JMEMS Weekly Update 3/22/21
The newsletter of the JMEMS Community-Vol.27
Community Announcements
Hello Parents/Guardians,
We are continuing to offer both in person and virtual learning (e3) opportunities to our students but we need your help with ensuring students bring their fully charged Chromebooks to campus each day. In addition, please make sure the devices are not damaged and you alert us to any damage as soon as possible.
Take a look at the important message from the Superintendent, Dr. McDaniel:
Weighing all of this input, including a unanimous recommendation from the OKCPS COVID-19 Task Force to the superintendent that students in grades PK-12 return to in-person, I have made the following decision:
OKCPS will begin the 4th Quarter of our school year, which starts on the Monday we return from Spring Break (March 22nd) with all students in our existing A/B setting for two weeks.
On April 6th, all students (PK-12th grade) will return for in-person learning 4 days a week, Tuesday - Friday. Monday will remain a remote learning day for all students.
The only exception to this in-person learning change will be students who have previously elected the district’s e3 Online Learning option who will continue to learn virtually for the remainder of the school year.
Please do not drop off students before 8:50 am. We cannot allow them in the building, we have professional development and other meeting in the mornings before scanning and we can't start scanning until 8:50 am each morning.
We will start enforcing our dress code starting with A-day students on March 2, 2021. Ensure that your student has the right color polo shirt and khaki pants. The dress code is listed below by grade.
JMEMS Dress Code for 2020-21 School Year
5th-Red Polo-style shirt and khaki pants/shorts
6th-White Polo-style shirt and khaki pants/shorts
7th-Blue Polo-style shirt and khaki pants/shorts
8th-Gray Polo-style shirt and khaki pants/shorts
No hats, doo-rags, wraps, slides, flip-flops, yoga pants, or sweat pants allowed on school grounds. Athletic and sponsored t-shirts are allowed with special permission from the administration team.
Students in violation of the dress code will be asked to change first and parents will be notified for pick up if needed.
General Announcements:
ACCESS FOR VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS: To help ensure we maintain a safe environment for OKCPS students and staff, we will not allow access for outside guests at this time. Parents/Guardians may visit the school’s front office (preferably with an appointment), but we will not allow access of any kind for other visitors such as volunteers, outside speakers, or members of the media at this time.
JMEMS Families:
Dates to Remember:
March 15-19-Spring Break (No School)
JMEMS Cell Phone Policy for 2020-21 School Year
Students are allowed to possess their cell phones for emergency purposes only. No cell phones are to be used in the classroom during instructional time. Any distracting devices will be confiscated and kept in the front office for parent pick up.
Bus Routing Information (click link to find your bus route and bus #)
“Where’s My Stop” Address Tool
Bus Stop Lists by School
Additional Transportation Information on the district website:
https://www.okcps.org/Page/5588
en espanol
https://www.okcps.org/Page/5589
Backpack Announcements
Parents, students are encouraged to bring clear or mesh backpacks when JMMES begins in-person instruction. This will help get students through the scanning process faster.
Student Check Out Procedures
Student Checkout:Parents who are checking out their students must call ahead 5 minutes to notify the school. Upon arrival the parent will call the school again and come to the main entrance to pick up the student with photo ID. Staff will escort the student to the main entrance out into the custody of the parent/guardian. Staff will sign the student out to the parent.
Message from Dr. McDaniel Regarding Safety Protocols
OKCPS remains committed to the health and safety of OKCPS students and staff, and I'm very proud of our OKCPS’ Six-Point Safety Plan. That said, now that some of our students have been back to school in-person, we want to highlight a few important safety reminders:
If someone in your household has COVID-like symptoms and/or has received a positive COVID-19 test, please DO NOT send your child to school. Keep your child home and contact the school to report this as a “close contact” exposure. The school will provide you with information about receiving instruction during a required isolation period based on the CDC guidelines OKCPS is following.
If your child is sick, has a fever or any other COVID-like symptoms, please keep them home and contact the school for further guidance.
Face masks that cover both the nose and mouth are required for all staff, students and visitors. A face shield may be worn in addition to a face mask, but not in place of one. If your child has unique circumstances that prevent them from wearing a face mask, please contact your child’s school to make accommodations.
While we are excited to have a number of our students back for in-person learning, we must do so safely and responsibly. We all have to work together and stay vigilant with our hygiene and safety practices. You can learn more about the district’s expectations for health and safety by visiting www.okcps.org/covid19 .
Support & Reminders
The window to submit applications for one of our five OKCPS Application Schools is now open through March 5. Students interested in attending one these schools for the 2021-22 school year must complete an application online to be considered for admission. For more information or to start your application, please visit the district’s website at www.okcps.org/applicationschools.
OKCPS remains committed to supporting you in every way possible as we move into the next phase of our Return to Campus plan. Below are some resources for families and staff:
58-STUDY (587-8839) for academic support and 587-HELP (4357) for technical support, and our Student Services Team is also available for emotional support and crisis intervention at 587-0489.
