Jonathan Alder Junior High

JAJHS Families,

We've had such a great start to the school year! Over the past several days, I've constantly been impressed with the ways our students have jumped into the school year with confidence, compassion, and positive attitudes.

The first few days our teachers spend lots of time establishing routines and discussing procedures. Our kids have done a great job taking all this in. Mr. Moyer and I met with students during Advisory this week to ensure all students are aware of school-wide expectations. This weekend provides a nice three-day recharge, and we're eager to get back to the work next week!

It has been a pleasure getting to know our kids this year. Thank you for sending us such a great group to work with!

Please take time to review our newsletter below for important updates on events and activities. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please reach out.

Sincerely,

Ryan Malany

Principal

Up-to-date calendar information is always available on the building website calendar.

September 1st - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

September 4th - 8th Grade Parent Information Night @ 6:00 PM

September 8th - PTO @ 7:00 PM @ JH Library

September 9th - 7th Grade Parent Information Night @ 6:00 PM

September 11th - JAJHS Picture Day

September 22nd - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL

September 23rd - 8th Grade Washington DC Trip Parent Meeting @ 6:30 PM

Please mark your calendar for our Parent Classroom Information Nights. These events will provide families with the opportunity to walk through our classrooms and meet your child’s teachers while hearing about curriculum plans and activities in each class. Families will walk-through an abbreviated version of your child’s schedule. This event is intended for parents of students and the children do not need to attend. If you are unable to attend, printed materials will be shared after the event. The 7th Grade Parent Information Night will be Tuesday, September 9 from 6:00 - 7:30. The 8th Grade Parent Information Night will be Thursday, September 4 from 6:00 - 7:30.

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! My name is Kati Lupia and I am the school counselor at the Junior High. I am so excited to see the familiar faces of our 8th graders in our hallways, and also meeting and getting to know our new 7th graders!

This is my 12th year at Alder and I am looking forward to a great year ahead. As your Junior High School Counselor, my role is to assist students with academic planning, emotional support, and overall well-being. I also provide support for teachers and families.

If you or your child have any concerns or need assistance navigating this new school year, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am here to help every step of the way.

Best wishes for a successful and rewarding school year!

Kati Lupia

School Counselor

lupiaka@japioneers.org

Mark your calendars! JAJHS Picture Day will be Thursday, September 11th. Ordering information will be shared soon!

How it works:

• Pre-order today on my.lifetouch.com. Create an account or login with your Picture Day ID: EVTJVDKQQ
• All students are photographed on Picture Day.
• Orders will be sent home with your student after Picture Day.

Please be sure to complete all of your back-to-school forms on Final Forms. Student fees are $30 per student and can be paid in the school office. Students must also sign their respective forms.

Our teachers work to provide families with valuable information about our classroom activities, units, and lessons with our quarterly curriculum newsletters:

• Click here to view the 7th Grade 1st Quarter Curriculum Newsletter.
  
• Click here to view the 8th Grade 1st Quarter Curriculum Newsletter.
  

Please click on the link below for sports pass options to attend varsity and junior high home athletic events. Tickets will also be sold at the gate. We accept credit cards and cash as well.

Click Here For Ticketing/Pass Information

Parents: Our PTO needs your help! Thanks to an outstanding Eagle Scout project, our JH concession stand was recently renovated. We have updated the facilities, instructions, and procedures to make it a better experience for volunteers. Concession stands are stocked and operated by our parents during home athletic events. Please consider signing up for a shift below:

• Volleyball Concession Stand Sign-up
  
• Football and Cheer Concession Stand Sign-up (Select "JH PTO")

8th grade families: Please plan to join us Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 PM in the JH Auditorium for an information meeting about our 8th Grade Washington DC Trip. We anticipate the trip costing $899 per student with a $139 deposit due no later than October 24th. Students will be added to the trip roster in order of completed registration and receipt of deposit payments. The trip is scheduled for May 19-22, 2026.

Our students did such a great job this week being responsible with their Chromebooks. We had minimal students with forgetting or charging issues. I'm so proud of them! Thank you, families, for your work in establishing routines and expectations at home. It's working!

Here are the reminders we shared last week:

1. Establish a consistent charging area where the CB can be charged safely and be visible to remember to grab each morning.

2. Consider setting reminders/alarms on cell phones until the charging and transporting become routine.

3. Keep food and drinks away - crumbs and spills can ruin keyboards and screens.

4. Avoid extreme temperatures - leaving a device in a hot car or outside in cold weather can damage the CB.

5. Carry and open/close the lid with care

6. Set up a CB-usage area and discuss areas that are off-limits. Have your student use the CB in a common area - not behind closed doors.

7. Talk about screen time. Encourage and discuss a healthy balance.

8. Use school accounts only - Remind students that Chromebooks are for schoolwork, not for personal accounts or downloads.

9. Discuss digital citizenship - Talk about being respectful, kind, and responsible online. Discuss digital footprints and the impact of their digital comments.

10. Keep communication open - Let your student know they can come to you if they see or experience something online that makes them uncomfortable.

Just a reminder about our teaching and learning website that is designed to provide families with the latest information and a rich array of resources to support student success and engagement. This website serves as a one-stop hub for everything you need to stay informed and involved in your child's educational journey.

We are excited to share that our staff members will continue to use a safe and easy to use two way communication tool called TalkingPoints to communicate with families. Families have three easy ways to use TalkingPoints to communicate with your children’s teachers for free! You can use text message, download the app or use it on the web at https://talkingpts.org/families/.

Jonathan Alder Local School District is fully committed to the safety and well-being of our students and school community. Jonathan Alder Local Schools use the Stay Safe. Speak Up! Student Safety Reporting System (powered by PublicSchoolWORKS). Stay Safe. Speak Up! is a comprehensive reporting tool that allows students, parents, and staff to submit safety concerns to school officials. You will find a reporting button at the top of our website homepage. Please also see this letter to learn more about reporting safety concerns quickly and easily to district and building administrators.

Please take time to read this document about the importance of literature selection and our partnership with students and families in this process.

Sometimes parents ask that school personnel administer medication to their child during the school day. When this is necessary, we require written permission and instructions from the parent and in some instances from the doctor. Click here to access forms that must be completed and turned in to the junior high office with the medication to be administered.

Email: martinam@japioneers.org
Website: http://www.alder.k12.oh.us/
Location: Jonathan Alder Junior High School, Killbury-Huber Road, Plain City, OH, USA
Phone: 614-873-4635
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathanalderjrhigh/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @AlderJHS