JHS Hosts New Student Breakfast

One tradition that Jefferson High School holds dear is hosting breakfast for new students at the beginning of each school year. These students join together in the cafeteria with the high school administrators, counselors, and a group of student leaders to learn how to become involved, how to contact counselors and administrators, and how to be successful at JHS. To conclude the morning session, a friendly game of Kahoot is played where students have the opportunity to learn more about their classmates by answering questions about their interests, hobbies, and previous schools. 

JHS Counselor Cassie Morgan organizes this breakfast each year and does a fantastic job of making students feel welcome and comfortable during their transition to a new school. Thank you, Ms. Morgan, for your dedication and hard work in planning this special event for our new Dragons. 

Counselor's Corner

Student Services and Support in a Nutshell

School counselors play a vital role in the educational development of students in three primary categories: academic, career, and social-emotional development. This essential role anticipates the needs of students through analyzing data, designing programs to meet student needs, and delivering programs through classroom instruction, small groups, and individual sessions. All activities aim to help students overcome challenges impacting their learning experience. 

This year, our school counselors are working to align delivery services to the state model structure to be even more proactive in empowering students with information, skills, and support. Our goal is to equip students with the academic and social-emotional skills necessary to be successful in their postsecondary pursuits, ultimately leading to a self-fulfilling career, and healthy contributions to their community. 

School counselors encourage healthy communication with parents and stakeholders, as we are all a part of the team to ensure students are successful and thriving with their goals. We are updating websites and sharing information in a variety of ways to increase parental awareness of student services and support. The school counseling team looks forward to sharing progress and success stories with you!

Three JHS Students Participate in Governor's Honors Program

David Heard, Hannah Parker, and Gabrielle (Gabby) Theberge all participated in the Georgia Governor's Honors Program (GHP) this summer, each in different subject areas. David was a mathematics student, Hannah was a communicative arts student, and Gabby was a chemistry student. GHP was hosted at Berry College this year for rising juniors and seniors who are highly talented in their designated subject area. Students must be nominated by a teacher and then agree to the residential month-long program away from home. Students then apply to the program and, if accepted, undergo an extensive interview and audition process. It is a tremendous honor that three students were selected from JHS. 

During the program, students take courses that offer instruction significantly different from a typical high school setting and are exposed to various social and educational opportunities. In the mathematics department, David participated in research projects relating to STEM and social sciences. Hannah participated in a series of coffee house performances where students read their material in front of a live audience. As a chemistry student, Gabby spent time learning more about labs and developed different chemical reactions. Collectively, the students agreed that the program was well worth the month away from home to learn about college and connect with other students across the state of Georgia. Their advice to a student nominated but hesitant about attending is to "just do it." Hannah said, "You need to have a passion for your subject area because you spend a lot of time studying it." 

All three students said they thoroughly enjoyed their time at GHP and would recommend the program to others. GHP was an excellent opportunity for these three students to branch out of their comfort zone and help prepare them for becoming fully functioning adults.

JCS Students Awarded with National Academic Honors from College Board 

Sixteen students from JHS earned national recognition from the College Board National Recognition Programs. Having this designation identifies these students as being academically exceptional when applying for college. JCS salutes these students for their hard work and effort and applauds their achievement.

The recipients of this honor have excelled in College Board assessments and schoolwork. Requirements for consideration include having a GPA of 3.5 or higher and excelling on the PSAT, NMSQT or PSAT10 or scoring 3 or higher on two or more AP exams.

Congratulations to the following students who received College Board National Recognition!

Abigail Rose: NRSTA

Abigail Foreman: NRSTA

Alexandria Lassiter: NRSTA

Ashley Frazier: NRSTA

Blake Alford: NRSTA

Cami Sanchez: NHRA, NRSTA

Caroline Williams: NRSTA

Colton Janning: NRSTA

Denton Alexander: NRSTA

Jared Childs: NHRA

Kiara Restrepo: NHRA

Lanier Ashley: NRSTA

Lydia Suplita: NRSTA

Rachel Wells: NRSTA

Stephen Graveman: NRSTA

Sydney Blayton: NRSTA

NRSTA - National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program

NHRA - National Hispanic Recognition Program