MJH PARENT NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2023-2024 Back to School Edition
IMPORTANT DATES: August 2023
- July 31-August 1: Volleyball camp at MJH gym from 5-8 p.m.
- 4: Football equipment pickup (7th gr 4-5:30 pm) (8th gr 5:30-7 pm)
- 7:7/8 grade Schedule Pickup 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- 8:6th grade Schedule Pickup 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- 10: First Day of school
- 14:Grade Level Informational Meetings on campus - for students only
- 16:Student laptop checkout in all RLA classes today
- 18:Make up day laptop checkout for students absent on the 16th
- 21:Cross Country parent meeting at 5:00 p.m. in gym
- 21:Choir Parent meeting: 5:30pm for sixth grade/6:30pm for 7th/8th grade (cafeteria)
- 22:Football parent meeting 5:30 p.m. cafeteria
- 22:Volleyball parent meeting 4:15 p.m. gym
- 24:Band Parent Meeting: 6th graders at 6 pm 7th/8th graders at 7 pm
- 28:6th grade Meet the Teacher 6:00-7:30 p.m. More info to come
- 29:7/8 grade Meet the Teacher 6:00-7:30 p.m. More info to come
MESSAGE FROM MRS. CHAPMAN
Welcome to the start of the new school year at MJH!
I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health and high spirits. If you are new to the MJH family, we are grateful to have you with us this year. We do understand that junior high is a critical time for our students and we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment that promotes both academic growth and personal development.
As a reminder, our first day of school is Thursday, August 10. Communication is a vital part of a successful school-home partnership, so we encourage you to maintain open lines with our staff and administration if you have questions or concerns. Some of the communication channels that will help you through out the year is our monthly parent newsletter, school website, and scheduling a parent-teacher conference. We want to ensure that you are prepared and well informed about our school events and your child's progress this year so please contact us as needed.
In addition, below are a few reminders before students come to pick up their schedule. We ask that you please complete the required online back to school registration paperwork. This is available for you on the MISD website by clicking on the Skyward Family Access tab beginning Monday, July 17th. Student schedules will not be released without the completed online forms or any outstanding charges related to library books, cafeteria balances, required immunization, uniforms not returned, and annual affidavits required by families. We will have a computer lab and staff available on schedule pick up day if you need assistance completing your online paperwork or paying off balances.
MJH Schedule Pickup Dates are:
- August 7 from 4:30-6:30 - 7th & 8th grade schedule pickup
- August 8 from 4:30-6:30 - 6th grade schedule pickup
MESSAGE FROM OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
Parents,
This year, each parent newsletter will address a few conduct reminders that we observe often on campus, so you can assist us by speaking with your student about our expectations. We believe being proactive will help decrease inappropriate behavior. We always appreciate your support and partnership in your child's education and look forward to a great year!
Vaping continues to be a challenge for all schools in the region and state. I ask you to please talk to your student about the dangers associated with vaping. MISD has very strict consequences outlined in this years code of conduct for being caught with a vape pen and takes the issue extremely seriously.
The new vape consequence this year will be MANDATORY DAEP PLACEMENT if a student:
· Sells, gives, or delivers to another person or possesses or uses an e-cigarette or similar vape device per our MISD code of conduct.
Thank you for helping us by speaking to your child about the importance of this.
DISTRICT CELL PHONE POLICY
"Electronic device use (including cell phones) at Montgomery I.S.D. campuses will be permitted ONLY in the common areas of the campus (hallways, cafeteria, & outside eating area) before school, during passing periods, during the student’s lunch period, and after school. Use of electronic devices in the classroom is strictly prohibited. All electronic devices must be turned off, silenced, and not visible prior to a student entering any classroom or other instructional environment, including, but not limited to, the auditorium and the gymnasium. A student leaving the building to use an electronic device is strictly prohibited.
STUDENT SMART TAG BADGE INFORMATION
All students and staff must wear a photo badge each day per MISD guidelines. This badge will be used for safety reasons, transportation and campus access, and laptop charging stations on campus.
Students will receive a new badge and lanyard (unless they want to wear their own lanyard). It is a Montgomery ISD expectation that all students wear their ID badge appropriately around their neck throughout the entire school day. Students who lose or deface their badge will need to purchase a replacement from the library. As a reminder: Any student who refuses to wear their ID will face disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Thank you for your support as we help keep our campus safe.
MESSAGE FROM OUR COUNSELORS
Schedule Changes
If your child would like to request a schedule change, he or she will need to go to the counseling office and pick up a schedule change form during the first week of school. This form will need to be signed by the student and the parent and brought back to the counseling office. Schedule changes may be requested for elective or athletic class changes or students wanting to change from Advanced to level or level to Advanced class. Schedule changes will not be made to request a lunch or teacher change.
