Week of April 19, 2026 Newsletter

At West Jackson Middle School, our mission is to empower students, educators, and our community for success. We bring this to life through our Three Panther Pathways: Achievement, Collaboration, and Engagement.

Each week, we’ll highlight how our students, teachers, and families are demonstrating these pathways—whether it’s through academic excellence, teamwork, or innovative learning experiences.

How Can You Get Involved?
We’d love to hear from YOU! If you see a great example of the Panther Pathways in action—whether it’s your student showing leadership, a teacher going above and beyond, or a community member supporting our school—share it with us! Email rhawk@jcss.us or tag us on social media using #PantherPathways to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

Together, we make WJMS a place where every Panther thrives!

School Announcements

April 21st - 6th and 7th Spring Band Concert
April 24th - 8th Grade Spring Band Concert
May 5th - 6th Grade Spring Variety Show
May 7th - 7th Grade Spring Variety Show
May 8th - 8th Grade Spring Variety Show

Upcoming Dates

The school year is on the down slope and the calendar is filling up. Please be sure to make note of these important dates for our students.

Parents, due to limited space in the gym, only PTO volunteers will help with our morning field day events. If you are interested in watching the outside afternoon activities, complete the steps below. All visitors on campus are required to complete the “Raptor Safe” app information. If you are interested in afternoon field day events, please complete this application by April 27th to allow for approval time. Thank you for helping keep our campus a safe space to thrive!

Step #1: Download the “Raptor Safe” app (pdf instructions linked here)
Step #2: Complete the required information
Step #3: Check in at the WJMS front office on field day and have fun!

Please Note: Afternoon field day in middle school is very different from elementary school. Students have free time to visit with their friends, play football, soccer, or kickball and cool off on the waterslide. All homeroom field day events happen inside, in the morning.

School Updates

Please download the Box Tops App using our referral code TD9F6SH7 or by scanning this QR code and our school will get $5. Each time you shop, just scan your receipt in the box tops app and money will go back to our school.

Shop for you and help our school! Link your Kroger card to our school and each time you shop, our school will get a percentage back.

Get the apps! Stay up to date on our school's communication, your student's course work, and your student's course grades.

Click the links below to learn about logging in to the apps and further navigation.

If you need further assistance, contact Ms. Hawk at rhawk@jcss.us

Needing to drop your student off at school early? Enroll for our Before School Care which opens every instructional day at 6:30AM.

School Information

We are thrilled to announce all JCSS schools are adopting the Raptor Safe mobile application as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety, while streamlining visitor management check-in at our schools. The Raptor Safe app builds upon existing visitor procedures, offering a more convenient and secure check-in process for visitors. Learn more by visiting www.jacksonschoolsga.org/raptorsafe.

WJMS Families, it is incredibly important that students are coming to school each day with their Chromebooks and that the Chromebook is fully charged. When students do not have their resources, it puts the student behind in daily assignments which have to be completed at a later time. Please help us by reminding your student to have their supplies and be best prepared for the day!

As a reminder, students should not bring in any outside food from restaurants. This will help with concerns about food safety, potential disruptions in the classroom, managing food allergies among students, and maintaining the cleanliness of the school environment.

🔗Click here for the current lunch menus for your school.

Thank you for your help!

Families, please remember that 1st period instruction begins promptly at 8:45 AM each day. To ensure students are in class and ready to learn on time, they need to be in the building no later than 8:40 AM. This allows them time to get to their classrooms and prepare for the day ahead.

Thank you for your help in supporting a smooth start to the school day!

Your best school supply is a library card! JCSS has partnered with the Piedmont Regional Library System, and conveniently, your student ID number acts as a library card for your public library! The public library provides free access to books and online resources to help you succeed, as well as fun resources that help develop a lifelong love of reading.

To view the 2025-26 calendar, click here.

Get involved at WJMS!

Birthday Shout Outs

Give your student a birthday shoutout on our digital signage. Click here to order your shoutout!

Boost your business and sponsor our school!

We are looking for dedicated families and businesses to sponsor our school. This is a great chance for you to give back to the community of students that becoming great leaders! Email wjmspantherspto@gmail.com for more information.

Snapshots From Around WJMS

CONGRATULATIONS to our WJMS team at the State Science Olympiad competition! These students worked hard, made revisions, and problem solved their way to the podium!

Way to go Panthers!

Rock and Minerals 4th place: Parker Hamrick & Will Roland

Hover Craft 2nd place: Owen Cannon & Jackson Clark

Mission Possible 2nd place: Allie Duncan & Jett Wright

7 Mindsets of the Month

This month we are celebrating our WJMS staff and students with an Attitude of Gratitude. We would like to congratulate Abigail Almonte and Ms. Mildred Cotton on being our representatives for this 7 Mindset. Both are incredibly hard workers, who go above and beyond for their teachers, classmates, colleagues, and students. We are so proud to have them as another reason why we are #onlythebestatwjms!