JMS Weekly Update
May 8, 2022
Dear JMS Families,
We are excited to host our Curriculum In Action Night this week! Remember that we will have a 2:00 dismissal on Wednesday. Students are encouraged to bring their device to Curriculum in Action to help showcase their work. You can find more information about Curriculum in Action in this week's update.
This week's Update contains information about the following:
- Parking for Curriculum In Action Night
- JMS Curriculum In Action Night - 2:00 Dismissal
- Lost and Found
- 8th Grade Pool Party Volunteers
- JMS Spiritwear Sale
- Spirit Week
Please complete this FORM if anyone in your family has tested positive for COVID-19 or has been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. We want to keep the children here and we want to keep them safe. This information is critical to the safety of the students and staff at JMS.
Take Care,
Dr. Sarah Shaw, Principal
Ms. Katelyn Deet, Assistant Principal
Weekly Schedule
Tuesday - Day 4
Wednesday - Day 5 - Curriculum in Action Night - 2:00 Dismissal
Thursday - Day 1
Friday - Day 2
Monday (5/16) - Day 3
Tuesday (5/17) - No School - In-Service
New News
Wednesday, May 11th is forecasted to be a beautiful night! We encourage you to walk to Curriculum in Action Night, if you are able. JES's Open House is also scheduled for May 11th, so parking will be tough around the complex.
If you plan to drive to CIA please review our Parking Map. You are welcome to park in both parking lots at Bower Hill Community Church. You are also welcome to use the JMS parking lot. Please do not use the parking lot across the street from JMS, as this will be reserved for our staff.
Again, we encourage you to enjoy the beautiful weather and consider walking.
JMS Curriculum In Action Night - 5.11.2022
You are invited to Jefferson Middle School's annual "Curriculum in Action" night on Wednesday, May 11th from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.
**Students are encouraged to bring a device with them to help showcase their work.**
This event is an opportunity for students to dialogue with their parents about what they have learned this current school year, and for parents to see the many and varied opportunities for teaching and learning. Class work representing all curricular areas will be displayed, presented, and/or demonstrated to provide parents a glimpse of the wonderful academic programs that Jefferson offers.
Please note that this program is not an opportunity for individual conferences with teachers regarding your child's progress. If you wish to speak with your child's teacher or team, about their progress, please do not hesitate to contact them by phone or email at your convenience.
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found is full and it is time to reclaim your belongings before it is cleaned out and donated on May 13th. We will display all Lost and Found items on tables in the main hallway on Curriculum in Action night. If you are missing anything, please check the Lost and Found box by the attendance office prior to May 13th or the display tables on Curriculum In Action night.
8th Grade Pool Party Volunteers
The 8th grade pool party planning committee is looking for 10 volunteers to help with the party on June 1st at the outdoor pool. Volunteers would need to arrive at the pool at 11:30 and assist with party activities until 3:00 when the kids are dismissed. We are also looking for someone to think of and run carnival style games at the event. If you are available we would love to have you! Clearances are required. Please email Kari Resler at reslerkj@hotmail.com if you are interested in helping with this fun event.
JMS Spiritwear Sale
Need some new spiritwear? Check out some offerings from Commonwealth Press featuring their Blue Lou!
The online store benefitting JMS PTA closes May 11th. In an effort to ensure delivery before school ends, a limited selection of items is being offered in both youth and adult sizes. Delivery to homerooms is planned for May 31st. Please include the student name and homeroom teacher in the company section on the checkout page. Any questions, please email jmsptamtl@gmail.com
JMS Student Council is hosting another Spirit Week this week!
- Monday, wear your pajamas.
- Tuesday, dress up like a teacher.
- Wednesday is color day! Each team will have a designated color to wear.
- Thursday, wear rainbows.
- Friday, it’s crazy hat or hair day!
For more information about the themes and what color your team is wearing on Wednesday, look for posters around the school.
Other Information
Middle-schoolers are invited to our final Club Lebo of the school year, happening at Mellon Middle School, on Friday, May 13th. As always, we are in need of a few more parent volunteers to help chaperone. Thank you for all of your support of Club Lebo!
Technology
Families In Need of Technology
As we prepare to start the 2021-2022 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
Middle School Athletics
You can learn everything you need to know about Middle School Athletics, including starting dates, by visiting the MS Athletics Webpage.
JMS PTA Information
PTA Reflections Competition
National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.
Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
The theme for 2022-2023 will be "Show Your Voice!"
Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Special Artist (All grades welcome). Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.*
Look for additional information on how to submit a project in the fall of 2022!
SHOPPER & SCHOOL REWARD PROGRAMS
Amazon
If you haven’t used AmazonSmile Before:
- Go to smile.amazon.com and sign in with your regular Amazon username and password.
- You will be prompted to choose a charity. You should enter "Jefferson Middle School PTA Inc” into the search box that appears. It will say "Pittsburgh, PA" as the location for the charity.
- Make sure whenever you check out, you always go to smile.amazon.com on your browser.
If you already use AmazonSmile:
- Go to smile.amazon.com and sign in with your username and password
- Make sure the charity you’ve selected is "Jefferson Middle School PTA Inc." This information is located under the search bar where it says “supporting”.
- If it isn’t, you can change it by clicking on the charity and selecting “change”
- This will bring you to a page where you can search for “Jefferson Middle School PTA Inc” and allow you to switch charities.
Make sure whenever you check out, you always go to smile.amazon.com to checkout.
If you shop on the Amazon app. Please activate Amazon Smile on your mobile app by opening the app and finding ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
Box Tops
Scanning Box Tops is an easy way to earn money for our school. 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.
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
The MTLSD School Counselors in partnership with The Allegheny Children's Initiative Inc., have compiled a list of social services resources that may be helpful to you and your family. Please take a look and reach out to these organizations. They are here to help with any of the following:
- Food
- Rent/Mortgage
- Utilities
- Pets
- Abuse
- Mental Health
- General Assistance
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