JMEMS Weekly Update 4/5/21
The newsletter of the JMEMS Community-Vol.29
Community Announcements
Hello Parents/Guardians,
We are continuing to offer both in person and virtual learning (e3) opportunities to our students but we need your help with ensuring students bring their fully charged Chromebooks to campus each day. In addition, please make sure the devices are not damaged and you alert us to any damage as soon as possible.
Take a look at the important message from the Superintendent, Dr. McDaniel:
Return To Campus
On Tuesday, April 6, OKCPS looks forward to welcoming all students (PK-12th grade) back to campus for in-person learning 4 days a week, Tuesday - Friday. Mondays will remain a remote learning day for all students. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our plan for meals, etc below.
Week of April 5, 2021
All students in grades PK-12th will Return to Campus for in-person learning 4 days a week, Tuesday - Friday.
Mondays will remain a remote learning day for all students.
Children in Workplace Program will continue to be available on Mondays only.
OKCPS Curbside Meal Service will remain in place at all school sites on Mondays only.
NOTE: All students currently enrolled in our e3 Online Learning program will continue to learn virtually for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Families of e3 students can make arrangements with their home school’s front office to pick up meals Tuesday-Friday.
For the latest update on the District's 6-point Safety Plan see the links below:
English: https://www.okcps.org/Page/6772
Spanish: https://www.okcps.org/Page/6780
The Oklahoma Caring Vans will be providing children's vaccinations in the Oklahoma City metro areas this month. Our Caring Van schedule is available here.
If you have questions about the Caring Van, please reach out to Andrea Oguinn at andrea_oguinn@hcsc.net.
Please do not drop off students before 8:50 am. We cannot allow them in the building, we have professional development and other meeting in the mornings before scanning and we can't start scanning until 8:50 am each morning.
General Announcements:
ACCESS FOR VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS: To help ensure we maintain a safe environment for OKCPS students and staff, we will not allow access for outside guests at this time. Parents/Guardians may visit the school’s front office (preferably with an appointment), but we will not allow access of any kind for other visitors such as volunteers, outside speakers, or members of the media at this time.
JMEMS Families:
Dates to Remember:
April 5-Monday-Distance Learning Day, no student in the building
April 6-All A & B day students in the building
April 6-9-District Benchmark Testing
April 19-Start of State Testing
JMEMS Cell Phone Policy for 2020-21 School Year
Students are allowed to possess their cell phones for emergency purposes only. No cell phones are to be used in the classroom during instructional time. Any distracting devices will be confiscated and kept in the front office for parent pick up.
Bus Routing Information (click link to find your bus route and bus #)
“Where’s My Stop” Address Tool
Bus Stop Lists by School
Additional Transportation Information on the district website:
https://www.okcps.org/Page/5588
en espanol
https://www.okcps.org/Page/5589
Backpack Announcements
Parents, students are encouraged to bring clear or mesh backpacks when JMMES begins in-person instruction. This will help get students through the scanning process faster.
Student Check Out Procedures
Student Checkout:Parents who are checking out their students must call ahead 5 minutes to notify the school. Upon arrival the parent will call the school again and come to the main entrance to pick up the student with photo ID. Staff will escort the student to the main entrance out into the custody of the parent/guardian. Staff will sign the student out to the parent.
OKCPS remains committed to supporting you in every way possible as we move into the next phase of our Return to Campus plan. Below are some resources for families and staff:
58-STUDY (587-8839) for academic support and 587-HELP (4357) for technical support, and our Student Services Team is also available for emotional support and crisis intervention at 587-0489.
OKCPS Employee Assistance Program is available to district staff for emotional support, legal and financial guidance and much more at no cost.
2-1-1 HeartLine is open 24/7 for help with counseling, rental assistance, food pantries, affordable housing, health resources, child care, after-school programs, caregiver support, financial programs, literacy, and job programs. As always, please call 911 for emergencies.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 2-1-1 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255) for 24/7 support.
Updated Return to Campus Plan
Detailed Timeline for our Return to Campus Plan
Week of March 22, 2021
Monday, March 22 will be an ASYNCHRONOUS learning day for all students.
OKCPS will begin the 4th quarter utilizing the existing A/B schedule for all students.
Elementary teachers & school leaders begin to adjust their classrooms and building procedures to accommodate the return of all PK-4th grade students during the week of April 5.
Children in Workplace Program will continue for children of employees.
OKCPS Curbside Meal Service continues at all sites on Mondays and in designated locations on Tuesday - Friday.
Week of March 29, 2021
OKCPS will continue with our existing A/B schedule for all students this week.
Friday, April 2 will now be a regular school day. Students in Group B and all district staff should report. Students in Group A will proceed with asynchronous learning on April 2.
OKCPS Curbside Meal Service continues at all sites on Mondays and in designated locations on Tuesday - Friday.
Week of April 5, 2021
All students in grades PK-12th will Return to Campus for in-person learning 4 days a week, Tuesday - Friday.
Mondays will remain a remote learning day for all students.
