JCMS Parent Newsletter
January 5-8
General News
- ISTEP+ Score Release - the state department of education released a memo to all schools yesterday stating that ISTEP scores will be officially released to parents tomorrow through the Indiana Parent Network. The "Invitation Code" that was sent home in November will allow you to gain access to your students scores. If you need another copy of your "Invitation Code" please contact the guidance office at 812-346-4940.
- New ISTEP+ Test - If you want to see what all the hype is about and try some of the new ISTEP+ based questions yourself, visit http://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/english/.
- 2016 ISTEP+ Windows - Please avoid scheduling all appointments or other things where your student misses school on the following dates: February 29-March 11 and then April 18-29. These dates are when we will be taking ISTEP+ this year.
- 2015-2016 Yearbooks - Now on Sale!! Order forms are being mailed home or you can go to: ybpay.lifetouch.com and enter Yearbook ID Code: 12069116. Prices start at $25 for a yearbook.
- Tobacco Cessation Classes - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5X2wXTZFLqSZEotYkdKdUd1blU
- 7th Grade Math Tutoring - Struggling in math? Mrs. Ballenger will be available for tutoring and extra help every Thursday until 4:00pm.
- Comment Box - Please help make our school better. If you have feedback for us or a suggestion on how we would do something better, please click the following link and let us know. Be as detailed as possible in your suggestion so we are able to act upon it. http://goo.gl/forms/yUo6t4sp8X
- On the teacher front: 1) we welcome Mrs. Caudill back after having a baby girl right around Thanksgiving time 2) we want to congratulate Mrs. Frey for giving birth over winter break to a little girl. Emmalynn Ann Frey was born January 1st at 8:05am.
From Mr. Grubbs
Happy new year! We hope everyone had a relaxing and restful break. Even though it was great to have time off, it was awesome to see the kids back in the school and to get back into a routine for us at the middle school.
I wanted to add a short blurb in this newsletter to just keep parents updated and informed with the direction we are taking in reviewing and preparing for ISTEP+. For the first half of the school year, we focused on teaching our students the Panther Way, on giving them high quality instruction in the different fields of study and on created in general, well rounded students. This second semester we plan to keep the same areas of focus but also add review and preparation for the assessment that holds both the student and the school accountable for learning - ISTEP+. In doing this, there may be times where your student will be pulled from Art, a Music class, Industrial Technology, or some other elective class to receive specific and and very personalized help in Math or Language Arts. Those Math and L.A. teachers are still working on teaching students new material so to help review, time has to be taken out of other classes. Students will not be penalized for missing those elective classes but rather their grade should reflect the work that was done when they were in class.
We think it is very important to be open with parents as we add this additional focus to our school and because of that, we will continue to update you through the weekly newsletter, through social media and through contact from specific teachers. We also ask that you not hesitate to contact individual teachers or myself if you see your student struggling and or want to find ways to help. Our goal is to help mold your student into a well rounded individual that will be successful no matter what path they take in life, and for that the school, parents and the community need to work together. With that, we thank you for all that you have done, currently do and will do in the future. Our door is always open.
I wanted to add a short blurb in this newsletter to just keep parents updated and informed with the direction we are taking in reviewing and preparing for ISTEP+. For the first half of the school year, we focused on teaching our students the Panther Way, on giving them high quality instruction in the different fields of study and on created in general, well rounded students. This second semester we plan to keep the same areas of focus but also add review and preparation for the assessment that holds both the student and the school accountable for learning - ISTEP+. In doing this, there may be times where your student will be pulled from Art, a Music class, Industrial Technology, or some other elective class to receive specific and and very personalized help in Math or Language Arts. Those Math and L.A. teachers are still working on teaching students new material so to help review, time has to be taken out of other classes. Students will not be penalized for missing those elective classes but rather their grade should reflect the work that was done when they were in class.
We think it is very important to be open with parents as we add this additional focus to our school and because of that, we will continue to update you through the weekly newsletter, through social media and through contact from specific teachers. We also ask that you not hesitate to contact individual teachers or myself if you see your student struggling and or want to find ways to help. Our goal is to help mold your student into a well rounded individual that will be successful no matter what path they take in life, and for that the school, parents and the community need to work together. With that, we thank you for all that you have done, currently do and will do in the future. Our door is always open.
Event Information
After School Dance
Cost of this dance is $4. Please make sure your student has a ride at the school promptly at 5:00pm.
When?
Friday, Jan 15, 2016, 03:15 PM
Where?
Jennings County Middle School, West Walnut Street, North Vernon, IN, United States
Contact JCMS
Email: nhill@jcsc.org
Website: ms.jcsc.org
Location: Jennings County Middle School, West Walnut Street, North Vernon, IN, United States
Phone: 812-346-4940
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenningscountymiddleschool
Twitter: @JCMSPanthers