Embedded Files
Our KJTMA students attended the DeSoto ISD College and Career Fair on September 14th. It is never to early to think about your college or career choice.
testing-September 19-29
testing-September 19-29
K-3 will be doing some diagnostic testing as we close out the six weeks. Third grade will take the MOCK STAAR Tuesday and Wednesday, September 18th and 19th. K-2 will take a Reading Diagnostic. We will limit visitation to the campus during testing days! Thank you so much for your cooperation and for assisting us with learning more about our students!
Pictured is one of our 8th Grade students and her brother (who is a DeSoto and UT graduate). They teach ballet folklorico and dance in competitions around the world!
Hispanic Heritage Quote for the week
Hispanic Heritage Quote for the week
Instead of a poem this week students, throughout National Hispanic Heritage Month, students will have the opportunity to learn quotes in Spanish. One thing I would like our students to do is attempt to memorize the quotes in Spanish. When they share the quote on Flipgrid, I would like them to share what it means. Once your student memorizes the quote, have them upload it to Flipgrid as they did this summer. They will earn 25 house points for memorizing the poem, saying it correctly, and uploading it. If your student uploads it by Thursday evening, they will earn a dress-down day. However, they CAN only dress down once I comment on their video on Flipgrid.
See the first Spanish quote below! Remember, they have to say the quote in Spanish and tell what it means to them when they record it to Flipgrid!
No estudio para saber más, sino para ignorar menos by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz - I don’t learn so I can know more, I learn so I can ignore less
Campus attendance percentages
Campus attendance percentages
We made our goal this week, KJTMA Family! We averaged 97%! One day, we had 98.86%! That is pretty amazing! Let's continue to work on making sure that our students are in class! There is a direct correlation between student academic success and attendance. If we reach our attendance goal of 97.5% Monday-Thursday, our students may have a full dress-down day again on Friday! We will announce this Thursday evening via a campus phone call. Let's help our students reach the attendance goal for the week.
Campus Weekly Goal 97%
Campus Weekly Goal 97%
Week 1 8/14 - 8/18
Elementary K-5 98.79 Middle School 6-8 99.28
Campus Total 99.03
Week 2 8/21 - 8/26
Elementary K-5 97.86 Middle School 6-8 94.58
Campus Total 96.22
Week 3 8/28 - 9/1
Elementary K-5 96.91 Middle School 6-8 93.98
Campus Total 95.445
Week 4 9/4 - 9/8
Elementary K-5 97.28 Middle School 6-8 96.39
Campus Total 96.835 round up 97.00
Week 5 9/11 - 9/15
Elementary K-5 96.68 Middle School 6-8 97.11
Campus Total 96.895 round-up 97.00
(students were rewarded with a dress down day on 9/15)
PTA Updates
PTA Updates
Our next PTA meeting is Wednesday, October 4, 2023. The meeting will start promptly at 6:00 PM and end at 6:30. We would love for you to join us for the meeting and join PTA. Thank you for all that contributed to the Legacy Day Fundraiser. Because of your generosity, our students will have learning opportunities in aviation, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing later this semester!
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 want to join the PTA Parent Event Committee, please scan the code to join the committee!
Scanned from a Xerox Multifunction Printer (1).pdfScanned from a Xerox Multifunction Printer (5).pdfKidada Education Design Village Presents:
Kidada Education Design Village Presents:
Parenting with Purpose: Fall Sessions
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:
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
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!
or QR Code on the flyer to register for your Parenting With Purpose Sessions!
Flyer is attached to this email.
Flyer is attached to this email.
Safety and Operations
Safety and Operations
DeSoto ISD Standardized Dress
DeSoto ISD Standardized Dress
dresscode.pdfKJTMA Standardized Dress Expectations & Consessions
KJTMA Standardized Dress Expectations & Consessions
Some of our students are wearing colors outside the colors prescribed in the district dresscode. The dress code colors are as follows: Solid color green, gold, black, white, or gray shirt with collar;
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 Store. Students must wear shirts with patches Monday-Thursday. Spirit shirts are only worn on Fridays.
