Parent Newsletter
Aug. 19th - 23rd
Congratulations! Jefferson Middle School earned status as a 2018 - 2019 Rewards School
Thank you Students and Parents!
- Jefferson Middle School 2018 - 2019 Reward School
- A look at the week Ahead
- Preparing for Midterm
- Getting the Most out of Checking Canvas
- Counselors Corner
Thank you again for all that you do to support Jefferson Middle School,
Phil Cox, Principal
Chris Layton, Vice Principal
Jenifer Laurendine, Dean of Students
JMS Rewards School
We are very excited about the news of Jefferson Middle School being a Rewards School. It is a great honor accomplished by our amazing students, teachers and support of our families. Each and every day our students work with teachers to learn, share and grow. The evidence of this success both in statewide achievement and growth is exemplified in the Reward School status. Below you can see the excerpt from the letter from the Department of Education that describes Reward School status:
This success is a collaborative effort and relationship with all of the stakeholders of Jefferson Middle School. Again, we are excited by the achievement and growth of our students and we appreciate the support you provide our school. Also, a congratulations to both Glenwood Elementary and Woodland Elementary as they also received status as a Reward School. The efforts of our students, teachers and families make Jefferson Middle School a great school and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your support.
Thank you for all of your support,
Phil Cox, Principal
Chris Layton, Vice Principal
Jenifer Laurendine, Dean of Students
JMS Football hosts Lenoir City at 6 pm at Blankenship on Thursday August 22nd
A Look at the Week Ahead
Monday-19
B day
8th Grade Morning Homework Help (Haun) Rm 204 7:05-7:35
Atomic Eagles Lego League Team Meeting (Shanafield) Science Wing 2:45-4:45
RadioActiv Brix Lego League Team Meeting (Davis) Rm 223 2:45-4:45
Cheer Practice 3:00-4:00 Pictures at 4:00
Volleyball Practice 3:00-5:00 Pictures at 4:30
Football Practice 3:00-5:30
Girls Basketball Fall League Practice-JMS Gym 5:00-6:30
Tuesday-20
A day
8th Grade Morning Homework Help (Haun) Rm 204 7:05-7:35
5th/6th Grade Morning Homework Help (Martin) Rm 319 7:00-7:30
Naka students at JMS - 7th grade Assembly Gym 8:40-9:30
Interact Club Meeting Rm 311 2:45-3:45
5th/6th Grade After School Homework Help (Martin) Rm 319 2:45-3:30
Atomic Eagles Lego League Team Meeting (Shanafield) Science Wing 2:45-4:45
Cheer Practice 3:00-5:00
Volleyball (HOME) vs. Clinton MS at JMS JV 4:30 Varsity 5:30
Football Practice 3:00-5:30 PM
Wednesday-21
B day
8th Grade Morning Homework Help (Haun) Rm 204 7:05-7:35
FCA JPAC 7:15-7:30
Volleyball vs. Robertsville at Robertsville MS Varsity only 5:00
Football Practice 1:00-3:30 PM
Boys Basketball Fall League Practice-JMS Gym 6:30-8:00
Thursday-22
A day
8th Grade Morning Homework Help (Haun) Rm 204 7:05-7:35
5th/6th Grade Morning Homework Help (Martin) Rm 319 7:00-7:3
RadioActiv Brix Lego League Team Meeting (Davis) Rm 223 2:45-4:45
5th/6th Grade After School Homework Help (Martin) Rm 319 2:45-3:30
7th/8th Grade After School Tutoring (Hondorf) Rm 301 2:45-3:30
Volleyball vs. Horace Maynard MS at JMS JV 4:30 Varsity 5:30
Football (HOME) vs. Lenoir City Middle School-Blankenship Field 6:00
Friday-23
B day
8th Grade Morning Homework Help (Haun) Rm 204 7:05-7:35
YFC JPAC 7:00-7:30
Volleyball Practice 3:00-5:00
Football Practice 3:00-5:30
JMS Sports this Week: Volleyball at home Tuesday and Thursday JV 4:30 Varsity 5:30
Utilizing Skyward and Canvas
You have probably heard about Canvas or Skyward, but you may not know how they are used by teachers. Both are incredible tools that work to help both students and teachers keep up with their classes. Below are some brief descriptions for each tool and how you can utilize them at home to help your student stay organized and on top of their work.
Skyward - (video above)
For the 2019 - 2020 school year parents will be able to check out student grades in Skyward. Teachers will work to keep the grade book up to date weekly. This will help to have a better idea of student's progress weekly. Around 4.5 weeks into the nine weeks, students will get a midterm report sent home and at the end of the nine weeks.
