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Letter from Assistant Principal Zessin

Joe Zessin

 

 

Welcome to 9th grade at Jackson High School for the 2024-25 school year!  We are so excited to have you and your student as part of our school community!  My name is Joe Zessin, and I am the 9th grade principal.  It is my job to help ensure a safe, nurturing and engaging learning environment at JHS so that all of our students can reach their potential.  Along with the 9th grade Administrative Assistant, Ms. Tracy Ambs, we strive to do our very best to communicate with you and respond to any questions or concerns that you may have about your child’s experience at Jackson High.

 9th grade is a critical school year for students.  At Jackson High, we do all that we can to help guide students through the academic and social challenges that come with being in a new school environment.  Our curriculum offers students a variety of different classes that accommodate our diverse student population.  Advanced Placement classes allow students to push themselves academically in a way that prepares them for future academic and career endeavors.  Additionally, JHS students have access to Early College and Dual Enrollment programs allowing them to earn college credits while still in high school.  We also offer students a wide range of academic support to help them in their classes.  AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) focuses on helping students acquire the academic skills necessary for them to have success in higher-level classes.  Co-taught classes allow students to be in classrooms with two teachers so that they are able to get more support in areas where they may struggle.  Finally, we offer students who are learning the English language with the support that they need to be successful in school.  

 

Navigating social relationships and challenges in high school can be extremely difficult for students.  To help students with these challenges, we offer a wide variety of services.  Our social worker, Mr. Mike Kristovic, works with students on overcoming the wide variety of barriers that can get in the way of having success in school.  Additionally, each grade-level has their own counselor.  The 9th grade counselor is Mrs. Cecilia Said, who works with students on a wide variety of things related to their social and emotional well-being in addition to working with them on constructing a four-year academic plan that best suits their needs and future goals.  Finally, we work with students on solving conflicts that they may be having in school through our Restorative Practice Coordinator, Mr. Jim Breedon.  We look at behavioral challenges as opportunities for students to learn and grow.  To help us assist students with this process, we have two Behavioral Specialists on our staff, Mr. Joe Grinston and Mr. Cornell Taylor.

A big part of students enjoying their school experience is for them to become connected to the school.  This happens through participation in sports, fine arts and clubs.  We are fortunate to offer over 20 varsity athletic programs throughout the school year.  Our fine arts department offers students the opportunity to participate in band, orchestra, choir and drama.  With clubs, there really is something for everyone.  It is our hope as a school that in the early stages of the school year, students will learn about all of the different ways that they can get involved.  When students find something they love to do in school, it really helps in making school a fun place for them to be.

I am so excited to get to know you and your students as they begin their high school experience.  I am personally committed to each and every one of our students reaching their full potential and finding enjoyment in their classes as well as in the extracurricular activities that they pursue.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions that you may have!

Joe Zessin
9th Grade Principal
JPS “Where Community Comes Together”