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Espanol
Dear Jackson Family,
As we wrap up the first month of school, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished so far. Our students have been busy learning what good behavior looks and sounds like through our SR&R Assemblies, checking out their school laptops, receiving and learning to use their Yondr cell phone storage pouches, and becoming experts at navigating the school building. We’ve also hosted our Tiger Time Open House and Back to School Night, which were both great successes thanks to your participation!
I’m excited to share that our Yondr pilot program has been working smoothly overall. Students have quickly adapted to storing their phones away during the school day and operating their pouches with ease, helping us maintain a focused and distraction-free learning environment.
As students settle in for the school year, I’d like to remind everyone that the Falls Church Pyramid’s commitment to lowering chronic absenteeism continues. Attendance is key to student success, and I’d like to take a moment to welcome Officer Khanh Tran, our new Attendance Officer, to Jackson Middle School. Officer Tran is among the county’s most experienced Attendance Officers, and will work closely with our school, students, and families to support strong attendance habits.
Last year, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) extended its attendance recovery options to middle and elementary schools. Students at Jackson who miss more than six days of school will be notified of the need to attend after-school attendance recovery sessions, where they will make up missed work and attendance hours. This is a preventive step to help students avoid truancy and to ensure that they stay on track academically. Attendance recovery will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during our after-school program. If your child has missed more than six days of school, please be on the lookout for an invitation to participate.
We are pleased to share that after-school programs are in full swing! Students are encouraged to participate in sports practices, clubs, and other activities after school. Late buses are provided Monday through Thursday for students who stay for these programs. If you’d like more information or wish to sign your child up, please contact our After School Coordinator, Matt Hoffert, at MDHoffert@fcps.edu, or speak with a member of student services.
As part of our ongoing effort to capture Jackson Middle School’s history, we are looking for individuals who attended Jackson between 1965-2000. If you’re an alum from that era and are willing to share your experiences, we would love to hear from you! Please email me at RNJones@fcps.edu with your name, contact information, and the years you attended LJMS or LJIS.
Finally, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the students and families who attended our Back to School Night. I also want to give special thanks to our student ambassadors, PTA, staff, and parent volunteers who helped make the night a resounding success! Your support is deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
R.N. Jones
October 3rd- Rosh Hashanah- Schools and Offices Closed
October 4th- Teacher Work Day (student holiday)
Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.
Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.
Steps to After-School Participation:
1. Complete the After-School Registration Form (one time submission)
2. Sign Up for After-School using the Weekly Signup Form
3. Submit the Attendance Form (during snack time) to let us know you are here.
Yes! That's a thing!
We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).
Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).
No late buses are available on Fridays.
Magnus Chess Academy
Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!
Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)
Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!
Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!
Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.
FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION
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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.
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.
Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30
📋 Permission Forms
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool.
The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.
Back to School Night
Thank you to all our families for coming out to Back to School Night! We hope everyone got a chance to connect with our teachers! If you were unable to attend our event, BTSN information will be posted on our website on Monday, September 23rd. Questions about a class, please reach out to your student’s teacher.
Immunization Regulations
New regulations have been presented to schools. If you have received a notification that your student is out of compliance with their vaccine requirements, please communicate with Ms. Cabajal regarding appropriate paperwork. For families that have upcoming immunization doctors’ appointments scheduled, please communicate your date to our school. Appointment notes can be brought to school as proof.
Needs Assessment
As a reminder, counselors will be doing their Counselor Intro meetings this coming week. During these meetings, Student Services will be collecting information through a needs assessment. If you would like to see the information being collected, please contact your student’s counselor.
World Language Credit Exam
The World Language Credit Exam will be offered at LJMS on November 19th. The exam assesses language proficiency. Students who take the exam may earn up to three pass-or-fail credits (levels one, two and three) in the language. Credits are typically added to the student transcript by the Spring semester. Exam credits may also fulfill the World Languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and the Virginia Department of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy when your student reaches high school. A student may participate in the exam two times per language between grades 7 through 12. In other words, students have two chances per language to earn credits by taking the exam.
Please use this link to register your student.
**Parents should also be prepared to fill out this form to register your child.**
Last day to register through your counselor is Friday, October 4th @3:00p.m.
LJMS Exam Date: November 19, 2024 - Luther Jackson Middle School
For more information, please see the website below:
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages
Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?
Contact Ms. Carbajal for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning
FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding, and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students.
After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office.
Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact your student’s School Counselor to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.
Jackson Middle students! Mrs. McLean is traveling to Scotland in Summer 2026 and you can come too! We’ll be hosting an informational meeting so you can learn more. Here’s the link for your family to register for my meeting: https://bit.ly/3MDnfOh This is a non-school sponsored trip.
The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM. Please contact Mr. Tickle at BRTickle@fcps.edu or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process. For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.
Parents interested in referring your student for the Fall Level IV Screening must submit a Level IV Referral form to Ms. Shawn English, Jackson’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 15, 2024. It may be helpful for you to complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in addition to your referral form. This can also be found on the page that is linked above. Once I receive the referral form, a request for work samples and ratings will be requested from your student’s current teachers. Then the information will be passed along to the screening committee. The screening committee will meet in December and make the appropriate recommendations for your student.
Not all students are eligible for fall screening. Students who are eligible for fall screening are:
- Students new to FCPS schools as of January 1, 2024 to October 15, 2024.
- Students of a family re-enrolling in one of FCPS schools after being gone last school year.
If these qualifications do not apply to your student, then your student is eligible for spring screening. Referral forms for Spring Level IV Screening are due December 15, 2024.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at srenglish@fcps.edu.
 Interested inworking backstage on our school play, Aesop Live? Then make plans to attend the tech interviews on Monday, September 23rd for both sessions. Be sure to sign up on After School Schoology.
 Families,
We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources
At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964. You can find further direction here: a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.
Need technical support? Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
 Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts. Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography. Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme. The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition. This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms Lundeen’s artroom 410.
This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”
Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024.
Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category. If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at reflections@jacksonmspta.org
Restaurant Night Sep 24th: Please join LJMS PTA "Taco Tuesdays" at Taco Bamba, Pimmit, Falls Church, on September 24th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., an award-winning DC-based taqueria! It is a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant with an extensive menu, including all-day breakfast, a full-service bar, and a comprehensive catering menu. It supports the local community and schools through its collaborative fundraising program, Eat Tacos, Do Good.
Participants can either mention GIVE20 or LJMS PTA upon ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out. It is also possible to purchase a gift card for use on a future visit.
PTA Membership: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. PTA membership for the new school year is now open, and you are welcome to join and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/
Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact president@jacksonmspta.org
Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/
Pantry Supply Coordinator: The Food Pantry needs a volunteer to serve as the Pantry Supply Coordinator. The responsibilities include:
- Working with other pantry leads to understand current pantry food stocks and what is needed for distribution every 2 weeks. (Usually plan to pack 40 complete sets of bags.)
- Ordering supplies from Capital Area Food Bank and pick up/deliver to school or coordinate someone else to pick up/deliver. Timing is flexible as long as it's during school hours to access the pantry.
- Purchasing and delivering other supplies as needed from grocery stores when not available at CAFB.
- Managing the school's donor relationship with Merritt Academy
- Keeping receipts and maintaining the pantry ledger
- Holding the PTA Pantry bank card
If you are interested in filling this vital role to help the LJMS community and its families, please get in touch with megandho@gmail.com.
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