Jonathan Alder Junior High

JAJHS Families,

Welcome to the 2nd Quarter! It feels like we just started the year, and we’re already moving into the 2nd Quarter!

This time of year is so fun around JAJHS with transitions between athletic seasons, students preparing for the upcoming drama production, and hard work throughout the day by our students and teachers!

We held grade-level meetings this week to revisit some expectations as we move into the new quarter. From math skills and writing abilities to behavior and organization skills, we’re excited to see our students get #BetterEveryDay!

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

Sincerely,

Mr. Malany

Principal

We wrapped up our very successful fall sports season with a couple of championships! Congratulations to our girl cross country team and our 7th grade football and cheerleading teams as they were crowned CBC champions! Our cross country team was victorious at the conference meet at Bellefontaine on October 14th and our 7th grade football team finished the season undefeated with a dominating win over North Union on October 19th.

With the second quarter starting this week, now is a great time for your Junior High child to revisit, or begin to implement important organization strategies. Being organized can help your child feel more confident and successful at school and beyond! Check out the following two links from understood.org to help teach your child some tips and tricks for better organization.

How To Teach Your Middle Schooler Organization Skills

Tools and Tips

October 28th - JAMfest at JAHS

November 2nd & November 6th - Parent Teacher Conferences

November 6th - PTO Meeting

November 7th - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL

November 22nd-24th - Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL

December 5th - JAJHS Winter Band Concert

Printed 1st Quarter Report Cards were sent home with all students today, Friday, October 27th. If you did not receive your child’s report card, please contact the school office next week.

Please remember to continue to stay connected via Canvas. Please continue to check your child’s grades and progress through their classes.

We had a great start to the school year in our Advisory program. This part of our school day allows students to be in small, mixed groups of grade-level peers. During this time, students participate in activities that develop and enhance teacher-student relationships, students’ sense of belonging, organization and executive functioning skills, and much more.

Based on feedback from teacher and student surveys, we are continuing to enhance our advisory program as we move into the 2nd Quarter. Advisory will now be held daily, for a shorter amount of time each day. Each weekday will have a focused theme:

Monday - Academic Assist (Academic and organization time and support)

Tuesday - Topic Tuesday (Focused mini-lessons that support students’ experience as well as legislative-required trainings)

Wednesday - Academic Assist (Academic and organization time and support)

Thursday - Think Fast Thursday (Critical/Creative-thinking competitions and challenges)

Friday - Alder Pioneer Network video announcements and small-group check-in activities

Advisory-focused activities allow us to work to preserve instructional class time while creating a positive, small-group connection for our students and teachers. We are excited to continue to enhance the advisory experience for all of our students throughout the 2nd Quarter!

JAMfest will be Saturday, October 28th, starting at 5:00 P.M. You can bring a carved pumpkin to enter into a contest, check out all the silent auction baskets and items, watch our talented performers, and enjoy food from our food trucks. It’s going to be a great event this year!!

This year at the Jr. High, we are offering two types of Parent/Teacher Conferences:

1) Team conferences on Thursday, Nov 2, from 3:00 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. where your child's whole team of teachers request a conference to meet with you at the same time. This day is reserved for teacher-requested conferences only. We will contact you to set up a team conference if that is what is needed at this time.

2) Individual conferences on Monday, Nov 6, from 3:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M., where you choose time slots for the teachers you would like to meet with. If you'd like to schedule an individual conference, CLICK HERE. You must sign up for each teacher you would like to see individually- only the teacher you sign up for will be in attendance. Please select teachers for their own time slot. For example, (Woolley: 3:00, Garner: 3:15, Heinig: 3:30) Please do not sign up for this option if we are requesting a team conference with you. Please use this option only if YOU are choosing to meet with individual teachers.

PLEASE NOTE: The link to sign up for conferences will close on Tuesday, October 31st, at 5PM.

We look forward to teaming with you to build success for each student!

Our next PTO meeting is scheduled for this Monday, November 6th, at 6:00 PM in the JAJHS Library.

This year, the Junior High would like to recognize the service of JAJHS family members by creating a “Wall of Honor” as a part of our November Veterans Day activities. If a member of your family is a veteran or in active service and you would like them to be recognized on this day, please complete this Google Form. If you would like to submit a photo of your family member(s) please email it to Megan Brar at brarme@japioneers.org. We are excited and honored to pay our respects to those who serve or have served our country!

When: Tuesday, December 5th @ 7pm (Students report @ 6:15pm)

Where: JAHS Auditeria

*Specific Band information for students will be sent out at the beginning of November*

CARLY'S SOCK DRIVE!!

Cooper Fleming, one of our favorite 8th graders, and his family are collecting socks in honor of his sister, Carly. Please grab some NEW, warm, woolly socks to help Cooper and his family help The Open Shelter bless those without permanent housing this winter!

Students can drop off socks in the office! Please brings socks by Friday, December 1st!

If you were unable to attend the 8th grade Washington D.C. meeting earlier this week, all information is being housed inside Canvas. Once you are logged into Canvas, please find the Washington D.C. 8th Grade 23-24 course. All documents are linked on the course home page. Students are also able to request hard copies of all forms from Mrs. Kaumeyer.

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.

• 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