2025 JMS Eagle Eye #35

Thank you for your support during TCAP testing. We tested over 95% of our students on the original days of testing, and we have moved quickly to do make ups when students returned. We have a few more make ups to do on Monday and Tuesday, but most of that work is done. Your students are not allowed to talk to us about the test, but overall they report feeling good about the process and the tests. We, with your support, push our students hard, and we believe they put their hard work to use demonstrating their knowledge. We will get cut scores back right before we end school at the end of May, and will see actual data returns in July.

So now what? TCAPS are done and we coast to the end? Absolutely not! Now is when teachers start pushing into the project based learning or learning labs that the next month allow time to develop and broaden skillsets and standards they have learned over the last year. Other classes are pushing into standards for NEXT year that will keep our students sharp and let them hit the ground running next year. Now is when teachers delve into projects that push students to step beyond just knowledge and skills but integrating and then demonstrating that knowledge in multiple formats and applications. It is the highest pinnacle of learning when students can take what they know and apply it to the project, discussing the nook and crannies of the assignment. So, we are not done... yet. We want to spend the next four and a half weeks burnishing the knowledge from this school year.

As always, we couldn't do that without your support, be it financial, emotional, structural. Our students are always at the heart of our decisions, and we cannot do this work without you. Thank you! If you need anything, please reach out to us.

Mr. Phil Cox, Principal pcox@ortn.edu

Dr. Benjamin Fowler, Vice Principal bjfowler@ortn.edu

Mr. Michael Martin, Dean of Students mmartin@ortn.edu

Monday 28 B Day

• City Championship Track Meet 4:30-7:30 (JMS vs RMS)
• School Board Meeting 5:00
• France and Spain Trip Meeting 5:30pm

Tuesday 29 A Day

• April Tornado Drill/Fire Drill 1:00pm
• Track Practice 3:00-5:00

Wednesday 30 B Day

• Track Practice 1:00:-2:30

Thursday May 1 A Day

• Jazz Band Practice 2:24-4:30
• Track Practice 3:00-4:30
• Wilderness Connection

Friday May 2 B Day

• Dental Presentation 8:00am
• Track Practice 3:00-4:30
• Wilderness Connection

Saturday May 3

• Concert Performance Competition Assessment (5/6 grade bands) 6:30am-8:30pm - Seymour High School/Dollywood
• Sports Physical (Middle/High School Athletes) 8:00am-11:00am

Summer Bridge Camp applications are open!

Ms. Bolling is our Summer Camp Administrator and flyers will be coming home on Monday. Some students will be highly encouraged to attend, but if you student could use some time to polish their academic skillsets, Summer Bridge Camp is a great place to do that.

At Jefferson, these core values are what we believe for students, and we will instill in them in how we expect staff and students to work and learn at JMS.

The following students have been nominated. Congratulations to these fantastic students!

Eagle Behavior

(Students recognized for their outstanding behavior in school, befitting a JMS Eagle)

Ezekiel Kidwell

Evelyn Lovegrove

Eagle Excellence

(Students recognized for their outstanding achievement in school, befitting a JMS Eagle)

Liam Mills

Luka Vodopivec

Jackson Gillis

Eagle Expectations

(Students recognized for their outstanding manner of living up-to and exceeding JMS expectations in school, befitting a JMS Eagle)

Zahra Stewart

Eagle Accountability

(Students recognized for holding themselves accountable to the high expectations in school, befitting a JMS Eagle)

Adrianna Noe

Caliber Jones

It is almost time for JMS athletics try-outs for the 2025-2026 school year! Please see the specific information for each sport below. All students planning to try-out must have a sports physical on file prior to try-outs. Sports physicals from the 2024-25 school year are good for try-outs, but all athletes will have to have a 2025-26 sports physical, dated April 15, 2025 or later, before the end of the school year. Specific sports physical information was sent to families on April 15th via Parent Square. The sports physical information is also posted on the JMS website under the athletics tab.

You can pick up hard copies of the sports physical forms at the JMS security entrance, but all forms will be submitted online in Final Forms. Please reach out to the coach of the sport you are planning to try-out for with questions. You can also reach out to Coach Bolling with any questions.

