Dear Jackson Family,
Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope you had a restful winter break and a great time with friends and family enjoying the unexpected days off due to the snowstorm. We are excited to see our students return to school, ready to continue learning and growing in 2025.
Parents, we continue to expect cold temperatures throughout winter, and want to remind you that middle school students in FCPS participate in outdoor recess, just as elementary school students do. Please speak with your children about the importance of dressing for winter weather, as they are expected to attend outdoor recess unless FCPS cancels outdoor activity due to cold, heat, or environmental hazard advisories. Should you, or someone you know, need assistance with obtaining coats or other winter wear for children, our School Social Worker or School Counselors are able and willing to help.
As we return to Jackson and approach the second half of the school year, I want to remind everyone of the importance of maintaining a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment. This includes adhering to all school rules and expectations, including FCPS’ Away for the Day policy regarding cell phones. Students are required to keep their cell phones silenced and stored in their Yondr pouches throughout the school day. This policy helps to minimize distractions and ensures that students are fully engaged in their learning. Prior to the end of January, all students will engage in another SR&R Assembly, led by school administrators. The SR&R assemblies are held at the beginning of the school year and prior to the start of 2nd semester and are one of the ways we communicate school-wide norms and Positive Behavior Incentives to our students during the school year.
We appreciate your support in reinforcing expectations at home and encouraging your student to make positive choices at school. Together, we can create an environment where every student is able to be successful in school and maintain positive relationships with peers and adults.
Thank you for the partnership you continue to provide, and I wish each of you a fulfilling and joyful 2025!
Sincerely,
R. Jones, Principal
January 20, 2025- Holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day)
January 28, 2025- End of Second Quarter
January 29, 2025- Student Holiday
January 30, 2025- Rising 7th grade Curriculum Night (6 to 8pm)
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.
Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance. When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program. These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind. Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time.
Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:
- Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
- Receive personalized assistance from teachers
- Improve academic performance and understanding
Quarter End StudentVUE/ParentVUE Gradebook Closure
We Did It! Quarter 2 Closes Soon!
Quarter 2 officially ends on January 28, at 2:15 p.m. To ensure accurate and timely grade reporting, the Gradebook will be temporarily closed as teachers finalize grades and prepare report cards.
Gradebook Closure Details:
- Start: Tuesday, January 28, at 4:00 p.m.
- Reopen: Tuesday, February 4, at 6:00 a.m.
During this time, grades will not be accessible in the portal. Please encourage your child to address any outstanding assignments or questions with teachers before the closure.
Report cards are issued quarterly and will be available in SIS StudentVUE/ParentVUE or mailed to families without ParentVUE accounts. Need info on grades? Check out Grading Scales for Secondary Schools.
Curriculum Night
Do you have a rising 7th grader? Luther Jackson Middle School invites you to Curriculum Night on Thursday, January 30th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Explore a variety of sessions to learn about Middle School 101, Math, Literacy, Honors classes, Electives, and more!
For families interested in AAP (Advanced Academic Programs) information, we will host a special session from 5:30 to 5:55 PM prior to the main event.
We look forward to seeing you at LJMS to help prepare for a successful transition to middle school!
Course Selection and Curriculum Nights
Students are meeting with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night will be hosted on January 30th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Families can learn more about course offerings and programs at these events.
Feeder High School Curriculum Nights:
-
Falls Church High School: Monday, January 13th -
-
Oakton High School: Wednesday, January 15th - 4:30-6:30 PM
-
Marshall High School: February 6th - 5:00-7:30 PM
-
Madison High School: Tuesday, January 14th - 6:00-7:00 PM
-
McLean High School: Tuesday, January 14th - 6:00-7:30 PM
School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you have questions!
🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning
Planning which courses to take next year — and in future years — must be given considerable thought. Students and families should review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond.
The Curriculum webpage may also be helpful. Refer to our course catalog and course selection webpages.
📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at 703-204-8100.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 for all rising 9th graders.
