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Message from Principal Magliola
Dear Jackson Families,
In my previous message from 9/20, I asked the following set of questions:
"What is the story of learning we are telling our students and is it a story in which thinking is valued, visible, and actively promoted? Are we intentional in how we plan and set our learning targets and are we building a culture of thinking?"
This week, I would like to highlight another essential practice of our instructional approaches for our students. At Jackson MS, we incorporate and plan for student voice in the engagement of our students. Below is a perspective we believe is powerful and can transform the experience for every student in every classroom at LJMS.
Reflection and Feedback - How we ensure this at LJ?
Providing opportunities for students to give their feedback and thoughts about curriculum, classroom culture, and classroom systems creates an ecosystem of value in both our instructional approaches and the effort of our students towards those opportunities. Spending time on reflection and feedback sends a signal about what's valued in each academic setting. Students need airtime about how the classroom operates if we expect them to care. I encourage you to seek feedback from your child about their learning experiences at LJMS and please share those with us. Knowing how our students feel and allowing them to have a voice only strengthens the desired outcomes we all want for our kids.
Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Michael Magliola, Principal
Contact Information: Twitter: @MagliolaMinutes Email: mjmagliola@fcps.edu Website: https://jacksonms.fcps.edu/
Positivity Project Lesson for the Week
Integrity
This week, students will explore how integrity is vital to individual growth. How harmony in your feelings, thoughts and actions make you able to personally grow and achieve goals. Click here to see the character card for Integrity.
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Important Dates
October 8th - PTA Meeting @ Caboos Commons 6pm social, 7pm meeting
October 14th - Student Holiday (no school)
October 15th, 16th, and 17th - 7th Grade Field Trip to the Monuments
October 18th - Bus Driver Appreciation Day
October 25th - FCHS Homecoming Parade
Picture Re-takes & Club Pictures
World Language Credit Exam (select students): November 8 at LJMS
TJ Admissions Testing (8th grade applicants): November 9 and February 8
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Important News & Information
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Food for Neighbors Partnership Information
Luther Jackson Middle School has started a Weekend Snack Program and family food pantry with our partner, Food for Neighbors, to help feed our local students who deal with food insecurity. Even in a county as wealthy as Fairfax, one in four kids in our area are struggling with hunger.
Food for Neighbors is a local organization addressing this problem by collecting food from our community via the Red Bag Program and donating directly to Jackson. Then the food will be distributed to our students on Friday afternoons.
We hope you will consider participating in the Red Bag food collection program. You can make a difference in a local student’s life by simply adding a few extra items to your shopping cart every 2 months.
Here’s how it works:
- Request a reusable Red Bag here and Food for Neighbors will drop it off at your house.
- Fill the Red Bag with food items that are listed on a tag on that bag.
3. Put the Red Bag outside your front door in the morning on the next bag collection day. (Collection dates are also listed on the tag.)
Food For Neighbors also offers opportunities for families and individuals to volunteer and donate their time helping during the Red Bag Day event. You can sign up to drive and pick up filled red bags or to sort the food when it arrives at the school. Click here for more information on volunteering.
With your help, our local kids can be fed. For more information on the Red Bag program click here.
We are excited to be partnered with Food For Neighbors and to have their Red Bag Program here to support Jackson!
Thank you for your support!
Michael Magliola,
Principal
Testing Information
This school year, your child will participate in several important FCPS and state assessments. Please note the dates and windows below so you can avoid the scheduling of appointments and family travel during school testing.
World Language Credit Exam (select students): November 8 at LJMS
TJ Admissions Testing (8th grade applicants): November 9 and February 8
WIDA Access (English Learners only): February 3 - February 21
Writing SOL (8th graders only): March 9- March 13
Non-writing SOLs (all grades): May 11 – June 5
Cyber Patriot Club is looking for a volunteer mentor.
If you have experience with Network operations, Operating System Images, Programming, Fixing Vulnerabilities, removing malware, or any Cyber Security Issues, we would like you to help our students to prepare and successfully compete at the Air Force Academy National Youth Cyber Defense Competition.
Please contact Mr. Nanasi at jnanasi@fcps.edu for further information.
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Wellness Corner
It’s that time of year again - germs, colds & flus, and sweater weather. Given that about 80% of the immune system lives in the intestinal tract, it is important to eat wholesome, immune-boosting foods to keep us healthy. This week’s wellness tip will cover some foods that can naturally help boost your immune system so you are better able to fight off whatever bacteria may try to make its way in.
- Berries, especially blueberries and blackberries, contain antioxidants that help fight free radical damage and support a healthy immune system.
- Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens are high in Vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
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Turmeric (fresh or ground) has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can boost overall immune function.
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Ginger has natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and digestion-soothing properties.
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Garlic has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.
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Broccoli contains high levels of many nutrients and vitamins, including Vitamins A, C, E, and K, fiber, potassium, and magnesium.
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Green tea contains flavonoids and polyphenols that have been shown to destroy the influenza virus.
You can always supplement your diet with immune-boosters such as probiotics, oil of oregano, or elderberry!
