Natchitoches Jr. High School

The NJH PBIS Team kicked off PBIS Friday by hosting our “Scooped for Success” Ice Cream Social! 🎉

This event recognized over 220 students who have maintained perfect attendance since the start of school—because every day present equals another “scoop” of success!

👏 Special shout-out to our amazing 6th graders who led the way with the highest attendance!

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to:
    •    Mrs. Alexa Bernard-Conday
    •    Tanikka Goston
    •    Latasha Petite
    •    Diane Petite
    •    Shantura Payne
    •    I’ve Got The Recipe Soul Food
for sponsoring this special event and supporting our students. 🎉🎉

At NJH, Attendance Matters!

Today at NJH, our students and staff united to bring awareness to Suicide Prevention Month. 💚 💜 Together, we reminded ourselves that we are loved and never alone. Most importantly, we each hold the power to encourage and uplift someone who may be struggling.

Students participated in the “You Matter Wall” activity and received a “Your Life Matters” card with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline information: Dial or text 988. 📞

At NJH, “where everybody is somebody”, we stand together to spread hope and remind one another that every life is precious.

🏀 BASKETBALL TRYOUTS ANNOUNCEMENT 🏀

📢 It’s that time of year again! Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball tryouts are coming up soon. Please make sure athletes have their physicals completed before tryouts.

🔥 BOYS’ BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
📅 Saturday, September 13, 2025
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Old NJH

🔥 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
📅 6th–7th Grade: Monday, September 8, 2025 (4:15–6:00 PM)
📅 8th Grade: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 (4:15–6:00 PM)
📍 Old NJH
🚍 Students will be transported to the gym by bus.
🚗 Parents must pick up at 6:00 PM.

✅ Reminder: All athletes must have a completed physical on file before tryouts!

Let’s get ready for an exciting season! 🏀💪

The Talking Drum-Newsletter

Bullying stops here 🚫

At Natchitoches Jr. High, we're committed to creating safe, respectful, and inclusive schools for every student. Bullying of any kind is not tolerated in our district, and we are actively working to prevent, address, and stop it.

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior involving a real or perceived power imbalance. It can be:
💢Physical: hitting, pushing, taking belongings
💬Verbal: name-calling, teasing, threats
👥Social: spreading rumors, excluding others
📱Cyberbullying: using devices, social media, or texting to harass or intimidate

If you see it, report it immediately. Together, we can make a difference.

🔗 Visit our Student Services webpage for reporting forms, policies, and additional helpful resources: npsb.la/page/student-services

#NPSB #StopBullying #SafeSchools #TogetherWeCan

The first week of school is here, and we can't wait to welcome our students back tomorrow! 🎉

Kick off the year with the latest issue of The Talking Drum — your go-to NJH newsletter for important info, upcoming events, and helpful tips to start strong.

#NJH #WhereEverybodyIsSomebody #TalkingDrum #BackToSchool #WelcomeBack

Mark your calendars!📣
We’re excited to welcome all NJH families to our Open House on Tuesday, August 5 from 5–6:30PM at our new location: 📍800 Koonce Street

✅ Meet the new Principal, Mr. Bobby Benjamin , meet your child’s teachers, visit classrooms and explore campus, complete iPad registration with staff assistance and pick up class schedules before the first day!

Let’s get ready together for an amazing school year!📚

#NJH #OpenHouse #BackToSchool #NatchitochesJuniorHigh

Check out the first issue of The Talking Drum — our NJH newsletter! 📣🥁
Get tips for a great start to the school year, important event dates, and a special welcome from Principal Bobby Benjamin, Jr.

#NJH #WhereEverybodyIsSomebody #TalkingDrum #BackToSchool

Reminder we have no school today!

As a reminder, all Natchitoches Parish School Board Schools and Offices will be closed tomorrow, November 5th, for election day. All schools and offices will reopen on Wednesday, November 6th.

Making a difference! We adopted the Natchitoches Skating Rink on December 20th for PBIS Awards to celebrate our 7th & 8th grade students and their achievements. They worked really hard!! Congratulations to all the students!

Natchitoches Junior High JAG officers delivered The Polar Express book(s) to the students at L.P. Vaughn. Books courtesy of our Instructional Specialists Mrs. Theriot & Mrs. Prelow. ❄️

The NJH Student Council sponsored a Deck the Doors contest in December. Mrs. King's creative homeroom won a Hot Chocolate and S'mores party for their festive door. ☕️🍫

Tis' The Season 🎁 This past week, students participated in a free raffle drawing sponsored by our JAG program. Our four winners received a bicycle just in time for the holiday season! Congratulations to our winners, Nakayra Smith, Jaylin Williams, Khalil Seymore, and Kelis Pier! Thank you to Mrs. Rainwater, and your JAG program, for sponsoring this amazing event for our students. Happy Holidays! 🎄🎁

Thank you to the Cane River Branch Magnolia State Peace Officers Association for the generous donation to the NJHS Student Success Closet. We truly appreciate your kind hearts and your consideration for our school.

Winter wonderland at NJHS ❄️⛄️ Joy is here as we prepare to celebrate the holidays. Check out our cool window splash paintings painted by our 7th and 8th-grade students, and our one and only, Mr. Alford. Merry early Christmas from NJHS 🎄

Tis’ the season at NJHS! 🎄Our fabulous Nurse Wren, or should we say Elf of the Shelf, is awaiting the holidays in her cozy gingerbread house. Not only does she tend to our amazing students, she treats Santa’s reindeer as well. Check out their cool names! 🎄🩺

Congratulations to our hardworking and dedicated faculty, staff, and students for their continuous contribution to the growth and success of our school. School attendance is one key to success at school and is defined as attending school daily and on time. Additionally, providing incentives that recognize positive behaviors contribute to keeping students in school and helps improve the climate for learning. Our restorative justice program, implemented during the 21-22 school year, uses restorative approaches that support the idea that when we feel part of a supportive community, we respect others in that community and become accountable to it. This creates a sense of community through daily or weekly circles in WIN or in any class. Let’s continue to promote positive attendance and behavior initiatives throughout this school year!🏆

The NJHS Boys to Men Club dressed to impress for the Christmas Gala hosted by NSU. Thank you Mr. Thomas for your leadership, direction, mentorship, and dedication to our students.