JMS Weekly Update

Dear JMS Families,

This week's Update contains information about the following:

• Take Care JMS Celebration!
• Safety Drill - Evacuation
• How to Order School Pictures
• Safe Walking

Take Care,

Dr. Sarah Shaw, Principal

sshaw@mtlsd.net

Mrs. Amanda Jackson, Assistant Principal

amandajackson@mtlsd.net

Monday - Day 4

Tuesday - Day 5

Wednesday - Day 1

Thursday - Day 2

Friday - Day 3

Monday (10/9) - Day 4

Take Care JMS Celebration

Congratulations to all of our students for working together to earn their first Take Care JMS reward! The children did an excellent job of taking care of themselves, others and their school this month! On Monday we will celebrate this achievement with a recess, with a snack, during Team Time. Please continue to encourage your child to take care of themself, others and their school! We appreciate your continued support!

Jefferson Evacuation Drill - 10/3

On Tuesday, October 3rd our students and staff will be participating in an evacuation drill as part of our school safety and security plan. The purpose of the drill will be to practice moving students from Jefferson Middle School to Bowerhill Community Church. The drill will begin around 9:40.

The purpose of the drill will be to practice moving as a school from the Jefferson Complex to the alternate site in a safe and efficient way. We are working with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department and the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department to assist us in this safe and efficient transport.

In the event of a true emergency and evacuation, students would be released only to a parent/guardian, or individuals that are identified in the emergency contacts page in dashboard. We ask that all parents please review your emergency contacts in dashboard to ensure they are accurate and up to date. This information is crucial for the school district to have in the event of an emergency where parent/student reunification is required.

This drill will require the coordinated effort with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department, the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department and MRTSA. The District’s plan is for each of our schools to conduct an evacuation drill similar to this one.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support. We value the safety and security of our students, and believe that this drill is one more example of how we are preparing for unknown situations that may occur in our schools. Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions regarding this information.

How to Order School Pictures

School pictures have been uploaded to our photographer's website for ordering. Please visit Wayne's World of Photography to order your photos. Detailed instructions for how to do this are below.

The company offers retakes if eyes are closed, glasses have glare, or hair is blown in the face. If you have any additional questions about orders or retakes, please contact Wayne Bratten at 412-257-1506. To view and order your photos:

1. Visit Wayne's World of Photography.
2. Click on "JMS."
3. Enter your student's MTLSD 7 digit ID number. (This number can be found on dashboard in the Student Information section.).
4. Click on "Order Prints/Products.
5. Complete your purchase online.

Orders placed by Sun Oct 8th will be delivered to school and no sales tax will be applied. Orders placed after Oct 8th will be shipped and sales tax and shipping fees will be charged.

Safe Walking

We continue to talk to the children about using the crosswalks to help them get to and from school safely. Please talk to your child about the importance of crossing at a crosswalk. As the mornings get darker, it is harder for drivers to see children. Drivers expect to see children in crosswalks, they do not expect to see them crossing at the corner of Bower Hill and Ruth or at the corner of Pin Oak and Moffett by the church. Crossing in these two areas is not a safe choice.

You can also review our Arrival and Dismissal Expectations with your child. They will be learning more about these expectations during Tuesday Talks in October.

JMS Yearbooks Are on Sale Now!

How to Order a Yearbook

*When accessing the Walsworth site, please make sure you are in Chrome. Safari does not work to open the site.*

JMS Yearbooks are on sale now through Friday, December 1, 2023. You can purchase a yearbook by visiting yearbookforever.com or by clicking on the link above.

Prices:

• Sunday, October 1 at 12:00 AM- Tuesday, October 31 at 11:59 PM: $50
• Wednesday, November 1 at 12:00 AM- Monday, November 20 at 11:59 PM: $55
• Tuesday, November 21 at 12:00 AM- Friday, December 1 at 11:59 PM: $60

Limited extras will be sold on the last day of school for $60

8th Grade Advertisements are also for sale from now until December 1 for $35.

Please email Ashlee Beckett at abeckett@mtlsd.net with any questions.

One-to-One 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.

Middle School Athletics

You can learn everything you need to know about Middle School Athletics, including starting dates, by visiting the MS Athletics Webpage.

PTA Membership and DIrectory Access

JMS PTA Membership Toolkit is now open for the coming 2023-2024 school year.

Join the PTA!!!

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.

Join today!

Safe 2 Say Something

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

Free/Reduced Lunch Program

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.

Free/Reduced Meal Application

You can also apply for free and reduced meals online via the state's COMPASS portal.

Local Resources for Families

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

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.