Roadrunner Revue
January 11, 2026
Principal Message
Intentional Impact by Design
Roadrunner Families,
The start of second semester always brings a renewed sense of purpose—and at JDA, purpose matters. This first full week of January is about resetting, refocusing, and recommitting to who we are and where we are going together.
Across classrooms, students are refreshing social contracts and expectations, not as rules for compliance, but as commitments to one another. We are reinforcing what it looks like to learn with intention, treat others with respect, and take ownership of growth—academically, socially, and personally.
While assessments are part of the educational landscape, they are not the ceiling of our work. At JDA, we teach well beyond any single test. Our mission is to empower students to excel through meaningful work and quality instruction, and our vision is to prepare them for success in life—not just in a testing window.
Last year’s accountability rating did not reflect who we are or what we are capable of. We know it. Our students know it. And now, it’s time to show it—through strong instruction, vibrant fine arts, competitive athletics, deep family partnerships, and a culture that feels different the moment you walk on campus.
Second semester moves quickly, which means consistency matters:
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Being at school and on time
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Engaging fully in learning each day
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Taking advantage of support early, not as a last resort
One way we are strengthening support this semester is through a revamped tutorial model designed for impact, not convenience.
Closed Tutorials are invite-only and based on real data from classwork and assessments. These sessions provide targeted instruction for students who need additional time on specific skills. Invitations are intentional, and if your student is invited, it reflects a teacher’s belief that this support will help them succeed. Your partnership in ensuring attendance is vital.
Open Tutorials are student-driven and focus on mastery work, reassessments, and questions. Students are expected to arrive on time, stay focused, and use the time productively. Tutorials are a privilege meant to accelerate learning, and students who misuse that time may lose access. All students must be picked up promptly to maintain safe and smooth dismissal.
We are working on a graphic depicting the Closed and Open Tutorial days by teacher, and it should be available sometime on Monday.
A few reminders as we move forward:
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Every student received a new ID on January 7th. If they already had one, the newly printed ID is with their 2nd period teacher.
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Our Capturing Kids’ Hearts focus for January is Respect—respect for learning, for others, and for oneself. We are reinforcing that respect isn’t just how we treat people when things are easy, but how we show up when expectations are high.
We believe deeply in our students and in this community. JDA is building something special—by design, not by chance. Thank you for walking alongside us as we continue to raise the bar and show what it truly means to be Roadrunners.
With pride and purpose,
Savannah Jimenez
Principal, JDA Middle School
Monthly Calendar (Easy to print for the fridge!)
Revisiting Expectations for the New Semester
Parents, we encourage you to take a few minutes to review the presentation that was shared with all students on January 7. It is often helpful to see expectations from a parent perspective, and the information below reflects exactly what was reviewed with students.
First, please ensure that students are either properly using their Yondr pouch each day or leaving personal devices at home. We are currently experiencing a very high number of device surrenders, which is creating transportation delays and stressful dismissals for students, staff, and families. The option to surrender a device is meant to be an exception—not a daily routine.
Second, we need your help addressing a concerning behavior trend. “Pantsing” or attempting to pull down another student’s clothing is not acceptable under any circumstances. Please talk with your student about this expectation. Removing another person’s clothing is a serious offense, and consequences will vary based on severity but may include sexual harassment charges, indecent exposure, or placement at DAEP (Gateway).
Finally, we ask for your continued support of The JDA Standard. When an adult at JDA gives a student a directive that is not illegal, immoral, or unethical, we expect students to comply the first time. We have seen an increase in disrespectful behavior toward substitute teachers, and we want to be very clear: we need substitutes in order to operate our campus effectively. When students attempt to “run off” substitutes, it directly impacts our ability to keep classes covered.
As always, if a student experiences an issue with a substitute, teacher, peer, or any situation on campus, we ask that it be reported to the Student Support Center as soon as possible so it can be addressed appropriately.
Thank you for partnering with us to maintain a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment for all Roadrunners.
