curtis junior high school
TRANSCRIPT
3725 Grandview Drive West
University Place, Washington 98466
253.566.5670 phone 253.566.5644 fax
Curtis Junior High School
Jayne Hofstrand Ben Zielke Jennifer Zamira Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
March 18, 2021
Dear Future Students & Families of Curtis Junior High,
Welcome! We are excited to be sharing with you some helpful information that will make your transition to Curtis
Junior High a smooth and successful one.
You will find the following information in this packet:
Map of CJH
General 8th Grade Supply List & Dress Code
Daily Bell Schedule, Locker Information, CJH Activities Information
CJH 8th Grade Elective Options
8th Grade Swim Letter
Helpful Transition Tips for Junior High
Below are some important dates to remember for Registration and Cougar Days. We look forward to meeting you in
the fall and wish you a great end to your 7th grade year. Finish strong!
3/18/21 - CJH Registration Information email to parents – Incoming 8th Graders
3/19/21 -Registration information shared in WA State History class by Drum & NVI counselors
3/22 - 3/26/21 – Counselors return during this week and register students via google form in WA State
History classes at Drum & NVI
8/18 & 8/19/21 – 8th grade Cougar Days at CJH
8/31/21 – First day of school
Sincerely,
Kelley Artiaga, Angela Waverly,
Counselor A-K Counselor L-Z
CJH General Supply List for 8th Graders & Dress Code All 8th Graders will need the following required supplies:
3 ring binder with accordion folder, six tabs, or six individual folders for organizing papers by class
Lined, college-rule notebook paper
Pencils and blue and black ball point pens
Erasers
Binder pouch for pens, pencils, etc.
Highlighters
One package of 3x5 notecards
One composition notebook for science class
One or two single subject spiral notebooks for keeping notes
CJH Agenda and ID Card – All students will be given and agenda and ID card during the first week of school
We recommend that all students purchase these supplies:
Scientific Calculator
Colored Pencils
Sharpener
Flash Drive
* Other supplies may be needed for specific classes. Teachers will provide more information at the start of the year about what is needed for their class.
CJH Dress and Appearance It is also important for students and parents to review the CJH Dress Code before completing back to school shopping. Dressing appropriately for school is part of being a responsible student. We want our students to learn that certain kinds of dress are appropriate in some situations, but not in others. We expect students to dress for a serious, professional work environment while they are on school grounds and at school activities. The following expectations will be enforced at all times on school grounds and at all school-sponsored activities. 1. Clothing and accessories must not contain/display offensive or inappropriate words, messages, pictures or logos. 2. Headwear is not allowed on campus except for medical or religious purposes. 3. Clothing must cover stomachs, backs, shoulders, chests and underwear. 4. Footwear must be worn at all times. 5. Body writing and writing on clothing is not allowed. 6. Dress/accessories must not present health or safety issues. * The Dress Code will be mailed home in August and is available on our website at https://cjh.upsd83.org
Regular Bell Schedule
Period/Time
0 Hour - 6:30 - 7:25
1st Period - 7:30 - 8:25
2nd Period - 8:30 - 9:25
3rd Period - 9:30- 10:25
4th Period - 10:30- 11:55
Per. 4A - 10:30 - 11:25 (In Class)
2nd Lunch - 11:25 - 11:55 (At Lunch)
Per. 4B - 11:00 - 11:55 (In Class)
1st Lunch - 10:25 - 10:55 (At Lunch)
5th Period - 12:00 - 1:00
6th Period -
1:05 - 2:00
How to Open a Locker
After School Clubs & Activities Anime Club Art Club
Black Student Union (BSU) Builders Club
Dungeons & Dragons Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA)
MESA Musical Theater Opportunities
Prevention Team
After School Study Club
*Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2:10-
3:00 pm
*Students can stay in specific classrooms for help
(ex. Math) or attend the Library for general help and
computer use
*If your student rides the bus normally and attends
study club until 3pm, they can get a bus pass to ride
the Activity bus at 3:10.
8th Grade Sports Fall Session
Boys & Girls Track
Girls Fastpitch
Boys Baseball
Winter I Session
Boys Basketball
Girls Soccer
Winter II Session
Girls Basketball
Wrestling
Spring Session
Football
Girls Volleyball
Tennis
CURTIS JUNIOR HIGH ELECTIVE OPTIONS
Band –Band classes at Curtis Junior High are year-long courses. Band classes require students to provide their own instruments, technique/method books, and supplies. A limited selection of school instruments is available for a user fee of $65 per semester (please note that some instruments that were available for rent at DI and NVI will not be available at CJH - contact our Bookkeeper, April Cavelti or CJH Band Director, Craig Rine for details). Keeping instruments in good playing condition at all times is required. All students enrolled in music classes must purchase concert attire (available through the school for $30 – $50 depending on class and level). Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch prices also qualify for reduced course fees. See your student’s counselor for information regarding financial assistance.
Orchestra –Orchestra classes at Curtis Junior High are year-long courses. Orchestra classes require students to provide their own instruments, technique/method books, and supplies. A limited selection of school instruments is available for a user fee of $65 per semester. Keeping instruments in good playing condition at all times is required. All students enrolled in music classes must purchase concert attire (available through the school for $30 – $50 depending on class and level). Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch prices also qualify for reduced course fees. See your student’s counselor for information regarding financial assistance.
Choir -Choir classes at Curtis Junior High are year-long classes. All students enrolled in choir must purchase concert attire (available through the school for $30 – $50 depending on class and level). Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch prices also qualify for reduced course fees. See your student’s counselor for information regarding financial assistance.
