JMS Weekly Update
February 26, 2023
Hello JMS!
This week's Update contains information about the following:
- Congratulations!
- PSSA/Keystone Testing Schedule
- Schoology Tip for Students
- Track and Field
Please notify our nurse, Mrs. Raco, and complete this FORM if your child has tested positive for COVID-19.
Take care,
Dr. Sarah Shaw, Principal
Mrs. Amanda Jackson, Assistant Principal
Weekly Schedule
Tuesday - Day 3
Wednesday - Day 4
Thursday - Day 5
Friday - Day 1
Monday (3/6) - Day 2
Congratulations!
Congratulations to JMS student Marti Weisberg for earning a finalist slot in this year's Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Preliminary Contest for her performance as Lucencia in The Comedy of Errors. Marti will be back performing on Monday night, Feb. 27th, at the O'Reilly Theatre.
The showcase is open to all and free with registration -https://bit.ly/23ShakespeareShowcase
The show begins at 7 p.m. and will include the finalists in both divisions in the monologue and scene categories. Marti will be competing with four other finalists in the lower division monologue category. Come and cheer Marti on!
Over 700 students from more than 60 schools and organizations entered the contest and had a chance to perform on the stage at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre. Along with Marti's finalist win, Lebo students earned four Honorable Mentions in the lower division (4-7) and four Honorable Mentions in the Upper Division (8-12)
Congratulations also go out to the following brave JMS middle school students who took a chance and participated: Annabelle Bode, Alaina Raff, Shaylin Short, Yiru Yang, Teddy Beldyk, Claira McElroy
The students were all offered a workshop by an actor from the Pittsburgh Public theatre and the event was sponsored by Mrs. Duchin
JMS 7th Grader and published author, Holden Frye, is continuing to share his story with the world. Holden was invited to co-present an Inclusion Assembly in Clarion Pa for the non-profit Mikayla's Voice. He will be talking about kindness and teaching about inclusion.
New News
PSSA/Keystone Testing Schedule
The district will be administering the PSSAs and the Keystones this year. The results we achieve on these exams provide us with valuable information that can be used to assess our students knowledge of grade level standards, our teaching, and our educational programing.
Our testing schedule for the Spring of 2023 is as follows:
- April 24-26 - English Language Arts (ELA) PSSA - Grades 6-8
- May 2 & 3 - Math PSSA - Grades 6-8
- May 4 & 5 - Science PSSA - Grade 8 only
- Keystone Algebra 1 - May 23 & 24 - Grade 8 only
Please understand that during the testing window, pre-approved absences will not be approved.
Check out this week's Schoology Tip for Students!
Technology
The federal government released an additional program this year for families in need that will subsidize their home broadband Internet access as well as partially reimburse the purchase of personal devices at home.
The FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is highlighted on our Families=>Technology Resources=>Internet@Home page (LINK).
Families In Need of Technology
As we prepare to start the 2022-2023 school year, we are asking families who need to borrow student technology to please visit www.mtlsd.org/families/technology/one-to-one
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.
Track and Field
7th and 8th grade Track & Field begins on Monday, March 13th. If you are interested in being part of the Jefferson Track & Field program, use the following links in this to sign-up:
https://www.familyid.com/programs/jefferson-middle-school-spring-2023-athletic-registration
The sign-up process and a sports physical must be completed by March 13th to begin practicing on time. If you have any questions, please email Coach Floss. Jfloss@mtlsd.net
JMS PTA Information
PTA Membership and Directory Access
Our Membership Store is now open! We hope you will consider joining out PTA to help fund excellent educational opportunities for our children. Directory access is available to JMS PTA members only.
You can join the PTA HERE.
Please email jmsptamtl@gmail.com if you have any questions.
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, United States
Phone: (412) 344-2120
Facebook: facebook.com/jmslebo
Twitter: @JMSMTLSD