Weekly Warrior for Families
September 20, 2024
Homework Assistance
Need homework help? Ms. Mullins will be offering homework help to any grade level student on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-3:45 in room 330.
Student Leadership Opportunity
Student Leadership Ambassador applications will be available next week in Canvas. Applications from students, as well as teacher references, will be due by Wednesday, September 25th. Contact Mrs. Bingham (lbingham@k12k.com) or Mrs. Kilgore (skilgore@k12k.com) with questions.
New Opportunity - Join the Sevier Middle School Gaming Club!
Looking for something fun to do after school? Love games?
Whether you’re into board games, card games, video games, puzzles, Dungeons and Dragons, or just want to hang out and try something new, the Sevier Middle School Gaming Club has something for everyone!
- When? 1-2 times per week, after school from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (days/time subject to change given student interest)
- First Meeting? Our first meeting will be all about YOU! On Tuesday, October 15th, come tell us what games you’re excited about, and we’ll build a club that’s perfect for you and your friends.
- Come play, laugh, and make new friends in a fun, laid-back environment. All skill levels welcome—whether you’re a gaming pro or just curious, we want YOU in the club! Don’t miss out! Game on!
Angel Tree Information
See below for assistance with Christmas for children 12 years old and younger (and seniors 62 years old and over).
A note from the PTO
Hello JSMS Warrior Families!
- Your PTO is very excited to announce a JSMS spirit store for you to purchase Sevier attire (t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, hoodies, crewneck sweatshirt, joggers). The items are offered in both youth and adult sizes, with a variety of designs to choose from. This online store will be open until October 1st. Click here: Spirit Store shopping link
- By popular demand, Fri-yay is being offered by our PTO again. Students can purchase a snack during their activity period each Friday (if there is not school on Friday, Fri-yay will be held on Thursday of that week). Now accepting: cash, card, CashApp
- If you are interested in serving on the PTO this year in any capacity, please reach out to our PTO President Jana Woliver at johnseviermspto@gmail.com. We would love to have some extra hands to make a bigger impact on our school.
Clothes Closet Needs
Please consider donating to our clothes/hygiene closet. For clothing/shoes, we will happily accept new or gently used items. The following items are currently needed: leggings (all sizes, boys/girls), joggers/sweats (all sizes, boys/girls), belts, tennis shoes, feminine products.
Thank you SO MUCH to the individuals that have dropped off or sent in items! We very much appreciate your generosity!
YMCA After School Program @ Sevier
Great news! The YMCA is back at Sevier this year offering an after school program. Come have fun, meet friends, and receive homework assistance.
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 2:45-6pm
- Program has started at Sevier for this year, come join the FUN!
- Students will report to the cafeteria after school, and parents will pick up from there.
- Snack/meal is provided daily directly after school.
- Students or guardians can pickup an application from the Sevier office (the completed application can be returned to the Sevier office)...or click on the link below to view/print.
- There is a $30 one time registration fee for the school year (if guardians need to pay this in installments, you can discuss this with the YMCA).
- Cost: students can qualify through a grant (the application will determine this).
- Students will begin after the guardian has been contacted by the YMCA for acceptance into the program. YMCA will give you a start date (after they receive and review the application).
- The application and more information can be found here
Pre-K Opportunity for Families
KCS currently has openings available in our no cost Kingsport City Schools Pre-K programs. Any child who turned 4-years-old on or before August 15th is eligible to attend (regardless of socioeconomic status). M-F 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. with a structured daily schedule. High-quality, state-approved early education curriculum which prepares children academically, socially, and emotionally for Kindergarten. Instruction from highly qualified, experienced educators who focus on building a strong foundation in key academic areas such as literacy and math. Seven locations in Kingsport schools. Available openings are limited; so don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Please call the Palmer Center today at (423) 378.2160 for additional information.
Student Artwork
We have some artists here at Sevier!
Opportunity to support JSMS Orchestra
See below for more information.
Reward Celebration
We look forward to rewarding students for good behavior, effort with school work,
good attendance.
