Eagle Eye JMS Parent Newsletter #3
August 1st through August 5th, 2022
FIRST WEEK WITH STUDENTS!
Our first week with students was fantastic; thank you for your continued support and investment in your child's academic, social, and emotional growth! We held success assemblies, teachers engaged students with high levels of learning from the first day, and students are adjusting to schedules, locations, and expectations. Please be sure to carefully read through the newsletter as we have added updates, events, more introductions, opportunities for students, and several resources for families.
REMINDERS:
- When you are dropping off/picking up, please pull your vehicle all the way up so we can keep as many cars as possible off of Fairbanks.
- Please be sure your child is ready to exit the vehicle and doesn't have to access the trunk for items, as this holds up the line.
- Please do not enter the bus loop nearest the softball field if there are buses present at any time!
- Please be sure to review the JMS Student Handbook below so you can be familiar with Dress Code, Cell Phone and other important policies.
- Please be sure to complete and return all back to school handouts your child received in homeroom on Wednesday. Your child can return the completed packet to their homeroom teacher.
We are looking forward to seeing you all at Open House on Tuesday, August 2nd from 6:00pm - 8:00pm!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at any time!
Let's have a wonderful week!
Phil Cox, Principal, pcox@ortn.edu
Ben Fowler, Vice Principal, bjfowler@ortn.edu
Brian Tinker, Dean of Students, bjtinker@ortn.edu
Elizabeth Leavitt, Instructional Technology Coach, ealeavitt@ortn.edu
Student Success Assemblies were a SUCCESS!
Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8
We encourage you to ask your child to share at least one "take-away" from the assembly. We will continue to revisit expectations and success plans throughout the year!
Follow us for updates and news
Jefferson Middle School OPEN HOUSE!
Parents, come join us for an evening of meeting your child's teachers, asking questions, and taking an opportunity to learn more about JMS's high expectations as we support all students to achieve at the highest levels and tackle learning curves that come with a new year, a new grade, and new teachers! You will visit your child's teachers per the schedule below.
Period 1- 6:00-6:15
Period 2- 6:15-6:30
Period 3- 6:30-6:45
Period 4- 6:45-7:00
Period 5- 7:00-7:15
Period 6- 7:15-7:30
Period 7- 7:30-7:45
**Parents may visit alternating classes from 7:45pm – 8:00pm.
Tuesday, Aug 2, 2022, 06:00 PM
Jefferson Middle School, Fairbanks Road, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
2022-2023 JMS Student Handbook
What's Happening This Week?
Monday, August 1
B day
Cheer Practice 3:00-4:30
Football Practice 3:00-5:00
Volleyball Practice 3:00-5:00
Board of Education Meeting SAB 6:00
Tuesday, August 2
A day
Football Practice 3:00-5:00
Volleyball Practice 3:00 5:00
Open House 6:00-8:00
Wednesday, August 3
B day
Cheer Practice 12:45-2:15
Volleyball Practice 3:00-5:00
Football Practice 1:00-3:00
Thursday, August 4
NO SCHOOL
Election Day
Football Game vs. Spring City @ Blankenship Field 6:00
Friday, August 5
A Day
Volleyball Practice 3:00-5:00
Football Practice 3:00-4:30
WILLIAMSBURG TRIP OPPORTUNITY!
Applications and Information sent home this week!
8th Grade Williamsburg Trip
Who: All Eighth Graders Can Apply
What: Annual Field Trip (45-year tradition)
When: Sept. 30 - Oct. 3 (Fall Break)
Where: Virginia's Historic Triangle & Monticello
*Applications & More Details Distributed to Students on Weds 7/27
Please reach out to Mr. Ben Brewer with any questions at btbrewer@ortn.edu
FLL (First® Lego® League)
P-EBT Information from the State of Tennessee
Do you want to be a part of a team? Do you like to solve problems? Do you want to build a robot?
