Eagle Eye -JMS Parent Newsletter #5
August 16 - August 20, 2021 - Week 5
COVID Update: Mask Requirement & Protocols
Jefferson Parents & Families:
While we are off to a very exciting school year, we have been closely watching COVID related data and communicating it with our District Administration. We want to be sure we keep our students as safe as possible throughout the fall to maximize learning and address our students’ holistic needs.
Please see the changes coming to Jefferson Middle School effective Monday, August 16, 2021. This document will outline the protocols we are implementing to keep our students and staff save. We are working hard to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 for in-person school programs and prevent the significant consequences of keeping students out of school and isolated.
In order to be successful, it will take a continued, collaborative effort among students, staff, parents, families, and our administrative team. We know there will be many questions as we go through this process together. Please feel free to contact us at any time, as we are here to serve our Jefferson Middle School community.
1. Visitors to building
- All building visitors will be limited. Masks will be mandatory prior to entering.
- Staff will schedule both in person and Teams meetings for meetings/conferences.
- Family will not be permitted to eat lunch with their child or provide food for sharing.
2. Arrival to Campus
- Students will be spread out each morning when they arrive on campus.
- 5th & 6th Grade students by homeroom, socially distanced in the Gym.
- 7th grade, socially distanced in the JPAC.
- 8th grade, socially distanced in the lobby and outside lobby areas.
3. Mandatory Masks
- All students and staff must wear dress code appropriate masks when they arrive on campus and while in the building.
- Student and staff will be given mask breaks when able to social distance and during breakfast and lunch after they are in position of social distance.
- Refusing to wear a mask will result in a Skyward discipline referral. If there are extenuating circumstances regarding your child wearing a mask, please reach out to administration.
o 1st Offense – Warning - student is reminded to wear mask and/or given replacement mask. Student is counseled on procedures and policies pertaining to student safety. Parent is contacted.
o 2nd Offense - Detention – student is reminded to wear mask and/or given replacement mask. Student is issued detention and counseled on procedures and policies pertaining to student safety. Parent is contacted.
o 3rd Offense - In School Suspension (1 day) - student is reminded to wear mask and/or given replacement mask. Student is issued 1 day of school suspension and counseled on procedures and policies pertaining to student safety. Parent is contacted.
o 4th Offense - In School Suspension (2 days) - student is reminded to wear mask and/or given replacement mask. Student is issued 2 days of school suspension and counseled on procedures and policies pertaining to student safety. Parent is contacted.
o 5th Offense - Out of School Suspension - student is reminded to wear mask and/or given replacement mask. Student is suspended out of school and counseled on procedures and policies pertaining to student safety. Parent is contacted.
4. Breakfast - Cafeteria
- All tables will be used, and all lights will be turned on.
- Chairs will be marked at each table (4 of 10 chairs) to accommodate for eating.
5. Lunch – Café/JPAC
- Grade levels will be split up by homeroom for lunch between JPAC and Cafeteria to promote social distancing.
- Only students purchasing a lunch will get a tray to take to JPAC. We will have a cart to place trays on when finished eating and custodial staff will take trays to cafeteria in between lunches.
- Extra trash cans will be placed in the JPAC.
- JPAC and Cafeteria will be sprayed immediately following each group of students’ exit to prepare for next lunch period.
- Homerooms eating in the JPAC will be dismissed first. Students who brought their lunch will go directly to JPAC. JPAC students who need to purchase a lunch will go to cafeteria, go through line, and then go directly to JPAC. Seating will be assigned and marked in the JPAC.
- Cafeteria students will go directly to cafeteria, get their lunches and sit in assigned/marked seats.
6. Classrooms
- Classrooms will be arranged with as much distance between students as possible (3’-6’).
- Use of technology tools will be encouraged to promote student to student collaboration digitally.
- Teachers will receive cleaning supplies to use when needed.
7. Special Areas Classes
- We will continue to monitor student enrollment in these classes.
- Band, Chorus, and Orchestra will work to social distance at a distance of 3’-6’ to ensure social distancing. Administration is working to accommodate these classes in alternative locations that will better support this distance.
- Students are encouraged to have a water bottle for PE.
8. New Clinic Procedures
- Nurse will be available each day at 7:15am.
- Separate Clinics
- Room will be used for any student showing signs/symptoms of sickness.
