JAGWIRE
WELCOME BACK TO THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR - Family Edition
Contact Us
Email: JolliffMiddle@k12cpschools.com
Website: cpschools.com/jms
Location: 1021 Jolliff Road, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Phone: 757-465-5246
Twitter: @JolliffMiddle
The Principal's Jam
JMS Students and Parents,
Ready...set...go! Summer has seemingly flown by and school is back in session. I cannot express how awesome it has been to meet so many of you at our various back to school events. Thank you for the warm welcome back to the WB burough and to Jolliff.
September has become a time of new beginnings for me. The school year brings a fresh start- a chance to level up on learning, to set new goals for my personal and professional life, and a chance for new relationships while reconnecting with classmates and friends. September is a saason for students to do the same when it comes to school. I want to challenge you, students AND parents, to spend some time during these first days of the school year, talking about your goals for the school year. Spend time over family dinner or while in car creating a vision and plan for success in 2023-24. A good place to start is to make every effort to be at school every day. Always know that the JMS faculty, staff, and administrative team are here to help you master success.
Mr. John Close
Principal
Community Collaboration!
Home Depot (Old Taylor Road)
Thank you again, Home Depot, for this valuable space for our Jolliff community!
Counselor Connections:
Greetings JMS Students and Families:
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We are excited to partner with you to support another year of growth and academic progress. As you prepare to "Level Up" your learning, we would like to share 5 tips for the new school year:
1. Get your rest! Create a bedtime routine that may include a set time for turning off electronic devices, preparing items for the next day, and reading to wind down before going to sleep.
2. Eat breakfast and lunch! If you don't have enough time to prepare your meals, we have breakfast and lunch options available for you to purchase at school.
3. Get involved with school activities! Trying out for a sport or joining a club is a great way to develop new skills and make new friends.
4. Ask for help with schoolwork! We all care about you and want you to succeed!
5. Have fun with friends! Attend school sporting events and activities and participate in Spirit weeks to help create fun memories.
We invite you to visit your school counselor in the school counseling office by getting a pass, filling out a slip outside the counseling office, or feel free to contact us by email using the information below.
Sincerely,
Jolliff Middle School Counselors
Mrs. Geshla Windley
Mrs. Jackie Palmer
Mrs. Sherri Ruff
BACK TO SCHOOL INFO
Open House - Students & Parents are invited to tour the building & meet the teachers!
ONLINE STUDENT VERIFICATION
At the beginning of every school year, all families must complete the student online verification process. The verification process allows our families to confirm or update information for all children in a household at one time. Families will also have the opportunity to review and update their contact information to ensure continued access to important information and communications from their student’s school and the district. Families must log on to their ParentVUE account to complete this process. In the ParentVue app, parents should select “Open Online Registration (OLR)” and select “2023-2024 Verification.”
Online Student Verification Information includes the following.
Phone Numbers/Emergency Contact Information
Identify or verify individuals who may pick up your child from school in case of an emergency. We recommend having three to five people designated as emergency contacts. We also require that you have at least one primary phone number on file in order to reach you in the event of an emergency including school closures or delays. This critical step will ensure that the contact information we have is current and accurate. Please note, in order to receive text message notifications, you must select a mobile number as your primary contact.
Release of Information/Media Participation
Provide consent to have your student's photo or work showcased or celebrated on our district or school social media accounts, websites, yearbooks, or other media. You may also opt out of certain directory information requests.
The deadline for the student verification process is Friday, September 29, 2023. To complete the process, please log on to your ParentVUE account. The verification process can be completed in a web browser or in the ParentVUE mobile app. It is important to note that the online verification process is open and available all year to provide families the opportunity to update their information to ensure that the most current contact information is provided to their student’s school.
Visit this page to learn more about ParentVUE in our district. If you have not activated your ParentVUE account or have lost access, please contact your child’s school.
Back to School Spirit Wear Store
Jaguar Refrigerator Reference Guide!
Fees for School Meals
Meal prices for the 2023-2024 school year beginning July 1, 2023 (including summer programs after July 1), are noted below:
Breakfast $1.50
Lunch $3.00
Reduced-Price Breakfast $0.00*
Reduced-Price Lunch $0.00*
Free Breakfast/Lunch $0.00
*Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will have their meal costs waived this year.
Bus Transportation
Early Dismissal Pick Up
Please remember you must come to the main entrance and show your ID to pick up any student(s). Individuals not authorized to pick up student(s) will not be able to check them out. Please make use your emergency contacts/pick-ups are up to date in Parent Vue.
Parent Drop/Pick Up Directions
General School Reminders!
UPDATED CELL PHONE AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE (PCD) POLICY
In an effort to provide the most positive and purposeful educational environment for our students, the School Board adopted policy 9-20.1 regarding the use of cell phones and other personal communications devices. The goal of the policy is to ensure that our students come to school free from distractions and ready to learn.
