JMS Weekly Update
January 28, 2024
Dear JMS Families,
This week's Update contains information about the following:
- 2024-2025 Course Selection
- NAEP Testing - 8th Graders Only
Take Care,
Dr. Sarah Shaw, Principal
Mrs. Amanda Jackson, Assistant Principal
Weekly Schedule
Monday - Day 2
Tuesday - Day 3
Wednesday - Day 4
Thursday - Day 5
Friday - Day 1
Monday (2/5) - Day 2
New News
We are currently planning for the 2024-2025 school year. The course selection process will begin on January 30th and will end on February 6th.
Online course selection will OPEN for all students (incoming 6th, 7th and 8th graders) and parents on January 30th through PowerSchool/Dashboard. This system will CLOSE on February 6th at 8:00AM. Please complete the online course selections for next year's middle school courses during this time frame through your student or parent Dashboard accounts. You can access course selection in Dashboard by clicking on the chair and pencil icon labeled as "Class Registration." The directions linked above should guide you through the process.
NAEP Assessment (8th Grade) - 2/1
Fifty (50) Jefferson MS students will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
The assessment takes about 120 minutes for most students, which includes transition time, directions, and completion of survey questions. The information collected is used for statistical purposes only. Your child's grades will not be affected. Students may be excused for any reason, are not required to complete the assessment, and may skip any question. While the assessment is voluntary, NAEP depends on student participation to help policymakers improve education. NAEP selects the students who participate in this assessment.
**Families of selected students were notified on January 10th.**
Reminders
5th to 6th Grade Transition Information
Thank you for attending our 5th to 6th grade transition meetings! The course registration portal will be open from January 30th - February 6th. Below you will find some helpful resources.
8th Grade - High School Curriculum Night - 2/1 @ 7:00PM
Another opportunity for additional information on high school programming is High School Curriculum Night held the evening of Thursday, February 1st. You will receive an email from the High School on sharing more information about Curriculum Night.
Questions regarding 9th grade transition should be directed to Beth Schneider, HS Counselor, at eschneider@mtlsd.net or 412-344-2063.
Technology
Students in grades 6-8 are required to bring a non-cell phone device with them to school every day. If you would like to borrow a device for your student in grades 6-8, you can submit a request to borrow one from the District on this page.
This page is also where you can report a problem/damage to your student's District-owned device using our form. This page also explains and provides a link to enroll in the District's annual Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) to limit any charges that might come from accidental damage to your student's District-owned device. This plan is optional and is not required.
Athletics
You can learn everything you need to know about Middle School Athletics, including starting dates, by visiting the MS Athletics Webpage.
JMS PTA Information
PTA Membership and DIrectory Access
JMS PTA Membership Toolkit is now open for the coming 2023-2024 school year.
A portion of your membership and donations help support these various activities and events...the school musical, Canteen Day, Staff Welcome Back Breakfast, Field Trips and class enrichment, teacher appreciation, writing celebration, supplies for the nurses office, 8th grade end of the year celebration, 8th grade career day, high notes festival, art all day, Veterans Day, international night, assemblies, and much more!
In addition, last school year the PTA was able to purchase a new water bottle filler and picnic table for the courtyard!
Directory access is available to JMS PTA members only.
Resources for Families
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
Here’s how it works:
- Submit a report through the Safe2SaySomething system
- Crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions
- Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention
- If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app
Children need healthy meals to learn, so the Mt. Lebanon School District is committed to offer healthy meals every school day for our students. For the 2023-2024 school year, breakfast is free for all students; lunch costs $2.65 for elementary students and $2.80 for middle school and high school students. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch. Click the link below for free or reduced price meal benefits, and a set of detailed instructions to help you apply.
You can also apply for free and reduced meals online via the state's COMPASS portal.
The MTLSD School Counselors in partnership with The Allegheny Children's Initiative Inc., have compiled a list of social services resources that may be helpful to you and your family. Please take a look and reach out to these organizations. They are here to help with any of the following:
- Food
- Rent/Mortgage
- Utilities
- Pets
- Abuse
- Mental Health
- General Assistance
Jefferson Middle School
The Jefferson Middle School learning community has an exceptional reputation for its dedicated teachers, staff and parents working together to provide learning experiences for our children that include high expectations, a challenging curriculum and a shared commitment to provide the best education possible for each and every student.
Website: https://jms.mtlsd.org/
Location: 21 Moffett Street, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Phone: (412) 344-2167
Facebook: facebook.com/jmslebo
Twitter: @JMSMTLSD