Jonathan Alder Junior High
May 5, 2023
Message from the Principal
JAJHS Families,
I hope you and your family have had a good week!
Other than a few make-up tests, our students have now finished all of their Ohio State Tests. Kudos to our teachers and students for their grit and perseverance through these assessments!
As we move into the final four weeks of the year, we are excited to wrap-up the year with fun, memorable activities, projects, and programs. From music concerts and final track meets to presentations and special event days, it’s certainly an exciting time of year!
Please review the information for important updates on upcoming activities.
Sincerely,
Mr. Malany
Principal
Mark Your Calendar!
May 4th - 7th: High School Musical
May 10th: JAJHS Art Show
May 11th: JAJHS 7th & 8th Grade Band Concert
May 12th: JAJHS Spring Fling
May 18th: JAJHS 7th & 8th Grade Choir Concert
May 24th: JAJHS Talent Show
May 25th: 8th Grade Pool Party & LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!
May 30th - June 2nd: 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip
8TH GRADE POOL PARTY!
Pool Party
We are so excited to continue the wonderful tradition of the annual 8th Grade Pool Party! This is such an amazing experience for our students and a perfect send-off to high school.
The Pool Party will be held on the last day of school, Thursday, May 25th. This day will include a special breakfast at school for all 8th graders and some fun slideshow memories for the class before they head to the Plain City pool for a day of contests, swimming, food, and fun! The cost to attend is $15 per student, which covers the cost of the pool, food, door prizes, and gift card prizes for multiple students.
We are in need of help to pull this epic day off for our kids! Please take a look at the signup form to see ways you can help make this event possible. Thank you for your help!
Non-perishable items can be sent in anytime, but we would love to have them by Tuesday, May 23rd. Your student can just give them to their HR teachers.
Perishable items need to be brought in or dropped off first thing, the morning of the Pool Party, Thursday, May 25th.
If you have any questions, please email Mr. Mott (mottad@japioneers.org) or Mrs. Hall (hallro@japioneers.org).
Thank you for all of your help and support in making this wonderful day happen for our kids!
TEACHER APPRECIATION!
Early in May, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week for our outstanding teachers and staff members! From bus drivers to teachers to support staff, our JAJHS team works incredibly hard to make sure our students have positive, memorable, and valuable experiences during their transitions into becoming teenagers.
Please consider taking a moment to reach out to a teacher or staff member who has made a positive impact in you or your child’s life to thank them for the energy they’ve contributed! Our teachers love working with our students! Please take a moment to share your appreciate with them!
Jonathan Alder High School Musical Tickets Now on Sale!
Come see the amazing story of rebellion and sticking up for oneself. NEWSIES is a world-wide sensation: known for some of the most complicated choreography to be put to stage and the powerful vocals to follow!
Join the JA High School as they perform this amazing work from May 4th-7th.
Tickets can be purchased at jamb-arts.org
Junior High Art Show!
The Jonathan Alder Junior High will be hosting an art show May 10th from 5:00 -7:00 P.M.! Work will be displayed in the school library and will feature a variety of pieces made by both 7th and 8th grade art students. Not every student will have work on display. A list of students with work in the art show will be compiled and displayed in the school for students to reference. Please mark your calendars for this event and come see the amazing work we have done this year!
7th & 8th Grade Band Concert!
Thursday, May 11th @ 7:00 p.m.
in the Jonathan Alder High School Auditeria
Students need to wear their band shirts with dress pants for this concert.
Doors will open by 6:00 pm
7th Grade Band should report to the Band Room by 6:15pm.
8th Grade Band should leave cases in the Choir Room and report to the Stage by 6:15pm.
This concert is a required event and is a large portion of the student’s grade for the fourth 9-weeks.
There will be a brief informational marching band meeting for 8th grade families immediately following the concert.
**All band students will need to bring their instruments and music home with them on this day**
We look forward to performing for you and seeing you there! If at all possible, we respectfully ask you to stay for the entire concert in support of all of our wonderful musicians. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Mrs. Hostetler at hostetre@japioneers.org or Mr. Hennig at hennigju@japioneers.org.
8th GRADE BAND PARENTS: There will be an informational meeting about JAHS Marching band. It won’t be too long but will have a TON of information to help you be prepared for your student to start high school and be a member our our amazing JAHS Marching band.
JAJHS SPRING FLING!
Our final social event of the year will be on Friday, May 12th, from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. on the Junior High Football Field for our Spring Fling event. The cost is $5 at the event and the dress is informal. If you would like to donate items or chaperone, you can find the link HERE. Pizza and water will be provided for free thanks to PTO and parent donations, but students may bring extra money for Lil E's Ice Cream Truck or Kona Ice as well as a PTO prize wheel. There will be a DJ at the event as well as a variety of outdoor games and activities. We look forward to celebrating the end of the year with this student council-sponsored event.
SPRING CHOIR CONCERT!
7TH & 8TH GRADE CHOIR SPRING CONCERT
Thursday, May 18th @ 6:30P.M.
in the Jonathan Alder High School Auditeria
Dress Code: Formal Attire
Students must report to the HS Choir Room by 5:30 P.M.
