Anyone interested in learning about JROTC, plan to join us in the library on Monday, March 27th after school until 3:45. Lessons include JROTC Overview and Expectations, Drill, Manual of Arms, Chain of Command, and Team Building Challenges.

Games Club will now be held every other Tuesday. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, March 21st. We will be playing Smash Brothers.

"Headliners in Education" announced the winners of its "Best of 2022" contest. Two former Scribe members, now DB freshmen, were among the winners.

• Taishawna Davis was a winner in Headliners in Education’s February 2023 contest for Best Story of 2022 for her story "African American students report unwanted hair touching".

• Katie Carmon was a winner in Headliners in Education’s February 2023 contest for Best Story of 2022 for her story "Students concerned about Instagram trend".

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Families, Please take a moment to check in on your childs school supplies. Make sure they have the basics for each day: pencil, paper, and their technology (chromebook and charger).

The TCAP Achievement and End-of-Course (EOC) Tests will be administered online for students in our middle schools this spring. The windows run from April 17- May 2 for the TCAP

Achievement Test and April 17-May 5 for the EOC Test (for students enrolled in Algebra I and

Geometry). Students will also be participating in an English/ Language Arts field test later in

May. Students will be taking the tests on their KCS issued Chromebooks, so students must

bring their devices fully charged on test days. Students cannot test on a personally owned

device. To help prepare, students should bring their devices daily from now until the end of the

school year. In addition, if your school-issued Chromebook needs repair, please make sure to

inform one of the classroom teachers. Thanks, and have a great day!

If your child loses something, please encourage them to look in our lost and found. The items are cleared out every 2 weeks and placed in our clothes closet or donated.

We are going to begin a mentoring program at Sevier, spearheaded by Brian and Jana Woliver (Sevier parents/active community members). They have been involved with the youth in Kingsport for nearly 20 years combined and understand the importance of having a positive role model during this crucial phase of development in our youth. Over the past couple of years, they have been blessed to mentor several KCS kids. One thing they have learned is that all kids need access to a mentor, which they feel very passionate about. They are excited to assist us in growing a program at JSMS. We need volunteers that would love to join us in helping mold our next generation. If this is something you would be interested in or learning more about, please reach out to Robin Kerkhoff, rkerkhoff@k12k.com or 423.378.2406.

Students attending the Washington DC trip:

The deadline for paperwork and payment has occurred. If you have questions, contact Marty Moore, mmoore@k12k.com.

Students not attending the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C.:

Students have the opportunity to participate in local activities the week of May 8-12. Eligible students received information and permission slips on Friday, February 3 (replacement permission slips may be picked up in Ms. Hoilman's room.) The cost to students is $50 and all permission slips and payments are due no later than Friday, March 31. Please direct students to return permission slips and payments to Ms. Hoilman, Ms. Tester, or Mrs. S. Kilgore. Please view the trip information, permission slip, and behavioral expectations HERE.

The application for zoning exceptions and tuition for the 2023-24 school year is open.

A few reminders about the tuition/zoning process:

• All families must re-apply annually if the zoning or tuition status still applies.
• It is not a first apply, first approved basis. As long as families apply from 3/1 to the end of the open enrollment period, they will be given the same consideration.
• Rising 6th graders will be rolled over to their home school in Aspen
• Open Enrollment period will be later this spring
• All tuition need to re-apply. Rates are anticipated to remain the same. As an FYI, it takes BOE action to change rates.
• Kindergarten zoning & tuition will be the last group to be processed as we monitor kindergarten enrollment. This is communicated in the Zoning/Tuition application.
• Zoning requests take priority over tuition requests.
• As a reminder, priority is given to KCS and City of Kingsport employees.

Attention 8th graders: Dobyns-Bennett Spirit Shaker tryouts will be taking place the week before spring break - March 27th through 30th. If you are interested in trying out for next year's team, there will be an information session on Monday, February 20th at 5:30 for more details. Email Coach Amanda Cox with any questions. aecox@k12k.com

Dobyns Bennett's strength and conditioning coach, Zach Fleming, will be holding workouts for Middle School Athletes. Please note the change to the schedule.

• Current 8th Grade students will go on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15-4:30
• Current 6th and 7th grade students will go on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:30

Student will still be riding the buses over to DB.

Note: This is not just for football. The weight room will be open to ALL Middle School athletes (male and female).

Students need to have an inexpensive pair of earbuds to use with their Chromebooks in their classrooms. These are utilized by students when they are working on individual assignments. Students are not allowed to have earbuds, airpods, or headphones in while teachers are giving direct instruction and will be directed by a teacher when the appropriate time comes to utilize earbuds.

Currently, the only needed items for our school clothes closet are:

• Sweatpants/"joggers" for boys and girls. Students prefer the kind that are gathered at the bottom over the wide leg. Sizes: adult medium, adult large (small and XL are not needed at this time).
• Backpacks (new or slightly used)

The online store is now available for the spirit wear. You can access this by following this link.

