Knox News Available Online & In Full Color!
The following editions of the Knox Newsletter are currently available online: March 2010, February 2010, January 2010, December 2009, November 2009, October 2009, September 2009.

Homework Assignments
Visit new.schoolnotes.com and enter the Johnstown zip code 12095 to find homework assignments posted by several Knox teachers.

JHS PTSA Spring Craft Fair March 13
Mark your calendar, grab your wallet and plan to come out to the third annual JHS PTSA Spring Craft Fair from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, at Johnstown High School.

The Knox Positive Reward Program
The Knox Faculty & Staff is providing an opportunity for those students in Knox who demonstrate positive and appropriate behavior to receive special rewards. ALL Knox students are eligible to receive a positive reward, but it must be earned. Ways to earn a positive reward include demonstrating good character, following all school rules, being helpful to classmates and teachers, and showing that you care about our school.

So that the faculty and staff can provide you with rewards that YOU will like, please take a moment to complete this Positive Reward Program survey. Remember students, this is YOUR program; please tell us how you would like to be rewarded!

Sixth Annual Winter Activities Day - Fun for All
On Wednesday, December 23, we took the time to celebrate school spirit by holding our sixth annual Winter Activities Day. Students and staff enjoyed a fall awards ceremony, followed by such activities as a sing along, talent show, hiking, football, board games, etc. Thank you to the staff who worked hard organizing the many activities! Enjoy viewing these photos from the day.

History Fair
Students in Mrs. Bruno's and Mrs. Sweeney's social studies classes completed a six week unit on American History with a "History Fair" covering the time period 1865-1890. Working in small groups, the students researched and created a fictional identity based on some of the main characters of this era: cowboys, ranchers, carpetbaggers, immigrants, Plains Indians, sod busters, railroad workers and robber barons. Each group presented their fictional characters through visual displays and games they created. Knox students and staff were given an opportunity to view and evaluate the projects, which were then judged by JHS seniors. Megan Linart, Connor Way, Grant Gyldenvand, Axel Johnson and Nicole Bentley were chosen for having the best character costumes. Click here to see History Fair photos.

Tips From the Banish Bullying Program
This year, once again, seventh grade students will receive  “Banish Bullying!” curriculum via the health program. The main focus of this curriculum is to teach student bystanders how to best become “caring allies” if they know of a bullying situation. One strategy is to report bullying to a trusted adult. In order for students to feel safe in reporting, it is imperative that all adults in the school community are familiar with the reporting form and understand the strategy the students are learning. In “Banish Bullying!” students are not required to name the bully. Instead, they report out of concern and compassion for the target of such bullying. On the form on the opposite side is the question “Who are you worried about?” When adults become aware of who the bully’s targets are and when and where the bullying is happening, they can then focus their attention on those students who are being bullied. Ideally, this knowledge will enable adults to witness the bullying themselves and they can intervene appropriately, or the bully will cease his/her behavior due to the adult presence. In all cases, the main goal is for every student to feel safe in school.

Please be aware that students have been encouraged to report to any trusted adult in school. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the main office 762-3711 or the guidance office 762-3726. Bully reporting forms are available in the Guidance Office. (Photo: Ms. Lou Ann Pioli works with students learning lines for a play about bullying.)

Greater Johnstown School District Helping Parents Realize the Dangers of Blogging and Unsupervised Internet Use
In the past, children used to keep their deepest thoughts and secrets in diaries under lock and key — times have changed. Blogging has become extremely popular among junior high and high school students — and even among elementary children. Students may be posting pictures of themselves and their friends, as well as their full names, their cell phone numbers and even their addresses. (Find out more)

Visit District Homepage For District-Wide News
Information of importance to all schools in the district (i.e., stranger-danger tips, NYS Test Sampler links, etc.) is posted to the district homepage of the GJSD Web site. When checking your individual school’s page, please remember to check the district homepage, as well.

Wondering what news you may have missed? Many web articles previously posted on our site can be accessed in our Archives.

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