- We will utilize the School Counseling Conference Room as the isolation room to house students that are ill and/or who are identified with a temperature during daily checks (100.4).
- Room will be disinfected and sanitized when unoccupied and the end of each day.
Well Room
- Room will be used for student who take daily medications, receive first aid, and other routine clinic needs.
- This room will only be occupied by physically well students.
Please be sure that if your child is sick to keep them home. In addition, if your child has been in close contact with someone testing positive for COVID -19, please reach out to Mr. Corrigan using the contact information below.
We sincerely thank you for your support and cooperation!
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 want to be sure you are keeping your child home if they are sick, if they have been tested or have been exposed to a positive case of Covid 19.
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
What do I do if my child is home due to Covid?
It is very important that your child access Canvas for class assignments, information and the Team links so they can follow their schedule virtually while at home each day!
Your teachers will provide a Teams link on their Canvas pages within 24 hours. Please see the Master Class Schedule below for the times for each class. Please keep in mind that teachers will be in the hallways in between classes and will enter students in from the waiting room at the approximate class start times below.
Drop off/Pick Up
- Please do not enter 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.
2021-2022 JMS Student Handbook
Week at a Glance - August 16 - August 20, 2021
Monday, August 16
B day
Teams Practice Session - Library - 2:45pm - 3:15pm
Cross Country Practice 3-4:30pm
Cheer Practice 3-4:30pm
Football Practice 3-5pm
Volleyball Game vs. Horace Maynard @ RMS Varsity ONLY 6:30pm
Tuesday, August 17
A day
Teams Practice Session - Library - 2:45pm - 3:15pm
RTI Fall Screener-ELA STAR (Reading)
Student Focus Meeting 3:00pm
Cross Country Practice 3-4:30pm
Volleyball Practice 3-5pm
Football Game vs. Loudon @ Blankenship Field 6:00pm
Wednesday, August 18
B day
RTI Fall Screener-ELA (Written Expression)
Safety Team Meeting-Eagles Nest 1:30pm
Special Ed Meeting 1-1:30pm
Departmental Meeting 2-3pm
Volleyball Practice 1-3pm
Football Practice 1-3pm
Cheer Practice 1-2:15pm
Cross Country Practice 1-2:30pm
Fall League Girls Basketball Practice 4:30-6:00pm
Area 2 Basketball Scheduling Meeting-Library 4:45pm
Thursday, August 19
A day
RTI Fall Screener-Math STAR
Special Areas Meeting
Cross Country Practice 3-4:30pm
Football Practice 3-5:00pm
Volleyball Game vs. Norris @ JMS JV 4:30pm, V 5:30pm
Friday, August 20
B Day
Youth for Christ JPAC 7:00am
Volleyball Practice 3-4:30pm
Cross Country Practice 3-4:30pm
Football Practice 3-5:00pm
Fall League Girls Basketball Practice 4:30-6:00pm
Saturday, August 21
ORHS Dance Cat Junior Clinic-Wildcat Arena
Administrative Changes Effective August 16th
Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Dr. Bruce Borchers announced Friday afternoon the appointment of Ms. Jenifer Laurendine as interim principal of Willow Brook Elementary School effective August 16, 2021. She will work throughout the week to ensure a seamless transition to best serve our students and staff of Jefferson Middle School before starting at Willow Brook.
Ms. Laurendine has been with Oak Ridge Schools since January 2014, serving most recently as the Vice Principal of Jefferson Middle School (JMS) since July 2020. Previously she held positions of Coordinator of School Health in the Department of Pupil Services and JMS Dean of Students.
The interim principal holds a B.A. in Communications from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, a M.S. of Education (HPER) from Delta State University, a teaching certificate from Tennessee Tech and an Ed.S. in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. She resides in Oak Ridge with her husband Michael and daughter who is currently a student at JMS.
“I love Jefferson Middle School and it has been a privilege to serve here over the past 4 years with Mr. Cox and the amazing staff, students and community. I will miss JMS terribly! I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to serve in this new role and will work hard do what is best for all students and staff at Willow Brook Elementary and Oak Ridge Schools.”
Dr. Josh Tipton has been selected to serve as the interim vice principal at Jefferson Middle
School beginning August 16, 2021.
