Family Update - October 11, 2026
Parent Update, October 11, 2026
FROM THE PRINCIPALS
Dear Families,
As we enter the final week of the quarter, please take some time to review your child's academic progress by checking PowerSchool and discussing any missing assignments. We encourage all students to finish the quarter strong by completing outstanding work and putting forth their best effort. Thank you for your support in helping your child have a successful end to the quarter.
Reminders
- No School for students on Friday, October 16th and Monday, October 19th.
- Picture retakes will be October 21st.
As part of our upcoming Safety Week, Jones Middle School students in grade 6 will have the opportunity to attend a digital safety presentation with expert Jesse Weinberger at Jones Middle School. She will provide age-appropriate presentations for students in grades 3-6 focused on digital citizenship, responsible technology use, online decision-making, and personal safety. As part of the presentation, students will be invited to complete a brief anonymous survey to provide district-level information that can help inform our ongoing digital safety education and prevention efforts.
Parents/guardians of Jones students in grade 6 — please complete this permission form by October 16. Please submit one form for each participating child in grades 3-5 in your family. If you do not want your child to participate, we will provide an alternate, supervised learning activity at their school during the presentation time.
We are asking that students not bring Nedohs to school. Unfortunately, these become more of a distraction than a tool. Students are puncturing them, and the contents create a mess that is difficult to clean up. We understand if a student needs a fidget, and we are happy to provide suggestions for other options that are more durable and appropriate for the school environment.
As a reminder, if students bring a beverage to school, it should be in a reusable water bottle or cup with a secured lid. Drinks in cans and cups without secure lids, such as Starbucks cups, can easily spill and create disruptions in the classroom. We appreciate your support in helping keep classrooms and hallways clean.
Warm regards,
Jasa George, Principal
Keona Walker, Assistant Principal
Jasa George, Principal
Keona Walker, Assistant Principal
Jones Family Update
Click here to watch this week's episode of Jones Weekend Update.
What's Happening At Jones
Sixth Grade Camp was a huge success!
It was amazing week at 6th grade. The weather was perfect. A big thank-you to Ms. Sutherin and Mr. Lombardo for coordinating camp, and to all the teachers, staff, and high school counselors who participated. It was a special week for our sixth graders and one they’ll remember for a long time.This week you can read the 6th Grade Newsletter, to see camp highlights and read about the 6th graders' service project of “Let’s End Hunger: Together, We Can Fight Hunger One Can at a Time.”
PAW Award
PAW Award Winners will be announced on Friday morning. Teachers will nominate students based on the district's characteristics in the Profile of an Engaged Learner.
The Profile of an Engaged Learner reflects the vision for all Upper Arlington learners, at every stage and every grade. Developed with input from students and all teachers across the district and solidified by a districtwide work group of educators, the Profile of an Engaged Learner document articulates the skills and characteristics that Upper Arlington Schools believes will prepare our students to serve, lead and succeed in Upper Arlington and beyond.
The characteristics include being a solution seeker, creative, skilled communicator, open-minded & empathetic, responsible & resilient, and well-balanced.
This Week's PAW Award Winners are as follows:
Braden Beckstedt for being responsible and resilient
Catherine Cromleigh for being responsible and resilient
Smith Souza for being well-balanced
Noah Stivers for being open-minded
Nicholas Tucker for being open-minded
Sam Ardelea for being open-minded
John Kaffenberger for being a solution seeker
PTO
GOLDEN BEAR SPIRIT
Thank you again to those who sponsored and purchased bear packs, making this year's Golden Bear Spirit Fundraiser a HUGE success!
Our Bears will still be migrating through October 15th! If you ordered a Specialty Bear, those will be delivered the following week.
Please remember if your child would like service credit for helping move the bears, please have them use the jonesptogbs@gmail.com email address and submit the hours via Maia Learning as soon as their shift is completed.
Thank you again for your help & support!
VETERANS DAY
We are looking for volunteers to help set up for the 8th Grade Veterans Day Celebration on Thursday, November 5th, as well as volunteers to help during the actual celebration on Friday, November 6th.
We do ask that for those who volunteer on the 6th, please dress nicely to honor the Veterans.
Sign up here. Thanks in advance for your support!
Calling All Scientists
Three of our middle school science teachers, Mrs. Belair, Mr. Menhorn, and Mrs. Schneider, are starting a Science Olympiad Club at Jones. All science teachers are sharing the details in their classes.
Here is the Science Olympiad flyer with details for how to be involved.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health, encourage support for mental health services, and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
This week in Advisory, students had the opportunity to play a game of Reverse Charades focused on activities and strategies that can promote positive mental wellness. Some of the strategies students explored included talking with a trusted adult, practicing deep breathing, listening to music, exercising, spending time with family, taking a break from technology, and many others.
World Mental Health Day provides a wonderful opportunity to talk as a family about the strategies each person uses to support their mental well-being. Teens benefit from hearing what works for others, and family conversations can help them discover strategies they may want to try themselves.
As middle schoolers grow and develop, the strategies that helped them cope in the past may not always work as well. Learning how to self-regulate, manage strong emotions, and maintain perspective when things feel challenging is often most effective when students are calm and able to think clearly. It can be helpful for students to develop a metaphorical “toolbox” of strategies they can draw from when they are struggling.