Canvas (video below)
For 2019 - 2020 Canvas will serve as the place to get information about your child's class. For example, "what did you do in school today?" or "what did you learn about today?" etc. Canvas allows teachers to post announcements, links to resources, videos, PowerPoint notes, links to OneNote and other information that will help students in the class.
We ask our teachers to work to keep the announcements section updated each week in Canvas. This will allow parents to see a glance at the week ahead. Please keep in mind that some assignments, quizzes, tests, projects etc. may be subject to change and that the look at the week ahead is a tool to help students and parents have an idea of what will be discussed each week.
Incredible World History Lesson
Students in Mr. Smith's 7th grade World History class were treated to an amazing lesson last week where they were able to use both digital content along with an incredible artifact. Below you can see the description of the lesson, which feature a long panoramic picture scroll capturing life in Ancient China. In addition to physically examining the scroll, the students were able to utilize the new 80 inch interactive screen in the library to learn more digitally about the time period and scroll. Learn more about the lesson below and check out the images from the activity:
Along the River during the Qingming Festival
‘Along the River During the Qingming Festival’ is a panoramic painting generally attributed to the Song dynasty artist Zhang Zeduan (張擇端, 1085–1145). It captures the daily life of people from the Song period at the capital, Bianjing, today’s Kaifeng in Henan. The theme celebrates the festive spirit and prosperous street scene at the Qingming Festival, rather than the holiday’s ceremonial aspects, such as tomb sweeping and prayers. The entire piece was painted in the handscroll format and the content reveals the lifestyle of all levels of society from rich to poor as well as different economic activities in rural areas and the city. It offers glimpses of period clothing and architecture.
Even though modern museums often display handscrolls stretched out full-length under a glass case, they were originally intended to be held by the viewer, who would unroll only an arm’s length section at a time. Starting at the right end of the scroll, and progressing to the left, the viewer determined the pace. With the use of perspective, the artist can make something seem to come closer and then to recede. A handscroll can show the same object from different angles, creating moments of suspense to entice the viewer to keep on looking.
Mr. Smith will show the Animated Version of the scroll in class. Afterwards, you will investigate a replica of the scroll. Nine items will be marked. In your composition book, you will write what is depicted in the scroll at those nine places. You are to pick a tenth item. You can check your answers with an interactive version of the scroll.
The Most Advanced Society in the World Video http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/songdynasty-module/animated-version.html
Interactive Map http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/song-scroll/song.html
Kindness Counts
It was an incredible opportunity for our students to continue to learn about his story and the story of many immigrants while also learning more about the power of kindness, as has been featured in his "The Nicest Place in America" award.
It's Almost Midterm (August 28th)
1. Set Goals - Odds are your grades are probably in a good place. Work to keep them in a good place, by setting goals. Where will your grades be by the end of this week? By midterm (August 28th) and by the end of the 9 weeks (Sept. 27th)?
Make goals that can be measured and also make goals that have times that hold you accountable. For example, I am going to submit all of my assignments in science this week. On Friday, you ask yourself, "did I submit everything in science this week?"
2. Use your tools - It can be easy and entertaining to get off task and use your device for games, emails, and searching for non school related things, but it can really throw off your chances to achieve. Use your laptop to stay focused on your mission at hand, being the best student you can possibly be.
- Use Outlook to set up a calendar that can give you reminders for assignments
- Use the Canvas Calendar to see about assignments, quizzes, and tests in your classes
- Check your Skyward grade like you check social media or your favorite websites (check it everyday) : "Are you missing any assignments?", "How did you do on that last quiz?"
3. Ask for help - If you don't understand something that was taught in class, ask for help. Adults ask for help all the time in the real world and you too can do so in school. Reach out to your teacher and be honest, "I don't understand today's lesson" or "I'm struggling can you help me?"
4. Take advantage of before and after school tutoring opportunities. We have a lot of amazing teachers who volunteer their time before and after school to help students. If you are lost, confused or just need a place for reassurance on an assignment take advantage of these opportunities.
Lego League Boot Camp is a Great Success
Understanding How Grades Work
Understanding Total Points and Student Grades
Often students find that if they do poorly on an assignment they have a feeling that their grade is inevitably going to be an F. This couldn't be any further from the reality. Our goal over the nine weeks is to work to provide students and parents with tools, resources and best practices to help support their student and improving their grades.
Students often don't realize that one poor grade, one missing assignment etc. can be made up over the course of the whole nine weeks. However, we often hear from students, "I made an F on that test, so my grade will be an F". We want to work this nine weeks to help students understand how the math works for their grade. So for example, if a student scores a 50/100 on a test, but there are a total of 1000 points to be earned, it is hard for students to understand that the 50 points they lost on the test in the grand scheme is only 5% of the overall grade. That means they could still earn an A, but they have a more narrow margin to accomplish.
