JHMS Weekly Update

Dear Trojan Households,

I hope this message finds you and your family enjoying your weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mother figures reading this message. Please see important updates and reminders for the coming week of teaching and learning.

We have just finished up our first week and a half of FAST testing. All in all, our school should be proud of our scholars' collective performance. Based on the scholars who tested, 54% of our scholars have scored a level 3 or higher on their FAST ELA assessment. This mark is the highest this school has seen yet. Approximately 50% of our scholars also achieved an annual learning gain, a measure which demonstrates at least a year's worth of growth in ELA. This past Friday, we began testing FAST Mathematics and there are definitely some scholars to celebrate based on their performance.

As we progress through this upcoming week of teaching, learning, and testing, our staff is looking forward to your scholars continuing to demonstrate the "evidence of effort" needed to do their best on their upcoming FAST assessments. To assist in making sure your child is at their best on the days in which they test, please make sure the following occurs:

• Get a good night's rest the night before they test. Aim for at least 8 hours of rest to make sure their brain is well-rested.

• Eats a healthy breakfast before testing. As a reminder, breakfast is offered free of charge to all JHMS scholars before 9:30 a.m.

• Stay hydrated. Scholars should drink plenty of water. They may bring a water bottle to the testing site with them.

• Manage anxiety and stress levels. Scholars should practice deep breathing exercises and/or meditation before and during the test..

• Have a positive outlook. Maintain a positive mindset and believe they are prepared. Scholars can and should practice self-affirmation. Examples of affirmations they can use include "I am prepared," "I am smart," "I will concentrate and eliminate wrong answer choices," and "I can do this."

Please also save the dates for upcoming end of the year awards ceremonies. Dates for these, by grade level, are outlined below. Have a great week.

Best Regards,

Carlmon Jones

Principal

Thursday, May 15:

• 8th Grade Dance Showcase; 5:30 p.m. in Auditorium

Monday, May 19:

• Spring Piano Concert; 5:30 p.m. in Auditorium

Tuesday, May 20:

• Spring Band Concert; 6:00 p.m. in Auditorium

Wednesday, May 21:

• Performing Arts & Music Awards Night; 5:30 p.m. in Auditorium

Thursday, May 22:

• Spring Orchestra Concert; 6:00 p.m. in Auditorium

Monday, May 26:

• Memorial Day; Pinellas County Schools are closed in observance

Tuesday, May 27:

• 6th Grade Awards Ceremony; 5:30 p.m. in Auditorium

Wednesday, May 28:

• 7th Grade Awards Ceremony; 5:30 p.m. in Auditorium

Thursday, May 29:

• 8th Grade Awards & Move-Up Ceremony; 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church
• Last day of school for Pinellas County Schools scholars

Monday, June 2: First day of Summer Bridge; 8:00 a.m.

6th Grade Scholars -

• 6th grade scholars have only two (2) FAST assessments: ELA and Math.

7th Grade Scholars -

• 7th grade scholars will have two FAST assessments: ELA and Math (or Algebra 1 EOC)
• If your child is enrolled in Civics, they will also take the Civics EOC
• A select few 7th graders will have the opportunity to take the Science exam, satisfying this requirement a year early

8th Grade Scholars -

• 8th grade scholars will have three FAST assessments: ELA, Math (or Algebra 1 or Geometry EOC), and Science
• If your child is enrolled in Civics, they will also take the Civics EOC.

In looking at the calendar above, scholars will take their FAST assessments according to who their ELA, Math, Science and Civics teachers are.

Scholars not testing will resume their normal class schedule and change classes as normal.

Scholars showing their work on their FAST assessments demonstrate what our staff refers to as "evidence of effort". Scholars taking their time, showing where they found their answer and/or working problems out on their scrap paper will earn a snack after each assessment they take. They will also be entered into a raffle to win cool prizes including portable bluetooth speakers, portable chargers, bluetooth earbuds, and much more.

Scholars in all grade levels are asked to return their PCS-issued laptops and chargers, beginning Monday, May 12, to the Media Center. Laptops will be reimaged and assessed for repairs so they can be redistributed at the start of next school year.