Family Update - August 16, 2026

Parent Update, August 16, 2026

Dear Families,

We continue to keep any families in our thoughts that have experienced damage or power outages due to the storms this past week. For additional updates on storm damage recovery, please refer to the website for the City of Upper Arlington.

We are excited to have students back in the building. Tomorrow, Monday, August 17th will be the all 6th grade day from 8:10-3:20 and students new to UA from 8:10-10:00. Tuesday, August 18th is a regular school day for all students from 8:10-3:20.

All extracurricular activities and Fall Pro auditions will continue as planned this week.

Counselor Grade Levels

6th Grade Darin Billiter

7th Grade Catherine Shapiro

8th Grade Jeff Williams

Even though we are talking about our first day tomorrow, 6th grade camp information is included below. More information will come in the next few weeks.

We are excited to see your students and the sun this week! We look forward to a great 2026-2027 school year!

Warm regards,

Jasa George, Principal

Keona Walker, Assistant Principal

This year our PAW Award Winners will be announced on Friday morning. Teachers will nominate students based on the district's characteristics in the Profile of an Engaged Learner.

The Profile of an Engaged Learner reflects the vision for all Upper Arlington learners, at every stage and every grade. Developed with input from students and all teachers across the district and solidified by a districtwide work group of educators, the Profile of an Engaged Learner document articulates the skills and characteristics that Upper Arlington Schools believes will prepare our students to serve, lead and succeed in Upper Arlington and beyond.

The characteristics include:

Solution Seekers: We are SOLUTION SEEKERS when we engage curiously with each other and the world by asking meaningful questions, synthesizing knowledge, thinking critically and considering diverse perspectives to generate actionable ideas.

Creative We are CREATIVE when we take purposeful risks to build connections that allow us to innovate beyond what currently exists.

Skilled Communicators We are SKILLED COMMUNICATORS when we clearly, thoughtfully and ethically give language to our ideas, listen with the intent to understand, and connect respectfully with others.

Open-Minded and Empathetic We are OPEN-MINDED and EMPATHETIC when we listen with compassion, and seek to understand a range of perspectives different from our own and give space for all voices to be heard.

Responsible and Resilient We are RESPONSIBLE and RESILIENT when we own our actions. We take pride in our work, accept challenges, and persevere through setbacks.

Well-Balanced We are WELL-BALANCED when we make intentional decisions to recognize, prioritize and enjoy the academic, emotional, physical, and social aspects of our lives.

Hi Parents!

Just a quick reminder to check out our Jones online Spirit Wear Store! The Spirit Store will be open until Tuesday.

If you haven’t had a chance to order yet, now is a great time to grab some school spirit wear for the upcoming school year. There are lots of great options to choose from, so be sure to take a look!

Shop the Spirit Wear Store: https://jonesspiritwearfall2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Thank you for supporting our school and showing your school spirit!

GO BEARS!!!

Share Your Career: Speakers Wanted!

At the end of last year, our students provided feedback on which careers they want to explore during our yearly Career Speaker Series. The interest is high, and we are looking for parent volunteers to share their expertise in the following top-requested fields:

• Arts, Design, & Media (Film, Music, Graphic Design)

• STEM (Engineering, Tech, Science)

• Business & Entrepreneurship

• Culinary Arts & Hospitality

• Sports & Athletics

• Skilled Trades & Healthcare

Sign up to speak here!

Thank you for helping our students prepare for their future,

The JMS Counseling Department

6th Grade Camp Information - 6th grade families, please review the linked handout for updated and corrected information about 6th Grade Camp 26-27. Highlights:

6 West: October 5 - 7 (students will leave from Jones on the morning of the 5th and return to Jones @ 1:15 pm on the 7th)

6 East: October 7 - 9 (students will leave from Jones on the morning of the 7th and return to Jones @ 1:15 pm on the 9th)

Cost: $265 *Financial assistance is available ~ we want every student to be able to participate ~ please complete this linked form if needed.

