Roadrunner Revue

Roadrunner Families,

February has arrived, and with it comes a full heart and a full calendar. As we step into the Month of Kindness, I want to pause and say thank you—for your partnership, your support, and your continued trust in JDA. Our vision is to be a nurturing and inclusive environment that empowers every student to excel, and that work is always stronger when school and home move forward together.

You’ll notice this week’s newsletter is chock-full of important information—upcoming events, fundraiser links, Black History Month celebrations, reminders, and several quick polls. These polls matter. Your feedback helps us tailor how we communicate, what we prioritize, and how we best support your family. Thank you in advance for taking a moment to share your voice.

There is so much to celebrate this week, but one achievement deserves a spotlight moment:
🏀 In just our second year of existence, JDA’s 7th and 8th grade Boys and Girls Basketball teams each earned their District Championship titles.
That makes JDA the only middle school District Champion in basketball—an incredible accomplishment. Thank you to the parents, families, and community members who showed up loud and proud this past weekend. Our students felt that support, and it mattered.

A few important reminders as you plan the week ahead:

• 💃🕺 Valentine’s Dance is Thursday

• 📣 Pep Rally celebrations are also happening this week

• 🖤❤️ Black History Month Spirit Week is underway—please remember all spirit wear must remain within KISD dress code

• ❄️📅 School will be in session on Friday, February 13, as this is a bad weather makeup day

And yes—because it’s Super Bowl Sunday, we’re getting this newsletter out a little early so it doesn’t compete with kickoff, commercials, or family traditions. Priorities matter. 😉

As always, thank you for partnering with us to grow not just strong students, but strong people—rooted in Character, Communication, Citizenship, and Critical Thinking. February reminds us that kindness is not a small thing; it’s a daily choice that shapes culture.

If you have feedback, questions, or ideas as you read through the newsletter, we want to hear from you. Please use the JDA Family Feedback & Support Request Form anytime:
👉 https://forms.office.com/r/9TiHjsrAbB

Here’s to a week filled with kindness, school spirit, and continued Roadrunner pride.

With gratitude and excitement,
Mrs. Jimenez
Principal, JDA Middle School 🐦💙

Monday, February 9

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• Book Fair in the Library
• Cheer Practice
• Theatre Performance of One Act Play 5pm @ JDA

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• Book Fair in the Library
• Theatre Performance of One Act Play 5pm @ JDA
• TELPAS Parent Night

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• Cheer Practice
• Healthy Meals w/Chef DJ @ JDA 5-6:30
• Deadline to Submit Teacher of the Year Nominations

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• Pep Rally Schedule
• Book Fair in the Library
• Pep Rally- Multicultural Celebration and Basketball
• Future Ready Expo @ KCC 5:30-7
• Valentine Dance @ JDA 6-8 pm

• We DO have school (makeup weather day)
• Book Fair in the Library
• Valentine Rose Grams Delivered
• JDA OAP Performance @ HHHS 1:30-2:30
• No after school tutorials

Saturday, February 14

• Valentine's Day
• No Saturday Detention
• Heart of Texas Dance Contest @ Belton High School

Monday, February 16

• No School for Staff or Students- President's Day

Tuesday, February 17

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• Partnering with Parents Session #1- 10-11:30 am

Wednesday, February 18

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• TELPAS Listening and Speaking 6/8th grade EB students
• JDA Band MS Pre-UIL @ CHS
• 8th grade High School Parent Night, JDA Library, 5pm

Thursday, February 19

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• TELPAS Listening and Speaking 7th grade EB students
• Partnering with Parents Session #2- 10-11:30 am
• JDA Band MS Pre-UIL @ CHS

Friday, February 20

• CHS 8th grade Preview Day Permission Slips Due

Monday, February 23

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• JDA Boys/Girls Track Meet @ HHHS

Tuesday, February 24

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• TELPAS Reading and Writing- 7th grade EB Students
• Partnering with Parents Session #3- 10-11:30 am
• KISD Art Show 5-6 pm

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• TELPAS Reading and Writing- 6/8th grade EB Students
• JDA Boys/Girls Track Meet @ HHHS
• KISD Art Show 5-6 pm

Thursday. February 26

• Morning Homework Center and Afternoon Tutorials
• Partnering with Parents Session #4- 10-11:30 am
• JDA Orchestra UIL Concert and Sigh-treading in Temple
• KISD Art Show 5-6 pm

Friday, February 27

• No Afterschool Tutorials
• KISD Art Show 5-6 pm
• JDA Choir Pre-UIL Concert @ CHS- 6pm

We’d love your feedback on how we communicate with families.
Our goal is to keep information clear, timely, and not overwhelming. Please let us know which option you prefer:

• Option A: One larger newsletter at the beginning of each month, with shorter reminder messages sent as needed for events and deadlines throughout the month.

• Option B: A weekly newsletter, with fewer additional reminders or updates sent during the week.

