Jefferson Middle School

Thank you for all of your support in getting this year off to a positive start! I really appreciate your attendance at Open House, and for helping us have a great first couple of days of the 24-25 school year! Please see below for important information for the month of September.

Sincerely,

Mike Matteson

• If you are dropping your student(s) off by car in the morning, please pull all the way around to the flags before stopping to let your students out. Having one drop off point in the loop is safer and makes the traffic flow more efficient for everyone.

• The cafeteria is open each day at 7:30 AM, for students who are eating breakfast. All other students should wait on the west side of the building on the blacktop by the basketball hoops until 7:45 AM.

• If picking up by car after school, make sure you pull into the loop and have your student(s) walk around on the sidewalk to get into your vehicle. Once they’re in your car, you can then pull into the left lane, drive through the rest of the loop, and exit onto Taft street.

• When cars are “in line” please be attentive and continuously pull forward as you are able to so that everyone is able to pick up their student in a timely fashion.

• We also prefer that cars not pick up after school right on the corner of Taft Street and the entrance to the parking lot, as this slows the flow of traffic as well. Students can enter their parent’s vehicle around the horseshoe from the flag poles to the west end of the tennis courts.
• Finally, students should not be entering vehicles from the left lane of traffic. The right lane is for entering and exiting vehicles, while the left lane should keep moving after students have entered or exited vehicles.

One of our goals this year to all of our parents is clear and frequent communication. In addition to the monthly newsletters, will will be sending more frequent weekly communication which highlights specifics for the coming week when there is not a monthly newsletter. Another great way to receive updates and information about happenings at JMS is to follow the Jefferson Middle School and the Jefferson Middle School PTO on Facebook.

We are very happy to share that on Friday, September 20th, our 7th graders will be travelling to the Stix Event Center to participate in the Courage Retreat which is done by Youth Frontiers. Youth Frontiers (YF) is a nonprofit organization that has been delivering retreats to schools since 1987. They provide schools with experiences that inspire character, civility and community so that our next generation of leaders is grounded in character. On the Courage Retreat, the YF Programs Staff will focus on creating a more positive school community by engaging students in a variety of activities that enhance self-confidence, empathy and connectedness.

This is something that returned to JMS 7th graders last year and we are very excited to offer this year's 7th grade the same opportunity!

Our picture retake day is on Wednesday, October 2nd from 9:30-11:30 am in the library.

Navigating school pictures is as easy as 1,2,3:

• 1. Attend picture day during the hours of 9:30 am -11:30 am to have your student(s) picture taken.
• 2. After picture day, you will be emailed a link to your student's secure online gallery.
• 3. Complete your picture order online.

Welcome back! Our meeting dates are listed below for the 2024/2025 school year (subject to change). All are welcome to attend and join us in person or virtually. The school year will kick off with the Butter Braid and Milwaukee Pretzel Company fundraiser. Packets will be sent home 9/16 with students. We are excited to bring back a favorite and try a NEW product. There will be a variety of fundraising opportunities during the year that the students and families can take participate in. These are always OPTIONAL and PTO never wants any student or family to feel they HAVE to fundraiser. Other ways to support PTO during the school year; consider volunteering your time, attending meetings and help with decision making, monetary contributions, helping with the school fundraisers, or hold an officer position. Feel free to contact us anytime at the email listed below. Again, we want to thank everyone who supports the PTO, especially the JMS families who volunteer their time when needed.

Sarah Gyles

JMS PTO President

Contact: jmspto@sdoj.org

President: Sarah Gyles, Treasurer: Leah Hernandez, Secretary: Teri Drake

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdoj.MiddleSchoolPTO

Important Information - September

Remaining PTO Meeting Dates (6:00 pm)

• September 9, 2024
• October 7, 2024
• November 4, 2024
• December 2, 2024
• January,6, 2025
• February 3, 2025
• March 3, 2025
• April 7, 2025
• May 5, 2025
• June 2, 2025

Virtual meeting link available, Email jmspto@sdoj.org

To pay general registration, course, school, and optional (athletic, band, parking etc.) fees, as well as

outstanding balances, you may either pay online or via cash/check. The Balance tab in the Parent portal will show you any outstanding fee balances you may have and/or any available meal balance. Pay Fees Online: Click the “eFunds for schools” button within the balance tab in your PowerSchool Parent portal, or click on the eFunds icon. This will direct you to eFunds, the District’s online payment system, to securely and easily pay student fees online.

⭐Please note: the registration portal and e-Funds are not linked and have different login accounts.

Meal prices and payment options can be found on the Food Service site here. As noted above, you can see your current meal balance in the Balance tab in your PowerSchool Parent portal. To deposit lunch money online click here or click on the MySchoolBucks icon. Note:

New users must first register to establish a username and password. Your Family Number is your home phone (including area code and dashes: xxx-xxx-xxxx). Once registered, you can add funds for each child in your family. Deposit Lunch Money Via Cash/Check: If you choose to bring money to school personally or send it with your student, please put it in an envelope clearly marked with your student's first and last name, school name and the amount enclosed. Turn in prepaid deposits to the cafeteria cashier(s) or school office.

Back by popular demand - the Jefferson Optimist Club will be sponsoring Missoula Children's Theatre for the second year in a row - September 23-28, 2024. There is no cost to participate.

Grades K-5 will have an opportunity to audition to be in the cast.

New this year!!!! Sixth graders will be able to audition for assistant director positions (4 positions to be filled).

Last year was a great success - we are all looking forward to another wonderful production!