Grade Specific Information
Attention 7th grade parents
Last week, permission slips for our spring trip (May 7-9) were given out to students that have returned their behavior contracts. If your child has not yet returned his or her contract, they still may do so. If your child needs another copy, have them see Mr. Carr asap.
*** Please don't forget that the first payment of $150 will be collected on either Tuesday, October 1 or Thursday, October 3, in the gym, before school. No money should be turned in to the office, or to another teacher. This payment will guarantee your child a spot on the trip, as long as the behavior criteria is met. Late payments cannot be accepted.
Attention 8th grade families
Washington DC trip in May: Information and paperwork was shared with all 8th grade students during the first week of school in their science class. If they did not receive this paperwork they can ask their science teacher for a copy or see Mr. Moore or Mrs. Bingham.
The first payment of $275 was taken up on Thursday, September 5. There are limited spots remaining. If you are still interested you can turn in your first payment and all completed paperwork to Mr. Moore or Mrs. Bingham (we will not take the payment without paperwork filled out).
If you have questions, please email mmoore@k12k.com
JSMS Athletic Information
Attention All Athletes
- Do not be left out and unable to tryout by not having a sports physical on file. Get your fully completed forms turned in as soon as possible.
- All students trying out for any of these sports must have a physical on file to tryout or participate. No exceptions.
Spring Sports Tryout Information
Wrestling
- Wrestling will start on Monday, September 30 for kids not participating in football or cross country. (Football and Cross Country kids will start practicing after fall break).
- Kids who are participating in wrestling can still try out for baseball and softball if interested as well.
Girls Basketball
- Girls Basketball Tryouts will be Monday, September 30th & Tuesday, October 1st from 3-5pm in the Big Gym.
Boys Basketball
Boys Basketball Tryouts for non-Football and non-Cross Country runners will be Oct. 1st and Oct. 2nd from 3-4:30pm.
After Fall Break, on Oct.15th, tryouts will be held for those that had previously been involved in Football/Cross Country from 3-5pm. (Final Cuts will be made the 15th)
Baseball
- Baseball Tryouts will be October 16 - 18 from 3-5pm at Sevier.
- Male athletes who made the basketball team will try out on Friday October 18th.
Golf
- Golf tryouts will be on October 22 and 23 at Cattails immediately after school.
- If you have questions, email bfissel@k12k.com
Softball
- Tryouts October 23-25 from 3-5pm @ JSMS Softball field.
- 6th and 7th grade Wednesday Oct. 23
- 7th and 8th grade Thursday Oct. 24
- All grades on Friday Oct. 25 (including basketball players)
Boys Soccer
- Information coming soon...stay tuned.
Football
All guardians need to download the "Remind" app and join the football group by using the code @sevierfb. You will receive important reminders throughout the season, as well as have communication access to the coaching staff.
Cross Country
See detailed information for the coming week at the bottom of the newsletter (listed for each day).
Swim Team
If any middle schooler is interested in joining the swim team please go to the KCS athletic page under the swimming tab to find all the information you need.
https://athletics.k12k.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=864101&type=d&pREC_ID=1224573
Weight Lifting After School
There will not be middle school weight lifting at DB this fall. We will resume sometime in the spring semester. Stay tuned for details.
JSMS Club Information
JROTC
ROTC will be meeting every other week after school in the library, next meeting is Sept. 30, come join us! Students will need to be picked up at 4pm at the front of the school. Students must have a permission form turned in prior to the meeting. Forms can be picked up from the front office.
- What is ROTC? ROTC provides citizenship training and an Aerospace Science program for high school students. The program explores the historic and scientific aspects of aerospace technology and teaches high school students self-reliance, self-discipline and other leadership characteristics.
- ROTC will meet every other week (typically on Monday, notated (*) when the meeting is not on a Monday). Remaining meeting dates: September 30, *October 16, October 28, *November 13, November 25, December 9. Next semester dates will be advertised at a later date.
Prayer Warriors/Wyldlife
- Prayer Warriors will meet @ 7:15am in the library (see flyer below).
