FCPS

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Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students out from school:
• Attendance Matters:
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• Thomas Jefferson HS Application Portal:
• Advanced Academics Spring Referral:
• All Students Need to Register for After-School
• After-School on Fridays?
• From Theatre Arts:
• From our Clinic:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

November 27, 28, 29- Holiday (Thanksgiving)- School Closed

Admin Team Information: Checking Students out from school:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

Attendance Matters:

Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.  When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program.  These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.  Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time. 

Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:

• Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
• Receive personalized assistance from teachers
• Improve academic performance and understanding

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  

CALL FOR all Jackson students!

2024-2025 reflections program: Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts. Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography. Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme. The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.

This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms. Lundeen’s art room 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

Thomas Jefferson HS Application Portal:

This is a reminder that the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology application portal will close Friday, November 15th at 4:00PM.  Applications may not be started after Wednesday, November 13th at 4:00PM.  Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Advanced Academics Spring Referral:

Parents interested in referring your student for the Spring Level IV Screening must submit a Level IV Referral form to Shawn English, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), by December 15, 2024. It may be helpful for you to complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in addition to your referral form.This can also be found on the page that is linked above. Once I receive the referral form, a request for work samples and ratings will be requested from your student’s current teachers. Then the information will be passed along to the screening committee. The screening committee will meet in the spring and make the appropriate recommendations for your student. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

All Students Need to Register for After-School

Did you know that our 5 day a week after-school program (LJ After Hours) is totally free, and includes a free snack supper, and late buses on Monday-Thursday??  There are over 40 clubs, activities and intramural sports to choose from each week.  All you need to do in order to access this fantastic program is complete the online registration/parental permission form.  We need a form for any student who stays after school for any reason... even if it's just to re-take a test with a teacher.  Parents who have NOT completed the form will get a reminder email from Mr. Hoffert, with the link to the form included.  It takes just a few minutes to fill it out... you just need your student's ID number in order to complete it.

Currently, only 33.5% of students who have attended after-school so far this year have a completed registration form on file.  Please help!

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AFTER SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

 

-->COMING IN JANUARY<-- Group Guitar Class

Whether you're a regular John Mayer, or you can't remember if a guitar has 4 or 6 strings, this is your chance to start learning or sharpen the face-melting skills you already have.  Fridays, after school, starting in January.  We'll provide the guitar (there's a $20 rental fee... talk to Mr. Hoffert if that's an issue).

January 17-March 21 (10 weeks)

 

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

From Theatre Arts:

LJMS Drama presents, Aesop Live!, a funny comedy that twists old fables into a fun-filled evening for audiences of all ages! Please come and support the over 100 students who have been working both on and offstage to create the world of Aesop with all its silly animals, zany gods and people who just cannot get things right! Tickets available online now for only $5 ($6 at the door). There will also be tickets available during all lunches the week before the show. Bring your family and friends and come and have some fun! Doors open ½ hour before curtain. Show dates are Thursday, Nov 21, Friday Nov 22 & Saturday, Nov 23rd. Flowers are available to purchase for your favorite cast & crew.

Aesop Live! Ticket Link

From our Clinic: Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Quarter 1 Report Cards Report cards are issued every nine weeks to provide an overview of students' academic progress based on curriculum objectives. They will be available in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE, and physical copies will be mailed by November 15th. If you do not receive your student’s report card within two weeks of this date, please reach out to our registrar, Ms. Carbajal, for assistance.

Questions About Grades? For information on grading scales, please visit Grading Scales for Secondary Schools.

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information. 

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

PTA Corner:

PTA Meeting: Our next PTA meeting will be online on Monday, November 18th, at 7 pm. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAud-2hrTMoGtX_rjsecz3zKeMQQWiWQkhY

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

PTA Membership: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. You are invited to become a PTA member and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

From Tech Support:

Parents can complete the Lightspeed Parent Report Request. This request provides parents with Weekly Parent Reports delivered by Lightspeed directly to an authorized parent email over the weekend. These reports summarize the websites visited by the student while using an FCPS device.

At the bottom of the weekly report, parents can register for the Parent Relay Portal, which provides detailed browsing information. The sign-up is embedded within the Lightspeed report and does not require any further submission to IT or IT intervention. The extended access also gives parents the ability to pause internet access on their child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime. However, parents cannot pause the internet during the school day.

Digital Resource Consent Needed Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

ChromeBook Update:

If a student returns a Chromebook damaged, they will receive a warning, and if there is a second instance of the same damage, they will have to pay for the repair cost.  If a student returns a Chromebook damaged and the case is removed, they will have to pay for the repair cost in the first instance.  Repair costs are listed below.

HP Fortis Parts

Cost

Chromebook replacement

$444

Charger

$10

System Board

$315

Screen

$90

Keyboard and palm rest

$48

Touchpad

$21

Heatsink

$30

Daughterboard

$22

Base enclosure

$20

Bezel

$18

Speaker

$16

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

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espanol

The deadline for nominations is tomorrow (Friday, November 15).  Please consider nominating a deserving Jackson MS staff member.  Thank you!

CLICK HERE TO GO RIGHT TO THE NOMINATION FORM

11/14/2024

Fairfax County Public Schools Outstanding Employee Awards Program

Parents and students have an opportunity to recognize an outstanding Luther Jackson employee through the FCPS Outstanding Employee Award Program.  Nominations from parents, students and employees will be collected, and a committee will chose one employee for each category to move on to the pyramid and region level for consideration.

To submit a nomination for a Luther Jackson Middle School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google Form.

You may nominate one or multiple employees at our school. One individual may only nominate one employee per category per form (there are six total categories).

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The online nomination form has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.

Staff members will learn of their nomination at the staff holiday celebration in December.

Categories and Eligibility:
Outstanding Teacher

Eligibility:
1. Have completed at least three full years of teaching
2. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Outstanding Teachers:
A. Instill in students a desire to learn and achieve.
B. Understand the individual needs of students, encourage their talents and foster their self-esteem.
C. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students.
D. Foster cooperative relationships and engage with their colleagues and the community.
E. Demonstrate outstanding leadership.
F. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
G. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility:
1. Be within the first 3 years of their teaching career
2. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Outstanding New Teachers:
A. Exhibit superior instructional skills
B. Interact exceptionally well with students
C. Demonstrate excellent ability to communicate and engage with faculty, staff, parents and the community
D. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
E. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding New Principal

Eligibility:
1. To be eligible for nomination a new principal must:
2. Be within the first 3 years of their assignment as building principal (in any school/district)
3. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Outstanding New Principals:
A. Gather, analyze and use data for student achievement.
B. Communicate a clear vision for school improvement and stakeholder engagement.
C. Maintain effective discipline and foster a safe environment for students and staff.
D. Exhibit effective communication skills when working with staff and community members.
E. Model professionalism and promote the professional growth of others.
F. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
G. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding School-Based Leader

Eligibility:
1. Currently work as a full-time or part-time Schedule C or School-Based administrator who has completed at least one contracted year of employment with FCPS in this position.
2. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination
3. Common positions in this category: Associate Principal, Assistant Principal, Director of Student Services, Director of Student Activities

Outstanding School-Based Leaders:
A. Provide a unique and exceptional contribution to FCPS through their work.
B. Demonstrate commitment and leadership in their field.
C. Foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and/or the community.
D. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
E. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding Professional Employee (School-Based)

Eligibility:
1. Have completed at least one year of contracted full-time or part-time professional employment in FCPS in their current position
2. Currently work as a Schedule-B employee in an FCPS school or center, or in a non-instructional position that supports school leadership.
3. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination.
4. Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, After-School Program Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, Speech Pathologist School Counselor, Systems of Support Administrator, Safety and Security Specialist other employee paid as a Resource Teacher who serves in a non-instructional or administrative role in the school

Outstanding Professional Employees (School-Based):  
A. Provide a unique and exceptional contribution to FCPS through their work.
B. Demonstrate commitment and leadership in their field.
C. Foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and/or the community.
D. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
E. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee 

Eligibility:
1. To be eligible for nomination, a school-based operational employee must:
2. Have completed at least one year of contracted full-time or part-time operational employment in FCPS.
3. Currently work on the Schedule-A, Schedule-H, or Classroom Instructional Support (CIS) Scale in an FCPS school
4. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination.
5. Common positions in this category: administrative and office assistants, custodial staff, food service staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, all parent liaisons

Outstanding School-Based Operational Employees:
A. Provide a unique and exceptional contribution to FCPS through their work.
B. Demonstrate commitment and leadership in their field.
C. Foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and/or the community.
D. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
E. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

If you have any questions, please contact Matt Hoffert, [email protected]

Here are some helpful tips:

• You can find an alphabetical listing of all LJMS staff members on our school website.
• You can nominate as many employees as you wish during the nomination window.
• School winners from previous years can be nominated again.
• You must include your name when you nominate the person.
• Each nomination must include a brief paragraph stating why you believe this person is deserving of the honor.
• Please make sure the person you nominate is aware and in agreement with the nomination.

If you nominate someone and he/she is selected as the school winner, you will be asked to complete a Nominator Form and/or Letter of Recommendation to help this person be recognized at the pyramid, region, and county levels.

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking out Students:
• Attendance Matters:
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• Thomas Jefferson HS Application Portal:
• All Students Need to Register for After-School
• After-School on Fridays?
• From Theatre Arts:
• From our Clinic:
• Fairfax High School-Robotics Club
• Good things to know:
• PTA Corner:
• From Tech Support:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

&November 11th- (Veterans Day)- Student & Teacher Holiday

November 27, 28, 29- Holiday (Thanksgiving)- School Closed

Admin Team Information: Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

Attendance Matters:

Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.  When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program.  These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.  Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time. 

Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:

• Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
• Receive personalized assistance from teachers
• Improve academic performance and understanding

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  

CALL FOR all Jackson students!

2024-2025 reflections program: Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts. Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography. Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme. The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.

This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms. Lundeen’s art room 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

Thomas Jefferson HS Application Portal:

This is a reminder that the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology application portal will close Friday, November 15th at 4:00PM.  Applications may not be started after Wednesday, November 13th at 4:00PM.  Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

All Students Need to Register for After-School

Did you know that our 5 day a week after-school program (LJ After Hours) is totally free, and includes a free snack supper, and late buses on Monday-Thursday??  There are over 40 clubs, activities and intramural sports to choose from each week.  All you need to do in order to access this fantastic program is complete the online registration/parental permission form.  We need a form for any student who stays after school for any reason... even if it's just to re-take a test with a teacher.  Parents who have NOT completed the form will get a reminder email from Mr. Hoffert, with the link to the form included.  It takes just a few minutes to fill it out... you just need your student's ID number in order to complete it.

Currently, only 33.5% of students who have attended after-school so far this year have a completed registration form on file.  Please help!

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AFTER SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

 

-->COMING IN JANUARY<-- Group Guitar Class

Whether you're a regular John Mayer, or you can't remember if a guitar has 4 or 6 strings, this is your chance to start learning or sharpen the face-melting skills you already have.  Fridays, after school, starting in January.  We'll provide the guitar (there's a $20 rental fee... talk to Mr. Hoffert if that's an issue).

January 17-March 21 (10 weeks)

 

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

From Theatre Arts:

LJMS Drama presents, Aesop Live!, a funny comedy that twists old fables into a fun-filled evening for audiences of all ages! Please come and support the over 100 students who have been working both on and offstage to create the world of Aesop with all its silly animals, zany gods and people who just cannot get things right! Tickets available online now for only $5 ($6 at the door). There will also be tickets available during all lunches the week before the show. Bring your family and friends and come and have some fun! Doors open ½ hour before curtain. Show dates are Thursday, Nov 21, Friday Nov 22 & Saturday, Nov 23rd. Flowers are available to purchase for your favorite cast & crew.

Aesop Live! Ticket Link

From our Clinic: Fairfax High School-Robotics Club Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

PTA Corner:

PTA Meeting: Our next PTA meeting will be online on Monday, November 18th, at 7 pm. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAud-2hrTMoGtX_rjsecz3zKeMQQWiWQkhY

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

PTA Membership: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. You are invited to become a PTA member and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

From Tech Support:

Parents can complete the Lightspeed Parent Report Request. This request provides parents with Weekly Parent Reports delivered by Lightspeed directly to an authorized parent email over the weekend. These reports summarize the websites visited by the student while using an FCPS device.

