Trailblazer Tribune
August 21-August 25, 2023
Our 5th Grade students learn from their peer as he presents his Summer R.I.S.E. Challenge project
KJTMA Expectations-Summer Projects
KJTMA is a community! We have high expectations for the professionals, the students, and the parents. We know that together, we can set our students on the trajectory of success. The community characteristics propel our students forward at KJTMA.
As a member of the KJTM community, we must speak the same language between home and school and exhibit trust and support for one another. We value and honor you as the parent, and best teacher your student can have. We want to be an extension of you in values and expectations.
Most recently, some students still need to complete their summer projects. The summer projects are non-negotiable. All KJTMA students must complete the projects as soon as possible. I will conference with students who must finish the project this week. I expect the projects to be done before the last presentation day, August 31, 2023.
One of the most important values we share at KJTMA is EQUITY. It is not equitable for some students to be held to the high standards of the project while others still need to finish. I promise to work in and act with equity for all students.
Let's help our students stretch themselves by completing their summer projects.
Kidada Education Design Village Presents:
Parenting with Purpose: Fall Sessions
KJTMA is partnering with Kidada Education Design Village for fall parenting sessions. Attending the virtual sessions will fulfill the Parent PLC requirements for the fall sessions. Please find information about the parenting sessions below:
3 Virtual sessions. Connect with other parents and industry professionals to learn about current issues in education and how you can support your child's academic journey. Each virtual session will get participating parents ready to tackle the upcoming school year with valuable information and tools. Sessions are live but will be recorded so that you can access each one at any time. Registered Parents will also have access to our virtual Parenting With Purpose Toolkit that includes year-round services and resources! Use the link https://forms.gle/cDcCyvvQ2oK57zt16
or QR Code on the flyer to register for your Parenting With Purpose Sessions!
Flyer is attached to this email.
Safety and Operations
CAR PICK-UP & DROP-OFF EXPECTATIONS
We had a great first week with pick-up and drop-off. However, I want to make a few adjustments to improve our safety and efficiency for our students. Ir is VERY important that all parents drive safely in the parking lot. Our students travel down the middle of the cars to ensure safety. Some of our scholars are a little over 3-feet tall. It is VERY HARD to see the little ones between the cars. They are sometimes impulsive and take off running. Please stay focused on the students moving through the parking lot.
Car-Rider Drop-Off/Pick-Up Location and Expectations:
Doors open at 7:30 AM (student supervision is not available before then, please do not leave students unattended before 7:30)
K-3rd Grade Parents, and Siblings need to pick up in the first two lanes closest to the building.
4-8th Grade Parents need to pick up in the lanes two far lanesDrop-Off route takes drivers around to the Northside of the building
Students should exit vehicles at the front of the line so that a faculty member can assist them with safely walking through traffic, and into the building.
In the event that you have to come to a sudden stop, please do not exceed 5 miles an hour in the drop-off/pick-up line.
I can not express how important it is for us to follow these expectations. Our students are depending on us.
DeSoto ISD Standardized Dress
dresscode.pdfKJTMA Standardized Dress Expectations & Consessions
Our students did a GREAT job adhering to the STANDARDIZED DRESS qualifications this week. Our only concern was Friday. I wanted to provide additional guidelines for Friday dress. Students will be in Standardized Dress UNLESS we send a notice home to parents on Thursday. Every Friday, students may wear their House t-shirt or DeSoto spirit shirt with the uniform bottoms or dark colored jeans (black, gray, or dark blue without rips).
Dress down days will be announced through phone messages on Thursdays. If a small group of students earn an extended dress-down period, that information will be shared directly with the student and parents. An example of an extended dress down might look like students getting honored through the PBIS system would have several days to dress down in a row.
All KJTMA students are expected to adhere to the district guidelines for standardized dress. KJTMA students are also expected to have a KJ patch added to the left side of their shirt. Patches can be purchased individually through the online KJTMA Uniform Store. Students must wear shirts with patches Monday-Thursday. Spirit shirts are only worn on Fridays.