$10 Sports Physicals: Saturday, May 3rd at Oak Ridge High School. See attached flyer for details. You can also go to American Family Care Urgent Care Clinic in Oak Ridge anytime to get a sports physical for $10.

Volleyball:

• Try-outs: May 5th & 6th from 3-4:30pm each day

Football:

• Tryouts will be on Thursday May 8th and Friday May 9th from 3-4:30pm. (Helmets only)

Girls Basketball:

• Try-outs: May 14th from 1-2:30pm and May 15th from 3-4:30pm

Boys Basketball:

• Try-outs: May 19th & 20th from 3-4:30pm each day

Cross Country:

• Interest Meeting: May 13th at 7:10am in room 309

Teacher of the Month Nomination: Teacher/Staff Member of the Month

Amazon Wish List: Amazon.com

Flu, cold, and allergy season is upon us, and with it comes all of the coughing and sore throats. Most cough drops have active ingredients, meaning too many can be harmful, and there is potential for side effects or allergic reactions. For this reason, students cannot be allowed to bring them to school and/or keep them on their person. This is a district wide policy for student safety.

As with any other over-the-counter medication, if you would like your student to have cough drops at school, please bring them to the nurse and complete a medication administration form so that they can be administered in a safe way. The medication form can also be found on the JMS website under the "Forms" section of the "Parent + Student" tab.

Just a reminder: STUDENTS are NOT allowed to carry or bring medication to school. Parents must bring the medication in and fill out a form with the school nurse.

If a student has medications for asthma, allergies, or seizures (or any other potential emergencies) that needs to be with them at school, please reach out to me via phone (865-425-9338) or email (kcjones@ortn.edu) or come see me in the clinic.

We are excited to announce that ORAU and ORISE are hosting a variety of free summer programs for K-12 students, and registration is now open! Attached is a flyer with detailed descriptions of each mini-academy as well as the program calendar.

To view all scheduled mini-academy sessions for K-12 students, please visit both https://orise.orau.gov/k12/students/stem-academies.html and https://orau.org/k12/student/programs/cad-design-3d-printing-mini-academy.html.

If you have any questions, contact us at K12@orau.org.

Best regards,

The ORAU K12 STEM Team

Discover how creating healthy meal plans and fun physical activity routines for the family can help your child understand the importance of healthy choices. https://childmind.org/positiveparenti...

Online orders for yearbooks have closed. But have no fear. We always order extras. The remainder of the yearbooks will be sold on the last day of school during homeroom for $20 cash.

The JMS PTO would like to thank all the parents that came out for Open House. If you couldn't make it, we invite you to learn more about PTO activities and how you can get involved. Email us at jmseaglespto@gmail.com if you are interested!

We are moving our meetings to the evening times this year due to parent requests. We will start at 530 in the Jefferson Library. Look to this space for updates from JMS PTO President, Kayla Colwell.

Cold and Flu season is dying down, but pollen season is nigh. PTO has requested donations for tissues for teachers to help clean up most of the phlegm clogged noses.

Additionally, please see the flier below for donation needs for 8th grade Celebration at the end of May.

We are at that time of year where absences have started to rack up and some parents are getting their notices about truancy. Below is the absence policy.

Excused Absences

Students must be in school unless the absence has been excused for one of the reasons listed below. It is the responsibility of each student’s parent/guardian to explain the student’s absence to the school in a manner satisfactory to the principal. Absences may be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his/her designee. Absences will only be excused for the following reasons:

1. Personal illness
1. Only seven days, whether consecutive or not can be excused by a parent note;
2. After a child has had (7) days, not necessarily consecutive, of illness related absences excused by a parent note, any future illness related absence must have a doctor’s note stating that the absence is medically necessary.
3. All parent and doctor notes must be turned into the school within three school days of the child returning to school.
2. Death in the family
3. Religious observations
4. Extreme weather conditions
5. Court appearance or legal mandates
6. Verifiable family emergency
7. School sponsored events
8. Principal has discretion to excuse absences based on the following:

1. The absence must be prearranged
2. The absence must not have an adverse effect on the child’s academic standing
3. The child must have a good attendance history
4. The child must have a good behavior record
5. The Director of Schools must agree

Any absence that does not fit any of the criteria listed above will be considered unexcused. The criteria listed above will also apply to tardies and early dismissals.

