2025 JMS Eagle Eye #34

Our first week of TCAP testing was great. We have tested 94.3 percent of all the students, and the remaining 5 percent are only missing one or two parts of the ELA test. This week, we test Math on Tuesday and Wednesday, then Social Studies on Thursday, and end the week with Science Testing on Friday. We will continue to make up tests in the afternoon and into the following week.

Our parents have done a great job of getting students to the building, and we ask that you continue to do so. We hate taking time after testing...to do more testing! and it wears on our students as well. But we continue to pump up our students with the tools and confidence so they can showcase their knowledge and skills.

This week is a busy week, even outside of testing, so if you need anything, let us know.

Mr. Phil Cox, Principal pcox@ortn.edu

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

Mr. Michael Martin, Dean of Students mmartin@ortn.edu

Monday 21 A Day

• Cheer Tryouts 3:00-5:00
• Track Meet 4:30-8:00

Tuesday 22 B Day

• TCAP Testing Math Part 1 and 2
• Testing 8:05a-11:00a
• Cheer Tryouts 3:00-5:00

Wednesday 23 A Day

• TCAP Testing Math Part 3
• Testing 8:05a-11:00a
• Track Practice 1:00:-2:30
• Cheer Tryouts 1:00:-3:00

Thursday 24 B Day

• Girls Basketball Interest Meeting 7:10a
• TCAP Testing Social Studies Part 1 and 2
• Testing 8:05a-11:00a
• Jazz Band Practice 2:24-4:30
• Cheer Tryouts 3:00-5:00
• Track Practice 3:00-4:30

Friday 25 A Day

• Girls Basketball Interest Meeting 7:10a
• TCAP Testing Social Studies Part 1 and 2
• Testing 8:05a-11:00a
• Jazz Band Practice 2:24-4:30
• Cheer Tryouts 3:00-5:00
• Track Practice 3:00-4:30

Saturday 26

• Track Meet Sectional at Coulter Grove

TCAP testing continues this week. We will complete makeups Monday and then complete the bulk of our testing that week, April 21-25th. Any required makeups will take place the following week. We want to give you some heads up as you begin planning for that three day weekend.

On ALL Testing days students will report to their 1st period class so we can take roll. Then students will be dismissed to their testing locations. Their testing locations will be posted in their morning staging areas, as well as the cafeteria. Teachers will also tell their students where to go.

After Testing:

On Tuesday, Students will go to 4th, then 5th, 6th, and 7th.

On Wednesday, Students will go to 2nd period, then 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th.

On Thursday, Students will go to 4th period, then 5th, 1st, and 2nd.

On Friday, Students will go to 4th period, then 5th, 6th, and 7th

All of this is an attempt to get students to see as much of their teachers as we can, as the other subjects are still wrapping up their instruction before Math, Social Studies, and Science testing the following week.

At Jefferson, these core values are what we believe for students, and we will instill in them in how we expect staff and students to work and learn at JMS.

The following students have been nominated. Congratulations to these fantastic 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)

Jaxon Conner

Austin Tapp

Sa'Maya Long

Eagle Expectations

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

Zahra Stewart

Eagle Accountability

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

Chloe Starr

Michael Woodruff

Emma Beard

Rebecca Dongerra

It is almost time for JMS athletics try-outs for the 2025-2026 school year! Please see the specific information for each sport below. All students planning to try-out must have a sports physical on file prior to try-outs. Sports physicals from the 2024-25 school year are good for try-outs, but all athletes will have to have a 2025-26 sports physical, dated April 15, 2025 or later, before the end of the school year. Specific sports physical information was sent to families on April 15th via Parent Square. The sports physical information is also posted on the JMS website on the athletics tab. You can pick up hard copies of the sports physical forms at the JMS security entrance, but all forms will be submitted online in Final Forms. Please reach out to the coach of the sport you are planning to try-out for with questions. You can also reach out to Coach Bolling with any questions.

$10 Sports Physicals: Saturday, May 3rd at Oak Ridge High School. See attached flyer for details.

Cheerleading:

• Try-Outs: April 21 (3-5pm), April 22 (3-5pm), April 23 (1-3pm), April 24 (3-5pm)

Volleyball:

• Interest Meeting: April 22nd—7:10am—room 218
• Try-outs: May 5th & 6th from 3-4:30pm each day

Football:

• Tryouts will be on Thursday May 8th and Friday May 9th from 3-4:30pm. (Helmets only)

Girls Basketball:

• Interest Meeting: April 24th—7:10am—room 218
• Try-outs: May 14th from 1-2:30pm and May 15th from 3-4:30pm

Boys Basketball:

• Interest Meeting: April 25th at 7:15am in room 319.
• Try-outs: May 19th & 20th from 3-4:30pm each day

Cross Country:

• Interest Meeting: May 13th at 7:10am in room 309

Teacher of the Month Nomination: Teacher/Staff Member of the Month

Amazon Wish List: Amazon.com

Flu, cold, and allergy season is upon us, and with it comes all of the coughing and sore throats. Most cough drops have active ingredients, meaning too many can be harmful, and there is potential for side effects or allergic reactions. For this reason, students cannot be allowed to bring them to school and/or keep them on their person. This is a district wide policy for student safety.

