JMS Weekly Update
September 17, 2023
Dear JMS Families,
This week's Update contains information about the following:
- School Picture Day - 9/20
- Writing Lab Volunteer Training - 9/20
- PTA Meeting - 9/22
Take Care,
Dr. Sarah Shaw, Principal
Mrs. Amanda Jackson, Assistant Principal
Weekly Schedule
Monday - Day 5
Tuesday - Day 1
Wednesday - Day 2
Thursday - Day 3
Friday - Day 4
Monday (9/25) - No School - In-Service
Tuesday (9/26) - Day 5
New News
JMS Picture Day - 9/20
Our photographer is Wayne Bratten from Wayne’s World of Photography. All students will get their picture taken. If you do not want your child’s picture to be taken, please contact the office. Pictures will be taken outside, weather permitting.
Information about ordering pictures online will be shared with you in the coming weeks. You do not need to fill out any paperwork prior to picture day.
We are in need of a few volunteers to assist the children on picture day. If you are interested in volunteering please contact jmsptamtl@gmail.com.
Writing Lab Volunteers
Volunteering in the Writing Lab offers a flexible schedule and a priceless chance to help a child with their writing. There is absolutely no requirement for a volunteer to be a grammar expert! The teacher provides a streamlined conference sheet with a few targeted questions in regard to the content and organization of the student’s paper. The volunteer listens to the student read the paper aloud and then offers feedback in the areas designated by the teacher.
Both new and returning volunteers need to use the following link to sign up to help in the Writing Lab this year. 2023-24 JMS Writing Lab Volunteer Program Contact Mrs. Kelly via email at mkelly@mtlsd.net if you have questions. The first training session for both new and veteran volunteers will be held on Wednesday, September 20, from 9:30—11:00 a.m. in the JMS Writing Lab, Room 102. We will review and discuss the basic strategies used to conference with our students, and we will explain the operational aspects of our program.
JMS PTA Meeting - 9/22 @ 8:45 - JMS Cafeteria
Join us for our for PTA meeting of the year on Friday, September 22 @ 8:45AM in the JMS Cafeteria. All are welcome!
Reminders
JMS Yearbooks Are on Sale Now!
*When accessing the Walsworth site, please make sure you are in Chrome. Safari does not work to open the site.*
JMS Yearbooks are on sale now through Friday, December 1, 2023. You can purchase a yearbook by visiting yearbookforever.com or by clicking on the link above.
Prices:
- Now- Saturday, September 30 at 11:59 PM: $45
- Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 AM- Tuesday, October 31 at 11:59 PM: $50
- Wednesday, November 1 at 12:00 AM- Monday, November 20 at 11:59 PM: $55
- Tuesday, November 21 at 12:00 AM- Friday, December 1 at 11:59 PM: $60
Limited extras will be sold on the last day of school for $60
8th Grade Advertisements are also for sale from now until December 1 for $35.
Please email Ashlee Beckett at abeckett@mtlsd.net with any questions.
Technology
Students in grades 6-8 are required to bring a non-cell phone device with them to school every day. If you would like to borrow a device for your student in grades 6-8, you can submit a request to borrow one from the District on this page.
This page is also where you can report a problem/damage to your student's District-owned device using our form. This page also explains and provides a link to enroll in the District's annual Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) to limit any charges that might come from accidental damage to your student's District-owned device. This plan is optional and is not required.
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 Membership and DIrectory Access
JMS PTA Membership Toolkit is now open for the coming 2023-2024 school year.
A portion of your membership and donations help support these various activities and events...the school musical, Canteen Day, Staff Welcome Back Breakfast, Field Trips and class enrichment, teacher appreciation, writing celebration, supplies for the nurses office, 8th grade end of the year celebration, 8th grade career day, high notes festival, art all day, Veterans Day, international night, assemblies, and much more!
In addition, last school year the PTA was able to purchase a new water bottle filler and picnic table for the courtyard!
Directory access is available to JMS PTA members only.
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
Children need healthy meals to learn, so the Mt. Lebanon School District is committed to offer healthy meals every school day for our students. For the 2023-2024 school year, breakfast is free for all students; lunch costs $2.65 for elementary students and $2.80 for middle school and high school students. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch. Click the link below for free or reduced price meal benefits, and a set of detailed instructions to help you apply.
You can also apply for free and reduced meals online via the state's COMPASS portal.
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
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.
Website: https://jms.mtlsd.org/
Location: 21 Moffett Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Phone: (412) 344-2167
Facebook: facebook.com/jmslebo
Twitter: @JMSMTLSD