Children in Workplace Program will end as students return.
OKCPS Curbside Meal Service will remain in place at all school sites on Mondays only.
NOTE: All students currently enrolled in our e3 Online Learning program will continue to learn virtually for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
Remote Learning Mondays for the Spring Semester
Congrats to the JMEMS Track Team for a Strong Showing at the PC West Track Meet!
District Resources for Families and Staff
Another Community Resource for Families
Thank you to all the Parents, Staff and Students for a Wonderful Parent Night! (Not all photos could be uploaded, nothing personal)
Broiles and Henderson
Thomas and Kinnard
Gardner, Brown and Stoss
Hemphill and Crossings Church
Coach Arter and Coach Walters
Hartfield and Parent
OKCPS remains committed to supporting you in every way possible. Below are some resources for families and staff:
58-STUDY (587-8839) for academic support and 587-HELP (4357) for technical support, and our Student Services Team is also available for emotional support and crisis intervention at 587-0489.
OKCPS Employee Assistance Program is available to district staff for emotional support, legal and financial guidance and much more at no cost.
2-1-1 HeartLine is open 24/7 for help with counseling, rental assistance, food pantries, affordable housing, health resources, child care, after-school programs, caregiver support, financial programs, literacy, and job programs. As always, please call 911 for emergencies.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 2-1-1 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255) for 24/7 support.
COVID-19 REPORTING PROCEDURES (UPDATED)
OKCPS Safety Protocols
All OKCPS staff members are expected to follow all OKCPS health and safety protocols and guidelines. Please make sure that you have read, understand and agree to follow protocols. Anyone who hasn't already OR who was hired after November 2020, should do so by completing the Safeschools module.
In order for us to keep our students in school, we all have to work together to maintain the safest environment possible and remain vigilant with our hygiene and safety practices. If you haven’t already, please make sure you’ve read OKCPS’ Six-Point Safety Plan.
Reporting Non-Compliance with Safety Protocols
Staff members are also encouraged to report any observation of non-compliance so it can be addressed swiftly. If you see anyone in any OKCPS facility or vehicle not following the district safety guidelines that are in place, please report it to your immediate supervisor or complete a TIPS report. TIPS reports are routed directly to the Legal Services Office.
To make a report:
Access the Online TIPS Reporting Tool
Select your location
Select “COVID-19 Non-Compliance” in the dropdown menu
Complete the Form
Violation categories include:
Refusal to wear a face mask inside OKCPS facility
Refusal to wear a face mask while inside an OKCPS vehicle when occupied by more than one individual
Refusal to wear a face mask over both nose and mouth
Failure to self-report to hotline positive or presumptive positive for COVID-19
Refusal to go/stay home despite symptoms of COVID-19
Violating social distancing of 6 feet
Gathering in a group without social distancing
Unauthorized disclosure of another’s personal medical information
Other
Cleaning Needs / Request for Cleaning
Our facilities team has created a form that allows school staff to alert them of any cleaning needs they may have. This form should only be used if you believe your classroom or an area in your classroom was not cleaned or needs to be cleaned. This form can be used to alert our custodial staff that an area in the school building needs cleaning as well. SUBMIT CLEANING FORM
Reporting Positive COVID-19 Case OR Exposure to Positive Person
OKCPS employees who work at a school building (with the exception of SNS staff & Guest Teachers) should report a positive COVID-19 test or exposure to your principal and/or your school’s contact tracer.
OKCPS employees who work at the Clara Luper Center for Educational Services, the Operations Center, Student Support Services at Westwood should report a positive COVID-19 test or exposure by calling the district’s COVID-19 line, (405) 587-CV19. SNS staff members and Guest Teachers should also use the CV19 line to report a positive COVID-19 test or exposure.
Staff Announcements
Staff,
Please take time to review your emails daily, if you opted out of the district's text and call protocols then you will get the same information via email.
Upcoming Events:
There are several dates and events you need to be aware of in the next two weeks that will be of importance to plan for. Please review and plan for the following events:
- Tuesday, March 30th we will continue our work on our Parent Night presentations/displays. We will use IT PD time for this. As a reminder, IT PD begins at 7:20 AM.
- There will be a tornado drill on Tuesday and Wednesday (March 30th and March 31st).
- There will be no Wednesday morning IT PD due to our Thursday evening Parent Night. Please see the below information as it pertains to that event.
- Wednesday, March 31st we will have our site visit from Solution Tree. As a refresher, you were to devise a unit calendar which outlined your timeline for covering the unit, your pre and post test, and build in CFAs. This information will need to be brought to your Grade Level Content PLC on Wednesday, March 31st to room E221 (Instructional Coaches workroom).
- Also, your core concepts/reading class will be visited in order to observe your interventions.
- Thursday, April 1st will be our Parent Night (parental engagement activity). This event will be 5:30 PM-7:00 PM. This will count as an IT PD. This is an opportunity to display and highlight our growth and academic focus as a school. Our theme, "We Are One". North Church will feed us after school in the teacher's lounge beginning at 4:15 PM. This will be a grab and go.
