Weekly Update
August 8th, 2023
A Message from the Principal
Roar and Soar Award-
This year, we will be starting an award for 7th and 8th graders. This award will recognize those students who push themselves to go above and beyond in everything they do. For those students who have earned this award, they will be able to attend a formal banquet on May 13.
Students are aware of this award and have been keeping track of the requirements. Attached, you will find a sheet that will help you both keep track.
Dear Families,
I want to keep you in the loop on an expectation we’ve been reviewing with students. Laptops should be stored in lockers during PE and weights, as well as any other time they would need to be left unattended. Students may use the lockers in the gym as long as they have a lock. If they choose not to use a gym locker, they will need to plan ahead and store their laptop in their hall locker during passing periods.
This expectation is in place to help students protect their devices and to encourage responsible use. Thank you for reinforcing this message at home.
This Week in CharacterStrong:
This week’s CharacterStrong lessons focused on the important theme of Anti-Bullying across all grade levels.
7th & 8th Grade: Students explored how bullying through isolation can impact someone’s well-being and what it means to advocate for others. They practiced ways to notice when peers are being left out, how to respond, and how to shift the balance of power back to those who may feel excluded. A key focus was learning how to move from being a bystander to being an advocate, using strategies to interrupt isolation, support classmates, and help create a safer, more connected school community.
6th Grade: Students focused on Community Agreements - understanding how these shared expectations can create safe, supportive spaces where everyone feels included and has a voice.
5th Grade: Students continued their Respect series, learning how showing respect for others helps build strong, positive relationships. This is the second lesson in their four-part series on respect.
Meet our Counseling Student- Jill Foster
We are excited to welcome Jill Foster, a counseling student from Emporia State University, to Jeff West Middle School this semester. Jill will be completing about 30 hours of her training with us, gaining valuable experience while also providing additional support to our students when needed.
If you would prefer that your student not meet with or work with Mrs. Foster during her time here, please contact Mrs. Andrews or Mrs. Dooley, and we will be sure to respect your wishes. Please see below for more information about her:
Hello! My name is Jill Foster, and I’m excited to join Jeff West Middle School as a graduate counseling student from Emporia State University. I have 12 years' experience in education and a strong passion for helping students grow both academically and personally. I currently work at a high school in Topeka as a college and career specialist. I have three children (19, 17, 13), and any free time I have is spent watching their activities (baseball, 4H, FFA, cheer). I'm excited to step into the middle school realm, and I look forward to learning alongside the counseling team and building positive relationships with students, families, and staff. Jeff West was my favorite district to substitute teach in-- I am excited to be here for this opportunity!
Reminder for games ALL students must pay to get in - Admission prices are $5/Adult, $5/Student (K-12)
Prices for passes to games are as follows and can be purchased from Mrs. Linda in the office.
HS & MS Student Annual pass- $60 this is good for all HOME Regular season games for both High School and Middle School
MS Only Student Annual Pass- $35 this is good for ONLY Middle School Home Regular Season Games.
Football-
9/15- Regular practice as normal- we do not have school you will need to drop your child off at the football field.
9/18- Football at St. Marys- this will be just 1 game followed by a 5th quarter so the game will start at 5:30 pm.
Please note on 9/25 we will have a B team game at home against Holton starting at 4:30pm followed by the regular scheduled A team game against Rossville around 5:30-6:00 pm. Rossville only has enough for 1 team but we were able to reschedule the Holton B team game.
Cross Country-
9/15 race at Jackson Heights bus will leave the middle school at 2:15pm race will start at 4pm
9/17 race at Seaman starts at 3:30 pm
9/18 race at McLouth race will start at 4 pm
Volleyball-
9/15- At Royal Valley games will start at 4:30 with A teams followed by B teams bus will leave the middle school at 3:15 pm
9/18- at St. Marys games will start at 4:30 with A teams followed by B teams.
9/20 A Team Tournament at Holton bus will leave the Middle School at 7:30 am.
