Percussion: Anabel Rossi, Josh Boyers, Mitchell Cash and Kenzie Bailey; Violin: Bobby Beck, Devin Elliott, Allison Falls, Chloe Johnson, Jacob Magoun, Mia Schmittenberg, Annabel Shim, Connor Vaughan and George Willis; Viola: Mathew Hwang, Ben Martz and Jacob Neidt; Cello: Hannah Jaqua, Delaney Rimer and Jacob Vaughan; Bass: Alex Kreger and Connor Muck; Harp: Holly Maxx; Soprano: Grace Burkin; Alto: Gracie Mitchell; Tenor: Alex Davis and Luke Williams; Baritone: Connor Kubiak and Jacob Vallestero.

Upcoming concerts can be enjoyed in the PJH Auditorium at 7:00pm on the following dates:

• 2/25 – 7th, 8th, and Jazz Band Concert

• 3/9 – 7th & 8th Grade Choir Concert

• 3/10 – 6th Grade Choir “Dig It” Concert

• 4/14 – 6th Grade and AO Orchestra Concert

• 4/26 – 6th Grade Band Concert

• 4/27 – 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Concert

6 STUDENT NEWS

MATH COUNTSStudents stay after school on Wednesdays and complete complicated math problems. This group is ideal for students who have a talent and passion for math who need to be challenged.

Perrysburg Junior High Math Counts team competed on January 30th at the University of Toledo Nitschke Auditorium for the Toledo Area Chapter Competition. The winning team and the top four individuals advanced to the State Math Counts competition, which will be held March 12th at Columbus State Community College.

The team consists of Ruthie Lin (8th), Mathew Hwang (8th), Hope Neal (7th) and Arthur Chen (6th). The six individuals that also competed were: Faith Obaob (7th), Nathan Rogers (7th), Sydney Onest (7th), Evan Leong (7th), Jerrick Ban (7th) and Jack Thompson (7th). Math Counts is a nationwide middle school mathematics competition held throughout the United States. Its founding sponsors include the CNA Foundation, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

YOU HAVE THE “WRITE” TO BE GREAT!The PJH Power of the Pen team had its first competition of the year on Saturday, January 16. Twenty schools from around the area gathered at Timberstone Junior High in Sylvania to compete in the battle of words! Participating seventh graders for the Yellow Jackets were: Rachel Corey, Alice Ou, Ella Griffioen, Emma Gardner, Elizabeth Diaz, Charlotte Keller and alternate writer Courtney Louderbeck. The eighth grade team consisted of: Abigail Seiple, Aidan Matuga, Chase Mackiewicz, Delaney Rimer, Riley Pierce and Anna Cufr.

In this contest, students were given a prompt and had to create a complete and original story utilizing expressive vocabulary, exquisite characterization and vivid figurative language in only forty minutes. After three writing rounds, judges from all schools read and awarded the papers with quality and ranked points. The calculations revealed that Ella Griffioen placed 14th overall among the seventh graders, earning a medal, and Abigail Seiple took home a sizeable trophy, as she earned 1st place overall in the eighth grade category! Coaches Rachel Davis and Kelly Simenson are extremely proud of all who competed. Students ranking in the top fifty percent will move on to the regional competition at Lourdes College on March 2. The results revealed that Rachel Corey, Ella Griffioen, Elizabeth Diaz, Charlotte Keller, Abigail Seiple, Aidan Matuga, and Anna Cufr will be moving on to compete at the regional level. The scores from regionals will determine who will go on to compete among the top ten percent of writers at the state level at The College of Wooster in May. The writing talent at PJH is unparalleled!

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PERRYSBURG JUNIOR HIGH ATHLETIC UPDATEThe Perrysburg Junior High athletic teams are in the midst of their winter seasons. The 7th grade boys basketball team is currently 9-4 overall while the 8th grade boys team sits at 12-1. Both teams competed in the Northern Lakes League Tournament held February 4th through February 11th.

The 7th and 8th grade girls basketball teams began their seasons shortly after the New Year. The 7th grade team is 4-0 on the early season while the 8th grade team is 3-1. The teams will participate in the Northern Lakes League Tournament to be held March 3rd through March 10th.

The wrestling team finished its regular season with a dual record of 7-1. The Jackets also claimed team championships at the Lake Invitational and the Northwood Invitational. The team competed in the Northern Lakes League Championships on January 30th. We are happy to announce that our wrestling team finished second overall in the league.

There will be an informational and code of conduct meeting for 7th and 8th graders interested in participating in Track and Field on February 22nd at 6:30pm in the Perrysburg Junior High Auditorium. The season begins on March 7th.

RUN LIKE THE WIND AT PJHWinter Running Club is a continuation of a previous club at the junior high, which was called the 50 Mile Club. The 50 Mile Club was originally created as a way for spring athletes to get a jump start on their conditioning, but over the years it expanded to something that appealed to all students and staff members. Because of this, the club was renamed to the Winter Running Club, and members are allowed to choose their own mileage goal. We now have some students who just want to stay active and have a goal to walk 1 mile a day. We also have students who are aiming for the maximum allowed goal of 150 miles over the course of the club. There is a supervised time for running from 2:50pm - 3:50pm three days a week after school. Members are also allowed to run on their own if they want to log additional miles.

At the junior high we’ve had almost 70 students and staff members sign up to be a part of the club. A large group of students are consistently logging the maximum of 5 miles a day. Some of these are cross country and/or track athletes, but others are students who are just discovering their love of running.

ROCK DOWN TO...ATHLETIC AVENUE!

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Counseling CornerMusic Department

Student News and Athletics

Inside This Issue

PERRYSBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS140 E. Indiana AvenuePerrysburg, OH 43551

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Perrysburg, OHPermit #94