Patches on Back Order
Because the patches are on back order, we understand that all students may not have patches on every shirt just yet. However, we will keep you informed as to when we will strictly enforce the dress expectations. Our addition of the patches to the KJTMA uniform is for safety purposes. Because of the patches, not only will our students be identifiable as they travel throughout the district, anyone who is not a part of our campus will be identifiable in our school. Without exception, the standardized dress policy will be fully enforced as it helps us ensure the safety of all students.
Middle School Badges
Badges are a part of standardized dress expectations. All middle school students must wear their badges at all times. Students who are in athletics at McCowan must wear their badges while at the other campus. Middle school students also need their badges to enter all DeSoto ISD games. Replacement badges are $5.00. Students who do not have their badges will be charged $1.00 for temporary badges.
The standardized dress policy will be fully enforced as it helps us ensure the safety of all students in the building.
Mighty McCowan Athletics
Athletics will start for the KJTMA students enrolled in athletics on August 21, 2023. Students must have a concussion test, emergency paperwork, and a physical on file to participate in athletics. KJTMA Students in athletics are guests at McCowan who are expected to follow both the rules of KJTMA and McCowan. If any KJTMA student is disruptive at McCowan or on the bus from or to McCowan will be removed from athletics and placed in P.E. at KJTMA. It is a privilege for KJTMA students to be able to participate in athletics at McCowan. The district provides us with transportation to ensure our students can participate in its wonderful athletics program. Therefore, as a school, we must show profound gratitude for this opportunity through our actions. We want to make sure that we honor that privilege and opportunity in everything we do and say. Removal for disruptive behavior that infringes on the learning opportunities of both McCowan and KJTMA athletics is a KJTMA non-negotiable. Please share your expectations with your student-athlete as we begin this athletics season, and I will continue to remind our students of the campus expectations and perimeters.
KJTMA Summer Inquiry Projects
Teachers are excited to learn what your students learned while working on their summer project! Their teacher(s) will provide students with a schedule to bring and present their project.
We understand that several students experienced technical difficulties, and have adjusted our schedules accordingly to meet the needs of those students.
It is our expectation that all KJTMA students complete and present their project. There are no exceptions to this expectation.
Please click on the links on the second slide to access the instructions about the summer inquiry projects. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to reach out to our teachers.
Katherine Johnson Legacy Day
This week will be an enriching experience for the KJTMA school community. In celebration of Mrs. Katherine Johnson's Birthday, we are going to engage in STEM activities over the course of the week. Students will also present their summer projects to their peers throughout the week.
Mrs. Katherine Johnson's birthday is August 26th. As a culminating experience, NASA Rocket Scientist, Dr. Wendy Okolo, will visit the campus and speak to students on August 25, 2023. Please consider purchasing a copy of her book for your student as she explains how she successfully entered that was not easily accessible. Students will talk with Captain Barrington Irving, author of Touch the Sky, virtually on August 28, 2023.
Additionally, students will go on fieldtrips to extend what they learned during their summer projects. Our PTA is raising funding to undergird the cost of Legacy day, and we need your help! Please consider donating to our PTA fundraiser! Whether you donate $1.00 or $100.00 dollars, we are incredibly grateful! ALL proceeds will help our scholars have an awesome experience for Legacy day!
Interested in Learning to Play Chess?
We are exploring the interest of offering an after-school chess program. The program will meet one time a week for two-hours. The cost of the program is $180.00 a semester per students. Students in grades 1st-8th grade are welcome to sign the interest form. Please complete the form if your child is interested.
School Supply Lists
2023-24 combined school supply list.pdfPlease click the link below for the KJTMA Middle School Supply list:
DeSoto ISD School Hours
School Hours Final.pdfMessage for 7th and 8th grade Parents and students from GEAR UP
A Message from the College DRIVEN GEAR UP Team (CDGU Team)!
Good afternoon parents, and welcome to the start of another amazing school year!
The CDGU team would like to thank all who stopped by our table during Meet the Teacher Night, it was great to connect and chat about your scholar’s future.
If you still need to stop by our table, attached is a QR code with more information about our grant-funded program that will service ALL 7th & 8th graders in DeSoto ISD. Students in the cohort class of 2028 & 2029 are automatically added to the program and have equal access to resources, field trips, tutorials, and anything else our program provides to ensure they are college, career or military-ready!