Home | My Business (square.site)

• Please keep your contact information updated. This can be done through your Aspen Parent Portal or by contacting LeAnn Franklin in the counseling office, 378-2435 or lfranklin@k12k.com. It's vitally important that we have current contact phone numbers and a correct address for each student.
  
• You MUST present an ID when visiting Sevier or checking out your student.
  
• If you know your child is going to be absent, please email ewilliams@k12k.com, you can do this rather than calling the school. If you prefer to call, please call 423.378.2450 as early as possible on the day of the absence. Any doctors notes or other excuses can be sent to the above mentioned email as well, or brought to the front office by the student upon their return.
  

Kindergarten registration was Thursday, March 16:

If you missed this registration date, please contact your zoned elementary school ASAP.

Families can visit https://www.k12k.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=345568&type=d&pREC_ID=753665 for details on requirements for registration and screening.

Pre-K information:

Pre-K Screening is by appointment at Palmer on 3/23. Call 378.2160 to schedule your appointment or for any additional information.

6th graders - can attend the camp (more information to come)

7th/8th graders - can volunteer at the camp

Do you have any students who may want to get volunteer hours with the Victory Sports Camp? It will be run through Kingsport Community Church, but will be housed at RNR. KCS food service will be sponsoring meals for the children. The contact information for Jamichael Lipscomb is jamichael@kingsportchurch.org and his phone number is 423-380-9157.

See the flyer below with information on iCode events including Saturday Camps and Parent's Night Out events that St Dominic's Catholic School is hosting in the coming months. There is a QR code on the flyer for families to request more information and register.

Are you a grandparent or relative caregiver raising kids? We have heard great things about this organization. If you don't want to attend alone...reach out to Robin Kerkhoff, she will be happy to attend with you. Do you need help getting transportation to the event? Robin Kerkhoff can also assist with that. You can reach her at 423-378-2406 or rkerkhoff@k12k.com

If you could use assistance with your taxes, see the information below.

Monday, March 20

• Golf match against Happy Valley and Robinson at Cattails beginning at 4 p.m
  
• MATE Underwater Robotics until 4:30 in Mr. Way's Classroom

• Track practice at DB from 4:30 to 6:00. If you can't make it, practice will also be held at Sevier right after school until 4:15.
  

• The first dance team practice for the 2023-2024 Sevier Dance Team will be held March 20th until 4:30. Dancers will report to Mrs. McMurray's classroom immediately after school. Parents should pick up at the bus stop at 4:30. Dancers participating in spring sport (track or softball) should report to Mrs. McMurray's room immediately after school for a VERY BRIEF meeting before going to your other practice.
  

• Leadership Ambassadors Meeting at the Chamber on Monday the 20th until 4:15. Please have parents reply to the email they received. There is no transportation provided.
  

• Band and Orchestra 5th Grade placement after school

Tuesday, March 21

• Golf match against Unicoi County and Robinson at Cattails beginning at 4 p.m.
  
• Softball Game vs. RNR at Sevier (Varsity first, JV second)
• Track practice at DB from 4:30 to 6:00. If you can't make it, practice will also be held at Sevier right after school until 4:15.
  
• Band and Orchestra 5th Grade Placement after school

• Games Club will be held in Mr. Olson's room. We're playing Smash Bros.

  
  

Wednesday, March 22

• MATE Underwater Robotics until 4:30 in Mr. Way's Calssroom

• Track will have a scrimmage against Robinson on Wednesday and Thursday at DB starting at 4:30 both days. No practice after school at Sevier these days
  

• There will be a Sequoyah Scribe staff meeting in room 329 from 2:50 to 3:30 pm. All student journalists are required to attend. The editorial team will meet until 5:00 pm.

Thursday, March 23

• Softball Game vs. T.A. Dugger at Sevier (Varsity first, JV Second)

• Track will have a scrimmage against Robinson on Wednesday and Thursday at DB starting at 4:30 both days. No practice after school at Sevier these days

Friday, March 24

• 6th Grade Field Trip to Academic Village/RCAM (Permission slips need to be turned into 1st period teacher by 3-22-23)

• No Track practice today after school.

Saturday, March 25

• JSMS Orchestra Mark Wood Electric Violin Concert–Freedom Hall, Johnson City, TN Saturday, March 25th 6-9pm Dress--Black 2022 Orchestra T-shirt, nice jeans or black pants. Meet at the bus stop at 6:00pm (bus leaves promptly at 6:10) Return to the bus stop around 9:00pm
• 5th grade Band Tryouts/Placement (note: Band only)

Save The Date:

• End of Year Awards Programs - mark your calendars

  6th grade: Wednesday, May 17 @ 8:00 AM

  7th grade: Wednesday, May 17 @1:30 PM

  8th grade: Thursday, May 18 @ 9:00 AM

  *All programs will be held in the Sevier Gym.

• Free Athletic Physicals in May (more information to come)