Happy Friday!

PSAT Date is Wednesday, Oct 11th. Since the exam is digital this year, we initially planned for 9th graders to test on planning day, Monday, October 16th. Since registration has closed, we have determined that we have enough computers to test ALL of 10th and the 9th & 11th who registered on Wednesday, October 11th. To provide the best testing environment for students and to have enough teachers to administer the exams, students not testing will have a digital learning day at home. All students will be given an assignment from their teacher that will be submitted. If students not taking the PSAT come to school, they will sit in the cafeteria and use a laptop to complete assignments.

If you would like your child to leave after testing at 12:45pm on October 11th, an early release form MUST be signed and submitted on Oct 11th for your child to leave campus. You can print the form or have your child pick up a form from the main office.

YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW! We sold out last year, so make sure to reserve yours while they are at the lowest price of the year. Go to yearbookordercenter.com and enter code 15476

IS YOUR CHILD LISTED AS A JUNIOR BUT PLANNING TO GRADUATE EARLY? If so, and you want your child in the senior section of the yearbook, be sure to have a senior portrait done at Leonard's by Sept 15. Contact yearbook adviser Leisha Cowart for more information. leisha.cowart@stjohns.k12.fl.us.

Have you driven to Nease since last Wednesday and saw something unusual hanging from the building? If so, please take a few minutes to watch a WIRED eposide featuring our new sculpture class and their current project.

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/864905439/ba0445ba09

Grad Bash Update: We have very few tickets remaining for Grad Bash! Students who paid their senior dues by the deadline of August 18^th are eligible to purchase a ticket at this time. If tickets sell out, a waitlist will be available at a later date. 

Friday, May 10^th is the last day for seniors who have met all graduation requirements.

Graduation - Tuesday, May 21st at 6pm at UNF - students will receive 7 graduation tickets.

Show your pride and celebrate your soon-to-be graduate with a yearbook parent ad! Various sizes are available, and you can design the ad yourself at yearbookorderenter.com. Space is limited and we do sell out. Deadline is Nov. 1

LAST CHANCE FOR SENIOR PORTRAITS! If you have not had your senior portrait done and you want to be in the yearbook, Wednesday, Sept. 20 is your last opportunity. Photographers will be in the PAC from 8:45-3 PM and you can come at any time during the day. Boys should wear a plain t-shirt (no collar) and girls should wear a tank top so you can slide the straps off your shoulders. You may wear your own jewelry, or pearls will be provided. Contact yearbook adviser Leisha Cowart with questions leisha.cowart@stjohns.k12.fl.us

DEADLINE TO ORDER CAP & GOWN - December 1, 2023 www.hjjax.com

Senior T-Shirt: Thank you to everyone that submitted a t-shirt design! Congratulations to the top 3 finalists! Voting will begin Friday 9/15 and will end at 4pm on 9/22. Please be sure to vote through Schoology for your favorite! Students who pay senior dues by October 13^th, will receive a free senior shirt.

Monday, September 18th – GREEN Day – 1, 3, 5 & 7

Tuesday, September 19th – GOLD Day – 2, 4, 6 & 7

• 7:30am – Engineering Academy Advisory Board Meeting in PH 104
• Lunches: PTSO delivering freshmen t-shirts
• HOME: 6pm/7:30pm – JV/V Volleyball vs Middleburg

 Wednesday, September 20^th – 1, 2, 3, 4, EXCEL, 5 & 6 – 2:50pm dismissal

• Senior Retake Formal Photos in auditorium (Scheduled by Cowart)
• AWAY: 1pm – Boys’ Golf @ Fletcher Invitational

 Thursday, September 21^st – GREEN Day – 1, 3, 5 & 7

• 8am – SAC meeting in PH104
• AWAY: 5:30pm/7pm – JV/V Volleyball at Bartram Trail
• AWAY: 6pm – JV Gold @ Atlantic Coast
• AWAY: 6pm – JV Green @Englewood

 Friday, September 22^nd – GOLD Day – 2, 4, 6 & 7

• HOME: Swim & Dive – Frank Holeman Invitational at Planet Swim
• HOME: 7pm – V Football vs Orange Park
• AWAY: V Volleyball @ Bolles Tournament time TBD

 Saturday, September 23^rd  

• Speech & Debate Team at Incubate Debate Tournament (K Brown)
• V Volleyball @ Bolles Tournament
• Swim & Dive – Frank Holeman Invitational at Planet Swim
• Cross Country @ Bale-n-Trail

Sunday, September 24^th

• 8am to 1pm: PTSO Math Boot Camp in PH203 (Gebauer)

Juniors and Seniors can register for college visits through Naviance. A list of all available visits is available in Naviance. Students are allowed 5 visits per year. All visits will receive a pass in the first/second period. This pass should be shown to the teacher PRIOR to the visit. Students should NOT miss summative assessments to attend a college visit. Visits will take place in the media center, unless otherwise indicated. 