At the bottom of the weekly report, parents can register for the Parent Relay Portal, which provides detailed browsing information. The sign-up is embedded within the Lightspeed report and does not require any further submission to IT or IT intervention. The extended access also gives parents the ability to pause internet access on their child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime. However, parents cannot pause the internet during the school day.

How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.  

Deadline Approaching for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage opened on Monday, October 21, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.

SOS Screener - Nov. 13th in Advisory

This year, during 4th-period Advisory on November 13th, LJMS will teach 7th-grade students about mental health awareness through the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program, an FCPS initiative used in all secondary schools. SOS covers how to identify signs of depression and suicide risk, encouraging students to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell a trusted adult) if they’re concerned about themselves or a friend.

Students will watch age-appropriate videos, discuss the topics, and complete a brief depression screener to help identify those who may need support. Learn more at www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent, where you’ll find resources and key messages.

If you have questions or prefer to opt your child out, please contact their school counselor with the subject line “SOS Opt Out” by November 8th.

Youth Survey - Nov. 13th in Advisory

The Fairfax County Youth Survey, conducted annually through a partnership between the Fairfax County School Board and Board of Supervisors, offers a comprehensive, anonymous look into the behaviors, experiences, and health factors impacting our youth. Students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 participate, providing critical insights to guide community and school efforts. Results are shared each year at fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey.

At Luther Jackson Middle School, only 8th graders will take the Youth Survey on November 13 during the advisory period. If you prefer your child not participate, please complete the opt-out form and return it to their school counselor by November 8. If you've already opted out through the Parental Digital Consent Portal, no further action is required

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

Digital Resource Consent Needed Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

ChromeBook Update:

If a student returns a Chromebook damaged, they will receive a warning, and if there is a second instance of the same damage, they will have to pay for the repair cost.  If a student returns a Chromebook damaged and the case is removed, they will have to pay for the repair cost in the first instance.  Repair costs are listed below.

HP Fortis Parts

Cost

Chromebook replacement

$444

Charger

$10

System Board

$315

Screen

$90

Keyboard and palm rest

$48

Touchpad

$21

Heatsink

$30

Daughterboard

$22

Base enclosure

$20

Bezel

$18

Speaker

$16

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

espanol

11/7/2024

Fairfax County Public Schools Outstanding Employee Awards Program

Parents and students have an opportunity to recognize an outstanding Luther Jackson employee through the FCPS Outstanding Employee Award Program.  Nominations from parents, students and employees will be collected, and a committee will chose one employee for each category to move on to the pyramid and region level for consideration.

To submit a nomination for a Luther Jackson Middle School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google Form.

You may nominate one or multiple employees at our school. One individual may only nominate one employee per category per form (there are six total categories).

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The online nomination form has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.

Staff members will learn of their nomination at the staff holiday celebration in December.

Categories and Eligibility:
Outstanding Teacher

Eligibility:
1. Have completed at least three full years of teaching
2. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Outstanding Teachers:
A. Instill in students a desire to learn and achieve.
B. Understand the individual needs of students, encourage their talents and foster their self-esteem.
C. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students.
D. Foster cooperative relationships and engage with their colleagues and the community.
E. Demonstrate outstanding leadership.
F. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
G. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding New Teacher

Eligibility:
1. Be within the first 3 years of their teaching career
2. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Outstanding New Teachers:
A. Exhibit superior instructional skills
B. Interact exceptionally well with students
C. Demonstrate excellent ability to communicate and engage with faculty, staff, parents and the community
D. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
E. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding New Principal

Eligibility:
1. To be eligible for nomination a new principal must:
2. Be within the first 3 years of their assignment as building principal (in any school/district)
3. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination

Outstanding New Principals:
A. Gather, analyze and use data for student achievement.
B. Communicate a clear vision for school improvement and stakeholder engagement.
C. Maintain effective discipline and foster a safe environment for students and staff.
D. Exhibit effective communication skills when working with staff and community members.
E. Model professionalism and promote the professional growth of others.
F. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
G. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding School-Based Leader

Eligibility:
1. Currently work as a full-time or part-time Schedule C or School-Based administrator who has completed at least one contracted year of employment with FCPS in this position.
2. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination
3. Common positions in this category: Associate Principal, Assistant Principal, Director of Student Services, Director of Student Activities

Outstanding School-Based Leaders:
A. Provide a unique and exceptional contribution to FCPS through their work.
B. Demonstrate commitment and leadership in their field.
C. Foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and/or the community.
D. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
E. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding Professional Employee (School-Based)

Eligibility:
1. Have completed at least one year of contracted full-time or part-time professional employment in FCPS in their current position
2. Currently work as a Schedule-B employee in an FCPS school or center, or in a non-instructional position that supports school leadership.
3. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination.
4. Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, After-School Program Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, Speech Pathologist School Counselor, Systems of Support Administrator, Safety and Security Specialist other employee paid as a Resource Teacher who serves in a non-instructional or administrative role in the school

Outstanding Professional Employees (School-Based):  
A. Provide a unique and exceptional contribution to FCPS through their work.
B. Demonstrate commitment and leadership in their field.
C. Foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and/or the community.
D. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
E. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee 

Eligibility:
1. To be eligible for nomination, a school-based operational employee must:
2. Have completed at least one year of contracted full-time or part-time operational employment in FCPS.
3. Currently work on the Schedule-A, Schedule-H, or Classroom Instructional Support (CIS) Scale in an FCPS school
4. Be aware of and in agreement with this nomination.
5. Common positions in this category: administrative and office assistants, custodial staff, food service staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, all parent liaisons

Outstanding School-Based Operational Employees:
A. Provide a unique and exceptional contribution to FCPS through their work.
B. Demonstrate commitment and leadership in their field.
C. Foster cooperative relationships with colleagues and/or the community.
D. Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
E. Contribute to one or more of the following Ignite Goals, in the FCPS Strategic Plan: Student Success, Caring Culture, Premier Workforce, Resource Stewardship

If you have any questions, please contact Matt Hoffert, [email protected]

Here are some helpful tips:

• You can find an alphabetical listing of all LJMS staff members on our school website.
• You can nominate as many employees as you wish during the nomination window.
• School winners from previous years can be nominated again.
• You must include your name when you nominate the person.
• Each nomination must include a brief paragraph stating why you believe this person is deserving of the honor.
• Please make sure the person you nominate is aware and in agreement with the nomination.

If you nominate someone and he/she is selected as the school winner, you will be asked to complete a Nominator Form and/or Letter of Recommendation to help this person be recognized at the pyramid, region, and county levels.

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking out Students:
• Attendance Matters:
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• School Pictures are here:
• All Students Need to Register for After-School
• After-School on Fridays?
• From Theatre Arts:
• Fairfax High School-Robotics Club
• Good things to know:
• PTA Corner:
• From Tech Support:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

November 1st- Student/Teacher Holiday (Diwali)- School Closed

November 4th- Student Holiday

November 5th- Student Holiday (Election Day)- School Closed

November 11th- Holiday (Veterans Day)- School Closed

Admin Team Information: Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

Attendance Matters:

Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.  When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program.  These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.  Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time. 

Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:

• Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
• Receive personalized assistance from teachers
• Improve academic performance and understanding

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  

CALL FOR all Jackson students!

2024-2025 reflections program: Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts. Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography. Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme. The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.

This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms. Lundeen’s art room 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

School Pictures are here:

Students should receive their school pictures and school ID cards in Phys Ed Classes today (Friday) and Monday.  Any questions or concerns with the portrait package received should be directed to the Barksdale Customer Service folks.  Their contact information is available on the picture package.  The school and staff has nothing to do with the purchase and/or ordering of school pictures. 

Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.  You can sign up for a time slot using this Signup Genius.  Information about ordering retakes will be available closer to that date.

All Students Need to Register for After-School

Did you know that our 5 day a week after-school program (LJ After Hours) is totally free, and includes a free snack supper, and late buses on Monday-Thursday??  There are over 40 clubs, activities and intramural sports to choose from each week.  All you need to do in order to access this fantastic program is complete the online registration/parental permission form.  We need a form for any student who stays after school for any reason... even if it's just to re-take a test with a teacher.  Parents who have NOT completed the form will get a reminder email from Mr. Hoffert, with the link to the form included.  It takes just a few minutes to fill it out... you just need your student's ID number in order to complete it.

Currently, only 33.5% of students who have attended after-school so far this year have a completed registration form on file.  Please help!

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AFTER SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

 

-->COMING IN JANUARY<-- Group Guitar Class

Whether you're a regular John Mayer, or you can't remember if a guitar has 4 or 6 strings, this is your chance to start learning or sharpen the face-melting skills you already have.  Fridays, after school, starting in January.  We'll provide the guitar (there's a $20 rental fee... talk to Mr. Hoffert if that's an issue).

January 17-March 21 (10 weeks)

 

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

From Theatre Arts:

LJMS Drama presents, Aesop Live!, a funny comedy that twists old fables into a fun-filled evening for audiences of all ages! Please come and support the over 100 students who have been working both on and offstage to create the world of Aesop with all its silly animals, zany gods and people who just cannot get things right! Tickets available online now for only $5 ($6 at the door). There will also be tickets available during all lunches the week before the show. Bring your family and friends and come and have some fun! Doors open ½ hour before curtain. Show dates are Thursday, Nov 21, Friday Nov 22 & Saturday, Nov 23rd. Flowers are available to purchase for your favorite cast & crew.

Aesop Live! Ticket Link

Fairfax High School-Robotics Club Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

PTA Corner:

Coffee with Principal Jones – Spanish-speaking families: Thursday, November 7th, 9 a.m. at the school library. Parents are invited to this unique opportunity to meet the principal and director of student services and learn about various resources available at LJMS. The meeting is intended for Spanish-speaking parents, but interpretation will be provided if English-speaking parents want to attend.  Link to RSVP: https://forms.gle/8ULkDcXCHUqdhfNw6

Join and volunteer for PTA: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. You are invited to become a PTA member and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/

Pantry Supply Coordinator: The Food Pantry needs a volunteer to serve as the Pantry Supply Coordinator.  The responsibilities include:  

• Working with other pantry leads to understand current pantry food stocks and what is needed for distribution every 2 weeks. (Usually plan to pack 40 complete sets of bags.)
• Ordering supplies from Capital Area Food Bank and pick up/deliver to school or coordinate someone else to pick up/deliver. Timing is flexible as long as it's during school hours to access the pantry.
• Purchasing and delivering other supplies as needed from grocery stores when not available at CAFB.
• Managing the school's donor relationship with Merritt Academy
• Keeping receipts and maintaining the pantry ledger
• Holding the PTA Pantry bank card

If you are interested in filling this vital role to help the LJMS community and its families, please get in touch with [email protected].

Buy Spirit Wear: Check out the PTA website, where you can find the links to buy Spirit Wear: https://jacksonmspta.org/

PTA Fundraising through glass recycling: Glass Goat was launched by LJ alumni to help with glass no longer being accepted by Fairfax County in recyclables. They offer a curbside glass pickup service that makes it easy and simple to recycle your glass responsibly without hassle. They are owned and operated entirely by hard-working teens, give a free custom bin, and send timely text reminders the day before pickup! LJMS PTA gets $20 for each sign-up, use code Tigers20.  https://glassgoatrecycling.com/

From Tech Support:

Parents can complete the Lightspeed Parent Report Request. This request provides parents with Weekly Parent Reports delivered by Lightspeed directly to an authorized parent email over the weekend. These reports summarize the websites visited by the student while using an FCPS device.

At the bottom of the weekly report, parents can register for the Parent Relay Portal, which provides detailed browsing information. The sign-up is embedded within the Lightspeed report and does not require any further submission to IT or IT intervention. The extended access also gives parents the ability to pause internet access on their child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime. However, parents cannot pause the internet during the school day.

How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.  

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Report Cards

We did it! Quarter 1 officially closes on Oct. 31st at 2:15pm! Please note that grades in ParentVUE SIS and StudentVUE SIS will not be available beginning on Oct. 28th. Report cards are issued four times a year at nine-week intervals to communicate student academic achievement to date based on curriculum objectives. Report cards are posted to SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE and mailed directly to families without ParentVUE accounts.

Questions about Grades? Please use this link to review FCPS’s Grading Scales for Secondary Schools.

