The Panther Paw - Edition #2

The JCMS administration team would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our students, faculty, staff, parents, and families for making the first few days of school such a tremendous success! From the moment our doors opened, the building came alive with the energy, excitement, and Panther pride that make JCMS such a special place. We have loved seeing classrooms buzzing with learning, hallways filled with friendly greetings, gyms echoing with teamwork, and the cafeteria bustling with laughter and conversation.

These first days have reminded us that JCMS is more than a school. JCMS is a community where relationships are strengthened, talents are discovered, goals are pursued, and lasting memories are made. Every student enters our building with unique strengths and possibilities, and we are committed to creating opportunities for each Panther to thrive.

As we look ahead, we are excited to watch our students grow academically, socially, and personally. This year will bring new opportunities to learn, explore, lead, and overcome challenges. We know our Panthers are ready to step forward with confidence, embrace their potential, and show what they can accomplish.

Together, let’s make the 2026–2027 school year one to remember as we focus on Unleashing Our Potential—Every Panther. Every Day.

At Jennings County Middle School, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priorities. A safe school allows students to focus on learning, build positive relationships, and feel confident that they belong.

This week during SRT, students will begin training on the "Threats Are No Joke" program. This program reviews the importance of school safety and the serious impacts that threats can have one an individual, the importance of reporting and not ignoring threats, and how threats can affect those around them.

Upon completion, all students sign the student pledge of:

• Don’t Do It! – I will not make threats.
• Don’t Share It! – I will not spread threats made by others.
• Report It! – If I hear or see a threat, I will tell a trusted adult right away.

School safety is a shared responsibility. By working together, following established procedures, and looking out for one another, we can continue making JCMS a safe, welcoming place for Every Panther. Every Day.

Taking care of your Chromebook is an important part of making sure it works when you need it most. Treat it like a valuable tool, not just another school supply. Follow these tips to keep it safe, clean, and ready for learning all year long:

• Carry it the right way – Hold it with both hands, lid closed, and never pick it up by the screen.

• Keep the protective case on – It’s there to protect against drops, scratches, and “oops” moments.

• Avoid food and drinks nearby – Crumbs and spills can cause serious damage.

• Watch the temperature – Don’t leave it in hot cars, direct sun, or freezing cold.

• Be gentle with the screen and keyboard – No poking the screen, slamming the lid, or leaving objects on the keyboard.

• Charge it overnight – Plug it in before bed so it’s ready for the next day.

• Report issues right away – Cracks, missing keys, or charging problems should be reported to a teacher or tech office immediately.

• Take responsibility – It’s checked out to you, so treat it like you would your own phone or other important device.

If you have any technology issues, Mr. Lowe, our building tech, is in room 25. If Mr. Lowe is not in the building, please bring your device up to Mrs. Thompson in the Main Office, and she will gladly help you out.

At Jennings County Middle School, our goal is to help students develop responsibility, organization, time-management skills, and strong academic habits. To provide clear and consistent expectations across the school, we want to review our procedures for homework, missing assignments, and late work.

When an assignment is not submitted by its due date, a zero will be entered in Skyward and marked Missing. This gives students and families an accurate picture of how the missing assignment affects the student’s grade. The zero can be replaced when the assignment is completed and submitted before the end of the unit.

Late assignments may be submitted until the unit test or the teacher’s announced Unit Close Date. A 10% deduction will be applied for each day the assignment is late, with a maximum deduction of 50%. Late work must be at least 60% complete to be accepted.

Once a unit has ended:

• Assignments from that unit will no longer be accepted.
• Remaining missing assignments will become permanent zeroes.
• Extra-credit work may not replace required assignments that were not completed.
• Students will receive a fresh start and focus on learning in the new unit.
  
  

JCMS provides several opportunities for students to complete missing work before a unit closes. During Management Monday, students review Skyward, Google Classroom, email, and current grades. Missing-assignment reports are distributed on Tuesdays, and students may use SRT time throughout the week to complete outstanding work. Students with missing assignments may also use Friday team-reward time to catch up.

Students with excused absences receive one additional school day for each day they were absent to complete missed assignments without a late penalty. Documented accommodations through an IEP, Section 504 Plan, English Learner Plan, or another educational plan will always be honored. Additional consideration may also be provided for extended illness, hospitalization, family emergencies, technology-access concerns, or other significant circumstances.

Families can help by regularly checking Skyward and Google Classroom, discussing upcoming deadlines, and encouraging students to ask for help early. Teachers will contact families when a student has three or more missing assignments in one course, is in danger of failing, repeatedly misses assigned support sessions, or demonstrates an ongoing pattern of missing work. By working together, we can provide accurate grades, timely support, and consistent expectations that help every student take ownership of learning.

Mark your calendars! Jennings County Middle School Picture Day will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026.

Barksdale School Portraits will photograph students during the school day. Families may select from several backgrounds and create a customized picture package when ordering online.

Online Order Code: 0094288IN

Please remember that this is a prepay event, and payment is due on Picture Day. The online order code will expire 24 hours after Picture Day, so be sure to place your order promptly.

We can’t wait to see our Panthers dressed and ready to smile! Today’s moments are tomorrow’s memories!

