Weekly Warrior Update
Student Focused-World Class
Word for the Warrior...
Dear JSMS families,
In light of recent events, I know that school safety has been in the forefront of thoughts and concerns. I have appreciated the opportunity to talk with some families who have inquired about our safety measures and thought it may be helpful to share some of the steps our school and district have taken to keep us as safe as possible. This list is not exhaustive, but captures some of the key practices.
Each year schools are required to complete emergency drills, including intruder drills. Additionally, each school conducts an Active Shooter Drill in conjunction with KPD and the Chief Student Services Officer to address these extreme situations. These opportunities allow adults in our building to anticipate various scenarios and plan and practice responses with students.
In recent years, all schools have been equipped with a secure front entrance while all other doors remain locked and are accessible only through card reader access. As you know, our school has a School Resource Office on duty at Sevier at all times. Additionally, the Kingsport Police Department conducts daily walk-throughs at all school locations. Not only does this assist with school safety, it also gives these officers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the schools as they conduct walk-throughs in the zones in which they patrol. As a result, schools and many KPD officers have developed positive relationships with both staff and students.
We continue to update security cameras, both in number and quality.All schools utilize software where parents/visitors must have ID scanned to attend a meeting or sign-out a child. This software accesses databases to monitor any possible risks.
All exterior doors and classroom doors remain locked, with the exception of the front door that leads into the secured lobby at each school.
It is my hope that having this information will alleviate some degree of worry. We will continue to review specific safety protocols and processes with our faculty and staff. Thank you for entrusting us with your children. This is not a trust that we take for granted and will continue to work diligently to keep safety as our primary consideration.
It is likely that we will include a Family University night that focuses on school safety to inform families further regarding these practices.
On Wednesday of this week, we will be having a SCHOOL SAFETY DAY. Throughout this day, we will take time to honor lives lost at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We will ask that all students/staff wear maroon and silver/gray, school colors of Stoneman Douglas. We will also observe a 17-second moment of silence to honor the lives lost. Students will participate in review of safety procedures during their first period classes. Additionally, students will have opportunities during lunch to talk to administrators and ask questions/share concerns about school safety. Students will also have opportunities to write legislators in an effort to positively influence change.
Counselors will be available and students will be reminded of the many ways they can seek to speak to a counselor and use our QUICK TIP website to report any concerns anonymously, if they choose.
It is our hope that by proactively and positively providing students with an opportunity to honor the lives lost at Stoneman Douglas HS, by reviewing safety procedures and by allowing students opportunities to be involved and share their questions/concerns, that students feel will involved and empowered in issues regarding school safety at John Sevier.
Proud to be a Warrior,
Holly Flora
Week of the Warrior...
MONDAY: March 12th
-Dobyns-Bennett Excel Parent Night-5:30-7:00-DBE (for rising 9th graders)-If you are interested in learning more about DBE, please plan on attending.
- Dance Team Tryouts from 3-5 must have a sports physical on file.
- Sevier on Stage Forensics will practice after school until 4pm in Mr. Graybeal's room on MONDAY, March 5
- Lady Warrior Softball Practice 3-5
- Track Practice- all members 3-4:15
- "The final deadline to order a JSMS Yearbook is almost here! All yearbook orders are due by March 15. If you would like to order a yearbook, turn in your order form and money to your homeroom teacher. Yearbooks are $24. Order forms are available in the office or the library."
TUESDAY: March 13th
- Science Olympiad Practice 3-5
- Dance Team Tryouts from 3-5 must have a sports physical on file.
- Track Practice Varsity Team 3-4:14
- Lady Warrior Softball Game vs. Greeneville at Sevier @5:00 both JV and Varsity
- Student Council meeting Tuesday 3:00-3:30 in Mrs. Wagner’s room. Athletes, and others dress out from 2:45-3:00, attend meeting until 3:15, and then join team.
- "The final deadline to order a JSMS Yearbook is almost here! All yearbook orders are due by March 15. If you would like to order a yearbook, turn in your order form and money to your homeroom teacher. Yearbooks are $24. Order forms are available in the office or the library."
WEDNESDAY: March 14th
SCHOOL SAFETY DAY--WEAR MAROON AND SILVER/GRAY IN HONOR OF STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL (SCHOOL COLORS OF STONEMAN DOUGLAS)
- Lady Warrior Softball Practice 3-5
- Dance Team Tryouts from 3-5 must have a sports physical on file.
- Track Practice- all members 3-4:15
- There will be a JRROTC meeting each Wednesday after school. The meetings are 3:00-4:00. Please see Ms. Moore in room 106 if interested.
- There will be a Sequoyah Scribe staff meeting from 2:45 to 3:30 pm in room 340. All staff members are required to attend. The editorial staff and newscast staff will meet until 5:15 pm.
- "The final deadline to order a JSMS Yearbook is almost here! All yearbook orders are due by March 15. If you would like to order a yearbook, turn in your order form and money to your homeroom teacher. Yearbooks are $24. Order forms are available in the office or the library."
- We would like to invite you all to join us for Virginia Marshall’s shower on March 14th right after school in the atrium. Below is the link to their registry on Amazon. We hope to see you there!
https://www.amazon.com/baby_reg/WQGCU46SNYAE
THURSDAY: March 15th
- Science Olympiad Practice 3-5
- Dance Team Tryouts from 3-5 must have a sports physical on file.
- NO Track PRACTICE
- Natural Helpers meeting 2:50-4:30pm
- Softball Game- Home vs. Robinson, 4:30
- "The final deadline to order a JSMS Yearbook is almost here! All yearbook orders are due by March 15. If you would like to order a yearbook, turn in your order form and money to your homeroom teacher. Yearbooks are $24. Order forms are available in the office or the library."
FRIDAY: March 16th
- No School Teacher In-service Day
Save the Date:
- Spring Break March 19-23
WARRIOR WHOOP!
Please congratulate the following girls for making the 2018-2019 JSMS Cheerleading squad.
Aliya Springs, Anastasia Arp, Chrishyra Bunche, Danielle Ledoux, Emelly Raigoza, Emma Davis **Captain **, Haley Dennison
Haley Roberts, Jamison Calhoun, Katelin Johnson, Lauren Reilly, Lily Turner **Captain**, Mikade Isabel, Rylee Wallen
Whitley Jones, Zaniah Greene
Welcome to the world baby Lucas Elam! Congratulations to Lydia and Jacob Elam on the birth of this new Warrior!
Family University-Raising a Teenager
Sevier ROCKstar! Mindy Utsman ROCKS!
I am truly honored that I was given the WOW award last week. It truly takes each of us to do what we do here at Sevier, and I appreciate all of you! With that being said, I would like to nominate Jennifer Cheek for the WOW award. Jennifer goes wherever she is needed. She fills in anywhere from ISS, to the office, and on to the classroom. She handles tough situations, and keeps coming back each day with a positive outlook. The students love her, and anyone who works with middle school students know that this is really saying something. Thank you Jennifer for all you do for me and for the rest of us!!
-Kim Rigsby
8th Grade Trip to Eastman Career Expo, DB Excel and DB!
Connor Hall qualifies for State Geo Bee! Go Connor!
National History Day
Tennessee High School Press Association Awards
The Tennessee High School Press Association held its annual Awards Day for achievement in student journalism. Four Sevier students won awards during this ceremony.
Ella Miller - 1st Place - Best News Story
Patrick Galloway - 2nd Place - Best Editorial
Laura Murphy - 3rd Place - Best Sports Story
Micah Maynard - 3rd Place - Best Review
These students were the only middle school students in the competition; their performance is truly remarkable.