JMS Newsletter
October 2017
Welcome Autumn!
August and September Students of the Week
Week of 8/28/2017:
6th Grade: Noah Waldrip and Cameron Simpson
7th Grade: Victer Ray and Katie Villalobos
8th Grade: Jackson Moss and Ava Bruce
Week of 9/5/2017:
6th Grade: Cade Turbeville and Kinsley Hamilton
7th Grade: Mason Jordan and Emily Childers
8th Grade: Jose Sanchez and Chloe Richards
Week of 9/25/2017:
6th Grade: Carter Chastain and Shevi Pack
7th Grade: Ryan Reynolds and Bella Neal
8th Grade: Matthew Chadwick and Lena Smith
Congratulations to Coach Andrew Grigsby for being the September Teacher of the Month!
9/5/2017 SOW
9/25/2017 SOW
Congratulations to the 2017-2018 JMS Teacher of the Year, Mr. Tom Kleinberg!
JMS Fall Sports
Pickens Nettes Fast Pitch
Spirit Week at JMS
Monday - Superhero Day
Tuesday - Twin Day
Wednesday - Dragon Spirit Day
Thursday - Throwback Day (dress from any decade)
Friday - Black Out Day
We are very proud of our 6th Grade Math Team for traveling to Berry College during the Fall Break to compete in the Fall Berry College Math Competition. Way to go 6th Grade Dragons!
2017 - 2018 Grade Level Field Trips
6th Grade
This school year, the JMS 6th Grade will be heading north to Chattanooga, TN, for a day long field trip. The date for this field trip has been set for Friday, May 18th, 2018. Information about this opportunity well be sent home to parents soon. Below are some pictures from last year's field trip:
Each year 7th graders have the opportunity to travel to St. Simons Island on an overnight field trip. This year students will leave at 5:00 AM on Wednesday, March 7th, and return Friday, March 9th, at 7:00 PM. The cost of the trip is $250. The price of the trip includes: charter bus, 2-night stay at Epworth-by-the-Sea on St. Simons Island, all meals, snacks, and interactive classes and instruction at Driftwood Education Center. This trip is loaded with fun activities for every type of student. The student to teacher ratio for this trip is about 12 to 1, and when combined with Driftwood’s staff, it is 6 to 1.To reserve a spot on the trip, please return a nonrefundable $50 deposit by Friday, October 20th, to Mrs. Fowler.
Below are some pictures from last year's field trip:
Each year the JMS 8th grade takes a trip to Savannah where they get to see and experience some of the Georgia History that they learn throughout the school year. The field trip will take place on April 9th - 11th, 2018. Please contact Mrs. Vincent for more information. Below is a picture from last year's field trip:
Attention JMS Parents
Below are some of the upcoming and current events going on at JMS that we don't want you or your child to miss out on:
Title I and Parent Curriculum Night
The JMS Parent Curriculum Night will take place on Monday, October 9th, from 5:00 PM until 7:30 PM. We encourage all parents to join us and learn more about what JMS is about and has to offer your student. More information can soon be found via flyers, emails, robo calls, our school website and facebook page. Pizza will be served and activities will take place for students and their siblings while parents can meet with teachers to find out more ways to help their children be successful in school. We hope that you all can attend this important night for JMS!
Ben's Beginners Cooking Contest
This contest is open to all families with children in grades K-8. The contest started on 8/14 and will close on 10/9. The theme for the contest is, "Healthier Futures Begin When Kids Learn to Cook." If you are interested in helping your child learn more about preparing food, making nutrition fun, and competing to win a contest all at the same time, then please click on the Contest Parent Flyer Link below for more details.
JMS is offering the opportunity for all 7th and 8th graders to take the PSAT who would like to do so. The cost is $15. If in 7th grade and interested, please see Mrs. Fowler. If in 8th grade and interested, please see Mrs. DiPuma. The PSAT will be given on Wednesday, October 11th.
Middle School Basketball Tryouts
Tryouts for the 7th and 8th grade middle school basketball teams will take place October, 24-26, after school. The Nettes tryouts will be at PCMS and the Dragons tryouts will be at JMS.