This week, students will begin Exact Path diagnostic testing. This assessment is used by the school corporation to track each student’s individual academic growth. Students will complete the diagnostic in their math and language arts classes. Please make sure Chromebooks are charged and ready for testing. Students should also bring their chargers as a backup in case their devices run low on battery.

Additionally, Exact Path will connect with our ILEARN Checkpoint Assessments to create an individualized intervention and enrichment pathway for each student. This will help address learning gaps and provide additional opportunities for growth. Exact Path will be used during SRT, math and language arts classes, and seventh-grade Learning Labs.

Here is the testing schedule JCMS will follow:

• Tuesday and Wednesday - Math Diagnostic
• Thursday and Friday - Reading Diagnostic

Notification Letter for Households

Our school nutrition department participates in the National School Lunch Program and implements Offer versus Serve. Offer versus Serve allows students to decline some of the food offered as part of a complete meal. The goals of Offer versus Serve are to reduce food waste in the school nutrition programs and to allow students more customization of the meal they select. For general OVS guidelines, please read the Understanding the Lunch Line section below.

Understanding the Lunch Line

All schools are required by USDA guidelines to have adequate signage posted in the cafeteria and on the serving line to help explain how students can create a complete meal. The friendly staff at your child’s school are happy to help as well.

At lunch, all students have the opportunity to choose from menu items that fall within five important food groups, including milk, protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains. While the most nutritious lunch contains all of the offered items, we understand that sometimes our students do not like some of the items we serve. To make our customers happy, we like to give them the option to decline items they do not want to eat.

Out of the five food groups your student is offered, they must choose at least three food groups to make a complete meal. One of the selections must be at least ½ cup of fruit or vegetable. Students who do not create a complete meal will be charged a la carte pricing for the items selected.

Example Menu for Lunch*

Chicken Soft Taco

1/2 cup Black Beans

1/2 cup Fiesta Corn

1/2 cup Strawberries

1/2 cup Diced Peaches

8oz of Milk

With Offer Versus Serve at lunch, your student could choose:

• Chicken Soft Taco and Fiesta Corn (Protein + Grain + Vegetable = 3 food groups)

• Chicken Soft Taco, Strawberries, and Milk (Protein + Grain + Fruit + Milk = 4 food groups)

• Black Beans, Fiesta Corn, Strawberries, Milk (Vegetable + Vegetable + Fruit + Milk = 3 food groups)

Even though the school participates in Offer versus Serve, students are not required to decline items. In fact, they’re encouraged to take all five food groups, but the choice is up to them! If your student comes home and says they did not get enough to eat at lunch, ask if they are taking all of the food group offerings. Don’t hesitate to reach out to insert contact name and number if you have any questions about the offered menu.

*Keep in mind that some cafeterias offer multiple options within each food group. Sitting down with young children to review the menu ahead of time will help ensure they are prepared as they come to the cafeteria for lunch.

Notification Letter for Households

Our school nutrition department participates in the School Breakfast Program and implements Offer versus Serve (OVS). OVS allows students to decline some of the food offered as part of a complete meal. The goals of OVS are to reduce food waste in the school nutrition programs and to allow students more customization of the meal they select. For general OVS guidelines, please read the Understanding the Breakfast Line section below.

Understanding the Breakfast Line

At breakfast, all students have the opportunity to take, at a minimum, milk, fruit, grains and/or protein. We also may add vegetables to the breakfast offerings. While the most nutritious breakfast contains all of the offered items, we understand that sometimes our students do not like some of the items we serve. To make our customers happy, we like to give them the option to decline items they do not want to eat.

For breakfast, students must choose at least three offered items for their meal. One of the items selected must be a fruit or vegetable.

Example Menu for Breakfast*

Scrambled Eggs with Cheese

Biscuit

1/2 cup Seasoned Potatoes

1 cup Strawberries

8oz of Milk

With Offer versus Serve at breakfast, your student could choose:

• Seasoned Potatoes, Strawberries, and Milk ( Vegetable + Fruit + Milk)

• Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Strawberries, and Milk ( Protein + Fruit + Milk)

• Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Biscuit, and Seasoned Potatoes (Protein + Grain + Vegetable)

Even though the school participates in Offer versus Serve, students are not required to decline items and can take all items offered. The choice is up to them! If your student comes home and says they did not get enough to eat at breakfast, ask if they are taking all of the items offered to them. Don’t hesitate to reach out to insert contact name and number if you have any questions about the menu.

*Keep in mind that some cafeterias offer multiple options within each food group and many offer different serving styles such as breakfast in the classroom. Talk with our team if you have any questions about the choices your student has at breakfast.

If you haven’t already downloaded Parent Square to your phone or device, make sure to do so! In addition to getting text message notifications, you can also get notifications directly from the app. Notifications will include our weekly newsletters from each team and the school, attendance notifications, and much more! You can download the app by going to your device’s app store.

Our JCMS families are an important part of everything we do, and we would love for you to get involved! Parent and family volunteers help make school programming and student opportunities possible.

All volunteers must have an updated background check on file with the JCMS Main Office before participating. If you are interested in volunteering this school year, please contact Mrs. Ross-Malcomb in the Main Office and she will get you the proper paperwork.

Thank you for partnering with us to make a positive impact and help us unleash the potential of every Panther, every day!