Roadrunner Revue

JDA Families,

As we enter the final five instructional days before the Thanksgiving break, we want to remind our community that—even in this busy holiday season—every day matters and every minute counts.

Students are excited for the upcoming break, but it is still essential that they remain engaged, present, and intentional in their classes. Thank you for helping us reinforce the importance of finishing strong.

🦃 Opportunities for Family Engagement

We know this season inspires reflection, service, and connection. To support that, we are offering several ways for families to stay involved both at home and at school:

🔸 Food for Families Drive

We are still actively collecting non-perishable food items for our annual Food for Families Drive.
To make donating even easier, collection bins will be available at all after-school activities this week, especially for families whose students walk or bike home.
Every contribution makes a difference—thank you for supporting our larger Killeen community.

🔸 Support Learning at Home with IXL

If your child has a few minutes in the evenings, IXL is a great way to build confidence and reinforce learning in both reading and math.
Students can log in through Clever from any device at home (there is even an app). Even 20 minutes a night can help strengthen skills and support them in staying on track as we move toward the end of the semester.
We encourage families to check in with their students about what skills they are working on and celebrate small wins together

🔸 The JDA Standard

Last week, we rolled out a renewed focus on The JDA Standard—our clear set of expectations for behavior, respect, and personal responsibility.
Although these expectations have always been part of our Student Handbook, we wanted to bring them to the forefront so that every student understands what it means to represent JDA with pride.

We’ve included a brief video explaining The JDA Standard- CLICK HERE TO VIEW.
Please take a moment to review it with your student and help us reinforce these expectations at home.
Your partnership ensures consistency and helps keep our campus safe, respectful, and supportive for all.

📚 Instructional Focus

This is a short week, but it is a meaningful one. Instruction is still in full swing, and our teachers are preparing lessons that keep students engaged and learning through Friday.
Please encourage your student to:

• Come to school on time every day

• Stay focused in class

• Complete assignments

• Follow campus expectations

• Show kindness, gratitude, and respect

Together, we can maintain a strong academic rhythm heading into the break.

💛 As Always—Thank You

We are grateful for your continued partnership and support. JDA is a stronger community because of our families, and we appreciate all you do to help your children succeed. Let’s make these last five days count!

Please reach out if you need anything.
Have a wonderful week!

With gratitude,

Savannah Jimenez

Principal, JDA Middle School

**Last call to retrieve items from the lost and found! All items still on campus on Friday will be donated!**

Saturday, November 15

• JDA Band All Region Concert - Killeen High School

Monday, November 17

• Jason Foundation Lesson for 7th graders
• JDA Girls Basketball Game 7th(Visitor) 8th (Home) vs AMMS

• Closed Tutorials 4pm
• EF Tours 2027 Parent Meeting 6pm - JDA Cafeteria

• Jason Foundation Lesson for 8th graders
• KISD Thanksgiving Meal during all lunches
• JDA Cheer Practice
• Open Tutorials 4pm
• Football Sports Banquet 6pm

• Coffee Chat w/Ms. Arriaza 8:30-9:30 am, Bring your mug!
• JDA Choir Field Trip - CHS Shadow Walk 9:15am-12pm
• Open Tutorials 4pm

• JDA Boys Basketball Game 7th(Visitor) 8th (Home) vs AMMS

• Last day to retrieve items from the Lost and Found
• Free Food Day (concessions- bring cash and JDA cards)
• Pep Rally (Pep Rally Schedule) - Gratitude & Fall Sports

🥧🍖Thanksgiving Break- November 24-28 🦃🌽

Monday, December 1

• Cheer Practice
• JDA Girls Basketball 7th(Home) 8th(Visitor) vs NMS 5:30pm

Tuesday, December 2

• Closed Tutoring
• GT Tours Parent Meeting 6pm JDA Cafeteria

Wednesday, December 3

• Cheer Practice
• Open Tutoring
• JDA Boys Basketball Game 7th(Home) 8th(Visitor) vs NMS 5:30pm

Thursday, December 4

• Open Tutoring

Friday, December 5

• JDA Winter Ball 7pm

Click the Picture below to purchase feathers! $1 per feather.

