Eagle Eye JMS Parent Newsletter #27

Once again, Jefferson Middle School has finished another week of rigorous learning and engagement. Our 3rd and final benchmarks are quickly approaching. We are sharing some proven teamwork strategies that add to student success at home!

Send Your Child to School Ready to Learn: Sleep and Breakfast

A nutritious breakfast fuels up middle schoolers and gets them ready for the day. In general, preteens and teens who eat breakfast have more energy and do better in school. Help boost your child's attention span, concentration, and memory with breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein, and low in added sugar. Of course, we serve breakfast here if your child arrives on time. If your child is running late, send along fresh fruit, nuts, yogurt, or half a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Preteens and teens also need enough sleep to be alert and ready to learn all day. In general, preteens need about 9–12 hours of sleep each night and teens need about 8–10 hours.

Organization Skills

No one is born with great organizational skills — they have to be learned and practiced. Being organized is a key to success in middle school, as it's the first time that most students will have multiple teachers and classrooms or do extracurricular or after-school activities. Students can benefit from parents helping with organizing assignments and time management. A sample list of priorities is below; a list can help students greatly! Write a list with your child and have a conversation about how long each task may take and why it is important.

1. swim practice
   
2. walk the dog
   
3. dinner
   
4. study for social studies test (30 minutes)
   
5. finish math worksheet
   
6. read over science class notes (15 minutes)
   
7. put clothes away

Talk About School

Staying connected with preteens and teens as they grow more independent can be a challenge for parents, but it's more important than ever. While activities at school, new interests, and expanding social circles can play bigger roles in the lives of many middle school students, parents and guardians are still their anchors for providing love, guidance, and support. Talk with your child every day, so they know that what goes on at school is important to you. When preteens and teens know their parents are interested in their academic lives, they'll take school seriously too.

*strategies taken from kidshealth.org

Thank you so much for all you do to support your children, our JMS Eagles!

Phil Cox, Principal, pcox@ortn.edu

Ben Fowler, Vice Principal, bjfowler@ortn.edu

Jacob Quilliams, Dean of Students jrquilliams@ortn.edu

Elizabeth Leavitt, Instructional Technology Coach, ealeavitt@ortn.edu

Monday 12 A Day

• Family Life Presentations JPAC 3rd, 6th & 7th pds
• Chess Club Library 2:45-3:45
• Atomic Eagles Meeting Science Wing 2:45-4:30
• RadioActive Brix Meeting Rm 223 2:45-4:30
• Master Builders Meeting Rm 102 2:45-4:30
• Secret Innovation Meeting Rm 219 2:45-4:15
• Track & Field Practice 3:00-4:30
  

Tuesday 13 B day

• Family Life Presentations JPAC 3rd, 6th & 7th pds
  
• Track & Field Practice 3:00-4:30
  

Wednesday 14 A day

• Ski Club to Ober Gatlinburg 1:00
• Track & Field Practice 1:00-2:30
  

Thursday Feb. 15 B day

• 8th Grade tours ORHS
• Family Life Presentations JPAC 6th & 7th pds
• Track & Field Practice 3:00-4:30
  

Friday Feb. 16 A day

• Family Life Presentations JPAC 3rd, 6th & 7th pds
• Ms. Kala’s class to ORHS
• Track & Field Practice 3:00-4:3
  

Midterms are just a moment in time grade, but we want parents and students to use them as a conversation point: Where am I, as a student, and what kind of help do I need to accomplish the learning the teachers are providing. If you have any questions about the grade, reach out to your student's teacher through email or Canvas.

Dear Family or Student:

For us to continue to improve as a school district and as a school, it is important for us to understand stakeholder perceptions about the job we are doing in providing a quality education for all our children. We are seeking information through an 10-15 minute survey that is available now through February 16th.

EES-Family, Active Link Survey

To access the survey, visit: EES Family Survey Link: Oak Ridge SD, https://bit.ly/cee-fam-oakridge , then

• 
  Choose your language preference on the opening page of the survey.
• Select your child’s school. If you have children in multiple schools, complete one survey per child.
• Complete the survey and click submit.

We value your input as we strive to continue to improve. Thank you for your feedback.

JMS Admin

Jefferson Middle School is dedicated to providing students with the tools needed to be successful. Twice a year, Jefferson offers an Intersession during Fall and Spring Breaks. The intent is to offer a program that will provide either reinforcement of prior skills or enrichment to further them. Students will be enrolled two courses (1.5 hours each), unless they sign-up for STEM Enrichment or choose the full Sports and Conditioning section.

*Please see the attached flyer below!

Important Dates and Information for Rising 9th graders

Can you believe it is time to start talking about high school registration? There are several upcoming events for Rising 9th graders. In an effort to ease the transition, all 8th graders have been added to the “Class of 2028” Canvas page. This is where you will be able to access videos, documents and other information related to high school registration and course selection. There are several upcoming events we wanted to make you aware of regarding high school registration and course selection.

The 2024-2025 ORHS Academic Planning Guide can be found here:

www.ortn.edu/ORHS/APG_2024-2025.pdf

Exploring Pathways 2024-2025

www.ortn.edu/ORHS/Exploring_Pathways_2024-2025.pdf

Is your child interested in education or working with children someday? Then the Early Childhood Education Academy might be a great fit! In order to be considered for enrollment in the Early Childhood Education Academy at ORHS, you must complete an application. Applications are now available in the School Counseling Office. *The deadline to complete the application is February 9th!

Congratulations to the Jefferson Middle School FIRST Lego League teams. All four teams competed in the East Tennessee State Championship on Saturday, February 10, 2024. They competed against the top 48 teams from the Nashville, Knoxville, and surrounding areas. The JMS Master Builders won the 1st Place Champions Award and the 3rd Place Robot Performance trophy. They will represent Tennessee at the FIRST World Championship in Houston, TX in April. The Radioactive Brix won the 2nd Place Champions Award and will represent Tennessee at the Western Edge competition in California in May. The Atomic Eagles won the 2nd Place Innovation Project Award. Secret Innovation won the 2nd Place Robot Award and their team mentor Dr. Jason Rieger won the Coach/Mentor Award.

Please congratulate the following students, coaches, and mentors:

JMS Master Builders

Coach: Lexie Scott

Mentor: Christopher Scott

• Theo Christian
• Lucy Kilpatrick
• Shane Osborne
• Norah Price
• Ruby Price
• Andrew Schwartzenberger
• Paisley Wright

Radioactive Brix

Coach: Theresa Davis

Mentor: Julie Hartye

• Preston Atkinson
• Moira Davis
• Vance Harrison
• Ava Hartye
• Skyla Hartye
• Patrick Henley
• Anna Pickel
• Nina Vasquez

Atomic Eagles

Coach: Janie Shanafield

Mentor: Harold Shanafield

• Owen Bass
• Addie Driskill
• Maverick Fitzwater
• Tommy Sauer
• Harry Shanafield
• Natalie Shanafield
• Phoebe Weston

Secret Innovation

Coach: Molly Bradburn

Mentor: Jason Rieger

• Freya Andrews
• Ella Bradburn
• Writson Crowell
• Laney May
• Patrick Torres
• Hannah Rieger
• Samantha Rieger

This programming is scheduled to take place February 12th -14th during PE classes in 5th, 6th and 8th grades.

Five JMS students will be selected to represent the Oak Ridge Schools and the City of Oak Ridge as participants in the 28th Anniversary Naka-shi Student Exchange Program. Selected students along with chaperones will travel to Japan in July to explore parts of Japan and the Japanese culture. Since it is an exchange program, the same students and chaperones who travel to Japan will in turn offer their Oak Ridge home and hospitality to a Japanese exchange student for a short time in August.

Applications for the Naka-Shi Student Exchange Program along with the parent permission and questionnaire forms are now available and may be picked up in the guidance department. Once the completed applications are in, the student interviews with the selection committee will begin.

Attention 7th Graders:

Applications for the Naka-Shi Student Exchange Program along with the parent permission and questionnaire forms are now available and may be picked up in the guidance department.

Completed forms must be returned to the guidance office by Monday, February 12th.

Parents, this is a friendly reminder that students CANNOT bring medications to school. Parents must bring the medication to the clinic. This policy is both for student safety and making sure the documentation is complete. Parents, please bring any medication for your students to the clinic to Nurse Callison.

Don’t forget to order your copy of the yearbook! We have sold half of what is available and they are first come first serve, so don’t wait! Go to jostensyearbooks.com and search for Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge, TN. Cost is $20 per yearbook.

Jefferson Track & Field practice begins on February 12th. All student-athletes must have a sports physical on file prior to participating. Please see Coach Byas, Coach Bolling or Coach Jessie with any questions.

Please see the Track & Field schedule below!

Go Eagles!

Coach Bolling

Dear JMS Parents,

We open every sporting event at JMS with the same comments about Good Sportsmanship. We believe that student athletes develop life-long personal and interpersonal skill sets by participation in and support of our extracurricular events. We rarely have any issues on this front. For example, the City Basketball Championship this past weekend between RMS and JMS was a rousing demonstration of GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP --fantastic fans, dedicated players, and supportive family and friends. Though we compete and play hard, we (the parents, the staff, the supporters) engaged in the good sportsmanship we want to see in our students. We thank you for that! Even though the Eagles did not come out victorious and the day itself was rainy and chilly, it was a great experience for kids and the many parents and staff members it takes to run this event. The comradery at these events builds into our great ORHS fan base.

However, due to changes in TSSAA rules, JMS Admin wanted to remind all spectators of the policies regarding expectations of spectators at any school athletic event. Whether here at Jefferson or away at another school, we hold our students and our supporters to the same high standards. Some of these policies are state level requirements. Due to recent events at other sporting venues in Tennessee, TSSAA updated their bylaws in July 2023. Article II section 9 of the TSSAA bylaws now states that:

For fans ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct during a contests, the school will be fined a minimum of $250.00. In addition, other non-monetary disciplinary action may occur, including but not limited to probation and/or restricted probation for the entire athletic program.