During the instructional day, any personal communications devices are expected to be turned off and put away. This means that these devices should not be kept on the person or in the clothing of students during the school day. This expectation applies to all instructional, administrative, medical, or health-related settings including, but not limited to: classrooms, hallways, libraries, auditoriums, gymnasiums, locker rooms, administrative offices, or clinics.
What is considered a personal communication device (PCD)?
Any device that can connect using Wi-Fi or cellular data including, but not limited to:
Cell phones
Tablets and e-readers
Laptops
Handheld gaming systems/consoles
Smart Watches
Bluetooth devices including headphones
Why is this policy being put in place?
Research shows that cell phones and other electronic devices can be detrimental to the intellectual, social, and emotional development of children and adolescents. In addition, access to these devices during the school day decreases opportunities for our students to be actively engaged in the learning process and to interact with their teachers and classmates.
What if I need to communicate with my child during the school day?
In case of emergency, please contact your school’s main office. Staff members will be able to put you in touch with your child.
What are the consequences of violating this policy?
School administrators will review these expectations clearly with students during the first week of school. Consequences for violation may include verbal warnings and confiscation of the PCD including the requirement for a parent or guardian to retrieve the device. Multiple infractions may lead to more severe consequences. School administrators may adapt consequences to suit the nature or number of infractions. The district or school is not responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen electronic device either directly or indirectly related to the enforcement of this policy.
Nurse's Notes
Required Immunizations
Medical Information
JMS Athletics
Students MUST have a current sports physical on file with the Athletic Director in order to tryout for any sport. Physicals must be dated after 4/1/2023.
Fall Sports Game Schedule!
Get your tickets on GOFAN.CO!
Chesapeake Public Schools is providing an opportunity to purchase online and mobile tickets for ALL middle and high school athletic events (which includes all sports for home and away games). Purchasing tickets online permits fans to easily access and share tickets (email or text) without standing in line.
All middle and high schools will have a dedicated GoFan page for ticket sales. The service, which enables attendees to pay and access tickets electronically. The middle school tickets will be available prior to the start of their season.
All school accounts can be accessed using the GoFan.co (not .com) website. Click here for the JMS school account!
GET CONNECTED AND STAY CONNECTED!
It’s time for another exciting school year to start and an essential part of Jolliff Middle School is our PTA! PTA supports critical academic needs, is an active voice on decisions that impact your child’s health, safety, and quality of education, and builds a stronger, more inclusive school community. There is no wrong or right way to be involved – anything you can
give, whether time or money, will support your child’s potential. We invite you to join us because we can do more together than apart.
We strive for a membership team full of parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, and community members. This invitation is open to EVERYONE that wants to show their support for the JOLLIFF JAGUARS!
Stay tuned for PTA updates on upcoming events and happenings at Jolliff Middle School. As your JMS PTA Board, we appreciate your support and look forward to an incredible school year!
Here is your 2023-2024 Jolliff Middle School board:
President: Blaine Lamonea
Vice President: Tabitha Heath
Secretary: Angie Gainer
Treasurer: Alison Dodson
Get connected by joining and actively participating in our PTA. Our PTA is committed to enhancing staff and student experiences. Your membership supports their efforts and your participation and ideas are needed. Here is a list of some of the ways they have supported our students and staff:
Sponsored the 8th grade dance or activity
Created and sponsored the BE AWARE FAIR (Virtual informational events with leading professionals as hosts. Check them out on our YouTube Channel.)
Staff Lunches
Beautification Projects
Curtains for our workrooms
Please join the PTA and share your talents for the benefit of our school community. It is a great investment of time and energy that helps every Jag to thrive.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
We hope you will stay connected to JMS via the platform of your choosing. Our website,
is updated regularly, so please register for notifications by visiting the homepage and scrolling down the right side to submit your email address. Our website can link you to our social media accounts on Twitter - @JolliffMiddle, Instagram - @JolliffMS, and YouTube - @CPS JMS.
JAGS CARE...RESOURCES FOR THRIVING!
SELF-CARE is a focus at JMS!
CPS INFORMATION
CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION
STUDENT CHROMEBOOK USE & CARE
STUDENT INSURANCE
More school resources...
LOCKERS
Students will be required to store their book bags in their lockers this year. They may carry their Chromebook cases. Students may also use a drawstring bag for gym class. Students will need to have a lock for their hall locker and their gym locker.
For our Virtual Jags attending CVA! Tips and Tricks for Virtual Learning for PARENTS
YOGA for Brain Breaks!
Teaching kids mindfulness activities like yoga, will provide benefits that span a lifetime. This awesome free resource from Sanford fit makes incorporating yoga breaks easy with 22 printable cards, each with pictures and descriptions of 4 yoga poses. And don’t worry—it’s not a huge time commitment. The sequence on each card is designed to take only 3-5 minutes. To see it in action, watch a demo here.