Optional Parent Meeting: Wednesday, Sept 2nd @ 7pm in Jones Auditorium

Here is the link to the district page for Student Handbooks. You can access all of the handbooks on this page. In the 2026-2027 Student Rights and Responsibilities there is updated information on AI and its usage in school. If you have any questions, please reach out to one of the administrators. This link will always be at the bottom of the page under "Important Links".

To begin the school year, our SROs will be Officers Belleman and Sorosiak.

All 6th graders will report for a full day to JMS from 8:10am-3:20pm on August 12th. Buses will run all AM/PM routes on August 12th for our incoming 6th graders.

7th and 8th graders that are NEW TO UPPER ARLINGTON will also be invited to attend on August 12th from 8:00am-10am (note the time change). We will NOT have transportation running at 10am, so new to UA 7th and 8th grade students will need to arrange transportation at 10:00 am.

All 6th-8th grade students will report to school on Thursday, August 13th for a regular scheduled day (8:10am-3:20pm).

Reminders for August 12th:

• 6th graders:

• Students need their ipads.

• Students will report to their 9th period Flex class

• A printed copy of your schedule will be provided in your Flex class

• No school supplies are needed.

• Bring a packed lunch or have money in your lunch account.

• Wear your new class t shirt.

• Be ready to have some fun :)

• This is not a typical school day. It is a community building day for the purpose of learning to navigate the building, meeting the 6th grade teachers, and making new friends!

• New to Upper Arlington 7th and 8th graders: (returning 7th and 8th graders do not attend)

• New to UA students are invited to attend on Wednesday morning from 8:10 am to 10:00 am. (Meet your Ambassador in the LC at the start of the day.)

• Parents/guardians provide transportation at 10:00 or permit their students to walk home.

• All 7th and 8th grade students - access your schedule with your iPad.

• Check your schedule for slight adjustments prior to arriving.

School supply lists for each grade level are linked below:

• 6th Grade Supplies: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OlaPRim1BxHJbfpDpCPfLTESJy0Ht5ERuG1CwvLt09U/edit?usp=sharing
• 7th Grade Supplies: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vCtwKSgHNj81YSsISEgHBzSk5wkaaAi9XEtERnyPdhg/edit?usp=sharing
• 8th Grade Supplies: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I5qcTbvUNqt6ImEuIByAZXPpnfKZ-TYP-kzkpNQwfFQ/edit?usp=sharing

You can drop off medications/paperwork to the nurse.

Please bring in medications in the original, labeled container from the pharmacy along with the completed paperwork. Please click on the link/s below:

Prescribed Medication Form

Life Threatening Food Allergy Forms

Asthma Forms

Seizure Plan Forms

Please email Nurse Shannon at snjohnson@uaschools.org if you have any questions. Thanks!

Makeup pictures will be taken on August 18 and retake pictures will be taken on October 21.

School begins at 8:10. The bell rings and doors open at 8:05. If students ride the bus or need to be dropped off early, the cafeteria will be open at 7:40 each morning. If students arrive after 8:10, they will have to sign in at the attendance office. If a student arrives after 8:25, we ask that a parent come in with a student to sign them in.

JMS Fall Production Presents, "The Little Mermaid, Jr."

Auditions for The Little Mermaid Jr. are quickly approaching! Students can join the Fall Production Canvas page by scanning the attached QR code with their school iPad. All instructions for joining the CAST (on stage) and TECH CREW (backstage) are on the Canvas page, including forms and submission assignments. All forms will be collected through Canvas this year.

-Tuesday, August 18: Cast Audition Day 1

-Wednesday, August 19: Cast Audition Day 2 (choose one hour on one day, link to sign up on Canvas page)

-Thursday, August 20: Cast Callback Auditions (invited students only)

-Friday, August 21: Tech Crew Forms due by 4:00pm (no late forms will be accepted)

-Saturday, August 22: Cast List Posted on Canvas

-Monday, August 24: Registration Meeting for all students and their trusted Adults 6:00-7:00pm

Email Sarah Santilli at ssantilli@uaschools.org with questions. :)

New Attendance Policy for 2026-2027

Based on changes in Ohio law and Upper Arlington Schools Board of Education policy, new attendance requirements will be in effect beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. These changes affect how schools track student attendance, when families receive notifications, and when districts must intervene to address attendance concerns.