A student is considered legally truant following five (5) cumulative unexcused absences (TCA 49-6-3007).

The Board of Education may excuse children from compulsory attendance in accordance with guidelines developed by the State Board of Education (TCA 49-6- 3005). Students may be subject to withdrawal from Oak Ridge Schools after ten consecutive unexcused absences or fifteen unexcused absences during a semester (TCA 49-6-3017[c]). In cases of IEP students, the IEP team will convene to discuss appropriate options available.

You get a ton of forms at the start of the year, so here is a quick guide as to what is what and where.

Forms on Paper:

ORS district handbook have been sent home. There is a paper form in the front for you to sign. Please have you AND your student sign it and return it this week to your student's first period teacher.

Forms in ParentSquare:

• McKinney Vento
• Parent Occupational Survey

• Media Release

• Survey Opt-In form
• Biometric Form (Cafeteria Identification Form)

Forms in Skyward

These forms will need to be filled out in Skyward Family Access in web browser, not the app

• First Student- Bus

• Free and Reduced Lunch

If you have any issues with the forms, please reach out to John Smith, our Innovation coach at jrsmith@ortn.edu or Dr. Fowler at bjfowler@ortn.edu

Safety is our number one priority at Jefferson Middle School. The video below helps show the process for both drop off and pick up each day. We want our parents and students to be aware of the process in order to create the safest environment for all during these busy times. The following times below give you the best idea for drop off times:

There are two loops on campus. One loop on the gym/football field side of campus, which is a car drop off loop all morning long. The second loop on the softball field side is the bus loop at the beginning of the morning and becomes a car loop after buses leave. Buses will enter the loop from 7am - 7:10am each day. Please do not enter the loop if buses are present. In addition, please do not pass buses at any time while in the loop.

Please utilize the loop on the gym side to drop off your child each morning. When 5th grade students arrive on campus, they report to the gym until 7:30 am.

• Free and Reduced Lunch forms are now available in Skyward. Be sure to log in to your Skyward Account to complete the form. The sooner we get that processed, the sooner we can make sure we are serving your students as best we can.
• Students must be enrolled in a school to receive school meals. Students attending virtual academies are not eligible to participate in either of the federal school meal programs.
• Meals shall only be provided and served on days when school is in session.

For additional information, please visit:

https://www.ortn.edu/district/food-services/food-services/

The Board of Education believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to wear suitable clothing. Students are asked to wear simple, comfortable clothing that is clean and neat. Shoes should be always worn. Students are not to wear clothing which compromises safety or modesty; nor clothing which is disruptive to the educational process.

Students are prohibited from wearing:

1. Clothing or accessories which by reasonable judgment is considered unsafe, dangerous or a health hazard (examples include, but are not limited to wallet chains, spiked collars, necklaces or rings with spikes or sharp edges, oversized belt buckles, picks and combs.

2. Clothing or accessories which contain or suggest offensive or obscene symbols, signs, slogans or words degrading any gender, cultural, religious or ethnic values.

3. Clothing or accessories which contain or suggest language or symbols oriented toward violence, vandalism, sex, drugs, alcohol or tobacco.

4. Pajamas or clothing resembling sleepwear. This also includes house shoes.

5. Apparel

• a. Shirts, shorts, jeans or pants with holes, skirts and dresses that compromise modesty or are disruptive to the learning environment.
• b. The following attire is not permitted: bare midriffs; halter or tube tops; short shorts; tight, see through, or revealing clothing; or clothing which allows underwear to be exposed, such as sagging pants, spaghetti strap tops, muscle shirts.
• c. A belt is mandatory if pants or shorts will not stay at the waist without one.
• d. Hats, head coverings, bandanas, and sunglasses are not to be worn inside the school building.

6. Any articles which can be related to gang activity such as: items with gang names; gang initials; or individual gang member monikers; gang related jewelry; gang related tattoos; or self-inflicted scars. (TCA 49-6- 4215)

7. Any manner of grooming, which by its color, arrangement, trademark, or any other attribute that is gang related. This may include such items as shoelaces, belt buckles, hats or tattoos.

