Eagle Eye -JMS Parent Newsletter#28
February 21 - 25, 2022 - Week 28
Happy Friday!!
Good evening Jefferson Parents & Families:
It has been another great week at JMS! As we enter the final weeks of Term 3, please stay tuned for updates regarding registration for rising 9th, 8th, 7th, and 6th graders. Our current 8th grade students, who will soon be rising 9th graders, will meet with counselors from ORHS this week for an introduction to high school registration. The JMS counseling department has included a timeline of registration dates in this week's newsletter. Additional updates for all other grade levels will be coming soon!
This week, the JMS Eagles basketball teams and cheerleaders will participate in their end of season party, the JMS Track and Field team will continue to prepare for the first meet of the season on March 8, Lego League and club meetings will continue, and the JMS Student Council will convene their monthly meeting.
There is a lot happening at Jefferson Middle School this week so please check out the week at a glance schedule below for more details!
As always, we thank you for your support and hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Phil Cox, Principal, pcox@ortn.edu
Dr. Josh Tipton, Vice Principal, jctipton@ortn.edu
Nick Corrigan, Dean of Students, njcorrigan@ortn.edu
What Should I do if My Child is Sick?
In an effort to ensure all of our students and staff stay as healthy as possible, we recommend that you keep your child home if they are sick, if they have been tested or have been exposed to a positive case of Covid 19. Further, the use of voluntary face coverings by members of the school community is still encouraged for the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff.
Please see all scenarios listed below and please reach out to Mr. Corrigan at njcorrigan@ortn.edu if you have any questions!
In an effort to mitigate transmission, please keep your child(ren) home if:
- They have been tested for Covid-19
- They have been exposed to a positive case of Covid-19
- If someone in your household has tested positive for Covid-19. Additionally, notify JMS Administration as soon as possible, as Nurse Cousins is able to test (with parent permission) with results within 24 hours.
- If your child(ren) are displaying any of the following symptoms:
- Fever or Chills Temperature > 100.4 F
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle or Body Aches
- Headache
- Sore Throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
Week at a Glance - February 21 - 25, 2022
Monday 21
A day
Environmental Club 2:45-5:00
Chess Club Library 2:45-3:45
Track & Field Practice 3:00-4:30
Tuesday 22
B day
RadioActive Brix Meeting 2:45-4:30
Girl Scouts Meeting Room 208 3:00-5:00
Basketball Teams' End of Season Party Cafeteria 3:00-4:00 (Girls & Boys teams & Cheerleaders)
Track & Field Practice 3:00-4:30
Wednesday 23
A day
SLT Meeting TEAMS 1:00
Staff Meeting TEAMS 2:00
Discipline Team Meeting 3:00
Track & Field Practice 1:00-2:30
Thursday 24
B day
ORHS counselors talk to 8th graders during Special Areas 9:35-10:25 (Gym & JPAC)
Track & Field Practice 3:00-4:30
Friday 25
A Day
Youth for Christ Band Room 7:00 AM
Social Media Presentation
- 8:40-9:30 - 7th grade in the gym
- 9:35-10:25 - 8th grade in the gym
- 12:55-1:45- 5th grade in the gym
- 1:50-2:45 – 6th grade in the gym
Truancy Meeting SAB Board Room 10:00-12:00
Ms. Kala’s class to SCA 11:45
Student council Meeting JPAC 7th period
Track & Field Practice 3:00-4:30
Wilderness Connections to Big South Fork 3:00
Saturday 26
Wilderness Connections return 3:30
Drop off/Pick Up Reminders
- Please avoid entering the bus loop when buses are present!
- Please pull your vehicle all the way up so we can keep as many cars as possible off of Fairbanks.
- Make sure your child is ready to exit the vehicle and doesn't have to access the trunk for items, as this holds up the line.
ORS Attendance Policy Reminder
We wanted to share a reminder about the attendance policy in ORS as well as the expectations held at Jefferson Middle School. The policies are outlined below. Please reach out to Mr. Nick Corrigan, Dean of Students, with any questions or concerns regarding attendance or tardies. He can be reached via email at njcorrigan@ortn.edu or by calling the school at (865) 425-9301.