Our next music booster meeting will be held Monday, May 22nd at 7:00 P.M. in the High School Choir room. It’s a great way to meet other music parents and to stay in the know about schedules and information. at 7:00 in the High School Choir room. It’s a great way to meet other music parents and to stay in the know about schedules and information.
JAJHS TALENT SHOW!
Special Speaker for 7th Grade!
Construction Camp for Girls!
After School Child Enrichment!
Do you want to explore new educational and enrichment opportunities outside of school? Well, now you can!
Recently, state education officials in Ohio announced that qualifying families can receive up to $1,000 per child for enrichment and educational activities during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years through the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program.
The program is managed by the state and Merit International and was created to provide "educational activities to students who experienced learning disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic." The guidelines have been expanded to include more children, including those between the ages of 6 and 18 whose family income is at or less than 400% of the federal poverty level, who participate in income-based programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, and who reside in school districts identified as experiencing high rates of chronic absenteeism or schools identified as low-performing.
In the past, household income was required to be at or below 300%. However, now, the threshold has increased to $54,360 for a one-person household and up to $111,000 for a four-person household, which means that 80% of Ohio families could qualify for the credit.
So, what kind of programming qualifies for this opportunity? Before- or after-school educational programs, summer camps, music lessons, tutoring, and more all qualify.
To apply, Ohioans should go to aceohio.org for an educational savings account. Once an application is approved, search for participating service providers in the "ACE Education Marketplace" by category, grade, and location. Finally, submit claims for reimbursement using Merit's Ohio ACE app, and families will receive an email notifying them when a claim has been approved or rejected.
This program is an excellent opportunity for Ohio families to explore new educational and enrichment opportunities, and we encourage you to take advantage of it if you qualify.
How to Check Your Library Account!
Attention MEDICAID Members!
As of April 2023, Medicaid will start sending out renewal packets. You are required to complete this information to renew your current Medicaid eligibility or transition to other coverage if you are no longer eligible for Medicaid.
Make sure your address and email are up to date and current with your County Department of Jobs and Family Services (CDJFS). Renewal Packets going to the wrong address will result in the termination of Medicaid coverage. Here are ways to update your contact information:
● Call 1-844-640-6446 Monday through Friday 8 am to 4pm.
● Access your existing Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal at benefits.ohio.gov, click on “Access my Benefits”, then click “Report a Change to my Case” and follow the prompts.
● Contact your CDJFS at Medicaid.ohio.gov/dropdown, then select your county from the dropdown for contact information.
Check your mail and respond to renewal packets. If members don’t respond, they risk losing their Medicaid coverage. Renewal packets can be completed online at benefits.ohio.gov, in-person, by mail to their CDJFS, or by phone at 1-844-640-6446. If the due date has passed, still send/complete online your renewal packet. You have 90 days to re-enroll without needing to submit a new application.
GIRLS' CYBERSECURITY SUMMER CAMP!
The College of Engineering at Ohio Northern University (ONU) in Ada, OH, is hosting a FREE (!!!) week-long Cybersecurity Summer Camp for middle school girls. It is open to female students in grades 6-8 for Fall 2023. Participants will spend six days making new friends and engaging in fun hands-on activities in the field of cybersecurity. Upon completion of the camp, participants will have a strong understanding of cybersecurity in addition to mastering basic skills that can help them be safer online. The funding for this camp is provided jointly by the NSA and the NSF. We will be happy to come to your school if you allow us to demonstrate to your students. Please let us know if you are interested.
Please find more details below and the attached flyers. Please feel free to forward it to your students and any teachers/administrators at other schools.
CAMP DATES
- CAMP 1: June 11-16, 2023
- CAMP 2: June 18-23, 2023
Quick Facts
- NO COST for all participants
- RESIDENTIAL CAMP at the ONU College of Engineering
- Students will gain VALUABLE cybersecurity knowledge and skills and learn about career opportunities in cybersecurity
- ONU PROFESSORS will provide instruction and mentorship
- FREE Raspberry Pi kit, t-shirt, and daily meals and snacks to all participants
- FEMALE STUDENTS must be in grades 6-8 in Fall 2023 to be eligible to apply
REGISTRATION
Please visit THIS LINK for more details, and THIS LINK to register. Registration is now open and will continue through April 30.
JAHS 2024 Summer Trip!
You are invited to join the 2024 JAHS Summer trip to Greece and Italy! It is going to be an incredible trip of a lifetime! You can lock in the lowest price with a monthly payment option now. Read all the details and sign up here.
Please email Miss Dollinger (group leader) with any questions at dollinli@japioneers.org. Yes, parents can come. :) Hope you can travel with us in 2024.
How to Pair With Your Student on Canvas!
If you haven't done so already, please take a moment to watch this helpful VIDEO on how to pair with your student and set up notifications on Canvas!
Free Sports Physicals!
Common Sense Media
Join Our Team
We have a few vacancies available for our building! If you know someone who may be interested, please encourage them to apply on our district website. We have the following positions available:
Substitute teachers
Substitute bus drivers
Substitute custodians
Academic Calendars
The approved, revised 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic calendars are now available on the District's website and can also be found in the links below.
2022-23 Academic Calendar (Revised Dec. 15, 2022)