JMMS Weekly Update
February 19, 2021
Principal's Message
Good Afternoon Alpine,
During the month of February, students at Joan MacQueen are recognizing the significant contributions of African Americans in the rich history of the United States. As we continue to grow as a nation we often look to what makes us different and yet there is so much more that makes us the same. We empathize with those in Texas and on the East Coast who suffer from the cold. We celebrate with the team from NASA that landed Perseverance on Mars. Those feelings of empathy and pride are what we strive to achieve as our republic inches closer to our 245th year of existence. Listen to Martin Luther King's Speech, "I Have a Dream" and see if you don't have more in common with your neighbor than you think. I leave you with a poem by Harlem Renaissance Poet, Langston Hughes, please enjoy your weekend and keep your neighbor in your heart.
Dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
- Students Returning to In-Person Learning (New)
- State Mandate to Remain Open (New)
- Classified Employee of the Year (New)
- Teacher of the Year (New)
- ASB Calendar for February (Repeat)
- Check out the Weekly News From YOUR School Counselor!
- Sexual Education (Repeating)
- COVID Testing (Repeating)
- Mandatory Mask Wearing (New)
- Make-Up Picture Day - Wed., Feb. 24th ONLY (New)
Sincerely,
Casey Currigan
Students Returning to In-Person Learning 4 Days a Week
In order to follow all of the guidelines set forth by the San Diego County Health Department and the State Department of Health schools must meet a specific set of criteria. One of those criteria is the distance between student seats. These criteria will limit the number of students who will physically fit in a classroom. Once those levels are met, students who want to return will be placed on a waitlist until there is space or the criteria change. If you want your child to return to In-Person Learning please send me an email, ccurrigan@alpineschools.net
It's Yearbook Time at JMMS
Get In The Book!
It's time to upload pictures of all of the fun things you are doing this year into the Yearbook. Click on the link below to see all of the cool categories you get to choose from and please upload your pics asap. The links are all underlined in blue on the form.
ASB February Calendar
Click on the link below to see a larger version.
Checkout the Weekly News From Mrs. Smith YOUR School Counselor!
Sexual Education for 8th Grade Students
8th-grade JMMS students will be participating in a science unit on sexual health education beginning 2/22/2021. California state law, the California Healthy Youth Act, requires that comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education be provided to students at least once in middle and high school. Instruction must encourage students to communicate with parents, guardians, or other trusted adults about human sexuality. 8th Grade parents were emailed a copy of the curriculum. If you did not receive the email please contact JMMS administration.
If you have questions, please see Ms. Henderson or Mr. Currigan. You may request a copy of the California Healthy Youth Act (California Education Code Sections 51930‐51939) by contacting JMMS. This instruction will be provided by the San Diego Youth Services Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and you can call Haley Veniegas, Program Manager (619-258-6877 x.3255) with any questions.
State law allows you to remove your student from this instruction. If you do not want your student to participate in comprehensive sexual health or HIV prevention education, please give a written request to Shawna Henderson by 2/12/2021.
Teacher of the Year (JMMS Staff)
This year, which has seen a fantastic amount of turmoil and stress, the JMMS staff has been incredibly responsible and responsive to student needs and one another. As a group, we have acted as counselors, parents, siblings, teachers, listeners, and friends. Peers providing a helping hand and picking one another up when they needed it or providing a shoulder to lean on when needed. I am proud to be a Dust Devil in one crazy year.
Wed., Feb. 24th @ 8:00am in front of the JMMS GYM
If you missed getting your picture taken, this is your last chance to get it in the Yearbook. Our photography company will be here to begin make-up pictures on WED, FEB. 24th @ 8:00am in front of the Gym. Everyone must wear a mask and social distance staying 6' apart. Questions? Please call the JMMS Welcome Center at 619-445-3245 Ext. 119
Classified Employee of the Year (Pedro Martinez)
Everyday Pedro is going above and beyond to help clean, remove the trash, make repairs, cover for others, and smile through it all. He always asks me about my day and takes the time to show he really cares about the team. Because of circumstances beyond his control, Pedro is the sole custodian working at Joan MacQueen. He works 12 hours a day and every one of those hours he is working. From one task to the next he continues to make sure that the staff and students are in the cleanest environment possible. His work ethic is second to none and for that, he is the Classified Employee of the Year.
211 San Diego "Schedule a Drive up Testing Appt"
CAL FIRE COVID Testing February 24th
Mask Wearing is Mandatory
As we plan for reopening in-person instruction on March 15th and continue to work on procedures, it may be helpful to understand the mitigation strategies with stronger evidence supporting their use. The list below shows the most effective interventions in reducing the risk of Covid transmission.
- Face coverings.
- Stable groups.
- Physical distancing.
- Adequate ventilation.
- Hand hygiene.
- Symptom and close contact exposure screening, with exclusion from school for staff or students with symptoms or with confirmed close contact.
- Surveillance or screening testing.
Joan MacQueen Middle School
Email: ccurrigan@alpineschools.net
Website: https://www.alpineschools.net/o/jmms
Location: 2001 Tavern Road, Alpine, CA, USA
Phone: (619) 445-3245
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joan.MacQueen