Join us in giving back to our community this season! From November 3–19, JDA will be hosting a campus-wide Food Drive to support local families in need. We’re collecting non-perishable food items such as canned proteins, vegetables, soups, rice, and pasta.

Winning Grade - Up To 2 Days Of Recess During Interventions!

**We have very few donations, so please encourage your students to bring in items or drop them off at the front office!**

Families,

IXL is one of the strongest tools we have to boost student learning in Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies. All grade levels should use IXL regularly—8th grade students in all subjects, and 6th–7th graders prioritizing Math and ELA, with Science and Social Studies available to reinforce learning. Twenty minutes a day at home can make an incredible difference in a student's learning!

To help your student get the most out of IXL, here are a few quick tips:

What to Look For at Home

• Students should be taking notes and working out each problem on paper. This is the biggest indicator they are practicing with intention—not rushing, guessing, or taking AI shortcuts.

• If they miss a problem, IXL provides a step-by-step explanation. Students should write down important steps or strategies before trying again.

• You can search any classroom standard in IXL to help reteach or practice a concept before an assignment or test. **This is a great tool to prepare for mastery attempts on classwork!

• Please be aware that some students may screenshot problems and use AI to get answers. Monitoring your child’s work helps ensure they are truly learning and building the skills they need.

Weekly Expectations

• 15 correct questions per week (on grade level)

• Master 2 grade-level skills weekly (per subject)

• Aim for a SmartScore of 80 (mastery)

Parent Pro Tip

Check Home Access Center (HAC) weekly and adjust how many minutes your student spends in IXL based on their current grades. This links IXL practice directly to their classroom learning. While we do not take IXL for a grade, consistent practice on grade-level skills absolutely strengthens proficiency and improves overall performance.

Example:
Little Johnny is expected to complete 20 minutes of IXL each weekday, rotating subjects. In HAC, his grades are:

• Math: A

• ELA: C

• Science: B

• Social Studies: B

Because Math is his strongest subject, he keeps 20 minutes on Math days.
Since he is struggling in ELA, his parent increases his ELA practice to 30–40 minutes on ELA days.
For Science and Social Studies, where he has Bs, they might increase those practice days to 25–30 minutes to reinforce understanding.

This simple weekly adjustment helps ensure your student is practicing intentionally—focusing time where it’s needed most and strengthening the skills that directly impact their grades.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your child gets the most out of IXL. Your support at home truly makes a difference!

Dear families,

We’re going to visit the National Parks in Summer of 2027, and your student is invited! We’re excited to tell you more about the trip we’re planning with EF Explore America, our educational travel partner. Please be sure to register for this info session to be considered for this opportunity: https://rsvp.efexploreamerica.com/9nfknf8

When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and we would love to have your student join us on this adventure. In this info session, we’ll talk about:

· How this opportunity will benefit your student

· What we’ll see and do on our trip

· Everything that’s included in this experience

· How your child can earn academic credit

· How we’re keeping this safe and affordable

· How to enroll on this trip (before it fills up!) during EF’s risk-free enrollment period

· Scholarship opportunities and Fund raising for the trip.

There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

Thanks,

Meagan Ezernack

8th Grade Science & GT

JDA Middle School

Meagan.Ezernack@killeenisd.org

EF Tours is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Killeen ISD. Participation is entirely voluntary and not a school-sponsored activity. KISD holds no responsibility or liability for any aspect of EF Tours trips, including travel, supervision, safety, payments, or itinerary decisions. All questions should be directed to EF Tours.

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, we want to ensure that every family in our school community can enjoy a special meal together. If you are concerned about being able to provide food for your family this Thanksgiving, please reach out to your student’s counselor as soon as possible. Our counselors can help connect you with available resources and support.

Ms. Selena: selena.fiore@killeenisd.org

Ms. Carter: chrisela.carter@killeenisd.org

Ms. Baez: natalie.baez@killeenisd.org

All requests will be handled with care and confidentiality.

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!

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.

💬 Interested in Volunteering?

Please contact Ms. Jennyfer Arriaza for more information:

📞 254-336-3300
📧 jennyfer.arriaza@killeenisd.org

At JDA, we believe that every student can grow when provided with structure, support, and purpose. Our Homework Centers and Open Tutorials are designed to give students a consistent space for learning, connection, and progress — before and after school.

