Greenspun JHS Newsletter 12-13-2024

Updated: Dec 13, 2024

Week at a Glance:

Monday 12/16:

Spirit Week dress-up day: Holiday socks/hat
AR prize tickets distributed in ELA classes
Orchestra Winter concert 6pm
Band concert at GVHS

Tuesday 12/17:

Shining Star awards in the library
Spirit Week dress-up day: White Christmas
Choir Winter concert

Wednesday 12/18:

Spirit Week dress-up day: Dress your best!

Thursday 12/19:

Student of the Month awards in the library
AR prize tickets due!
Spirit Week dress-up day: Ugly Sweater
NO LATE BUS

Friday 12/20:

Spirit Week dress-up day: Pajama Day
AR prizes distributed
End of Semester 1

WINTER BREAK: Dec. 21 - Jan. 5

Principal’s Message:

It never ceases to amaze me when I witness, firsthand, the talented students at our school. As I watched our young band members play like pros at their winter band concert and listened to the angelic voices of our madrigal singers this week, I couldn’t even imagine what school would be like without extracurricular activities.

Whether it is a sporting event, a cheerleading competition, a performing arts concert, a robotics match…the list goes on and on as students impress me, not only with their talent, but also with the dedication it takes to be superstars!

I can’t even explain how valuable extracurricular activities are for students. For many of them, it’s the reason they come to school. Whether they are involved in the arts, clubs, sports, or even volunteering, extracurricular activities give students a sense of belonging, friends with common interests, and a school family. In addition, the pride they feel after a job well-done is second to none in building their confidence and the life-long skills they develop along the way.

Parents, please encourage your children to take advantage of the extracurricular activities we have to offer. Whether it’s joining a club, a team, a music ensemble, there is something for everyone. And, if your children can’t find that something, please encourage them to bring me their ideas for an additional activity, club, or program they would like to see on our campus.

At Greenspun, we believe in giving students opportunities that go beyond the classroom because we have witnessed, firsthand, how students become superstars when they are a part of something that they value!

Events & Honors:

Support for Jacob Aguilar: Jacob’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation for all of the kind words, letters, and donations during this difficult time. Jacob has been making progress in his recovery. If you would like to send a card or letter in support of Jacob’s family, they may be dropped off at the front office. Donations may also be made at GoFundMe: Please click here to donate to the family directly on GoFundMe

Winter Dance: It is that time of the year again! We will be having our Winter Dance on Wednesday, December 18 after school from 2:15-3:15. Tickets can still be purchased in the banker’s office through Tuesday, Dec. 17. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD ON THE DAY OF THE DANCE! Your ticket will get you unlimited printed photos at the photo booth, snacks, a drink and fun with your friends. Please know, there will be NO PHONES allowed at the dance. Any student who has been suspended will not be allowed to attend the dance.

All State Band: Congratulations to the following Band Students for being selected for the 2025 Nevada All-State Middle School Band! This is a huge honor, and we are so proud of these fantastic young musicians!

Helen Pease-Byron- Flute
Daniel Beck- Clarinet
Ben Swenson- Clarinet
Eli Rosenberg- Alto Saxophone
Aaliyah Borjon- Tenor Saxophone
Nick Andersen- Bass Clarinet
Kolton Heiss- Trumpet
Rodrigo Alfaro- Tuba

Spelling Bee: Congratulations to 8th grader Christian Young, who advanced all the way to the final round of the CCSD Spelling Bee, hosted at Vegas PBS on December 11. Christian placed in the top seven 8th grade spellers in the entire school district. The final round was filmed for television broadcast, and will be aired on Vegas PBS in the coming weeks. The event will also be streamed on the Vegas PBS website. We are extremely proud of you, Christian!

Sawyer Silberkraus: Congratulations to 6th grader Sawyer Silberkraus, with a first place finish at the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club Holiday Opti Regatta in San Pedro, CA this past weekend! Sawyer sailed in ten races over two days, against 45 other young sailors from California and Nevada. Sawyer has been sailing since 2022, and travels to California every other weekend for training and races. Great job, Sawyer!

