11/23 - 11/25: Thanksgiving Break

11/28 - 12/2 1st Quarter Grade Appeal Window

11/30: PSAT 8th Grade Assessment

12/8: Picture Day

12/16: 2nd Quarter Progress Reports

12/23 - 1/2: Winter Break

A little about me… I was born in Virginia Beach, VA, and raised in Northern Virginia since age 9. I attended the University of Mary Washington for my undergraduate degree where I majored in English with a concentration in Creative Writing: Poetry. I chose English because I love to read and write. After college, I joined the ARMY. I am now a veteran. After the ARMY, I attended Howard University for my graduate degree in Social Work. My concentration was on Children and Family Services. Not only do I hold a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree, but I also have my LMSW (Licensed Masters Social Worker) in Maryland. I am working on obtaining my LGSW (Licensed Graduate Social Worker) in Washington D.C.

Since obtaining my MSW I have tried different career paths. In my first job post-graduation, I worked for a non-profit organization called Volunteers of America Chesapeake and Carolinas in Maryland as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Counselor (PRP Counselor). As a PRP counselor, I met with clients 6 times a month to help clients with daily living activities, ensuring they have benefits, such as food stamps, Medicaid, SSI, etc. After being a PRP Counselor, I decided to try a different career. I worked for an organization called SMYAL as a Clinical Case Manager at a Youth House for LGBTQ Youth ages 18-24 at a Transitional Housing Program that housed homeless LGBTQ Youth for 18-24 months. During my time at SMYAL, I had the pleasure of getting to know the youth, and working on goals so that when they graduated from the SMYAL program they were no longer homeless. I enjoyed this job; however, I decided to follow my passion, which is working with children.

Since I was a young girl I have always wanted to work with children. I also have experience working with children with special needs, low-income, and LGBTQ. My parents raised me to empower myself and others, regardless of their backgrounds. My goal when I become a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) is to open a private practice for children. I believe my current position at CMIT Middle School will give me the tools and experience to obtain this goal.

I am extremely excited to work with the children, staff, and parents. My goal is to empower all children, staff, and parents by empowering the children here to be the best versions of themselves and use a solution-oriented approach along with active listening. I want each individual at CMIT Middle School to know that their voice matters and that they deserve to be heard. I look forward to meeting everyone. Please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

The holiday season is upon us! There are many families in need of help during these trying times. Please consider donating any nonperishable goods (canned goods and boxed food) that you can spare. We will be donating all goods to LARS (Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services). Donation examples are Cereal, Oatmeal, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Fruit cups or cans, Soup, Chef Boyardee, Ramen Noodles, Mac & Cheese, Meat (canned tuna or chicken), Pasta and Pasta Sauce, Rice, Chili, Beans, Hot Cocoa, Canned Vegetables, ETC. We will begin collecting donations on Monday, NOVEMBER 14, and continue until Monday, NOVEMBER 21. Students can bring donations in and drop them into the donation bin at the front office. We appreciate you for helping with this initiative! To learn more about who LARS is and who they service please visit their site. Should you have any questions, please email me at jasmine.smiley@pgcps.org.

Jasmine Upshaw NJHS Advisor