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Sept. 9th- No School (Election Day)
Sept. 10th- Back to School Night (5:30pm-7:30pm) FLE presentation at 5pm
Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.
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.
If your child still has their Chromebook, please have them bring it on the first day of school and they can return it to room 502 or the main office.
Hope you can join us next Wednesday, 9/10 at the conclusion of Back to School Night at 7:30 in the auditorium for our PTA meeting when you'll have a chance to hear from Interim Principal Pamela Brumfield and learn about the LJMS PTA's plans for the year!
Join the PTA by THIS Sunday, 9/7 and be entered in a raffle to win a reserved parking spot at Back to School Night! All PTA members will be eligible to win and the winner will be notified by email! To join the PTA, go to: https://ljmspta.givebacks.com/shop
Save the Date! The PTA is excited to offer a fun afternoon of 'Walking Tacos & Salsa' lessons on Friday, 9/26. More details and registration information will be available soon!
For questions about the LJMS PTA, please email PTA@jacksonmspta.org!
- There will be an interest meeting and activities fair for LJ After Hours from 2:30-4:30 PM next Thursday 9/11 to discuss expectations and promote offerings for first quarter. This is for students only.
- Information for parents about the program and offerings will be available at the After-School Program table at Back to School Night.
In order to be eligible, parents must complete the DIGITAL CONSENT FORM where you can select consent for your child to participate in after-school.
If your child is planning to participate in cross country, basketball (still in approval process), club volleyball (2nd quarter), or track and field (spring), please see the Luther Jackson Website for required registration and forms. All completed forms can be turned into Mr. Wardlaw in the main gym, Ms. McCabe in room 404, or the main office.
Questions? Email Meg McCabe at mkmccabe@fcps.edu
🏃♂️ Cross Country- If you love distance running, challenging yourself, or trying something new—cross country could be for you!
👉 Important Note: If you plan to participate in interscholastic sports (cross country or basketball), you must complete the required forms (linked below). Please see Mr. Klucker (Room 202) for cross country, Mr. Bailey (Gym) for basketball, or Ms. McCabe (Room 404) if you have questions.
For all other clubs and activities, no forms are needed—just come to the fair and get involved! We can't wait!
How to Register for MS Interscholastic Sports (Only Cross-Country and Basketball)
STEP 1- Complete AND Submit the FCPS MS Athletics Registration Google Form online (link)
STEP 2- Complete AND turn in the Middle School Athletics Physical Form (PPE) (link) to the After-School Specialist (Ms. McCabe in room 404)
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Forms expire 14 months after they are signed. ALL PPE after July 1, 2025 NEED to be on the NEW FORMS *Be sure that your form doesn’t expire before your season ends! (Ex: Nov. 15th CC ends, so PPE needs to be after Sept 15, 2024)
STEP 3- Complete AND turn in the Emergency Care Card (ECC) (link) to the After-School Specialist (Ms. McCabe in room 404) -This MUST be filled out for EACH SEASON (siblings need their own)
The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) online application portal will open Monday, October 20th, at 4:00PM. Representatives from TJHSST will be giving an information presentation on Monday, September 15th, at 2:30PM in the LJMS auditorium. The presentation is approximately 30 minutes with additional time for questions and answers. Both students and parents are invited to attend. No registration is necessary. Please note that students attending this information session will need to sign up for a second after school session if they are not leaving school with a parent after the presentation. For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions. Please visit the TJHSST website to understand the required courses that students need to take in their 8th grade year in order to apply to TJHSS. Please contact Mr. Tickle at BRTickle@fcps.edu or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.
 Don't Miss Out! Providence Day & Back to School Celebration is coming up on Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at George C. Marshall High School! Featuring performances by the Vienna Singing Princesses, Drew Blue Shoes, and local Providence talent, plus activities for all ages and even a chance to meet some adorable furry friends! Don’t miss this free, family-friendly celebration of our schools, neighbors, and community spirit.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/providence-day-back-to-school-celebration-tickets-1560093284009
Back to School Night at LJMS – September 10th!
We are so excited to welcome our LJMS families to Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 10th from 5:30–7:30pm! Families will have the opportunity to follow their student’s schedule, meet teachers, explore the building, and learn all about what students will be experiencing this school year.
This is one of our favorite events of the year, and we can’t wait to partner with you as we kick off a great school year together. We look forward to seeing you there!
FCPS Required Forms
This is a friendly reminder to please complete all required forms for your student. These forms ensure we have the most up-to-date information and resources to best support your child throughout the school year. You can find the forms here:
LJMS Required Forms
If you need assistance with completing forms or accessing ParentVUE, please reach out to our Family Liaison, Mr. Ricardo Bethencourt, who is happy to support you.
One form needed to completed is the Digital Consent Form. Without approval, your student may not be able to access different programs teachers use in classes.
Upcoming Screeners
In the coming weeks, students will take part in a variety of screeners to help us better support their learning and well-being. These include academic diagnostics such as MAP, iReady, and VALLSS, as well as social-emotional measures like the SEL Screener, SOS Program Screener, and the Student Services Needs Assessment. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s counselor or their math and English teachers.
World Languages Credit-by-Exam (WLCBE) Opportunity
Students in grades 7–12 who are proficient in another language (spoken, written, or signed) are invited to take the World Languages Credit-by-Exam (WLCBE). This optional fall assessment allows students to:
- Earn up to 3 world language credits, depending on proficiency level.
- Potentially satisfy requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma or the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy.
To participate, a signed and completed registration form must be submitted to your student’s school counselor by the deadline no late submissions will be accepted.
Questions? Please contact your student’s school counselor.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Cell Phones Off, Learning On
Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact our school’s front office to reach your child during class time.
Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.
Every Day Counts: Setting Your Child Up for Success September is Attendance Awareness Month. There are many ways parents and caregivers can help their children create healthy routines and make a habit of getting to school on time every day. Some examples include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit the FCPS website for more attendance tips and resources. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan
Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12: FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.
The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success. See how Goal 1 is being put into practice. Learn more about or enroll in FCPS Pre-K or Early Head Start.
Goal 2: Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive What does belonging look like in our schools? Fairfax County public schools are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to cross-grade collaboration, when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice.
Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Our third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.
No-Cost Meals Available for Students on September 9 We’re excited to share that our school will be offering lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Tuesday, September 9.
As a reminder, all FCPS schools will be closed for students and school staff on September 9 due to a special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. Many FCPS schools serve as election sites. Since our school is not an election site, we will be able to provide student meals.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Lunch and a snack will be served together from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Meals must be eaten on site at participating schools.
- Enrichment activities will be available for children. Participation is encouraged but not required.
- Only children 18 and under may receive meals.
- Each child may receive one lunch and one snack.
We are proud to support our students’ health and well-being, even on days when school is not in session. We hope to see many of our families take advantage of this opportunity! View a list of all school sites that will be providing meals for children on September 9. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
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.
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.
All those students interested in auditioning for our fall play, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland, please come to an interest meeting in the MPR during B session on Sept. 11th. If you cannot make it, no worries- please see Ms. Stacey in room 419 or email her at:smjones3@fcps.edu
Auditions will be Sept. 17th or 18th.
The backstage interest meeting for the fall play will be Tuesday, September 16th. Backstage interviews will be Wednesday the 24th . Questions? Please email Mr. McLellan at: lmclellan1@fcps.edu.
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/is01/r/pdcp/
. 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.
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