Patches Available in the office
Because the patches were 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.
desoto isd sports schedules
desoto isd sports schedules
Mighty McCowan Athletics
Mighty McCowan Athletics
If your student has a game, you may pick them up between 3:40-3:50 in the front office. You may park in the front parking lot (PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE BUS LANE), come into the main office, and check them out. We will work with you to ensure you and your scholar are not blocked in the parking lot at dismissal! We are excited for our student-athletes and look forward to seeing them play as members of the Mighty McCowan teams! Please see the game locations and times for this week's sporting events.
Please see the updates regarding athletics.
2023 - 2024 CMMS Volleyball Schedule (1).pdfVB October 2023 Practice - Game Calendar .pdfVB September 2023 Practice - Game Calendar .pdfUpdated September XC Practice Schedule.pdf
Interested in Learning to Play Chess?
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.
Message for 7th and 8th grade Parents and students from GEAR UP
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
Volunteer at KJTMA
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
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
DeSoto Child Nutrition Application
Please complete the child nutrition application for your student. The link is below:
Attendance Matters
Attendance Matters
23-24 BOY Attendance Letter.pdf
MiddleHigh_handout_111122.pdfAttendance-Works-Preschool-K_in-person_101321.pdfPrek-K_handout_FLGLR_Spanish__110421.pdfAttendance-Works-K-1st-Get-Ready_062122.pdfAttendance-Works-Elementary__handout_101421.pdfElementary_handout_SPANISH_110421-1 (1).pdfPRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
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:
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.
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
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 week. We will revisit the words in classes during Eagle Academy and 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
Week 4: Decree, DeDuce
Week 5: Cower and Cranny
Week 6: Abridge and Plethora
KJTMA Parent Book Study
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
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 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
Upcoming KJTMA Birthdays
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
September 17
Joan Valdez
Kenia Brizuela Otento
Aiden Fischer
Joshah Macon Jr.
September 18
Micah Broussard
September 19
Brysen Jones
September 20
Gavin Haynes
Arianna Horton
Kristinna Hobbs
September 21
Niara Griffith
September 22
Landon Walker
Aubree Culberson
September 23
Amaya Turner
Dakota Ingram
Desoto public library
Desoto public library
Pictures from the week of September 11 - September 15, 2023
Pictures from the week of September 11 - September 15, 2023
20230914_190505-1.mp4
Upcoming Events for the week of September 18 - Sept 22, 2023
Upcoming Events for the week of September 18 - Sept 22, 2023
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time when we celebrate advances in childhood cancer treatment and survivorship care, remember the children we’ve lost, and engage new advocates to join in our mission of achieving a day when every child with cancer can live a long and healthy life.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time when we celebrate advances in childhood cancer treatment and survivorship care, remember the children we’ve lost, and engage new advocates to join in our mission of achieving a day when every child with cancer can live a long and healthy life.
National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 - October 15, 2023
National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 - October 15, 2023
Historical Background
Historical Background
The observance began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded to a full month under President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The reason for the specific timing, September 15 to October 15, is quite intentional. These dates coincide with national independence days in several Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate on September 15, followed by Mexico on September 16, and Chile on September 18.
Saturday, September 16, 2023
8:00 am - 12:00 pm PSAT Middle School Boot Camp KJTMA Cafeteria
Monday, September 18, 2023 B Day
5:30 pm 7th grade McCowan Girls Volleyball B-Team vs Coleman @ Coleman Middle School Cedar Hill
6:30 p.m. DeSoto ISD School Board Progress Monitoring Data Meeting
7:00 pm 7th grade McCowan Girls Volleyball A-Team vs Coleman @ Coleman Middle School Cedar Hill
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 A Day
5:30 pm 7th grade McCowan Football A-Team vs Coleman @ C. S. McCowan Park
6:45 pm 8th grade McCowan Football A-Team vs Coleman @ C.S. McCowan Park DeSoto
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 B Day
6:30 p.m. DeSoto ISD School Board Bi-Monthly Town Hall
Thursday, September 21, 2023 A Day
5:30 pm 8th grade McCowan Girls Volleyball B-Team vs Coleman @ McCowan Main Gym
7:00 pm 8th grade McCowan Girls Volleyball A-Team vs Coleman @ McCowan Main Gym
Friday, September 22, 2023 B Day
End of the first 6 weeks of school
Dr. michelle Neely, Principal
Dr. michelle Neely, Principal
Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy
Follow me on Twitter @MRNeely74
Email: michelle.neely@desotoisd.org
District Website: www.DeSotoisd.org
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