october 20, 2023

JA's School Accountability Committee (SAC) has released the 2023 Fall family survey which will be open for responses until November 1st. This is your opportunity to share feedback to help JA get even better than they already are. Your insight is not only used by the SAC, and our Board of Directors, but the leadership at each campus to align our improvement plans with the expecations of our community.  

PRINCIPAL NOTES

With the first quarter closed, and some new classes starting up, our students continue to amaze us with their dedication, creativity, and resilience. It is evident they bring effort to their studies, extracurricular activities, and interactions with one another which is just one of the many reasons I am proud to be the principal at JA. It is truly inspiring. As we have observed the instruction over the first nine weeks of the school year, we've seen how our teachers and staff play a pivotal role in shaping the future leaders JA is creating. Their unwavering commitment to our students' growth and success is commendable. I also would be remiss to not thank the invaluable contribution our families in their support of JA. Your involvement and and encouragement at home are instrumental in our student's development. 

Thank you for being such a great community to be a part of.

National MeRit Scholarship Program

The National Merit Scholarship Program, conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships. To be a semi-finalist, a student must score in the top 1% on the PSAT/NMSQT in the United States.  JA had one semi-finalist last year in senior Mark Leoni. Students who score in the top 3% on their PSAT/NMSQT earn Commended Status. Commended Status students also scored high enough to potentially earn large merit-based scholarships among top colleges and universities. This year JA students Jessie Schaffer, Maisy Harris, Jackson Stillman, and Dax Lee earned Commended Status.  

athletics 

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Volleyball Hosting Districts

Our high school volleyball team will be hosting the first night of the district tournament next Friday, Oct. 27th. Come out and support the ladies and help cheer them to victory. Student activity passes will not be accepted as this is a postseason tournament however CHSAA, CHSCA, and Metro League passes will. JA will go into the tournament as the #2 seed and will play games at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.


High School Cross Country

Our high school boys' and girls' cross country teams raced today in the 3A regional competition. The boys' team placed 2nd and the girls' team placed 3rd. The girls had two finishers included in the top 15; Maya Ross in 9th place and Valera Noland in 13th. The boys had three runners place in the top 15; Sean Beasley placed 1st, Rylan Mills placed 2nd, and Eliot Lindberg placed 8th.  The teams will compete next weekend at the State Championships in Colorado Springs. Great job to the JAXC program and best of luck to both teams next week!


National Letter of Intent

Are you planning on playing sports at the next level? Have you already verbally committed to a college or university. We would love to celebrate with you during our first of two ceremonies on November 8th. Please reach out to the Athletic Dept. by October 26 for more information. 


Junior High Girls Soccer Tryouts

Girls junior high soccer tryouts will be held on October 30th, 3:30-6:00 p.m. on the turf field, just west of the school. JH girls soccer is a D-Block class during the 4th quarter of the school year. Games are played after school. This will be the only tryout offered and you must attend the tryout to be considered for the class. If your student is not available, you must notify the Athletic Dept. or Coach Luceri prior to Oct. 30th. JA competes in the MSAL league which includes charter and private schools in the local area from Boulder to Thornton to Arvada. 

Junior High Girls Basketball Tryouts

Girls junior high basketball tryouts will be held on November 1st and 2nd from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Main gym. Junior high girls basketball is considered an elective and practices take place during D block in the 3rd quarter. Games will be played after school. JA competes in the MSAL league which includes charter schools in the local area from Boulder to Thornton to Arvada. 


Concussions 

Below is an excerpt from CHSAA and Colorado state law: 

If a youth athlete is removed from play pursuant to subsection (3) of this section and the signs and symptoms cannot be readily explained by a condition other than concussion, the school coach or private or public recreational facility's designated personnel shall notify the athlete's parent or legal guardian and shall not permit the youth athlete to return to play or participate in any supervised team activities involving physical exertion, including games, competitions, or practices, until he or she is evaluated by a health care provider (we are asking that this be a routine family doctor, not an urgent care physician)  and receives written clearance to return to play from the health care provider. Once the player has been cleared and Jefferson Academy has received written clearance for the athlete to return to play, the player will then start the 5 day protocol with our trainer. The player is not allowed to return to play until they have finished all 5 days with Jake Diers, our trainer. When a player has been diagnosed with a concussion, the school will notify teachers so they are aware of any modifications that may need to be put in place. 

