This week I would like to focus on a lot of the great things going on around the school in terms of student engagement and demonstrations of pride in our school and community. The Cobra Cup is going along quite well and the students have been very excited whenever I update the scoreboard on Fridays. These points come from the things they are doing in the school every day. Some things we ask for them to do, and some we are just witnessing in our every day experiences with these students. When a staff member sees something good being done, they award them points. What I am amazed by is that most students don't realize that they are getting these points. They are just being good people. Here are a few examples I have either witnessed or had reported to me.

April Slipke: After learning how to make dog toys out of scrap material in the First Friday event, made extra toys over the weekend to be donated to a local dog shelter.

Rylie Strawn: set up chairs for band on her own so others could take care of their instruments.

Kody Kitts: Several entries for being a positive influence to his classmates.

Josh Smith: positive attitude in class and has stayed behind to help clean up others messes in the commons after lunch.

Jace Robinson: helped an elderly gentleman to his seat during the football game Friday night.

In addition to these, students stayed behind to clean up the bleachers after the football game. They knew that they needed to clean up the bleachers for their bonus points for the house, but several students went the extra mile and took the overloaded trash bags to the dumpster and stayed until the entire area was clean. Not only did they clean up, they appreciated the feeling of a job well done afterward.

Friday night also saw the best student section we have had at a home football game since I have been to this school. As we care about this school and each other, things like this will grow and grow.

As always there is too much for me to just talk about in this opening section so away we go...

Keep on making a difference.

Derek E. Smith

The Jackson Heights cross country team is a remarkable group of dedicated athletes who often operate as unsung heroes in the world of sports. While their sport may not always receive the same attention as some of the more high-profile athletic endeavors, these young runners exemplify qualities of perseverance, discipline, and teamwork that are second to none. They train tirelessly, often braving adverse weather conditions and rugged terrains, to improve their performance and represent their school with pride. Their efforts and achievements, though sometimes overlooked, are a testament to their commitment and the unyielding spirit of the Jackson Heights community. The cross country team's members, through their dedication and resilience, demonstrate that true heroes are not always in the spotlight but can be found on the winding trails and challenging courses where they push their limits and inspire others with their unwavering determination.

Photo Courtesy of Phylis Slipke

This year, Mr. Lierz and the Ag Mechanics class have chosen to re-shingle the roof of the gazebo as well as the district office. Learning opportunities like these are so meaningful to students and it is hard to explain. The best way I can is by pointing you to the comment section on our social media page. Several of you remember building this gazebo in the first place and can recall the feeling of a job well done in the end. Furthermore, a lot of you have current students that are now working on this project.

When this is done, the gazebo will be a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. While I have been sworn to secrecy on the next project after this roofing project is done, I am betting a lot of you will be putting the gazebo to use this upcoming spring and summer. No spoilers here though.

Monday:

MS Cross Country @ Home 4:00 pm

Ms Volleyball @ Everest 4:30 pm

HS Volleyball C Team @ JCN 5:00 pm

JV Football Vs Maur Hill @ Maur Hill 6:00 pm

USD 335 Board of Education Meeting 7:00 pm

Tuesday:

High School Volleyball Tri @ Home 5:00 pm

Wednesday:

FFA Greenhand Competition

Thursday:

HS/MS Cross Coutnry Meet @ Onaga 4:00 pm

Middle School Volleyball @ Valley Falls 4:30 pm

Middle School Football @ Valley Falls 6:30 pm

Friday:

HS Football Vs P. Ridge @ P. Ridge 7:00 pm

Saturday:

MS Volleyball Tournament @ Perry-Lecompton 8:00 am

We had so much fun doing it last year that by George lets do it again!

The car bashing must go on! However, we can't do it alone. If you have a car that you are willing to donate to the cause, please reach out to the High School and we will be most excited.

Speaking of everyone having to experience roofing, if you ever want to test the strength of your marriage here is a test. You and your spouse go up on the roof and re-shingle it together, if you are smiling the way Britt is in this picture after a day and a half doing it, then you are doing ok. She and I have always had that one big project we work on at our house every year. This particular year was the time I decided to build a breezeway connecting my garage to my house. This started as me being able to get to the garage and back in the rain while staying dry and turned into a full size makeover project. It started with a floating roof the full width of the house and garage, then custom artistic painted cathedral ceiling inside, a river rock patio area, a fire pit, sitting benches to match the fire pit, then a picnic table made out of an old wire spool... It was the project that never ended. However, she and I keep on working together and I love it.

Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.

Email: derek.smith@jhcobras.net
Website: jhcobras.net
Location: 12692 266th Rd Holton, KS 66436
Phone: (785)248-4386
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jackson.Heights.USD335

https://www.citylinktv.com/channel/cobra