KJ Parent Weekly Update

February 8 - 12, 2021

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Honoring Counselor Robinson during National School Counselor's Week

School Counseling Week
Celebrating Counselor Robinson

Celebrating Counselor Robinson

You deserve your own YOU ROCK but with an extra sweet twist!


All you do for your students (and your colleagues) doesn't go unnoticed.

It's a pleasure to work with you daily!

A truly great counselor is:

HARD TO FIND, DIFFICULT TO PART WITH, and IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET!!!



YOUR KJTMA FAMILY LOVES YOU!!!

Celebrating Counselor Robinson

Counselor Robinson

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Dr. Jones, Principal Batiste, and Mr. Causey

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Interim Testing this week....

Interim Testing this week....

We will continue with Interim - Assessments this week which is an assessment that will help us guage where our scholars are and effectively target gaps that may need to be filled. All testing is to be conducted on campus; therefore, scholars will need to come to campus in order to be tested. The schedule for this week is as follows:


Monday, Feb. 8th: 5th Grade ELAR & 5th Grade Math


Tuesday, Feb. 9th: 5th Grade Make-Up


Wednesday, Feb. 10th: 6th Grade ELAR & 6th Grade Math


Thursday, Feb. 11th: 6th Grade Make-Up


If you have any questions regarding testing, please contact Dr. Whitaker @ adam.whitaker@desotoisd.org

Interim Testing this week....
Honoring One of Our Pioneers......

Honoring One of Our Pioneers......

Cicely Tyson (December 19, 1924 – January 28, 2021) was an American actress and fashion model.


Tyson's career of seven decades in Hollywood included films like Sounder and The Help. An unconventional actor who broke barriers, Tyson started her career with modeling, and made her film debut in 1957 with a small role in the film, 'Twelve Angry Men'. In the 1960's Hollywood saw a rise in films focused on the exploitation of Black people, but Tyson repeatedly refused roles such as maids and prostitutes which she saw as reinforcing negative stereotypes.

She returned to the big screen in 1972 with "Sounder," earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Her performance in the 1974 television film, "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," led to multiple Emmy award nominations. She broke several barriers for African-American women in Hollywood, receiving double Emmy awards for best actress for her portrayal of Jane Pittman.

In 2016, Tyson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the US's highest civilian honor. Two years later, she received the Academy Honorary Award at the Oscars.

"I am very selective as I have been my whole career about what i do. Unfortunately, I am not the kind of person who works only for money. It has to have some real substance for me to do it," Tyson told the Associated Press in 2013.

Tyson said that addressing issues like race and gender stereotypes was a conscious component of her career choices. "I realized very early on when I was asked certain questions or treated in a certain way that I needed to use my career to address those issues," she told People magazine in 2016.

Pauline Kael, film critic for the New Yorker, has described Tyson as an actor who was "as tough-minded and honorable in her methods as any we've got."

Tyson continued acting well into her late 80s, winning a Tony award for her role in the play The Trip to Bountiful. She was married to renowned jazz trumpeter Miles Davis late in his life, from 1981-88.

Honoring One of Our Pioneers......
“One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.”


—Franklin Thomas, activist, philanthropist, and former president of the Ford Foundation

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Interested in reciting a poem? Would you like to have your art displayed?

If you're interested in participating in the Oratorical competition, please contact Ms. Cameron at latrisha.cameron@desotoisd.org or your scholar's homeroom teacher.


If you're interested in participating in the Drawing competition, please contact Mr. Turner at arthur.turner@desotoisd.org or your scholar's homeroom teacher.

Student Council Coordinates House Care Drive

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A message from PTA...

A message from PTA...

PTA News: Although this school year has been unlike any other, KJTMA PTA has still been busy supporting the school in any way we can. The PTA handed out goodie bags to students and parents during KJs trunk or treat. During the holidays the PTA contributed to teacher appreciation gifts and has also purchased yard placards to be distributed to students that are excelling academically. We continue to look for meaningful opportunities to enhance the experience of students at the school and show our love and support for teachers and staff.


The PTA is currently working on care packages for teachers and staff who have worked tirelessly to help our students during this unprecedented time. We are asking for donations of snack items of 1.5 - 2.0 oz. bags of chips, fun size candy bars, and solid-color cotton masks. Please drop off donations at the KJTMA office during school hours or contact katherinejohnsonpta@gmail.com.


Joins us for the next PTA Meeting on Thursday, February 18, 2021 @ 6:00 pm via Zoom. We will be discussing ways that at the PTA can support the KJTMA community of students, teachers, staff and family.


Zoom Meeting ID: 668 824 9988 Passcode: pta2021


Not a member of PTA? Would you like to get more involved in KJTMA? Would you like to support all of the exciting things happening at KJTMA? Join the PTA today! Membership is only $10 and most of your membership dues come right back to KJTMA as a donation to the school. Join at this link: JoinPTA.org FAQs - Texas PTA - every child. one voice.

A message from PTA...

KJTMA partners with the Perot Museum for Science explorations.

We are proud to announce that Ms. Phu’s 5th Grade scholars are partnering with the Perot Museum for science explorations. These bi-weekly sessions will be from 10:30-11:30 AM beginning January 22nd. All 5th grade scholars are required to attend the sessions, as they will be a part of their Science grade.


For questions feel free to email michelle.phu@desotoisd.org<mailto:michelle.phu@desotoisd.org> or tamesha.brown@desotoisd.org.

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5th Grade T.E.C.H Simple Robotics Virtual and Hands On Sessions

CHOIR AUDITION RESULTS ARE IN.....