American Legion Post 149 Essay/Art Contest
The theme for this year's contest is "Why as a country and as individuals, should we honor our Veterans?" Essays and art projects will both be accepted. All projects must be submitted by November 6th. The winner will be announced at the Veteran's Day parade on November 11th. Grand prize winners will be selected for both art projects and essays. Winners will receive a $50.00 gift card to Wal-Mart.
Tutoring
JMS is glad to announce that our tutoring program has started. Tutoring is offered in the mornings on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 - 8:20 AM in the math room 303 and ELA room 401 on the 8th grade hallway. Afternoon tutoring is offered on both Mondays and Wednesdays from after-school until 5:15 PM. For afternoon tutoring, students need to go to the cafeteria after dismissal and should be picked up by a parent/guardian at 5:15 PM in the front parking lot.
Marble Festival Race
The annual Georgia Marble Festival takes place every year during the first full weekend of October. This year the festival will be on the weekend of October 7th. The ritual kick-off of the Marble Festival is the Annual Road Race hosted by the Jasper United Methodist Church Women group. The JMS Wellness Committee is encouraging as many of our students, staff, and parents to enter the race and represent Team JMS. You can do this by either participating in the Road Race on Saturday, October 7th, or by being a "phantom runner" where you donate to the race but do not actively compete in it. If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to support Team JMS, then please click the link below to fill out the entry form and mark "JMS" as the school that you are representing where it says, "School, Running Club, or Family." For more information on the Georgia Marble Festival please visit: http://www.georgiamarblefestival.com/
Ways to Help Your Child Study Outside of School
https://www.usatestprep.com/member-login
Here are some general studying tips to help your child become more successful at school and in life:
1. Keeping a calendar and/or agenda to mark important test and project dates on. It is important for students to be responsible and aware of when they have items due as well as being able to plan out the right amount of time to study for upcoming tests. Keeping a personal planner or placing a calendar near a common family area helps them to see and keep up with upcoming dates.
2. Studying for 15-20 minutes each afternoon. Whether your child works on homework, studies for an upcoming test, or utilizes the time exploring IXL or USA Test Prep, taking an extra 15-20 minutes each afternoon will benefit your child overall with becoming more familiar with his or her course material and thus, becoming more confident in his or her academic skills.
3. Taking 15-20 minutes each day to do one healthy thing that helps your child de-stress. We live in a very fast-paced society and it is vital for everyone to take 15-20 minutes each day for him or herself to just breath, zone out, and/or reflect on one's feelings. Whether one takes a walk outside, listens to music, exercises, reads, and/or meditates, it is important to take the time to de-stress and be mindful of how one is feeling. If this action is practiced often, it will help overall with decreasing feelings of sadness, stress, and/or anxiousness.
Join the JMS PTO
The Jasper Middle School PTO is a non-profit organization established to provide additional opportunities for parents, teachers and members of the community to work together to support JMS teachers and students through a variety of activities and events - in and out of the classroom. The PTO is THE Booster Club for JMS! Here is a special note from our JMS PTO:
Welcome to JMS PTO! We are excited for a fabulous year. We have many activities and fundraisers planned for our wonderful school. JMS PTO’s objectives are to support JMS teachers and staff, encourage and recognize JMS student achievements, assist with the needs of JMS, and provide volunteers to the school. If you would like to join PTO, our membership form can be found on our JMS website under Students/Parents then JMS PTO. If you would like to volunteer, please email us at jmsdragonspto@gmail.com. You can follow us on Facebook at JMS PTO Jasper GA.
Anyone who has Box Tops to donate, please drop off with Mrs. Lydia in the office.
If you would like to purchase a Spirit Wear T-shirt, the order form can be found on our JMS website with the membership form.
PTO Officers:
President - Vicky Green
Vice-President - Eileen Steinhauer
Secretary - Misty Johnson
Treasurer - Jennifer Johnson and Andi Jordan
For all things PTO related, as well as how to join, please visit their page on our school website at http://jaspermid.pickens.k12.ga.us/pto.htm
JMS CLASS PENNY WAR PRESENTED BY THE JMS PTO
1, 2, 3, 4
WE DECLARE A PENNY WAR
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH TO THURSDAY OCTOBER 5TH
Rules:
Each grade has its own jug for collecting money. Gain points by adding pennies and bills to your grade’s jug. Lower other grades’ total by adding silver coins to other jugs.
