Family Update - February 9, 2025

Dear families,

Last week we celebrated National School Counseling Week. We have an amazing group of counselors at Jones who support students every day. Please take note of the data below. Wow!

Congratulations to our 7th Grade Girls who defeated Worthington Kilbourne last Thursday evening 20-18 to win their tournament bracket - what a great season!

We are looking forward to a lunchtime DJ this Tuesday -- thank you to our amazing PTO!

This Wednesday, all students will take the Readiness writing assessment. We will run an adjusted schedule to provide time for the test. The results of the assessment are helpful in determining student growth and inform instructional adjustments during the remainder of the year. Please see additional details below.

Students will attend class meetings this week on Wednesday (6th), Thursday (7th), and Friday (8th). We are looking forward to another great week at Jones!

Warm regards,

Aimee White, Principal

Keona Walker, Assistant Principal

Here is the link to Jones Weekend Update:

https://youtu.be/vtLYvkjO4fw

This semester, we are thrilled to introduce the Career Explorations Speaker Series. This optional program will take place during Flex in the JMS cafeteria, providing students with the chance to learn from professionals in a variety of fields and gain insights into potential career paths. Students can sign up for sessions with speakers that interest them by visiting this link: Career Explorations Speaker Series Sign Up. Here's the dynamic list of our JMS speaker series open to all grade levels:

• February 10, Max Morlocke (Software Engineer/Startup Cofounder)

• February 11, Jon Williams (Video Game Design)

• February 18, Ryan DeMay (Sports Fields: Design, Build, and Maintenance as a STEM Career)

• February 19, Erin Hoge (elh&co, 3D Modeling, Space Planning, Renderings)

• February 24, Angie Theaker (Director, Strategic Project Management Advancement Information Technology, The Ohio State University)

• March 4, Dr. Corey Stiver (Pediatric Cardiology)

• March 5, Kari Mazzaferro (Product Developer Manager/Horticulturalist)

• March 26, Meghan Moledor, PMP (Pharmaceutical Scientist)

• April 1, Dr. Kelly Tyler (Dermatologist/Physician)

• April 2, Angela Morelli (LISW-S; Clinical Social Worker)

• April 14, Dr. Elizabeth Griffith (Professor of Earth Sciences at The Ohio State University)

On Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, all students at Jones will take the second segment of the writing checkpoint assessment. The initial data point was collected from students in October. Staff will use the new results to assist students in refining their writing goals to enhance their skills. Furthermore, the results from this assessment will help students and staff prepare for the upcoming state assessments scheduled for April.

Please make sure your student gets sufficient rest and has their ipad fully charged for the assessment. We will run an adjusted schedule, so make sure students are at school on time to take the assessment.

Jones Talent Show Auditions will take place after school on February 18, 19, and 20th. Rehearsals are after school on February 26th and 27th, with the Talent Show performance at 7 p.m. on February 28th.

Link to sign up for auditions

If you have any questions, please email either Julia Gomez at jagomez@uaschools.org or Alice Speegle at aspeegle@uaschools.org.

We are excited to announce one of the international educational travel opportunities that will be offered in 2026. Senora Patricia Mendoza from Jones Middle School and Senora Allison Weise from Hastings Middle School will be leading a Costa Rica: A Touch of the Tropics tour, which will be traveling in June 2026.

We will be offering a parent information session where you can learn all about this tour including itinerary specifics, academic opportunities, costs and enrollment options — and meet the teachers! The session will be held Tuesday, February 25 at 7 p.m. at Jones Middle School. Please RSVP for the session here: https://bit.ly/4aJg9CU.

If your baby is graduating 8th grade this year, send in a photo and some words of encouragement for the Jones yearbook! The cost is $20, and the funds raised go towards scholarships for camps and school trips for Jones students.

The deadline to submit is March 15th, but we do have limited space in the yearbook pages, so don't delay!

*Please send in only one tribute per student to allow for as many students as possible to get a spot.

Link to our page on Local Level Events

If you have any questions, email Alice Speegle at aspeegle@uaschools.org

On Thursday, February 13th, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the Upper Arlington Hub is hosting an open house to showcase the building and student programs located in the space. The Upper Arlington Hub is located at: 1950 North Mallway Dr., Upper Arlington, OH 43221.

You'll have the chance to find out more information about the Upper Arlington Online Academy, the University of Cincinnati Early IT MicroSchool, and the Upper Arlington College Jumpstart MicroSchool. Whether you're curious about the UA Hub or interested in these educational opportunities, this is a great chance to get more information.

iPad Parent Control Information

The UACS Technology department provides 2 ways for caregivers to manage screen time, review web history, manage apps and internet access after school hours. The typical built-in Apple ScreenTime and Parental controls do not work because the district manages iPads for school use at a district level - the typical consumer level settings are not available. Caregivers can review web activity and disable internet access through the Lightspeed Relay Parent Portal. Additionally, caregivers can control app access and set rules through the JAMF Parent app. Questions may be directed to FamilyTechHelp@uaschools.org.

JAMF Parental Controls Manual

JAMF Parental Setup and Guide Videos

Lightspeed Parent Portal

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

FEBRUARY

February 3 PTO Meeting 8:30am

February 3 Packing for the Streets, Rm. 104, 3:30pm

February 3 Yearbook Club Picture Day, 2:15pm

February 7 Ski Club, Week #4

February 11 Winter Athletic Recognition Night, 5 - 8pm

February 12 6th Grade Class Mtg., Flex

February 13 7th Grade Class Mtg., Flex

February 14 8th Grade Class Mtg., Flex

February 14 Ski Club, Week #5

February 17 No School – Presidents’ Day

February 20 Talent Show Auditions, 3:30 - 5pm

February 20 Middle School Band Festival @ UAHS, 7:30pm

February 21 Hour of Code, Advisory

February 21 Rotation 4 Ends (Global Language)

February 21 Ski Club Makeup, if needed

February 26 Talent Show Tech Crew Rehearsal, 3:30 - 5pm

February 27 DC Bus Meeting, FLEX

February 27 8th Grade Orchestra @ UAHS Orchestra Concert

February 28 Talent Show, 7pm