Family Update - October 6, 2024

Dear Families,

Last Wednesday, we met as grade level teams to analyze building data from last year as well as data from our fall benchmarking. We use information from Ohio's State Testing and Star Reading and Math to improve our instructional practices and to identify individual students who could benefit from additional support. I have shared a few key details below. Certainly, we are proud of our overall 5 Star rating from the state. It is an indication of how hard our staff and students work as well as the level of support our families provide. We are equally pleased with the increase in our students' sense of belonging. Around this time last year, I shared my concern that 63% of Jones students feel that they belong to our school community. We want that number to be 100%, but we are encouraged that this year 73% of students indicate a positive sense of belonging. We continue to see a decrease in chronic absenteeism, and that is another important data point for our school. Please see below, and reach out with any questions.

We had a great time at the Fall Pep Rally on Friday! (See pictures below.) This week we end Quarter 1 on Thursday. We hope you and your students will enjoy the Fall Break (no school for students on Friday or Monday).

As a reminder, the parent/student Ski Club meeting is this Wednesday, October 9th, at 7:00 pm.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Warm regards,

Aimee White, Principal

Keona Walker, Assistant Principal

Here is the link to Jones Weekend Update: https://youtu.be/F-JjVM70KX4

Math Counts will continue meeting on Friday mornings throughout the year. Meeting will start at 7:40am (please note time change). Students can enter the building through the tennis court doors. Email bshininger@uaschools.org with any questions.

Tickets are now on sale for Footloose Youth Edition for October 18, 19, and 20. Please use this TICKET LINK to purchase your tickets online. All tickets are $10 and all seats are reserved. This production is a shortened, family-friendly version featuring our Jones students--100 on stage as Cast and 60 backstage as Tech Crew! Please send all questions to jonesfallprotickets@gmail.com.

Team 6W is excited to bring back an old JMS Service Learning Project: The Hunger Walk to Heart to Heart Food Pantry on Wednesday, October 9th!

Students in 6 West will focus their service learning on hunger in our community and partner with Heart to Heart Food Pantry. On October 9th the students 6 West students will be walking routes to Heart to Heart collecting the food donations provided by UA families along the way. While at Heart to Heart their staff is providing learning opportunities about hunger in our community and a tour of each part of their facility.

We will be collecting donations of any non-perishable items. These items can be dropped off in Mr. Oliver’s classroom (Room 117) by October 8th.

Thanks!

6 West Team Teachers

School makeup/retake pictures have been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 23. School pictures that were taken in August were sent home this week through advisory class starting on Wednesday. If you plan to have your child's picture retaken, you will need to send in the original picture packet with them on picture retake day. Thank you!

Please go to: https://shop.hrimaging.com

If your student receives services based on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) you can view their first progress report of the year starting on Wednesday, October 8th via PowerSchool. Click on the green box that contains the letters ‘PR’ at the top of the home screen once you are logged in.

Jones uses Jostens for our middle school yearbooks. Look for emails directly from Jostens for the information to order your yearbook if you haven't done so already.

Volunteer at Jmart during student lunch periods. After eating, students can stop by Jmart. This is a really simple and fun to see the students in their natural school environment while interacting with them.

Responsibilities include opening the lockers and setting out sale items, interacting with students, collecting cash and closing procedures for deposit. Cash box and key is kept with Melissa Thien in the office and opening / closing process are outlined in Cash Box.

Grab a friend or meet a new friend while you experience Jones Middle School and students in their own environment. If you have any questions or have a problem once you arrive please contact Annette Cullman 614.425.1605.

Thank you from Jones PTO!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4FABA62F4-47108672-jmart#/

Please contact Nurse Shannon by Wednesday, October 9th if you need empty medication original bottles returned to you. Otherwise, the label will be removed and the container disposed of.

For a second year, the district is partnering with the Tri-Village Packers (TVP), a group of community volunteers who work to reduce food insecurity in Upper Arlington. Families with UA students can register throughout October and early November to receive grocery items that supplement their pantries during the upcoming Thanksgiving break. This is not a Thanksgiving meal but support to offset food insecurity by providing breakfast and lunch items during the extended break from school.

Last year, TVP provided food for more than 90 students during Thanksgiving break, and we believe there will be a greater need this year. Please use the link below to register. The deadline to register is November 8.

Google Form to register online

Every year, 8th graders at both middle schools honor Veterans during the month of November. Eighth grade students at JMS received blue invitation forms on Tuesday during their town meeting. If your 8th grade student wants to invite a veteran or active military member to our annual 8th-Grade Veterans Day Celebration on Friday, Nov. 8th, we need the form completed and returned. Veteran Invitation Forms deadline has been extended to Monday, October, 7th to your student's history teacher.

Once we receive the blue forms, we will send out a formal email invitation to your guest with times and information for the celebration. Any questions please contact Nicole Morgan (nmorgan@uaschools.org). We need the blue forms back in order to invite your guest and place them with students on November 8th.

Teaching your student the skill of self-advocacy can build confidence, promote independence, enhance problem-solving, and encourage accountability. The DEAR MAN skill provides a structured framework for advocating respectfully, boosting the chances of positive outcomes.

D: Describe the facts of the situation without judgment.
Example: “I’m struggling with math homework, especially the last few problems in Chapter 5.”

E: Express your emotions using "I" statements.
Example: “I feel confused and frustrated because I want to understand the material better.”

A: Assert your need or want clearly and specifically.
Example: “Could you help me by going over those problems with me during Flex?”

R: Reinforce the positive outcomes that can result from your request.
Example: “If I get help, I think it could really improve my understanding and my grades.”

M: Mindful of your goal, stay focused and avoid distractions.

A: Appear confident in your body language, even if you don’t feel it.

N: Negotiate by knowing your limits and being open to compromise.
Example: “If you’re busy, maybe we could find a time later in the week to work on it together?”

Transportation Questions: schoolbusquestions@uaschools.org or call 614-487-6477

Upper Arlington Schools Lunch Information link: https://www.uaschools.org/NutritionalServices.aspx

PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://ps-uar.metasolutions.net/public/home.html

If you need assistance logging into PowerSchool, you may reach out to: Building Secretary Melissa Thien at mthien@uaschools.org or familytechhelp@uaschools.org

Student Fees/SPS EZpay: https://www.spsezpay.com/upperarlington/login.aspx

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2024

October 7 - PTO Meeting, 8:30am

October 7 - Packing for the Streets, 3:30pm

October 9 - Parent/Student Ski Club Meeting, 7pm - NEW DATE

October 10 - End of Quarter 1

October 11 - No School for Students

October 14 - No School - Teacher Work Day

October 16 - Fall Athletic Recognition Night (see coaches for time and place)

October 18 - 20 - Fall Production

November 4 - PTO Meeting, 8:30am

November 5 - No School - Election Day

November 7 - Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8pm

November 8 - 8th Grade Veteran's Day Celebration

November 14 - Band Concert, Grades 6 - 8, 7:30pm

November 27 - 29 - No School - Thanksgiving Break