As with any other over-the-counter medication, if you would like your student to have cough drops at school, please bring them to the nurse and complete a medication administration form so that they can be administered in a safe way. The medication form can also be found on the JMS website under the "Forms" section of the "Parent + Student" tab.

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.

We are excited to announce that ORAU and ORISE are hosting a variety of free summer programs for K-12 students, and registration is now open! Attached is a flyer with detailed descriptions of each mini-academy as well as the program calendar.

To view all scheduled mini-academy sessions for K-12 students, please visit both https://orise.orau.gov/k12/students/stem-academies.html and https://orau.org/k12/student/programs/cad-design-3d-printing-mini-academy.html.

If you have any questions, contact us at K12@orau.org.

Best regards,

The ORAU K12 STEM Team

Below is a summary of PACED BELLY BREATHING, one of the key relaxation skills in the video.

• Belly breathing is breathing slowly and deeply at a steady pace. By slowing their inhales and extending their exhales, your child can use their breath to harness control of their emotions.

• Belly breathing balances out the carbon dioxide and oxygen in kids’ bodies, cutting off their fight, flight, or freeze response. It returns their mind and body to a calmer state.

• With school comes tests, and with tests comes anxiety for many students. Clinical psychologist, Dave Anderson, PhD, provides some helpful ways to beat test anxiety! Read Article - https://childmind.org/article/tips-fo... Find information to help you support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges: https://childmind.org/resources

Lots of kids get stressed out by taking tests. This is especially true of kids who have anxiety, ADHD or learning disabilities, who may feel less confident in school. Worrying that they won’t do well can make it harder to focus in the moment, but learning strategies to manage anxiety can help.

Reducing anxiety starts with preparing for the test by using study techniques that will boost their confidence. Reviewing the specific test format and taking practice tests, if they can, will make them feel calmer. So can guessing the questions that might come up and practicing answering them.

Looking for big themes in the material is another active way of studying that can help kids remember information.

It’s important to make a plan of attack for the test itself. Kids can remind themselves that it’s okay to skip questions and come back to them. Avoiding spending too long on one question is usually a good idea too. Calming techniques like using a stress ball or taking deep breaths can also help. If your child has especially bad test anxiety, they may even qualify for accommodations like extra time or taking a break partway through.

Finally, encourage kids to remember that it’s okay if they don’t know the answer. Sometimes the best way to manage anxiety is to accept when they don’t know something and move on to the next question.

Order your yearbook!

Have you been receiving emails from Lifetouch about yearbooks? These are legitimate. Lifetouch is who we moved to for photos AND yearbook this year. You can click on the link above or the links provided by the emails. Their customer service is really good, so if you have questions about the order, you should click on the customer service help button.

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.

We are at that time of year where absences have started to rack up and some parents are getting their notices about truancy. Below is the absence policy.

Excused Absences

Students must be in school unless the absence has been excused for one of the reasons listed below. It is the responsibility of each student’s parent/guardian to explain the student’s absence to the school in a manner satisfactory to the principal. Absences may be classified as either excused or unexcused as determined by the principal or his/her designee. Absences will only be excused for the following reasons:

1. Personal illness
1. Only seven days, whether consecutive or not can be excused by a parent note;
2. After a child has had (7) days, not necessarily consecutive, of illness related absences excused by a parent note, any future illness related absence must have a doctor’s note stating that the absence is medically necessary.
3. All parent and doctor notes must be turned into the school within three school days of the child returning to school.
2. Death in the family
3. Religious observations
4. Extreme weather conditions
5. Court appearance or legal mandates
6. Verifiable family emergency
7. School sponsored events
8. Principal has discretion to excuse absences based on the following:

1. The absence must be prearranged
2. The absence must not have an adverse effect on the child’s academic standing
3. The child must have a good attendance history
4. The child must have a good behavior record
5. The Director of Schools must agree

Any absence that does not fit any of the criteria listed above will be considered unexcused. The criteria listed above will also apply to tardies and early dismissals.

A student is considered legally truant following five (5) cumulative unexcused absences (TCA 49-6-3007).

The Board of Education may excuse children from compulsory attendance in accordance with guidelines developed by the State Board of Education (TCA 49-6- 3005). Students may be subject to withdrawal from Oak Ridge Schools after ten consecutive unexcused absences or fifteen unexcused absences during a semester (TCA 49-6-3017[c]). In cases of IEP students, the IEP team will convene to discuss appropriate options available.

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.