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Vanderbilt University: 12:30

Salva Regina University: 1:00

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Barry University: 12:10

Friday, September 22, 2023

University of Alabama: 11:00

University of Connecticut: 11:35

Virginia Tech: 12:10

Emory University: 12:45

Homecoming 2023 Information:

Nease Homecoming Dance 2023 will be Saturday October 14, 2023 from 7:00-10:30pm. The dance will take place outdoors in the school courtyards. Tickets will be $25 for Nease students and $30 for guests. Guest forms and more information will be available next week. 

Homecoming Spirit Week! Get ready for the homecoming game and dance with spirit week October 9-13. The spirit days are listed below. Students are encouraged to dress up (within dress code) and show their school spirit! 

Monday – Barbie and Ken

Tuesday – Crazy Hat or Crazy Hair Day 

Wednesday – Western Wednesday

Thursday – Celebrity v. Paparazzi 

Friday – Class Colors (12^th – Black / 11^th – White / 10^th – Green / 9^th – Gold)

For questions contact Coach Case: Amy.Case@stjohns.k12.fl.us 

National English Honor Society

Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Lopez are excited to reestablish a chapter of the National English Honor Society at Nease. Applications are available from Mrs. Lewis in B102 before school or during EXCEL. Application deadline is October 13, 2023.

What is NEHS? It is an organization for those with exceptional ability and interest in such areas as literary analysis, media studies, composition, linguistic study, and creative writing, and who meet the requirements of membership.

Scholarships and contests are available through NEHS. The organization also focuses on quarterly projects and literary discussions.

How do I know if I am eligible?

• You must currently be a junior or a senior. 
• You must have an overall cumulative. 3.0 GPA.
• You must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA in all English courses. (You must have received above a B in all secondary English classes and in your current English course.)
• You must currently be enrolled in an Honors/AP/IB/Dual-Enrollment English class.)

Are there dues? Each student pays a one-time induction fee of $15.00, which covers national registration and a membership certificate, and which makes the member eligible for full Society benefits. Dues will be collected at a later date after acceptance letters are distributed. 

Football Home Game Themes

9/22 vs Orange Park – Gold Rush

10/6 vs St. Augustine – Pink Out

10/13 vs Flagler Palm Coast – Let’s Glow (Homecoming)

10/27 vs PV – White Out

11/3 vs Tocoi – Aliens vs Cowboys (Senior Night)

RETAKE PICTURE DAY is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25. If you missed Picture Day or would like a do-over, plan to come to the PAC at any time that day from 8:45-3 PM You can find your proofs on Leonards.com if you would like to view and order portraits.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES!

Several organizations have reached out looking for student volunteers and awarding community service hours. These are not Nease HS sanctioned events so if you have any questions about these opportunities please reach out to the organizations directly.

·        St. Johns Cares

·        Sol Margin Fishing and Conservation Foundation

DECA will have their first chapter meeting on Wednesday, September 20^th during Excel A in Panther Hall 138. If you need a Club Permission Form, please stop by Mrs. Amato’s room (Panther Hall 138) to pick one up. 

Hi Q: Calling all trivia experts! Do you know a lot about history, math, science, or the arts? Join the Nease Hi Q trivia team! Tryouts are this Friday after school in room B107. Please see Ms. Morrison for more information.

Nease VEX Robotics Competition Club Updates

Monday, September 18, 2023 - Last Day to turn in Parent Permission slips to Mrs. Sharma in PH231

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 @ 8:15 am sharp- Mandatory First Club meeting. Meet Mrs. Sharma at the Front Black Gates. (only students who return the parent permission slip will be allowed to attend)

Nease Computer Science Honor Society Update

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 – Registration closes. Last Day to turn in Parent Permission slips to Mrs. Sharma in PH231

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 – EXCEL B - First Club meeting in PH 231. (only students who return the parent permission slip will be allowed to attend)

Nease CyberPatriot Competition Club Updates

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - Last Day to turn in Parent Permission slips to Mrs. Sharma in PH231

Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 8:15 am sharp - First Club meeting. Meet Mrs. Sharma at the Front Black Gates. (only students who return the parent permission slip will be allowed to attend)

FRESHMEN/LINK CREW TAILGATE CELEBRATION!! 

