Warrior Beat
Student Focused-World Class
Word From Holly
Last week was not an easy week. Last week was full of challenges. JSMS MOVED forward as a school last week. We moved not because it was an easy week. We moved because of the challenges we faced. We moved in spite of the challenges. We MOVED forward and because we moved forward, our students will benefit. We advanced as a collaborative learning community not because we all smiled at each other and nodded politely and agreed 100%. We propelled ourselves forward as a result of showing up. We advanced because we were vulnerable, transparent and because we sought to see and be seen. Each of us have many passions, many opinions and many experiences. Our passions, opinions and experiences matter.
When we come together at the table, it is our obligation to risk greatly and respect greatly. We commit to understanding that we are stronger together than as individuals. Collaboration requires sacrifice. Collaboration requires movement on everyone’s part. “E Pluribus Unum--Out of Many, One” We are a team. We will not always be in 100% agreement. That’s expected. What IS expected is that when we come to consensus (and that does not mean 100% agreement)…but when we come to consensus in a decision, what is critical is that we leave the place of decision-making as a team. When a decision is made, as a team we must commit to supporting one another and supporting our team by working together and representing ourselves as one. We matter. Unity matters. Teamwork matters. I wouldn’t want to be on any other team. #proudtobeawarrior
*Please watch the following two clips. I am pretty sure I have shared the first one previously. It's just that good :0).
Week of the Warrior:
Monday, March 7th
Faculty Meeting: JSMS LIbrary 3:15
Track Practice 3:00-4:30
Softball Game: JSMS versus Blountville at Sevier, 5:00
Baseball Game: Hunter Wright Stadium, JSMS Varsity versus TA Dugger 5:00pm
Dance Team Tryouts: 3:00-4:30
Tuesday, March 8th
Student Council Meeting-Mrs. Wagner's Room-3:00-3:45
8th Grade Field Trip to Eastman Career Expo, 8:30-1:30
Track: Scrimmage meet on March 10 hosted by Liberty Bell @ Kermit Tipton Stadium. Runners will ride buses leaving from Sevier at 3:00. Team will arrive back at Sevier at 8:30 pm and parents can pick up runners at the bus stop. Runners will need to pack food for dinner. We will NOT be stopping on the way home for dinner. There are no concession stands available at this meet.
Softball Game: JSMS versus Church Hill at Church Hill at 4:30
Baseball Practice: 3:00-5:00 Players should be prepared for indoor or outdoor practice.
Dance Team Tryouts: 3:00-4:30
Wednesday, March 9th
Mike Gorman Professional Learning with Sec. Administrators and Learning Leaders
Deadline for Completing Homeless Education Survey
Track Practice 3:00-4:30
Softball Practice: 3:00-5:00 Players should be prepared for indoor or outdoor practice.
Baseball Practice: 3:00-5:00 Players should be prepared for indoor or outdoor practice.
Newspaper Staff Meeting - 2:45 – 3:30 pm. Editors will meet until 5:15 pm
Newscast Staff Meetings -2:45 – 5:15 pm
Dance Team Tryouts: 3:00-4:30
Thursday, March 10th
End of Nine Weeks Grading Period End of Nine Weeks Grading Period
TN READY Social Studies Testing: 7:45-9:45
Spirit Night at Chic-fil-a from 4:00-8:00 to support the JSMS Natural Helpers!
Track Practice 3:00-4:30
Softball Game: JSMS versus TA Dugger at TA Dugger at 5:00.
Chamber Choir-2:50-3:30
Baseball Game: Hunter Wright Stadium, JSMS Varsity versus Liberty Bell at 4:30
Dance Team Tryouts: 3:00-4:30
Friday, March 11th
KCS In-Service Day - No Students--Specific Schedule to be sent later this weekend.
JSMS News:
Express Car Wash and JSMS Support
Don't forget that you can wash your car and support JSMS at the same time! Use the code 1200 at Express Car Wash (Stone Drive near Target) before you pay and 30% of the sale will automatically go to JSMS PTA. Use the code each time you have your car washed!
Important Evaluation Information
Administrators will no longer have access to entire self-scores in the observation portal. All teachers will now have to enter self-scores by logging into the portal on teh TN Compass site. Please go ahead and register and log in to expedite this process. Go to http://tdoe.tncompass.org to register.
News From the ASC
NEW
It’s Time for the Spring Grounds and Maintenance Survey!
