The Cyclone Watch
Jefferson Middle School - April 2021
Principal Updates
This coming week is our spring break. Students will not attend classes from March 29-April 2. We hope all of you have a safe and enjoyable week. When students return on April 5, we will be returning to a full 5 day in-person instructional learning mode. We are so excited to have the opportunity to work with our students in-person on a daily basis again. Please find information attached to assist students in interpreting their schedule upon their return.
Health and Safety
Students will still be required to wear masks. Please review handwashing and masking wearing expectations with your student. A video is available as part of the district’s Parent-Community University series.
Additionally, all families should continue to complete the Morning Checklist daily. If your student is sick, please have the child stay home. If your child or someone in your home currently has COVID-19, please stay home and call your child’s school for the next steps.
Details on protocols, plans and safety information are included in the district’s reopening plans, which includes updated information.
Transportation
Transportation routes for 5-day learning are updated. You may look up your student’s bus route here. Families previously provided the district with information on their transportation needs. Based on that information, we developed bus routes. While the district is providing transportation to eligible riders, families are still encouraged to provide their own transportation, if possible, to reduce the number of students on the bus. Social distancing will be difficult to achieve on a school bus. Students are expected to wear a mask on the bus. Note: Students who changed learning modes may not have a bus assigned.
School Meals
Our students will continue with six lunch shifts. Breakfast and lunch are free for students through the end of summer school. Students eating breakfast, will report to the cafeteria when they arrive at school and sit in assigned areas that are socially distanced. Students will remain in the cafeteria until they have finished eating. They will then be sent to their first hour class. During lunch shifts, students will be expected to sanitize hands as they go through the lunch lines and seat in designated areas. While every effort will be made to socially distance students while they eat, due to the number of students attending, we will have students that will be close enough to be considered close contacts with the students they are eating with.
Grab-and-Go meals will continue to be available for virtual students. Information is available on our website.
Attendance and Secondary Schedules
Return plans require students who are enrolled as in-person students to attend in-person. Hybrid zoom options will no longer be offered. April 5 is the start of our last learning quarter. Note your student's schedule changes for the fourth quarter. Wednesdays will be a class day for in-person and CPS Virtual students.
Summer School Information
8th Grade Graduation: Jefferson Reception
Due to COVID restrictions, we will be hosting the 8th grade graduation at Hickman High School in their competition gym. The event will be held on May 25, from 6:00-7:00p.m. We are unfortunately limited on the amount of people we may allow to attend. Each 8th grade student will be allowed two tickets for two individuals to attend the event. The event will also be live streamed for those at home. We will provide streaming information closer to the event.
Notes From Nurse Betty
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
CURRENT 7TH GRADE STUDENTS
*AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE NURSE*
Your student requires the following vaccines before they can enter 8th grade.
· Tdap-Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis adult booster
· Meningococcal-meningitis vaccine
If your child has received a recent Tdap and/or meningitis vaccine, please send written proof of the immunization to your school nurse or have the health care provider fax the immunization record to the school nurse at FAX 573-214-3399.
If your child has not received these vaccines, the immunizations need to be completed before they can attend 2021 summer school and / or receive schedules for the 2021-2022 school year next August.
Immunizations are available from:
· Local health care providers
· Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley, no appointment necessary; M-F 8-4:30. 573-874-7355
For questions regarding your child’s vaccination history, please call your school nurse at 573-214-3213.
If your 7th grade student has a physical examination scheduled over spring break or any time in 2021, please ask their physician to give these two vaccinations.
**All students can carry a water bottle during the school day. As the weather warms up, please encourage your student to stay well hydrated. This can help prevent headaches and decrease dizziness due to lack of water. **
**Spring allergies are here. Your student can carry one dose of cold and allergy medication in a labeled container. Students with allergy symptoms have difficulty concentrating in class. Help your student feel and learn better. **
As CPS prepares for a change in attendance, it is more important than ever that parents keep their phone number updated with Jefferson Middle School. Any student who has symptoms of Covid that are not otherwise explained will be sent home to protect classmates and staff from illness. Contact the front office if you have a new phone number!
CPS offers free Covid-19 testing for students and staff. Call 573-214-3975 to schedule.
Thank you! Betty Cramer, RN, BSN Jefferson Middle School Nurse
Picture Retake Day
Media Center Moments
NEW BOOKS!! We have new books for check out in the media center. We just received our MASL 2021-22 nominees. Students can come down to the media center to get these books. Our teachers are working with us to get kids to the media center to get books while remaining safe. Our books are listed in Destiny and can be placed on hold. Books can then be delivered to them in class. We have these books in Sora (electronic versions) as well. Students are getting the chance to sit in on virtual sessions with some of our favorite authors. Gordon Korman, Lauren Tarshis, Christine Taylor Butler, Reta Sepetys, and April Henry have been available or will be throughout this spring. These visits are sparking interest in books by these authors. The media center promotes all kinds of reading. Mrs. Kiley has been visiting many RTI classes and doing non-fiction reading. It is the best feeling to share the reading experience with students. We are having some great discussions as well as addressing text features that enhance our reading.The media center is also sharing our Scholastic magazines. Students can find copies of these fantastic reads right inside the door of the media center. They just need to pick up a copy and take it home to share with those at home. We have our jokes posted outside the media center for everyone's enjoyment. What could be better than starting your day with a bit of silly humor.
We continue to beg, whine and plead for CPS books to be returned to us. We will return books to their proper schools. We have also been bribing kids with kisses. "Kiley is Kissing" is a promotion we have done here in the media center for many years. If kids return books as well as have no overdue books on their accounts, they will get chocolate kisses. Please encourage your student to come to the media center and get a kiss.
Cyclone Book Club
This Months Book Recommendation
iPad Information
JMS Athletics
Fall Sports Informational Meeting
We will be having a Fall Sports meeting APRIL 20TH at 7:15 AM in the Auditorium. Any student interested in running 7th/8th Cross Country, 7th/8th Grade Football, or 7th/8th Volleyball should try and attend this meeting. We will discuss tryouts for next year as well as possible camp dates.
ALL CAMP DATES FOR THIS SUMMER TO BE ANNOUNCED!
See the following information about our JMS Golf Scramble – This is a fun participation fundraiser for our Athletic Programs. We are looking for teams, hole sponsors, or any donation would be helpful! This is a great opportunity spend an incredible day on the golf course with friends and/or family.
Clothing of Food Needs?
Please feel free to access our Food Pantry or Clothes Closet. Open to everyone. Contact Ann Baker or Roderick Williams for more information.
214-3210
Jefferson Middle School
Email: gcaine@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/jms
Location: 713 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO, USA
Phone: 573-214-3210
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JMSCyclones
Twitter: @JMScyclones