 
Dear Students and Parents:
I would like to proudly welcome you to the 2021-2022 school year at Luther Jackson Middle School which will surely be an exciting journey for us all as we return to in-person learning for our students! Let’s ROAR together and celebrate the many incredible learning opportunities our students will have when school resumes in August.
As we are now preparing and looking ahead to the return of our new 7th graders and rising 8th graders, I eagerly await the arrival of our staff and students in a few weeks! Throughout my 18 years in education, and entering my 3rd as principal at LJMS, I personally believe all students can and will achieve at their highest levels when they feel a sense of belonging at school; this year is no exception! We know the last two years have presented great challenges for all of our students and we are ready to serve and support our Jackson community each step of the way. Furthermore, we are pleased to share that all LJMS students will receive a school provided laptop to use for the year and will be able to pick them up when they arrive during the week of August 23rd.
Our learning model at Luther Jackson Middle School will continue to incorporate high-quality instructional practices as we encourage and support our students’ active participation in their educational outcomes. We know our students will connect at a higher level to their learning when they are able to demonstrate mastery, establish identity, and creatively share or show what they have learned. As outlined in our school mission and foundational vision, “LJMS welcomes our diverse community into a safe learning environment that fosters student growth and success through high-quality instruction for all.” This will remain a critical focus as we provide every student with meaningful opportunities to sustain their inquiry.
This year, approximately 1100 students will be attending Luther Jackson Middle School. The first day of school is Monday, August 23rd and our instructional hours will be 7:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. We are finalizing our daily bell schedule and will share that during our Open House on August 17th and August 19th. Please visit our school website and sign up for News You Can Choose, where you can also find other helpful information regarding our school updates and calendar.
We recognize that families have questions regarding the details for return to school, and we want to be sure that you and your children are well informed, to ensure a safe and successful start to the year. We will provide you with the most updated information through our regular News You Choose message, virtual events, and an in-person Open House/Back to School Night.
If you have any questions or feedback, please always feel free to reach out to me via email at mjmagliola@fcps.edu or call me at (703) 204-8100. I am eager to support you in any way possible.
Our next News You Can Choose message will be sent on Monday, August 2nd.
Mike Magliola, Principal
Tanya Shuford, Director of Student Services
Rohini Tohan, Assistant Principal
Rob Plunkett, Assistant Principal
Important Summer Dates
August 11th - Virtual Town Hall 6 pm (link provided on 8/2)
August 17th - In-Person Open House for students last name A-L from 1:30 pm to 3 pm. Tiger Time from 3pm - 6pm.
August 19th - In-Person Open House for students last name M-Z from 1:30 pm to 3 pm. Tiger Time from 3pm - 6pm
- You will meet your child’s teachers and visit the classroom to explore the safe and welcoming environment that our incredible teachers have created.
- Please arrive on-time. Families will follow the bell schedule in the order students will follow during the school year.
- Tiger Time is an opportunity for families to complete and turn in the Beginning of the Year Mandatory forms. We will mail home a Tiger Time packet the first week of August. You can drop off the packet before Tiger Time OR you can drop it off at Tiger Time. We will have translators on site to help families in need. The clinic will also be open to receive any medication drop-off.
- If you cannot attend the Open House, staff members will be available on the first day of school to assist students in locating their classrooms. You will also be able to look it up in your ParentVue account starting on August 19th.
First Day of School
August 23rd
- Luther Jackson MS will open our doors at 7:00 AM to welcome students into the building
Labor Day Break
September 3rd- September 6th
- All FCPS schools and offices will be closed from September 3rd- September 6th to observe Labor Day.
Back to School Night
September 14th - Back To School Night 6:30 pm to 8 pm (Virtual and In-Person options)
Volunteers are needed on July 30th, from 10 a.m. – noon, to help with assembling the contents of the packets to be mailed home for Tiger Time. Both parents and students are welcome to help and our 8th grade students are eligible to earn community service credit. Please remember that all student volunteers must be accompanied by an adult.
Please email Monica Iskander at mxiskander@fcps.edu if you would like to volunteer.
Important Information for the First Day of School and beyond
The first day of school is Monday, August 23, 2021. School hours for students are 7:30 am – 2:15 pm, Monday through Friday. Because safety is our priority, please do not arrive at school before 7:00 a.m. when supervision is provided. Students will have access to breakfast upon arrival.
Student Schedules
Families will be able to see their student's schedule via ParentView starting August 16th. Printed schedules will also be available before Open House on August 17th and 19th. If families are not able to access ParentView or attend the Open House schedules will be available in the Student Services office on the first day of school.
Student Lockers
- Students will not have access to lockers this year. They will be allowed to carry a bookbag from class to class.
Student Laptops
- Students will receive their laptops during the first week of school through their gym class.
Breakfast/Lunch (UNIVERSAL BREAKFAST)
Department of Student Services
Counselors are assigned by teams and are your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have. The student schedules will identify your student’s school counselor.
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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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LJMS welcomes new
Assistant Principal
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Rob Plunkett has joined us at Luther Jackson MS and brings over 20 years of educational experience to his role. Mr. Plunkett started his career with FCPS in the classroom as a World, US, and VA State History teacher at McLean HS. As a teacher-leader, Mr. Plunkett led the development of standards-based AP World History curriculum and assisted in the school-wide implementation of the PLC framework. Mr. Plunkett was promoted in 2013 to Asst. DSA at McLean HS where he served from 2013-2015 overseeing the design, coordination, and implementation of highly successful school activities. In 2015, Mr. Plunkett began his journey into administration and joined Longfellow MS as an Assistant Principal. Serving as an AP at both Longfellow MS and McLean HS, Mr. Plunkett has supported students in staff in various ways. From working alongside CT's and departments as an instructional leader to managing the on-time graduation rates of his caseloads, Mr. Plunkett brings a student-centered perspective to his work. I know we will all welcome him as he joins our Tiger Family and he will do great things for our school.
PTA Corner - Coming Soon
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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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Be Informed, Stay Involved
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