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Espanol
May 3- Student Holiday- Teacher Workday
May 27- Holiday-Memorial Day
When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school. This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282 or by using the online reporting form which can be accessed by CLICKING HERE or on our Luther Jackson Middle School website. Please DO NOT report absences through the Talking Points app.
Greetings LJMS students and families!
Our final testing season will be upon us shortly. If you have not completed the SOL Retake Permission form, please click on this link and submit the form. We want to give every student the opportunity to retake if they are eligible.
In order to help our students succeed, please encourage them to be well rested and attentive in these upcoming weeks and on our test days. Please try to avoid scheduling any vacations, appointments, etc during testing days.
Parents and guardians, we have a new security fence by the Golds Gym parking lot and we need to make sure student morning drop off and afternoon pick up stays a safe procedure.
- Please DO NOT drop your child off or pick them up on Gallows Rd in front of the school. This is very dangerous and could cause a car accident and injury.
- Please make RIGHT TURNS only out of the parking lot and no left turns to help with traffic flow.
- More parents are letting their children off while in the drop off line and students walking through the parking lot to avoid being tardy to class. Students should always use sidewalks and crosswalks when walking to school and in our parking lot.
- If dropping your child off in the Golds Gym parking lot, students should walk the Gallows Rd. sidewalk to school, and use sidewalks and crosswalks. Students should not crawl under the fence or climb over the fence to go between the LJMS parking lot and the Golds Gym parking lot.
Thank you for making these adjustments as we work to keep LJMS students safe!
  #PurpleUpFCPS; Purple Up is the campaign that propels activities throughout the Month of the Military Child to honor, acknowledge, and support Military Connected Youth in our school and communities. A Military Connected Youth is a child or adolescent with a close family member (parent, stepparent, sibling, stepsibling, cousin) or friend serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and any status, Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard. Military Connected Youth face unique circumstances living the military lifestyle which can be challenging, or opportunities for growth. These youth deserve our support as they support their family members who serve. Sure! we encourage you to "Purple Up" specially on Purple Up Day April 17, 2024, to show your support and appreciation for military families and their children. Whether it's wearing purple, organizing an event, or participating in a fundraiser, every effort counts in raising awareness and making a difference. Let's come together and show our solidarity! Absolutely! Calling all students to "Purple Up" explain team the meaning of Purple Up. Wear your favorite purple outfits, accessories, or even face paint to school to raise awareness and honor the sacrifices of those who serve. Let's make a colorful statement of solidarity and appreciation together!
Fun Facts:
There are more than 1.2 million school-aged United States military-connected children.
• More than 40% of active-duty service members have children.
• On average, children in military families move six to nine times during their K-12 school career. That’s about three times more frequently than their civilian peers.
• Military children are twice as likely as their civilian counterparts to join the military as adults.
• Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger was responsible for establishing April as the Month of The Military Child in 1986, and the Department of Defense has honored his initiative ever since.
• In 2011, the University of New Hampshire 4-H started the “Purple Up! For Military Kids” initiative and is now celebrated nation-wide.
• Purple was chosen to symbolize all branches of the military, it is a combination of Army green, Marine Corps crimson, and Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force and Navy blue.
• The dandelion is the official flower of military-connected children. Dandelions put down roots anywhere, bloom where they are planted, and are incredibly resilient.
• Virginia has 27 military bases. Every single service branch has at least one base in Virginia!
• There are 11 military bases in the National Capital Region.
• There are over 14,000 military-connected students enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools, and over 78,000 enrolled in Virginia public schools!
• There are 69 schools in FCPS that have earned their Purple Star Designation for Military Friendly Schools!
Teacher Appreciation Week Committee: We have started planning for ‘Teacher Appreciation Week’ (May 6th to 10th) to honor the amazing LJMS educators and tell them how much we appreciate their commitment to our children. If you would like to lead or be part of the organizing committee for Teacher Appreciation Week, please send a note to president@jacksonmspta.org.
PTA officers for the next school year: Would you be interested in joining the PTA board for the 2024-25 school year? It is a rewarding experience; the existing board members will help you get started. There are multiple roles available. Please email president@jacksonmspta.org
Food Pantry: The Luther Jackson Middle School Food Pantry needs your help! We need parent volunteers to assist with food pick-up, bag packing, and food distribution. Interested in helping, but your schedule doesn't allow you to volunteer? Please consider donating food, personal hygiene items, household cleaning products, or reusable grocery bags to help our families utilize the food pantry. Follow the Sign-Up Genius link below if you are interested in volunteering:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2
PTA website: Please check out the PTA website, where you can find the links to buy Spirit Wear, join the PTA, or donate: https://jacksonmspta.org/
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Health Services invites parents/guardians of FCPS students to participate in a survey requesting feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health services provided to the school community.
FCHD employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in FCPS. To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians who interact with the school health rooms. The survey will open on April 15, 2024 and will remain open until April 26, 2024. The survey should take approximately five minutes to complete.
Submit your survey.
