Jefferson Middle School
Newsletter
April 2007
Learning is Lifelong
Mr. Battles, Parent Support Leader
Calendar of Events
April 2007
The ISAT tests are behind us for this school year;
although the learning that the tests measure is never
over. We are all lifelong learners! Making progress is
the most important thing. As a parent can you say,
“My child has made progress since this time last
year.” There are many resources available at
Jefferson Middle School and the district that can
help a student make progress and achieve learning
goals.
April 2-9 .............................................. Spring Break
April 19 ......................................... 11 AM Dismissal
School Improvement
April 11 ............................................ P.T.C. Meeting
6:30-7:30 PM in Library
April 13 ........................ Student of the Month Lunch
April 24 ......................................... Parent Workshop
“Self-Esteem for Moms”
6:30-7:30 PM in Library
April 27 .......................................... Spring Pictures
April 27 ............ Progress Reports Given to Students
It takes just as much effort from the home as it does
from the school to help a student make progress.
Parents/guardians who are engaged in their child’s
learning are those who get their students “ready” to
learn. Without that help, learning and time on
learning tasks are hindered. All of us doing our part
is an investment in our children’s future success.
Our yearbook has gone to press! They should be
arriving the latter part of May. Yearbooks may still
be purchased until then. All extra yearbooks will be
sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Order one
now so you can be sure your will have one. The
yearbook this year will be red with our jaguar
mascot on the front. They will look really sharp!
An order form can be picked up in the front office
or found in this newsletter.
All of us at Jefferson hope you have an enjoyable
and restful spring break. See you April 10th!
Parent Workshop Schedule
Tuesday, April 24th
“Self-Esteem for Moms”
6:30-7:30 PM in the Library
Guest Speaker
Tuesday, May 15th
“Start Getting Ready for College Now”
6:30-7L30 PM in the Library
Guest Speaker: Steve Rambach, College Advisor
April Workshop
“Self-Esteem for Moms”
6:30-7:30 PM
in the Library
Working Together To Achieve Outstanding Results
P.B.I.S. News
Electronic Gadgets/Child’s Sleep
Mrs. Rennison, Student Support Leader
Kaye Liles, SIU Sleep Disorders Center
If you have visited JMS lately, you
probably noticed the display in the
lobby trophy case honoring students
who were referral free for second
quarter.
That
is
quite
an
accomplishment to go the entire month
of November and December without a single referral
of any kind! There will be another reward for
students who are referral free for third quarter.
Many adolescents are not getting a
good night’s sleep, and electronic
gadgets may be part of the problem. It
is the electronic age -- television,
computers, cell phones, internet
access, electronic/video games, electronic music
devices. Almost everyone has at least one of these
gadgets -- even our kids. Our kids are using these
habit-forming gadgets instead of going to bed and
getting enough sleep. Whether it’s games,
computers or TV -- if they are engaged in the activity
within 30 minutes of bedtime, any electronic device
can over-stimulate children to the point where they
can have a difficult time relaxing and achieving sleep.
The 447 students whose names are listed in the
trophy case received a free $5 game certificate to
Kick’s for their achievement of being referral free! A
big thank you goes out to Kick’s for their
support of our program! Additional student
rewards this month included:
• 60 students attended the Fredrick Douglas and
Honest Abe theater performance at UIS in honor of
Black History Month.
• 15 students heard track legend, Eddie Slowiskowski
give a motivational message at the fairgrounds. JMS
students participated in team building exercises with
students from other Sangamon County Schools. The
students also enjoyed free donuts from Mel-OCream and sandwiches from Subway.
• 120 students won a game day with free pretzels and
lemonade. Some of the games we enjoyed playing
were: Mancala, Connect Four, Uno, Boggle, chess,
and checkers.
• 90 students won various prizes from Mrs.
Rennison.
If your son or daughter was one on our winners this
past month, please congratulate them and encourage
them to keep up the good work! We have many more
fun rewards planned, such as the Knight’s Action
Park field trip for 6th and 7th graders and the Six
Flag’s trip for the 8th graders.
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, teenagers should
sleep at least nine hours per night according to sleep
experts. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) 2004
Sleep in America poll says children and adolescents
are not getting the recommended hours of sleep,
which leads to excessive sleepiness during the day.
Daytime sleepiness may result in falling asleep in
school, poor performance in school, aggressive
behavior, and even depression.