Activities

Attention Current 7th Grade Students and Parent-2025 DC/NY trip

Thank you to those who attended the DC/NY 2025 meeting on October 18th.  For those who were unable to attend and still want to sign up, please go to www.efexploreamerica.com tour #2704849EP or call EF Explore America at 888-333-9756.  Contact Mrs. Porreco at mporreco@jajags.com with questions.


Trick or Treat Street-Thursday, October 26

JA Secondary's annual Trick or Treat Street is Thursday, October 26 from 6-7:30 p.m.  This event is for elementary students only.  We are in need of candy donations--please drop off candy donations in the main office. 

JH Fall Ball

Junior High Community Club is sponsoring the Junior High Fall Ball (not a formal) dance on Friday, November 10 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the JA Auditorium.  Tickets are $5 and will be on sale during junior high lunch from November 3-November 8 at JH lunch! This is for JA junior high students only.

HEALTH

Why your child needs regular wellness checks

 Visiting your pediatrician regularly helps ensure that your child is healthy and happy. In addition to covering basic wellness exams, these visits are also important for vaccinations, vision and hearing tests, mental health screenings, physical development and so much more. Plus, these visits are a key part of disease and illness prevention throughout childhood. Learn more about the importance of wellness checks from Children’s Hospital Colorado. 


Cold and Flu season is upon us....

Cold season is here and we are seeing it at JA Secondary.  Please remember that if your student is not feeling well, has a fever, cold or flu symptoms, please keep them home from school.  This is the best remedy for their health and those around them!  


Also, the Secondary is asking for donations of Kleenex for our students and staff.  With many runny noses in the building, we have already used our supply for the semester and it is only October!  Please drop off any donations to the main office.  

Student support

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

What should parents know about bullying? Check out both parts of this article from Committee for Children for some helpful information.


Family Communication Workshop

Financial Aid Information Night

Parenting Resources 

Tutoring Options

student information

Yearbooks for Sale

We have a new and unique year underway here at JA!  Our yearbook will capture all the memories and events of the school year.

Don’t let your student miss out on the yearbook, designed by our students, for our students.


EARLY BIRD PRICING:

Junior High Yearbooks - $50

High School Yearbooks - $70


NOTE: Early bird pricing is NOW through the end of December. The price of both JH and HS yearbooks increase by $5 after the new year.


PERSONALIZE and PURCHASE the 2023-2024 YEARBOOK ONLINE: 

Personalize and/or purchase a JUNIOR HIGH yearbook

Personalize and/or purchase a HIGH SCHOOL yearbook

QUESTIONS? Email the appropriate yearbook staff:

Junior High - jhyearbook@jajags.com

High School - hsyearbook@jajags.com

JA Spirit Wear Store is OPEN

The JA Spirit Wear Store is now open! The store will close Nov 1st with delivery to the secondary or elementary near the end of November. There are many different items with different colors and logos. Sizing is Adult, Adult Tall, Women and Youth, please check individual item sizing.   Please follow this link to order! JA Spiritwear store.  

Schedule for The week

College Visits

Local Events

this week at JA

Art Friday - Ceramics Class

Art Friday - Painting Class

Junior High Cross Country 

 Credit: Student Productions

Important Links

administration

The mission of Jefferson Academy is to help students attain their highest academic and character potential through an academically rigorous, content-rich educational program.

Jefferson Academy envisions a community of parents, teachers, students and educational and business leaders working together to create a learning environment that engenders growth in character, academic achievement, and the love of learning, resulting in responsible, productive citizens.