ORS Attendance Policy
Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session.
Students are expected to:
- Be present and on time for all assigned classes (skipping classes will count as unexcused absences).
- Present documentation of parental permission before checking out of school. Class absences as a result of early checkout are considered the same as any other absence and are subject to all attendance policy rules.
- Provide a written excuse for each absence from his/her parent or custodial parent giving the date and reason for the absence(s).
- Make up assigned work missed during excused absences
Excused Absences
Students must be in school unless the absence has been excused for one of the reasons listed below. It is the responsibility of each student’s parent/guardian to explain the student’s absence to the school in a manner satisfactory to the principal. Absences may be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his/her designee. Absences will only be excused for the following reasons:
- Personal illness
- Only seven days, whether consecutive or not can be excused by a parent note;
- After a child has had (7) days, not necessarily consecutive, of illness related absences excused by a parent note, any future illness related absence must have a doctor’s note stating that the absence is medically necessary.
- All parent and doctor notes must be turned into the school within three school days of the child returning to school.
- Death in the family
- Religious observations
- Extreme weather conditions
- Court appearance or legal mandates
- Verifiable family emergency
- School sponsored events
- Principal has discretion to excuse absences based on the following:
- The absence must be prearranged
- The absence must not have an adverse effect on the child’s academic standing
- The child must have a good attendance history
- The child must have a good behavior record
- The Director of Schools must agree
JMS Tardy Policy Update & Reminder
JMS Tardy to School Policy – UPDATED FOR TERMS 3 and 4
Students arriving to school after 7:40am must check in through the Main Office. Student tardies will be marked unexcused unless a note is received within three days from a parent or physician stating an acceptable excuse for being tardy. Students are allotted 7 unexcused tardies per 9 weeks. On a student’s fifth unexcused tardy to school each 9 weeks, students will receive a written warning documented in Skyward requiring a parent signature. After the 7th tardy to school each 9 weeks, students will receive an after-school detention for every tardy to school received (starting with the 8th). The tardies to school will start over for students each nine week term.
Please remember that student drop off begins at 7am each morning. The school day begins at 7:40am. We encourage students to be on campus 5-10 minutes early to ensure they are in class on time.
JMS Tardy to Individual Class Policy
Teacher will contact parent and submits Student Support Document on 3rd tardy to class. After 3rd tardy to class, teacher will submit a Skyward referral.
Spring Book Fair Coming Soon!
NAACP Black History Trivia Contest Update!
Trivia winners will be awarded the following: First-place winner, $50; second-place winner, $25; and the third-place winner, $15.
Submit entries by March 11 to Rose Weaver at rs_wvr@yahoo.com. Any questions about the Trivia Contest should be directed to Ms.Weaver via email address or text (865) 924-2987.
Jefferson Middle School Counseling Connection: February Newsletter
Date Change: Navigating Life in the Digital Age
Counseling Corner
If your child would like to visit with their school counselor, please have them click the following link:
If you have a School Counseling need, please reach out to:
- Ms. Cormack - 5th & 7th Grade Counselor - khcormack@ortn.edu
- Ms. Price - 6th & 8th Grade Counselor - clprice@ortn.edu
- Ms. Myers - Registrar - amyers@ortn.edu
Students of the Week!!
The following students will be recognized as students of the week for displaying Kindness this week!
5th:
Scarlett Lewis
Heidi Mohamed
6th:
Kutler Green
7th:
Brian Gonzalez
Kaileb Marquez
Shelbye Crites
8th:
Emilson Carrasco Cruz
Students may pick up their certificates in the front office on Monday morning.
Congratulations!!
Rising 9th Grade Important Registration Dates:
Early Childhood Education Academy Application
Is your child interested in education or working with children someday? Then the Early Childhood Education Academy might be a great fit! In order to be considered for enrollment in the Early Childhood Education Academy at ORHS, you must complete an application.
