6th Grade Academy Newsletter

Dear JCTMS Families,

It is hard to believe we are already halfway through the school year! I am so proud of how our scholars are excelling in academics, athletics, and the arts.

As your child’s counselor, I want to ensure everyone finishes the year strong. Please continue to encourage your student to:

• Stay focused and engaged during class.

• Advocate for themselves and ask questions.

• Stay on top of assignments and take advantage of "redo" opportunities for tests.

I am here to help remove any barriers to your child's success. Please reach out if there is anything I can do to support your family.

Best regards,

Counselor Walker

As we begin the second semester, we are asking for your help in minimizing classroom disruptions related to cellphone and social media use. Most of the digital conflicts we address during the school day begin after school hours.

How you can help: By proactively monitoring your child’s phone and social media activity, you help us keep the school day focused on academics and student well-being.

Safety Monitoring Tools: If you are interested in using parental control apps, consider exploring options such as Bark, Spy Phone Lab, WebWatcher, FlexiSPY, or HoverWatch.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure a safe, focused, and positive environment for all our scholars!

Operation Parent is a national nonprofit that exists to empower parents (and caregivers) to fully engage in ongoing conversations with their K-12 children about technology, substance use, and mental health issues for purposes of prevention. Evidence-based parent handbooks and free monthly webinars raise both the awareness and confidence needed to jumpstart conversations. Please see the list of available free webinars on the website:

• Register for the link at https://www.operationparent.org/webinars
• You can also find recorded webinars on some of the following topics: Understanding social media's impact; influencers, body images and substances; The truth of youth screen addiction; Dangers of Vaping and E-cigarettes: Peer to Peer Suicide Prevention: Bridging the gap between Parents and Teens ( How to keep teens & tweens talkin to us)

• Report cards go home on Tuesday, January 13th

• If your child failed English or Math in Term 2, they will have the opportunity to attend Extended School Services after school to bring their grade up to passing.

• Day Time Extended School Services 6th period with a grade-level teacher if your child is failing Math or ELA assessments, to assist with pulling their grade up before the end of the quarter.

• 6th Grade Math Tutoring: Tutoring with Ms. Broyles will continue on Thursdays, from 2:20-3:30 PM. A huge shoutout to Ms. Broyles for offering this valuable service! We have seen amazing growth in the students who have attended tutoring consistently.

• Individual Learning Plan (ILP): Throughout January, all 6th-grade students will complete their ILP. This plan brings together their academic achievements, extracurricular experiences, and career exploration activities to create a personalized plan for future success.

• Spring Counselor Lessons: In the coming months, we will cover the following topics in our counselor lessons:

  • Conflict Resolution
  • Healthy Relationships

Thank you for your continued patience as we adjust to our drop-off and pick-up procedures. We truly appreciate your cooperation in following the car rider line protocols, which are essential for the safety and efficiency of our daily transitions.

A few important reminders to ensure a smooth process:

• Be Mindful of Neighbors: Please be considerate of our local neighbors and the JCTMS staff directing traffic.

• Maintain Traffic Flow: Do not block intersections, driveways, or crosswalks.

• Wait Your Turn: Kindly refrain from cutting the line, as this creates safety hazards and delays for others.

Key Timing:

• Drop-off: Doors open at 7:00 AM.

• Dismissal: School ends at 2:10 PM.

A huge shout-out to our administration team, who have been working tirelessly in the elements to direct the car rider line. We greatly appreciate your support in keeping all of our students safe during dismissal!

Supporting our students' mental health is a top priority at JCTMS. We are pleased to offer several layers of support:

• School-Based Services: Our Mental Health Practitioner, Ms. O’Neal, and several outside providers offer school-based therapy during the school day. If you would like your child to receive these services, please complete the form below

• External Resources: If you are seeking additional outside therapy resources for your family, please reach out to Care Solace Mental Health Services. They offer both in-person and telehealth options and can help match you with a provider. Care Solace offers options in-person and via telehealth.

If there are any barriers preventing your child from succeeding, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am here to support our students in every way I can to ensure a successful and fulfilling year.

Aisha Walker

6th Grade Academy Counselor

aisha.walker@jefferson.kyschools.us

Twitter: @counselorwalker

Ring Central Phone/Text: 502.830.0760