The Panther Paw

This week’s edition of The Panther Paw is all about keeping our school running like a well-oiled machine! Inside, you’ll find helpful reminders about some of our key routines and expectations that help make each day smooth and successful for everyone.

We’re also shining the spotlight on an amazing group of people you might not always see in the classroom—our incredible office team! From answering phones and greeting visitors to handling student needs, scheduling, and keeping communication flowing, they’re the behind-the-scenes heroes who help our building run efficiently and keep everything on track.

To help keep our morning traffic running safely and efficiently, please follow the drop-off guidelines for each school:

North Vernon Elementary (NVE)

Enter from Walnut Street using the NVE entrance.
Pull forward to the first available space before dropping off your child.

Jennings County Middle School (JCMS)

Enter from Walnut Street via Middle School Road.
Drop off in the back parking lot only.
Main entrance drop-off is for students with administrator approval only.
No car traffic is allowed between JCMS and JCHS during school hours—this is bus-only.

Jennings County High School (JCHS)

Enter from Walnut Street via Ham Wernke Way.
Drop off at Door C in front of the school.
Do not drop off at Door A.
The roadway between JCHS and JCMS is for bus traffic only—no cars permitted.

Multiple School Drop-Off Tip
If you have students at more than one school, please drop off in this order:

JCMS
NVE
JCHS

This route helps you avoid crossing traffic and ensures all students arrive on time.

At Jennings County Middle School, we want every student to end the day feeling confident and prepared. One of the best ways to make this happen is for students to know their afternoon routine well before the final bell rings.

When students are unsure about how they are getting home, what practice they have after school, or whether a parent is picking them up, it can cause confusion, stress, and delays. These last-minute uncertainties can lead to missed buses, disrupted schedules, and unnecessary phone calls home.

Why It Matters

Less Stress for Students: When the afternoon plan is clear, students can focus on their learning instead of worrying about what’s next.
Smoother Dismissal: Fewer last-minute changes help our staff get everyone where they need to be safely and on time.
Better Communication: Parents and guardians can feel confident knowing their child understands the plan.

How to Help Your Student

Discuss the Plan Each Morning: Whether it’s bus, pick-up, walking, or after-school activities, make sure your student knows before they leave for school.
Communicate Early: If plans change, please contact the office as soon as possible so we can let your student know before the end of the day.
Write It Down: A quick note or planner reminder can help younger students remember their dismissal plan.

By making sure afternoon routines are settled early, we can all work together to keep dismissal safe, calm, and organized—helping every student finish the day strong.

The JCMS offices are the heart of our school, and the amazing people who work there help keep everything running smoothly every single day. From making sure you’re healthy, to tracking attendance, handling lunch money, greeting visitors, and keeping our schedules on track—they do it all! These friendly faces are always ready to help students, staff, and families. Next time you see them, be sure to give them a smile and a “thank you” for all they do!

Mrs. Ross- Malcomb

Mrs. Ross-Malcomb is our Building Treasurer and Head Secretary, which means she helps take care of all the money for our school—like classroom supplies, lunch accounts, and sports or club funds. She’s also one of the main people making sure the office runs smoothly every single day. Whether she’s answering phones, helping students, or keeping things organized, she’s always working hard to make sure JCMS is the best it can be!

Mrs. Sochacki

Mrs. Sochacki is the friendly face behind attendance and busing at JCMS! If you need to turn in an attendance note, update your absence, or bring in a bus change request, she’s the go-to person who makes sure everything is recorded and communicated correctly. She works hard to keep our records accurate and our buses running smoothly so every student gets where they need to be—on time and safely. With her organized approach and welcoming personality, Mrs. Sochacki helps keep our school day flowing without a hitch.

Mrs. Thompson

Mrs. Thompson is our receptionist and records secretary. She is often the first face you’ll see when you step into the office. She’s always ready to help—whether you’re signing in, looking for information, or needing assistance with school records. She keeps our building records accurate and organized, while also helping the front office run smoothly. Most importantly, she makes sure everyone who comes through the door feels welcome at JCMS.

Ms. Barnes

Ms. Barnes is our Athletics Administrative Assistant and is part of the team that helps keep our elementary and middle school sports programs running smoothly. She’s here to help with athletics questions, check grades, enter information into Final Forms, organize safety documents, and much more. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes details or helping students and families directly, Ms. Barnes plays a key role in supporting our athletes and coaches at JCMS.

Ms. Black

Ms. Black is our School Counseling Administrative Assistant. She works closely with our counselors to assist with programming and events, as well as coordinating substitute coverage daily, and helps keep The Panther Window screens around the building up to date.

Nurse Janet

Nurse Janet is our Main Office Nurse She is always happy to assist students and staff with whatever needs they might have—whether it’s treating an injury, helping someone feel better, or offering advice on staying healthy. She’s always kind, calm, and ready to make sure you feel safe and healthy at school. From band-aids to big emergencies, Nurse Janet is here to make sure everyone in our Panther family is safe and cared for.

At JCMS, we want our classrooms and hallways to be spaces for learning, connection, and focus. To help make that happen, students should place their cell phones in their lockers at the very beginning of the school day.

Phones should be turned completely off before going into the locker—this means not just on silent or vibrate.
Once stored, phones should remain in the locker until dismissal.

Keeping phones out of sight and out of mind helps reduce distractions, encourages face-to-face conversations, and supports a better learning environment for everyone.

Parents & Guardians — How to Reach Your Student During the Day

We understand that sometimes you need to get an important message to your student during school hours. Instead of texting or calling their personal phone, please contact our Main Office at 812-346-4940.

Our Office Team will:

Take your message quickly and accurately
Make sure your student receives it
Assist with any questions you may have

Your cooperation helps us keep the school day running smoothly and ensures that communication remains clear and distraction-free for our students.

For safety, security, and to keep classrooms clutter-free, all purses and bags should be left in your locker at the start of each day. Carrying only the materials you need for each class helps keep learning spaces organized and makes it easier for everyone to move around the room. Lockers are the safest place for your personal belongings, and keeping them there during the school day ensures that nothing gets misplaced or becomes a distraction from learning.

Panther Study is an after school program in which students can receive extra support and time to work on their assignments. Parents can arrange for up to 2 days per week for a student to stay until 4:30 to work on homework or get some extra support for the assigned work. If you are interested in signing up your student, please reach out to Mrs. Field. More information is found on the attached flyer.

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!