Weekly Update

Welcome back!

I am thrilled to get my 4th year at Jeff West Middle School started! If you are new to Jeff West or new to the Middle School let me briefly introduce myself. My name is Brenna Dooley, this is my 4th year as the Jeff West Middle School principal but my 18th year in education. Prior to coming to Jeff West I spent 4 years as an Elementary principal in Western KS and 10 years teaching various grades in Topeka Public Schools. I have two children at the middle school with me, Lennox is an 8th grader and Landry is a 7th grader. My husband Dallas is a proud Jeff West alum and works as a Nurse Practitioner in Holton.

I am so excited to be back at school with all the students and staff, I am thrilled to have your child in our school and I am so happy to have us all work together as a team to help all students be successful!

Please help me welcome the following new middle school staff members:

Payton Andrews- Student Service Coordinator

Adrianne Carr- PE/Weights

David Bowen- 7th and 8th Weights (not new to the district, he will be shared between MS and HS)

Leslie Abbott- Building Life Skills (not new to the district but teaching 1 hour for us)

Jan Wells- Long Term Sub for 1st semester of 6th Grade ELA

Janell Ross- Long Term Sub for 1st Semester of 6th Grade ELA

Drew Bosack- Keystone Para

Shannon Heidi- Livingston- School Based Clinician

6th Grade ELA will be taught by Jan Wells, Janell Ross and for a couple weeks I will sub in there as well. We were unable to fill our open position prior to school starting so Mrs. Williams graciously agreed to teach 7th Grade ELA and Mrs. Wells and Mrs Ross graciously agreed to longterm sub for us for the 1st semester. I know they will do a wonderful job and will be working together to make this a smooth 1st semester with consistent expectations.

Hello! My name is Payton Andrews, and I am thrilled to join the JWMS team as the Student Service Coordinator.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Kansas State University, where I gained valuable experience in both elementary education and child welfare through my work with CASA, a nonprofit organization. I then earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Kansas, following a year-long internship at an elementary school in Manhattan. I recently relocated to Perry, where my fiancé was born and raised.

Outside of work, I cherish time with family and friends, love traveling (especially to the beach), and enjoy attending K-State football games in the fall.

My passion for working in education is rooted in my belief that supportive, healthy, and consistent relationships with adults are the most powerful agents of change for young people. I believe that every student has the potential to succeed and thrive, and I am dedicated to helping them navigate their unique journeys.

In my role, I will be working with students, parents, and staff to create a positive and supportive environment. Whether it's helping students set academic goals, providing support through challenges, or simply being a listening ear, I am here to support in any way I can.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at payton.andrews@usd340.org or by phone at 785-494-2900 if you have any questions or if there’s anything I can do to support your child’s success.

Practice starts Monday August 19 for ALL Sports

Volleyball-

Optional volleyball meeting Thursday 8/15 3:35-4:30 at the middle school.

Practices Monday-Thursday are 3:35-5:25pm

Friday practices end at 5. Be there no later than 5:05 to get your child. All practices will be at the middle school.

Volleyball schedule is in the school calendar and on the athletic flyer/poster have your child get one from the school.

No practice 9/2.

Tuesday September 10th - Fall Sports Pictures/No Practice - Pick up 4:30pm

Cross Country will be 3:30-5:00 pm meet at the High School

The annual Tiger 5k is THIS Saturday August 17th- it's not too late to register!

Football will be 3:30-5:45 pm at the Football Field.

Reminder we MUST have your physical on file at the school before your child can practice. IF you have not dropped it off it must be brought in by 2pm on Monday the 19th or handed directly to the coach at the start of practice in order for your child to be able to practice.

Fees need to be paid too, fees are $45 per sport.

We are waiting on a link for cross country spirit wear but will update when we get it.

We want all students to be safe when exiting vehicles and buses and walking to the building. Please follow the following procedures when dropping your child off at school and picking them up.

In the morning drop off starts at 7:30am please drop off at the cross walk on the south side of the school, go through the south parking lot (gravel lot) to get to the cross walk.

NO Vehicles can be in the Bus Loading Zone.

In the afternoon please pick up in the south parking lot (gravel lot) and exit out the same driveway you came in. The unloading lane is for the shuttle bus. Do not park in this lane or block it, our shuttle bus is waiting to load up the football players to get them to the field for practice.

Do not parking in the main parking lot for picking up your child.

Please have a conversation with your child about crossing the street.

• look both ways
• give the driver a wave to make sure they see you
• use the crosswalk to cross
• do not cut between cars
  

Cost for Breakfast is $2.25- we start serving breakfast at 7:30 am

Lunch cost is $3.50- Salads and Ala carte will be offered after Labor Day

Extra Milk is $0.50

Important Dates to Remember-

Wednesday August 21st at 6pm is Parent Night- More information will come out about this later.

Tuesday September 10th- Picture Day for all students as well as sports pictures for Cross Country, Volleyball and Football.

Friday September 13th- First Late Start- This is a change from previous years as it will be a 2 hour Late start. Doors open for the building at 9:30am.