JM: a Full Service Community School |
Check out some of the initiatives happening through the efforts of a Full Service Community School model.
Quarter 2, 2025-2026 |
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Integrated Student Supports |
Many families in John Marshall and across our community experience food insecurity. Through partnerships, the community works to support JM families. In November, HyVee sponsored a Thanksgiving Meal Bag that was offered to our freshmen families. In December, Syverson Trucking & Vitality Chiropractics sponsored a Winter Meal Bag offered to our Senior Families. Additionally, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church did a large collection of items, and we were able to provide Food & Household Bags to our Sophomore & Junior Families. Overall, 116 bags filled with needed food & household items were provided to our families. Thank you to the community for supporting JM & Rochester families!
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Want to support our Rocket Community Room? See the bottom of the newsletter for our Top 10 Current Needs. |
| Every day, students access the Community Room for winter clothing, hygiene & household, and food to take home. It is a connection point. |
— Mrs. Vasquez, Community School Coordinator |
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JM Adopt a Family .... Annual Tradition |
Each year, dozens of Community Families, in partnership with Autumn Ridge Church, 'adopt' John Marshall Families during the Winter Holiday Season. This is a way for our Community Families to show some extra love and provide a little TLC to some JM Families that are in need of support. This year, Community Families were able to purchase necessities (such as winter jackets, shoes for work, or diapers) and wanted (for example headphones, art supplies or a fuzzy blanket) gifts for 19 JM Families. There are so many ways to spread kindness in this world, and this is just one.
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It was amazing! It was real people in the job, telling you their truth. |
— JM Student at Discover Healthcare |
| Expanded & Enriched Learning |
There are many reasons to take advantage of career exploration opportunities in high school. To name a few.... |
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Assists with Informed Decision Making for college majors and/or career pathways
- Assists with Classroom Motivation as students can see how classroom content applies to real-life jobs
- Reduces Career Indecision as it can help students identify passions for things they do and do not want to do
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In early January, over three dozen students chose to attend the Discover Healthcare Event held at the Heinz Center in Rochester. They were able to meet and learn from professionals in the field on a variety of careers, such as vet tech, histologist and dentistry. |
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Hilton Hosts Hospitality Students |
Hospitality Teacher, Shelly Hansen, is consistently seeking ways for students in her FACS classes to have meaningful experiences in our community. In November, students in the JM Foundations of Hospitality class had the opportunity for a interactive, behind-the-scenes, on-site experience at the Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area. This experience was supported by Hospitality Minnesota and JPowers at the Hilton. This was an eye-opening experience to the wealth and depth of career possibilities in the hospitality arena.
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Family & Community Engagement |
Rocket Night for Class of 2030! |
Wow! Class of 2030 will be joining the Rocket Family next year! Rocket Night is a chance for incoming freshmen and their families to learn about JM .... courses, credits, clubs, and more. We had a great crew of JM volunteers who popped popcorn, performed dance, served food, greeted guests, and donned Rocket mascots. |
| Auditorium Fills Up with Future Rockets |
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I had a happy high school experience. I was very active in theater and sang in the chorus. |
We're excited to learn more about a range of experiences from the early 1960s to present! |
| Collaborative Leadership & Practices |
Rocket Alumni Reconnecting |
This semester we are launching a new initiative with our JM Rocket Alumni, in collaboration with our 10th grade US History classes. |
In a effort to makes connections with our greater community, learn about the history of John Marshall, and make connections between experiences of past and present, we have asked our JM Alumni to support a learning experience with our sophomore students. This is a new initiative and in still in the works, but so far dozens of JM Alumni have reached out - excited to be interviewed and share their perspectives on JM, the high school experience, and what was happening both locally & nationally during this time period. We are excited to see where this will go!
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If you are a JM Alumni, and wish to learn more or participate, reach out to Erin Vasquez, contact information at the end of this newsletter. |
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"Well when I was senior, they turned the radio on the PA around noon, Walter Cronkite announced that JFK had been assassinated in Dallas. That was a very 'heavy' time." -1964 Grad |
| "I was in science with Mr. Rietveld when planes hit the Twin Towers on 9/11." -2005 Grad |
| "While there were some sports for the girls, none of the sports were competitive." -1970 Grad |
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Current Top Needs in the Rocket Community Room |
- tennis shoes
- track spikes
- JM spirit wear
- laundry detergent or pods
- household cleaning supplies
- toothpaste & brushes
- dried beans
- long grain white rice
- $10 gift cards to Cub, HyVee, or Aldi
- Youth City Bus passes
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ALL CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR ITEMS CLEAN & FREE OF PET HAIR
- CLOTHING ARE CURRENT TEEN STYLES
- HYGIENE ITEMS NEW
- DUE TO SPACE, PLEASE LIMIT ITEMS TO THOSE ON THE LIST, UNLESS YOU CHECK WITH ERIN VASQUEZ
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- DROP ITEMS AT MAIN ENTRANCE BY FLAGPOLE
- STAFF AT THE DOOR CAN BRING THE ITEMS TO THE COMMUNITY ROOM
- TRY TO AVOID BUSSING TIMES
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A Huge Thank You to Community Room Supports |
- American Business Women's Association
- Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
- HyVee Stores
- Kutzky Park Neighborhood Group
- MNTread
- St. Luke's Church
- Syverson Trucking
- TerraLoco
- Trinity Lutheran Church
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United Way of Olmsted County
- Vitality Chiropractic
- 125 Live
- Many, many Individuals
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| | Erin Vasquez
JM Community School Coordinator 507.328.5292
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