Dr. Tipton is entering his 17th year as an educator, beginning his career in Anderson County
Schools in 2005, where he served as a Social Studies teacher at Clinton Middle School and
taught AP courses and Dual Enrollment U.S. History, World Geography, and Military History at
Clinton High School. In 2013, Dr. Tipton became an Assistant Principal at Clinton High School
and served in that role until 2016 when he became the Data and Evaluation Coordinator and
Middle College Supervisor for Anderson County Schools. Upon completing his doctorate at East Tennessee State University in 2017, Dr. Tipton accepted a faculty position at Middle Tennessee State University where he served as Assistant Professor of Education and taught undergraduate and graduate courses for teacher and administrative licensure candidates.
In 2019, Lincoln Memorial University provided Dr. Tipton, his wife Brittany, and daughters an opportunity to come home to East Tennessee to be closer to family. At LMU, Dr. Tipton served as Assistant Professor of Education and Doctor of Education Program Director.
In June 2021, Dr. Tipton accepted the position of Instructional Technology Coach and joined the faculty of Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge Schools.
Ms. Laurendine has been appointed Interim Principal at Willow Brook Elementary School.
Administrators will assume new positions effective August 16th!
Dr. Tipton has been appointed Interim Vice Principal at Jefferson Middle School!
Save the Date - SMILE - Picture Day is Coming Soon!
Creative Images will be taking all student individual portraits on Tuesday, August 31st. Group pictures and individual makeups will take place on Wednesday, November 10th.
We will provide further details in the newsletter next week!
FREE BREAKFAST & LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS, & August Menus
The USDA has extended FREE breakfast and lunch for ALL students this school year!
Please be sure you fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch Form that can be found in the packet of information your child received on Wednesday. We need every family to fill out one of these forms to ensure we can continue receiving USDA free breakfast/lunch for each student.
In addition, please find the August Breakfast and Lunch Menus attached below for your convenience!
Want to See What Your Child is Doing in Each Class? Canvas is the Place!
JMS Counseling Parent Needs Assessment Link!
Parent Needs Assessment
If you have not already done so please, take a minute to complete the JMS Parent Needs Assessment so we know how to best serve our students.
Counseling Corner
Classroom Lessons
We had the opportunity to teach our first school counseling lesson of the year to JMS students this week. Students filled out a school counseling department needs survey, learned about our roles as their school counselors, and learned the difference between if a situation is considered conflict, rude, mean, or bullying.
At Jefferson Middle School, we strive to instill healthy relationships and social skills for all students each day. There are times, when students will encounter a conflict during the school day. Please use the chart below to have discussions with your child, to clarify whether or not it is BULLYING or a conflict. In many cases another student may have been rude or mean. In these situations, using this model can help solve those situations. In all other situations, please let your child know the importance of telling an adult IMMEDIATELY!
Helpful book for Middle School Parents:
Middle School can be a difficult time for parents, we are here to support and help! This book is a great resource for ideas to help your student be successful.
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 were recognized as student of the week for displaying courage this past week!
5th grade
Lucas Wilburn
Joshna Nandagopal
6th grade
Neyland Ross
Lexi Cox
Isabella Hokenson
7th grade
Tatenda Muchero
Jose (Alex) Almendares Pavon
Malachi (Maria) Dawn
8th grade
Emilson Carrasco Cruz
Tekah Phillips
Alana Henry
Students may pick up their certificates in the front office on Monday morning.
Congratulations!!
JMS Athletic Updates from Coach Bolling
Congratulations to the Lady Eagles Volleyball Team on their first win of the season on Monday at Lafollette!
On Tuesday evening, the Lady Eagles fell to Lake City. On Thursday evening, The Lady Eagles JV team defeated Clinton for their first win of the season! The JMS Varsity team fell to a very talented Clinton team on Thursday night.
This week, the Lady Eagles Volleyball Team will face Horace Maynard, at Robertsville, on Monday at 6:30pm. On Thursday evening, JMS will host the Norris Volleyball Team. JV will begin at 4:30pm, followed by varsity at 5:30pm.
Last Thursday evening, the JMS Football Team fell to Norris, 16-22. This Tuesday, the JMS Football Team will host the Loudon Braves at Blankenship Field. Kickoff will be at 6pm.
Please come out and support our JMS Athletic Teams this week!
Go Eagles!!
JMS PTO News!
You can help support JMS through the Amazon Smile program!
The Reading Eagle - Messages from Ms. Haverkamp!
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/.