What can parents do to improve their child’s
chances of a good night’s sleep? The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children’s
bedrooms should be an electronic-free zone. This is
becoming such a widespread problem, and affecting
children’s health to such an extent, that doctors are
discussing sleep habits with parents during wellchild visits.
Working Together To Achieve Outstanding Results
Based on the 2004 Sleep in America poll, the
following goals for parents to help their children have
an electronic-free bedtime and achieve a healthier
night’s sleep:
• Don’t put a TV or any other electronic device
in your child’s room. If there is one in there
already, exert your authority and take it out.
• Create a homework zone. If possible, set it up in
a quiet part of the house for studying that is free from
distractions but accessible enough to keep an eye on
things. Put the computer there also, instead of in the
child’s bedroom.
• Use modern technology to your advantage.
Consider recording TV programs for your child that
he “can’t miss” that will be airing after his bedtime.
• Don’t make TV or video games part of the
bedtime routine. Read to your child at bedtime. A
relaxing bedtime story is more conducive to falling
asleep than a stimulating TV program or game.
• Step up to the plate. Consider taking the TV out
of your bedroom as well. Besides setting a good
example for your child, you might just get a better
night’s sleep yourself.
The Literacy Corner
What is the Purpose of Learning?
Mrs. Boosinger, Literacy Coach
Everyone knows fourth quarter comes dragging in
on heavy feet. Students have been tested beyond
boundaries of sanity. ISAT questions pulled
knowledge from each brain cell and turned
understanding into a percentage correct, but are
testing scores the reason we learn? Is the final report
card the reason we learn? Borrowing a quote from
the classic television show, Leave it to Beaver, Wally
said to his dad one day, “Gee, Dad, how can you
expect me to remember junk we’ve already been
tested over?”
In actuality, what we learned today will become part
of the ‘who’ we are tomorrow. Do we want to be
someone who knows how to think, speak, read, write,
calculate, investigate, formulate, and illustrate?
In school students learn what it takes to become a
productive member of society.
In school students learn for life. Why learn? Why
not?
cut
Would You Still Like to Buy a Yearbook?
The phone number for the Memorial Medical
Center/SIU School of Medicine Sleep Disorders
Center is 788-4269.
Jefferson Spring Music Concert
Mrs. Charneski, Music Director
Begin making plans to attend Jefferson Middle
School’s Spring Music Concert. It will be held
Monday evening, May 14th, at 7 PM in the Jefferson
School gym.
Student’s Name ______________________
Which Package $25 ___ $28 ___ $30 ___
(check one)
Cash? __________ Check? __________
Complete this coupon, attach payment to it, and
return to Mr. Battles in the main office. Yearbooks
will be given out at the end of May.
cut
Working Together To Achieve Outstanding Results
Bus Conduct and Safety
Rules/Policies
Mr. Holcomb, Assistant Principal
Education is a student’s right. Bus transportation is a
student’s privilege. Jefferson Middle School regards
the safety of the students as they ride the school
busses to be of primary importance. There has been a
growing concern with student behavior and bus
safety. It is Jefferson’s goal to achieve student safety
behavior on the busses, not issuing bus suspensions.
Parents, please have a discussion with your student
regarding appropriate bus conduct and consequences
for misconduct. Bus conduct can be found on page
43 in the blue District Discipline Handbook. Parents
please be advised that the school bus and bus stop are
considered an extension of the school. The rules of
conduct that apply in the school building also apply
on the bus and at the bus stop as well as walking to
and from the bus stop.
Thank you for your support in helping us be
proactive in encouraging appropriate student bus
safety behavior.
Bus Consequences Will Be Strictly
Enforced!
Some General Responsibilities
• Remain seated at all times.
• Keep food and drink off the bus.
• Respect the property.
• Use appropriate language.
• Keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself,
inside the isle and inside the bus.
• Sit in your assigned seat.
• Follow adult directions and be respectful.
• Treat others the way you want to be treated.
[Name calling and teasing are examples of immature
behavior.]
General Guidelines for Bus Conduct
Appropriate bus conduct is outlined in the Discipline
Handbook. While students are on the bus, they are
under the supervision of the bus driver. Minor acts
of misconduct which are reported by the bus driver
on a bus referral shall result in the following:
• 1st offense - warning and parent notification
• 2nd offense - detention and/or in-house suspension
and parent notification
Additional offenses - 3, 5, 10 days removal from
riding the bus -- continued violation thereafter could
result in permanent removal from the bus.
