In this episode Dr. Zola talks about our launch of Home Access Center, and our progress as we are at the mid point of the first quarter.  Home Access Center provides an online grade book where parents and guardians can view helpful student information to support and guide their children through the educational process. From home or work, at any time of the day or night, parents can access the Web portal to track academic achievement through their student’s test scores, report card, attendance records, and class assignments. E-mail links are also available throughout the portal so parents can communicate with the school and teachers.  Parents will be mailed a letter the week of Sept. 21st with username and password information.

Features

• Provides parents and students with a daily summary page of student information
• Features schedule and attendance, class work, and test scores
• Allows students to view their own records in the system to help keep them informed about their progress

Greetings from Jefferson Middle School,

We are off to a great start!  You have sent us very respectful students with strong minds and positive energy.  Trust that we will support them and challenge them as the year unfolds.  Some simple reminders that will make the year go well.  Students are asked to enter the building at 7:40 and be ready for the start of period one at 7:50.  Students not in their classroom at 7:50 will be counted tardy.  If a bus is late in arriving those students are excused.

Keeping on top of  homework assignments is the key to success in middle school.   Ask to see your child’s planner. Encourage them to write down their homework so you can work together to keep up with assignments throughout the year.  Check your child’s grades on-line.  They are typically updated every other week and some teams more frequently.  Having a baseline for how your child is progressing helps you offer encouragement and reinforce their success.  Call homework hotline to check on homework that may have been given that day. The numbers for each team are listed in the student planner.

If you are concerned about your child’s academic or social emotional development I encourage you to contact one of the team members or your child’s counselor.  Each grade level has a designated counselor that serves a variety of roles.  Mr. Cochran at the 6^th grade level, Mr. Griffith at the 7^th grade level and Mrs. Nottingham at the 8^th grade level are available as needed.  You can reach them by calling 351-3790.

There are a host of activities to support your middle school student including:  Scholastic Bowl, Math Counts, Science Olympiad, Intramurals, Book Club, Student Council, Lego Robotics, Jazz Band, Drama Club, Choir and IESA sponsored sports including Baseball, Wrestling, Boys and Girls Basketball, Girls Volleyball and Cross Country.  Although not a complete list, you can see the opportunities span a wide range of interests and abilities.  Encourage your son or daughter to get involved and make a connection with Jefferson.

My final thought as we begin a year of instruction is one of appreciation and thanks.  I am fortunate to work with such dedicated and professional teachers and support staff.  From the custodial team to the cafeteria staff to our teacher assistants and secretaries, they each play a vital role in creating a healthy school climate.  Our teachers are strong instructors with an understanding that the needs of middle school youth are developing and ever changing.  I am grateful to work at Jefferson and support these adults committed to serving your child.

I look forward to a strong and successful academic year.

Dr. Susan Zola

Principal