Jonathan Alder Junior High

December 1, 2023

Message from the Principal

JAJHS Families,

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! As we move into the holiday season and approach winter break, we still have a number of important activities going on around the building.

Beginning Monday, students will be starting their winter MAP tests. These assessments in ELA, math, and science will give our students and teachers information about growth made during the first half of the year. Additionally, our students will be busy beginning the winter concert season as well as winter athletic events. It’s a busy time to be a JAJHS student!

Lastly, we are approaching the end of the 2nd Quarter and the 1st Semester. Please check Canvas for updates on class progress and grades.

Please be sure to read the newsletter below for important reminders and activities around our school.

Sincerely,

Mr. Malany

Principal

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

December 5th - JAJHS Winter Band Concert

December 12th - Holiday Choir Concert

December 21st -January 2nd - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

January 3rd - Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL

January 5th - End of Second Quarter

Calendar Change

During the regular board meeting on Monday, November 13, 2023, the Jonathan Alder Local School Board of Education approved April 8, 2024, as a non-student, Teacher Work Day. April 8, 2024, is the date of an upcoming solar eclipse. Due to the safety and security of all students being our highest priority, in collaboration with the Village of Plain City, based on added traffic, visitors, and estimated time of the solar eclipse, students will not be in session that day. Please review the updated Academic Calendar for the 2023-24 school year, including the No School, Teacher Work Day on April 8, 2024.

Carly's Sock Drive

Cooper Fleming, one of our favorite 8th graders, and his family are collecting socks in honor of his sister, Carly. Please grab some NEW, warm, woolly socks to help Cooper and his family help The Open Shelter bless those without permanent housing this winter! Students can drop off socks in the office! Please brings socks by Monday, December 4th!

Bring a Toy & Share the Joy

The Jonathan Alder Wrestling team is accepting toy donations for the fire station to give to local families in need from now until December 16th. There are donation boxes at the JAJHS in the office and in the wrestling room.

JAJHS Winter Band Concert

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When: Tuesday, December 5th @ 7pm (Students report @ 6:15pm)

Where: JAHS Auditeria

*Specific Band information for students will be sent out at the beginning of November*

Holiday Choir Concert

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The Holiday Choir Concert is Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 6:30 for the Junior High and 7:30 for the High School in the JAHS Auditeria.

JAJHS Fall Drama Performance

Outstanding job to our JAJHS Drama Club students on their fall performance!

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JAJHS Honor Band

Congratulations to these band students for being selected and participating in the Ohio Music Educators Association District 15 Honor Band Event on November 10-11, 2023.

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7th Grade - Dominic Jasinski, Mitch Huber, Max Reichenbach

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8th Grade - Ian Yoder, Evan Wiechman

Washington DC Scholarships - Sponsored Needed

We have a number of students who have expressed a need for financial assistance with the 8th grade Washington, DC trip. If you are aware of an individual, family, business, or community organization who would be interested in providing one or more partial scholarships ($300) to support our students, please contact Mr. Malany (ryan.malany@japioneers.org). Thank you for your consideration.

Important Gifted Review Update:

We continue to make significant progress with our gifted services evaluation. Marge Mulcahy from the ESCCO has already met with multiple JA staff members, conducted site visits, and taken a deep dive into our district's gifted data. We also had our first gifted focus group presentation on November 30th. Please consider joining us for our second gifted focus group on December 12th from 6:30-7:30 in the JAHS Library to learn more about our current services, possible options for the future, and to provide feedback to inform our next steps and recommendations to the Board of Education. In order to better plan for these events, please complete this online RSVP form.

Basketball Concession Stand Help Needed!

We need your help! In order to open concession stands during the upcoming basketball season, we need parents’ help with volunteering to operate concessions. This is a great way to get to know other families while supporting our PTO, students, and teachers.

Concession stand workers are given free admission to the basketball games that evening. Directions will be provided by the PTO.

Girls Basketball Concession Sign-Up

Boys Basketball Concession Sign-Up

Technology Guides

Click here to view the JALSD Technology Guides, including instructions for accessing Canvas. As a reminder, the Canvas platform is how families can stay connected to students’ grades, progress, and activities in classes.

Medications at School

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. The required form must be completed and turned in to the junior high office with the medication to be administered.