 Weapons Detection System Coming Soon
This is to make you aware of the weapons detection system that FCPS started to roll out last school year. To recap, this weapons detection system is the latest effort to strengthen our layered safety and security programs. It is similar to ones that have been used at sporting events and concerts for many years. The system roll-out at all high schools began last year, and it is being rolled out to all middle schools this fall. Some middle schools have already begun to use the system, and the Jackson roll-out is scheduled for this month, October.
Before Jackson begins using the system in an official capacity, we will provide students and staff a chance to test it out and see it in person; we want our students to be fully prepared. Details on the training for students and when we will officially start using the system will be shared soon.
Earlier this year, several of our high school students joined Dr. Reid for a video discussion about school safety and to test out the new system. You can also learn more by reading the Frequently Asked Questions on our website or watching this explainer video. And if you have additional questions after reading the FAQs, you can submit them online to our Chief of Safety and Security Office.
FCPS is taking every precaution necessary to provide every student, including the students here at Jackson safe and secure learning environment. More information about our implementation plan and the live date will becoming shortly. We will provide information on how you can help your student be prepared.
Oct. 2nd- Holiday ( Yom Kippur) Building Closed
Oct. 13- Staff Development Day- No students
Oct. 20th- Holiday (Diwali) Building Closed
Oct. 31st- End of First Quarter- 2 hour early release
On-Time Attendance
We are off to a great start to the school year. Now students are settled in their classes and know the routines. We stress to our teachers bell-to-bell instruction to maximize instructional time and learning. If you drop your student off at school, make sure that they do not have to rush and arrive late to school. Help our students develop the habit of being punctual. Also encourage your student to arrive at each class on time. Arriving late is a classroom interruption and distraction for the teacher and all students.
We will begin to reinforce our school’s tardy policy, which includes tardy sweeps, detention, and parent contact for repeated tardiness. We will also recognize punctuality with fun incentives for our students. Thank you for your support.
Updated Attendance Codes
Attendance Codes have been updated for the 2025-26 school year. These updates will allow schools to better identify the primary reasons for student absences, which will help school teams identify patterns of absenteeism, make informed decisions, and develop effective strategies to improve attendance. Please note which codes qualify as “Excused” and which are “Unexcused.”
Codes no longer used:
- EXC-Excused
- PRE-Prearranged Absence
- UNL-Unexcused Local
Updated Code:
- MED-Illness or Injury Related
Excused Codes:
- COL-College Visit
- FAM-Family Emergency
- FRL-Funeral
- LGL-Legal Obligations
- MAP-Medical Appointment (Prescheduled)
- MIL-Deployment Related
- OEX-Other-Excused
Unexcused Codes:
- NON-Non-School Activity
- OUN-Other- Not Excused
- VAO-Vacation, Outing, or Non-Emergency Family Travel / Visit
Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.
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 Oct. 17th no late submissions will be accepted.
Questions? Please contact your student’s school counselor.
SEL Screener
On October 10th, LJMS students will take the FCPS Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. This short survey, given twice a year, helps schools understand how students feel about their school experience, relationships, and social-emotional skills.
The results are used to support student well-being and strengthen school programs. Individual student information is kept private, and families will receive a report through ParentVUE about a month after the window closes.
For more details, including sample questions and opt-out information, please visit the FCPS SEL Screener webpage.
7th Grade SOS Screener
Luther Jackson Middle School will present the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program on October 22nd during Advisory 7. This evidence-based program teaches students about depression, suicide prevention, and how to seek help for themselves or a friend using the ACT message (Acknowledge, Care, Tell). Students will view a video, join a guided discussion, and complete a short screening tool (not a diagnosis).
Parents can learn more at sossignsofsuicide.org/parent. Lesson materials will also be available for preview on October 9th, 8–9am. If you wish to opt your child out, please email Mr. Zubieta at onzubieta@fcps.edu.
The Family Resource Center together with the Office of Student Safety and Wellness cordially invites you to our inaugural Red Ribbon Awareness Open House. Recognizing that many families may feel uncertain about discussing substance use with their children, this event aims to equip attendees with essential resources and confidence.
The event will feature current, age-appropriate information on common substances of abuse, along with practical communication techniques. After the presentation, participants will have the opportunity of receiving a private tour of the FRC library and browse through our pre-selected resources. Narcan training will be offered. No registration needed.
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.
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.
Thank you!
The first PTA social for the year. held last Friday. 9/26 was a Doritos-smashed hit! Middle schoolers learned that salsa wasn’t just a Chipotle topping. And adults learned “walking tacos” wasn’t just eating a taco without a seat. Thank you to everyone who attended and everyone who helped plan and support this fun event!
LJMS Parents Are the Pulse of the PTA!
Many thanks to our Faculty Fairies that have provided treats this year—we’ve never seen teachers so happy to start their week!
It’s a blessing to receive, but an even bigger blessing to give (if you have the means). We still have many empty weeks ahead to fill, and every effort—big or small—means the world to our teachers, staff, and custodians. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A8AB22A6FFC34-57969538-faculty#/
To join the PTA and support our LJMS community, go to: https://ljmspta.givebacks.com/shop
Please email pta@jacksonmspta.org with any questions!
We’ve had an awesome first week of after-school activities at LJ After Hours! Students are already diving into clubs, sports, and enrichment opportunities that make our after-school program such a valuable part of the Jackson experience.
Parents—thank you for your continued support! For questions, program details, and weekly updates, please visit our website: jacksonms.fcps.edu/activities/after-school-programs.
We’re looking forward to another great week ahead!
Ms. McCabe (After-School Specialist)
2025-2026 Reflections Call For Entries 
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. Entries can either be submitted digitally or in person in Ms Lundeen’s art room.
This year's theme is: "I Belong”
Deadline: Monday November 17, 2025.
View the Submission Form or visit the Reflections website at LJ PTA Reflections for the submission form and to see entry guidelines for each art category. If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections Chair Meredith Caldwell at reflections@jacksonmspta.org.
Parents and teachers interested in referring students for the fall full-time AAP screening must submit a full-time AAP referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 15, 2025.
Fall 2025 screening is only available to students newly enrolled in FCPS after January 1, 2025, who were not screened in Spring 2025.
For information pertaining to the screening process, testing and identification timeline or identification and placement, please contact Laura Ballou at liballou@fcps.edu.
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.
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.
|
|