Immunization Regulations

New regulations have been presented to schools regarding students missing immunizations. If you have received a notification that your student is out of compliance with their vaccines requirements, please communicate with Ms. Carbajal regarding appropriate paperwork. For families that have upcoming immunization doctors appointments scheduled, please communicate your date to our school. Appointment notes can be brought to school as proof. Fairfax County Public School’s official exclusion date has been moved to Oct. 28th.

Applications NOW OPEN for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage opened on Monday, October 21, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.

Spanish Speaking Parent Coffee - Nov. 7th at 9am

¡Familias! Acompáñennos a conocer a nuestra directora Ms. Raven Jones. Ella ha organizado un café para ustedes, con recursos y oportunidades para todos: clases de inglés, cestas gratuitas de alimentos, voluntarios para la educación y apoyo psicológico, seguros médicos y dentales (y vacunaciones) y oportunidades de trabajo. No quiera perderse nadie esta oportunidad. Jueves 7 de noviembre, 9am, Biblioteca de la escuela. Los esperamos. Vea de seguidas la invitación y haga aquí constar su asistencia: https://forms.gle/8ULkDcXCHUqdhfNw6

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

Digital Resource Consent Needed Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

ChromeBook Update:

If a student returns a Chromebook damaged, they will receive a warning, and if there is a second instance of the same damage, they will have to pay for the repair cost.  If a student returns a Chromebook damaged and the case is removed, they will have to pay for the repair cost in the first instance.  Repair costs are listed below.

HP Fortis Parts

Cost

Chromebook replacement

$444

Charger

$10

System Board

$315

Screen

$90

Keyboard and palm rest

$48

Touchpad

$21

Heatsink

$30

Daughterboard

$22

Base enclosure

$20

Bezel

$18

Speaker

$16

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking out Students:
• Fairfax High School-Robotics Club
• School Pictures are here:
• All Students Need to Register for After-School
• After-School on Fridays?
• Basketball Team Places 2nd in Central Fairfax Roundball Classic
• Attendance Matters:
• Good things to know:
• From Tech Support:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• ChromeBook Update:
• From Theatre Arts:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• PTA Corner:

Upcoming Events :

October 31st- End of First Quarter- 2 Hour Early Release (12:15 pm)

November 1st- Student/Teacher Holiday (Diwali)

November 4th- Student Holiday

November 5th- Student Holiday

November 11th- Holiday (Veterans Day)

Admin Team Information: Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

Fairfax High School-Robotics Club School Pictures are here:

Students should receive their school pictures and school ID cards in Phys Ed Classes today (Friday) and Monday.  Any questions or concerns with the portrait package received should be directed to the Barksdale Customer Service folks.  Their contact information is available on the picture package.  The school and staff has nothing to do with the purchase and/or ordering of school pictures. 

Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.  You can sign up for a time slot using this Signup Genius.  Information about ordering retakes will be available closer to that date.

All Students Need to Register for After-School

Did you know that our 5 day a week after-school program (LJ After Hours) is totally free, and includes a free snack supper, and late buses on Monday-Thursday??  There are over 40 clubs, activities and intramural sports to choose from each week.  All you need to do in order to access this fantastic program is complete the online registration/parental permission form.  We need a form for any student who stays after school for any reason... even if it's just to re-take a test with a teacher.  Parents who have NOT completed the form will get a reminder email from Mr. Hoffert, with the link to the form included.  It takes just a few minutes to fill it out... you just need your student's ID number in order to complete it.

Currently, only 33.5% of students who have attended after-school so far this year have a completed registration form on file.  Please help!

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AFTER SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

 

-->COMING IN JANUARY<-- Group Guitar Class

Whether you're a regular John Mayer, or you can't remember if a guitar has 4 or 6 strings, this is your chance to start learning or sharpen the face-melting skills you already have.  Fridays, after school, starting in January.  We'll provide the guitar (there's a $20 rental fee... talk to Mr. Hoffert if that's an issue).

January 17-March 21 (10 weeks)

 

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Basketball Team Places 2nd in Central Fairfax Roundball Classic

On Friday, October 18th, the LJMS basketball team competed in a tournament hosted here, with four other middle schools from our area also in attendance.  The Tigers went 3-1 on the evening, dropping their first game to a tough Kilmer MS squad, and then running the table the rest of the way with victories over Poe MS, Holmes MS, and Glasgow MS.  The team was coached by Mr. Bailey and Ms. Carter, and will be in action next when they take on our faculty team in the annual staff/student game coming up soon.  

Attendance Matters:

Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.  When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program.  These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.  Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time. 

Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:

• Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
• Receive personalized assistance from teachers
• Improve academic performance and understanding

Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

From Tech Support:

Parents can complete the Lightspeed Parent Report Request. This request provides parents with Weekly Parent Reports delivered by Lightspeed directly to an authorized parent email over the weekend. These reports summarize the websites visited by the student while using an FCPS device.

At the bottom of the weekly report, parents can register for the Parent Relay Portal, which provides detailed browsing information. The sign-up is embedded within the Lightspeed report and does not require any further submission to IT or IT intervention. The extended access also gives parents the ability to pause internet access on their child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime. However, parents cannot pause the internet during the school day.

How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.  

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Report Cards

We did it! Quarter 1 officially closes on Oct. 31st at 2:15pm! Please note that grades in ParentVUE SIS and StudentVUE SIS will not be available beginning on Oct. 28th. Report cards are issued four times a year at nine-week intervals to communicate student academic achievement to date based on curriculum objectives. Report cards are posted to SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE and mailed directly to families without ParentVUE accounts.

Questions about Grades? Please use this link to review FCPS’s Grading Scales for Secondary Schools.

Immunization Regulations

New regulations have been presented to schools regarding students missing immunizations. If you have received a notification that your student is out of compliance with their vaccines requirements, please communicate with Ms. Carbajal regarding appropriate paperwork. For families that have upcoming immunization doctors appointments scheduled, please communicate your date to our school. Appointment notes can be brought to school as proof. Fairfax County Public School’s official exclusion date has been moved to Oct. 28th.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic. 

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

Applications NOW OPEN for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage opened on Monday, October 21, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.

Spanish Speaking Parent Coffee - Nov. 7th at 9am

¡Familias! Acompáñennos a conocer a nuestra directora Ms. Raven Jones. Ella ha organizado un café para ustedes, con recursos y oportunidades para todos: clases de inglés, cestas gratuitas de alimentos, voluntarios para la educación y apoyo psicológico, seguros médicos y dentales (y vacunaciones) y oportunidades de trabajo. No quiera perderse nadie esta oportunidad. Jueves 7 de noviembre, 9am, Biblioteca de la escuela. Los esperamos. Vea de seguidas la invitación y haga aquí constar su asistencia: https://forms.gle/8ULkDcXCHUqdhfNw6

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

ChromeBook Update:

If a student returns a Chromebook damaged, they will receive a warning, and if there is a second instance of the same damage, they will have to pay for the repair cost.  If a student returns a Chromebook damaged and the case is removed, they will have to pay for the repair cost in the first instance.  Repair costs are listed below.

HP Fortis Parts

Cost

Chromebook replacement

$444

Charger

$10

System Board

$315

Screen

$90

Keyboard and palm rest

$48

Touchpad

$21

Heatsink

$30

Daughterboard

$22

Base enclosure

$20

Bezel

$18

Speaker

$16

From Theatre Arts:

LJMS Drama presents, Aesop Live!, a funny comedy that twists old fables into a fun-filled evening for audiences of all ages! Please come and support the over 100 students who have been working both on and offstage to create the world of Aesop with all its silly animals, zany gods and people who just cannot get things right! Tickets available online now for only $5 ($6 at the door). There will also be tickets available during all lunches the week before the show. Bring your family and friends and come and have some fun! Doors open ½ hour before curtain. Show dates are Thursday, Nov 21, Friday Nov 22 & Saturday, Nov 23rd. Flowers are available to purchase for your favorite cast & crew.

Aesop Live! Ticket Link

Digital Resource Consent Needed Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  

This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms. Lundeen’s art room 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

PTA Corner:

Restaurant Night Tuesday, October 29th: Enjoy delicious pizza and raise $$$ for PTA. Old Dominion Pizza 3950 University Dr. #102, Fairfax, will donate 15% of proceeds from all orders on 10/29 from 4-8:00 pm using promo code LRE916. Delivery, Dine-in, or Pick-Up.

Join and volunteer for PTA: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. You are invited to become a PTA member and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

 

Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/

Pantry Supply Coordinator: The Food Pantry needs a volunteer to serve as the Pantry Supply Coordinator.  The responsibilities include:  

• Working with other pantry leads to understand current pantry food stocks and what is needed for distribution every 2 weeks. (Usually plan to pack 40 complete sets of bags.)
• Ordering supplies from Capital Area Food Bank and pick up/deliver to school or coordinate someone else to pick up/deliver. Timing is flexible as long as it's during school hours to access the pantry.
• Purchasing and delivering other supplies as needed from grocery stores when not available at CAFB.
• Managing the school's donor relationship with Merritt Academy
• Keeping receipts and maintaining the pantry ledger
• Holding the PTA Pantry bank card

If you are interested in filling this vital role to help the LJMS community and its families, please get in touch with [email protected].

 

Buy Spirit Wear: Check out the PTA website, where you can find the links to buy Spirit Wear: https://jacksonmspta.org/

 

PTA Fundraising through glass recycling: Glass Goat was launched by LJ alumni to help with glass no longer being accepted by Fairfax County in recyclables. They offer a curbside glass pickup service that makes it easy and simple to recycle your glass responsibly without hassle. They are owned and operated entirely by hard-working teens, give a free custom bin, and send timely text reminders the day before pickup! LJMS PTA gets $20 for each sign-up, use code Tigers20.  https://glassgoatrecycling.com/

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Parent Project comes to FCHS
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking out Students:
• Fairfax High School-Robotics Club
• School Picture Makeups/Retakes:
• After-School on Fridays?
• Attendance Matters:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• ChromeBook Update:
• From Theatre Arts:
• Exciting News- Scotland Trip:
• TJHS Online Application Portal:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• PTA Corner:

Upcoming Events :

October 31st- End of First Quarter- 2 Hour Early Release

Parent Project comes to FCHS Admin Team Information: Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

Fairfax High School-Robotics Club School Picture Makeups/Retakes:

Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.  You can sign up for a time slot using this Signup Genius.  Information about ordering retakes will be available closer to that date.

All Students Need to Register for After-School

Did you know that our 5 day a week after-school program (LJ After Hours) is totally free, and includes a free snack supper, and late buses on Monday-Thursday??  There are over 40 clubs, activities and intramural sports to choose from each week.  All you need to do in order to access this fantastic program is complete the online registration/parental permission form.  We need a form for any student who stays after school for any reason... even if it's just to re-take a test with a teacher.  Parents who have NOT completed the form will get a reminder email from Mr. Hoffert, with the link to the form included.  It takes just a few minutes to fill it out... you just need your student's ID number in order to complete it.

Currently, only 33.5% of students who have attended after-school so far this year have a completed registration form on file.  Please help!

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AFTER SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

 

-->COMING IN JANUARY<-- Group Guitar Class

Whether you're a regular John Mayer, or you can't remember if a guitar has 4 or 6 strings, this is your chance to start learning or sharpen the face-melting skills you already have.  Fridays, after school, starting in January.  We'll provide the guitar (there's a $20 rental fee... talk to Mr. Hoffert if that's an issue).

January 17-March 21 (10 weeks)

 

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Attendance Matters:

Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.  When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program.  These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.  Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time. 

Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:

• Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
• Receive personalized assistance from teachers
• Improve academic performance and understanding

Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

From Tech Support:

Parents can complete the Lightspeed Parent Report Request. This request provides parents with Weekly Parent Reports delivered by Lightspeed directly to an authorized parent email over the weekend. These reports summarize the websites visited by the student while using an FCPS device.

At the bottom of the weekly report, parents can register for the Parent Relay Portal, which provides detailed browsing information. The sign-up is embedded within the Lightspeed report and does not require any further submission to IT or IT intervention. The extended access also gives parents the ability to pause internet access on their child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime. However, parents cannot pause the internet during the school day.

