2025 JMS Eagle Eye #12

Teachers have been working with your students this past week talking about their Benchmark data. Student ownership of their learning is key to the transformation of a student from good academics to great. Setting personal goals and helping students understand what they can be working on engages their brains more effectively as they learn.

Our fall sports are practicing hard and our first basketball games start November 4th. On the whole, the students seemed to have settled in quickly to Term 2. To our students, keep up the good work! If you have any questions, please reach out to us.

Mr. Phil Cox, Principal pcox@ortn.edu

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

Dr. Jacob Quilliams, Dean of Students jrquilliams@ortn.edu

Monday 21 A day

• Atomic Eagles FLL Science Wing 2:45-4:30
• Master Builders FLL Rm 102 2:45-4:30
• RadioActive Brix FLL Rm 223 2:45-4:30
• Secret Innovation FLL Rm 313 2:45-4:15
• Girls Basketball Practice 3:00-5:00
• Girls Basketball Parent Meeting 5:15
• Boys Basketball Practice 5:00-7:00

Tuesday 22 B day

• 8th Grade to OR Atomic Expo at ORHS 12:30-2:00
• Atomic Eagles FLL Science Wing 2:45-4:30
• Master Builders FLL Rm 102 2:45-4:30
• Secret Innovation FLL Rm 313 2:45-4:15
• Girls Basketball Practice 3:00-5:00
• Boys Basketball Practice 5:00-7:00

Wednesday 23 A day

• 5th / 6th Grade Party 12:45-2:30
• Wilderness Connection Leaves 1:00
• Cheer Practice 1:00-3:30
• Boys Basketball Practice 5:00-7:00

Thursday 24 B day

• RadioActive Brix FLL Rm 223 2:45-4:30
• Girls Basketball Practice 3:00-5:00
• Boys Basketball Practice 5:00-7:00
• Volleyball Banquet 5:30-6:30
  

Friday 25 A day

• District Truancy Meeting at SAB 10:00-12:00
• Chess Club 2:45
• Wilderness Connection Returns 3:30

Student Council is hosting the 5th and 6th Grade Party on Wednesday, October 23rd from 12:45 (dismissal)-2:30 in the JMS gym. It is $5.00 to attend, plus extra money for concessions and face paint. We will have inflatables, karaoke, face paint, and concessions!

We will be selling pizza, candy, and beverages during the party in the concessions. Pizza is $2.00 and candy/drinks/face paint is $1.00. School rules apply during the party; this includes cell phones! Backpacks and personal items will be left in the lobby area during the party. You must make arrangements to attend the party prior to coming to school on Wednesday. No phone calls home or other arrangements regarding the party will be allowed during the school day. You must plan to attend immediately following school; please do not go home and then try to come back to school to join the party.

Please ensure you have a ride arranged home promptly at 2:30.

During the month of September, JMS 7th graders collected items for Oak Ridge Animal Shelter. Students contributed a range of items including food, treats, toys, and blankets. On Wednesday, October 16, Wriston C., our student representative, met Mrs. Mills and Mrs. Humphrey to deliver the items. The shelter was so appreciative, and we are so proud of our 7th graders who took an active role in helping their community.

Mr. Goldberg was nominated by a student as the WBIR / Tennessee Lottery Educator of the Week. Check out the link below and congratulations to Mr. Goldberg!

https://www.wbir.com/video/news/education/educator-of-the-week/educator-of-the-week-for-107-alex-goldberg/51-53f06444-7350-427a-a23b-e07aeec9d686

The following students have been nominated. We skipped last week and ended up with a double stuff posting. Congratulations to these fantastic students!

Below are the categories for which we recognize students!

Eagle Behavior

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

Jonathon Pennington

Cristel Andino Ordonez

Eagle Excellence

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

Rondrey Linen

Conner Stier

Eagle Expectations

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

Brycen Stott

Keveonna Hardin

'

Eagle Accountability

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

Tru O’Donnell

Rylee Stokely

Basketball season is here! Jefferson’s first home game of the season is on Monday, November 4th against Lafollette. Please make plans to come out and support the Eagles and Lady Eagles this season! (please include attached schedule).

Go Eagles!

Be sure to check out additional information about our school counselors on our webpage and in their monthly newsletters!

School Counseling - Jefferson Middle (ortn.edu)

Our counselors for the 2023-2024 School Year are:

5th/7th Grade - Ms. Candie Price (clprice@ortn.edu)

6th/8th Grade - Ms. Cassidy Coffman (cacoffman@ortn.edu)

Nurse Kelly says we have seen an uptick in "upset stomachs" in the morning. Often we find that they haven't had a breakfast and their stomachs settle pretty quick after that. Our growing students need breakfast to operate! The cafeteria opens up at 7 am if you want them to grab breakfast here at JMS. Otherwise, be sure to remind them to eat at home before they arrive!

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.

Oak Ridge Schools’ Atomic Expo: Power Your Future event on October 22nd, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM. This event will be part of our school district’s celebration of National Nuclear Science Week.

This event is designed to ignite curiosity and inspire learning among students, families, and the Oak Ridge community. Attendees will experience the science of the nuclear industry and make connections to careers through the ORNL traveling science fair, engage with nuclear industry exhibits, participate in interactive activities and demonstrations, hear from current students and recent graduates on how we are powering the future in Oak Ridge Schools. We invite you to be part of a dynamic and educational experience that promises to build on the work our school district does to educate and prepare students for future careers opportunities.

8th grade students will be participating in a Field trip the afternoon of October 22nd, to attend the ORNL Traveling Science Fair.

Students will engage in opportunities to learn more about the science and other careers that take place at ORNL. This information will be tied into the Portrait of a Graduate curriculum that is discussed during the Eagle Time course, and connections that will be made when students visit the high school for course selections for their 9th grade year.

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.

It is Turkey Trot time! This year’s event will be on Monday, November 11th at AK Bissell Park from 4:30-6:00 and is for Prek-5th graders.

Congressman Fleischmann's office holds a yearly event for students interested in attending a US military academy.

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.