The grade with the most pennies wins! Collections will be done during lunch time in the cafeteria.
Winner will be announced October 11th.
Prize
Winning Grade will receive extra break time with Ice Cream on a designated day.
How to Earn Points:
Adding
Pennies +1 point
$1 dollars +100 points
$5 dollars + 500 points
$10 dollars +1,000 points
$20 dollars +2,000 points
Subtracting
Nickels -5 points
Dimes -10 points
Quarters -25 points
Questions: Email jmsdragonspto@gmail.com
Ongoing Ways to Help Out JMS
1. JMS participates in the "Box Tops for Education" program by collecting "box tops" from students, parents, and staff. There is a collection box placed in the front office where students, parents, and staff are able to drop off donated box tops that can be found on various food products such as cereal boxes, breakfast bars, and ziploc bags. Students and parents can drop these off with the School Administrative Assistant, Ms. Lydia. For more information on this program and how you can assist JMS, please visit http://www.boxtops4education.com/
2. Did you know that when you purchase your groceries at Ingles or Krogers, you could also be helping out JMS? It's true! By simply registering your Ingles and/or Krogers store loyalty cards, you can earn money for JMS by designating JMS as your chosen school. If you registered your card last year, you will have to re-register as they require everyone to do so each school year. Please visit https://www.inglestoolsforschools.com/ and https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow to register your store loyalty cards and help out JMS.
JMS Upcoming Events
Friday, 10/6:
JMS Volleyball vs. Gladden Middle School (Home) at 5:00 PM - Pink Out Game to Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Awareness
Saturday, 10/7:
JMS Dynamics to Perform at GA Marble Festival
JMS Team Participating in the 37th Annual Road Race of the GA Marble Festival
Monday, 10/9:
Title I and Parent Curriculum Night from 5:00 until 7:30 PM
Tuesday, 10/10:
End of the first 9 weeks
Wednesday, 10/11:
PSAT given at JMS for those who signed up for it
JMS Papa John's Night (code JMS)
Thursday, 10/12:
Football Championship Playoff Game (Home) at 5:00 PM
Saturday, 10/14:
Cross Country - Sharptop Invitation
At Roper Park in Pickens at 8:00 AM
Friday, 10/20:
JMS Halloween Dance from 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Monday, 10/23, - Friday, 10/27:
Book Fair at the JMS Library
Tuesday, 10/24:
PTO at 6:00 PM
Middle School Basketball Tryouts
Wednesday, 10/25:
JMS Buffalo Luke's Night from 5:00 - 8:00 PM (mention JMS)
Middle School Basketball Tryouts
Thursday, 10/26:
Middle School Basketball Tryouts
Wednesday, 11/1:
FFA Fruit Sale Begins
Tuesday, 11/7:
In-Service Day for Teachers - No School for Students
Wednesday, 11/8:
PTO Papa John's Night (code JMS)
Friday, 11/10:
Progress Reports
November 20th - November 24th:
Thanksgiving Break - School Closed
Jasper Middle School
Our Mission
Joining Mind and Spirit to ensure academic success, social responsibility, and graduation for all. "Our goal is that all students will work not only to meet academic expectations, but that they will strive to exceed expectations."
Our Vision
The vision of Jasper Middle School, in cooperation with all stakeholders, is to commit ourselves to developing critical thinkers and lifelong learners through a rigorous curriculum, high expectations, and positive character development in a safe and nurturing environment.
Our Beliefs
- Devoted educators actively support students, families, and the community to help prepare students to be positive contributors to society through preparation for future challenges and societal demands.
- All students can learn.
- Communication through the spoken and written word is essential to the success of all students.
- Education and learning are shared responsibilities that take place in the home, school, and community.
- Each and every student must be prepared for an ever-changing and technologically driven society.
- Positive behavior supports lead to greater success.
- All stakeholders are accountable for improving student achievement.
Website: http://jaspermid.pickens.k12.ga.us/
Location: 339 West Church Street, Jasper, GA, United States
Phone: 706-253-1760
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jasper-Middle-School/1564348233799742