OKCPS Employee Assistance Program is available to district staff for emotional support, legal and financial guidance and much more at no cost.
2-1-1 HeartLine is open 24/7 for help with counseling, rental assistance, food pantries, affordable housing, health resources, child care, after-school programs, caregiver support, financial programs, literacy, and job programs. As always, please call 911 for emergencies.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 2-1-1 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255) for 24/7 support.
Updated Return to Campus Plan
Detailed Timeline for our Return to Campus Plan
Week of March 22, 2021
Monday, March 22 will be an ASYNCHRONOUS learning day for all students.
OKCPS will begin the 4th quarter utilizing the existing A/B schedule for all students.
Elementary teachers & school leaders begin to adjust their classrooms and building procedures to accommodate the return of all PK-4th grade students during the week of April 5.
Children in Workplace Program will continue for children of employees.
OKCPS Curbside Meal Service continues at all sites on Mondays and in designated locations on Tuesday - Friday.
Week of March 29, 2021
OKCPS will continue with our existing A/B schedule for all students this week.
Friday, April 2 will now be a regular school day. Students in Group B and all district staff should report. Students in Group A will proceed with asynchronous learning on April 2.
OKCPS Curbside Meal Service continues at all sites on Mondays and in designated locations on Tuesday - Friday.
Week of April 5, 2021
All students in grades PK-12th will Return to Campus for in-person learning 4 days a week, Tuesday - Friday.
Mondays will remain a remote learning day for all students.
Children in Workplace Program will end as students return.
OKCPS Curbside Meal Service will remain in place at all school sites on Mondays only.
NOTE: All students currently enrolled in our e3 Online Learning program will continue to learn virtually for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
Free Laundry Service for Families
Saturday - March 13, 2021, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Laundry Station Express - 1538 NE 23rd Street - Oklahoma City, OK
Appointments receive priority. There is no guarantee for walk-ins.
To Schedule, Text or Call: 405-494-0005
Saturday - March 27, 2021, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Kelly Avenue Laundromat - 791 S. Kelly Avenue - Edmond
Appointments receive priority. There is no guarantee for walk-ins.
To Schedule, Text or Call: 405-494-0005
Saturday - March 27, 2021, 9:30am - 12:30pm
44th Street Laundromat - 4502 S. Pennsylvania Avenue - Oklahoma City
Appointments receive priority. There is no guarantee for walk-ins.
To Schedule, Text or Call: 405-494-0005
Saturday - March 27, 2021, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Love Our Laundry - 4337 SE 15th Street - Del City
Appointments receive priority. There is no guarantee for walk-ins.
To Schedule, Text or Call: 405-494-0005
Saturday - March 27, 2021, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Sooner Wash - 1325 E. Lindsay - Norman
Appointments receive priority. There is no guarantee for walk-ins.
To Schedule, Text or Call: 405-362-6052
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TEXT OR CALL:
NORMAN: 405-362-6052
EDMOND, EL RENO, OKC: 405-494-0005
WHAT WE OFFER:
UP TO $10 IN FREE LAUNDRY TO WASH AND DRY.
DETERGENT, DRYER SHEETS, BLEACH
FREE MEAL
NEW SOCKS
FREE PET FOOD FROM PET FOOD PANTRY OF OKLAHOMA CITY & ST. FRANCIS ANIMAL RESOURCE CENTER
FREE BOOKS FROM LITTLE READ WAGON
District Resources for Families and Staff
OKCPS remains committed to supporting you in every way possible. Below are some resources for families and staff:
58-STUDY (587-8839) for academic support and 587-HELP (4357) for technical support, and our Student Services Team is also available for emotional support and crisis intervention at 587-0489.
OKCPS Employee Assistance Program is available to district staff for emotional support, legal and financial guidance and much more at no cost.
2-1-1 HeartLine is open 24/7 for help with counseling, rental assistance, food pantries, affordable housing, health resources, child care, after-school programs, caregiver support, financial programs, literacy, and job programs. As always, please call 911 for emergencies.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 2-1-1 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255) for 24/7 support.
Thanks to Terry Harris and the JM Enterprise Foundation for the Art Supplies Donation!
Thank you to Eastern Stars the for the Donation of Water to JMEMS!
Our Staff Celebrated Black History Month by Showing our African and Black and White Clothing!
COVID-19 REPORTING PROCEDURES (UPDATED)
OKCPS Safety Protocols
All OKCPS staff members are expected to follow all OKCPS health and safety protocols and guidelines. Please make sure that you have read, understand and agree to follow protocols. Anyone who hasn't already OR who was hired after November 2020, should do so by completing the Safeschools module.
In order for us to keep our students in school, we all have to work together to maintain the safest environment possible and remain vigilant with our hygiene and safety practices. If you haven’t already, please make sure you’ve read OKCPS’ Six-Point Safety Plan.
Reporting Non-Compliance with Safety Protocols
Staff members are also encouraged to report any observation of non-compliance so it can be addressed swiftly. If you see anyone in any OKCPS facility or vehicle not following the district safety guidelines that are in place, please report it to your immediate supervisor or complete a TIPS report. TIPS reports are routed directly to the Legal Services Office.