Galleria Mall Field Trip: Hooray for a Successful Field Trip! On December 19, 2024, our self-contained classes went on an exciting field trip to Galleria Mall, and it was a resounding success! We were honored to have our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Iglitz, accompany us on this wonderful outing. The students enjoyed a variety of enriching experiences during the trip. They had the chance to take a group photo in front of the Galleria Mall and its stunning, oversized Christmas tree. While exploring the mall, the students learned practical life skills, such as how to ride elevators and escalators, and they even purchased their favorite toys. They practiced reading menus to select their food, making purchases, and ensuring they received the correct change. We are thrilled to report that all students stayed with the group and walked together with friends—no incidents of elopement occurred. The group shared lunch together, fostering a sense of camaraderie. The students also learned to wait patiently for the bus, emphasizing the importance of punctuality. Beyond these skills, the trip was a fantastic opportunity for the students to socialize and engage with one another in a new environment. Thank you to everyone who helped make this field trip a memorable learning experience for our students!

School Rules Reminder: As we enter the home stretch of the semester, here are a few reminders regarding school rules:

Hats and hoods may not be worn inside the school building at any time, this includes hallways and classrooms. Teachers may issue a consequence for repeat offenders, as this rule is stated in our student handbook.
Cell phones and headphones are both considered personal electronic devices, and as such have the same rules. Personal electronics are not allowed inside the classroom and must be put out of sight. Teachers who see you with a personal electronic device will confiscate it and you will be required to pick it up from the SSC.
Food and crumbs bring insects and other unwanted pests into the school. For this reason, there is no eating inside the school building, which includes classrooms and hallways.

Hope Squad: Hope Squad will be spreading some holiday cheer by selling hot cocoa and apple cider before school every Tuesday and Thursday before winter break! Grab a cup for just $1!

Personal Property: The school is not responsible for any personal property of students or their families. Students should not bring valuable items to school. If students bring personal items to school, they do so at their own risk. The school is not obligated to investigate lost or stolen items. The school is not responsible for reimbursement of any kind to students or their families. https://www.greenspunjhs.com/student-handbook

Webstore: The online webstore upgrade is almost entirely completed. Payments may now be made in person to the banker using VISA, Mastercard, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. American Express is not currently accepted, but will be added soon! The online webstore will also be available this Monday, December 16 for payments for PE clothing, ID cards/lanyards and birthday greetings, with more items being added soon! Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to add items to our new online webstore! Parents and guardians must create an account and add their child with a student ID number before they can make payments on the webstore. CLICK HERE to visit the new online webstore!

Absence notes: Parents, please submit absence notes within three days, by clicking on the Attendance icon on our homepage at greenspunjhs.com.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: Do you want an easy and fun way to celebrate your child's birthday at school? For $15, we will display a short message on the outdoor digital marquee to help celebrate the day. Additionally, a bag of treats and a personalized birthday card will be delivered to your child during the school day. All funds raised help support Greenspun clubs and activities. CLICK HERE to submit a birthday greeting for your child!

Infinite Campus Parent portal/Student portal: Parents, please continue to monitor your child’s grades in Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you need an activation code, please contact the office for assistance.

SafeVoice: SafeVoice is an anonymous tip report system with live response 24/7/365. Safevoice (SV) includes and goes beyond bullying to create an anonymous way to also report threats of school violence and friends at risk of suicide, self-harm, drugs and more. CLICK HERE to submit a report

Rave Reviews: Do you know of any CCSD employees who make a difference and are exemplary models of the District’s core values? Recognize one of our many outstanding employees for their commitment to education by submitting a RAVE (Recognize a Valued Employee) Review. CLICK HERE to submit a Rave Review!

School Organizational Team: The next Greenspun JHS SOT meeting will be held Wednesday, January 22 at 2:30pm in the library. Click here for GJHS SOT information.