The application is attached below and are now available in the School Counseling Office.
*The deadline to complete the application is March 3rd!
The Reading Eagle!
Oak Ridge Sister City Support Organization & Naka Update!
For more than 30 years, the Oak Ridge Sister City Support Organization (SCSO), the city of Oak Ridge, and the Oak Ridge City School system have, together, built an amazing relationship with our sister city of Naka shi, Japan. As a part of this relationship, Robertsville and Jefferson Middle schools have been able to enjoy a yearly, reciprocal exchange with the middle schools in Naka. This exchange has touched the lives of countless people and has enriched the relationship of our two cities in ways that cannot be expressed.
Fast forward to our current, ever-evolving “new normal,” born from the onset of Covid-19. In 2020, when all of this began, our middle school exchange had to be cancelled. In 2021, while it is necessary to cancel the exchange yet again, the SCSO was able to co-create a video/virtual exchange between our middle schoolers and those in Naka. This year, after much discussion with our counterparts in Naka, we have again decided that circumstances are not yet right for us to feel confident in having a safe exchange. We will again hold a virtual exchange. Information will be coming soon on how to participate and who is eligible to participate.
Please feel confident that the SCSO and Naka shi are constantly communicating, and that we are discussing alternate possibilities for keeping this exchange alive this year. As with everything in our current world, we are taking things a day at a time. We will be sharing updates as we have them. The SCSO wishes to express our deepest gratitude to those who have supported us throughout the years.
Sincerely,
John Smith, SCSO President
Sean Seyfert, SCSO Vice-Chairman
Community Visits with Ms. Kala's Class
Spring Break Learning Loss Bridge Camp!
The COVID-19 pandemic caused school closures throughout Tennessee that resulted in lost classroom time for students. The Tennessee state legislature took action to create and fund new summer, fall, and spring learning opportunities for students to help make up for disrupted classroom time. These programs provide an important opportunity for additional instruction for students. Over spring break, Jefferson will offer in-person learning loss remediation programming in the form of learning loss Bridge Camp.
The learning loss spring Bridge Camp for students will be held Monday, March 14th through Thursday, March 17th from 7:45am-1:45pm each day. Students will receive instruction and intervention in both reading and math, along with a block for both STEM and physical activity. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all students in attendance. Transportation will also be provided, upon request.
Students received a letter at school this week if they were selected to participate. If you have interest in your child attending, or if you have any questions, please contact Bridge Camp Administrator, Katie Bolling at ksbolling@ortn.edu.
JMS Athletic Updates from Coach Bolling
JMS Track & Field practice began on Monday, February 14th and our team is off to a fast start! The first meet will be on March 8th and the season schedule is posted below!
Go Eagles!
TNReady Testing Calendar & Informational Update
Upcoming ORS Events!
Regional Opportunities for Students!
This weekend! University of Tennessee Tomorrow's Engineers Today!
GenCyber Summer Camp!
The Cybersecurity Education Research and Outreach Center (CEROC) at Tennessee Tech will be hosting a GenCyber Residential Student Camp on the Tennessee Tech campus from Sunday, June 19, 2022 concluding Friday, June 24, 2022. The NSA sponsored GenCyber camp will provide an exciting week for high school students and current 8th graders in middle schools (rising freshman for the 2022-2023 school year) to experience the world of cybersecurity through hands-on activities and games. As part of the week, guest speakers from academia, government, and industry will visit the camp sharing their personal and professional experiences in cyber.
Student participants will get a Raspberry Pi computer of their own, which can go home with them at the end of the camp. During their time a camp, participants will also earn GenCyber Coins (camp cryptocurrency) with which they can purchase prizes from the online store at the end of the camp.
Students will be provided with shuttle service from three different major cities (Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville) to travel to/from Tennessee Tech campus at Cookeville on before and after the week-long residential camp.
As part of our “get the word out” efforts, CEROC will be conducting two introductory Zoom webinars for interested students discussing the camp, expectations regarding the camp, as well as cybersecurity in general. Each of these webinars will be later followed by a two hour camp teaser experience in which students can get hands-on experience with cybersecurity and get a taste of what to expect at the actual camp.