Exploratory 8 -Students who select our Exploratory 8 option will take one semester of Exploratory Visual Art and another semester of Gateway to Technology. In Exploratory Visual Art, students will learn about artistic genres, concepts, and techniques and will apply their knowledge and skills as they create and analyze works of art. In Gateway to Technology, students will learn about the design process and will apply their learning as they work as part of a team to design and build products.
Academic Intervention/Support - Based on a combination of test scores, grades and teacher recommendations, 8th grade students may qualify for additional support in math and/or reading. At Curtis Junior High, students who qualify are placed into a year-long support class in place of their regular elective. Parents/guardians of qualifying students will be notified via phone call, email and or letter between June and August regarding placement for the coming year.
***Scheduling Note***
Please choose your elective thoughtfully because schedule changes are very limited. For year-long classes (including music classes and core classes), students will be assigned to the same teacher for both semesters. At the semester, teachers stay the same but the period that a student has the class can change, which may change a students’ lunchtime.
Dear 8th Grade Parents/Guardians,
During the 2021-2022 school year your student will have the opportunity to take swimming at the Curtis
Aquatic Center. All 8th graders will be placed into one quarter of Swim 8 as part of the Wellness 8 program.
The Curtis Pool is a special place for many reasons. Here at the pool, we strive to help each student feel
welcome, respected and important, while teaching each of them that swimming is an important life-saving
skill. Our main goals are to help all students be safe and smart in the water while helping them improve their
swimming ability. We also work on personal goals, self-growth and improving fitness levels during 8th grade
swimming. We achieve these goals by consistently working on water safety and water skills while also helping
students realize that fitness is a life-long decision. We emphasize the five components of fitness that support a
healthy lifestyle: cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition,
flexibility.
Unlike some traditional classrooms, your student’s grade is based primarily on participation and improvement.
We expect your student to participate every day, follows basic class expectations / pool rules and keep a
positive and supportive attitude in this class. We understand that absences and sickness do occur and our
grading policy allows for make-ups of missed days. We encourage you to help foster your student’s swimming
abilities by asking about what he or she is learning, by taking them to open swim and by supporting practice
time here at the pool. You are welcome to come by your student’s swim class at any time during the quarter to
see his or her progress.
All parents and students are encouraged to check their grade daily on Skyward. If you have questions about
your student’s swimming grade, please feel free to contact me directly via email or telephone.
We appreciate your support and look forward to working with your child this quarter.
Mr. Dennis Piccolotto
253-566-5710 ext. 2704
Helpful Tips for Transitioning to Junior High
Junior High is students’ last stop before they enter high school. Students are transitioning from having a
smaller team of core teachers at the Intermediate Schools to six different teachers daily. Junior High is a more
complex environment than intermediate and primary school. The campus is larger, there are more
students, and instead of one teacher and one classroom, your child will have a separate instructor, and
classroom, for each subject. Navigating multiple transitions between classes and organizing books and
materials for every subject is a change for many students. Below are some helpful tips for a smooth
transition to the junior high school:
Help your student by encouraging good study habits, including time management, organizational
skills, goal setting, and planning. Make sure your student has a system for recording assignments,
taking notes, and keeping his/her backpack organized, etc. As students get closer to high school, these
skills will be a crucial part of their success.
All students will receive an agenda on their first day of school at CJH. This a great tool to keep track
of daily work and to plan ahead for projects and tests. Some teachers require students to write
assignments in it, but most teachers expect students to write in it on their own. Ask your student about
their agenda and encourage them to use it daily to help them stay organized. (This can also be a great
communication tool to keep parents aware of daily homework and upcoming assignments/tests as
well.)
Attendance plays a big part of your students’ success here at the junior high as well. Students who
come to school consistently are better able to keep up with classroom instruction and homework and
consequently, feel more confident in school. Help your student stay healthy by maintaining a regular
schedule, encouraging them to get adequate sleep each night and eating a variety of healthy foods.
Communicate with the school and check your students’ grades on Family Access regularly. It can feel
overwhelming finding the best way to communicate with six different teachers, but we have found that
email is a great tool at the junior high. Feel free to email your students’ teachers with any questions or
concerns and also encourage your student to ask questions in class or after school.
Feel free to contact the school counselor if you feel that your student is having a difficult time
transitioning to CJH. We are all here to help students feel comfortable with this transition and to help
them be successful at CJH.
UPSD Non Discrimination Statement
The University Place School District complies with all federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including language), sex, sexual orientation
including gender expression or identity, creed, religion, age, veteran or military status, disability, or the use of a
trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in student education programs, co-curricular
activities, and employment practices. The district is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer
encouraging application of qualified minorities, women, and disabled persons for employment and other
opportunities. University Place School District is committed to providing access to all District programs and
activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For elevator access at
school sites, contact the principal’s office. The University Place School District is a drug-free/smoke-free work
place and educational setting. Direct inquiries regarding compliance, grievance, or appeal procedures, or
concerns involving students, should be made to the District Affirmative Action Officer/Civil Rights Compliance
Coordinator/ Title IX Officer/HIB Compliance Officer, Executive Director of Secondary Education, Lainey
Mathews, [email protected]; or Section 504/FAPE/ADA concerns should be made to Executive Director
of Special Services, Kelly McClure, [email protected]. Both can be contacted at (253) 566-5600, 3717
Grandview Drive West, University Place, WA 98466.