The biggest change is that all missed time is counted — includes tardies, medical absences, pre-planned absences, non-school-sponsored activities and competitions, and Religious Expression days — toward chronic absenteeism. Parents/guardians may find information about the changes in attendance policy on our website.

Pre-Planned Absences

As part of the new attendance policy, the pre-planned absence form has been updated. Here is the Updated Pre-planned Absence Form. Please read the pre-planned absence information so you are aware of of how absences are counted as excused or unexcused. This can also be found on the District or Jones Website under "students & families" the click on "attendance"

A few reminders about attendance

Parents must notify the school of their student’s absence by calling the school attendance line (614) 487-5077, ext. 3500, or emailing the attendance secretary, Christy McGeorge at jonesattendance@uaschools.org by 9am.

• Students who are absent more than half a day (11:45am) or who go home ill may not participate in co- or extra-curricular activities that day. This includes athletic practices and competitions.

• Students who need to leave school early for an appointment or other reason should turn in a note from a parent/guardian to the attendance office between 7:30am-8:10am, the morning of the appointment, to receive an early dismissal pass.

• Students who arrive at school at or after 8:10am, must check in at the attendance office prior to going to class. If a student arrives to school after 8:25, a parent must come into the building to sign in their child.

• Students who are being picked up during the lunch periods for lunch/appointments must be picked up by their own parents. A parent must come into the building to sign out their child.

• Students are not permitted to leave school grounds with parents of other students.

Signing In/Out

We will continue using the SchoolSafe ID kiosk for students to check-in and out. Students will still be able to check themselves out on the kiosk. We found this spring it made the process more efficient.

The following are the thresholds for tardies each quarter:

The 1st and 2nd tardies are warnings and a discussion with the student.

If a student receives a 3rd tardy=call/email home

If a student receives a 4th tardy=lunch detention

If a student receives a 5th tardy=after school detention

If a student receives a 6th tardy=Saturday detention

Our Jones PTO has generously donated a customized Jones planner to each student this year. We will distribute those the first week of school. We will have a few extra planners on hand for new students or in case a student loses their planner. The first planner is free and the second one is $5 as long as supplies last.

State law does allow a student’s parent or guardian to request up to three religious expression days for each school year without any academic penalty. Religious expression days may be used to take holidays for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system or participate in organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or other religious or spiritual organization.

Parents/guardians must submit this form within the 14 school days after the start of the school year (September 1, 2026) to request up to three religious expression days for the 2026-2027 school year. Requests received after 14 days from the start of the school year will not be approved. For additional information, visit our website.

It’s time to start getting ready for the 2026-2027 school year! Here’s what you need to know now to be ready for August!

Back-to-school forms (K-12) — available late July: Families of returning students will receive information in late July in order to complete back-to-school forms in PowerSchool. Families will need to complete the forms prior to the first day of the school year.

Back-to-school fees (K-12) — available late July: Families of new and returning students can log in to PaySchools Central in late July to pay any fees associated with their students and put funds on their lunch accounts. The student fee schedule approved by the Board of Education reflects the elimination of all student class and course fees for the 2026-2027 school year. The annual fees for the 2026-2027 school year include:

• The optional Technology Protection Plan fee ($25) for students in grades K-12

• Athletic fees at the middle school and high school levels

Families wishing to purchase the optional Technology Protection Plan must complete the technology forms in PowerSchool AND pay the $25 fee in PaySchools Central before the first day of school for the 2026-2027 school year (August 12, 2026).

Finalized schedules and teacher assignments (grades 1-8) — available late July: Throughout the summer, our K-8 schools will be working on scheduling students for the upcoming school year. Schedules and teacher assignments for grades 1-8 will be finalized and available in PowerSchool on Wednesday, July 29. If schedules are inadvertently available to preview prior to that date, please be aware that they may not yet be finalized and are subject to change. Teacher assignments for incoming kindergarten students will be finalized and shared with families on August 7 following kindergarten screenings.