Do you want to be a part of a team? Do you like to solve problems? Do you want to build a robot? If so, then FIRST® LEGO® League may be right for you. Students interested in participating in FIRST® LEGO® League this school year must complete an application and return it to the guidance office by August 5, 2022. No late applications will be considered. Applications are linked below but can also be found in the guidance office.
Engaging Youth in STEM Exploration with
FIRST® LEGO® League
FIRST® LEGO® League guides youth through STEM learning and exploration at an early age. From Discover, to Explore, and then to Challenge, students will understand the basics of STEM and apply their skills in an exciting competition while building habits of learning, confidence, and teamwork skills along the way.
If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Shanafield at jshanafield@ortn.edu
How to Sign Up for a Parent Canvas Account!
Did you know TN has its own Homework Hotline for Students?
COUNSELING CORNER
Meet your Counselors!
Ms. Katie Cormack (Right- 6th and 8th Grade)- My name is Katie Cormack and am the school counselor for grades 6 and 8, following their cohort until they go to the high school! I am entering my 5th year as a school counselor and was previously a special education teaching assistant. This is my second year at Jefferson Middle School, and it absolutely feels like home. JMS is a very special place. I consider working with your children a true blessing. Please know I am always here to help in any way- just reach out! My office number is 865-425-9252. Here’s to a great year!
Ms. Candie Price (Left)- 5th and 7th Grade)- Hello JMS Family! I will be the School Counselor for grades 5 and 7 this year. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our three children. I love being a school counselor and am thankful to have the opportunity to work with you and your children. Please contact me with any questions or concerns! Go Eagles!
Please contact our school counseling department with any other questions at 865-425-9302. Ms. Amy Myers, school registrar, is happy to assist with enrollment, withdrawal paperwork, transportation, Skyward, school updates, etc.
Parent Needs Assessment
We have had a great first full week with students. If you have not already done so please, take a minute to complete the JMS Parent Needs Assessment so we may know how to best serve our students this year.
Back to School: Parent Involvement is Key
We understand this time of year can bring excitement and energy along with stressors and unknowns. Take a moment to review these back-to-school tips for supporting your child:
The Reading Eagle - Messages from Ms. Haverkamp!
Join Our PTO!
The JMS PTO would like to welcome all Jefferson Middle School staff back for another great year!
Our first PTO meeting of the year is Monday, August 8th. See the yearly schedule below!
Aug. 8
Sept 12
Oct 20
Nov 14
Dec 12
Jan 9
Feb 13
March 6
April 10
May 15
*Bolded dates are not on a Monday, as the others are.
If you have any questions or PTO Requests and please contact President Caroline Johnson at carolinefilas@me.com
Let's have a wonderful year!
First Student Transportation - Bus Information
Thank you for your patience and communication during our first week back! Please be sure to discuss your child's method of transportation each day to ensure they know where they are to go at dismissal.
First Student Transportation has posted 2022-2023 Bus Routes and you can find the routes here:
JMS Morning Routes: https://www.ortn.edu/Transportation/Jefferson_AM.pdf
JMS Afternoon Routes: https://www.ortn.edu/Transportation/Jefferson_PM.pdf
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Tinker at bjtinker@ortn.edu or Ms. Myers at amyers@ortn.edu.
WHAT BUS AM I SIGNED UP FOR?
Click on the Tyler Technologies elink login here: https://transportation.ortn.edu/elinkrp/login.aspx
- Username: (use student’s name - case sensitive) firstname.lastname
- Password: (use student birth date) in this format 03122007 for March 12, 2007
SIGN UP FOR MYSTOP - BUS TRACKING APP!
Once you are registered for transportation, you will be able to track your child's bus using the app information detailed below. Please see information on how to register for MyStop below.