Friday, Oct. 6th is our home game against St. Augustine High and our Link Crew Leaders are planning a fun pre-game tailgate party behind Panther Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Freshmen will need to complete the online form below, and donate $5 to cover the cost of food, snacks, and drinks. This does not include tickets to the game. Those must be purchased separately. Students can bring the money to Mrs. Milian in the media center. Please understand-students CANNOT remain on campus after school because there will be no supervision for them. They must go home and can return to campus after 5:15 p.m. and meet us under the pavilion next to C-pod. We’ll have corn-hole, ladder toss, and other fun activities for them as they get hyped for the game. At approximately 6:45 p.m. the Link leaders will escort the freshmen attending the football game to the stadium. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Milian at carolyn.milian@stjohns.k12.fl.us

 Freshmen/Link Crew Tailgate!

Tutoring: The National Honor Society hosts afterschool tutoring on Wednesdays from 3pm-4pm in A107. If your student needs help in math, science, social studies, foreign language, or English, please use the link below to sign up for a tutor!

https://forms.office.com/r/njRJDfUVkQ

NJROTC started the school year off right taking first place at the Terry Parker NJROTC Pentathlon. This makes the 2nd year in a row placing 1st at this event.

The Nease Boys Cross Country team brought home the hardware on Saturday, September 2 at the Bob Hans Invitational held at Ridgeview High School. Both the Varsity and JV teams placed 1^st overall in stellar fashion – scoring less than half of the points of the 2^nd place team and having all their 7 “scoring” runners finish in the top 10-15 individually with approximately 200 runners in each of the races. The Varsity team was led by Matt Ryan who finished first overall in the Varsity race. Go Panthers!

The Nease Girls Cross Country team finished 3rd in a tough varsity race ahead of 13 teams. They were paced by Kendall Wampler finishing in 9th place overall.  The scoring runners averaged 21:37 for 5k. Both teams look to continue their success as they compete against teams from across the nation in the championship races at the Adidas Invitational in Raleigh, NC on Saturday 9/16.   

PSAT/SAT Boot Camps are coming to NHS in September/beginning of October! There are two separate SAT Boot Camps and they each require a separate registration. All PSAT/SAT Boot Camps are held at NHS and are taught by NHS teachers. Spaces are limited!

• Verbal SAT Boot Camp focuses on reading comprehension, writing concepts, and grammar rules. This one full-day camp will be held on SATURDAY, September 23rd, from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Click here to register:

·        September PSAT/SAT Verbal Boot Camp

• The Math SAT Boot Camp focuses on mathematics problem-solving and time management strategies. This camp will be held over two half days -  SUNDAY, September 24th & SUNDAY, October 1st, from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Click here to register:

·        September PSAT SAT Math Boot Camp

PTSO gold plus business partner spotlight: 

Nease Animal Hospital is a full-service Veterinary Hospital that offers integrative medicine. Comprehensive care with Personal Touch Your pet is unique, and we will make sure we treat your dog or cat with the attention to detail that you both truly deserve. We are passionate about empowering you to help your pet live a healthier and happier life. www.neaseanimalhospital.com

Thank you, Nease Animal Hospital, for helping our pets and supporting Nease High School!

If you have any questions about the Communications Academy, Stellar Academy of Engineering, or the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, reach out to Mrs. Combs at jaime.combs@stjohns.k12.fl.us

Seniors were given their gold envelopes to begin their college application process with Nease. Please see the contents of the envelope so you are aware of how to request transcripts, secure letters of recommendations and get secondary school reports completed by Mrs. Kennedy. More information is located in the guidance section of this Panther Press.

Lots of information is being posted on the Nease IB Schoology Page. All IB students have been placed in the group and provided the group code to join during the meetings mentioned above. Please ask your student what has been posted lately.

College visits have begun. Juniors and Seniors can sign up to attend through Naviance. There is a limit of 5 per year. See guidance section for those listings.

