JHS News

Jasper High School has achieved all criteria to be listed on the 2024 AP School Honor Roll as a Silver school! To qualify for the 2024 AP School Honor Roll, schools must meet or exceed the criteria for a given recognition level for three metrics, including College Culture, College Credit and College Optimization.

College Culture is the percentage of students in the graduating class who took an AP exam at any point in high school, regardless of score. To avoid pressure on students to take large numbers of APs, only 1 AP exam per student contributes to this indicator. JHS ranked in the Silver Criteria for College Culture.

College Credit is the percent of students in the graduating class who scored 3+ on an AP exam at any point in high school. To avoid pressure on students to take large numbers of APs, only 1 AP exam score of 3 or higher, per student, contributes to this indicator. JHS ranked in the Silver Criteria for College Credit.

College Optimization is the percent of students in the graduating class who took 5 or more AP exams in high school, where at least 1 exam was taken in 9^th or 10^th grade. Because research finds that 6 or more APs do not improve college graduation rates beyond the optimal total of 5 such courses in high school, no exams beyond 5 per student contribute to this indicator. The Honor Roll also recognizes schools that encourage students earlier on their AP journeys so as not to overload them with AP courses their junior and senior years. JHS ranked in the Platinum Criteria for College Optimization.

Geoff Mauck, JHS principal, said “Jasper High School is proud of our 2024 Silver Recognition in the AP Honor Roll. Our students and staff work very hard across a broad selection of course offerings to obtain high scores and earn college credits as early as their sophomore year. The staff sets high expectations, and our talented students work to meet those expectations. This recognition is a reflection of their efforts.”

A Jasper Elementary School 5th Grader, Beckett Dodd, has recently published his debut novel, "The Fight For Five Million." This impressive work draws readers into a reality TV-style competition, where twenty contestants face challenges to win a grand prize of five million dollars. Packed with unexpected twists, the novel spans 590 pages. 

Writing this book began at the age of nine, inspired by the TV show Survivor. Beckett's passion for reality TV led him to create a unique narrative that mirrors the excitement of such shows. "I love reality TV shows, and I thought, wouldn't it be cool if there was a book like a reality TV show?" Beckett shared. 

Not only is the novel a significant personal achievement, but it may soon earn Beckett a world record. With 93,000 words, "The Fight For Five Million" could set the benchmark for the "Highest Word Count In a Novel by an Author Under the Age of 18," surpassing the previous record of 58,000 words. 

The book's creation was a family collaboration. Beckett's father, Joshua Dodd, an art teacher at Jasper High School, designed the books cover, capturing the essence of a viewer engrossed in a TV show. The retro-style design in Beckett's favorite color, green, adds a personal touch. Beckett also credits his mother for assisting with getting connected with an editor to refine the manuscript. 

In a nod to his peers, Beckett included the names of many friends in his story. Although they are not main characters, their presence adds a personal layer to the narrative. When asked about his favorite character, Beckett mentioned Carlos, who brings humor and camaraderie to the story. About the challenges in the book, Beckett noted that many are inspired by challenges he and his friends compete in at recess or are loosely based on the show Survivor. 

While the novel hints at a sequel, Beckett plans to enjoy a well-deserved break from writing. In his free time, which he has now realized he has a lot more of, he loves to watch reality TV, visit new places, and dive into his passion for Disney Animatronics. 

GJCS proudly applauds Beckett Dodd's extraordinary talent and supports his promising future as a young author. We wish him continued success on his literary journey! 

Out of over 1,200 entries from across the United States and Canada, Jasper Elementary School has been awarded a $3,000 Whole Kids Garden Grant for 2024 by the Whole Kids Foundation. Founded in 2011 by Whole Foods Market, the foundation is committed to enhancing children's health and wellness through improved nutrition. The Edible Education program offers vital resources to foster educational gardens in schools. 

This grant empowers Jasper Elementary to transform its outdoor space into an engaging, hands-on learning environment. It will connect students with nature, ignite their curiosity, and enhance the classroom curriculum. 

Upon receiving the grant, Jasper Elementary was delighted to find a plaque and a wealth of resources, including ready-made lessons plans, in the delivery package. These materials will guide teachers in integrating the garden into their lesson plans. One teacher is already using the garden to teach area and perimeter to her students. 

Beyond academics, the garden also supports social-emotional development. Featuring an infinity walking path, the garden serves as a calming refuge. Students who are feeling overwhelmed now have the opportunity to visit the garden with school social workers, where activities like weeding provide a constructive outlet. This natural setting helps students open up more readily about their experiences. Staff also benefit from time spent in the garden, providing a refreshing break and promoting well-being. 

In collaboration with the Purdue Extension Office, Jasper Elementary will sustain and enrich the garden. The Extension Office will assist with educational programming, allowing initiatives like SuperFood Heroes to incorporate produce from the garden into their lessons. 

Looking ahead, the school aims to establish a Garden Club, which would involve students in maintaining the garden and harvesting produce. They also envision a farmstand, inspiring students to share their bounty with the community. Or, partnering with Community Chew to donate fresh produce to families in need. 

Jasper Elementary School is excited to embark on this journey of growth and learning, thanks to the Whole Kids Garden Grant. The school community is eager to see the garden flourish as a hub of education, wellness, and community engagement. With the support of the Whole Kids Foundation, LAN Construction, donations from the community, the Purdue Extension Office, and the enthusiastic participation of students and staff, Jasper Elementary is cultivating a brighter, healthier future for its students and the community. 

Exciting News from GJCS!

We're excited about our partnership with SchoolAI, bringing a safe and adaptive AI experience to our students! SchoolAI personalizes learning to meet each student's unique ability level, enhancing our existing curriculum. This tool supports our teachers and strengthens the student-teacher relationship, not replacing it.

Mr. Pryor and Miss Leinenbach teamed up to integrate SchoolAI's thought partner into class. Students used it to check homework, deepen learning, and generate a report for personalized feedback. Students were engaged the entire class period!

Stay tuned for more updates on how AI is enriching education at GJCS!