Building resilience and learning to reframe challenging situations are not one-size-fits-all skills. They take practice, and each student needs strategies that feel meaningful and manageable to them. Encourage your child to create a personal list of things they can try when they are having a difficult day. When students help choose the strategies that go into their toolbox, they are more likely to use them when they need them.
This week, consider asking your child: “What are some things that help you feel better when you’re having a tough day?” You may be surprised by the ideas they have—and you may even discover a few strategies that work for the whole family.
Ohio Military Kids Events
Ohio Military Kids (OMK) is hosting Youth and Teen Resilience Weekends Sept. 25-27
and Oct. 16-18. These weekends are an opportunity for military families to build resilience and connection in an outdoor setting. Contact omkohio@gmail.com or call 614-257-8876 with any questions.
Ski Club Parent/Student Meeting
Ski club dates are below (weather permitting):
Friday: 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5
Make up dates: 2/12 & 2/19 (if needed)
Mandatory Parent meeting date:
Wednesday, October 28th at 7pm in the auditorium
Yearbook Info.
Congratulations to the winners of this year's yearbook design contest, Adalyn Rudolph for her JMS design and Kate Hendricks for her cover design!
Don't forget to order your 2026-2027 JMS yearbook HERE.
If you missed your chance to purchase a 2025-2026 JMS yearbook, now is your chance! We have extra copies that will be for sale for $55. Please email ppickering@uaschools.org or stop by the front office if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Checks can be made out to Upper Arlington City Schools. Please include 'yearbook' in the memo.
The Yearbook Team is still looking for photos from our middle school fall sports season! Parents, if you have great action shots, team photos, or fun moments from games and events, we would love to include them in this year’s yearbook. Please email your photos to ppickering@uaschools.org. Thank you for helping make this year's yearbook a great one!
8th grade Veterans Day Parent Volunteer Sign-Up:
We are looking for volunteers to help set up for the 8th Grade Veteran's Day Celebration on Thursday, November 5th, as well as volunteers to help during the actual celebration on Friday, November 6th. Those who volunteer on the 6th, we ask that you dress nicely to honor the Veterans.
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4DA5AC28A5FC1-59560108-veterans#/
Save the Date: Mandatory Washington, D.C. Trip Meeting!
Attention 8th Grade Families! Please mark your calendars for our mandatory D.C. Trip Parent/Student Meeting on Tuesday, April 27th, 2027, at 7:30 PM in the Jones Auditorium. This is the preferred meeting for our families to attend.
If it is absolutely impossible for your family to make the Tuesday session, you may attend the alternative meeting on Monday, April 26th, 2027, at 7:30 PM in the Hastings Auditorium.
Attendance is required for both the student AND at least one parent/guardian. It is vital that both attend, as we will go over critical trip logistics, safety protocols, and the final itinerary. Having every family fully present ensures everyone is aligned and prepared for a safe, smooth, and unforgettable experience.
Thank you for prioritizing this. We look forward to seeing you there! Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the DC Trip, Nick Judy, njudy@uaschools.org.
Report Cards
Click here for directions to accessing the reports.
District News
Digital Safety Presentation for Parents/Guardians
Upper Arlington Schools invites parents and guardians of students in grades K-12 to join internet safety expert Jesse Weinberger for an evening presentation on today’s digital environment and how families can support safe and responsible technology use. The presentation will build on age-appropriate digital safety presentations Weinberger will provide to students in grades 3-6, focused on digital citizenship, responsible technology use, online decision-making and personal safety.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center
In accordance with the presenter’s event requirements, this session is for adults only. Children and students ages 1–20 will not be admitted to the presentation space. Audio and video recording are also prohibited.
Tri-Village Packers: Thanksgiving and Winter Break Food Distribution
Upper Arlington Schools is partnering with the Tri-Village Packers for their Thanksgiving break and winter break food distribution programs. The Tri-Village Packers will distribute grocery items for the children of families in the Upper Arlington school district for the days out of school over Thanksgiving break (November 25-29) and winter break (December 21-January 4). The food will be provided at no cost for children who would benefit from the support.
OCTOBER 2026
October 13 - 6th Grade Orchestra Informance, 7pm
October 13 - 7th/8th Grade Orchestra Showcase, 8pm
October 14 - Fall Athletic Recognition Night (see coaches for time and location)
October 15 - End of Quarter 1
October 16 - No School
October 19 - No School
October 20 - Quarter 2 Begins
October 21 - Picture Retakes, 8:30am
October 23 - 25 - Fall Production
October 28 - Parent/Student Ski Club Meeting, 7pm
IMPORTANT LINKS
PaySchoolsCentral.com (Pay Fees and Add $$ to lunch accounts)
schoolbusquestions@uaschools.org or call 614-487-6477 (Transportation)
https://www.uaschools.org/students-families/lunch-menus (Nutritional Services)
https://ps-uar.metasolutions.net/public/home.html (PowerSchool Parent Portal)
This email has been sent to you by JONES MIDDLE SCHOOL. If you received this email in error, please contact allcall@uaschools.org.