To make a report:
Access the Online TIPS Reporting Tool
Select your location
Select “COVID-19 Non-Compliance” in the dropdown menu
Complete the Form
Violation categories include:
Refusal to wear a face mask inside OKCPS facility
Refusal to wear a face mask while inside an OKCPS vehicle when occupied by more than one individual
Refusal to wear a face mask over both nose and mouth
Failure to self-report to hotline positive or presumptive positive for COVID-19
Refusal to go/stay home despite symptoms of COVID-19
Violating social distancing of 6 feet
Gathering in a group without social distancing
Unauthorized disclosure of another’s personal medical information
Other
Cleaning Needs / Request for Cleaning
Our facilities team has created a form that allows school staff to alert them of any cleaning needs they may have. This form should only be used if you believe your classroom or an area in your classroom was not cleaned or needs to be cleaned. This form can be used to alert our custodial staff that an area in the school building needs cleaning as well. SUBMIT CLEANING FORM
Reporting Positive COVID-19 Case OR Exposure to Positive Person
OKCPS employees who work at a school building (with the exception of SNS staff & Guest Teachers) should report a positive COVID-19 test or exposure to your principal and/or your school’s contact tracer.
OKCPS employees who work at the Clara Luper Center for Educational Services, the Operations Center, Student Support Services at Westwood should report a positive COVID-19 test or exposure by calling the district’s COVID-19 line, (405) 587-CV19. SNS staff members and Guest Teachers should also use the CV19 line to report a positive COVID-19 test or exposure.
Staff Announcements
Staff,
Please take time to review your emails daily, if you opted out of the district's text and call protocols then you will get the same information via email.
Remember to contact Ms. Seward if you are going to be late or absent from work before 8am. Also, if it is a planned absence make sure your sub folders are uploaded to your Canvas homepage as well as an announcement to students. Failure to adhere to this directive will result in required training on absences and Canvas protocols.
Let's continue to support our colleagues with good thoughts and prays as some of them continue to deal with COVID-related illness in their families.
Please email Mrs. Hemphill or Mr. Johnson with request for extra desks and chairs. When all the students arrive April 6th you may need extra desks and chairs, don't wait to request these additional items for your classroom.
District Announcement on the Instructional Calendar:
On Monday, our OKCPS Board of Education approved a district calendar change to address the instructional time we lost during our recent winter storm. In order to wrap our school year up before the end of May 2021, OKCPS adjusted our plan to make up the days missed through a combination of additional days and minutes.
February 15th & May 26th will be added to the calendar as instructional days
10 minutes will also be added to the day starting January 4, 2021. (5 minutes at the start of the day and 5 minutes at the end of the day)
If additional days are needed for inclement weather, May 27th & May 28th will be designated as inclement weather days
Staff Absences during Remote Learning:
1. Contact Ms. Seward and Mr. Harris before 8am via text or phone call.
2. Contact your GRADE LEVEL administrator.
3. Publish your sub slides and make them your front page so it is the first thing that kids see.
4. Fill out the necessary leave forms for Ms. Seward.
Here are the Leave Forms:
Planned - Request for Leave
Unplanned - Absence Report
Huge Thank You to Ebenezer Baptist Church for the Student Recognition Donations (examples below)!
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER/STUDENT ASSISTANCE COUNSELOR-Mrs. Wyatt
IF for any reason, there are ANY concerns regarding the physical, mental, and or emotional health of a student, parent, and or staff member please see the contact info below to contact Mrs. Wyatt. We have multiple teams in place with resources to assist with decreasing stress during such a challenging time!
Office direct line: 587-3112; kdwyatt@okcps.org; 405-254-6040 (Google Voice)
Youth under 18 who find themselves in crisis or dangerous situations can go to any OKC FIRE STATION or ONCUE EXPRESS location and ask for help.
Whether they are experiencing abuse or neglect or need to talk about a problem, help is available at SAFE PLACE LOCATIONS.
When a youth requests help, Pivot is contacted to provide support as needed.
Pivot advocates for those in need, those disadvantaged, those who struggle, those who may be unseen and unheard.
Youth under 18 are encouraged to look for the yellow and black SAFE PLACE SIGN when seeking help.
They can also text SAFE to 4HELP (44357) with their location to find the closest Safe Place location.
Call Center Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.
OKCPS recognizes the stressors our families and students face. In response, we have created a community call center which will be available during the 2020-21 school year. It will be staffed by our counselors and social workers to provide emotional support and crisis intervention to OKCPS students and families.
Wisdom, Inspiration, or Humor
In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day’s work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.
― Jacques Barzun
About Us
Email: vdseward@okcps.org
Website: https://www.okcps.org/Domain/24
Location: 2401 Northwest 115th Terrace, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Phone: 405-587-3100
Facebook: facebook.com/JohnMarshallMiddleSchool
Twitter: @middle_marshall