Jonathan Alder Junior High

September 1, 2023

Message from the Principal

JAJHS Families,

It has been a great few weeks of adjusting to the routines of the school year. I’m so proud of our students for the transition into the year and the hard work they’re starting to show each day.

It was great to see many of you at our Parent Classroom Information Nights this week. I hope it was a valuable experience for you and that you left with a better understanding of our classes, teachers, and experiences your student will be having this year.

Please be sure to read the newsletter below for important reminders and activities around our school.

Sincerely,

Mr. Malany

Principal

Message from the School Counselor

JAJHS Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! My name is Kati Lupia and I am the school counselor at the Junior High. I am so excited to see the familiar faces of our 8th graders in our hallways, and also to be meeting and getting to know our new 7th graders!

This is my 10th year at Alder and I am looking forward to a great year ahead. As your Junior High School Counselor, my role is to assist students with academic planning, emotional support, and overall well-being. I also provide support for teachers and families.

If you or child has any concerns or needs assistance navigating this new school year, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am here to help every step of the way.

Best wishes for a successful and rewarding school year!

Kati Lupia

School Counselor

lupiaka@japioneers.org

JAJHS Picture Day!

JAJHS Picture Day is coming September 12, 2023. Click HERE for the direct link to prepay, order online and pay by credit card. To ensure background color choice you will need to print the order and send it to picture day with your child. If you do not have a printer you can write the order information out on a piece of paper and send it with your child on Picture Day. Printed order forms went home with your student on Monday, August 28th.

Parent Classroom Information Night Feedback Survey

If you were able to attend your child's Parent Classroom Information Night, please take a moment to provide us with some feedback about the experiences. You can complete the brief survey by clicking here.

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8th Grade Marching Band Performance

The 8th Grade Band will be performing with the High School Marching Band on Friday, September 15th at the home High School football game. Information has been sent out to students and is located on Canvas. We hope to see you there!

PTO Meeting!

Our next PTO meeting will be Tuesday, September 5th at 6:00 P.M. in the JAJHS Library.

8th Grade Spring Gettysburg and Washington, DC Trip Information Meeting

There will be an informational meeting for 8th Grade Families on Tuesday, September 12th 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.

Technology Guides

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.

Talking Points Two-Way Communication

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.

Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up Reminders

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.

Food Service Reminders

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.

Fees and Forms

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.

Immunizations

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.

Medications at School

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.