Jonathan Alder Junior High

JAJHS Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We’ve had a great start this week. I’m so proud of our students and teachers for their approach to the year. Our theme is #BetterEveryDay, and our students have already been busy taking the initial steps to prepare for a year of growth and achievement.

The first week of school is filled with introducing students to procedures and expectations while building classroom and school communities. Our students did an outstanding job adjusting to routines and learning how to move in and around the building.

We are excited to kick-off Advisory groups on Monday and move into a week of learning and growing.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever have any questions, concerns, or ideas! Thank you for partnering with us and for sending us such great kids to work with. We’re excited for a year of getting #BetterEveryDay!

Sincerely,

Mr. Malany

Principal

Welcome to the 23-24 school and athletic year! This year for our athletic events, we are offering some different options for athletic passes that can be used at the junior high as well as the high school. Also, individual game tickets can be purchased in advance from our ticketing website or at the event using a card or cash. Please visit our ticketing website for pass and ticket options (linked below). If you have any questions, please contact me here at school. Thank you and GO PIONEERS!!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETING WEBSITE

Tuesday, August 29th - 7th Grade Parent Classroom Information Night @ 6:00 PM

Thursday, August 31st - 8th Grade Parent Classroom Information Night @ 6:00 PM

Tuesday, September 12th is JAJHS Picture Day! More details coming soon

It was great to see so many of our families at the Student-Parent Orientation. If you were unable to attend, you can view the slideshows here: 7th Grade Orientation; 8th Grade Orientation

We are excited to offer all of our students an Advisory program this year. Each week, on Monday and Friday mornings, students will begin their day in a group of around 14-15 students with one teacher. Through Advisory, students will develop and practice executive functioning skills, including goal setting, organization, and cultivating a growth mindset. Within Advisory groups, students will develop lasting positive relationships with peers that enhance the JAJHS climate and experience. We are excited to meet with our groups for the first time this Monday, August 21st.

We will be holding a PTO Kick-Off Meeting this Monday, August 21, at 6:00 PM in the JAJHS Library. This meeting is open to any JAJHS parents interested in connecting with other families while supporting our students and teachers. We will discuss activities and plans for the upcoming year. We look forward to seeing you there!

In addition to this Monday's meeting, if you are interested in helping with the PTO, please consider signing up in the following links:

• PTO Volunteer Interest Form

• PTO Volleyball Concession Stand Volunteer Form
• PTO Football Concession Stand Volunteer Form

There will be an informational meeting for 8th Grade Families on Monday, September 12, at 6:30 PM in the JAJHS Auditorium. Families will learn more about the trip, payment plans, and registration information at this meeting. This year's trip is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 - Friday, May 17. If families are unable to attend, the information will be shared with families digitally.

Click here to view the JALSD Technology Guides, including instructions for accessing Canvas. As a reminder, the Canvas platform is how families can stay connected to students’ grades, progress, and activities in classes.

We are excited to share that our staff members will be using a safe and easy-to-use two-way communication tool called Talking Points to communicate with families. Families have three easy ways to use Talking Points to communicate with your children’s teachers for free! You can use text message, download the app or use it on the web at https://talkingpts.org/families/. Once you log in to Talking Points, you should be able to see your students and teachers.

Morning Drop-Off

• Enter the far entrance closest to the old football field.

• Stay in line and follow the cones around the gravel lot.

• Please pull all the way up if you're able to and unload near the back entrance.

• Exit through the middle driveway.

• Students should arrive between 7:00 and 7:25. Doors will be locked until 7:00.

Afternoon Pick-Up

• Enter the far entrance closest to the old football field.

• Stay in line and follow the lane lines.

• We will fill lanes from left to right and dismiss in order to pull up to the pick-up area.

• Once your child loads, you may carefully pull around waiting cars to exit.

• Students dismiss at 2:21.

Thank you for your patience as these processes begin the first few days of school. We appreciate your help in keeping our students safe.

• Free and Reduced Lunch applications are completed through Final Forms. Please be sure to update your family’s information each year to qualify for these programs. If you have any questions about this process, please contact our Food Service Director, Mrs. Rings, at: ringsre@japioneers.org

• Regular breakfast costs $1.50 and regular lunch costs $3.25. Money can be added directly to students’ accounts through the Food Service website. Students can also take cash or checks to the cafeteria each morning at the start of the day.

• Daily lunch options include a hot lunch, a large salad (Tuesday through Friday), or a “Grab and Go” sandwich option. Menus are available each month on the Food Service website.

Please be sure to complete all of your back-to-school forms on Final Forms. Student fees are $30 per student and can be paid in the school office.

Reminder to all Parents/Guardians of 7th graders:

Please turn in Immunization records showing your 7th grader received the required TDAP and Meningitis Vaccines or an Exemption Form, if necessary. You can Fax the records to the junior high office at 614-873-0845 or email them to cazareje@japioneers.org.

Sometimes parents ask that school personnel administer medication to their child during the school day. When this is necessary, we require written permission and instructions from the parent and in some instances from the doctor.

The required form must be completed and turned in to the junior high office with the medication to be administered.

If you haven't done so already, please take a moment to watch this helpful VIDEO on how to pair with your student and set up notifications on Canvas!

Email: cazareje@japioneers.org
Website: http://www.alder.k12.oh.us/
Location: Jonathan Alder Junior High School, Killbury-Huber Road, Plain City, OH, USA
Phone: 614-873-4635
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathanalderjrhigh/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @AlderJHS