Middle School Webinar Dates (for current 8th graders only):
- Camp Introduction Webinar: January 28, 2022 from 4:00-5:00pm CST
- Camp Teaser Webinar: February 2, 2022 from 6:00-8:00pm CST (group will be selected from those attending the Camp Introduction)
Please register for the introduction webinar at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QC2KGT6. A meeting link will be sent to the out to those registered no later than three (3) days prior to the meeting. Camp information will be posted at https://www.tntech.edu/ceroc/outreach/gen-cyber.php.
The site will be updated as new information becomes available. Other questions can be sent to ceroc@tntech.edu.
Space is limited as only 35 participants will be selected from across the state.
Katerpillar Kids Camp
About Katerpillar Kids Camp
Katerpillar Kids Camp is a special camp for children who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The camp is coordinated by Covenant Hospice and sponsored by Variety, and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019. Many campers come to camp because they lost a parent, however, children who have lost any family member or a friend is welcome to participate. Learn more at the Covenant HomeCare and Hospice website.
About Mane Support
Mane Support is a nonprofit organization that provides a ministry through equine-assisted grief counseling to children, youth, teens, and adults who have experienced the death of a loved one or other types of trauma. Horses can play a special role in the healing journey. Therapists and equine specialists of Mane Support are certified through EAGALA (Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association). In addition, they have experience, degrees and certifications in the fields of equine training and management, child development, and thanatology. All Mane Support activities are conducted on the ground; there is no horse riding. Mane Support is located in Roane County.
Save the Date!
We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Mane Support to host our next in-person Katerpillar Kids Camp to children 1st- 12th grade grade! Camp will take place on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24 at Mane Support in Roane County.
Who: Children 1st – 12th grade and their parents or guardians
What: A FREE grief camp that teaches children how to cope with the loss of a loved one through a variety of activities including equine therapy, games, music, etc.
When: Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24, 2022.
Where: Mane Support in Roane County – transportation will be available.
PTO News!
Sign up for the JMS PTO Newsletter!
FREE BREAKFAST & LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS! February Menus
The USDA has extended FREE breakfast and lunch for ALL students this school year!
Please find the February Breakfast and Lunch Menus attached below for your convenience!
2021-2022 JMS Student Handbook
First Student Transportation - Bus Information
Thank you for your patience and communication during our first week back! Please be sure to discuss your child's method of transportation each day to ensure they know where they are to go at dismissal.
First Student Transportation has posted 2021-2022 Bus Routes and you can find them here:
https://www.ortn.edu/Transportation/2021_Revised_JMS_Bus_Routes.pdf
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Laurendine at jllaurendine@ortn.edu or Ms. Myers at amyers@ortn.edu.
SIGN UP FOR MYSTOP - BUS TRACKING APP!
Once you are registered for transportation, you will be able to track your child's bus using the app information detailed below. Please see information on how to register for MyStop below.
MyStop - Parent/Student Login
- Username: (use student’s name - case sensitive) firstname.lastname
- Password: (use student birth date) in this format 03122007 for March 12, 2007
MyStop Phone App Available In Your App Store
Go to: Versatrans My Stop™ provides mobile access to bus information. This app displays the location of the user’s assigned school bus, as well as the estimated time of arrival to their stop. Students can plan for late or on-time arrival, and prevent missed pick-ups or being left outside in inclement weather.
Can’t Access the MyStop App?
If you are having difficulty accessing the MyStop App please take the following steps:
- Please confirm the following:
- You have downloaded the App from Tyler Technologies.
- You are using the legal student name as listed in Skyward.
- You have selected all lower case letters.
- You have placed a period between the first and last name.
- The birthdate is correct and only consist of 8 numbers.
If this information doesn’t allow you to successfully download your child’s MyStop App account, please contact Amy Myers at 865.425.9302 or email amyers@ortn.edu. You can also view more information on the ORS District website at https://www.ortn.edu/district/bus-routes/.