Week at a Glance
** School Board Appreciation Month**
Monday, January 12
- Complete iReady Math Diagnostic
- Cheer Practice
- Choir Evening Sing at Rancier Middle School (6-7:30 pm)
- Cheer Practice
- 7th/8th grade girls B-Team Basketball Mid-Season Tournament Begins
- 7th/8th grade boys B-Team Basketball Mid-Season Tournament Begins
- Vision Board Night, JDA Library, 5-6:30 pm
Saturday, January 17
- 7/8th B-Team Mid-Season Tournament Continues for Girls and Boys
Important Attendance Note Reminder: Parents may submit up to 10 parent/guardian excuse notes per school year. Beyond this allowance, any further absences must be documented with a medical note in order to be excused.
Event Information
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Event Information
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Purchase your 2025-2026 JDA Yearbook
Capture all the memories, milestones, and moments that make this school year unforgettable! Preorder your Dr. Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School yearbook now and make sure you don’t miss out.
Click on the link below to purchase your yearbook!
Resources Section (No New Info Below This)
Free Math & Literacy Tutoring
We’d love to have you on our team!
Are you looking for a way to get more involved in your child’s school experience? We’re currently looking for parent and guardian volunteers for the 2025–2026 school year!
There are so many ways to help — from assisting in the classroom or chaperoning field trips, to helping with school events and behind-the-scenes support. Whether you have a little time or a lot, your involvement makes a BIG difference.
Volunteer Orientations will be held every first Friday at 8:30 am and every third Friday virtually at 1:00 pm. They are only required once every academic year at any KISD campus. If you have any questions or concerns, please email jennyfer.arriaza@killeenisd.org
💬 Interested in Volunteering?
Please contact Ms. Jennyfer Arriaza for more information:
📞 254-336-3300
📧 jennyfer.arriaza@killeenisd.org
How to access your Family Pass
- Log in using the email address you provided when purchasing the Family Pass.
- Click on Tickets Icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Select ‘My Passes’ tab at the top of the screen.
- Select Pass you would like to use.
- Select ‘Today’s Eligible Events’. (No events available will appear if there are not any games scheduled today)
- Press and Hold Check-In Icon to admit each attendee.
- Select Check-In again and repeat step 6 for up to three more attendees.
Reminders for Athletic/School Events
For ANY school-sponsored event (before, during, or after school and weekends/Home or Away)
All students are expected to:
- Be in dress code
- Wear their ID
- Represent JDA well (positive behavior, good sportsmanship, etc)
- Abide by the Student Code of Conduct
- Leave by 15 minutes after the end of the event
- Keep your area tidy
Do you know a Killeen ISD staff member who exemplifies our core leadership principles?
The Heart of Gold Award honors those who prioritize people, cultivate relationships, lead with honor, embrace diversity, and inspire innovation. This award also recognizes staff who lead change, live the vision, utilize data, engineer excellence, create effective teams, invest in themselves and others, and commit to excellence. Help us celebrate those who truly embody our values and beliefs through their actions. Nominate someone today!
After 4 pm, any student that is not actively engaged in an approved after school activity will be taken to Boys and Girls Club. Students must be signed up. We suggest that everyone sign up, just in case, as life happens!
Students can be picked up from Boys and Girls Club at Door 4 (after the buses depart) by calling 254-922-1139. Save this number!
Dress Code- Applies to the School Day AND ANY KISD Event
Any students that are not able to get into dress code will be asked to call their parents to bring them clothing that will get them back into dress code. Students will wait in ISS until their parents are able to bring them a change of clothes.
*Please help us keep your student in instruction and review their clothing choices before they come to school.
We are accepting donations for our clothing closet! If we are able to find something in the closet that will get your student back into class, that is our first choice, before calling parents and asking them to bring additional clothing.
Need to Translate this Newsletter?
JDA Middle School
JDA Middle School Roadrunners
Dr. Jimmie Don Aycock Middle School
Killeen Independent School District
https://www.killeenisd.org/jda
Receptionist (254) 336-3300
Attendance (254) 336-3314
Nurse (254) 336-3312
Student Support Center (254) 336-3304