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A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS goes out to:


Niara Griffin, Jamya West, and Brooklyn Sneed!


These young ladies tried out for the choir on January 27th and I am excited to have them join and use their talents for the 2021-2022 school year!!!

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SEL WEEKLY FOCUS.....

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Social Emotional Learning has become more prevalent now than ever before. It is necessary for each of us to ensure that not only our physical but our mental well-being is managed daily. DeSoto ISD has partnered with Re-Think Ed as a resource for Social Emotional Learning.

The district has provide us with an SEL Scope & Sequence that we will follow throughout the year. Re-Think Ed provides lesson for each grade level for you to embed into your lessons each week and can be accessed through Classlink.


SEL: Growth Mindset:

A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence improves through study and practice.

Children with a growth mindset tend to see challenges as opportunities to grow because they understand that they can improve their abilities by pushing themselves. If something is hard, they understand it will push them to get better.


Word of the Week: chasten (verb) - to discipline for the purpose of making better


Sentence Use: In court, the judge will probably chasten the repeat offender with a lecture and a harsh sentence.


QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Etiquette is behaving yourself a little better than is absolutely essential. - Will Cupp


SEL Scope & Sequence

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8 Steps on How to Help Someone Who Is Grieving

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When a loved one dies, we often spend a lot of time thinking about ourselves: how we’ll never be able to see them, spend time with them or touch them ever again. On some level, we realize that their presence, which at one point permeated our lives like a thick fog, will eventually settle and fade away. Details, which were once so clear, will melt into hazy memories.


  1. Be a good listener.
  2. Respect the person's way of grieving.
  3. Accept mood swings.
  4. Avoid giving advice.
  5. Refrain from trying to explain the loss.
  6. Help out with practical tasks.
  7. Stay connected and available.
  8. Offer words that touch the heart.

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GT Advanced Academic Newletter

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Click the link below for up to date news and information you can use.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mhl3HlrnLDoSsW8FL5IHm6bxacl9ddwy/view?usp=sharing

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BE SURE TO CHECK OUT KJ VIRTUAL LIBRARY SERVICES

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Looking for ebooks, audio books and/or interactive books? Visit our library in Schoology or the campus webpage. You may reach out to our librarian Mrs. Gill by using the "ASK THE LIBRARIAN" tab located in the virtual library.
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VISIT KJTMA VALENTINE'S LIBRARY READING ROOM FOR MORE VALENTINES READING MATERIAL.

Visit our TME Virtual Library from this LINK.
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A Few Friendly Reminders.....

COVID-19 REMINDER


Parents should self-screen students for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to coming to campus. Students should not come to school if they are feeling sick or exhibiting any COVID like symptoms such as: a lingering cough, chills, fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, shortness of breath, or runny nose.



ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES...


Arrival:

All scholars are to be dropped off each morning at the cafetorium located in the front circle drive of the school. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. We ask that scholars are not left unsupervised before 7:30 a.m.


Dismissal:

Dismissal time for both elementary and middle school is at 3:50 p.m. Due to the COVID-19, our dismissal process begins at 3:35 with hand sanitizing and staggering each grade level to minimize hallway traffic.


Pre-K - 2nd grade, Older Siblings and Daycare-riders are dismissed at the front cafetorium.

3rd - 7th grade are dismissed at the gymnasium, which is on the south end of our building. All scholars are to be picked up no later than 4:00 p.m. Parents that, consistently, do not pick their scholars up by 4pm will be invited to a conference with administration.


Car tags have been issued to scholars and parents. Family members that will be picking up your scholar will need a car tag so we can identify who is picking up your scholar. Please contact your scholar's teacher if you need additional tags.


Campus Protocols:


  • Families are responsible for transporting students to and from campuses each day.
  • Students are encouraged to bring their own personal water bottle as all fountains will be not be available for use.
  • Students and staff are REQUIRED to wear face mask while on district property.
  • All parent conference/meetings will remain virtual.
  • No Visitors will be allowed.


Early Pick-Up Procedures:

DeSoto Public Library Offers Story Time Kits for Families

DeSoto Public Library Offers Story Time Kits for Families

The DeSoto Public Library is offering Story Time To Go kits for families to pick up Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Community members can stop by the library in person to pick up a kit or call to have the kits delivered curbside. This is open to all ages but designed for families with young children. Click for more information.
DeSoto Public Library Offers Story Time Kits for Families
Child Nutrition Grab N' Go Meals Sites

Child Nutrition Grab N' Go Meals Sites

The Grab N’ Go Sites Remaining Open are:

Amber Terrace DDECA

The Meadows Elementary

DeSoto High School- Freshman Side

Cockrell Hill Elementary

Frank Moates Elementary

Child Nutrition Grab N' Go Meals Sites
Weekend Snacks for Students

Weekend Snacks for Students

In addition to the weekday meals that are currently offered by the district for all students, the DeSoto ISD Chartwells Child Nutrition team has received a grant from the No Kid Hungry program to provide additional weekend snack bags to children.


Click the link below for additional information.

http://www.desotoisd.org/news/what_s_new/child_nutrition_grant_brings_students_snacks

Weekend Snacks for Students

STAY TUNED.....

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2/15 - President's Day - Campus & District Offices Closed

2/18 - Progress reports available in Parent Portal


3/12 - End of 4th Six Weeks

3/15 - 3/19 Spring Break

3/22 - Start of 5th Six Weeks -

3/25 - Report cards available in Parent Portal


4/2 - Good Friday - Campus & District offices closed

4/6 - 4/9 - STAAR Testing

4/8 - K-12 Parent Academy

4/23 - End of 5th Six Weeks

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