- On alternate Wednesdays, Wyldlife will meet @ 7:15am in the library (see flyer below for these dates, and additional opportunities not on campus).
- Students must have a permission form turned in prior to the meeting. Forms can be picked up at Ms. Abrams room 234 or at the front office.
GENERAL JSMS INFORMATION
Safety
Friendly reminder:
All visitors going beyond the lobby doors—including to counseling or the front office—must have a visitor badge printed through the Raptor system. While this may take additional time, safety is our top priority, and it must take precedence over convenience. This policy applies to all visitors, including familiar faces.
What to do if my child is absent...
- If you have attendance questions, please email Erika Williams at ewilliams@k12k.com or call 423-378-2450 and ask for her.
- If your child has a doctor's excuse, please email to ewilliams@k12k.com or fax to 423-378-2430. If you have a hard copy of the excuse, please send your child to school with the hard copy (to turn into the office) or you can take a picture of it and email the picture to the email above. Student will be marked unexcused until the doctors note has been received.
- If your child is going to be absent (without a doctors excuse), you are not required to contact the school (but if you are choosing to use a parent day and your child has those remaining, you can call to request that their absence is recorded as a 'parent day').
- If you are wanting to use a 'parent day' (max of 3 per semester), the guardian will need to notify the school requesting this (we are not allowed to code the absence this way without the guardian requesting it). You can make this request one of the following ways: call the office, or email ewilliams@k12k.com, or send a note to the office requesting a parent day for the absence on _____ (add the date). Student will be marked as 'unexcused' until this communication has been received.
- We suggest the student/guardian communicate directly to the teachers via email/Canvas regarding any missed assignments.
Fri-yay is back again this year!
By popular demand, Fri-yay is being offered by our PTO again. Students can purchase a snack during their activity period each Friday. Now accepting: cash, card, CashApp
We need your help: Medical Care and Counseling Support
A big THANK YOU to the families that went in and completed the short google doc about medical care and counseling support. We have less than 150 that are still needed. Reminder, it is very important to get everyone to get this complete so we can help provide services to your child (or even just a band-aid).
Yearbook Information
Yearbook orders can now be placed.
Are you a guardian that wants to help/volunteer/get involved at JSMS?
Below are ways you can help/volunteer/get involved:
- reach out to our Family & Community Liaison, Robin Kerkhoff, rkerkhoff@k12k.com or call her at 423.378.2406
- we have a variety of volunteer opportunities such as helping go through clothes donations and organizing them in the clothes closet, assist a student with before or after school homework, ask to be partnered with a student as a mentor, and much more! You can choose what interests you most and the amount of time that you would like to volunteer (ex: once a month for an hour).
- You can email the PTO at JohnSevierMSPTO@gmail.com to ask how you can volunteer/assist with a variety of activities.
Water bottle filling stations
Important Information
Please keep your contact information updated. This can be done through your Aspen Parent Portal or by contacting LeAnn Franklin 378-2435 in the counseling office. It's vitally important that we have current contact phone numbers and a correct address for each student. If your email changes be sure to let us know that as well.
You MUST present an ID when visiting Sevier or checking out your student.
Please try to have after school arrangements communicated with your child prior to them arriving to school.
Students attending sporting events need to remain with their guardian. Students that are dropped off without an adult with them will not be allowed to enter the sporting event.
Food Bags
Food bags are offered every other week. You can call the office 378-2450 or contact Robin Kerkhoff (rkerkhoff@k12k.com) to get on the distribution list. Each bag has a variety of non-perishable items such as (not all of these are included): oatmeal, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, fruit cups, mac n chz, rice, soup.
Student Clothing Needs
If your child is in need of gently used clothing/shoes or hygiene products, please let them know to visit Mrs. Kerkhoff in the office. She can assist in gathering items for them. Also, KCS has a Family Resource Center (FRC) that will assist families with a variety of needs...Mrs. Kerkhoff can help connect you to their services.
