John Jay High School

February 1, 2021

Dear John Jay Community,

I hope this message finds you all well and enjoying the start of 2021.

While it feels like good news has been in short supply, we all had a lift of our collective spirits as the announcement of viable vaccines appeared a few months ago.  While there have been the inevitable hiccups with such a grand operation, each day is another step closer to all students returning to school daily and hopefully all being to return to their lives as they knew it. What “back to normal” entails after this experience, remains to be seen but it’s exciting nonetheless.

I am pleased to report that students and staff have continued doing their best to maintain health and safety standards at the high school and in all KLSD’s schools.  School remains one of the safest places students can be.  Thank you for all your cooperation with district safety protocols relative to COVID-19 and we anxiously await all school personnel and the rest of the community to receive the vaccine.  Our hearts go out to those who have struggled or are still experiencing difficulties during this time.  We at JJHS continue being positive, resilient, and finding opportunities to improve in the midst of this ongoing crisis.

Each day, JJHS remains a profile in adaption, creativity, and perseverance.  Our Performing Arts program, for example, has recently completed “The Laramie Project.”  We sincerely thank our student-actors and faculty advisors for persevering and providing the community with a wonderful performance, steeped in ingenuity as well as commitment, entertainment, and social awareness.  In addition, our staff has continuously worked to improve remote instruction and provide students with relevant and engaging instruction.  Everyone is doing their best under extremely trying circumstances and it is critical we acknowledge and support one another, while understanding the wave of emotions we are all experiencing under the stressors and strains of continuing in this environment. I am exceedingly proud of the job everyone is doing.

We also understand how the school experience has been disrupted, especially for our seniors who have been denied most of their senior experience, as well as freshmen, who have not had the regular transition experiences to high school.  All levels are experiencing loss here and everywhere across the county, state, nation, and globe.  However, we persist in trying to bring students all the opportunities we can.  Class level advisors are working to provide grade level activities to build some school spirit and enthusiasm as the winter months progress and continue building community.  Also, we’re pleased to report schools have received the green-light to open up more athletics programs to give those student-athletes a chance to be a part of something special in their lives in the safest environment we can provide and effectively monitor. Please stay tuned to announcements and updates from the Athletics’ Department.

Lastly, as spring is on the horizon, a committee of parents, students, teacher-advisors, and administrators are teaming up again to work at providing the senior class a graduation ceremony that acknowledges their achievements and provides lasting positive memories.  Like last year, the JJHS community will begin to see a noted increase in activity, all dedicated to providing our students with the best possible experiences that can be delivered.

Thank you for your ongoing support, feedback, and patience as we continue facing these collective challenges together.  If we can be of any further assistance, please contact us at the high school.  No issue is too small.

Sincerely,

Steven T. Siciliano, Ed.D.