We continue to see growth as we dive deeper; reflecting on values, being equipped with vocabulary to help with emotions, allowing our values to be non-negotiable as they guide as, and seeing the fruit of teamwork even when we have differences!! We are rocking our sessions on Wednesday during our Zero Period.

5th grade: Building Listening Skills

6th grade: Identifying Emotions

7th grade: Creating Goals

8th grade: Practicing Teamwork

For years, our sign board was frequently updated by Mr. Randolph, our JMS head of maintenance, and we thank him for the many hours he spent making sure our messages got out to the community. We offered him access to the sign board when it comes online, but he politely declined. We are very excited to have a new way of communicating with all the stakeholders of JMS.

• Building Roller Coasters in STEM! Students will be testing what they have created by using a marble to "take a ride"! They will then analyze the experience to determine the strengths and weakness of their engineered roller coaster! GO MR. JAEGER's STUDENTS!
• Analyzing Dialogue in Language Arts through guided notes, interactive notebooks, and high-level questioning to determine if a character's dialogue "propels action, provokes a decision, or reveals character." GREAT WORK, MS. MACMAHON's STUDENTS!
• Presenting Business Plans in Business/Marketing! Students have been working over the past few days to develop business plans; categorizing the types, analyzing the market, critically thinking about funding, sources, and qualifications. Their classmates activated their listening skills so that they could vote and justify whether each business should be funded. They presented their plans this week! WAY TO GO, MR. MITCHELL's STUDENTS!

Day of the Dead has various Spanish (Catholic) and Aztec (indigenous) influences. In many US cities that border Mexico, one may find that Day of the Dead has adopted many American (Halloween) influences, as well. Day of the Dead isn’t celebrated by all Hispanic countries. It really varies from country to country, city to city, and household to household. However, this holiday is celebrated heavily in Mexico and because that’s where I lived, I like to spend additional time sharing my own, personal experiences with our students. -Ms. Kerr

Some items you may have seen on the altar in our lobby this past week:

-3 levels (representing heaven, earth, and hell)

-Flowers, fruit, and other decorative items

-Pictures of deceased friends or family we are celebrating on these 2 special days

-Calaveras: happy skulls/skeletons representing joy in the afterlife

-Calacas: sugar skulls (typical candy for Day of the Dead—again, handmade by some of our students)

-Candles for the souls to warm their hands upon returning to earth for the 2 days of celebration (Our altars contain flameless candles or candles that will not be lit. J)

-Items the deceased enjoyed doing during his/her lifetime

Ms. Candie Price (5th and 7th Grade)

Mr. Paul Sudderth (6th and 8th Grade)

Please contact our school counseling department with any other questions at 865-425-9302. Ms. Amy Myers, school registrar, is happy to assist with enrollment, withdrawal paperwork, transportation, Skyward, school updates, etc.

COUNSELING CORNER

Pre-ACT this week!

JMS will be administering the Pre-ACT to all 8th graders this Wednesday, November 16th. The Pre-ACT is a wonderful opportunity that we offer our students. Please have conversations with your students about getting a good night’s rest and eating a balanced breakfast before the test!

Test Taking Strategies

• Be prepared

• Always arrive early and take a moment to relax

• Listen attentively to last minute instructions given by the instructor

• Do a memory dump – write out all important information you don’t want to forget at the start of the test

• Read the test directions very carefully and watch for details

• Plan how you will use allotted time

• Look for cues

• Answer all the questions

• Maintain a positive attitude

• Rely on your first impressions

• Plan to finish early and have time to review

Clothing Closet Accepting Donations

JMS is pleased to offer support for students in need through our “clothing closet”. We are accepting clean, gently used clothing items for students in need. Please make sure all donated items meet JMS dress code policy. Donated items can be dropped off in the JMS Counseling office. Thank you for your support!

• Ms. Price - 5th and 7th Grade Counselor - clprice@ortn.edu
  
• Mr. Sudderth - 6th and 8th Grade Counselor - pwsudderth@orth.edu
• Ms. Myers - Registrar - amyers@ortn.edu

• JMS's weather policy is to load busses and release car riders during most weather events EXCEPT lightning or severe rain/wind. When lightning is present we will push our students back to the building and delay releasing students. We have had three major lightning issues and a major wind/rain events during our releases over the first term, and we wanted to reiterate what our hold policy is. We thank our parents for their patience as we do our best to keep our students safe.
• DO NOT enter the bus loop when buses are present!
• Please pull your vehicle all the way up so we can keep as many cars as possible off of Fairbanks Road.
• When dropping off AFTER 7:30am, students will be directed towards the main entrance. Go ahead and pull all the way up.
• Make sure your child is ready to exit the vehicle and doesn't have to access the trunk for items, as this holds up the line.
• DO NOT park or leave your vehicles in the neighborhoods across the street from Jefferson. Traffic is heavy during pickup and drop off and parking on those streets only increases the danger to our students and parents attempting to navigate the traffic.