JTA Parent Update

Monday, March 23

• Volleyball vs. Meade County HOME @ 5:30 pm
  
  

Friday, March 27

• Last day of the Spring Book Fair

Friday, March 3

• Snack Cart for Students
  
  

Monday, April 6 - 10

• Spring Break

1) PER KENTUCKY STATE LAW, if your students shows up late for school, a parent/guardian must sign them in. Please walk your child inside and sign them in. Thank you!

2) From Mrs. Cardona, Records Clerk: Parents, please check your student's backpacks to see if they have a letter from me. I have several things that haven't been turned back in. Thank you!

We would love to recognize these students for showing characteristics of being a Trojan: Productive, Polite, Prompt, and Prepared!

"Elizabeth Leasure. She demonstrates exceptional skill in elucidating the steps involved in solving mathematical problems, provides assistance to her peers during class, maintains exemplary behavioral standards, consistently completes her assignments punctually, successfully completed her math pathway in i-Ready, and continues her diligent work on the IXL website. She exemplifies a commendable model of responsible citizenship."

"I would like to shout out Braelynn Reid. She is a Peer Buddy and is great with the kids. She works with all the kids on class work and will talk to them in the halls. She helps with the lessons during class without being asked. She's a natural! We love having Braelynn in class!"

"I would like to shout out 7th graders Jayla Hendrix and Jace Williams. Jayla has made an effort in the last 3 weeks to stay awake in class, complete assignments on time, and to stay in class. She has been successful in all efforts!! Way to go, Jayla. Jace has also shown immense improvement in his engagement and effort in class and I am very proud of him for it! "

"I would like to send a shout‑out to three boys—Jaedon Cunningham, Mekhi Hopkins, and Kadynn Williams—who come to see me every morning just to get a hug and share encouraging words. These boys are now in the 8th grade; I taught them in my 7th‑grade ELA class. I am proud of them, and I encourage them to stay focused and make smart choices. Making smart choices will lead them down a great path as they continue to grow and become young men."

"I would love to send Khloe Ferguson, a shout‑out. You have been hanging in there with me since the first day I started teaching at JTA. You were in my 7th‑grade ELA class, and this year I had the opportunity to teach you again in my first‑semester career class, and now once more in the third trimester. Khloe, thank you for allowing me to escort you on the 8th‑grade JTA Volleyball Teacher Night. Continue to make smart choices, stay consistent in doing your best at all times, and never doubt yourself. If something doesn’t work the first time, try again. Never give up. I wish you the very best as you prepare for high school."

The school nurse paperwork was sent home the first week of school. If you want your child to see the school nurse for any reason, they must have it completed and returned. That documentation MUST be on file for school health personnel to see and treat students.

Important Student Health Information

• In alignment with updated requirements from the Kentucky Board of Nursing and the Kentucky Department of Education, a written provider order must be on file before any prescribed medication can be administered by the school nurse. In the past, a grace period was allowed for submitting this documentation. However, effective with the 2025–2026 school year, that grace period will no longer be permitted. When bringing prescribed medication to school for administration by the nurse, you must also bring the written provider order at the same time. Without it, the medication cannot and will not be given to your student.
  
  
• Also in alignment with updated requirements, effective for the 2025-2026 school year, over-the-counter medications (i.e. Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Neosporin, Tums, etc.) cannot be given to a student without a written consent on file. If you give permission for your student to receive over-the-counter medications administered by the school nurse, please return your Healthy Kids Clinic registration forms with your consent. We will no longer be able to accept verbal permission.

We are encouraging our teachers to use Apptegy Rooms with you, so you can get consistent, quick, and reliable communication. The best feature is it is similar to texting because we know how busy life can be. Please download the Apptegy App and sign up to receive communication from your student's teachers!

A new Kentucky law, KRS 160.145 (aka Senate Bill 181), requires school districts to adopt a traceable communication system that “shall be the exclusive means for school district employees and volunteers to communicate electronically with students.” You can read more about HCS Traceable Communication when you CLICK HERE.

Hardin County Schools has another tool to communicate with students, parents, staff and the community. Smart device users can download the HCS App from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Each school and the district will still communicate through the all-call system with phone calls, text messages and/or emails. That is why it is critically important that your phone number and email address are current in the HCS Parent Portal

The Parent Portal is a wonderful tool to keep track of grades and attendance. Log in to the Parent Portal by CLICKING HERE. A Parent Portal app is also available from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. If parents do not have login credentials for the Parent Portal, they should contact their child’s school.

A new Kentucky law requires schools to provide a moment of silence or reflection at the beginning of each school day's first class. It shall be of at least one (1) minute but not to exceed two (2) minutes in duration. Students will be required to remain seated and silent and do nothing to distract others. See KRS 158.175 and Hardin County Board of Education Policy 8.1351 for more information.

Proper appearance and dress makes a good impression and keeps the educational and learning environment professional. The Hardin County School District asks that students and parents accept responsibilities concerning student dress code.

• Tank tops, tube tops, halter tops, crop tops, shirts that show the midriff, bareback tops, off-the-shoulder tops, spaghetti straps, low-cut and/or revealing tops, blouses or dresses are prohibited.
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses must meet the 5 inch rule, (no more than 5 inches from the top of the knee all of the way around using an index card placed vertically for measurement)
• Pajama pants are not allowed.
• Visible rips, tears, or holes located higher than finger-tip length are not permitted, unless an underlayer (ex: leggings, form-fitting pants, a neatly sewn patch, undershirt, etc.) is worn underneath the affected area.

Students may have cell phones and electronic devices in their possession, but they must be turned off or silenced during the school day. Cell phones, earbuds/headphones, & other electronic devices must remain out of sight from the time class starts at 8:00 AM until the time they exit the school building, except when authorized by a teacher or administrator. This includes use in the cafeteria at lunch and in the hallways during transition.

PARENT CONTACT DURING SCHOOL HOURS

If a student needs to contact their parent or guardian, the student should use the Student Signup form to put in a request to come to the front office to call home.

To minimize disruption to the learning environment, parents are kindly requested to contact the school's front office directly at 270-877-2135 if they need to relay an urgent message to their child during school hours. This allows school staff to deliver messages efficiently and ensures that classroom instruction remains uninterrupted.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (or thighs), diced
• 12 oz whole wheat pasta (penne or rotini)
• 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli to the pasta water during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes until fully cooked.

• Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

• Pour in chicken broth and milk. Simmer for 3–4 minutes to slightly reduce.

• Stir in parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning until the sauce thickens.

• Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet and toss until coated.

• Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm.