Trailblazer Tribune

August 28-September 1, 2023


Mrs. Romero helps a student write a conversation in Spanish

navigating back-to-school stress

The KJTMA dust is settling, and now students are starting to feel the academic pressures of a new year.  Students new to KJTMA are especially susceptible to the stress of being in a new school. We can address the common stressors and help our new KJTMA members feel secure at school.

According to the University of Utah, subtle changes in students' behavior indicate they might be stressed (access article HERE).  

Together, we can tackle anxiety and help our students #soarforward!

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).pdf
Scanned from a Xerox Multifunction Printer (5).pdf

thank you, PTA for securing Dr. Wendy Okolo as one of our Legacy Day speakers

Dr, Okolo.mp4

Click the link to see Dr. Okolo's conversation with the students

pta Month at a glance,

A message from PTA President, Reniqua Spellman

Thank you to all who have joined the KJTMA PTA so far! We are off to a great start to the 2023-2024 school year! Below, please take a look at the work we've done for our campus so far.  I hope you will see a reason to join the only organization that advocates for ALL students.  Moreover, the KJTMA PTA is committed to serving in a way that meets all students' present and future needs.

August, 2023

Whew, and we are just getting started!  We need you because 'many hands make light work.' Thank you for helping us fulfill the mission of PTA, which is to "make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families  and communities to advocate  for all children."

Legacy Day field trips were postponed due to excessive heat

We postponed any Legacy Day events that were to take place away from the campus until the weather cools off.  We have one day left on our fundraiser!  Please consider helping the PTA fund our Legacy Day field trips.  Any amount is the right amount to help out our students! 

nwea map Assessments

Have you ever had to fast to take a blood test? Well, that is the best way for the doctor to examine your health. In the same way, blood tests help doctors see how we are doing, different types of assessments help us understand each student's needs.

Throughout the school year, our students take several assessments.  Some of them are summative assessments like STAAR, which measures what a child learns over the year. While others are diagnostic in nature, such as the NWEA Map assessment, which measures what a student knows and is ready to learn. The NWEA Map assessment provides a RIT score that measures your child's project in a content area (Math, Reading, or Science).  The measurements occur in intervals.  

So, every 3 months, we will measure your child's growth in the above areas.  The RIT score helps us identify ways to help your student.  Once we understand the data, we will sit with you and your student to discuss the data implications and make aggressive goals for the year.

 Please look at this short video to better understand the NWEA Map assessment.  Please talk with your students about why they need to focus and do their best. We will begin taking NWEA Map assessments after Labor Day.

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.

KJTMA Parent Oath of Agreement 

2023-2024

Parent-Katherine Johnson Oath of Agreement-2022-2023

KJTMA Student Oath of Agreement 

2023-2024

Student-KJMTA Oath of Agreement.docx

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. 

Summer 2023 Parent PLC
k-2 KJ Summer Inquiry Project 2023-FAMILIES
KJ Summer Inquiry Project 2023-KJTMAFAMILIES

Reminder: KJTMA Expectations-Summer Projects

 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

safety with drop-offs and pick-ups

We are constantly monitoring our safety procedures, and there are a few concerns I want to bring to your attention regarding arrival and dismissal:

Arrival

Dismissal

As a community, we are all equally responsible for protecting all students.  Please help us by following the above requests. 

cut-offs for picking students up in the afternoon

Please try and avoid picking up students after 2:45.  At the end of the school day, we are transitioning to prepare for dismissal.  If you come between 2:45 and 3:15, your wait may be a bit longer.

If picking up your student between these times is unavoidable, please park in the parking lot instead of the front of the building.  Our school buses and daycare vans begin arriving around 3:05.  If you park in front of the school for any time at that time, you are blocking the bus lane.

Blocking the bus lane slows down traffic even after you move because buses and vans have to move into new positions to make room for other buses and vans.  We have  to revise our dismissal plans when the vehicles move to new locations.  

If the way your student is getting home changed, please call the office between 12:00 and 2:00.

We want to be as efficient with dismissal as possible.  To do so, we need your help.  Please follow the above guidelines to help us take good care of you.