8. All students must wear shoes. It is strongly suggested that students wear shoes which either enclose the foot or are secured with heel straps. Flip flops are not allowed in grades PreK-4.

9. Heavy coats must be removed upon arrival at school, be placed in lockers and left there until the student leaves the building. (At campuses that have multiple buildings that require outside travel between classes, the principal may exercise discretion.)

The school building administrator may make exceptions to dress requirements to accommodate the special needs of classes (examples include but are not limited to science labs, welding, cooking labs) and/or certain sports/activities.

All students are expected to comply with the general dress code policy of the Oak Ridge School Board. Students who fail to comply with the Dress Code Policy shall be advised of the policy and offered the opportunity to take corrective action. The school shall attempt to contact the student's parents. Students who repeatedly fail to dress in accordance with the Dress Code Policy may be subject to disciplinary actions as set forth in the Oak Ridge Schools Discipline Code. The Administration reserves the right to judge what is appropriate or not.

Consequences for violations of the dress code guidelines will follow the ORS District Disciplinary Code.

https://www.ortn.edu/jefferson/supply-lists/

Please be sure to visit the link below to review this year's Student Handbook.

Students are required to turn off phones and place in lockers when they arrive to school. Students are not permitted to have phones throughout the building. In the event of an emergency, parents can contact the main phone line (425-9301) and students may use the main phone line to contact home.

Additionally, NO wired or wireless headphones or earbuds or personal electronic devices are permitted for use during the school day unless at the direction of a teacher for a classroom activity.

Due to concerns about social media and improper use of cell phones during the school day, please see detailed cell phone policy below:

1. Students must turn off cell phone upon arriving to campus and place in their locker.

2. Students are not to use cell phones during the school day unless instructed by a teacher. Teachers will make administration aware when they will be using phones in advance.

3. Any student found to be sharing or distributing inappropriate messages or pictures online will be immediately reported to our SRO and the Oak Ridge Police Department.

4. Per the ORS Code of Conduct, "students are prohibited from using personally owned devices to record (video, audio, photograph) others". This could also be considered Cyberbullying - the use of cell phones, social networking sites or other types of digital technology to harass, threaten, discriminate, or intimidate others.

Any violation of the cell phone policy will lead to action from administration including but not limited to consequences below:

1st violation: student cell phone, headphones, earbuds, or personal electronic devices will be confiscated and sent to the office. Student will be issued a warning in Skyward and phone will be kept in the office until parent/guardian comes to the school to pick up the phone.

2nd violation: student cell phone, headphones, earbuds, or personal electronic devices will be confiscated and sent to the office. Student will be assigned an after-school detention in Skyward and phone will be kept in the office until parent/guardian comes to the school to pick up the phone.

3rd violation: student cell phone, headphones, earbuds, or personal electronic devices will be confiscated and sent to the office. Student will be issued ISS in Skyward and phone will be kept in the office until parent/guardian comes to the school to pick up the phone.

4th violation: student cell phone, headphones, earbuds, or personal electronic devices will be confiscated and sent to the office. Student will be issued an OSS in Skyward and phone will be kept in the office until parent/guardian comes to the school to pick up the phone. In addition, student may lose privilege of bringing phone to school for a time to be determined.

SECURE ENTRANCE TELEPHONE USAGE

School phones are for business and emergency use only. Students who are required to remain after school to make up work or for other reasons can call to arrange a ride home.

Canvas is our learning management system. We utilize Canvas in order to communicate with students and parents including announcements, information that is important to the class, links to resources to help support in class learning and also digital assignments.

Our teachers are AMAZING in the amount of detail they provide on their Canvas page. We encourage parents to spend 10 minutes each week with their child logged on to Canvas and read the details for each teacher's page, announcements, and assignments.

In Canvas our teachers work to provide:

• Announcements - A weekly look at what will be taught throughout the week
• Assignments - Some assignments will be digital and completed through Canvas and some will be analog and completed on paper. The goal for teachers here is to update with information to help explain the assignment and the due date.
• Calendar - A student calendar that shows all of the student's class and helps to color code each. The calendar allows for parents to see due dates for assignments, quiz and test dates

To learn more about Canvas and how we use it each day, please access the video below.