Attached is a parent survey we need every family to complete for their scholars. Our CDGU team needs 100% participation from your middle school to ensure we have accurate information to better service you and your scholar. Some incentives are in store for those families who complete the information during the first week of school!
If you want to become a CDGU Parent Ambassador and help brainstorm and create great opportunities for our community, please email Mr. Michael Green Jr. @ Michael.green@desotoisd.org.
College Drive GEAR UP August Newsletter
College Gear up: Save the date
PSAT Middle School Boot Camp - KJ and RY 09.16.2023.pdf
Volunteer at KJTMA
DeSoto Volunteer System (information taken from DeSoto ISD Volunteer page)
"Volunteers are very important partners in supporting the educational programs and activities in DeSoto ISD. Volunteers give their time, dedication and encouragement to our students and school staff in various ways. Whether you are a parent, business/community partner or individual volunteer you are important to us for giving your services and time. All volunteers that engage in campus and student activities MUST complete the application process and receive a background clearance by applying through the NEW Voly Volunteer System. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
The following steps must be completed:
1. Click on the link https://desotoisd.voly.org
2. There is a Create a Volunteer Account form on the front page.
3. Volunteers will create a Voly account by entering the required information on the home page.
Once logged in, the volunteer will be taken straight to the volunteer application.
5. The volunteer will need to complete the fields on the volunteer application, including the Consent for Background Check.
6. Once the volunteer hits Submit/Save, they will be taken straight to the Orientation Slides. The volunteer will need to review each slide and click the check box at the end to acknowledge they have read it all.
7. Volunteers can always go back to their application to see their status (for the background check). An approved or denied email will be sent when the background check has been completed. *Applications may take up to 72 hours for approval
If there are questions or concerns, contact the school volunteer liaison where you will volunteer or email volunteer@desotoisd.org (Allow 48 hours for feedback on your request). Requests made on a Friday, will receive feedback on Tuesday before 5:00 pm. Feedback will not be provided during district holidays.
Parent Portal Access
PARENT PORTAL PAGE
All parents/guardians will need to create a new account. Once the approval process has been completed, you will be able to view information for your student(s). To begin the registration process, Click "New Users, please register." As you register, please note that all data is case-sensitive. Do not use your student's ID number as your User Name.
District Employees: Do Not Register Online for the Parent Self-Serve Application. Contact your child's campus to have Parent Self-Serve access activated.
To register and be authenticated, you must enter the following information for one of your children:
Parent/Guardian First Name
Parent/Guardian Last Name
Student Birth date
Student First Name
Student Last Name
Student Local ID
ZIP Code of "resides with" Parent/Guardian's Address
Please note: You MUST use Google Chrome. If you do not currently have Google Chrome installed on your computer, please CLICK HERE to download it.
If you have any questions, e-mail sheila.hardmon@desotoisd.org
Please send the following information:
Full name of the requesting parent/guardian
Full name of each child that is currently attending DeSoto ISD
Campus and grade level of each child
Birth date of each child
Student ID (5-6-digit code) of each child (if known)
The Parent Portal is an exciting opportunity for parents to become more involved in their child’s education through the convenience of the Internet. You have access to:
Grades
Schedule
Homework assignments
Attendance
Teacher Contact information
Student Personal Information: address, phone, e-mail
How frequently is my child's data updated?
Immediately! Access to your child's grades, attendance, and lesson plans in real-time. That means as soon as a teacher or administrator enters information into the system, it is available for you to access.
DeSoto Child Nutrition Application
Please complete the child nutrition application for your student. The link is below:
Attendance Matters
Attendance-Works-Elementary__handout_101421.pdfPrek-K_handout_FLGLR_Spanish__110421.pdfElementary_handout_SPANISH_110421-1 (1).pdfMiddleHigh_handout_111122.pdfAttendance-Works-Preschool-K_in-person_101321.pdf
Attendance-Works-K-1st-Get-Ready_062122.pdfPRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
Cold and Flu Season Precautionary Measures
Posted on 10/27/2022
Health officials are reporting concerns related to the spread of RSV, cold and flu, and coronavirus as the winter months approach. Help reduce the potential spread of these health concerns as we work closely with the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services to monitor trends related to such illnesses in the community.