MyStop - Parent/Student Login
- Username: (use student’s name - case sensitive) firstname.lastname
- Password: (use student birth date) in this format 03122007 for March 12, 2007
MyStop Phone App Available In Your App Store
Go to: Versatrans My Stop™ provides mobile access to bus information. This app displays the location of the user’s assigned school bus, as well as the estimated time of arrival to their stop. Students can plan for late or on-time arrival, and prevent missed pick-ups or being left outside in inclement weather.
Can’t Access the MyStop App?
If you are having difficulty accessing the MyStop App please take the following steps:
- Please confirm the following:
- You have downloaded the App from Tyler Technologies.
- You are using the legal student name as listed in Skyward.
- You have selected all lower case letters.
- You have placed a period between the first and last name.
- The birthdate is correct and only consist of 8 numbers.
If this information doesn’t allow you to successfully download your child’s MyStop App account, please contact Amy Myers at 865.425.9302 or email amyers@ortn.edu. You can also view more information on the ORS District website at https://www.ortn.edu/district/bus-routes/
MEET our JMS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Coach Katie Bolling
Jefferson Middle School is fortunate to offer multiple interscholastic athletic opportunities for our students. All of the JMS athletic teams have a tradition of athletic excellence and strive to be leaders, both on and off the court, in all contests. At JMS, we offer football, cheerleading, cross country, and girls volleyball in the fall. We offer cheerleading, boys basketball, and girls basketball in the winter. And we offer track & field in the spring. All of our athletic programs are led by outstanding coaches who promote a student-first philosophy. In addition to promoting academic success, all JMS athletic teams place a focus on helping our student-athletes prepare for life beyond Jefferson Middle School. Focus is placed on developing life skills such as: discipline, responsibility, teamwork, character, hard work, respect, and self-confidence.
I am honored to be the Athletic Director at Jefferson Middle School, where I have been a physical education teacher and coach for 15 years. At Jefferson Middle School, I have had the opportunity to coach girls basketball, girls volleyball, cheerleading, and track & field. My goal for Jefferson Athletics is for all of our athletic teams to display outstanding sportsmanship while competing and excelling athletically. Feel free to contact me at ksbolling@ortn.edu
JMS Athletic Updates from Coach Bolling
Good Evening, Eagle Families!
- FOOTBALL: GAME The Eagles kick off the 2022 football season on Thursday night against Spring City. Kick-off will be at 6 pm at Blankenship Field. Admission for adults is $4 and admission for students is $3. Please come out and support the Eagles football team and cheerleaders! Go Eagles!
- VOLLEYBALL Fundraiser: The JMS Lady Eagles Volleyball Team will once again be selling JMS yard signs as a fundraiser. All yard sign orders are due by August 10th. Students can pick up order forms in the JMS gym. (There is also a form attached below!)
- Cross Country: We practice every day, weather permitting. Occasionally, we will take a day off to rest. Practice starts after school at 3 p.m. and is over by 4:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday practice is after school and begins at 1:00 pm. and is over by 2:15pm. Wednesday is the most common off day due to teacher in-service training. If you must miss practice for any reason, you must see Coach Smith to discuss it, preferably beforehand. Unexcused absences mean that you cannot run in the meets!
What do I need in order to join the team and run?
- A completed physical packet for the 2022-2023 School Year completed and signed by your doctor, medical history, emergency and insurance information must be signed by parent. Last year’s cross country or track physical is NOT valid.
- T-shirt, shorts, running shoes for practices; running shoes do NOT need to be super fancy or super expensive. If you need suggestions about shoes and/or where to purchase them Coach Smith is happy to help. I have even been known to show up to a store to help.
- A willing spirit! Cross Country is both physical and MENTAL sport; it is okay to not be fast. You just have to be willing to keep trying to improve your time and ability.
GO EAGLES!
JMS YARD SIGNS!!! Access the Form Below!
FOOTBALL and VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULES ATTACHED BELOW!
Check out this Eagle!
JMS Eagle Brad Hensley is helping NASA develop long-term space flight mission protocols, including doing small habitat simulated missions in Colorado. Check out the link to read all about it.