How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Immunization Regulations

New regulations have been presented to schools regarding students missing immunizations. If you have received a notification that your student is out of compliance with their vaccines requirements, please communicate with Ms. Carbajal regarding appropriate paperwork. For families that have upcoming immunization doctors appointments scheduled, please communicate your date to our school. Appointment notes can be brought to school as proof. Fairfax County Public School’s official exclusion date has been moved to Oct. 28th.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic. 

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

Applications Open October 21 for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). 

The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 21, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

ChromeBook Update:

If a student returns a Chromebook damaged, they will receive a warning, and if there is a second instance of the same damage, they will have to pay for the repair cost.  If a student returns a Chromebook damaged and the case is removed, they will have to pay for the repair cost in the first instance.  Repair costs are listed below.

HP Fortis Parts

Cost

Chromebook replacement

$444

Charger

$10

System Board

$315

Screen

$90

Keyboard and palm rest

$48

Touchpad

$21

Heatsink

$30

Daughterboard

$22

Base enclosure

$20

Bezel

$18

Speaker

$16

From Theatre Arts:

LJMS Drama presents, Aesop Live!, a funny comedy that twists old fables into a fun-filled evening for audiences of all ages! Please come and support the over 100 students who have been working both on and offstage to create the world of Aesop with all its silly animals, zany gods and people who just cannot get things right! Tickets available online now for only $5 ($6 at the door). There will also be tickets available during all lunches the week before the show. Bring your family and friends and come and have some fun! Doors open ½ hour before curtain. Show dates are Thursday, Nov 21, Friday Nov 22 & Saturday, Nov 23rd. Flowers are available to purchase for your favorite cast & crew.

Aesop Live! Ticket Link

Exciting News- Scotland Trip:

Exciting update! We are hosting our Scotland Interest Meeting on October 22 at 6:00 PM in the MPR Multi-Purpose Room. We are so excited to look at the itinerary together, what’s included, our travel partner EF Tours, and how to enroll. Space is limited so please RSVP for this amazing opportunity at https://bit.ly/3MDnfOh .

TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.    Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Digital Resource Consent Needed Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms Lundeen’s artroom 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

PTA Corner:

Restaurant Night October 29th: Please join LJMS PTA "Taco Tuesdays" at Taco Bamba, Pimmit, Falls Church, on October 29th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., an award-winning DC-based taqueria! It is a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant with an extensive menu, including all-day breakfast, a full-service bar, and a comprehensive catering menu. It supports the local community and schools through its collaborative fundraising program, Eat Tacos, Do Good.

Participants can either mention GIVE20 or LJMS PTA upon ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out. It is also possible to purchase a gift card for use on a future visit.

 

 PTA Membership: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. You are invited to become a PTA member and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

 Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Parent Project comes to FCHS
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking out Students:
• School Picture Makeups/Retakes:
• After-School on Fridays?
• Attendance Matters:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• ChromeBook Update:
• Falls Church Festival:
• Exciting News- Scotland Trip:
• SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP:
• TJHS Online Application Portal:
• Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• PTA Corner:

Upcoming Events :

October 14th- Student Holiday

October 31st- End of First Quarter- 2 Hour Early Release

Parent Project comes to FCHS Admin Team Information: Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

School Picture Makeups/Retakes:

Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.  You can sign up for a time slot using this Signup Genius.  Information about ordering retakes will be available closer to that date.

All Students Need to Register for After-School

Did you know that our 5 day a week after-school program (LJ After Hours) is totally free, and includes a free snack supper, and late buses on Monday-Thursday??  There are over 40 clubs, activities and intramural sports to choose from each week.  All you need to do in order to access this fantastic program is complete the online registration/parental permission form.  We need a form for any student who stays after school for any reason... even if it's just to re-take a test with a teacher.  Parents who have NOT completed the form will get a reminder email from Mr. Hoffert, with the link to the form included.  It takes just a few minutes to fill it out... you just need your student's ID number in order to complete it.

Currently, only 33.5% of students who have attended after-school so far this year have a completed registration form on file.  Please help!

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AFTER SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

 

-->COMING IN JANUARY<-- Group Guitar Class

Whether you're a regular John Mayer, or you can't remember if a guitar has 4 or 6 strings, this is your chance to start learning or sharpen the face-melting skills you already have.  Fridays, after school, starting in January.  We'll provide the guitar (there's a $20 rental fee... talk to Mr. Hoffert if that's an issue).

January 17-March 21 (10 weeks)

 

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Attendance Matters:

Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.  When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program.  These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.  Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time. 

Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:

• Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
• Receive personalized assistance from teachers
• Improve academic performance and understanding

Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

From Tech Support:

Parents can complete the Lightspeed Parent Report Request. This request provides parents with Weekly Parent Reports delivered by Lightspeed directly to an authorized parent email over the weekend. These reports summarize the websites visited by the student while using an FCPS device.

At the bottom of the weekly report, parents can register for the Parent Relay Portal, which provides detailed browsing information. The sign-up is embedded within the Lightspeed report and does not require any further submission to IT or IT intervention. The extended access also gives parents the ability to pause internet access on their child’s FCPS laptop during non-school hours, such as dinner or bedtime. However, parents cannot pause the internet during the school day.

How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Immunization Regulations

New regulations have been presented to schools regarding students missing immunizations. If you have received a notification that your student is out of compliance with their vaccines requirements, please communicate with Ms. Carbajal regarding appropriate paperwork. For families that have upcoming immunization doctors appointments scheduled, please communicate your date to our school. Appointment notes can be brought to school as proof. Fairfax County Public School’s official exclusion date has been moved to Oct. 28th.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:  

• Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.

Transportation options are available.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

On Tuesday 10/15 LJMS Students will be taking their SEL Screener first thing in the morning during an altered schedule. Please see the schedule for the day below:

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

ChromeBook Update:

If a student returns a Chromebook damaged, they will receive a warning, and if there is a second instance of the same damage, they will have to pay for the repair cost.  If a student returns a Chromebook damaged and the case is removed, they will have to pay for the repair cost in the first instance.  Repair costs are listed below.

HP Fortis Parts

Cost

Chromebook replacement

$444

Charger

$10

System Board

$315

Screen

$90

Keyboard and palm rest

$48

Touchpad

$21

Heatsink

$30

Daughterboard

$22

Base enclosure

$20

Bezel

$18

Speaker

$16

Falls Church Festival: Exciting News- Scotland Trip:

Exciting update! We are hosting our Scotland Interest Meeting on October 22 at 6:00 PM in the MPR Multi-Purpose Room. We are so excited to look at the itinerary together, what’s included, our travel partner EF Tours, and how to enroll. Space is limited so please RSVP for this amazing opportunity at https://bit.ly/3MDnfOh .

SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP: TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.    Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:

Parents interested in referring your student for the Fall Level IV Screening must submit a Level IV Referral form to Ms. Shawn English, Jackson’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 15, 2024. It may be helpful for you to complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in addition to your referral form. This can also be found on the page that is linked above. Once I receive the referral form, a request for work samples and ratings will be requested from your student’s current teachers. Then the information will be passed along to the screening committee. The screening committee will meet in December and make the appropriate recommendations for your student.

Not all students are eligible for fall screening. Students who are eligible for fall screening are:

• Students new to FCPS schools as of January 1, 2024 to October 15, 2024.
• Students of a family re-enrolling in one of FCPS schools after being gone last school year.

If these qualifications do not apply to your student, then your student is eligible for spring screening. Referral forms for Spring Level IV Screening are due December 15, 2024.

 If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

Digital Resource Consent Needed Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms Lundeen’s artroom 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

PTA Corner:

PTA Meeting: Our next PTA meeting will be online on Monday, October 14th, at 7 pm. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsf--urDMjHNR0RsUUMOxwKNUEnXnAh5PS

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Restaurant Night October 29th: Please join LJMS PTA "Taco Tuesdays" at Taco Bamba, Pimmit, Falls Church, on October 29th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., an award-winning DC-based taqueria! It is a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant with an extensive menu, including all-day breakfast, a full-service bar, and a comprehensive catering menu. It supports the local community and schools through its collaborative fundraising program, Eat Tacos, Do Good.

Participants can either mention GIVE20 or LJMS PTA upon ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out. It is also possible to purchase a gift card for use on a future visit.

 

 

PTA Membership: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. You are invited to become a PTA member and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

 

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Parent Project comes to FCHS
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking out Students:
• School Picture Makeups/Retakes:
• After-School on Fridays?
• Attendance Matters:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• ChromeBook Update:
• Falls Church Festival:
• Exciting News- Scotland Trip:
• SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP:
• TJHS Online Application Portal:
• Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• PTA Corner:

Upcoming Events :

October 4th- Teacher Work Day (student holiday)- Office Hours 9am -1pm.

October 14th- Student Holiday

October 31st- End of First Quarter- 2 Hour Early Release

Parent Project comes to FCHS Admin Team Information: Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

School Picture Makeups/Retakes:

Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.  You can sign up for a time slot using this Signup Genius.  Information about ordering retakes will be available closer to that date.

All Students Need to Register for After-School

Did you know that our 5 day a week after-school program (LJ After Hours) is totally free, and includes a free snack supper, and late buses on Monday-Thursday??  There are over 40 clubs, activities and intramural sports to choose from each week.  All you need to do in order to access this fantastic program is complete the online registration/parental permission form.  We need a form for any student who stays after school for any reason... even if it's just to re-take a test with a teacher.  Parents who have NOT completed the form will get a reminder email from Mr. Hoffert, with the link to the form included.  It takes just a few minutes to fill it out... you just need your student's ID number in order to complete it.

Currently, only 33.5% of students who have attended after-school so far this year have a completed registration form on file.  Please help!

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AFTER SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

 

-->COMING IN JANUARY<-- Group Guitar Class

Whether you're a regular John Mayer, or you can't remember if a guitar has 4 or 6 strings, this is your chance to start learning or sharpen the face-melting skills you already have.  Fridays, after school, starting in January.  We'll provide the guitar (there's a $20 rental fee... talk to Mr. Hoffert if that's an issue).

January 17-March 21 (10 weeks)

 

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Attendance Matters:

Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.  When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program.  These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.  Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time. 

Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:

• Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
• Receive personalized assistance from teachers
• Improve academic performance and understanding

Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Immunization Regulations

New regulations have been presented to schools regarding students missing immunizations. If you have received a notification that your student is out of compliance with their vaccines requirements, please communicate with Ms. Hercules regarding appropriate paperwork. For families that have upcoming immunization doctors appointments scheduled, please communicate your date to our school. Appointment notes can be brought to school as proof. Fairfax County Public School’s officially exclusion date has been moved to Oct. 28th.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on: 

• Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
• Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Welcome to our Family Liaison!

The wait is over! LJMS welcomes Ricardo Bethencourt to our team.

Ricardo Bethencourt, hails from Maracaibo, Venezuela, where he held an extensive law career for over 17 years with a civil law degree from Catholic University Andres Bello (Caracas, Venezuela) and a Master's from New York University. Upon his arrival in 2006 in the United States, with his wife & 9 children, he settled in Raleigh, NC for 16 years, acting as court interpreter & mediator. He continued his work with people through grassroots engagement, where he found a passion for working with people. Finally, family attracted him to Northern Virginia and he took a leap of faith, moving to this wonderful area that has welcomed him with open arms as an interpreter for FCPS.

The role he will be assuming as Family Liaison at Luther Jackson MS comes after much experience in family support and his work inspiring public engagement from his community. He looks forward to helping make the school vibrant and wholeheartedly felt and loved within our community.

Ricardo is a Venezuelan native but has roots in the United States, so if you’re still practicing how to roll your r’s, feel free to call him “Richard”! He is passionate about Soccer and dancing to Olga Tañón, Elvis Crespo and Juan Luis Guerra, as well as a tango or waltz here and there. Ask him for book recommendations and you will not be free until the day is over!

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

ChromeBook Update:

If a student returns a Chromebook damaged, they will receive a warning, and if there is a second instance of the same damage, they will have to pay for the repair cost.  If a student returns a Chromebook damaged and the case is removed, they will have to pay for the repair cost in the first instance.  Repair costs are listed below.

HP Fortis Parts

Cost

Chromebook replacement

$444

Charger

$10

System Board

$315

Screen

$90

Keyboard and palm rest

$48

Touchpad

$21

Heatsink

$30

Daughterboard

$22

Base enclosure

$20

Bezel

$18

Speaker

$16

Falls Church Festival: Exciting News- Scotland Trip:

Jackson Middle students! Mrs. McLean is traveling to Scotland in Summer 2026 and you can come too! We’ll be hosting an informational meeting so you can learn more. Here’s the link for your family to register for my meeting: https://bit.ly/3MDnfOh This is a non-school sponsored trip.   

SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP: TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.    Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:

Parents interested in referring your student for the Fall Level IV Screening must submit a Level IV Referral form to Ms. Shawn English, Jackson’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 15, 2024. It may be helpful for you to complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in addition to your referral form. This can also be found on the page that is linked above. Once I receive the referral form, a request for work samples and ratings will be requested from your student’s current teachers. Then the information will be passed along to the screening committee. The screening committee will meet in December and make the appropriate recommendations for your student.

Not all students are eligible for fall screening. Students who are eligible for fall screening are:

• Students new to FCPS schools as of January 1, 2024 to October 15, 2024.
• Students of a family re-enrolling in one of FCPS schools after being gone last school year.

If these qualifications do not apply to your student, then your student is eligible for spring screening. Referral forms for Spring Level IV Screening are due December 15, 2024.

 If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

Digital Resource Consent Needed Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms Lundeen’s artroom 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

PTA Corner:

PTA Meeting: Our next PTA meeting will be online on Monday, October 14th, at 7 pm. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsf--urDMjHNR0RsUUMOxwKNUEnXnAh5PS

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Restaurant Night October 29th: Please join LJMS PTA "Taco Tuesdays" at Taco Bamba, Pimmit, Falls Church, on October 29th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., an award-winning DC-based taqueria! It is a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant with an extensive menu, including all-day breakfast, a full-service bar, and a comprehensive catering menu. It supports the local community and schools through its collaborative fundraising program, Eat Tacos, Do Good.

Participants can either mention GIVE20 or LJMS PTA upon ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out. It is also possible to purchase a gift card for use on a future visit.

 

 

PTA Membership: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. You are invited to become a PTA member and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

 

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• No After-School on Wed, Oct 2nd
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking out Students:
• School Picture Makeups/Retakes:
• After-School on Fridays?
• Attendance Matters:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• Exciting News- Scotland Trip:
• SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP:
• TJHS Online Application Portal:
• Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:
• From Theatre Arts:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• PTA Corner:

Upcoming Events :

October 3rd- Rosh Hashanah- Schools and Offices Closed

October 4th- Teacher Work Day (student holiday)- Office Hours 9am -1pm.

No After-School on Wed, Oct 2nd

Due to the four-day weekend for students, there will be NO AFTER SCHOOL on Wednesday, October 2nd.  All students will be dismissed at the regular dismissal time.

Admin Team Information: Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

School Picture Makeups/Retakes:

Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.  You can sign up for a time slot using this Signup Genius.  Information about ordering retakes will be available closer to that date.

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Attendance Matters:

Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.  When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program.  These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.  Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time. 

Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:

• Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
• Receive personalized assistance from teachers
• Improve academic performance and understanding

Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services: Immunization Regulations

New regulations have been presented to schools. If you have received a notification that your student is out of compliance with their vaccines requirements, please communicate with Ms. Hercules regarding appropriate paperwork. For families that have upcoming immunization doctors appointments scheduled, please communicate your date to our school. Appointment notes can be brought to school as proof.

 

Attendance Tip

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

 

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

 

Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

 

Consejo para la asistencia: Programar viajes o eventos familiares

La buena asistencia es una habilidad importante para la vida que ayudará a los estudiantes a tener éxito en la escuela y más allá.

Cuando planee viajes o eventos familiares, refiérase al calendario de FCPS y trate de usar los fines de semana y días festivos de la escuela. Cada día de aprendizaje es un día hacia el éxito. Tenga en cuenta que las ausencias se suman rápidamente. Los estudiantes que faltan el 10% del año escolar (o sólo dos días al mes) se consideran ausentes crónicos.

Cuando sea posible, programe citas para su hijo fuera del horario escolar. Si su hijo tiene que faltar a clase por enfermedad u otro motivo, debe reportar la ausencia. 

Vea este vídeo con consejos para entender nuestro calendario escolar y visite nuestra página web de Asistencia para obtener información adicional. ¡Asista hoy, para tener exito mañana!      

 

World Language Credit Exam

The World Language Credit Exam will be offered at LJMS on November 19th. The exam assesses language proficiency. Students who take the exam may earn up to three pass-or-fail credits (levels one, two and three) in the language. Credits are typically added to the student transcript by the Spring semester. Exam credits may also fulfill the World Languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and the Virginia Department of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy when your student reaches high school. A student may participate in the exam two times per language between grades 7 through 12. In other words, students have two chances per language to earn credits by taking the exam.

Please use this link to register your student. 

**Parents should also be prepared to fill out this form to register your child.**

 

Last day to register through your counselor is Friday, October 4th @3:00p.m.

LJMS Exam Date: November 19, 2024 - Luther Jackson Middle School

 

For more information, please see the website below:

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages

 

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?

Contact Ms. Carbajal for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

 

Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

Exciting News- Scotland Trip:

Jackson Middle students! Mrs. McLean is traveling to Scotland in Summer 2026 and you can come too! We’ll be hosting an informational meeting so you can learn more. Here’s the link for your family to register for my meeting: https://bit.ly/3MDnfOh This is a non-school sponsored trip.   

SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP: TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.    Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:

Parents interested in referring your student for the Fall Level IV Screening must submit a Level IV Referral form to Ms. Shawn English, Jackson’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 15, 2024. It may be helpful for you to complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in addition to your referral form. This can also be found on the page that is linked above. Once I receive the referral form, a request for work samples and ratings will be requested from your student’s current teachers. Then the information will be passed along to the screening committee. The screening committee will meet in December and make the appropriate recommendations for your student.

Not all students are eligible for fall screening. Students who are eligible for fall screening are:

• Students new to FCPS schools as of January 1, 2024 to October 15, 2024.
• Students of a family re-enrolling in one of FCPS schools after being gone last school year.

If these qualifications do not apply to your student, then your student is eligible for spring screening. Referral forms for Spring Level IV Screening are due December 15, 2024.

 If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

From Theatre Arts:

Interested inworking backstage on our school play, Aesop Live? Then make plans to attend the tech interviews on Monday, September 23rd for both sessions. Be sure to sign up on After School Schoology.

 

Digital Resource Consent Needed Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms Lundeen’s artroom 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

PTA Corner:

PTA Membership: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. PTA membership for the new school year is now open, and you are welcome to join and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/

Pantry Supply Coordinator: The Food Pantry needs a volunteer to serve as the Pantry Supply Coordinator.  The responsibilities include:  

• Working with other pantry leads to understand current pantry food stocks and what is needed for distribution every 2 weeks. (Usually plan to pack 40 complete sets of bags.)
• Ordering supplies from Capital Area Food Bank and pick up/deliver to school or coordinate someone else to pick up/deliver. Timing is flexible as long as it's during school hours to access the pantry.
• Purchasing and delivering other supplies as needed from grocery stores when not available at CAFB.
• Managing the school's donor relationship with Merritt Academy
• Keeping receipts and maintaining the pantry ledger
• Holding the PTA Pantry bank card

If you are interested in filling this vital role to help the LJMS community and its families, please get in touch with [email protected].

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Principal Corner:
• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking out Students:
• School Picture Makeups/Retakes:
• After-School on Fridays?
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• Exciting News- Scotland Trip:
• SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP:
• TJHS Online Application Portal:
• Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:
• From Theatre Arts:
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• PTA Corner:

Principal Corner:

Dear Jackson Family,

As we wrap up the first month of school, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished so far. Our students have been busy learning what good behavior looks and sounds like through our SR&R Assemblies, checking out their school laptops, receiving and learning to use their Yondr cell phone storage pouches, and becoming experts at navigating the school building. We’ve also hosted our Tiger Time Open House and Back to School Night, which were both great successes thanks to your participation!

I’m excited to share that our Yondr pilot program has been working smoothly overall. Students have quickly adapted to storing their phones away during the school day and operating their pouches with ease, helping us maintain a focused and distraction-free learning environment.

As students settle in for the school year, I’d like to remind everyone that the Falls Church Pyramid’s commitment to lowering chronic absenteeism continues. Attendance is key to student success, and I’d like to take a moment to welcome Officer Khanh Tran, our new Attendance Officer, to Jackson Middle School. Officer Tran is among the county’s most experienced Attendance Officers, and will work closely with our school, students, and families to support strong attendance habits.

Last year, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) extended its attendance recovery options to middle and elementary schools. Students at Jackson who miss more than six days of school will be notified of the need to attend after-school attendance recovery sessions, where they will make up missed work and attendance hours. This is a preventive step to help students avoid truancy and to ensure that they stay on track academically. Attendance recovery will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during our after-school program. If your child has missed more than six days of school, please be on the lookout for an invitation to participate.

We are pleased to share that after-school programs are in full swing! Students are encouraged to participate in sports practices, clubs, and other activities after school. Late buses are provided Monday through Thursday for students who stay for these programs. If you’d like more information or wish to sign your child up, please contact our After School Coordinator, Matt Hoffert, at [email protected], or speak with a member of student services.

As part of our ongoing effort to capture Jackson Middle School’s history, we are looking for individuals who attended Jackson between 1965-2000. If you’re an alum from that era and are willing to share your experiences, we would love to hear from you! Please email me at [email protected] with your name, contact information, and the years you attended LJMS or LJIS.

Finally, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the students and families who attended our Back to School Night. I also want to give special thanks to our student ambassadors, PTA, staff, and parent volunteers who helped make the night a resounding success! Your support is deeply appreciated.

Sincerely, 

R.N. Jones

Upcoming Events :

October 3rd- Rosh Hashanah- Schools and Offices Closed

October 4th- Teacher Work Day (student holiday)

Admin Team Information: Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

School Picture Makeups/Retakes:

Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.

Steps to After-School Participation:

1. Complete the After-School Registration Form (one time submission)

2. Sign Up for After-School using the Weekly Signup Form

3. Submit the Attendance Form (during snack time) to let us know you are here.

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Back to School Night

Thank you to all our families for coming out to Back to School Night! We hope everyone got a chance to connect with our teachers! If you were unable to attend our event, BTSN information will be posted on our website on Monday, September 23rd. Questions about a class, please reach out to your student’s teacher.

Immunization Regulations

New regulations have been presented to schools. If you have received a notification that your student is out of compliance with their vaccine requirements, please communicate with Ms. Cabajal regarding appropriate paperwork. For families that have upcoming immunization doctors’ appointments scheduled, please communicate your date to our school. Appointment notes can be brought to school as proof.

Needs Assessment

As a reminder, counselors will be doing their Counselor Intro meetings this coming week. During these meetings, Student Services will be collecting information through a needs assessment. If you would like to see the information being collected, please contact your student’s counselor.

World Language Credit Exam

The World Language Credit Exam will be offered at LJMS on November 19th. The exam assesses language proficiency. Students who take the exam may earn up to three pass-or-fail credits (levels one, two and three) in the language. Credits are typically added to the student transcript by the Spring semester. Exam credits may also fulfill the World Languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and the Virginia Department of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy when your student reaches high school. A student may participate in the exam two times per language between grades 7 through 12. In other words, students have two chances per language to earn credits by taking the exam.

Please use this link to register your student. 

**Parents should also be prepared to fill out this form to register your child.**

Last day to register through your counselor is Friday, October 4th @3:00p.m.

LJMS Exam Date: November 19, 2024 - Luther Jackson Middle School

For more information, please see the website below:

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages

 

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?

Contact Ms. Carbajal for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

 

Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding, and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

 

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

• Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
• Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
• Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
• Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
• A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
• Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact your student’s School Counselor to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

Exciting News- Scotland Trip:

Jackson Middle students! Mrs. McLean is traveling to Scotland in Summer 2026 and you can come too! We’ll be hosting an informational meeting so you can learn more. Here’s the link for your family to register for my meeting: https://bit.ly/3MDnfOh This is a non-school sponsored trip.   

SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP: TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.    Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:

Parents interested in referring your student for the Fall Level IV Screening must submit a Level IV Referral form to Ms. Shawn English, Jackson’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 15, 2024. It may be helpful for you to complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in addition to your referral form. This can also be found on the page that is linked above. Once I receive the referral form, a request for work samples and ratings will be requested from your student’s current teachers. Then the information will be passed along to the screening committee. The screening committee will meet in December and make the appropriate recommendations for your student.