Oakton Academic Advising Site: Choosing Courses for Next School Year (2025-26) | Oakton High School
 Join us for the Voices of Now Luther Jackson Workshop Workshop 1 – Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 2:30pm-4:30pm
VOICES OF NOW | LUTHER JACKSON ENSEMBLE 2025
WORK WITH THEATER PROFESSIONALS - MAKE A PLAY ABOUT YOU - PERFORM AT ARENA STAGE Become part of Voices of Now, where creativity meets relevant social issues that matter to you. Join an ensemble of youth and teen artists to co-create an autobiographical play that speaks to your experiences. You’ll showcase your work at the Voices of Now Festival at Arena Stage, engaging in a fast-paced, collaborative performance that asks meaningful questions and challenges societal perspectives. This is a platform for your voice—let's make it heard. Interested in being part of Voices of Now. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Register here to sign up for the workshop, and audition! AUDITION WORKSHOP VON Audition - Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 2:30 pm-4:30 pm Students that attend the Jan 15th workshop and the audition will receive priority placement in the program. The ensemble is limited to 20 students. Turn in your application today!
Voices of Now Application
EXTRA BONUS: YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN BOTH THE SPRING MUSICAL & VOICES OF NOW!
-->COMING IN JANUARY<--
Group Guitar Class
Whether you're a regular John Mayer, or you can't remember if a guitar has 4 or 6 strings, this is your chance to start learning or sharpen the face-melting skills you already have. Fridays, after school, starting in January. We'll provide the guitar (there's a $20 rental fee... talk to Mr. Hoffert if that's an issue).
January 17-March 21 (10 weeks)
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
|
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!
📋 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.
Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.
Who: Students, Parents & Caregivers of 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th graders that will be attending FCHS in the Fall of 2025. We are also planning specialized sessions for Multilingual Learners (formally ESOL), Literacy courses, Advanced Academics (Honors, AP, & DE), and Math pathways.
When: January 9, 2025, 6:15pm presentation, 7:00pm academic fair with representatives available to answer questions about content and levels including the elective options.
Where: Falls Church High School Lecture hall and cafeteria (Door 7 & 9)
What: Curriculum night is a presentation to families regarding course selection information, diploma requirements, Academy opportunities and curriculum information. The Falls Church Academy is included and holds an open house to allow all eligible high school students a chance to learn about the Academy offerings. Academy representatives from Marshall, Fairfax, Edison, Chantilly, and West Po are also present.
Why: Your child will be selecting his/her/their courses for the next school year, this presentation offers lots of information on making the best choices for a successful school year.
PTA Membership: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. You are invited to become a PTA member and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/
Contact president@jacksonmspta.org
 
Parents can complete the Lightspeed Parent Report Request. This request provides parents with Weekly Parent Reports delivered by Lightspeed directly to an authorized parent email over the weekend. These reports summarize the websites visited by the student while using an FCPS device.
At the bottom of the weekly report, parents can register for the Parent Relay Portal, which provides detailed browsing information. The sign-up is embedded within the Lightspeed report and does not require any further submission to IT or IT intervention. The extended access also gives parents the ability to pause internet access on their child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime. However, parents cannot pause the internet during the school day.
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.
|
If a student returns a Chromebook damaged, they will receive a warning, and if there is a second instance of the same damage, they will have to pay for the repair cost. If a student returns a Chromebook damaged and the case is removed, they will have to pay for the repair cost in the first instance. Repair costs are listed below.
|
HP Fortis Parts
|
Cost
|
|
Chromebook replacement
|
$444
|
|
Charger
|
$10
|
|
System Board
|
$315
|
|
Screen
|
$90
|
|
Keyboard and palm rest
|
$48
|
|
Touchpad
|
$21
|
|
Heatsink
|
$30
|
|
Daughterboard
|
$22
|
|
Base enclosure
|
$20
|
|
Bezel
|
$18
|
|
Speaker
|
$16
|
|
