News and events - Aug. 25, 2023
Open House Information
Open House at Jackson Middle School is on Wednesday, August 30, from 6 – 8 pm. This event is very informal and provides an opportunity for students to find classrooms, meet teachers, try lockers, and familiarize themselves with the building. Parking is available in the east or west parking lots as well as at Champlin Park High School. We typically have a very good turn out for Open House and are expecting a large crowd.
Open House is also a great time for families to visit: the JMS Health Office, the Jackson Middle School Observatory, gather Community Education information, and sign up for Volunteer Opportunities.
Schedules and locker assignments are now available online.
Administrative & Counseling Support
We are here to support and serve you and your student. Please contact your student’s assigned administrator or counselor if you have any questions or concerns.
Bus Pass Information
Bus pass information was mailed out to all families. Parents/Guardians can also look up bus pass information in Parent VUE as well.
2023-2024 JMS Yearbook
The JMS Yearbook for the 2023-2024 school year is now on sale! Make sure you take advantage of the early pricing!
We sold out last year, and it is highly recommended you reserve your copy.
Yearbooks are available to purchase online.
Student Drop-off/Pick-up
Parents must use our east JMS lot for student drop-off and pick-up before school, after school and after activities in order to keep the bus lanes open. The parking lot is very crowded so, for the safety of our students and staff that are walking, it is important that all cars follow the marked lanes around the large loop to the drop off area. The entire drop off area can be used for students to exit cars. We encourage parents to use district provided transportation whenever possible.
Door 1 opens at 7:45 a.m. for students who have made previous arrangements to work with a teacher. Students will NEED A PASS from their teacher in order to enter the school prior to 8:00 AM. Our cafeteria begins serving breakfast at 8:00 am. Students should enter door #4 for breakfast. All other doors are open at 8:10 am when all students are allowed in the school.
Note from the School Nurse
If you plan for your student to have medication at school, please plan to drop off your student’s medication during Open House or before the first day of school. All medication must arrive in the original packaging. Prescription medication needs to have a pharmacy label with the student’s name and directions for giving it. Prescription medication needs both a signed physician’s order and parental permission. Over the counter medications need parental permission. Reminder: students are able to carry up to two doses of Tylenol or Ibuprofen with them. The medication authorization forms can be found and printed here.
Anoka-Hennepin Middle School Attendance Policy at Events
Our goal is to provide a fun, safe and engaging opportunity for middle school students and families to support our high school-athletes as they perform in football, band, dance and cheer. The following expectations are in place to ensure that all who attend experience a safe, welcoming, and positive environment.
All five Anoka-Hennepin traditional high schools (Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids) have made the transition to online ticket sales for athletics and activities events. With the exception of boys and girls hockey, all ticket sales for events hosted by district schools will be online using VANCO Events, the official ticketing system.
Middle School Students:
Students will be admitted to football games with a valid Vanco ticket, and with a valid ID and guardian escort- with a 2:1 ratio of students to adults.
Unsupervised students will not be permitted entry.
The student code of conduct for school extends to all Anoka-Hennepin school events. Students running, throwing objects, using profanity, or causing other disruptions will be required to sit with their guardian for the remainder of the game.
If the student’s guardian is not present, an administrator on duty will call home and escort the students to the front of the gate to wait to be picked up.
There will be no refunds if a student is removed from the game before its conclusion.
If a guardian has to be called about a student’s behavior, the student will not be admitted to a football game for the remainder of the year.
Significant disruptions and policy violations are subject to further disciplinary action.
Students are not permitted to bring backpacks, footballs, soccer balls, etc. to games. Balls will be confiscated at the gate or by administration if brought to the stadium.
Students still on campus 15 minutes after the conclusion of a game will not be permitted to return to a game for the remainder of the season.
Middle School Guardians:
Do not drop your student off unattended at the football game. It is expected that guardians supervise their students.
Please review expectations of behavior with your student(s) before arrival and arrange for a meeting location at the end of the game.
If your student is brought to you in the bleacher, please make sure your student remains with you for the duration of the game.
As stated above, please be aware that students still on campus, unsupervised, 15 minutes after the conclusion of an event will not be permitted to attend future events.
Thank You for School Supply Donation
A big thank you to Wagner Spray Tech Corporation for their donation of 40 backpacks filled with school supplies for Jackson Middle School students. Their affiliate, Wagner Foundation, held a backpacking event/school supply drive and packed 600 backpacks for children in need in the metro area. A former JMS student and current Wagner Spray Tech employee, Makayla Worwa (Durand), reached out to JMS to arrange the donation. She and her siblings are former JMS students.
Complete back-to-school verification, now
Families are required to update emergency contact information and review school policies each year
Make a plan to complete your student’s back-to-school verification, now. Families may complete the verification online by logging into A-HConnect.
It’s important that each family completes the verification process before the first day of school. Verification ensures that each student’s school has confirmed emergency contact information and releases for the safety of each student.
Families may complete the verification on their own time, whenever it’s convenient. Even if families’ contact information has not changed, it’s important to log in to access a variety of other student information in the coming weeks, including class schedules and teacher assignments, attendance, school handbooks, progress reports and grades for middle and high school students. High school students will not be able to enroll in fall activities until the back to school verification process is complete.
By logging in to complete student verification for the upcoming school year, families may also apply to receive additional educational benefits, discounts and reduced fees after completing the verification process.
Login to A-HConnect to complete your student’s back to school forms for the upcoming school year.
Parents/guardians can access back to school forms by clicking the lock icon and “Login” at the top right corner of any district or school website.
Then, select, "My Student Information."
Next, choose “Online registration.”
Select “Back-to-school annual verification.”
If you need help finding your login/password, call 763-506-HELP or email 506help@ahschools.us for assistance.
Families of students in middle and high school
Back to school verification also includes the option to enroll in an optional device protection plan for district-issued Chromebooks, which are assigned to students in grades 6-12 to ensure access to technology systems that support classroom learning. Visit ahschools.us/techprotect to learn more about Chromebook protection and insurance options.
Modified middle school cell phone guidelines promote learning
Anoka-Hennepin Schools is committed to providing students and staff with a safe, secure, and positive learning and working environment. In an effort to improve student focus on learning and reduce distractions during the school year, a modification of the current cell phone guidelines has been made.
The new middle school guidelines, which will be in place for 2023-24, state: At all six middle schools in the district, electronic devices must be concealed and shall not be powered on or used in any way during regular operations of the school day, during other school-sponsored and supervised group activities during the school day (e.g., during student assemblies, field trips, events, or other ceremonies, ect.), or when their use is otherwise prohibited by school personnel.
Parents/guardians are advised to call the school office if they need to contact their child during the school day. School administration and staff greatly appreciate your support.
The impact of cell phones on student’s developing brains and their educational success is well researched. Consider reviewing resources available as your family prepares for the upcoming school year:
This e-newsletter is published by Jackson Middle School, supported by the Anoka-Hennepin communication and public relations department. Questions, comment or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.