Thank you to those that have joined our IB Booster Club.  They are a non-profit charitable organization run by a volunteer board of parents. All parents with students in the IB program are encouraged to join and participate in the IB Booster events. Parent participation, whether occasionally or on a routine basis, contributes to the success of our students in the IB program. Please visit the website at www.neaseibboosters.org for more information. We are looking forward to meeting you and hope to see you get involved! The next Booster Club meeting will be held at 9:45 on September 26th in the Nease Media Center. We look forward to seeing everyone there. All visitors are required to sign in, so please make sure you are an approved volunteer with the St. Johns County School District.

Carolyn Milian – School Librarian Media Specialist

Lorna Patterson – Media Clerk

Media Center phone number – 904-547-8367

Email – carolyn.milian@stjohns.k12.fl.us

LIBRARY ACCESS FORM

Parents, this form is available to ALL families if you would like to restrict access to library materials for your child in our school library media center. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Milian for additional information.  

COFFEE STATION DONATIONS!

In our media center we have a coffee station set up with a Keurig for our students to help themselves to a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate in the mornings, during lunch, and after school. With the start of the year, we have no supplies as of yet. If you are willing and able to help donate so we can keep this going for our students, these are some of the items we need:

·        K -cups (assorted)

·        10 oz. or smaller coffee cups (lots)

·        Creamer (individual packs or powdered. No refrigerated creamers please)

·        Individual sugar packets (no large containers)

Thank you so much for anything you can help out with so we can continue this little “perk” for our students.

ATTENTION ALL FAMILIES OF HISPANIC HERITAGE!! PLEASE READ!

We will be celebrating our 3^rd Annual “Hispanic Heritage Celebration” in our school media center and we need your help! 

Did you know that Hispanic and Latino Americans are the largest minority group in the US making up over 18% of our population? National Hispanic Heritage Month begins Thursday, Sept. 15^th and runs through Oct. 15^th and recognizes and celebrates members of our communities and their ancestors who hail from Mexico, parts of the Caribbean, Central and South American and Spain. During the month we celebrate and recognize all the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. To celebrate our culture, our heritage, and our people, we will be hosting this FUN event in our media center once again on Wednesday, Oct. 4^th during Excel time. We would LOVE parent support and help! We are hoping to have a showcase of hispanic foods, music, dress, flags, decorations, arts & crafts stations AND we will have TREMENDOUS Zumba instructor – Awilda Quezada – doing mini-Zumba sessions with our students! If you are able to help us out in some way, PLEASE email me as soon as possible so that I can count on you!! Thank you so much!! Que Viva Mi Gente!  

STUDENT PLANNERS ON SALE NOW!! 

Would you like to see your student stay organized this year? Have your student purchase a “Nease Student Planner” for $7. Every freshman has received one for FREE through their English teachers, but we have a limited amount for sale for all 10^th through 12^th graders. The planner is filled with lots of great Nease information right at our Panthers’ fingertips. We will be selling them in the media center until we run out. Cash or check made payable to Nease High School will be accepted. Pick up your planner today! This is a fundraiser for our Nease Link Crew program so please help support this wonderful program that benefits many of our students! 

PANTHERS!! Get your “Panther Café Senior Tile”! This is your chance to IMMORTALIZE yourself in our library!

ALL students have the opportunity to take home one of our café area ceiling tiles, paint and personalize it, then have it placed back into our ceiling for a donation of $20. The money raised from this fundraiser will be used to purchase new computers for our media center and other technology enhancements and at the same time have our seniors immortalized in our café as these will never be repainted! Please contact me in the media center for more information.

Nease High School Athletics is sponsoring a parking spot fundraiser.

Nease Athletics is auctioning three (3) student parking spots to the highest bidder. There will be three auctions in the next three weekends. 

First auction bidding starts at 10am on Friday, Sept 1st and ends at 5pm on Monday, Sept 4th. Second auction bidding starts at 10am on Friday, Sept 8th and ends at 5pm on Sunday, Sept 10th.

Third auction bidding starts at 10am on Friday, Sept 15th and ends at 5pm on Sunday, Sept 17th. 

