JMS Weekly Update
May 12, 2024
Hello JMS!
This week's Update contains information about the following:
- Congratulations - Promising Young Writers
- PTA - Staff Appreciation
- 8th Grade Entrepreneurs - TiE Young Entrepreneurs
- Athletics - Rifle
- Athletics - Boys Soccer (High School)
- Athletics - Girls Soccer (High School)
- Schoology Tip for Students
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 (5/20) - Day 5 - Algebra I Keystones (8th Grade Only)
New News
Congratulations to our Promising Young Writers!
On November 9, forty-three eighth graders began writing for the NCTE Promising Young Writers Program in response to the theme they were given. Of those, thirty students put forth the necessary effort and time, completed the writing sample, and turned in a copy for evaluation.
This year’s prompt was both challenging and open-ended. Sophia Fabyonic and Lucy Moon were selected as the two finalists from JMS. Sophia and Lucy composed insightful, original pieces that showed authentic voice. These students spent over a month revising their papers which were then submitted to NCTE for evaluation in the state competition. “National judges evaluated each piece of writing for expression of ideas, language use, and unique perspective and voice...This year, schools nominated 177 students to participate in the Promising Young Writers Program. Students were nominated from 33 states and Puerto Rico, as well as Canada and South Africa.”
Congratulations to Sophia and Lucy! Sophia Fabyonic is one of four students in the state of Pennsylvania to receive a First Class designation for her entry, and Lucy Moon has been recognized with a Superior designation. JMS is very proud of these writers!
Dear Jefferson Middle School Families,
Thank you SO much to everyone who has donated to the teacher and staff appreciation events! The JMS team has really enjoyed all of the festivities! If anyone would still like to donate monetary contributions (Venmo @Caitlin-Clarke-21, @Nicole-Schmidt-Lust or PayPal @CaitlinClarke7) or help with events, reach out to Caitlin Clarke at caitlinbgraham@gmail.com. We also need a few more bakers (or buyers ;) for next Friday! THANK YOU!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084AAEAC29A3FC1-teacher2
THANK YOU again, I know everything is greatly appreciated!
Calling all 8th grade budding entrepreneurs:
TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) is a 7-week-long largely virtual and asynchronous program held this this June / July designed for high-schoolers. Rising 9th graders are eligible to join this summer. Students will learn from global leaders, then apply new knowledge and skills to plan and pitch their own business venture. This program is very flexible, allowing students to develop skills (and be a great resume builder or college essay topic) while still enjoying summer activities like
The District will be administering the PSSAs this year in compliance with the PA Department of Education's direction. 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 programming. Our students have been working hard throughout the year and are prepared for these exams.
The MtLSD testing schedule is as follows:
Algebra I Keystone (8th Grade Only) - 5/20-5/21
Pre-approved absences will not be approved on testing days. If you have any questions or are in need of more information, please contact us.
Thank you for your continued support throughout this school year.
For more testing information please see our PSSA/Keystone Information Newsletter.
Reminders
Attendance is a crucial component to school success for students. We have noticed an increase in students being tardy to school in the morning. Students are expected to be in homerooms by 8:00. If students are tardy without an excuse 3 times within a semester, they are given a warning letter. For each additional 3 unexcused tardies they accumulate after the warning letter, they will be assigned an after-school detention. Thank you for your assistance in ensuring that students start their day off on the right track.
Please review the attendance flyer for additional information about school attendance.
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.
Boys Soccer - High School
Interested in playing soccer at the HS? Complete this FORM to learn more!
Girls Soccer - High School
On 5/14, Coach Seth Young will host a meeting for any incoming 9th grade girls interested in playing soccer for the HS this Fall. The meeting will be held at 4:00 PM at the high school in one of the health rooms located above the main gym. (The girls can go in Entrance A-7 under the skywalk and take the stairs to the second floor).
This is for PLAYERS ONLY, a parent meeting will follow closer to the fall season.
Lebo Rifle
Attention Rising 9th graders, the High School Varsity Rifle Team hosts an introductory summer session to help athletes gauge if Rifle may be the WPIAL sport for them! Rifle is a coed Winter sport and the majority of new team members each year after tryouts are freshmen.
Attendance is required at the first session on July 10th with optional practice sessions continuing thru July into August on Wednesdays at 1:00pm.
For more information, or to register, please contact: Assistant Rifle Coach Natalie Kukla, nkukla@mtlsd.net
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