An activity bus is provided for after school
activities. Acts of misconduct on the after school
activity bus will result in parent contact and the
following consequences:
• 1st offense - 5 day activity bus suspension
• 2nd offense - 10 day activity bus suspension
• 3rd offense - permanent removal from the activity
bus
Any severe misconduct may result in an immediate
bus suspension and/or school suspension from
one to ten days. Students will be given an
opportunity to explain his/her behavior. Parents
will be notified, and a letter will be sent home
explaining the details of the misconduct and the
action taken.
Last Day of School
Tuesday, June 5th
9:30 AM Dismissal
Working Together To Achieve Outstanding Results
Gender Specific Classes
Dear Parents,
Jefferson Middle School is researching the benefits of single gender classes. We would like to pilot this program
for the 2007-2008 school year. We are asking that you take a few minutes to read the following note and then fill
in the survey below.
Gender Specific Classes
Jefferson is in the process of working toward having Gender Specific classes for the 2007-2008 school year. This
would consist of having one team at the 7th grade level and one team at the 8th grade level that would have all
boy and girl classes for their core academics. They would intermingle in their elective classes and lunch. These
classes would be balanced with boy/girl, race/ethnicity, and special needs.
There is much research available that shows boys and girls benefit from these classes by increased test scores,
less discipline problems, and better self esteem. We started working with Gender Specific teaching last spring,
and are in the process of staff training, attending conferences, and making visits to schools that currently have
Gender Specific classes.
We are most interested in parents being engaged in this process and planning, whether that be taking school
visits with us, sitting on committees, or wishing to have more information. Thus, we would like to elicit your
opinions by having you take a moment to fill out this survey with your thoughts.
Mike Zimmers
Principal
Jefferson Middle School
________________________________________________________________________
Student’s Name
gender
Parent’s Name
Email Address
phone number
•
•
•
grade level 07/08
I am interested in my child being placed in the single gender classes.
I MAY be interested in my child being in the single gender classes, but need more
information.
I am NOT interested in my child being placed in the single gender classes.
Working Together To Achieve Outstanding Results
Six Flags and
Knight’s Action Park
End of year PRIDE
Reward Guidelines
Again this year, the 6th & 7th graders will be rewarded with a trip to Knight’s Action Park (May 30th), and the 8th
graders will be rewarded with a trip to Six Flags in St. Louis (May 24th).
We are very proud of our students that do such a good job of showing their Jaguar PRIDE. We believe this field
trip will be a great motivator for them to continue the good work. It is the hope of the staff that ALL students will
qualify for the end of the year trips in May. The requirements for the contract began Monday, March 12th. In
order for students to go on the trip, the must:
• return the signed permission slip with phone contact available (sent at a later date)
• return the contract signed by both the student and the parents/guardian
• pay the fees for the trip (fees announced at a later date)
• be eligible according to contract guidelines
Contract Guidelines:
• GRADES: passing all classes
• ATTENDANCE: no more than four absences
• BEHAVIOR: no suspensions from school
I have read this contract and agree to follow it in order to attend the Knight’s Action Park trip or the Six Flags St.
Louis trip.
Student Signature
Check one: Knight’s Action Park
Grade
Six Flags St. Louis
Date
I have read the contract and will help my student any way I can to receive this end-of-the-school-year reward!
Parent Signature
Date
(This form must be signed and returned or the student will not be allowed to leave the school.)