RSV, cold and flu, and coronavirus can spread easily from person to person, and we need the assistance of staff and parents to help reduce this possible spread. It is important to take the following precautions to help ensure the health of our community:
Check for signs of illness every morning. (i.e., Fatigue, fever, sweating, cough, sore throat, headache.)
Do not come to school or work if sick. Symptoms usually include fever, cough or sore throat, and sometimes runny nose, body aches, headache, vomiting, or diarrhea. Those with symptoms should not return to school or work until they no longer have a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications or in the case of coronavirus, have tested negative.
Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or regular use of hand sanitizer is one of the most important steps you can take to stay healthy. Continue to teach children to cover their cough with their elbow or sleeve, and to wash their hands before and after touching their face.
Utilize appropriate cough and sneeze etiquette by coughing into the upper sleeve or using tissue and disposing of it properly.
Consider the use of masks. While DeSoto ISD no longer enforces a mask mandate, health officials encourage continued use of masks during the heightened cold and flu season.
Practice social distancing when possible in high-capacity indoor spaces and gatherings.
Consider a flu shot and/or COVID vaccine or booster to be proactive in protecting one’s health. Also consider the addition of recommended vitamins like C, D, Zinc, and Elderberry to assist in supporting immune health.
Re: Students: Please notify the school if your child is absent by 10 am on the day of the absence, and share your child’s symptoms with the school.
Re: Staff: Please notify your supervisor of the concern and potential absence as soon as possible and enter any necessary time off in the appropriate system. Please note, DeSoto ISD no longer provides COVID leave. Leave for COVID or other health-related concerns will be attributed to employees’ personal time off.
Dallas County Health officials recommend the following additional precautions:
Recognize whether you or any household member is at high risk for severe illness from RSV. cold and flu, or coronavirus. People at higher risk for complications include children under the age of five years, pregnant women, people of any age who have chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, or heart disease), and people aged 65 years and older. If any high-risk person or their household members become sick with flu-like symptoms, please contact your doctor as soon as possible to ask for advice about antiviral medications.
Get all healthy household members vaccinated.
It is important to note that DeSoto ISD has trained medical staff at each campus with protocols in place to handle communicable illnesses common to school districts like influenza (flu), pertussis (whooping cough), strep throat, head lice, and more.
Additionally, DeSoto ISD has a standard practice of maintaining a clean school environment. As is customary in school districts during flu season and as has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, we make it a point to frequently clean and sanitize our schools and classrooms regularly throughout the school day and each night during routine cleaning practices.
Student and staff safety is our top priority. We will continue to monitor the CDC and DSHS for additional information and guidance and will share information with you regarding any updates.
Parent and Student Oath of Agreement for 2023-2024
Please make sure that you have read the parent and student oaths of agreement; you will be asked to sign your oath when you visit the campus over the next month. All parents must have an Oath of Agreement on file by September 8, 2023. Students will bring parent oaths of agreement during the first week of school. Every parent that submits their child's oath and their oath this week, will earn their house 10 house points.
The oath of agreement outlines the parameters of KJTMA's magnet program. Most importantly expectations are listed to ensure a successful school year. I will uphold the expectations outlined in the oaths to the highest degree. At the beginning of August, Mrs. Hanspard and I will host grade level meetings to discuss the KJTMA academic and disciplinary visions for the 2023-2024 school year. During the meeting, we will review the student code of conduct and sign the oath of agreements. I am asking that you review the oath of agreement with your students before the end of the first week of school.
All members of the KJTMA school community will be held to the standards outlined in the oath of agreement. This includes administrators, teachers, students, and parents. Any individual who violates the oath will be asked to correct behavior. Individuals who are unable to take corrective action will be subject to more serious actions.
Counseling Department
Mission: DeSoto ISD Counseling & SEL Department will foster student achievement that creates a meaningful academic culture that will equip all students with the social-emotional, personal, post-secondary, and career skills to become productive citizens while working closely with all stakeholders in a comprehensive guidance program.