Students Often Do Not Understand How a 0 Impacts a student's grade
Often our students feel that if they miss an assignment and earn a 0 on that assignment that the entire grade term is not salvageable. The TRUTH is....it is challenging, but not insurmountable. The video below is the best example to help students understand how a 0 impacts their grade in a negative manner.
Educational Tools for Success: OneNote
Check out the following information about OneNote and how it can help students stay organized, stay informed and have access to class information to be better prepared. The video below gives a great description as to all of the tools that can be utilized in a classroom through OneNote.
Remember the days of taking notes? Did you ever miss some items? What if you had access to them again after class? OneNote allows teachers to post notes to their Canvas page and allows for students to have access to information on their devices as it is being given to them. One goal of this is to allow students to have deep discussions, ask questions, and work to review as they learn content.
Understanding Social Media for Middle School Students
Check out the following information from Common Sense Media concerning students and social media:
How can I help my kid avoid digital drama?
To adults, digital drama and cyberbullying may seem one and the same. But to kids, there's a difference. Unlike cyberbullying, which involves repeated harassment of someone, digital drama is the everyday tiffs and disputes that occur among friends or acquaintances online or via text message. A guy may change his relationship status to "single" immediately after a fight with his girlfriend to make a statement. A teen may post a comment about someone else knowing that people will see it, friends may chime in, and people will talk about it. In the same way that the word drama describes a performance, kids usually engage in online drama with an audience in mind.
In some cases, digital drama can escalate into an offline fight -- either verbal or physical. Here's how you can help your kid avoid this:
Help set boundaries. Understand that these days relationships often are played out both online and offline. Kids need their family's guidance in establishing appropriate boundaries for healthy relationships.
Take a time-out. With constant access to texting and posting online, kids don't get a break from the back and forth that can keep digital drama going. Have some device-free time to give kids a chance to cool off.
Let them know you're always there for them. Remind your kids often that you're always available to talk. While you're at it, remind them about the school counselor, a favorite teacher, a coach, or even a friend's parent. Knowing that they have a trusted adult to talk to may encourage teens to open up more.
Use media to talk about drama. Reality TV shows often present extreme behavior as entertainment. Discuss why these shows are less likely to depict positive conflict resolution. Also talk about how these shows can encourage negative stereotypes about female friendships.
Counselors Corner
Good Evening from the Counseling Office! Now that we are about to be at the end of the mid-term we need to evaluate where our child is with their grades. According to Sylvan there are 10 ways that your child can develop good study habits as they progress from grade to grade.
1. Get Organized. Between homework, tests, and extracurricular activities, it’s all too easy for things to slip through the cracks. A planner can help your child keep everything organized. Students should write down assignments, appointments and to-do lists, then review items in the planner at both the beginning and end of the day to stay on track.
2. Know the Expectations. Students shouldn’t have any surprises when it comes to how and what they will be graded on. By middle school and high school, most teachers will provide a course outline or syllabus, which can serve as a guide for the semester. If expectations aren’t clear, don’t wait until a bad report card comes in the mail. Your student should feel comfortable approaching teachers with questions about grading and assignments at any time. If this is not the case, it may be time for you as a parent to step in.
3. Designate a Study Area. Yes, studying at the local place may seem like a good idea, but not if there are constantly people interrupting or other disruptions. Even at home, studying in front of the TV won’t be the best use of your son or daughter’s time. Help your child by providing a quiet, well-lit, low-traffic space for study time. Take it one step further and institute a “communications blackout” policy with no cell phones or social media allowed until schoolwork is done.
4. Develop a Study Plan. First things first: students need to know when a test will take place, the types of questions that will be included and the topics that will be covered. From there, your student should create a study plan and allow ample time to prepare – there’s nothing worse than cramming the night before an exam. You can help by buying a wall calendar and asking him or her to assign topics and tasks for each day leading up to a due date or exam. Setting goals for each session is also key to success. If your child needs some help developing a study plan, contact their current teacher(s). Teachers can work with your child to develop an individualized plan that fits his or her needs.
5. Think Positively. Being in the right mindset can make all the difference. Encourage your child to think positively when studying or heading into an exam and by all means, avoid catastrophic thinking. Help your student turn negative statements like, “I’ll never have enough time to get a good grade on this exam,” into positive ones like, “I began preparing later than I should have but I put together a comprehensive study plan and will be able to get through the material prior to the exam.”
6. Create a Study Group. Working in groups can help students when they’re struggling to understand a concept and can enable them to complete assignments more quickly than when working alone. Keep groups small and structured to ensure the maximum benefit to participants and reduce distractions.