As such, any JMS parent or supporter that is ejected from a game will be required to pay whatever fine is assessed before they can attend future extracurricular events.

Game officials (referees, school administrators, athletic directors, and SROs) have the power to remove a supporter from a venue for unsportsmanlike conduct. Per the TSSAA website, "The most common unsportsmanlike scenarios involve coaches and fans displaying disrespectful behavior towards officials, players, and other coaches. This includes yelling and arguing with officials, making inappropriate comments, refusing to leave the court or gymnasium when asked, and even physically confronting or threatening officials." Ultimately, the definition of unsportsmanlike conduct will be at the general discretion of the game officials, and game officials control access to the playing field.

In the event of an emergency, the JMS administration will work with you to ensure that you have access to your student. Your student safety is paramount to us. It may take us a moment, but we will work with you.

The goal of JMS administration is to uphold the high standards which make JMS a school of excellence. To achieve this goal we ask that all or our fans adhere to the JMS code of conduct and follow the guidelines below:

• Good sportsmanship should always be emphasized by student athletes and spectators.

• Booing has no place at school-sponsored activities.

• Students and parents in attendance at athletic events should remain seated in the stands during the contest and stay off the basketball court, football field, track, and other playing areas.

• JMS campus is smoke free. This includes e-cigarettes, and other types of devices, including all VAPING.

Again, we rarely have these issues, but with changing state policies, we like to keep our parents informed. Thank you so much for being such great supporters of Jefferson sports and other extra curricular activities. If you have any questions, please let us know.

- Mr. Cox, Mr. Fowler, and Dr. Quilliams.

Congratulations to our Students of the Week!

6th grade

Andrew Schwartzenberger

Jayvion Little

Colton Curtis

Larry Jones

7th grade

Chloe Orf

Jeremiah Cabrera

Rachel Hamblen

Anna Hensley

8th grade

Emmerson Bradshaw

Robyn Greenhalgh

Vivian Sullivan

Layla Fee

The links below contain resources for setting up and accessing Skyward and Canvas, an updated calendar, along with a welcome message from our ITC coach and a link to district and school websites.

• Elizabeth Leavitt, ITC: Welcome Message

• School Calendar

• ORS District Website

• Jefferson Middle School Website

• Canvas Parent Account Setup.docx
  
• Skyward Family Access Account SETUP .docx
  

Please reach out to Elizabeth Leavitt at ealeavit@ortn.edu

When accessing Clever from the home network, it should initially pop up with this image:

Click on “Log in with Active Directory.” The next page should look like this:

This is where the student should log in using the format shown in the text boxes of this image, where “xxxxxxx” is the students username that they use to log into their laptop. Once the login has been completed, Clever should load into the page the student normally sees when their laptop is connected to our school network

You have received many communications this summer from the district about registering for the Bus through Skyward. If you have, but are not sure what bus your student is riding, here is how you check it.

FIRST! Log into Tyler's Versatrans E-Link https://transportation.ortn.edu/elinkrp/Login.aspx

Username: (use student’s name) firstname.lastname This is case sensitive–example: john.smith
Password: (use student birth date) in this format 03122007 for March 12, 2007

Click on Students, then View My Students. If you see a bus route there, you should be good. If you DO NOT see a bus route, you will need to update bus service! You will not have bus service on the first day of school.

To get bus service, log into Skyward and click on Forms. There is a bus request form. Transportation is working to move quickly to add new students to the bus, but it will take a few days before your student can be added to bus service.

First Student Transportation is working hard to get routes assigned to all students who requested bus service.

Once you are registered for transportation, you will be able to track your child's bus using the app information detailed below. Please see information on how to register for MyStop below.

MyStop - Parent/Student Login (You may click on the MyStop Picture to the left!)

• Username: (use student’s name - case sensitive) firstname.lastname
• Password: (use student birth date) in this format 03122007 for March 12, 2007

MyStop Phone App Available In Your App Store

Go to: Versatrans My Stop™ provides mobile access to bus information. This app displays the location of the user’s assigned school bus, as well as the estimated time of arrival to their stop. Students can plan for late or on-time arrival, and prevent missed pick-ups or being left outside in inclement weather.

Can’t Access the MyStop App?

If you are having difficulty accessing the MyStop App please take the following steps:

1. Please confirm the following:
2. You have downloaded the App from Tyler Technologies.
3. You are using the legal student name as listed in Skyward.
4. You have selected all lower case letters.First Student Transportation is working hard to get routes assigned to all students who requested bus service.

   
   

The local news has reported a small rise in COVID cases over the last couple of weeks. Below is a screenshot of the Isolation Guidance from the TN Department of Health (last updated 11 October 2022). The full document is linked below: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/cedep/novel-coronavirus/Isolation-QuarantineRelease.pdf