Vision: Collaborate with students, staff, and community stakeholders to provide an environment that is conducive to academic growth, as well as the social and emotional support of the whole learner.
SAT Vocabulary Word
Help us prep your student for the SAT! Each week, we will provide an SAT word for you and your students to discuss. Use the word in a sentence with your student, and encourage your student to use the word in a sentence over the course of the week. We will revisit the words in classes, during Eagle Academy, and during House challenges. Have fun helping your student expand their vocabulary and prepare for the PSAT and eventually, the SAT!
Parents, there will more changes to the middle school schedules. In order to accommodate both elementary and middle school gym time, starting tomorrow, all 6th graders will be placed in Jr. ROTC. I apologize for any inconvenience.
KJTMA Parent Book Study
Welcome back ! I hope you had a restful and fun summer. This year, I invite all caregivers to join me in my first ever book club. The book that we're going to start with this year is "How Children Succeed" by Paul Tough. After reading this book, it gave me a different insight of both parenting and education.
This year, Mrs. Erica Broussard will be leading the book study! We would love for you to join. We have books available at the school for free. Please stop by the front office if you need a book!
Review of "How Children Succeed"
Paul Tough is a New York Times reporter with an infinitely punnable name and a contrarian take on the best way to teach kids that, for educators, might be a bit … tough to swallow. (Didn’t even need the dad joke bod for that one!) Tough’s polemic on contemporary education, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, And The Hidden Power Of Character, has been described as “essential reading for anyone who cares about childhood in America.” The book explores how schools of all kinds operate on a flawed theory of intelligence and proposes a new way of thinking about how our kids learn.
Dates of evening discussion are to be determined based on interest:
Sign up using the link below: KJ Parent Book Club Sign-UP
Scanned from a Xerox Multifunction Printer (2).pdf
Parent Survey
Parents, your feedback is important and will help me to know how to better serve you and your scholars. Please click on this Link to take a short survey.
safeandethicalKinder.pdfsafeandethical4.pdfsafeandethical8.pdfsafeandethical1.pdfsafeandethical5.pdfsafeandethical2.pdfsafeandethical6.pdfsafeandethical3.pdfsafeandethical7.pdfWe Want Your Feedback
We appreciate your perspective and feedback! Please click on the image below to complete the feedback form. Let us know if there is any thing we can address for you! Please click HERE to leave feedback.
Newsletter Feedback Answers
Upcoming KJTMA Birthdays
Happy Birthday
August 20
Rhyli Lee
Jayden Howell-McCurdy
August 21
Sylvester Lilly
Randall Harris
August Berry
Major Kelly
August 22
Naomi Dawotola
Khloe Kirby
August 23
Aubree Reed
August 24
Mya Darden
Alaya Spencer
Latacha Jackson
Amber Shaw
August 25
Chibuikem Ayanugo
Shirley Robinson
August 26
Chase Clincy
PTA Updates
PTA is the only advocacy organization that supports ALL students. The mission of the PTA is 'to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.' To articulate the mission and vision of PTA, we have outlined programming and advocacy efforts in which you can get involved. Please support the mission by joining the work. Please scan the QR Code below to join the KJTMA PTA. Membership is $10. If you are interested in getting involved with the PTA Parent Event's Committee, please scan the code to join the committee!
Scanned from a Xerox Multifunction Printer (1).pdfScanned from a Xerox Multifunction Printer (5).pdfPictures from the week of August 21-25, 2023
KJTMA Grade Band Teams
Upcoming Events for the week of August 21 -August 25, 2023
Monday, August 21, 2023
Staff Meeting 4:30
DeSoto ISD Board Meeting 6:30
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Leadership Meeting 4:30
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
N/A
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Admin Meeting, Principal, Assistant Principal, IC's, and Counselor
Friday, August 25, 2023
Katherine Johnson Legacy Day
Dr. michelle Neely, Principal
Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy
Follow me on Twitter @MRNeely74
Email: michelle.neely@desotoisd.org
District Website: www.DeSotoisd.org