october 6, 2023
IMPORTANT CHANGE TO SUPER TESTING DAY
We have had to make a change to Super Testing Day on Wednesday, October 11. Due to the new digital testing platform for PSAT NMSQT and PSAT 9-we will have a morning and afternoon session due to WiFi capabilities for digital testing.
PSAT NMSQT (10th & 11th grade)-testing 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
PSAT 9 (9th grade)-testing 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
For information on the fall PSAT NMSQT-please click here PSAT NMSQT INFO
Again there will be NO SCHOOL for all junior high and for 12th grade students on October 11th.
NO SCHOOL on Thursday, October 12 for ALL grades-scheduled parent teacher conferences, and also no school on Friday, October 13 (no school for all students or staff)
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, October 11th. If you have concerns about your student that can be addressed in a quick conference, please make plans to attend from 3:30pm to 5:30pm or 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to drop-in. If your student is doing well and you have no concerns, we encourage you to spend an evening celebrating their success. If you have concerns that will take longer to discuss, please contact the teacher to set up an appointment. Thursday are invite only conferences, and invitations went out this past week from Ms. Adams.
PRINCIPAL NOTES
What a great week! Homecoming is such an amazing event from so many aspects. From the 7th-12th grade Spirit Days that students participated in leading up to the Homecoming Assembly there are just so many ways to engage our students throughout the week. It was also great to be a part of the connections with our elementary students during the HoCo parade and Thursday nights athletic events. Finally, Fall Fest on Friday, the reward for our student's efforts and the culmination of a truly fun week. A huge thank you to our Student Government and National Honor Society for the time put in to make this such a great Homecoming. They are amazing! They put in hundreds of hours to ensure that all of our events were safe, inclusive, and fun. The display of school spirit was a site to behold as you can see from the photos below.
In the grand scheme of things, it is not even over as tonight Powder Puff Football starts on the turf field at 7:30 p.m. and our high school students get to continue with our homecoming dance tomorrow from 8:30-1130 p.m. The building empties right at 11:30, so don't be that awkward guardian who shows up late with your kids sitting on the curb.
I would also like to thank our faculty and staff who volunteered their time coaching and officiating powder puff, supervising events, participating in dress-up days, and supporting Fall Fest activities. Not to mention those who will be here tomorrow night for the dance. JA is truly a great community and you can see if in full effect with everyone's contribution throughout the week.
athletics
Junior High Basketball
Does your student have team sports/basketball listed on their schedule for 2nd quarter during D block? If so, now is the time to make sure your athlete has a current physical so they play. Registration is currently open for junior high boys basketball. Your student athlete will not be able to play until they have all registration forms and sports physical uploaded. First day of practice will be October 16th. Please reach out to the athletic department if you have any questions.
We will host a informational meeting for boys' junior high basketball players and parents on Wednesday, November 18th at 3:30 p.m. in the Aux gym. Parents, please plan to attend this meeting to learn about expectations of the season and also to ask any questions that you may have.
Girls junior high basketball tryouts will be held on November 8th and 9th 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.
High School Basketball Registration
Registration for Winter 2023-24 High School sports will open on October 30th at 9:00 a.m. Registration will close at noon on November 10th. All registration steps for Winter Sports Registration will need to be completed and approved, prior to participating on Monday, November 13th, which is the first official day for high school practices and tryouts throughout Colorado.
In the meantime, make sure your sports physical is up to date. Students in grades 7-12 registering for athletics must have a current sports physical form uploaded in the system to participate in practice/tryouts. Physicals are current for 12 months from the date of the last exam.
End of Season For High School Fall Sports:
As the high school fall season comes to an end in the month of October, I want to recognize and say a special thank you to our senior athletes. I want to thank them for what they have done for our school and their individual sports programs. We appreciate their hard work, dedication, and commitment these past 4 years. Thank you for your service and you will always be part of the JA family. We also want to say thank you to those senior parents. Your time, commitment, and dedication means a lot to us. Thank you to both!
Activities
Homecoming Dance Ticket Sales
Tickets for JA's Homecoming dance will be on sale in the Commons during high school lunch, September 25th - October 6th. Tickets are $30 or $35 at the door. Cash, check, and credit card are accepted. The dance is open to high school students only. Reminder-if you are bringing a guest from another school, they must have already completed and turned in a guest pass to the main office.
Attention Current 7th Grade Students and Parent-2025 DC/NY trip
There will be an information meeting for current 7th grade students and parents interested in the 2025-8th grade Washington DC/New York trip on Wednesday, October 18th at 6:30 p.m. via zoom. Do not miss out on this great educational opportunity. Please sign up at EF RSVP or contact Mrs. Porreco at mporreco@jajags.com.
Student support
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Cyberbullying: Take a look at this helpful site on stopbullying.gov that helps identify what cyberbullying is, where it occurs, how to prevent it, awareness for parents, popular social media apps and sites, and other tips for families.
Schedule for The week
Monday, October 9 - Senior Seminar Presentations (all day)
Tuesday, October 10 - Senior Seminar Presentations (all day)
Band Concert 7 p.m. Free Admission
Wednesday, October 11 - Super Testing Day; no school for 7th and 12th Grades
Senior Seminar Presentations (all day)
Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-5:30 p.m; 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 12 - No school. Parent Teacher Conferences by appointment only
Friday, October 13 - No School! Enjoy the long weekend!
friendly Reminders
Lost and Found
Are you missing that water bottle or lunch sack? As you are visiting teachers in conferences, please stop by the Lost and Found table located outside of the office. We would like to reunite families with their water bottles, shoes, pants, and jackets. All remaining lost items will be donated at the end of next week.
Student Photos and CMAS Scores
Please stop by the office during conferences to pick up student photos (if purchased) and CMAS scores from last spring for current 8th and 9th grade students.
Pick up and Drop
As a reminder, for the safety of students and staff, please do not pick up students outside of designated pick up areas, such as the parking lot, or the bike lanes where there is a sidewalk. Students should not be picked up in the middle of the road or the intersection as this presents a hazard to other vehicles and pedestrians.
College Visits
October
Creighton University, Omaha, NE, October 20th, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Local Visits/Events
October 7: Interested in art school? National Portfolio Day event at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) Learn more information and register here.
this week at JA
Mr. Meska conducting the JA Brass section in preparation for their concert next week. Photo provided by Student Productions
JH Boys Soccer B Team wraps up the season at 5-2
Biker Barbie & Barista Barbie
Movie Night!
JH volleyball tournament
Congrats A Team!
JH Boys Soccer A Team wins against Stargate 6-0 and heads to the semi-finals vs. PRA on Friday.
Homecoming Parade at JA Elementary
Peach Fuzz
Homecoming Parade at JA Elementary
administration
Principal - Mr. Ryan Stadler; 303-465-7615, rstadler@jajags.com
Assistant Principal & Activities Director; 303-465-7617, Mrs. Marti Porreco, mporreco@jajags.com
Athletic Director & Assistant Principal; Mr. Dan Quaratino; 303-465-7616, dquaratino@jajags.com
Director of Student Support Services; 303-465-7621, Ms. Kyrie Adams; kadams@jajags.com
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.