Bidding begins at $150 and increases in $50 increments. This auction is open to all. Winners will receive an email with an invoice and information on how to pick-up their parking pass. Click on the link below to access the Auction site. Thank you for your support of Nease Athletics!

http://www.32auctions.com/neaseathletics3

Follow Nease Athletics on Instagram #NeaseAthletics and Twitter @NeaseAthletics

You can support Nease Athletics by becoming a member of our Booster Club! Everyone is welcome to join. There are five membership levels. All funds will directly support Nease High School athletic programs. All athletes and coaches will benefit from the funding. Show your Panther Pride and sign up here https://neaseathletics.com/gpbc-membership/

Link Below for Apparel purchases:

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/florida/pontevedra/nease-high-school

Athletic Clearance

Prior to participating with a Nease High School athletic team, all students are required to complete the athletic clearance process.

Please keep in mind that the FHSAA requires all student athletes to view free NFHS video courses on concussions, heat illness, and sudden cardiac arrest (see instructions below). Signatures on the EL3 form indicate that your athlete has completed these three video courses. The FHSAA also requires that all student athletes have at least a 2.0 unweighted GPA to be eligible for participation.

For step-by-step athletic clearance instructions please visit: https://neaseathletics.com/athletic_clearance/

Athletic Fee/Pay to Participate

The purpose of the Nease Athletic Fee is to help address the costs associated with operating a high school athletic department. Currently the St. Johns County School Board pays each coach’s coaching supplement, and all remaining costs are the responsibility of the athletic department and teams. The athletic fee helps cover the following expenses:

·        Game officials

·        Indoor and Outdoor Athletic Facility maintenance

·        Sports Medicine

·        Security

·        Athletic Leadership Council activities

·        Student-Athlete Letters and Awards

·        FHSAA membership dues and other fees

The 2023-24 fee will be as follows: $75 Per Sport Played

This fee must be paid prior to the student-athlete participating in his/her first contest. Nease Athletics appreciates your attention and compliance regarding payment of this fee. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Nease Athletic Department.

Looking ahead:

Girls Weightlifting

Sign-ups: Sept 11-15 in M103 (Will need to provide parent email)

Student Interest Meeting: Sept 13 during Excel A in M103

Parent Meeting: Sept 20 in M103 (6:00pm)

First Practice: Oct 9 (7:15am)

Tennis

Nease Tennis will have a Chick-fil-A Spirit night Thursday, October 12th from 5pm to 8pm. 10% of all proceeds will go the Nease Tennis Program.

Girls Basketball

• If anyone is interested in participating in the fall girls basketball workouts please contact Coach Anthony by email: Sherri.anthony@stjohns.k12.fl.us or phone (904)547-8405.
• Workouts are Monday – Thursday. A calendar will be available for anyone interested in joining. This pre-season time of conditioning and playing will help prepare you for team tryouts in the end of October. All participants must have a current physical.

 Hope to hear from you and see you on the court and in the weight room soon!

Coach Anthony

Nease Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach

(904)547-8405

Fall Sport Schedules:

To view the fall sports schedules visit https://neaseathletics.com/calendar/

Dear FTSDC Members and Friends,

We hope you're doing well! We wanted to send a friendly reminder that applications for the Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition (FTSDC) Ambassador Board are now open! As valued members and friends of the FTSDC, we would greatly appreciate your support in spreading the word about this incredible opportunity for high school students across Florida.

The FTSDC Ambassador Board is a powerful leadership program that empowers student advocates to promote safe teen driving practices. As representatives of the FTSDC, these young leaders will be at the forefront of our coalition, engaging, educating, and mobilizing the community to develop and enhance teen safe driving programs and activities.

We kindly request your assistance in sharing this opportunity with your contacts, colleagues, and anyone who may know high school students passionate about promoting safe driving habits. 

To learn more about the FTSDC Ambassador Board, its responsibilities, benefits, and to apply, interested students can now visit our newly launched website at: https://flteensafedriver.org/teen-traffic-safety-ambassador-program/. The landing page is live and provides all the necessary information for potential applicants to take the next step.

Applications will be accepted until September 13, so please encourage eligible students to apply before the deadline. This is a fantastic opportunity for young advocates to make a real impact in their communities and become the driving force behind positive change on our roads.

We greatly appreciate your continuous support in promoting safe teen driving, and we look forward to receiving applications from bright, passionate students eager to join the FTSDC Ambassador Board.

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to Shaina at shaina@flteensafedriver.org. 

Thank you for your dedication to our mission, and together, let's drive towards a safer future for all teens in Florida!

Best regards,

Shaina Finkel 

Program Assistant

Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition 

http://www.flteensafedriver.org/

shaina@flteensafedriver.org

(813) 395-4429

Visit our website for FREE Teen Traffic Safety Printed Materials and Posters!