JMS Weekly Update
August 16, 2020
Dear JMS Families,
On Thursday night, the Mt. Lebanon Board of School Directors voted to begin the 2020-2021 school year fully remote. This was a difficult decision. We know that there are mixed emotions about this decision. We want to assure you that we are ready to provide the children with a dynamic learning experience, regardless of the situation.
Jefferson Middle School is a unique and wonderful place. We have outstanding teachers and staff who are committed to providing the children with the best middle school experience.
Middle school is about trying new things, exploring, growing, and building relationships. This year, all of us will be trying new things. We all have a lot to explore. We will all grow, and we are likely to come out of this with even stronger relationships.
We are looking forward to partnering with you as we embark upon this new journey together. We are stronger together. #WeAreJMS.
Take care and stay safe,
Dr. Sarah Shaw, Principal
Ms. Katelyn Deet, Assistant Principal
New News
Mt. Lebanon Cyber Academy Enrollment - 8.17 @ 4:00PM
On Thursday, August 13, the School Board approved a full remote opening for the 2020-2021 school year. With this approval, the launch of the Cyber Learning Academy is on hold.
For those who previously requested to be placed in the Academy, your request will be honored when we move to an in-person instructional phase. You do not need to take any additional action.
If you are interested in the Cyber Learning Academy option when the District moves to the in-person instructional phase, we ask that you declare as such by 4:00 pm on August 17. This will allow adequate time to plan for a smooth transition for students. Here is the link to the Cyber Academy Form.
Material Pick-Up
We are in the process of organizing times for our students to collect any materials that they will need for the 1st nine weeks (textbooks, novels, etc.). More information about this process will be shared in the coming weeks.
Families In Need of Technology
As we prepare to start the 2020-2021 school year, we are asking families who need to borrow student technology to please complete the form linked below:
Be sure to list every student for whom you need to borrow a device on this form. Once you have submitted your form, you will receive status emails including device pickup details from an @mtlsd.net email address. Please also be sure to whitelist @mtlsd.net email addresses with your email provider to ensure that you receive these communications from us.
Please direct any and all questions regarding loaned equipment to our support address: RemoteSupport@mtlsd.net
Athletics Pre-Season Parent Meeting
On Wednesday evening, August 19th, the District will be holding their annual Pre-Season, Parent Meeting for Athletics. Please see the links below to join at 7:00 PM. They will cover information that you will need to know for the upcoming seasons.
When: Aug 19, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: MTLSD Parent Athletic Meeting
Contact: John Grogan - Athletic Director - jgrogan@mtlsd.net
By Computer:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89090994566
By Phone:
(312) 626 6799, (646) 876 9923, (301) 715 8592, (408) 638 0968, (669) 900 6833, (253) 215 8782, (346) 248 7799
Webinar ID: 890 9099 4566
Upcoming Events
6th Grade & New Student Orientation - Date TBD
We are in the process of rescheduling this event. This event will take place before August 31st.
Walk Your Schedule Day - Date TBD
The purpose of this event is to provide the children with the opportunity to become acquainted with the building so that they know where they are going on the first day of school. Keeping this same philosophy in mind, we are working to determine how to best acclimate the students to their online schedule.
Another opportunity for Walk Your Schedule will be available prior to us returning to the brick and mortar setting.
Welcome Back to School Presentation - Date TBD
We are in the process of planning a Welcome Back to School presentation for all of our families.
The purpose of this presentation will be to welcome everyone to the 2020-2021 school year and to share information about our new expectations and procedures.
We will be sharing more information about this event in the coming weeks. This event will take place prior to August 31st.
First Day of School - 8.31
JMS PTA Information
PTA Membership and Directory Access
We are in the process of preparing the JMS Membership Toolkit Database for the coming 2020-2021 school year. Our membership store will reopen for the 2020-20221 school year once team assignments come out in August. Directory access is available to JMS PTA members only.
Remember, no matter which school path you are on, all roads lead back to JMS. Please email jmsptamtl@gmail.com if you have any questions.
SHOPPER & SCHOOL REWARD PROGRAM/ BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Amazon
Please bookmark our Amazon link and save it to your browser favorites or add it to your home screen for easy shopping. JMS does not earn any rewards when the Amazon app is used.
Android devices - click on this Amazon link. Hit the 3 dots in the top corner of the Chrome browser and select "Add to Home Screen."
Apple devices - click on this Amazon link. In Safari, tap the Share button [box with arrow]. On the bottom row of icons, scroll over and tap Add to Home Screen. On the next screen, choose a name for the link on your home screen and tap Add. The link will now look like its own "app" icon.
The school earns up to 10% on eligible purchases.
Box Tops
Clipping Box Tops is an easy way to earn money for our school. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents, so don't forget to physically and electronically clip the for us! The clipped Box Tops can be turned into the office.
See Box Tops for more information on how to scan Box Tops and to download the app. Receipts must be scanned within 14 days for the Box Tops to be scanned electronically.
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle Support our students! Enroll your Giant Eagle Advantage Card and earn points for FREE educational rewards with every shopping trip.
Click here to register your card. Our school code is 3369. The Giant Eagle card program is also easy to use - just register your card and shop away as usual!
Office Depot/Office Max
Office Depot/Office Max has a school rewards program. When shopping, remember to ask the cashier to tag Jefferson Middle School. For online orders, enter our school ID (Thomas Jefferson Middle School ID:70088453 Pittsburgh, PA) on the Thank You Confirmation page.
Resources For Families
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
Here’s how it works:
- Submit a report through the Safe2SaySomething system
- Crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions
- Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention
- If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app
Jefferson Middle School
The Jefferson Middle School learning community has an exceptional reputation for its dedicated teachers, staff and parents working together to provide learning experiences for our children that include high expectations, a challenging curriculum and a shared commitment to provide the best education possible for each and every student.
Email: sshaw@mtlsd.net
Website: https://jms.mtlsd.org/
Location: 21 Moffett Street, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: (412) 344-2120
Facebook: facebook.com/jmslebo
Twitter: @JMSMTLSD