2025 JMS Eagle Eye #9

Spirit Week is HERE!. Benchmarks start next week, and after that is FALL Break.

Between our in-building activities, our after-school sports and clubs, and their own busy lives, it can be easy to accidently overlook the academics as we near the end. Be sure to have a conversation with your student about their academic progress. With only a week out before we start hitting deadlines for the term, it is important that they catch up with any missing work. If you have any questions about assignments, reach out to your student's teachers.

Here is to another great week at JMS. We are, as always, thankful for your support in our mission to educate your students. Go Eagles!

Mr. Phil Cox, Principal pcox@ortn.edu

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

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

SPIRIT WEEK

BOOK FAIR

Monday 16 A day

DRESS TO IMPRESS

• RTI Grade Level Meetings POG
• Atomic Rowing speaks to 7th/8th Grade during PE Classes
• 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
• Cross Country Practice 3:00-4:30
• Volleyball vs. Sevier County @ Sevier Co. JV 4:30; Varsity 5:30
• JV Football vs. Coalfield @ Coalfield 6:00

Tuesday 17 B day

COLOR DAY:

5th-Orange; 6th-Pink; 7th-Green; 8th-Black

• Atomic Rowing speaks to 7th/8th Grade during PE Classes
• 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
• Football Practice 3:00-5:00
• Cross Country Practice 3:00-4:30
• Boys Basketball Open Gym 6:00-7:00
• Volleyball vs. Grace Christian @ Grace JV 4:30; Varsity 5:30

Wednesday 18 A day

TEACHER/STUDENT OPPOSITE DAY

• Instructional Coaches Meeting POG 3:00
• Football Practice 1:00-2:00
• Cheer Practice 1:00-3:00
• Volleyball vs. Robertsville & Robertsville JV 4:00; Varsity 5:00
• Girls Basketball Open Gym 3:00-4:00
• Cross Country City Championship Meet @ Robertsville
• Girls 6:00; Boys 6:30

Thursday 19 B day

BLUE AND GOLD DAY

• Grade Level/Special Areas Eagle’s Nest
• Cross Country Practice 3:00-4:30
• Boys Basketball Open Gym 6:00-7:00
• Football vs. Robertsville @ Blankenship Field 6:00

Friday 20 A day

PTO Fri-YAY

• Ms. Kala’s class to Melton Lake Park Clean-up
• Chess Club Library 2:45-3:45
• Cross Country Practice 3:00-4:30

Saturday 21

• JV Volleyball Tournament @ Seymour All day

Book fair is in TWO WEEKS!

PTO will be sending out a link for parent volunteers to work the book fair later this week. Look for that in Parent Square!

From LifeTouch!

Dear parents,

School pictures are ready!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.

All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.

More about the Smilesafe program here.

Thank you!

How you can find your student's ID. Log into Skyward, click on Student Info. You are looking for Other ID. Use that name.

Due to the unique history of Oak Ridge and the significant presence of the Federal Government, Oak Ridge Schools are eligible to receive substantial federal funding. In the past, this funding has exceeded $50,000 but is dependent on identifying students whose guardians work or live on federal property.

To help secure this funding, we ask that families complete the online "Impact Aid" form available through ParentSquare starting Monday, September 16th. If you are unsure whether you work on federal property, please fill out the form with your information so our committee can review it.

Thank you for your assistance in securing additional funding to support the students of Oak Ridge Schools.

Jefferson Middle School is dedicated to providing students with the tools needed to be successful. Twice a year, Jefferson offers an Intersession during Fall and Spring Breaks. The intent is to offer a program that will provide either reinforcement of prior skills or enrichment to further them. Students will be enrolled in two courses (1.5 hours each), unless they sign-up for STEM, Guitar Galaxy, or choose the full Sports and Conditioning section.

Fall Intersession will be offered from Monday, September 30th through Thursday, October 3rd from 8:30-11:30am each day.

A few things to consider:

1. Intersession is FREE!

2. Students will need to choose their top three options. While we hope each student will be able to participate in their top choices, we are limited in space for each class.

3. Forms are due back to homeroom teachers by Wednesday, September 18th. Forms can also be turned in to the main office or to Coach Bolling.

4. Transportation can be provided if requested by Wednesday, September 18th.

5. Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase.

6. Doors will open at 8am each day.

Paper copies will be sent home. However, you can download the PDF linked below, fill it out, and email to Coach Bolling OR print out a copy, fill it out, and send it back with yoru student.

Questions? Contact Coach Bolling at ksbolling@ortn.edu or 865-425-9291.

Permission forms for the fall backpacking field trip will be available starting Tuesday, September 10 of this next week. This trip is open to all seventh and eighth graders. Students should see Mr. Beard for a permission form. The trip is limited to 16 students.

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

Hannah Rieger

Ushmeya Chowdhary

Elise Thurlow

Ezekiel Kidwell

Carlos Hernandez

William Bird

Kindred Henry

Alexis (Selena) Hackworth

Marley McMurray

Maebree Davis

Timothy Sizemore

Hannah Perry

Below are the categories for which we recognize students!

Eagle Behavior

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

Eagle Excellence

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

Eagle Expectations

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

Spirit Week is here! This week is our first of two Spirit Weeks this school year! The dress-up themes are listed below and we will conclude Spirit Week with a Pep Rally during 7th period on Thursday followed by the City Championship football game Thursday evening at Blankenship Field.

Spirit Week Dress-Up Themes:

Make plans now to dress according to the themes listed below and show your school spirit! Just a reminder that hair dye and face paint cannot be brought to school.

Monday, September 16th: Dress to Impress

Tuesday, September 17th: Favorite Color Day

5th grade: Orange

6th grade: Pink

7th grade: Green

8th grade: Red

Wednesday, September 18th: Teacher/Student Opposite Day (Students dress like teachers and teachers dress like students)

Thursday, September 19th: Blue & Gold Day!

We have City Championships in all fall sports this week! On Monday, the Lady Eagles volleyball team will travel to Sevier County Junior High for a JV match at 4:30pm followed by a varsity match at 5:30pm. On Tuesday, the Jefferson volleyball team will travel to Grace Christian for a JV match at 4:30pm, followed by a varsity match at 5:30pm. On Wednesday, Jefferson travels to Robertsville for the second City Championship series volleyball match—JV at 4pm followed by varsity at 5pm. On Wednesday, our cross country team will run at Robertsville for the City Championship Cross Country Meet. Girls will run at 6pm, followed by boys at 6:30pm. On Thursday night, Jefferson hosts the City Championship football game at Blankenship Field. 8th grade recognition of the JMS cheerleaders and football team will begin at 5:30pm and kickoff is at 6pm at Blankenship Field. Admission is $5. No outside basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, toys, etc. will be allowed.

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.

The position of Instructional Technology Coach has now morphed into the Innovation Coach. It holds many of the same responsibilities of helping our students, parents, and staff to access our digital tool sets, as well as added responsibilities of building relationships with our community to bring our great successes out to the community and then find partnerships to bring great opportunities to our building.

Mr. Smith is our innovation coach. He has been a 6th grade math teacher at JMS for the last 19 years and he brings his love of tech, data, and kids to the position. Any questions about our technology access pieces, reach out to him at jrsmith@ortn.edu

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.

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.

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.