- Monday, April 5th, Mandatory Staff Meeting in the cafeteria. Focus topic: Return of all students to campus daily except Monday.
- Week of April 5th-9th, Benchmarks (a calendar was sent via email)
- Tuesday, April 6th all students return to campus
- Tuesday, April 6th IT PD will be after school from 4:30 PM- 6:00 PM. Purpose of this training and change is GEAR UP is providing technology training and student engagement via the Newline Flat Panel.
- Wednesday, April 7th we will not have IT PD.
- Thursday or Friday (April 8th or April 9th) will be a fire drill.
- Tuesday, April 13th state testing begins (please see the calendar from Mrs. Broiles)
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our students and school.
Remember to contact Ms. Seward if you are going to be late or absent from work before 8am. Also, if it is a planned absence make sure your sub folders are uploaded to your Canvas homepage as well as an announcement to students. Failure to adhere to this directive will result in required training on absences and Canvas protocols.
Let's continue to support our colleagues with good thoughts and prays as some of them continue to deal with COVID-related illness in their families.
Please email Mrs. Hemphill or Mr. Johnson with request for extra desks and chairs. When all the students arrive April 6th you may need extra desks and chairs, don't wait to request these additional items for your classroom.
District Announcement on the Instructional Calendar:
On Monday, our OKCPS Board of Education approved a district calendar change to address the instructional time we lost during our recent winter storm. In order to wrap our school year up before the end of May 2021, OKCPS adjusted our plan to make up the days missed through a combination of additional days and minutes.
February 15th & May 26th will be added to the calendar as instructional days
10 minutes will also be added to the day starting January 4, 2021. (5 minutes at the start of the day and 5 minutes at the end of the day)
If additional days are needed for inclement weather, May 27th & May 28th will be designated as inclement weather days
Reminder: Staff Dress Code:
The effective teacher dresses appropriately as a professional educator to model success. Ultimately, you are treated as you are dressed. Jeans and a school spirit shirt are to be worn on days specified by principal, otherwise teachers will need to dress in the specified professional manner:
Professional Attire Men: Slacks, Suits, Shirts (with or without a tie), Belt, Appropriate Shoes.
Professional Attire Women: Slacks, Suits, Tops, Skirts and Dresses (length--end of middle finger when hand is to the side), Appropriate Shoes.
Unprofessional/Inappropriate Attire: Workout leggings; low-cut blouses; baggy pants; sweat suits.
Staff Absences during Remote Learning:
1. Contact Ms. Seward and Mr. Harris before 8am via text or phone call.
2. Contact your GRADE LEVEL administrator.
3. Publish your sub slides and make them your front page so it is the first thing that kids see.
4. Fill out the necessary leave forms for Ms. Seward.
Here are the Leave Forms:
Planned - Request for Leave
Unplanned - Absence Report
Staff Kudos
Give Ms. L. White a high five! Her classroom project "Help Us Master Multiplication and Division!" was recently funded-DonorsChoose!
Huge Thank You to The M.D. and Barbara Jirous Foundation for the Generous Donation to JMEMS!
Thank you to North Church for the Donation of Chick-fil-A for our Staff!
Thank you to Crossings Church for Supporting our Parent Night!
JMEMS Art Students are Making Beautiful, Personalized Masks for Parent Night!
Thank You to Ms. Brown and the District 9 Masonic Family for the Donations of Water for JMEMS!
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER/STUDENT ASSISTANCE COUNSELOR-Mrs. Wyatt
IF for any reason, there are ANY concerns regarding the physical, mental, and or emotional health of a student, parent, and or staff member please see the contact info below to contact Mrs. Wyatt. We have multiple teams in place with resources to assist with decreasing stress during such a challenging time!
Office direct line: 587-3112; kdwyatt@okcps.org; 405-254-6040 (Google Voice)
Youth under 18 who find themselves in crisis or dangerous situations can go to any OKC FIRE STATION or ONCUE EXPRESS location and ask for help.
Whether they are experiencing abuse or neglect or need to talk about a problem, help is available at SAFE PLACE LOCATIONS.
When a youth requests help, Pivot is contacted to provide support as needed.
Pivot advocates for those in need, those disadvantaged, those who struggle, those who may be unseen and unheard.
Youth under 18 are encouraged to look for the yellow and black SAFE PLACE SIGN when seeking help.
They can also text SAFE to 4HELP (44357) with their location to find the closest Safe Place location.
Call Center Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.
OKCPS recognizes the stressors our families and students face. In response, we have created a community call center which will be available during the 2020-21 school year. It will be staffed by our counselors and social workers to provide emotional support and crisis intervention to OKCPS students and families.
Wisdom, Inspiration, or Humor
Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as a hard duty.
― Albert Einstein
About Us
Email: vdseward@okcps.org
Website: https://www.okcps.org/Domain/24
Location: 2401 Northwest 115th Terrace, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Phone: 405-587-3100
Facebook: facebook.com/JohnMarshallMiddleSchool
Twitter: @middle_marshall