Starting next week, the email for the JA newsletter will come out on Monday morning at 10:00 am.  You can still find the most up to date issue on the front page of our school website by scrolling down to the newsletter icon.  

The first full week of school is both exhilarating and exhausting; for both students and teachers alike. Just spectacular getting to see the relationships being built already into the school year. 

On Monday, we are excited to host Curriculum Night. This evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the main gym with a 20 minute presentation targeted for our new to JA families; all are welcome to attend, however. Following at 6 p.m. individual departments will host ten minute sessions sharing what your child will learn in that content area over their time at Jefferson Academy. There will be five rotations with departments relaying the same information for each one, so you can determine how many and the order that is a priority for you and your child. 

Another opportunity to Connect our Community in decision-making around what is best for students and our school is coming up the following week. JA's first School Accountability Committee (SAC) meeting of the year will be September 4th at 5:30 p.m. You can attend in person on the Elementary Campus in the library; or virtually join. SACs are advisory groups that help improve and plan programs and processes. Their purpose is to encourage and inform the community and parents so they can be involved in the school's planning and evaluation. SACs also help school staff increase parent engagement with teachers and the school. SACs are made up of parents, community members, teachers, and principals; so we hope you will make some time to join.  

The Fall Athletics Spirit Wear Store is OPEN!
The Fall athletic Spirit store closes on Monday. You can purchase anything from hats to t-shirts including adult and youth sizes.
Orders will arrive the last week of September.

Fall Sports are starting up this week except boys golf. Boys golf have already had a couple of golf tournaments. They are off to a great start. 

Tuesday August 27th come support our softball and soccer teams as they play @ JA

Softball- 4:30pm at Broomfield Industrial Park

Soccer- 4:30pm JV; 6:30pm Varsity 

Weather: 

Regarding lightning: When there is lightning we will be asking our spectators and players to leave the field within 8 miles of the nearest lighting strike. Spectators we are asking you to go to your vehicles. 

Boosters

The first Boosters Meeting of the school year will be on September 9th at 6:00pm via Zoom. Boosters does so much for our students throughout the year. A great way to support our community is to join Boosters (use this link) Membership Registration & Dues parent support is vital to our school success!!

Boys Volleyball Club

According to USA Volleyball Boy's Volleyball (or volleyball in general) is more than just a sport, volleyball offers the opportunity for lessons that few other sports can. From character-building skills such as leadership, teamwork, respect and communication to the physical benefits of staying healthy and active. You can expect the gift of play, along with struggle sport, and trusting support.

The JA Boys Volleyball Club is open to any grade and skill level, we meet on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:30 in the Main Gym. See Mr. Carwin in A113 if you have any questions, or just come play! DIG DEEP RISE HIGH!

New Attendance Procedures 

Secondary's Attendance procedures have changed. You can now report all absences online! Parents can now log into their Infinite Campus Parent Portal account and hit the Absence Request button, or go to the secondary website and click the Attendance link.

If you need to pick up your student early, please call the office and speak with one of the office staff.  Click HERE for instructions.  

JH Organizational Tips 

This past week, all JH students received planners. In 7th grade orientation classes, students were taught how to use the planner, made a homework folder, and learned new study tips and what it looks like to self-advocate. Lack of organization and not asking for help are the two main reasons why JH students struggle in school. Here are some additional tips to help your JH student practice the skill of organization with parental guidance:

• Using the Student Planner/RED folder (homework folder):

  • • Both tools are classroom materials and need to be in class every day.

    • Student should use the student planner on a daily basis to write down all assignments. If there is no homework, write N/A or no homework. Students who struggle with keeping track of assignments may need to get teacher signatures to help with accountability.

    • Before leaving campus, parent checks RED folder to be sure all assignments were turned in for the day.

    • At the end of the night, parent checks the RED folder each night for homework, matching it with the student planner to be sure everything is done.

    • Homework folders should only contain homework. Examples of what should not be in the Homework folder: notes, returned graded work, resource/reference papers.

    • Replacement planners can be purchased throughout the year for $5 with Ms. Adams.

• Other Organizational Suggestions:

  • • Create a filing system at home for all graded work. This keeps the clutter out of student binders. Every Friday, go through binders and take out any graded work. Files at home help with studying for tests/quizzes or if there is ever a grading error in Infinite Campus.

    • Check grades with your student on Canvas every Friday. Then, students and parents are aware of any current missing work and can have that completed over the weekend and ready to be turned in on Monday. 

    • Keep in mind that when homework assignments are missing, it is likely the student will also struggle on the assessments. This may be a reflection of study skills, but more likely is the lack of consistent practice.

    • Help create a good study environment at home.

Helping Your Student Build Self-Advocacy Skills

• • Encourage student to ask questions in class by raising their hand or privately speaking with the teacher.

  • Write an email together, requesting help from the teacher. After a few times writing the email together, have the student write it themselves.

  • Have student setup extra help time during teacher Office Hours.

  • Write down questions the student can ask of the teacher. Sometimes students don't ask for help because they don't know what questions to ask or forget what questions to ask. 

  • Practicing self-advocacy in other environments is important (e.g. having student order food at a restaurant or asking where the bathroom is, telling a coach about missing practice, etc.)

Canvas for Parents

All parents have accounts within Canvas, our learning management system, using their email account from the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you need to access your parent account, click on this link for instructions for downloading the app and logging into your account.  Canvas for Parents

Working Concessions at Athletic Events

Fall brings another great opportunity to bond with your team, club or even your family.  Sign up today to run the indoor or outdoor concessions stands for a Fall sport. Volunteering at concessions is a quick way to make a little extra money for your designated team, club or activity and even catching some of the action in person. If you are new to concessions or have questions, reach out to Lucy at lucyzugs@gmail.com to set up training so we can get you prepared. Sign up today https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0948aaa922a1fc1-high#/

• Boosters

• JA Secondary Calendar

• Infinite Campus Parent Portal 

• Safe2Tell