TJ Today - Start of school edition
Thomas Jefferson Middle School 2020 - 21
August 2020
Aug. 4 - Student Schedules available in their Skyward Account
Aug. 11 - New student and 6th grade Orientation - 8:19 a.m. - 10:42 a.m.Aug. 12 - First full day of school for all students - 8:19 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Aug. 20 - Virtual Open House
6th Grade and New Student Orientation -- August 11th
Sixth graders and students new to the VCS/TJMS who have elected the in-person option are invited to participate in New Student Orientation on Tuesday, August 11th from 8:19-10:42 a.m. Buses will be running their regular routes in the before and after the orientation times. Car riders are asked to enter the parking lot at the far southern entrance near the press box for the soccer/football field and follow the path to door 5 before retracing that route to exit onto Roosevelt Road. Car riders should not drop off nor pick up on Roosevelt Road, in the south drive or in the parking lot between TJMS and TJE.
Sixth graders and students new to the VCS/TJMS who have elected the remote learning option will be sent a video welcoming them to remote learning prior to August 12th, the first full day of school.
PE Uniforms Not Required
In School Learners: Students will be expected to wear appropriate clothing to school including gym shoes. At this time, students will not dress out for PE, although this is subject to change as our school year progresses. We will be sure to give families advanced notice regarding this. In the event we are able to dress out, 6th grade and new 7th and 8th grade students may purchase physical education uniforms from Blythe's Sport Shop. You can purchase online or pick it up at the store (located at 2810 Calumet Avenue) for a cost of $29.00 ($12.50-shorts, $16.50-shirt). Students are welcome to wear uniforms purchased for older siblings. Purchase Online
SCHOOL Pictures Delayed
IMPORTANT - Safety Precautions that will be taken
The start of the 2020 -2021 school year will be like no other that any of us has experienced. Please know that Valparaiso schools and TJMS will be taking precautions to insure the safety of your students. This is going to be a learning experience for all and we will make adjustments as we see the need.
In classrooms masks will be worn and desks will be separated as much as possible for social distancing. Hand sanitizing stations will be set-up throughout the building. The disinfecting materials will be used between classes and in high touch areas.
For breakfast, only those eating a school breakfast will be allowed to enter through door #8 7:50 a.m. Have chromebook ready to use to sign in to breakfast for contact tracing purposes.
During lunches, seating will be in multiple locations throughout the building to socially distance as much as possible. Supervision will be set up in each of the lunch areas. Hand sanitizing stations will be set up on entering and leaving the cafeteria.
All people will be required to make an appointment to enter the building. Please call (531-3140) or email the staff member(s) you wish to contact to set up an appointment. Email addresses can be found at the TJMS website.
Borrowing items from teachers and fellow students will be strongly discouraged to help stop the spread of germs.
We understand some of these changes will be an inconvenience, but we are trying our best to make TJMS safe for students, staff and parents. Thank you for your assistance.
New Procedures for Dropping off Forgotten Items
Clubs/Sports and Other School Activities
Per IHSAA mandate Physicals that were turned in last year will be accepted this school year. There is a Health History form that will need to be filled out. If this will be the first time you are taking part in sports at TJMS or you did not get a physical last year, you will be required to get a physical and fill out all the forms for this year. The all the physical forms are located on our website under athletics. These forms can be turned into the school office when completed.
Football starts - Aug. 3 at 5 p.m.
Volleyball starts - Aug. 12 from 3 - 5 p.m.
Cross Country - Aug. 17 from 3 - 5 p.m.
How to work your locker
August 21 - Virtual Open House
Remote Learner Information
Remote Learning policies can be found by clicking here.
Grade level school schedule - The dark green indicates lunch periods
IT'S FREE TO PAY ONLINE FOR MEALS!
Login to Skyward's Family Access Portal to view, manage and deposit money to your child's cafeteria account. Click here to watch the You Tube Video https:/https://youtu.be/yVGi_SGnpTI/
Need help? Call 531-3050 and Food Service will be happy to assist you.
TJMS Aide Position
Share your pictures
Parents and students--We KNOW you take amazing pictures--like those amazing action shots during sporting events, or group shots of you and your friends---and we want to publish your work in our yearbook!
Have you downloaded the Replayit app on your phone yet? No? No worries! You can upload your amazing photos by visiting www.replayit.com
Thanks for sharing your moments with us!