This is a reminder that a student’s FCPSOn device must be used responsibly at school and home, in accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities. According to School Board Regulation 5720 and the SR&R when a student borrows FCPS property, the student assumes full responsibility (including financial) for the property. If damage or a loss occurs, the student has a financial obligation to FCPS for the replacement parts or laptop replacement cost of $481. Laptop chargers can be purchased on MySchoolBucks, by check, or exactly $23 at school.
The student device and charger are for the assigned student’s use only.
Friends, other students, siblings, cousins, or other people should not use it. If a student decides to lend their laptop or charger to a fellow student, it is their responsibility if it is damaged or goes missing. More info can be found at Student Device Guidelines
If it is found that a laptop was damaged on purpose or because a student was being careless, there will be a charge to fix the device. Please remind students about the importance of being responsible with these devices.
School staff should be informed of a lost/stolen device immediately. The sooner it is reported, the more likely it can be found. Students and parents can submit support tickets at this site:
https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/student/
Madison Debate Camp will take place on Monday, July 29th through Friday, August 2nd @JMHS from 12PM to 4PM on each of those days. The price of the camp is $50 and includes lunch every day, instruction from national level debaters (who will also just be back from Nationals), and a tournament (with awards). The rest of the proceeds go to the JMHS debate team to cover team costs during the season.
Every day will have new, fun lessons that will teach you the skills of a high school debater, giving you a foundational understanding of the basics of argumentation, public speaking, and debate as a whole. At the end of the camp, participants will also have an opportunity to participate in a high-school style tournament on the week’s chosen debate topic!
Sign-Up Link: https://forms.gle/qv7Kim31PtRu5SMk6
"Support Oakton HS Bands at a FREE and FUN Fitness Fundraiser! Try out a HIGH Fitness class at the OHS gym on Saturday, April 13 at 10am. The format is ALL CARDIO with GREAT MUSIC and no equipment needed! This class is for all ages and fitness levels".
"Calling Oakton-bound 8th graders! Oakton High School band is holding 8th grade band auditions. If you are a rising freshman and plan to participate in band, please join us for auditions from 6:30-8:30pm on Monday, April 15 (Woodwinds) and Tuesday, April 16 (Brass/Percussion). Enter OHS through Door 1, and look for Oakton band students or parents to guide you to the Hospitality room and Band room. If you cannot make it on the assigned night, feel free to come at the other time."
Join the Oakton Band!!!!!
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COURSE NUMBER
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ENSEMBLE
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DESCRIPTION
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923415
923315
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Advanced Band Level 1/Band Level 1
“Concert Band 2”
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Rising 9th graders and new students to band register here. Exact band placements will be made after auditions are complete. Marching Band is optional
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923416
923316
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Advanced Band Level 2/
Band Level 2
“Concert Band 1”
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Students who have been in band. Present members instructed to sign up for this class again and will be auditioned for upper level classes in May/June. Marching Band is optional
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923417
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Advanced Band Level 3
“Symphonic Band”
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Auditions in May/June.
Marching Band required (with some limited exceptions)
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924016
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Jazz Ensemble
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Must be enrolled in a band class (exceptions for keyboard, guitar, and bass guitar). Meets after school for credit. Begins mid-fall after the conclusion of the marching season.
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922604
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AP Music Theory
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Open to grades 10-12.
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**ALL BANDS ARE OPEN TO 9th GRADERS**
Marching Band ◊ Concert Band ◊ Color Guard ◊ Jazz Band ◊ Drumline ◊ Indoor Winter Guard
Band “Mythbusters”
- It is possible to do athletics and band.
- You can do clubs and honor societies and band.
- You can do band all four years and still get the most advanced diploma.
- You can still get into a great college without taking every AP class.
Important Dates
- 8th Grade Auditions: April 15 (woodwinds) and April 16 (brass/percussion)
- 6:30pm at Oakton HS
- You may audition on the other day if you have a scheduling conflict
- Marching Band online registration begins May 1st
- Mandatory new marcher meeting May 13th
- Marching Band camp: July 29-August 9, 2024
Questions?
Ask Dr. VanValkenburg (director@oaktonbands.org)
Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.
Hello,
My name is Aqa Gul Aiyubi, and I am the Family Liaison here at Luther Jackson Middle School.
Feel free to reach out to me at any time at aaiyubi@fcps.edu or aaiyubi@fcpsschools.net or (703) 204-8137. I’m dedicated to fostering open communication and building a strong partnership between the school and our wonderful families.
Natural High
 The Problem:
  90% of Americans with a substance use disorder began using substances before the age of 18.
Natural High is “a drug prevention nonprofit that inspires and empowers youth to find their natural high and develop the skills and courage to live life well.” The Natural High campaign highlights helping children and teens find healthy thrilling activities to fulfill the dopamine (feel good) levels in the brain.
Solutions:
 Resources:
Natural High
Fentanyl Is Now The Leading Cause of Death For Young People In the US (Video)
Live Your Life Naturally High
Knowing The Signs: Substance Abuse & Today’s Use (Video)
Adolescent Substance Use: America’s #1 Public Health Problem
FCPS Video on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
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