Working Together To Achieve Outstanding Results
3rd Quarter Honor Rolls
6th Grade Straight A
Honor Roll
Amy Cobb
Joe Draper
Morgan Hadley
Myia Harper
Cody Hesson
Josie Hughes
Diane Jett
Destiny Jones
Miranda Potterf
Herman Senor II
Gabrielle Shirley
Brandy Whitehead
Jazmin Wilson
6th Grade High Honor
Roll
Nicole Costa
Austin Crouch
Samantha Klauzer
Alphonso Logan
Cassandra Nation
Willliam Sexton
Damera Smith
Micah Smith
Stevi Spencer
Shelbi Strayer
Kaitlin Veal
Dakoyta Vogt
6th Grade Regular
Honor Roll
Lashai Alexander
Shiquita Banks
Tatianna Berry
Brittany Bradley
Brandon Brunner
Cateria Burwell
Dalton Cave
Camille Clark
Garrison Cobb
Leslie Dollarhide
Bree Donathan
Ashley Evangelista
Sandra Findley
Takia Freemon
Richard Garrison
Jakia Grant
Shawna Hamm
Christopher Harris
Christian Huddleston
Isabella Huddleston
Katiah Johnson
Callie Jones
Ramesha Jones
Kevin Kahney
Kelsey Killion
Fred Tesha Lester
Ayana Lyttle
Scott Manley
John O’Reilly
Jermaine Oats
Katherine Ouellette
Austin Queen
Angela Ray
Sterling Raye-Washington
Deshai Roberson-Brown
Sarah Senger
Cody Stanley
Callista Suarez
Brionna Taylor
Tashionia Thomas
Megan Thorne
Kyeriana Walton
Christopher White
Cheyenne Willett
Jessica Williams
Justice Wilson
Nakiyha Wood
7th Grade Straight A
Honor Roll
Jasmine Berry
Emily Couch
Cheyanne Covington
Martin Green
Michael Hamrick
Erin Maisenbacher
Rachel Murphy
Elvire Nguepnang
Susan Petrosky
Rebbecca Ramirez
7th Grade High Honor
Roll
Kaneesha Alexander
Johnathan Dewall
Jashay Fisher
Working Together To Achieve Outstanding Results
Mary Harris
Demillio Lester
Destiny Melton
Kayla Moore
April O’Reilly
Benjamin Reynolds
Jamie Sandstrom
William Strayer
Shelby Waldo
Breigae Williams
7th Grade Regular
Honor Roll
Amna Al-Zahrani
Disheba Allison
Logan Babb
Duane Barham
Bridget Belford
Tommie Bell
Alexus Berry
Keithon Berry
Alayna Bowdern
Anthony Brown
Stormie Brown
Tiara Burrage
Darrion Cason
Kirsten Cass
Ashley Clayborne
Bryson Clayborne
Joshua Cleaver
Kailor Clutter
Jon Colvin
Zachary Crouch
James Davis
Terrence Davis II
Amber Duewer
Chelsey Farley
Ebony Forslund
Paige Fullerton
Kayla Gallaher
Ashley Gatons
Victoria Glemser
Ciara Gobelman
Kaia Griffin
Britney Heck
McKenzie Hill
Elijah Hopson
Randy Hughes
Christian King
Dominique Lamp
Joshua Lewis
Kaneesha Lewis
Justina Lind
Daquon Lyons
Cassie Magee
Chelsie Moore
Darnisha Newman
Amy Nutaut
Briana Powell
Quazara Prather
Jennifer Raymond
Natalie Reeves
Wesley Ridgeway
Alesia Shanklin
Brennan Taylor
Shannara Taylor
Claire Theilken
8th Grade Straight A
Honor Roll
Rebekka Duffy
Kiersten Little
Robert Middleton
Kylie Stewart
Ardasia Toney
8th Grade High Honor
Roll
Julia Adams
Jordan Baker
Angelia Bosie
Jaymesha Craig
Kayla Dyer
Apryl Jones
Madison Kelley
Brandon Lawson
Monique Mabry
Elissa Marsh
Shanice Neal
Daniel Nguepnang
Shayla Pickett
Victoria Price
Sydney Prosser
Kyndra Russwinkel
Mark Shafer
Brandon Sigler
Travis Staab
8th Grade Regular
Honor Roll
Mariah Allen
Russell Anders
Jessica Berndt
Felicia Berry
Thomas Brinkley
Mary Burrello
Rachael Caillier
Nykia Chappell
Austin Dhom
Kory Esslinger
Ryan Estes
Caleb Fairfield
Wesley Franklin
Crystal Howell
Briana Howlett
Austin Johnson
Deambre Jones
Kelsey Kirkwood
Bradley Newton
Veronica Peoples
Jamal Perry
Shaquana Phillips
Shintae Reed
Kaleb Rhodes
Kysha Simpson
Azieonnia Snow
Leila Stewart
Mindy Sudduth
Adoria Sumner
Martin Valtierra
Chris Wade
Cartez Walker
Working Together To Achieve Outstanding Results
Taylor Walker
Alex Wallace
Dewayne Williams
Kaitlyn Williams
Dexter Young II