If you do happen to get sick, avoid mucus-producing foods such as dairy products, bananas, eggs, and sugary drinks and treats.
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PTA News and Updates
Thanks so much to parents who were able to attend our first PTA meeting of the year! We’re excited to be able to continue to support our LJ Tigers and the teachers who give so much of their time and talents to make our school a success! If you’d like to join PTA or if you’d like to make a Top Tiger donation to help support our many programs, you still can. Please visit https://ljmspta.org. Questions, ideas or comments, please email president@ljmspta.org
Enter the 2019-2020 Reflections Art Competition
Calling all Artists - explore the arts and express your creativity through literature, film, music, dance, photography, or visual arts. Pick up an official rules guide and entry form in the library. The theme for this year is LOOK WITHIN. Submissions are due by Monday, October 21, and there will be a celebration for all participants on Monday, November 18.
Box Tops for Education
Luther Jackson is collecting Box Tops for Education! Every one of those little pink squares you find on packaging around the grocery store earns 10 cents for our school. Please check the expiration date, clip them, and have your student bring them to the front office. The PTA will do the counting and redeeming for us all! The money goes directly to our school. Thanks for your help!
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News from Falls Church HS
Falls Church High School Fall Festival
The student clubs at Falls Church High School invite all families in the FCHS pyramid to the third annual Fall Festival on October 19 at FCHS! The high schoolers have planned lots of fun activities and booths for all ages, including fun games, spoooky treats, cake walk, gently used Halloween costumes sale, prizes, etc. It all takes place from 10am-2pm, rain or shine, followed by a student variety show by the thespians at 2:30pm. FCHS is at 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, VA 22042. Tickets are $1 each/ $20 for 25.
See flyer here.
Falls Church Homecoming Parade and Game!
Save the date of October 25th for a parade and football game. Fairhill is ALWAYS well represented and we hope to continue the tradition this year, too!!
Please see flyer for more information. #WeAreFC
Falls Church High School Turns 75!
For the FCHS 75th Celebration we have a full weekend of festivities for Homecoming Weekend: October 25-27, 2019
Friday, October 25th: Homecoming Parade , Tailgate, Varsity Football Game (with Alumni Tent at the game)
Saturday, October 26th: FCHS tours – 10:00am and 4:00pm- meet in the main gym lobby by door #8
Saturday, October 26th: FCHS Celebration at 11:11 Restaurant, 6633 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042 from 7-11:00pm (registration is required)
Sunday, October 27th: FCHS Athletic Boosters Golf Tournament at Penderbrook Golf Course (registration is required).
All of the 75th celebration information can be found here - FCHS 75th Celebration Weekend
FCHS Parent Resource Center
The PRC will be offering a seminar about the “Basic use of technology, tools to improve parent-school engagement” on October 17, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, in the school Library. Experts on the field will help and guide you through on basic technology functions on your cell phones. You will learn the different ways that you could stay connected with school, information updates, and how to get the most of the Parent VUE. Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese Interpreters will be available. Please bring your cellphone fully charge and bring your charger too.
For more information contact Carolina Dotel at (703)207-4074 or ccdotel@fcps.edu.
Linda Siles at (703)204-8111 or lesiles@fcps.edu
El PRC de Falls Church High School ofrecerá un seminario GRATIS sobre el "Uso básico de la Tecnología”, herramientas para mejorar la participación de los padres en la escuela, el 17 de octubre, de 6:30 p.m. a 8:30 p.m., en la Biblioteca de FCHS. Expertos en technologia le ayudarán y guiarán a través de las funciones tecnológicas básicas en sus teléfonos celulares. Aprenderá las diferentes formas en que podría mantenerse conectado con la escuela, las actualizaciones de información y cómo aprovechar al máximo el ParentVUE para ayudar a sus hijos a que tengan un ano academico mas productivo.
Por favor, cargue completamente su teléfono celular y también traiga su cargador.
Habrá intérpretes disponibles de español, árabe y vietnamita.
Para más información contacte a Carolina Dotel al (703)207-4074 o ccdotel@fcps.edu. Linda Siles al (703) 204-8111 o lesiles@fcps.edu
"Angst" Showing at Oakton High School
Oakton High School PTSA cordially invites you to a free screening of the IndieFlix Original film “Angst”, a new documentary about anxiety.
The film features candid interviews with teens dealing with anxiety and valuable tools to manage the condition. Following the 55-minute film, please stay for an open a dialogue among families, community leaders and panel experts. Monday, October 28 - 7pm Oakton High School Auditorium Doors open at 6:30pm
All are welcome and suggested for ages 12 and above. Reserve your tickets today and let’s start a conversation. For more information and to RSVP, visit
https://oaktonhsptsa.ptboard.com/
See the GREAT @ Jackson!
Great pictures from our week at LJMS! Photos this week include wishing SRO Green best of luck as he moves on to his next assignment, students showing their appreciations for our FCPS Bus Drivers, Avenger workouts in PE, and Science Olympiad preparing for another run at the state tournament!
      
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Be Informed, Stay Involved
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