Not all students are eligible for fall screening. Students who are eligible for fall screening are:

• Students new to FCPS schools as of January 1, 2024 to October 15, 2024.
• Students of a family re-enrolling in one of FCPS schools after being gone last school year.

If these qualifications do not apply to your student, then your student is eligible for spring screening. Referral forms for Spring Level IV Screening are due December 15, 2024.

 If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

From Theatre Arts:

Interested inworking backstage on our school play, Aesop Live? Then make plans to attend the tech interviews on Monday, September 23rd for both sessions. Be sure to sign up on After School Schoology.

 

Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms Lundeen’s artroom 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

PTA Corner:

Restaurant Night Sep 24th: Please join LJMS PTA "Taco Tuesdays" at Taco Bamba, Pimmit, Falls Church, on September 24th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., an award-winning DC-based taqueria! It is a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant with an extensive menu, including all-day breakfast, a full-service bar, and a comprehensive catering menu. It supports the local community and schools through its collaborative fundraising program, Eat Tacos, Do Good.

Participants can either mention GIVE20 or LJMS PTA upon ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out. It is also possible to purchase a gift card for use on a future visit.

PTA Membership: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. PTA membership for the new school year is now open, and you are welcome to join and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/

Pantry Supply Coordinator: The Food Pantry needs a volunteer to serve as the Pantry Supply Coordinator.  The responsibilities include:  

• Working with other pantry leads to understand current pantry food stocks and what is needed for distribution every 2 weeks. (Usually plan to pack 40 complete sets of bags.)
• Ordering supplies from Capital Area Food Bank and pick up/deliver to school or coordinate someone else to pick up/deliver. Timing is flexible as long as it's during school hours to access the pantry.
• Purchasing and delivering other supplies as needed from grocery stores when not available at CAFB.
• Managing the school's donor relationship with Merritt Academy
• Keeping receipts and maintaining the pantry ledger
• Holding the PTA Pantry bank card

If you are interested in filling this vital role to help the LJMS community and its families, please get in touch with [email protected].

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• School Picture Day is Coming:
• Full Schedule of After-School Activities starts Monday, Sept. 16
• After-School on Fridays?
• Good things to know:
• Checking out Students:
• Admin Team Information:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• Exciting News- Scotland Trip:
• SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP:
• TJHS Online Application Portal:
• Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:
• From Theatre Arts:
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• PTA Corner:

Upcoming Events :

September 17th -.Back to School Night (6:00-8:00pm)

September 19th and 20th- School Picture Day! (in Phys Ed Classes)

October 3rd- Rosh Hashanah- Schools and Offices Closed

October 4th- Teacher Work Day (student holiday)

School Picture Day is Coming:

Students will have school pictures taken on Thursday, September 19th or Friday, September 20th, depending on which day they have Phys Ed.  Picture Day fliers will be handed out this week, and you can also pre-order online by clicking one of the Barksdale fliers below.

Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.

Full Schedule of After-School Activities starts Monday, Sept. 16 Steps to After-School Participation:

1. Complete the After-School Registration Form (one time submission)

2. Sign Up for After-School using the Weekly Signup Form

3. Submit the Attendance Form (during snack time) to let us know you are here.

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

Admin Team Information: How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Back to School Night

Back to School Night is coming! Please join us here at Luther Jackson Middle School on September 17th! Our event will begin promptly at 6pm. Please find the schedule of the night below:

Join our Health and PE team at 5pm in the Multipurpose Room and become a member of our PTA at 5:30pm in the Auditorium. We look forward to connecting with our families.

Vision and Hearing Screening

On Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18, 2024 LJMS clinic will be conducting Vision and Hearing Screening for all 7th graders. This will be done during their Health and PE 7 class throughout the day. Students who wear prescription glasses and own them should bring them to school on these days. Students who use contact lenses should also bring their prescription glasses to school.

 

Immunization Regulations

Effective Monday, September 30, 2024, students who do not provide acceptable immunization documentation will be excluded from school. LJMS has distributed the immunization letters to parents/guardians of students who remain non-compliant last week. A Final Notice will be sent out on September 23rd. Concerns and questions should be directed to Ms. Carbajal.

World Language Credit Exam

The World Language Credit Exam will be offered at LJMS on November 19th. The exam assesses language proficiency. Students who take the exam may earn up to three pass-or-fail credits (levels one, two and three) in the language. Credits are typically added to the student transcript by the Spring semester. Exam credits may also fulfill the World Languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and the Virginia Department of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy when your student reaches high school. A student may participate in the exam two times per language between grades 7 through 12. In other words, students have two chances per language to earn credits by taking the exam.

Please use this link to register your student.

Last day to register through your counselor is Friday, October 4th @3:00p.m.

LJMS Exam Date: November 19, 2024 - Luther Jackson Middle School

For more information, please see the website below:

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages

TJHSST Information

If you were unable to attend the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology presentation and would like more information, please visit the TJ Admissions webpage for a video that has the same information.  You can also visit other schools to see the presentation in-person.  Locations, dates and times can be found here.  Please reach out to Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or Dr. Simmons at [email protected] if you need help with the application or need more information.  

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?

Contact Ms. Carbajal for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.

 

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

Exciting News- Scotland Trip:

Jackson Middle students! Mrs. McLean is traveling to Scotland in Summer 2026 and you can come too! We’ll be hosting an informational meeting so you can learn more. Here’s the link for your family to register for my meeting: https://bit.ly/3MDnfOh This is a non-school sponsored trip.   

SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP: TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.    Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:

Parents interested in referring your student for the Fall Level IV Screening must submit a Level IV Referral form to Ms. Shawn English, Jackson’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 15, 2024. It may be helpful for you to complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in addition to your referral form. This can also be found on the page that is linked above. Once I receive the referral form, a request for work samples and ratings will be requested from your student’s current teachers. Then the information will be passed along to the screening committee. The screening committee will meet in December and make the appropriate recommendations for your student.

Not all students are eligible for fall screening. Students who are eligible for fall screening are:

• Students new to FCPS schools as of January 1, 2024 to October 15, 2024.
• Students of a family re-enrolling in one of FCPS schools after being gone last school year.

If these qualifications do not apply to your student, then your student is eligible for spring screening. Referral forms for Spring Level IV Screening are due December 15, 2024.

 If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

From Theatre Arts:

Calling all students! Come and try out for our school play, Aesop Live, this Thursday, Sept. 12th. ALL are welcome to audition- you do NOT have to be in theatre classes. Please join our Schoology Group today for all info and to sign up: R5GG-4486-2VXM3. If you have any questions, reach out to Ms. Stacey via email:[email protected] or stop by her room 419. Hope to see you there!

Interested inworking backstage? Then make plans to attend the tech interviews on Monday, September 23rd for both sessions. Be sure to sign up on After School Schoology.

 

Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms Lundeen’s artroom 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

PTA Corner:

PTA Meeting: We are excited to extend a special invitation to you for the upcoming Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting. This meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. before the Back to School Night (BTSN) in the school auditorium on Tuesday, September 17th.

Restaurant Night Sep 24th: Please join LJMS PTA "Taco Tuesdays" at Taco Bamba, Pimmit, Falls Church, on September 24th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., an award-winning DC-based taqueria! It is a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant with an extensive menu, including all-day breakfast, a full-service bar, and a comprehensive catering menu. It supports the local community and schools through its collaborative fundraising program, Eat Tacos, Do Good.

Participants can either mention GIVE20 or LJMS PTA upon ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out. It is also possible to purchase a gift card for use on a future visit.

 Join PTA: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. PTA membership for the new school year is now open, and you are welcome to join and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

 Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

 Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• School Picture Day is Coming:
• Full Schedule of After-School Activities starts Monday, Sept. 16
• After-School on Fridays?
• Good things to know:
• Checking out Students:
• Admin Team Information:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• Exciting News- Scotland Trip:
• SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP:
• TJHS Online Application Portal:
• Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:
• From Theatre Arts:
• PTA Reflections Call For Entries:
• PTA Corner:

Upcoming Events :

September 17th -.Back to School Night (6:00-8:00pm)

September 19th and 20th- School Picture Day! (in Phys Ed Classes)

October 3rd- Rosh Hashanah- Schools and Offices Closed

October 4th- Teacher Work Day (student holiday)

School Picture Day is Coming:

Students will have school pictures taken on Thursday, September 19th or Friday, September 20th, depending on which day they have Phys Ed.  Picture Day fliers will be handed out this week, and you can also pre-order online by clicking one of the Barksdale fliers below.

Makeups/retakes are scheduled for November 8th.

Full Schedule of After-School Activities starts Monday, Sept. 16 Steps to After-School Participation:

1. Complete the After-School Registration Form (one time submission)

2. Sign Up for After-School using the Weekly Signup Form

3. Submit the Attendance Form (during snack time) to let us know you are here.

After-School on Fridays?

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow! 

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)

The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Monday, September 30

📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. See how to use the tool. 

Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

Admin Team Information: How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:

The "Discrimination and Harassment: Let's Talk" platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report.

From Student Services:

Back to School Night

Back to School Night is coming! Please join us here at Luther Jackson Middle School on September 17th! Our event will begin promptly at 6pm. Please find the schedule of the night below:

Join our Health and PE team at 5pm in the Multipurpose Room and become a member of our PTA at 5:30pm in the Auditorium. We look forward to connecting with our families.

Vision and Hearing Screening

On Tuesday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 18, 2024 LJMS clinic will be conducting Vision and Hearing Screening for all 7th graders. This will be done during their Health and PE 7 class throughout the day. Students who wear prescription glasses and own them should bring them to school on these days. Students who use contact lenses should also bring their prescription glasses to school.

 

Immunization Regulations

Effective Monday, September 30, 2024, students who do not provide acceptable immunization documentation will be excluded from school. LJMS has distributed the immunization letters to parents/guardians of students who remain non-compliant last week. A Final Notice will be sent out on September 23rd. Concerns and questions should be directed to Ms. Carbajal.

World Language Credit Exam

The World Language Credit Exam will be offered at LJMS on November 19th. The exam assesses language proficiency. Students who take the exam may earn up to three pass-or-fail credits (levels one, two and three) in the language. Credits are typically added to the student transcript by the Spring semester. Exam credits may also fulfill the World Languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and the Virginia Department of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy when your student reaches high school. A student may participate in the exam two times per language between grades 7 through 12. In other words, students have two chances per language to earn credits by taking the exam.

Please use this link to register your student.

Last day to register through your counselor is Friday, October 4th @3:00p.m.

LJMS Exam Date: November 19, 2024 - Luther Jackson Middle School

For more information, please see the website below:

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages

TJHSST Information

If you were unable to attend the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology presentation and would like more information, please visit the TJ Admissions webpage for a video that has the same information.  You can also visit other schools to see the presentation in-person.  Locations, dates and times can be found here.  Please reach out to Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or Dr. Simmons at [email protected] if you need help with the application or need more information.  

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?

Contact Ms. Carbajal for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.

 

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

Exciting News- Scotland Trip:

Jackson Middle students! Mrs. McLean is traveling to Scotland in Summer 2026 and you can come too! We’ll be hosting an informational meeting so you can learn more. Here’s the link for your family to register for my meeting: https://bit.ly/3MDnfOh This is a non-school sponsored trip.   

SIBSHOPS WORKSHOP: TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.    Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Advanced Academics Fall Referrals:

Parents interested in referring your student for the Fall Level IV Screening must submit a Level IV Referral form to Ms. Shawn English, Jackson’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 15, 2024. It may be helpful for you to complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in addition to your referral form. This can also be found on the page that is linked above. Once I receive the referral form, a request for work samples and ratings will be requested from your student’s current teachers. Then the information will be passed along to the screening committee. The screening committee will meet in December and make the appropriate recommendations for your student.

Not all students are eligible for fall screening. Students who are eligible for fall screening are:

• Students new to FCPS schools as of January 1, 2024 to October 15, 2024.
• Students of a family re-enrolling in one of FCPS schools after being gone last school year.

If these qualifications do not apply to your student, then your student is eligible for spring screening. Referral forms for Spring Level IV Screening are due December 15, 2024.