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: 

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.pdf

KJTMA Standardized Dress Expectations & Consessions

Thank you for helping us adhere to the standardized dress expectations this week!  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 in the school office or through the online KJTMA Uniform StoreStudents 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 is off to a great start this week 2023.  Please remind all KJTMA students in athletics of the behavioral expectations. We are guests at McCowan. We must follow both the rules of KJTMA and McCowan. If any KJTMA student is disruptive at McCowan or on the bus from or to McCowan, they 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 the 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 and is subject to the interpretation of the situation based on the DeSoto ISD code of conduct and the KJTMA Oath of Agreement. 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.  

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.pdf

Please click the link below for the KJTMA Middle School Supply list:

KJTMA MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST

DeSoto ISD School Hours

School Hours Final.pdf

Message 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

 

 

Parent Survey


College Gear up: Save the date

KJTMA Ross Jordan Male Flyer.pdf
PSAT Middle School Boot Camp - KJ and RY 09.16.2023.pdf
DeSoto ISD College Fair Flyer 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 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:

New User Sign-In

Existing User Sign In

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:

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:

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:

DESOTO ISD CHILD NUTRITION LINK

Attendance Matters

23-24 BOY Attendance Letter.pdf
Attendance-Works-Elementary__handout_101421.pdf
MiddleHigh_handout_111122.pdf
Attendance-Works-Preschool-K_in-person_101321.pdf
Attendance-Works-K-1st-Get-Ready_062122.pdf
Elementary_handout_SPANISH_110421-1 (1).pdf
Prek-K_handout_FLGLR_Spanish__110421.pdf

PRECAUTIONARY 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:



Dallas County Health officials recommend the following additional precautions:


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.

DeSoto ISD Academic Calendar

Please see the 2023-2024 DeSoto ISD Academic Calendar below.  Our first day of school is Monday, August 14, 2023.  We have a great academic year planned for our students and school community. 

2023 - 2024 DeSoto ISD District Calendar with Testing Dates

                                                                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!

Here are the words by the weeks:

Week 1: Symbiosis

Week 2: Augment

Week 3: Lackadaisical

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. 


It's not too late to sign up. Click on  KJ Parent Book Club Sign-UP to sign up.


Mrs. Broussard will host this year's parent book club. Meeting dates are:

September 28th @ 6pm Chapter 1

October 26th @ 6pm Chapter 2

November 30th @ 6pm Chapters 3 and 4

December 14th @6pm Chapter 5 


All meetings virtual meetings are on Zoom.  The link is: 

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3797888309?pwd=ynx3Cyo0vgZYudFP2gbmBJB3BAJyX3.1


Meeting ID: 379 788 8309

Passcode: kjbooks


If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Broussard at

EricaWoodardBroussard@gmail.com


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.  


PLearningSkillsKinder.pdf
PLearningSkills4.pdf
PLearningSkills8.pdf
PLearningSkills1.pdf
PLearningSkills5.pdf
PLearningSkills2.pdf
PLearningSkills6.pdf
PLearningSkills3rd.pdf
PLearningSkills7.pdf
AUGUST 2023
September

We 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 27

Dakota Mtanour-Herron

Ms. Burton


August 28


August 29

Kimberly Booker'Lailah Muhammad

Kingston Edgar


August 30

Kensley Jo Williams


August 31

               Mason Brown

        Leia Turner

          Mrs. Spellman


September 1


September 2

Maliyah Pearson

Kayrin Scott

Armanii Villafan

Julian Bahena-Rodriguez

Marvin Charles III

Pictures from the week of  August 21-25, 2023

Upcoming Events for the week of August 28 - Sept 1, 2023

Monday, August 28, 2023 A Day

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 B Day


Wednesday, August 30, 2023 A Day


Thursday, August 31, 2023 B Day


Friday, September 1, 2023 A Day



Save the Date

Monday, September 4, 2023


Tuesday, September 6, 2023


Thursday September 14, 2023


Dr. michelle Neely, Principal

Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy

Follow me on Twitter @MRNeely74

Email: michelle.neely@desotoisd.org

District Website:  www.DeSotoisd.org