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Message from Principal Magliola
Principal's Message
Dear LJMS Students and Families,
We made it! Welcome to the official start of the 2020-21 school year for our students. As I have shared in my previous communications, we are ready for our year to begin! Like you, I have many hopes for our students and believe that we have many opportunities to positively shift the dynamic of distance learning from the spring in helping our students further connect to their learning. Here is what we know to be true of our significant updates in our instructional model going forward:
- At our center, our virtual instructional model for the fall will be significantly more rigorous than our spring continuity of learning program. Students will engage in four days of teacher-led synchronous (live) instruction, and complete asynchronous assignments (60 minutes max related to their subject areas) each week.
- We have incorporated various options of feedback for students and have modified our grading practices in the hopes of providing maximum flexibility in how students make progress throughout the year.
- Our intervention block on Mondays provides each student the ability to work with their teachers for scheduled Tier II support across all subject areas.
- We have engaged in 3 weeks of professional development to best design instructional models that consider the needs of all of our students.
Since returning on August 14, our teachers have been working in collaborative meetings, professional development trainings, and reviewing course content to ensure we are ready to meet the challenge of virtual learning on September 8. We have emphasized and enhanced best practices in distance learning including technical skills and modifying how our instruction is delivered. Our teachers have been collaborating to develop creative ways that students can engage with one another virtually, and ensure access to a variety of resources.
See below for important county updates from FCPS
Food Distribution
We learned this week that our free meal program for ALL students will continue through December 31, 2020. Beginning Tuesday, September 8, Grab & Go service hours will be 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with both breakfast and lunch available at the same time. Buses will also be distributing meals in several neighborhoods beginning at 6:30 a.m. Get more information about food distribution here .
Tech Support
FCPS has launched a toll-free Parent Technology Help Desk to assist families with technology issues. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered 7 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week. Parents who need help in a language other than English should let help desk staff know, and an interpreter will join them on the line. (FCPS has Parent Information Phone Lines available in eight languages to assist with general questions about FCPS.) We have also created an online portal for older students and parents/guardians to request technology help.
I wish you a wonderful first day and I look forward to our continued journey together as we support our students.
Sincerely,
Mike Magliola, Principal
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September 8th - First Day of School
September 15th - Virtual Back to School Night 6:30 pm to 8 pm
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Student Schedules (All Students)
Parents and students, individual student schedules will be visible in StudentVue and ParentVue on Wednesday, September 2. If there are scheduling errors, please contact the school counselor on the schedule.
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School Counselors
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Teams
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Contact Information
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Jessica Devault
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Titans, Innovators
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jmdevault@fcps.edu
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Amber Hill
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Phoenix, Griffins, LJ United
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adhill@fcps.edu
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Brian Tickle
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Explorers, Odyssey, LJ United
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brtickle@fcps.edu
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Shannon White
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Seekers, Quasars
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snwhite@fcps.edu
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Teachers will send Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU) links to students this week so students can prepare to access their classes starting Tuesday, September 8.
Student Materials Distribution, Continued…
The following items will be available for collection on Tuesday, September 8th, from 3pm-6pm and Monday, September 15th, from 9am-2pm.
2019-2020 School Year Items
Pre-Ordered 2019-20 Yearbooks*
Model UN T-shirts
Music Department T-shirts
Items left in the locker rooms/student lockers
*We do have a few extra yearbooks available for sale, in case you didn’t order one ahead of time… but we’re not ready to do that yet. We will send out another message when we are ready to sell the extras.
Current School Year Items**:
Art Foundations (Periods 2, 3, 6, 8)
Art Extensions (Period 5)
3D Art (Period 7)
Chinese 1B -- textbook and workbook (students keep the workbook)
Spanish for Fluent Speakers -- textbook and workbook (students keep the workbook)
**Please check your students’ schedule for the courses listed to determine if you have anything to pick up.
We will use the kiss-n-ride loop at Door #1 on both days. Simply pull up, give your student’s name, and we will bring the items to your car.
Digital Resources at Jackson MS
Our teachers are busy creating engaging lessons for students. Many teachers are hoping to use some powerful digital applications that require your consent. Without consent, teachers will need to plan additional lessons or deviate from a useful application altogether.
This link shares information about those apps (scroll down to "School-Wide Programs):
This link will take you to the consent form:
Thank you for your attention to this important component of distance learning and support of our teachers!
LJMS PTA Corner
https://ljmspta.org/
Equity Corner @ LJMS
As we launch our 2020-21 school year, our goal is to ensure that all students receive the appropriate academic and social-emotional supports as they make progress in their learning.
Please take a moment to complete this anonymous parent survey to help us support you. We value your perspective. Thank you for completing this form to better serve you and your child.
LJMS Yearbook Information
We had our first distribution day last week. We will have another distribution day in the next week or two. More information to come!
Upcoming FCPS Parent Trainings
Friday, September 11: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: Survive and Thrive with Virtual Learning: Practical Strategies to Make At-Home Learning Work for You (10:00-11:30 a.m. - Register Here)
Friday, September 18: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: 10 Ways to Stop Power Struggles & Start Motivating Your Kids (10:00-11:30a.m. OR 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Register Here)
Thursday, September 24: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series - Setting the Stage for Good Behavior: Routines, Procedures, & Expectations (10:00 - 11:30 a.m. OR 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Register Here)
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Do you want to celebrate a LJMS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.
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COVID-19 Updates @ FCPS
Health Updates
https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-food-resources
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Be Informed, Stay Involved
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