Your input helps us communicate in a way that works best for your family. Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to improve how we share information.

Vote using the poll below. If you have specific feedback or suggestions, please use the following link:

https://forms.office.com/r/9TiHjsrAbB

For Black History Month, we will be hosting Poetry Slam Mondays, and we would love to feature voices from our very own JDA community!

Staff members and students who are interested in participating are encouraged to sign up using the form linked below. Poems should connect to Black History Month and may explore themes such as history, culture, identity, resilience, leadership, and achievement.

All submissions must be school-appropriate and suitable for a middle school audience. Poems should:

• Use respectful language

• Avoid profanity, explicit content, or references to violence, drugs, or sexual themes

• Promote positive expression and align with school expectations

Selected poems will be shared during lunch periods.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to our Parent Liaison, Ms. Jennyfer Arriaza.

We look forward to celebrating creativity, voice, and history together!

Sign up HERE

At JDA, we value open communication and strong partnerships with our families. To help us listen, respond, and support you more effectively, we’ve created a JDA Family Feedback & Support Request Form for questions, concerns, requests, and suggestions.

This form ensures your message is routed to the appropriate team member and helps us follow up intentionally. We aim to respond within 48 business hours. In some cases, classroom-related concerns may begin with the teacher to support timely resolution.

🔗 Submit feedback or a support request here: JDA Family Feedback & Support Request Form – Fill out form

Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to support every student.

KISD STEM Academy application is now open. Applications may be submitted via email to STEM@killeenisd.org or printed and returned to the school counselor by Friday, March 13, 2026.

Contact Mrs. Menchaca at xandria.menchaca@killeenisd.org to sign up for the listed dates.

🍎 Healthy Meals Workshop at JDA! 🍎

We’re excited to host a FREE, family-friendly Healthy Meals Workshop with KISD’s Chef DJ—and your whole family is invited!

📅 Tuesday, 2/11/26
⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM (Doors open at 4:45)
📍 JDA Middle School
🚗 Park in the back parking lot
🚪 Enter through Door 16
🎒 Clear bag event

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring the entire family
🥗 Learn healthy, delicious recipes
💙 Build skills that support student success at home

Parents & students—now is your chance to nominate outstanding JDA teachers for our 2025–2026 Campus-Wide Teacher Awards!

🏆 Awards Include:
• Teacher of the Year
• Rising Educator of the Year
• Impact Champion of the Year

📝 Who can nominate? Students & families
⏰ Deadline: Wednesday, February 11
📣 Teacher award winners announced Feb 27–Mar 2

Your voice helps us recognize the educators who live out our values and make learning meaningful every day.

👉 Nominate here: 2025-2026 JDA Annual Campus-wide Recognition- Parents & Students – Fill out form

Questions Correct Answered

6th Grade: 40,858 questions

7th Grade: 24,433 questions

8th Grade: 20,772 questions

Top 4 Classes (all 6th Grade)

Ross - 174 questions

Jones - 163 questions

Blackmon - 158 questions

Harvey - 128 questions

We are currently 12th place (out of 13) on the KISD Middle School IXL Leaderboard.

To keep all students safe and properly supervised during morning arrival, we need families to follow these expectations consistently:

• No student drop-off before 7:30 a.m. (There is no supervision prior to this time.)

• 7:30–7:52 a.m.: Parent drop-off occurs in the back of the building only.

• After 7:52 a.m.: Parents may drop off in the front of the building, and students must enter through Door 1.

• All drop-offs and pick-ups are curbside only. There is never a time when students should be dropped off in parking lots or asked to cross traffic.

Because these procedures have not been followed consistently, we have had to request additional district personnel to help manage arrival—time and resources that should be focused on supporting students, not correcting unsafe adult behavior.

JDA staff and parents are on the same team. Partnership means shared responsibility and shared accountability. Just as families hold us accountable, we must hold families accountable for following safety procedures.

Thank you to the many families who do this correctly every morning. Your cooperation keeps our campus safe.

Questions or feedback?
🔗 JDA Family Feedback & Support Request Form: https://forms.office.com/r/9TiHjsrAbB

Our 3rd Nine Weeks Block Party is coming up on Friday, March 13th, and we’re excited to celebrate students who have shown strong responsibility and effort this grading period.

Participation is earned. Student access to activities will be determined by behavior and being on time to class. Students with minor violations, tardies, or referrals will have limited access (in tiers) and may not be able to participate in all activities.

🍿 Concessions will be available, and students will be able to use JDA Cards (along with cash) to make purchases. There are still many opportunities to earn JDA Cards between now and the event, so now is the time to stay focused, make good choices, and get to class on time.

This event is about celebrating positive choices and reinforcing accountability—when students show responsibility, they earn the reward.

Let’s finish the nine weeks strong and celebrate the right way—Intentional Impact by Design.

CLICK HERE for a video on how to translate Smore