JMMS Weekly Update
September 25, 2020
Principal's Message
Good Afternoon Alpine!
I am very proud of our staff and students who did a wonderful job navigating this first week of face-to-face learning at school. It was great to see how excited students were to see their friends and teachers. Every student that I spoke to was excited to be back at school. I want to thank all the parents that shared their appreciation for our staff and the fact that we are one of the first districts to reopen for learning.
I recently shared with the JMMS staff that it takes approximately 10,000 hours to master a craft, and while there are some bumps with the hybrid facilitation schedule we have only been doing this new type of learning for a couple of days. Considering how new this process is for all of us, I am very proud and appreciative of our staff and ask everyone's patience as we continue to reopen our schools.
Please know that we have done everything in our power to make JMMS open safely. As the first public secondary school in San Diego to open we want to make sure that our campus continues to be safe. We have put redundant systems in place to keep our staff and students safe. Together, and only together, can we keep JMMS open and keep everyone healthy.
What Happens if...
What are the symptoms of COVID19?
The school will:
- Have the symptomatic individual wear a face cover.
- Isolate the individual until sent home
- Attending health staff should wear appropriate PPE
- Instruct the parent to isolate the child and to contact their healthcare provider for further instructions.
Student can return:
- With proof of negative viral test result (PCR only) if both fever and symptoms are gone (without fever-reducing meds) for 72 hours
- 10-days from the day symptom(s) first appeared, AND improved symptoms and no fever (or fever-reducing meds) for the last 72 hours
- A licensed MD/DO/NP/PA (who manages the condition) confirms in writing the diagnosis of a chronic condition, and that the symptoms are unrelated to COVID-19. A signed authorization for school to interact with the medical provider must also be provided. (Note in school records and consider if plan to support a student may be warranted.)
Free Tutors
Most of these students are high school upperclassmen or college students who are not returning to their physical classrooms. Fill out this interest form to learn more.
Schedule Changes
Transportation
If you want to purchase a bus pass please use this link.
Entering Campus and Staggered Start
To provide social distancing upon entering and leaving campus, we are asking that families adhere to the schedule above (click on to enlarge). We are also requiring different grade levels to enter campus, by last name, in different locations. Those locations are:
6th Grade - Main Gate by JMMS Office
7th Grade - Gate at the top of the stairs by the gym
8th Grade - Enter through the blacktop
Once on-campus, students are expected to move directly to their Learning Strategies Classroom.
Entering a Classroom
Upon arrival at the classroom students will:
Practice Social Distancing (2m or 6ft).
Wear their face covering (mask or face shield).
Have their temperature checked by the teacher.
Use hand sanitizer.
Take their seat in the class.
Read or work until the entire class arrives.
Face Masks
Math Anxiety Is Real. Here's How To Help Your Child Avoid It
Does math make you a little nervous? You're in the majority.
The phrase "number anxiety" was first coined by researchers back in the 1950s. By some estimates, as high as 93 percent of Americans feel some degree of math anxiety.
In 2012, about 30 percent of high school students reported that they felt "helpless" when doing mathematics problems.
For many people, math fears can be traced back to elementary school, and specifically, to timed tests and forced memorization, says Stanford University professor Jo Boaler. "Neuroscientists have shown recently that for people with math anxiety, a fear center lights up in their brain — the same as when they see snakes and spiders — and the problem- solving center of the brain shuts down," Boaler says.
But what can we do as parents to improve our kids' attitudes towards math? (Read More)
Water Bottles
Yearly Student Forms - Digital
Note: These are for JMMS students only. Other schools in the district will be sending their own forms.
JMMS Distance Learning Agreement
JMMS Technology/Network Agreement Form
The link below is for School Site Council Nominations. Please complete this form if you would like to nominate someone for our school site council.
JMMS School Site Council Nomination Form
Kindness Week Themes
Here is the Kindness Week Schedule for this school year.
Don't forget we have Spirit Fridays as well!
ASB Election Form
Reminder: The ASB Election Form deadlines are quickly approaching :
- 9-28 FINAL deadline for turning in completed applications
- 9-30 Mandatory Zoom for all applicants
- 10-5 to 10-9 Election Campaign
Sora
Joan MacQueen Middle School
Email: ccurrigan@alpineschools.net
Website: https://www.alpineschools.net/o/jmms
Location: 2001 Tavern Road, Alpine, CA, USA
Phone: (619) 445-3245
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joan.MacQueen