If you have any questions for your child's counselor, you can contact them by phone or email.
- 6th grade Counselor email: Lesa.Dunbar@misd.org
- 7th grade Counselor email: Tressie.Stewart@misd.org
- 8th grade Counselor email: Barbara.Gagliano@misd.org
A MESSAGE FROM THE NURSE
7th grade parents: A reminder that if we have not received a valid copy of your child’s required immunizations listed below, please submit a copy to our nurse this week so we can update our records.
1. Tdap (within 5 years of 7th grade enrollment date) (Dtap, dtp, tdap or DT, Td is acceptable if a medical contraindication to pertussis exists)
2. Meningococcal (on or after the student’s 11th birthday) (MCV4)
If you are having trouble getting into your doctor for shots, Express Family Clinic in Montgomery by April Sound can assist you in a timely manner.
Please feel free to contact Mrs. Buckner if you have any questions or concerns at courtney.buckner@misd.org or 936-276-3309.
RETURNING STUDENT REGISTRATION
Please be sure to complete the returning student registration online form before school begins. Go to the MISD website and click on the "Skyward Family Access" tab. This will need to be completed before your student will receive their schedule at schedule pickup.
IMPORTANT BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION:
BUS POLICY/CAR RIDER LINE
All traffic coming to MJH during the morning drop-off period and the afternoon pick-up period must use the car rider loop. Students can be dropped off beginning at 6:30 a.m.
LOCKERS
Lockers can be checked out on an individual basis at schedule pickup.
CAFETERIA CHARGES
For information on school lunches, please click on https://www.misd.org/departments/child_nutrition.
Parents will be encouraged to make prepayments on students’ accounts using my school bucks, cash or checks to avoid cash transactions during meal service.
FREE & REDUCED LUNCH
Click on the link below to complete the online information to see if your child qualifies for free and reduced lunch.
https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK
The Parent-Student Handbook is available on the MJH website. We encourage you to become familiar with the information contained in the handbook. Dress code will be enforced. Please review the dress code policy enclosed.
MJH CAMPUS WEBSITE
Please visit the MJH campus website throughout the year to access information and explore our links to find out more about our school. www.misd.org – Montgomery Junior High School
STUDENT ACTIVITIES/CLUBS
One of the many strengths of MJH is the large number of students involved in co-curricular activities. Students who become involved in the school broaden their experiences and increase their enjoyment of junior high school. Whether it is athletics, theater, music, student council or clubs, I encourage you to participate in one or more student activities. A list of clubs can be found on our website.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Pre-packaged school supplies were sold online and for those that purchased them, they will be mailed to your home. If you need the school supply list, it can be found on our campus website on the center of the front page.
TEXTBOOKS
Most textbooks will either be available online or issued for at-home use. Books that are issued for at-home use will not have to be carried to and from school. Back packs are optional. No rolling backpacks are allowed unless under doctor orders.
ATHLETICS
Girls and Boys athletics will be handing out uniforms, athletic locker numbers & collecting physicals when students come back to school. Parents will need to complete the Rank One online paperwork. For questions, contact Girls Athletic Coordinator @ kim.payne@misd.org
or Boys Athletic Coordinator @ greg.faigle@misd.org.
FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT PICKUP:
August 4:
4:00 p.m.- 8th gr.
5:30 p.m.- 7th gr.
MONTHLY PARENT LETTER
A monthly parent letter is emailed to all parents on the 1st of each month. If you are not receiving the letter, please call our registrar at rana.miller@misd.org to make sure your email is up to date in our system.
MEET THE TEACHER
A letter and student schedule will be sent home with your child and mailed home a week before Meet the Teacher to explain our process for that evening.
6th grade: August 28 - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
7/8 grade: August 29 - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
MJH SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow us on twitter- @mjhsbears and Instagram- mjhsbears or on MJH PTO Facebook to get involved and see all the great things happening at MJH! Click our links below.
DROPPING OFF STUDENT LUNCH/ITEMS
A parent drop off table is provided in the front foyer for students that forgot to bring lunches or other items to school. Be sure to text your student you brought the item to school. Those items will be the students responsibility to pickup.
Updated Technology info:
Students email addresses have been updated and are active. Please see the graphic below for the new email and student username format.
Student educational resources through Classlink will not be active until the first day of school, August 10. Students emails and cloud drive access has been restored.
Thank you for your patience as the technology dept. works to secure student information.
STUDENT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES:
All traffic coming to MJH during the morning drop-off period and the afternoon pick-up period must use the Car Rider Loop.
The faculty entrance is used for MJH faculty and substitutes only.
Morning pickup:
During morning student drop-off, no traffic will be permitted to enter through the Car Rider Exit. Traffic on the car rider loop is in one direction only. Please plan your time accordingly. Students can be dropped off beginning at 6:30.