Please take a few moments to review the expectations and reasoning behind them so we can work together to ensure every student makes the most of these opportunities.

Morning Homework Center

• Available Monday–Friday from 7:30–7:50 a.m. in the ISS Room

• Students can complete homework, study, or read quietly before school begins. Capped at 20 students.
  ✅ Why: Morning Homework Center gives students a calm, structured start to the day and helps them get caught up or stay ahead academically.

Afternoon Open Tutorials

• Start with supper: Students attending tutorials begin in the cafeteria to eat before reporting to their assigned tutorial room.
  ✅ Why: Ensuring students are fed allows them to focus better during their learning time.

• Bring something to work on: Tutorials are for active learning. Students must bring assignments, study materials, or specific questions.
  ✅ Why: We want to protect instructional time and make sure every minute benefits student growth.

• Homework Center available: Students who just need a quiet space to read or complete work can choose the Homework Center instead. Located in the ISS Room.
  ✅ Why: Not every student needs direct help from a teacher, but all students can benefit from a structured place to focus. This also open slots up for students that do need direct teacher help.

• Limited movement: Students may move between teachers only if they have an academic reason.
  ✅ Why: Reducing movement keeps sessions productive and ensures teacher time is spent helping students, not managing transitions.

• Behavior expectations: Tutorials are a privilege, not a right. If a student disrupts the learning environment or is off-task, parents will be called to pick them up. Continued concerns may result in the student losing this privilege.
  ✅ Why: Maintaining a focused, safe learning environment allows all students to succeed and teachers to provide meaningful support.

Tutorial Sign-Up Process (Ongoing)

To help with safety, organization, and accountability, all students will sign up for tutorials during supper until we find it no longer necessary.

• Each teacher will have 25 available slots per day.

• Teachers may reserve up to 10 slots for specific students who need targeted support (must communicate prior to the day of).

• At least 15 slots per teacher will remain open for same-day sign-ups.

• Students must write what they plan to work on when signing up. If they do not have a reason to attend, they do not need to sign up for that teacher.

• Teachers may redirect students if another teacher is handling a specific focus area (e.g., test makeups).
  ✅ Why: The sign-up process ensures each student gets the right help, prevents overcrowding, and protects some slots for students that MUST be in that tutorial.

Devices & Yondr Pouches

• Yondr pouches will be unlocked during supper.

• Phones must remain put away in the cafeteria and hallways.

• Students must ask their tutorial teacher for permission before using a device to contact a parent.

• Unauthorized phone use may result in the device being held until the following day.
  ✅ Why: We want to teach responsible device use while keeping tutorials a distraction-free learning time.

Dismissal

• Tutorials end promptly at 5:00 p.m.

• No movement between classrooms after 4:45 p.m.

• Students must be picked up promptly from the front of the school.

• Students not picked up on time and not enrolled in Boys & Girls Club may lose the privilege to attend tutorials.
  ✅ Why: Consistent routines and prompt pickups help ensure student safety and respect staff time. Our staff will stay with the students until they are picked up. Please be mindful and sign them up for Boys and Girls Club if you cannot pick them up by 5:05 pm.

Thank you for helping us keep JDA’s learning environment structured, supportive, and focused. By reinforcing these expectations at home, you’re helping us teach students that responsibility and readiness lead to success — both in and out of the classroom.

Are you passionate about creating a welcoming, supportive campus for all students?

Join JDA’s Youth Sponsorship Youth (YSP), a student-led initiative bridging military and civilian communities through mentorship, service, and belonging.

Requirement:

A kind heart and an open Mind

Stop by Student Services Today!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

1. Log in using the email address you provided when purchasing the Family Pass.
2. Click on Tickets Icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select ‘My Passes’ tab at the top of the screen.
4. Select Pass you would like to use.
5. Select ‘Today’s Eligible Events’. (No events available will appear if there are not any games scheduled today)
6. Press and Hold Check-In Icon to admit each attendee.
7. Select Check-In again and repeat step 6 for up to three more attendees.

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!

Heart of Gold Award Nomination Form Link (Click Here)

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!

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.

CLICK HERE for a video on how to translate Smore