The Panther Paw

Midterm grades are now available for all students and families. This halfway point in the grading period is a great time to check your progress, celebrate your successes, and make adjustments if needed. Remember: midterms aren’t the final word—they’re a snapshot of where you stand right now. What matters most is how you finish!

Tips to Stay on Track or Improve:

Check Skyward Regularly – Stay up to date with missing assignments, grades, and teacher feedback.
Communicate with Teachers – If you’re unsure about your progress, reach out. Teachers want to help you succeed!
Use Resource Time Wisely – This is your built-in opportunity each day to get extra help, study, or finish work.
Stay Organized – Keep a planner, checklists, or digital reminders to track due dates and assignments.
Form Study Habits – Break your studying into small chunks, review notes daily, and practice problems often.
Limit Distractions – Put phones away while studying and create a focused space for homework.
Set Goals for the Second Half – Whether it’s raising a grade, completing all homework on time, or participating more in class, goals help keep you motivated.

Final Thought:

Midterm grades are a checkpoint, not a finish line. If you’re doing well, keep pushing! If you’re struggling, now is the perfect time to regroup, ask for help, and turn things around. Every day is a new chance to unlock your potential and show what you can achieve.

Midterms have been published in Skyward Family Access for families to review!
You can access them by going to Skyward Family Access, entering your login information, and selecting "Gradebook". Midterm grades are under the Progress 1 Column.

Picture Day is on Tuesday, September 16th! Starting now, Parents/Guardians can prepay for picture packages before picture day by clicking on the picture attached or following the link below. Students will also be sent home with flyers early next week. Students will be taking their pictures during their Health or PE classes on this day.

What to expect on picture day:

When an order is placed online, the parent/guardian will receive a camera pass via email. This can either be printed or texted to the student and brought to picture day. The photographer will photograph the printed camera pass along with the student.
If a student is not able to print their camera pass, that is not a problem. We will match up the student to their order manually in the production process.
A parent may order from the flyer up until 24 hours after picture day. After 24 hours, the online ordering access may close. This will allow our imaging team to "Pull" all orders submitted and match them with the students photographed.
When pictures are returned to school, all students that purchased pictures will receive their prepaid package. Any student that was photographed but did not order a package, will receive a "Proof" (PX) of their picture that was taken on picture day.

All proof packages offer parents a second opportunity to order prints. All orders are subject to shipping and handling costs of up to $8.50 and will be shipped directly to home.

You can order prints by clicking on Panther Pete's picture above or by following the link below!

Mark your calendars!

Dirty Dough will be at JCMS on Wednesday for conferences and athletic events! Stop by their truck for a fresh Dirty Dough cookie/s, and JCMS will earn a portion of the proceeds to go into our student fund!

Mark your calendars!

The food truck Donut NV will be at JCMS on Thursday, September 11th by the Athletic entrance! Stop in for conferences, grab a sweet treat, and watch the Panthers compete in either football up at JCHS or cross country runners at the Muscatatuck Park!

The Panther Perspective is a news site published each month by the Advanced Media students. Students complete interviews with administrators, counselors, teachers, and students on various topics and initiatives taking place at JCMS.

Great job to the team of Advanced Media students for putting together a great August issue!

Help support our school by dining in at Texas Roadhouse in Columbus on Tuesday, September 16th! Mention that you are there for Dine in Night and JCMS will earn a 10% donation of the evenings sales towards our JCMS Student Fund! This fund covers various incentives, activities, and much more that we offer at JCMS!

NAMI Indiana Hosts Informative “NAMI 101” Meeting in North Vernon

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Indiana is excited to announce an informative “NAMI 101” meeting, scheduled to take place on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. EST at Jennings County High School Auditorium, 800 W. Walnut St., North Vernon, IN 47265

This free and engaging presentation will provide an overview of NAMI’s structure, programs, and the

critical ways in which NAMI supports individuals, families, and communities impacted by mental illness.Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in an open Q&A session following the presentation, offering them a chance to connect with local NAMI Indiana leaders and learn how they can bring NAMI programs to the area.

Who should attend?

Individuals looking to understand more about NAMI.
Those interested in bringing NAMI’s impactful programs to their local community.
New and existing NAMI Indiana members.
Anyone who has participated in a NAMI Indiana program, support group, or presentation and

wants to deepen their involvement.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP but it is not necessary, Kelsie O’Keefe kokeefe@namiindiana.org.

Join us for this informative session and learn more about the resources NAMI Indiana provides for

individuals living with mental illness and their loved ones.

About NAMI Indiana

NAMI Indiana is the state chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largestgrassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Through advocacy, education, support, and public awareness, NAMI Indiana works to raise awareness and provide essential services across the state.