Afternoon pickup:
During afternoon student pick-up, no traffic will be permitted to enter through the car rider exit once the officer is on duty. If you need to pick up your student early for an appointment, you much come into the building. Students will not be able to cross the car rider line without a parent for safety reasons.
Bus Entrance: The bus entrance will only be used for buses at all times of the day. For the safety of our students, please do not enter the bus entrance for convenience or to save time.
The back parking lot is for faculty only and all other traffic should refrain from using it.
CAR RIDER LINE - MORNING & AFTERNOON
AFTER SCHOOL CAR RIDER PICKUP LINE: For those new to our car rider line, we ask that you stop at the sign posted stop sign before you pull up to the car rider line. Right before the dismissal bell at 2:30 p.m., cars will then pull up to the car rider line loading zone. We ask this so our early dismissal students and parents are able to be picked up and are not held up by the dismissal traffic of our car rider parents.
23-24 SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST - (printable copy on MJH webpage)
ATHLETICS: FALL SPORTS INFO.
JR HIGH SPORTS WILL BEGIN FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
- Football: For questions, please contact greg.faigle@misd.org
- Cross Country: For questions, please contact nathan.hutchinson@misd.org
- Volleyball: For questions, please contact kim.payne@misd.org
SECONDARY DRESS CODE - UPDATED
Updated Dress Code Guidelines
Students will be expected to keep themselves well-groomed and neatly dressed at all times. Any form of dress or hairstyle that is contrary to good hygiene or which is considered a distraction or disruptive to the purpose and conduct of the school will not be permitted. Dress shall not create a health or other hazard to the students’ safety.
The dress code for Montgomery I.S.D. includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Shorts may be worn provided they are mid-thigh or longer for male and female.
- Shorts, pants and jeans with excessive and large holes near upper leg may not be worn
- No swimming attire worn to school
- Students may not wear house slippers, pajamas and/or pajama pants, or bedclothes to school.
- Students should never bring blankets or pillows to school.
- No head coverings such as hats, caps, doo-rags, bandanas, shower caps, hair combs, or hoods are to be worn in any school building at any time.
• Revealing clothes may not be worn to school, including but not limited to: blouses/dresses that are strapless, transparent, low-cut, backless, off the shoulder, halter top, or spaghetti straps. Undergarments should not be visible. No stomachs should be visible with normal movement.
• Raincoats, trench coats and other full-length over-garments worn to school due to inclement weather must be stored in the locker or AP office. Such garments may not be worn inside the building.
• Extreme hair styles or distracting hair colors will be addressed by administration. Mustaches and beards may be worn if neat and trimmed.
• Students may not wear clothing or have visible tattoos that displays vulgar, lewd, or obscene writing or images and may not wear emblems that advertise or depict tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or weapons. Pants may not be excessively baggy or hang below the natural waistline.
• Noisy or distracting jewelry or accessories may not be worn. Except for earrings or small nose studs, all other types of facial piercing, tongue studs and/or visible body piercings are prohibited. Chains of any length or size (including wallet chains) are not allowed. Sunglasses may not be worn in building. Leashes of any kind are not permissible.
• Costumes of any kind are prohibited, including furries and/or tails.
Each year there are “fads” that show up on our campuses. We are neither listing these nor making a regulation to cover all problems that may arise. When a fad starts on a campus and becomes a distraction, it shall be immediately eliminated. It is impractical to list every possibility of dress and grooming. The administration of each campus shall apply the dress code and make all final decisions regarding what is acceptable and appropriate.
Violations of the dress code will result in the student being sent to an assistant principal’s office. On the first offense, the violation will be corrected as soon as possible, parents/guardians will be contacted and may need to bring compliant article of clothing. The first offense will result in a warning. The second offense will follow the aforementioned procedure except discipline consequence will be issued. The third offense will require an in-person parent conference and student will be placed in ISS for the remainder of the school day. Student may be assigned additional consequences for excessive non-compliance.
No student will be allowed to return to class until they are in compliance with the dress code policy. If a parent/guardian cannot bring clothing to remedy a violation, the student will be placed in ISS for the remainder of the school day.
If a student fails to report to the office when instructed, they will receive the appropriate discipline consequence for insubordination.
The final determination of what is disruptive or distracting shall be made by the principal or assistant principal. Parents and students who disagree shall follow the procedure for appeals (Board Policy FNG).
JOIN mjh PTO
Please join our PTO. The membership form is online on the MJH PTO website at the link below.
- Family membership is $10.00. Our PTO eNews will keep you informed with the most current information that MJH has to offer regarding upcoming events, student opportunities, club news, deadlines, volunteer opportunities, and accomplishments at Montgomery Junior High School. Be sure to check out our PTO Facebook page as well.