Week of January 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

Jan. 19th MLK Day-No School

Upcoming Dates

Attention all rising 9th graders - To help to begin preparing for their transition to high school and selecting courses for next year, we want to invite you to attend our 2026 Curriculum Fair: “Step Right Up to Your Future!” at Jackson County High School on Wednesday, January 21, from 5:30–7:15 PM.

Our goal is to make the transition to high school as smooth and exciting as possible. Thank you for helping us ensure that your future Panther is ready for a strong start at Jackson County High School!

Join us at Empower for the Community Pathway Night for live demonstrations by Empower students. The students will be running labs and sharing what they are learning in their pathways. Come check it out on Tuesday, January 20th.

Our Winter West Fest is coming and it is sure to be an exciting event! Save the date for February 5th from 4:00-6:00PM, here at WJMS. More information to come soon!

Tickets for our annual Daddy Daughter Dance are now on sale. For more information and to get your tickets, click here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-daddy-daughter-dance-3

Our 2025-2026 Yearbook is on sale! Scan the QR Code or go to the website to order your student's copy today!

Join us at Empower for the Community Pathway Night for live demonstrations by Empower students. The students will be running labs and sharing what they are learning in their pathways.

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

7 Mindsets of the Month

Congratulations to our 7 Mindsets representatives for being 100% Accountable! Both Anderson Terry and Ms. Amber Cannon consistently grow toward a high standard and excellence in the classroom, displaying accountability through their work and their instruction. We are proud to have them as #onlythebestatwjms!