JMMS Weekly Update
August 28, 2020
Principal's Message
This is Joan MacQueen's Proud Principal, Casey Currigan.
Week one is under our belt, and overall, I think everyone did a great job. Thank you for remaining calm when your child was struggling and needed help logging in to Google, or Zoom wasn't working. As a member of Joan MacQueen's tech support, remaining calm always helps the process move forward. Over the last week, we have all learned a lot about Google Classroom, Pear Deck, IXL, SORA, and countless other apps and programs our teachers use to provide instruction. Good Job Dust Devils!
I am sure you heard the news that Alpine will open for face to face instruction on September 21st. During the Hybrid model, half of the student population will attend "face to face" classes on Monday and Tuesday. The other half of the students will receive "face to face" instruction on Thursday and Friday. All students will participate in Distance Learning on Wednesday, and the two days they are not on campus. We are building the schedules to ensure that siblings that attend different schools will have the same plan. Please send me an email if your family carpools with another family whose last name is not in the same part of the alphabet. We are doing our best to split classes alphabetically (A-L & M-Z).
Lastly, we have digitized the documents that we normally send home during the first weeks of school. Please fill out the online forms as soon as you can. In addition, we have open positions available on our school site council. If you would like to participate please ask a friend for a nomination.
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.
Textbook Distribution
Thank you to the sixth-grade team (Mrs. Tompkins, Mrs. Ferro, Mrs. Rabasco, Mrs. Valade, and Mrs. Darcey) for braving the heat to pass out books. Nearly all of our sixth and seventh-grade students were able to pick up their books. If you could not attend the book pick-up, please call the JMMS office (619) 445-3245 and schedule a time to pick up materials.
Zoom Protocols for Parents
When a school year usually starts, I tell a joke about how you need to stay involved in your child's education. At no time in history has that been easier. If you are in the room while they are in a Zoom Class, you can hear and see what the teacher is saying and how other kids in the class are responding. You may even want to jump online with your child and ask a clarifying question or say hi to another child. I am asking that parents not do that. If something isn't making sense to your child, encourage them to ask the teacher or email them. We have a dedicated time in the afternoon where we can clear up misunderstandings and assist students.
Middle school is a weird age for kids; they want you to support and care for them, but you might hear your child say, "Not in front of my friends." Remember, those Zoom meetings everyone can see and hear each other. So work hard at giving your child the autonomy of working on their own. We suggest that parents follow these guidelines:
- Once your child is set up for their Zoom meeting, please allow them to attend the session by themselves, as would happen with a classroom session.
- Please try to have your child set up for the meeting in a space where there will be minimum disruptions
- Please do not use photography or any recording equipment (including Zoom recording) during the Zoom session.
Student VUE
If you still can't log into StudentVUE send me an email.
Attendance
Parents to report absences or tardies,call 619-445-3245 or email us at jmmsattendance@alpineschools.net. Remember absences must be cleared within 72 hrs. If you have a medical note excusing your child's absence please email it to the office using the attendance email above.
Parents of 7th grade students
SORA
Purchase your 2020-2021 yearbook online
Click on: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/
Keep your order number handy when you log on.
Joan MacQueen Middle School
8280
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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