Please distribute the second semester Grounds and Maintenance Survey to your staff. Remember, this is completed twice each year as a part of the KCS Strategic Plan. Please ask staff to have this done by Friday, March 18.
Here is the link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PBV7777
NEW
News Release Distribution
In order to continue to improve communications within the district, effective immediately, news releases will be distributed to ALL KCS employees via email.
Survey Now Open!
It is time for the annual Homeless Education survey, where teachers help identify homeless students who were not initially referred. This is an annual requirement that needs to be completed for the Homeless Education program. Please forward this link to all KCS employees and have them complete the survey by Wednesday, March 9, 2016. Click here for the survey.
Also, attached to this week’s memo is the “in lieu of” form, which should be signed by teachers that do not have any students to refer. The form is to be signed in lieu of completing the survey. Click here for this form.
State Farm Grants Available
State Farm® Youth Advisory Board (YAB) service-learning grant applications are available from February 29 to April 29. The grants range from $25,000 - $100,000 and are designed to create sustainable change in local communities across the United States.
Each grant request must fall under one of these issue areas, chosen by the board itself:
- Community Safety and Justice
- Environmental Responsibility
- Economic Inclusion and Financial Literacy
- Access to Higher Education
- Health and Wellness
- Arts and Culture
For more information, click here.
Celebrations and Recognitions
- The JSMS Student Council was awarded the 4 Star Award on Saturday in Nashville by the Tennessee Association of Student Councils. After completing more than 20 community/service projects, the JSMS Student Council proudly accepted this prestigious 4 Star Council Award for 2016. Go Warriors!
- “The Sequoyah Scribe” has been named a finalist in the “Best Overall Newspaper” category of the Tennessee High School Press Association. This makes our
newspaper ONE OF THE TOP FIVE STUDENT NEWSPAPERS IN THE STATE!
In addition to the “Scribe”, the finalists are:
· Montgomery Bell Academy (A private, all-boys school)
· St. George's Independent School (A private, parochial school)
· Harpeth Hall School (A private, all-girls school)
· University School of Nashville (A private school)
To say that our placement in this category is a big honor would be an
understatement. We are the only public school and the only middle school to win this honor. John Sevier Middle School’s student newspaper is ranked alongside the best and brightest high school programs from across Tennessee.
- The Tennessee High School Press Association has named the finalists for its annual journalism contest. We are the only middle school that competes in the THSPA contest against high schools from all across Tennessee. Congratulations to the following students! Warrior Proud!
Molly Turner – Finalist for “Best Feature Story”
Maddi Rimer – Finalist for “Best Sports Story”
Jabbaar Christian – Finalist for “Best Sports Story”
Gowri Tumkur – Finalist for “Best News Package”
Gowri Tumkur – Finalist for “Best Television Reporter”
- We wish our beloved Art teacher, Minta Fannon, all the best in her retirement. She will be dearly missed!
- On Friday, JSMS participated in the annual Arbor Day Celebration! A was planted in front of the school as part of this celebration. Thanks to Mrs. Johnson's class and to our BUDS for participating in this event.
- On March 2nd, a group of JSMS students helped Lincoln Elementary students participate in Read Across America Day by going to Lincoln and reading with individual students.
- On Friday, March 5th, Dave Dierks from WCYB came to speak to our 6th grade Science students. Following the presentation, Gowri Tumkur turned the tables on Dave Dierks and interviewed HIM for our Sequoyah Scribe Newscast.
- Thanks to our KSC bus drivers! They are the first KCS face many students see in the mornings and they greet each student with smile and they are the last KCS face these students see in the afternoons as they are wished well. They drive in all conditions and they love our students just as much as we do. We are in this together and everyone in KCS has a crucial part to play in the lives of our kids. #onetribe
- Congratulations to the following students for making the Cheer Team for 2016-2017
Emma Allgood, Tanaya Anderson, Ellie Campbell, Anna Cole, Kayleigh Collins, Rylee Ford-Cowden, Jazlyn Dorton, Skye Dotson, Cheyenne Houchins, Neveah Kilgore, Alexis Light, A'Sontee Lovelace, Lauren Lowe, Grace Lyles, Kadance Page, Bianca Quinn-Russell, Aleryia Robinson, Quedence Somerville, Grace Worley, Emily Winegar
Proud to be a Warrior,
Holly Flora
Principal, JSMS