A Fresh Start: The Second SemesterWelcome back, Blue Jay Families! If your student is heading into their second semester at JHU, take a look at this complementary article from Collegiate Parent sharing views on students and parents entering the spring semester and how to navigate the transition.
Your student completed the first semester of college. Congratulations!
Second semester is an opportunity for a fresh start. Your student can build on their successes from last semester, but they may also need to re-evaluate and readjust based upon lessons learned.
What can I expect as my student heads toward a new semester?Returning to school for second semester is a very different experience from going to college for the first time. Students bring their newly-acquired wisdom and their mistakes along. There may be less anxiety, since they know what to expect, or anxiety may be high…since they know what to expect!
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Become a Blue Jay Family AmbassadorAs we start off the New Year, I wanted to re-introduce our Blue Jay Family Ambassador program. The program is underneath the umbrella of Parent and Family Relations and affords those families who want to assist in the programs and services we offer other Blue Jay Families throughout the year. You play a vital role in helping the Parent and Family Relations office understand the needs of our Blue Jay Families. To clarify, all families are apart of the Blue Jay Family network. However, by registering to be a part of the Blue Jay Family Ambassador program, it allows you to volunteer your time to assist in certain programming, provide insight or feedback when on certain programming and services for other families.
The Blue Jay Family Ambassador program has three committees that you can choose from or if you would like to volunteer for all you are most welcome to do so. The only requirement is you must submit a quick form that takes no time to fill out.
How much time does it require to be Blue Jay Family Ambassador? Very little. As projects, new initiatives arise, we love to have Blue Jay Families opnion. If you have already submitted this form or are unsure if you have signed up, we can update your information if you choose to submit another form.
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From left: Ashna (sibling), Dr. Monica Gandhi, Aayush Gandhi, Aveesha Gandhi (sibling), Dr. Arpan Gandhi, Shreya wadhwa, Dinesh wadhwa, Shipla wadhwa, Divya Kapoor, Mansha Kapoor
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Family Gathering Spotlight
Provided by Divya Kapoor
Johns Hopkins is very fortunate to have students who attend the university from around the world. Just last week, four Blue Jay Families from India organized an informal gathering to welcome their Jays home for winter break and reflect on their first semester at Hopkins.
Over good food and gracious hospitality, the group shared anecdotes from their daily lives, discussed how they help each other, and discovered each others' unique experiences. The students were excited about cooking their traditional Indian dishes and recreating that sense of "home". For the parents, it was great to see the hints of confidence—the sense that "I can do this"—from their Jay after their first semester. The families marveled at their student’s distinct personality traits, which seemed to encourage and inspire each other.
Having this time to celebrate, network, and engage with other families and students with like-minded experiences—and from the same country—ensured each family was happy they had each other and Hopkins.
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JHU Police Accountability Board Nominees Announced
The university has nominated three community members, three faculty members, three staff members, and four students to the Johns Hopkins University Police Accountability Board, which will help directly shape the development and operation of the future Johns Hopkins Police Department. The nominees were drawn from East Baltimore, Homewood, and Peabody—the three campuses and surrounding communities that will be served by the future police department. The Maryland State Senate will consider the nominees for confirmation during the 2020 legislative session of the General Assembly, which begins Jan. 8. Two additional appointments will made by Baltimore's mayor and the Baltimore City Council president for a total of 15 accountability board members.
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The Hopkins Parents Fund Kicks Off the New Year and New Semester with Style!
First Day of Classes (FDOC) Welcome Back: Monday, January 27
The Dean of Student Life leadership team welcomes Blue Jays back to the nest and kick off the semester with snacks and interactive activities on the Beach.
Here’s to a spring semester full of fun and Blue Jay spirit proudly sponsored by the Hopkins Parents Fund! Join your fellow Blue Jay Families who support the Hopkins Parents Fund by making your gift today!
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Important Dates Jan. 15
Financial Aid Application Due
Jan. 22
Jan. 20Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday: No Intersession Classes
Jan. 27First Day of Spring Semester
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Did You Know?
Financial Aid
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It’s Peak Season for Seeking Summer 2020 Internships!
Parents can play an instrumental role providing experiential opportunities for Blue Jays through the Parents Internship Network. Could you or your company sponsor a future summer internship? If the answer is yes, please contact parents@jhu.edu today! Help us build a diverse and robust inventory of internship postings in partnership with the Homewood Life Design Lab. We hope to hear from you!
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Room Selection The first installation of the Room Selection Newsletter went out to our first-year students prior to winter break. Please keep in mind the upcoming application deadline for students to apply for new housing accommodations with Student Disability Services. Encourage your student(s) to reach out to the Housing office ( housing@jhu.edu) or Student Disability Services ( studentdisabilityservices@jhu.edu) with any questions.
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Alternative Spring Break: Refugees in America
Encourage your student to consider joining the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life for this year's Alternative Spring Break from March 15–20, 2020. This year's ASB will travel to Forth Worth, Texas with a focus on "Refugees in America". Application deadline is January 15.
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International Families: Meet The Vice Provost of Integrative Learning and Life DesignThe Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association invite Alumni, Students, and Parents to meet Farouk Dey, Vice Provost of Integrative Learning and Life Design in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing.
Dr. Dey will discuss the approach of Johns Hopkins to Life Design, including a new vision for career services. Follow the link below for dates and locations!
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First-Generation College Student DayOn Friday, November 8th, 2019, the university celebrated the National First-Generation College Student Day. Hundreds of students from the first-generation, limited-income (FLI) community were welcomed by dozens of staff, senior leaders, and faculty to show appreciation and support to them. Our many campus partners also took this opportunity to share with students the resources that are readily available to them as FLI students. Watch a brief recap video of our celebration.
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