7. Practice Active Listening. It’s important for students to concentrate and avoid distractions when a teacher is presenting. Some tips to share with your child include: try concentrating on the main points being made, think about what the speaker is saying and pay attention to how things are said (gestures, tone of voice, etc.). They should avoid talking or thinking about problems when listening. If a teacher says, “This is important” or “I’ll write this on the board,” there’s a good chance students will see the concept on an exam.
8. Review Test-Taking Strategies. It is normal for your son or daughter to feel stressed when taking an exam. However, there are certain strategies that will help him or her manage the stress and do his or her best on the exam. First, make sure that your child arrives on time and tries to stay relaxed. Students should be sure to read all of the directions on the exam and pace themselves so as not to feel rushed. You can let your child know that it’s OK to skip around on a test, if allowed, as he or she may be more comfortable with certain topics than others.
9. Read Actively. It’s all too easy for students to skim over an assigned book chapter and not know the main points of what they just read. Help your student to practice active reading by asking him or her to note the main idea of each passage and look up unfamiliar words or concepts. Make an outline of the chapter or create flow charts and diagrams that help map out the concept at hand. After each section, have students write a summary in their own words and come up with possible exam questions.
10. Look to the Future. For some students, graduating from high school may seem like an intangible event in the very distant future, but in reality, it isn’t so far off. Starting early can be an immense in navigating and exploring future goals. Be sure to get organized, set goals with your child and have regular check-ins to assess progress.
Beginning a new school year can be challenging at first, but getting into good habits from the start helps you and your child smoothly adjust to new expectations and routines.
Important Information:
Report cards will be distributed Friday, August 30, 2019
RTI changes will be made next week. If your child receives a schedule change please as your child for the RTI letter given to them stating the reason.
This week many students will receive schedule changes and will be taken out of one or both of their electives. There may be some students that will come out of RTI and placed in an elective class, too. This occurred due to the universal screener given two weeks ago. If you have RTI questions please call John Smith or Stephanie Hope at (865) 425-9301.
What is RTI?
RTI- (Response To Intervention) is a multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning needs.
Tier 1: The Whole Class (every student is served at this level)
In the general education classroom, the teacher measures everyone’s skills. This is known as a universal screening that is given 3 times a year to the whole school (Fall, Winter and Spring) to determine the students that fall at the 25th percentile or below for extra Tier 1 support. If your child falls at or below the 25th percentile your child will be placed in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 class in the areas of Math or English to provide more support because they are performing below their grade level. The screening helps the teacher work with students in small groups based on their skill levels. The school will let you know if your child is struggling and will update you on his/her RTI progress. If your child scores at the Tier 2 or Tier 3 level they will be taken out of one or both of their electives. This class is a revolving door class, which means your child can make their way of the class with showing progress and gains above the 25th percentile. A goal is made for your child in their Tier 2/3 class an academic goal is developed in the progress monitoring software. It takes on the average 6 weeks for the progress monitoring tool to show if your child is making progress on their goal.
During the intervention, the RTI team monitors students’ progress to see who might need additional support. Many students respond successfully to Tier 1 support and achieve grade-level expectations.
Tier 2: Small Group Interventions (25th percentile-11th percentile)
If your child isn’t making adequate progress in Tier 1, he/she will start to receive more targeted help. This is in addition to the regular classroom instruction (Tier 1), not a replacement for it. Tier 2 interventions take place every day during a designated period and won’t miss any core instruction in the classroom.
During these extra help sessions, he/she will be taught in small groups using a different method than in Tier 1 because the first method wasn’t successful. The teacher may also ask you to work with your child at home on certain skills.
The school will monitor your child’s progress so it’s clear whether the Tier 2 intervention is helping through 4 ½ week progress reports sent by the school.
Tier 3: Intensive Interventions (at or below 10th percentile)
Typically, only a small percentage of the class will require Tier 3 support. In many schools, though, that number is much higher. If your child needs Tier 3 support, it will be tailored to his/her needs. Every day he/she will receive one-on-one instruction or work in very small groups.
Your child will continue to spend most of the day in the general education classroom. If he/she doesn’t make adequate progress in Tier 3, it’s likely that the school will recommend an evaluation for special education services.
The school will monitor your child’s progress so it’s clear whether the Tier 2 intervention is helping through 4 ½ week progress reports sent by the school.
Core Focus-(English or Math) This class is for those students that score close to above the 25th percentile or the teacher has identified will benefit from extra support with current core classes. Students will be able to work on homework intermittently during the week and may need re-teaching of Tier 1 instruction.