TAG night at Jackson Middle School is Wednesday, October 19, 2016, from 5:30pm to 6:15pm in the library. This is an informational meeting open to current TAG parents, as well as parents interested in learning more about TAG.

Parents who are interested in having their child tested for TAG may nominate them. Forms are available on the TAG bulletin board across from the main office, on the PPS Parent TAG website, or by contacting Virginia Hayter (vhayter@pps.net). ALL NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY NOVEMBER 17, 2016.

TAG surveys for parents and students were sent out last week from the PPS TAG Office via email. Please complete the survey and return it to your student’s Language Arts teacher. If you need a hard copy, please contact the TAG office at 503-916-3358 or email Virginia Hayter (vhayter@pps.net).

Remember that Picture Day is next Friday! Order forms were sent home in the first day packet, and more are available in the main office. If you would prefer to order online, you may do so. Click here for a copy of the order form, which includes instructions to order online.

Be on the lookout for cookie dough fundraiser materials on Friday afternoon. This is a great, and delicious, way for the students to raise money to support activities at Jackson. We appreciate your support!

What a FANTASTIC first week! Great to see all the halls filled and classrooms alive with students and teachers.

As the year gets off to a great start I wanted to help our students and families keep that momentum by reminding us all that communication is key to the success of your child. One of the best ways to stay connected is to us ParentVUE weekly. Check on your child’s progress as the year progresses and engage them about specific marks and projects. Link here for more about ParentVue access.

Many Jackson teachers maintain classroom websites with project calendars and homework help. Look here for your child’s teachers.

Staff contact information can be found on the school website at jacksonpps.net. Please reach out to teachers, counselors, and office staff with any question or concern. We are here to help.

This year, we have a new Wednesday schedule! Every Wednesday that is not a late opening, students will have an additional 24 minutes with their first period teacher. We are calling this Success Wednesday. During this time, students will explore various social topics as well as monthly goal setting. Last Wednesday students were introduced to the Jackson Matrix, a way to talk about and share the expectations we have at JMS for all, students and teachers. Parents can find a copy of the Jackson Matrix here or from the school website click on “Our School : Student Handbook and Climate”. This coming week students will begin to develop their “insight card”. This card will be shared with teachers and parents helping students document progress and goals.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Welcome to a great new year at Jackson Middle School! Whether this is your first experience at Jackson, or you are a seasoned veteran, your PTA looks forward to working with you to ensure all of our children’s academic success! The Jackson team consists of many players–administrators, teachers, support staff, PTA–and YOU! By working together we can provide a wonderful year of learning and academic growth for our children.

Our PTA serves as a forum where parents, teachers, administrators, and other interested community members work together to promote quality education, strive to expand the arts, encourage community involvement, and work for a healthy environment and safe neighborhoods.

Through our PTA meetings, newsletters, this website, and the Parents of Jackson Facebook group, the Jackson PTA strives to keep you informed and provide you with opportunities to be involved and have a say in funding decisions and PTA programs. Jackson PTA membership fees, fundraising campaigns and community donations support the Bernstein Artful Learning Program and our amazing Culture Day, provide staff grants for classroom materials, and fund special requests. Some special requests include the current Full Chrome Jackson project to bring 1-to- 1 Chromebooks to our kids for their Language Arts classes.

Volunteering At Jackson

Volunteer opportunities in middle school differ somewhat from those you have experienced at the elementary level, in that they are event-centered, rather than classroom-centered. At Jackson, we have volunteer opportunities for many events, such as:

• the R.A.T. Race (our run for arts and technology)
• the Learnstein event in the Fall, which features student/staff activity party boards (last year’s party boards)
• Picture Day
• the Bernstein Bash
• Conference and appreciation meals
• as well as the behind-the-scenes support of classroom helpers, PTA officers and event organizers that help keep Jackson Middle School a bright environment for learning.

We encourage you to take the first step and become a member of the PTA. Your support communicates to the school and community that you are invested in the success of the programs and events that make Jackson excel.

Join us on for our first PTA meeting of the year on Wednesday, August 31 st at Round Table on Barbur Blvd. Get to know your PTA board, visit with Mr. C and some of the JMS teachers and enjoy pizza dinner, beer and soda.

Thank you for your support and please consider adding your voice to the PTA Board for next year. Contact any of the officers here if you want to learn more about the PTA and opportunities to get involved.

A quick shout out to the hot, sweaty families who came out last Thursday for our Jackson community care day!!! We had a dedicated few who painted, mowed, pulled weeds, pruned trees, cleaned out cracks, whacked weeds and hauled A BUNCH of debris away.

There’s still A LOT of work to be done.

If you have a gas powered trimmer or weed eater, please consider coming by for an hour or two with a yard debris bag or two and whack away!