Help support JSMS while shopping at Food City
Families can login into your foodcity.com account, click on account, and then select John Sevier Middle School. This will link your ValuCard to our school! This is a great way to be a part of a wonderful funding source at
General KCS Information
KCS Middle School Cell Phone Policy
Students’ cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off and not visible upon a student’s arrival to school (upon entering the building) until the end of the student’s school day. Students must store their cell phones and other electronic devices in their backpacks (exceptions may be granted for medical or other extraordinary circumstances as determined by the building principal or designee). Cell phones may be confiscated if this rule is violated. When confiscated from students, parents will be asked to retrieve the cell phone from the school administration.
1st offense - The item will be confiscated and kept at the school for a minimum of five (5) consecutive school days. To retrieve the confiscated item, a parent or guardian must contact the appropriate administrator.
2nd offense - When a student has a second offense during the current semester, the item will be confiscated for a minimum of ten (10) school days. A parent or guardian must retrieve the confiscated item from the front office.
3rd offense - When a student has a third offense during the current semester, the item may be confiscated for the remainder of the school year. A parent or guardian may retrieve the confiscated item at the end of the school day on the last day of the school year.
KCS Visitor Code of Conduct
See below for Code of Conduct.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
FYI...
If you are interested in additional information on any of the below items, please reach out to Robin Kerkhoff, 378-2406 or rkerkhoff@k12k.com
- KATS is the public transit system in our area. Reach out to us if you need help getting information about routes, times, or ticket/booklet purchase.
- Our community has an outreach that offers FREE haircuts at a local church (First Methodist, located at Church Circle). These are typically offered every other Monday. They begin at 9am and finish after their last haircut. If transportation is an issue, we can assist by utilizing the school van. If you would like for your child to attend this please email, call, or send a note to Mrs. Kerkhoff. Upcoming dates are: September 23, October 7, October 21, November 4, November 18, December 9.
FREE Coaching and Support for Parents of Students with Disabilities.
Sign up for this opportunity using this link.
September 23-27
Monday, September 23
- Benchmark Testing begins
- Cross Country practice at Sevier 3-3:45
- Dance team will practice until 5PM. Parents are asked to pick up at the front of the school.
- Volleyball game vs. Church Hill at Sevier (8th Grade Night)
- Kingsport Girls Soccer vs. Liberty Bell and Science Hill (Varsity-6, JV-to follow)
Tuesday, September 24
- Jazz Band 7:15-8:00am
- LEGO Robotics in the Library until 4pm
- Cross Country TMSAA Sectional Meet at Daniel Boone HS Girls 5:30/Boys 6:00
- Volleyball Game vs. Central at Central
- Cheer Practice 6-8
- Kingsport Girls Soccer Game vs. Sullivan Central at Sullivan Central (5:30 - Varsity JV - to follow)
- Chic-fil-A Spirit Night for JSMS Orchestra 5-8pm
Wednesday, September 25
- Prayer Warriors meeting in the library at 7:15
- Student Leadership Ambassador applications are due. Contact Mrs. Bingham or Mrs. Kilgore with questions.
- Orchestra Practice Club Wednesday 3-4pm
- Cross Country Practice at Sevier 3-4
Thursday, September 26
- Jazz Band 7:15-8:00am
- LEGO Robotics in the Library until 4pm
- Cross Country Practice at Sevier 3-4
- Football Game vs. T.A. Dugger at T.A. Dugger Middle
- Volleyball game vs. T.A. Dugger at T.A. Dugger Middle
- Kingsport Girls Soccer vs. Indian Trail at DB (4-Varsity only)
Friday, September 27
- Jazz band nursing home performance, come to band room at 11:30am (back by 2:00pm)
- Cross Country - No Practice
Saturday, September 28
- Bristol Cross Meet - Girls 12:50 / Boys 1:20
- Orchestra Junior Clinic Tryouts
Save The Date:
November 7th, Fall dance (more information to come)
John Sevier Middle School
Email: kloudermilk@k12k.com
Website: https://sevier.k12k.com/
Location: 1200 Wateree Street, Kingsport, TN, USA
Phone: 423-378-2450
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCSSevier
Twitter: @KCS_Sevier