Submit a Change of Address Form: If you have moved recently, please complete a Change of Address Form as soon as possible to enrollment@uaschools.org along with a copy of your proof of residency.

Class activity fees are voluntary. However, they are used to provide social and community building opportunities for each grade. They can be paid through PaySchools as well as the optional technology protection plan fee.

6th Grade - $25

7th Grade - $25

8th Grade - $25

For the 2026-2027 school year, free or reduced-price meals will be available to the families that qualify based upon financial need. All other students will be charged for meals and a la carte items/snacks purchased through the school cafeteria, and families may add money to their students’ meal accounts through PaySchools beginning in early August. Families that qualify may apply for the free or reduced-price meal benefit by accessing the application in the Linq Connect Portal (click on “Apply for Meals Today”).

This summer, Upper Arlington Schools is transitioning to a new transportation app called BusRight, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app allows families to view their student's bus route information and track the bus in real time.

Parents/guardians who requested transportation for their student will receive an email invitation on July 31 to create their BusRight account. You must accept the invitation and set up your account before you can access your student's bus information for the 2026-2027 school year.

Need help? Please use the contact below that best matches your question:

• I didn't receive my BusRight email invitation: Contact the Transportation Department at 614-487-6477.

• I'm having trouble accessing the app or viewing my student's route information: Email support@busright.com.

• I have a question or concern about my student's assigned bus route: Email schoolbusquestions@uaschools.org.

Click here for directions to accessing the reports.

Washington, D.C. Parent Informational Meeting – September 15 at 7:30 PM (Jones Auditorium)
We’re excited to begin preparations for this year’s 8th-grade Washington, D.C. trip! It is extremely important that at least one parent or guardian attend this meeting, as we will be sharing critical information about the trip itinerary, cost, registration process, deadlines, and expectations. Please plan to join us on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:30 PM in the Jones auditorium.

We also want to be clear that no student should miss out on this incredible experience due to financial concerns. A scholarship fund is available to support families in need, and we are always looking for donations, especially this year. If you're able to help, please consider making a contribution. Checks can be made out to Upper Arlington City Schools with “JMS DC Scholarship Fund” in the memo line. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful impact.

Just a reminder: If you placed an order, yearbooks will be mailed to your home and should start arriving at the BEGINNING OF AUGUST. Please contact our yearbook advisor, Alice Speegle with questions. Her email address is aspeegle@uaschools.org.

Parent Information Night: Elementary Gifted Services

Elementary parents are invited to attend one of two Elementary Gifted Services Parent Information Nights in the coming weeks. These sessions are designed to help answer questions regarding gifted services, including gifted qualifications, gifted clusters and Written Education Plans (WEPs). The same presentation will be provided on both nights, so please select the date that works best for you.

• Monday, August 31: Jones Middle School auditorium, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, September 2: Hastings Middle School auditorium, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2026

August 10 - Convocation Day for Staff - Building Closed to Students & Parents

August 11 - Teacher Work Day - Building Closed to Students & Parents

August 12 - 1st Day ONLY for 6th Grade, 6th Grade Orientation, New to UA 7th/8th Grade Students

August 12 - 6th Grade Parent Coffee, 8:15am, JMS Cafeteria with PTO and Jones Admin.

August 13 - 1st Day for 7th and 8th Grade (6th Grade students report as well)

August 18 - School Picture Makeup Day, 8:30am

August 24 - PTO Meeting, 8:30am

August 24 - Fall Pro Registration Meeting, 6pm to 7pm

August 25 - Open House Night, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

September 2 - 6th Grade Camp Parent Meeting, 7pm

September 7 - No School - Labor Day

September 15 - DC Parent/Student Mandatory Meeting, 7:30pm

September 16 - Early Dismissal Day, 1:30pm

September 16 - Service Learning Day Kickoff

Strategic Plan

PaySchoolsCentral.com (Pay Fees and Add $$ to lunch accounts)

schoolbusquestion.org or call 614-487-6477 (Transportation)

https://www.uaschools.org/NutritionalServices.aspx (Nutritional Services)

https://ps-uar.metasolutions.net/public/home.html (PowerSchool Parent Portal)