 If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

From Theatre Arts:

Calling all students! Come and try out for our school play, Aesop Live, this Thursday, Sept. 12th. ALL are welcome to audition- you do NOT have to be in theatre classes. Please join our Schoology Group today for all info and to sign up: R5GG-4486-2VXM3. If you have any questions, reach out to Ms. Stacey via email:[email protected] or stop by her room 419. Hope to see you there!

Interested inworking backstage? Then make plans to attend the tech interviews on Monday, September 23rd for both sessions. Be sure to sign up on After School Schoology.

 

Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PTA Reflections Call For Entries:

Reflections is a National PTA-sponsored program that encourages students to express themselves through the arts.  Students can submit work in the following six categories: Dance Choreography, Music Composition, Literature, Film Production, Visual Arts and Photography.  Student submissions are reviewed by independent third-party judges based on artistic skill as well as interpretation of the theme.  The winner in each category moves on to the County level, then possibly to the State level and finally to the National competition.  This year entries can either be submitted digitally https://jacksonmspta.org/reflections/ or entry forms can be picked up and returned to Ms Lundeen’s artroom 410. 

This year's theme is: "Accepting Imperfection”

Deadline: Friday November 15, 2024. 

Visit the Reflections website to see entry guidelines for each art category.   If you have any questions, please contact the Reflections program Chair Meredith Caldwell at [email protected]

PTA Corner:

PTA Meeting: We are excited to extend a special invitation to you for the upcoming Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting. This meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. before the Back to School Night (BTSN) in the school auditorium on Tuesday, September 17th.

Restaurant Night Sep 24th: Please join LJMS PTA "Taco Tuesdays" at Taco Bamba, Pimmit, Falls Church, on September 24th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., an award-winning DC-based taqueria! It is a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant with an extensive menu, including all-day breakfast, a full-service bar, and a comprehensive catering menu. It supports the local community and schools through its collaborative fundraising program, Eat Tacos, Do Good.

Participants can either mention GIVE20 or LJMS PTA upon ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out. It is also possible to purchase a gift card for use on a future visit.

 Join PTA: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. PTA membership for the new school year is now open, and you are welcome to join and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

 Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

 Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

Upcoming Events :

Sepemper 17th -.Back to School Night

October 3rd- Rosh Hashanah- Schools and Offices Closed

 

Admin Team:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282 or by using the online reporting form which can be accessed by CLICKING HERE or on our Luther Jackson Middle School website.   Please DO NOT report absences through the Talking Points app. 

Hello Luther Jackson Middle School community! My name is Chris Butzer, and I am joining you all this year as an assistant principal at LJMS. This is my first year at Jackson and my 20th year working in education. Prior to working here, I was an assistant principal at Westbriar Elementary School. I also have been an instructional coach and a middle school science teacher throughout my career. I am very excited to join you all at Jackson as I started my career in middle school and really missed working with 7th and 8th grade students during my past few years in elementary school. It has been an awesome start to the school year, and I can’t wait to meet more of our families at upcoming events. Please come say hi and introduce yourself…I would love to meet everyone and learn more about what makes your student(s) special. Please reach out any time you have any questions or concerns. And thank you for our ongoing partnership to support our students.

Hi Jackson families! I am Raine Bradley, and I am so excited to join the Jackson team as an Assistant Principal this year! I've previously served as a middle and high school assistant principal and SOSA within FCPS.  My passion lies in supporting students and seeing my students find success and reach their goals. I can't wait to get to know you all this year and I look forward to working with you!

My name is Dr. LaKenya Wright, and I am so pleased to join the Jackson community as a permanent assistant principal this year! I previously served as an acting AP at Jackson, and quickly grew to love the community, school, and students. My goal is to ensure each and every one of our students has the support they need to be successful academically and personally. I can't wait to get to know all of you this year and look forward to getting to know you. When I am not at school, I spend my time with my family and my fur babies, Goldie and Oliver. They are the best cats in the world and keep me entertained and energized when I'm not with my students. 

Hello Tigers! My name is Mr. Nicholas Zubieta, and I’m excited to join the Luther Jackson Middle School community as the Director of Student Services. With over 10 years of experience in Fairfax County Public Schools, I’ve supported social emotional and academic programming across multiple schools. I’m passionate about supervising the Student Services Department, Fine Arts Department and AVID program. Through my experience and passion for working in schools, my hope is to continue uplifting our community. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with our students and their families to ensure a positive and successful school year. Let’s make it a great one together!

Admin Team Information: Checking out Students:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.

From Student Services:

Back to School Night

Back to School Night is coming! Please join us here at Luther Jackson Middle School on September 17th! Our event will begin promptly at 6pm. Please find the schedule of the night below:

Join our Health and PE team at 5pm in the Multipurpose Room and become a member of our PTA at 5:30pm in the Auditorium. We look forward to connecting with our families.

Immunization Regulations

Effective Monday, September 30, 2024, students who do not provide acceptable immunization documentation will be excluded from school. LJMS has distributed the immunization letters to parents/guardians of students who remain non-compliant last week. A Final Notice will be sent out on September 23rd. Concerns and questions should be directed to Ms. Carbajal.

World Language Credit Exam

The World Language Credit Exam will be offered at LJMS on November 19th. The exam assesses language proficiency. Students who take the exam may earn up to three pass-or-fail credits (levels one, two and three) in the language. Credits are typically added to the student transcript by the Spring semester. Exam credits may also fulfill the World Languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and the Virginia Department of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy when your student reaches high school. A student may participate in the exam two times per language between grades 7 through 12. In other words, students have two chances per language to earn credits by taking the exam.

Please use this link to register your student.

Last day to register through your counselor is Friday, October 4th @3:00p.m.

LJMS Exam Date: November 19, 2024 - Luther Jackson Middle School

For more information, please see the website below:

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

From Theatre Arts:

 

The Interest Meeting for the fall show, Aesop Live, will be after school on Thursday, September 12th. All are welcome; you don't need any prior experience. You do NOT have to be in Ms. Stacey's theatre classes to participate so come on out and learn about the show, auditions, rehearsals, and more. This meeting is for those interested in participating onstage and behind the scenes (tech crew). Questions? See Ms Stacey room 419 or drop her an email at: [email protected]. Bring a friend or two!

Auditions for the show will be Thursday, September 19th for both sessions. Tech interviews will be the following week (Date TBD)

TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.  Representatives from TJHSST will be giving an information presentation on Tuesday, September 10th, at 2:30PM in the LJMS auditorium.  The presentation is approximately 30 minutes with additional time for questions and answers.  Both students and parents are invited to attend.  No registration is necessary.  Please note that students attending this information session will need to sign up for a second after school session if they are not leaving school with a parent after the presentation.  Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Lightspeed Parent Report on Child's Device Activity:

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

PTA Corner:

PTA Meeting: We are excited to extend a special invitation to you for the upcoming Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting. This meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. before the Back to School Night (BTSN) in the school auditorium on Tuesday, September 17th.

Restaurant Night Sep 24th: Please join LJMS PTA "Taco Tuesdays" at Taco Bamba, Pimmit, Falls Church, on September 24th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., an award-winning DC-based taqueria! It is a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant with an extensive menu, including all-day breakfast, a full-service bar, and a comprehensive catering menu. It supports the local community and schools through its collaborative fundraising program, Eat Tacos, Do Good.

Participants can either mention GIVE20 or LJMS PTA upon ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out. It is also possible to purchase a gift card for use on a future visit.

 

Join PTA: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. PTA membership for the new school year is now open, and you are welcome to join and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact presidentonmspta.org@jacks

Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

From Our Principal:

Dear Jackson Families,

We’ve just wrapped up our second week of the school year, and I’m pleased with how well our students have settled in! We’ve had less than 10 students tardy to classes this week, and hallway transitions are happening without issue! This week, we successfully distributed Chromebooks to the majority of our students. If your child has not yet received theirs, no worries—they will receive it during Advisory classes next week.

I’d also like to remind everyone that our Yondr cell phone storage pilot program will begin next week. This program is designed to create a more focused learning environment for our students. On September 3rd, students will receive their Yondr pouches during Advisory, and we will kick off the program immediately after.

As a reminder, there will be no school tomorrow or Monday in observation of the Labor Day weekend. I wish you all a safe and fun-filled four-day weekend!

Sincerely,

R. Jones

Upcoming Events :

August 30th - September 2nd-( Labor Day Weekend) - Schools and Offices Closed

Sepemper 17th -.Back to School Night

October 3rd- Rosh Hashanah- Schools and Offices Closed

 

Admin Team:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282 or by using the online reporting form which can be accessed by CLICKING HERE or on our Luther Jackson Middle School website.   Please DO NOT report absences through the Talking Points app. 

Hello Luther Jackson Middle School community! My name is Chris Butzer, and I am joining you all this year as an assistant principal at LJMS. This is my first year at Jackson and my 20th year working in education. Prior to working here, I was an assistant principal at Westbriar Elementary School. I also have been an instructional coach and a middle school science teacher throughout my career. I am very excited to join you all at Jackson as I started my career in middle school and really missed working with 7th and 8th grade students during my past few years in elementary school. It has been an awesome start to the school year, and I can’t wait to meet more of our families at upcoming events. Please come say hi and introduce yourself…I would love to meet everyone and learn more about what makes your student(s) special. Please reach out any time you have any questions or concerns. And thank you for our ongoing partnership to support our students.

Hi Jackson families! I am Raine Bradley, and I am so excited to join the Jackson team as an Assistant Principal this year! I've previously served as a middle and high school assistant principal and SOSA within FCPS.  My passion lies in supporting students and seeing my students find success and reach their goals. I can't wait to get to know you all this year and I look forward to working with you!

My name is Dr. LaKenya Wright, and I am so pleased to join the Jackson community as a permanent assistant principal this year! I previously served as an acting AP at Jackson, and quickly grew to love the community, school, and students. My goal is to ensure each and every one of our students has the support they need to be successful academically and personally. I can't wait to get to know all of you this year and look forward to getting to know you. When I am not at school, I spend my time with my family and my fur babies, Goldie and Oliver. They are the best cats in the world and keep me entertained and energized when I'm not with my students. 

Hello Tigers! My name is Mr. Nicholas Zubieta, and I’m excited to join the Luther Jackson Middle School community as the Director of Student Services. With over 10 years of experience in Fairfax County Public Schools, I’ve supported social emotional and academic programming across multiple schools. I’m passionate about supervising the Student Services Department, Fine Arts Department and AVID program. Through my experience and passion for working in schools, my hope is to continue uplifting our community. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with our students and their families to ensure a positive and successful school year. Let’s make it a great one together!

Admin Team Information: From Student Services:

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Tiger Time on Thursday, 8/15! We had an amazing time connecting with you. If you weren't able to complete the necessary registration forms, please log into ParentVUE and head to the Online Forms tab in the top right corner of the main page. For assistance, feel free to contact our registrar, Ms. Carbajal at [email protected]. For address changes, please make sure to come to Student Services to provide appropriate documentation.

The first week of school was a blast, and our students are off to a great start! Our counselors are thrilled to have students back in the building. Please note that counselors are not making elective changes at this time, as students' elective classes are based on their original course selections. Semester-long electives will change beginning January 28th. For any other schedule concerns, please reach out to your student's counselor.

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

From Theatre Arts:

 

The Interest Meeting for the fall show, Aesop Live, will be after school on Thursday, September 12th. All are welcome; you don't need any prior experience. You do NOT have to be in Ms. Stacey's theatre classes to participate so come on out and learn about the show, auditions, rehearsals, and more. This meeting is for those interested in participating onstage and behind the scenes (tech crew). Questions? See Ms Stacey room 419 or drop her an email at: [email protected]. Bring a friend or two!

Auditions for the show will be Thursday, September 19th for both sessions. Tech interviews will be the following week (Date TBD)

TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.  Representatives from TJHSST will be giving an information presentation on Tuesday, September 10th, at 2:30PM in the LJMS auditorium.  The presentation is approximately 30 minutes with additional time for questions and answers.  Both students and parents are invited to attend.  No registration is necessary.  Please note that students attending this information session will need to sign up for a second after school session if they are not leaving school with a parent after the presentation.  Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Families,

We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources

At Jackson Middle School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. Please find the link to the digital form, where you can give your consent, here: https://digitalconsent.fcps.edu/ispb/r/is01/pdcp/login?session=17253181329964.  You can find further direction here:  a list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent.  

