Family Update - August 25, 2024

Dear Families,

Many thanks to all of the parents who have helped to improve our Block House! It has been in need of a makeover, and we greatly appreciate all of the assistance and resources provided by our parent community. Thank you!

Thank you to the PTO for the surprise popsicle treats for students on Friday. It was the perfect treat on a hot afternoon!

Angel, our visiting service dog, will be in the stadium during lunches on August 30 and September 27. We are grateful that she enjoys her time at Jones! She is a highlight in the day for many students.

Please plan to join us this Thursday evening for Open House. (See additional details below.) We look forward to seeing you!

Warm regards,

Aimee White, Principal

Keona Walker, Assistant Principal

We are excited for you to join us on the evening of Thursday, August 29th at 6:00pm for Open House Night at Jones Middle School. The schedule for the evening is listed below. Your students will be given a printed copy of their schedules to bring home to you Wednesday after school. Please bring this copy of the schedule with you Thursday evening so you can find their classrooms.

Additional Details for all Families:

• Meet the Teacher night is designed for parents and guardians only.

• Parking will be limited. Walking is strongly encouraged!

• Meet the Teacher Night is NOT designed for individual teacher conferences. Please contact your student's teacher or school counselor directly if you have individual questions or concerns.

• State testing reports for families will be passed out during Advisory. If you are not able to attend, the report will be sent home with your student.
  
  

We look forward to seeing you Thursday!

*Please join members of the Office Team in the Auditorium during your student’s lunch period.

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

Here is the link to Jones Weekend Update:

https://youtu.be/Zj9-C6iOwok

Please do not apply stickers or write on the iPad keyboard cases, as devices may be reassigned to other students throughout the year. Reassignment occurs when students graduate, transfer, or when devices need repair. The new keyboard cases are district property and durable assets intended to last for several years, not consumable items.

Instructional fees will be applied to specific courses, similar to the high school. You will see this on your child’s EZ Pay account when fees are assigned. As a reminder, all fees must be paid through EZ Pay. This system allows for accurate record keeping and the ability to use debit or credit cards to pay without a convenience fee. Instructional fees will be added to your student's EZ Pay account in early September.

For the 2024-2025 school year, free or reduced-price meals will be available to the families that qualify based upon financial need. All other students will be charged for meals and a la carte items / snacks purchased through the school cafeteria, and families may add money to their students’ meal accounts through SPS EZpay beginning in early August. Families that qualify may apply for the free or reduced-price meal benefit by accessing the application in the Linq Connect Portal (click on “Apply for Meals Today”).

We are excited to offer a trip to Washington, DC for the 8th-grade class from May 13 to 16, 2025! In order to prepare for the trip, there is a MANDATORY parent and student meeting on October 1, 2024 at 7:30 pm in the JMS auditorium. This is a required meeting that we have been advertising since June. Please make sure it is on your calendar so that the date and time are reserved for this meeting. You will hear some details about the trip, learn about the registration process, and complete a required form. PLEASE BRING A PEN! If you have questions, please contact Frau (Christy) Charlton: ccharlton@uaschools.org.

If you are absolutely unable to attend the meeting at Jones on 10/1, please attend the meeting at Hastings on 10/2 at 7:30.

See you in October!

Please see the Student Handbook, which is attached, for details concerning attendance procedures. These procedures are Central Office/ Board of Education directives and approved. A few highlights:

Parents must notify the school of their student’s absence by calling the school attendance line (614) 487-5077, ext. 3500, or emailing the attendance secretary, Denise Pontious, at jonesattendance@uaschools.org by 9am.

• Students who are absent more than half a day (11:45am) or who go home ill may not participate in co- or extra-curricular activities that day. This includes athletic practices and competitions.

• Students who need to leave school early for an appointment or other reason should turn in a note from a parent/guardian to the attendance office between 7:30am-8:10am, the morning of the appointment, to receive an early dismissal pass.

• Students who arrive at school at or after 8:10am, must check in at the attendance office prior to going to class.

• Students who are being picked up for lunch/appointments MUST be picked up by their own parents. Students are not permitted to leave school grounds with parents of other students.

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2024

August 26 - PTO Meeting, 8:30am

August 26 - Fall Pro Registration Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30pm

August 27 - Fall Pro Rehearsals Begin

August 28 - School Picture Day, 8:20am

August 28 - 6th Grade Camp Parent Meeting, 7pm

August 29 - Open House Night, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

September 2 - No School - Labor Day

September 9 - PTO Meeting, 8:30am

September 13 - Service Learning Day Speaker, Advisory

September 13 - Service Learning Fair, Lunch Periods

September 13 - 8th Grade Band @ UAHS, 7pm

September 23 - 26 - 6th Grade Camp