Need technical support?    Call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). This will be answered by staff members from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Lightspeed Parent Report on Child's Device Activity:

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

PTA Corner:

PTA Meeting: We are excited to extend a special invitation to you for the upcoming Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting. This meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. before the Back to School Night (BTSN) in the school auditorium on Tuesday, September 17th.

Restaurant Night Sep 24th: Please join LJMS PTA "Taco Tuesdays" at Taco Bamba, Pimmit, Falls Church, on September 24th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., an award-winning DC-based taqueria! It is a chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant with an extensive menu, including all-day breakfast, a full-service bar, and a comprehensive catering menu. It supports the local community and schools through its collaborative fundraising program, Eat Tacos, Do Good.

Participants can either mention GIVE20 or LJMS PTA upon ordering in-store for credit. When ordering online through Taco Bamba’s website, guests will enter the code GIVE20 in the coupon code area at check-out. It is also possible to purchase a gift card for use on a future visit.

 

Join PTA: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. PTA membership for the new school year is now open, and you are welcome to join and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

 

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact presidentonmspta.org@jacks

 

Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

espanol

Student Activities Update- 8/23/24

• Late Buses Start September 9th, Register for After-School Now!
• Cross Country Team ready to begin its second season
• Purchase your 2025 Yearbook Now!
• Jackson MS to partner with Capital One Coders this year!

Late Buses Start September 9th, Register for After-School Now!

Week One of After-School will be reserved for Cross Country practice, students who want to meet with teachers, and an activity fair, where students can check out the wide variety of clubs and activities available this year.  The full schedule of clubs and activities will start on Monday, September 16th.

All students who stay after school FOR ANY REASON must have completed the 2024-2025 After-School Registration/Consent Form before staying.  Please complete that form now!

Cross Country Team ready to begin its second season

After a successful first season in existence, the cross-country coaches are now accepting registrations for this year's team.  Students who want to participate must have completed the following steps before they may attend the first practice on September 10th:

1. Complete and submit the FCPS MS Athletics Registration form.

2. Complete and turn in* the Middle School Athletics Physical Form.

3. Complete and turn in* the Emergency Care Form.

*The forms from steps 2 and 3 should be turned in to Mr. Max Bair, the Athletics Coordinator, by dropping it off in his classroom (Quad 4) or giving it to the main office staff to place in his mailbox.

LJXC INTEREST MEETING:

Monday, Sept. 9th- After School (MPR)

LJXC FIRST PRACTICE:

Tuesday, Sept. 10th- After School (meet in main gym)

 

ALL FORMS MUST BE TURNED IN TO MR. BAIR

BEFORE YOU CAN PRACTICE.

Purchase your 2025 Yearbook Now!

The Walsworth Yearbook store is open now for those of you looking to get ahead of the game.  CLICK HERE to head over and place your order. 

You can also purchase a personal ad for your 8th grade student using the same school store link.  

Jackson MS to partner with Capital One Coders this year!

We are THRILLED to announce that LJMS has been chosen to partner with Capital One to offer the Capital One Coders program to students here this year.

Capital One Coders is a 10 week coding workshop that will happen on Thursdays after school.  Tech professionals from Capital One will come to Jackson as part of the after-school program, and work one on one with students to learn coding/app development.  At the end of the program we'll host a celebration event where students can show off their work!

We have room for 30 total students this Fall, and 30 students in the Spring to participate, and we ask that students commit to attending all 10 workshops.  Mr. Kim (room 414A) will have more details soon.  Signups will begin next week.

Start Date: Thursday 9/19/2024

End Date: Thursday 12/5/2024

Skip Dates: 10/3, 11/28

Tentative Culmination Event: Thursday 12/12/2024

Time block: 2:30pm - 4:00pm Thursdays (MPR)

Check out these resources from Capital One for more details:

Capital One Coders Website

Promo Video

 

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Espanol

From Our Principal:

Dear Jackson Families,

I hope this message finds you well and as excited as we are after a successful first week of the 2024-2025 school year! I am thrilled to share that our students have settled in beautifully, setting the tone for what promises to be an incredible year ahead. Our staff is also settling in, though we find we have markedly less energy than our students seem to and many of us ended our days this week with a well-earned nap!

We are fortunate to have a brand-new team of administrators this year, each bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and enthusiasm for our community. I encourage you to take a moment to read more about each of them in our newsletter below. When you have the chance to meet them, please extend a warm welcome and know that they are here to support your children and our school family throughout your time at LJ.

This week, our assistant principals and dean led Student Rights and Responsibilities assemblies, where we reviewed behavior expectations and norms with all students. These assemblies are a vital part of our school culture, and we hold them twice each year—at the start of the school year and again at the beginning of the second semester. Starting next week, we will begin fully enforcing consequences for behavior infractions, including cell phone use during the day and class tardiness. Please take a moment to talk with your child about the importance of following school rules, being on time for class, and keeping their cell phones put away during the school day. For those students still getting the hang of finding their classrooms, rest assured that we will continue to have adult assistance in the hallways until every student feels comfortable and confident as they navigate our school.

We are excited to launch our Yondr cell phone pilot program on September 3rd. On that day, each student will receive a Yondr pouch through their Advisory class, and they will begin using it immediately to store their cell phones, Earpods, and Earbuds. We ask that all other non-FCPS electronic devices be left at home or stored in backpacks for the entire school day. Your support in discussing these rules with your children is greatly appreciated.

Finally, student laptops will be distributed on August 26th and 27th. Please make sure to review the Fairfax County Public Schools’ Acceptable Use Policy with your child to ensure they understand the expectations for safe and responsible technology use.

Thank you all for your support in making this first week at Jackson one of the most enjoyable and smooth opening weeks in my 16 years of public education service. It has truly been a joy to see our school community come together this week!

Sincerely,

R. Jones

Upcoming Events :

August 30th - September 2nd- Holidays ( Labor Day Break)

October 3rd- Rosh Hashanah- Schools and Offices Closed

 

Admin Team:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282 or by using the online reporting form which can be accessed by CLICKING HERE or on our Luther Jackson Middle School website.   Please DO NOT report absences through the Talking Points app. 

Hello Luther Jackson Middle School community! My name is Chris Butzer, and I am joining you all this year as an assistant principal at LJMS. This is my first year at Jackson and my 20th year working in education. Prior to working here, I was an assistant principal at Westbriar Elementary School. I also have been an instructional coach and a middle school science teacher throughout my career. I am very excited to join you all at Jackson as I started my career in middle school and really missed working with 7th and 8th grade students during my past few years in elementary school. It has been an awesome start to the school year, and I can’t wait to meet more of our families at upcoming events. Please come say hi and introduce yourself…I would love to meet everyone and learn more about what makes your student(s) special. Please reach out any time you have any questions or concerns. And thank you for our ongoing partnership to support our students.

Hi Jackson families! I am Raine Bradley, and I am so excited to join the Jackson team as an Assistant Principal this year! I've previously served as a middle and high school assistant principal and SOSA within FCPS.  My passion lies in supporting students and seeing my students find success and reach their goals. I can't wait to get to know you all this year and I look forward to working with you!

My name is Dr. LaKenya Wright, and I am so pleased to join the Jackson community as a permanent assistant principal this year! I previously served as an acting AP at Jackson, and quickly grew to love the community, school, and students. My goal is to ensure each and every one of our students has the support they need to be successful academically and personally. I can't wait to get to know all of you this year and look forward to getting to know you. When I am not at school, I spend my time with my family and my fur babies, Goldie and Oliver. They are the best cats in the world and keep me entertained and energized when I'm not with my students. 

Hello Tigers! My name is Mr. Nicholas Zubieta, and I’m excited to join the Luther Jackson Middle School community as the Director of Student Services. With over 10 years of experience in Fairfax County Public Schools, I’ve supported social emotional and academic programming across multiple schools. I’m passionate about supervising the Student Services Department, Fine Arts Department and AVID program. Through my experience and passion for working in schools, my hope is to continue uplifting our community. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with our students and their families to ensure a positive and successful school year. Let’s make it a great one together!

Admin Team Information: From Student Services:

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Tiger Time on Thursday, 8/15! We had an amazing time connecting with you. If you weren't able to complete the necessary registration forms, please log into ParentVUE and head to the Online Forms tab in the top right corner of the main page. For assistance, feel free to contact our registrar, Ms. Carbajal at [email protected]. For address changes, please make sure to come to Student Services to provide appropriate documentation.

The first week of school was a blast, and our students are off to a great start! Our counselors are thrilled to have students back in the building. Please note that counselors are not making elective changes at this time, as students' elective classes are based on their original course selections. Semester-long electives will change beginning January 28th. For any other schedule concerns, please reach out to your student's counselor.

Counselors:

Counselors are assigned by alphabet and your first point of contact for any question or concerns you might have.

TJHS Online Application Portal:

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology online application portal will open Monday, October 21st, at 4:00PM.  Representatives from TJHSST will be giving an information presentation on Tuesday, September 10th, at 2:30PM in the LJMS auditorium.  The presentation is approximately 30 minutes with additional time for questions and answers.  Both students and parents are invited to attend.  No registration is necessary.  Please note that students attending this information session will need to sign up for a second after school session if they are not leaving school with a parent after the presentation.  Please contact Mr. Tickle at [email protected] or 703 204 8124 for questions or for help with the application process.  For more information, please go to the TJ Admissions webpage at https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissions.

Lightspeed Parent Report on Child's Device Activity:

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

PTA Corner:

Join PTA: The LJMS PTA serves as a bridge between our school's administration, teachers, and parents, fostering a supportive student environment. PTA membership for the new school year is now open, and you are welcome to join and donate online at https://jacksonmspta.org/

Would you like to volunteer for the PTA? Contact [email protected]

PTA Meeting: We are excited to extend a special invitation to you for the upcoming Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting. This meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. before the Back to School Night (BTSN) in the school auditorium on Tuesday, September 17th.

Food Pantry: Did you know that LJMS runs a food pantry in the school to support families in need? Please consider signing up for distributions at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084DA8AC2EAA8-ljms2#/

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

espanol

Welcome Back Jackson Tigers!

We're excited to kick-off a new school year with LOTS of great after school activities for students.  See below for a few important announcements and action items, so that your Jackson Tiger is ready to participate from the start!

• Cross Country Team ready to begin its second season
• Late Buses Start September 9th, Register for After-School Now!
• Student Activities Info Session set for Tiger Time
• Purchase your 2025 Yearbook Now!

Cross Country Team ready to begin its second season

After a successful first season in existence, the cross-country coaches are now accepting registrations for this year's team.  Students who want to participate must have completed the following steps before they may attend the first practice on September 9th:

1. Complete and submit the FCPS MS Athletics Registration form.

2. Complete and turn in* the Middle School Athletics Physical Form.

3. Complete and turn in* the Emergency Care Form.

*The forms from steps 2 and 3 should be turned in to Mr. Max Bair, the Athletics Coordinator, by dropping it off in his classroom (Quad 4) or giving it to the main office staff to place in his mailbox.

Late Buses Start September 9th, Register for After-School Now!

Week One of After-School will be reserved for Cross Country practice, students who want to meet with teachers, and an activity fair, where students can check out the wide variety of clubs and activities available this year.  The full schedule of clubs and activities will start on Monday, September 16th.

All students who stay after school FOR ANY REASON must have completed the 2024-2025 After-School Registration/Consent Form before staying.  Please complete that form now!

Student Activities Info Session set for Tiger Time

Are you new to Jackson, and have questions about how After-School works, or what MS Athletics is all about?  Would you rather ask a person some questions than try to find answers on the school website?  Then this presentation is for you! 

Come to Tiger Time (on Thursday, August 15th from 1-5pm) and plan to stop by the Auditorium at 4:00pm for a short presentation, followed by an opportunity for Q & A with long time After-School Program Specialist Matt Hoffert.  You won't want to miss this!

Purchase your 2025 Yearbook Now!

The Walsworth Yearbook store is open now for those of you looking to get ahead of the game.  CLICK HERE to head over and place your order.  Use the code "EarlyTiger" for a 10% discount if you order before the first day of school.

You can also purchase a personal ad for your 8th grade student using the same school store link.  

3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22042  | Main Office: 703-204-8100
Attendance: 703.204.8282 | Web | Twitter | Instagram