FCPS

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• From Student Services:
• From the County:
• Ms. Tafazoli named Falls Church Pyramid Outstanding New Teacher!
• After-School on Fridays?
• Summer Programs for LJMS Students
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

March 28, 2025- End of Third Quarter

March 31, 2025- Student & Teacher Holiday (Eid al Fitr)

April 1, 2025- Student Holiday

April 14-18, 2025 Holidays (Spring Break)

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

From Student Services:

Do you have a rising 7th grader? We’re excited to welcome your child to Luther Jackson Middle School! As we prepare for this transition, course selection presentations will be available on our website, providing an overview of middle school courses and electives.

Students will complete a Google Form to select their courses, which can be done at home before LJMS counselor visits. This form can only be accessed using an FCPS email, so please complete it with your student. Elementary schools will communicate any deadlines prior to LJMS counselors meeting with students.

Visit our website for resources and updates, and feel free to reach out with any questions—we’re here to support a smooth transition!

VDH Immunization Packets for Rising 7th Graders 

As required by the Code of Virginia, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend public school. All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations: 

• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older.
• Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.
• A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 
• After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents/guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with their child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. If your child does not have a health care provider, please visit the FCPS Immunizations Resource page to find out where to get an immunization.

Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.

 

From the County:

Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!

Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.  

Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools. They do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.

Become Unskippable: Practical Guidance for Talking With Teens About Fentanyl

Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. But young people die from fentanyl overdoses in Fairfax County each year — so it's important to have short, impactful talks with your teen, whether or not you think they’re at risk.

As a parent or caregiver, you have the power to become “unskippable” and talk with your teen in a way they will listen. 

See our tips for talking with your teen about fentanyl and other difficult subjects. Watch this video to learn more about becoming unskippable. 

Ms. Tafazoli named Falls Church Pyramid Outstanding New Teacher!

Ms. Sanobar Tafazoli is pictured with her 2nd period class and Assistant Principal Chris Butzer

After-School on Fridays? Magnus Chess Academy

February 21 -May 16 (10 weeks, skipping March 28, April 11&18 for Spring Break)

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!

Future-Preneurs: A Young Entrepreneurs Workshop

February 21 -May 16 (10 weeks, skipping March 28, April 11&18 for Spring Break)

Step into the shoes of a business owner and experience the excitement of running your own company!  From brainstorming product ideas to crafting marketing strategies, you'll learn what it takes to turn your vision into a thriving business.  

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

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Summer Programs for LJMS Students

See below for information about two different summer program opportunities available for rising 7th and 8th graders here at Luther Jackson:

Registration opens March 11! 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.

Counselors:

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

PTA Corner:

 

Restaurant Night, Tuesday February 25th: Please come to LJMS PTA Fundraiser at Panera Bread at 8191 Strawberry LN, Merrifield, VA, Mosaic district, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025. Say FUND4U at a check-out or enter it during an online order.

 

PTA Meeting, Tuesday March 4th: Our next PTA meeting will be online on Tuesday, March 5th, at 7 pm. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8E0e7Y-pSXuDtRXLEz2W1A

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

Nomination Committee and Audit Committee: We are actively seeking volunteers for the nomination and audit committees. As a nomination committee member, you help find and nominate PTA officers for the next school year. You can also nominate yourself for any of the open positions. We are also seeking volunteers to conduct an internal audit of PTA financial accounts. If interested, please email [email protected].

PTA website: Visit our website to become a PTA member, donate online, or to buy spirit wear at https://jacksonmspta.org/

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• From Student Services:
• From the County:
• After-School on Fridays?
• Summer Programs for LJMS Students
• District Choir Event:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

February 17, 2025- Student/Staff Holiday  (President's Day and Washington's Birthday)

March 28, 2025- End of Third Quarter

March 31, 2025- Student & Teacher Holiday (Eid al Fitr)

April 1, 2025- Student Holiday

April 14-18, 2025 Holidays (Spring Break)

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

From Student Services:

Do you have a rising 7th grader? We’re excited to welcome your child to Luther Jackson Middle School! As we prepare for this transition, course selection presentations will be available on our website, providing an overview of middle school courses and electives.

Students will complete a Google Form to select their courses, which can be done at home before LJMS counselor visits. This form can only be accessed using an FCPS email, so please complete it with your student. Elementary schools will communicate any deadlines prior to LJMS counselors meeting with students.

Visit our website for resources and updates, and feel free to reach out with any questions—we’re here to support a smooth transition!

Student Experience Survey at LJMS

Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

All students in grades 6-12, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 24. We will administer the survey during the school day between Monday, February 24, and Friday, March 7. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose.

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

If you would like to opt your student out of this survey, please email Ms. English at [email protected] by 2 PM on Friday, February 21.

Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-12 in March. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop the skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who do not have a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. 

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28 Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student. To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.

From the County:

Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!

Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.  

Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools. They do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.

After-School on Fridays? Magnus Chess Academy

February 21 -May 16 (10 weeks, skipping March 28, April 11&18 for Spring Break)

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!

Future-Preneurs: A Young Entrepreneurs Workshop

February 21 -May 16 (10 weeks, skipping March 28, April 11&18 for Spring Break)

Step into the shoes of a business owner and experience the excitement of running your own company!  From brainstorming product ideas to crafting marketing strategies, you'll learn what it takes to turn your vision into a thriving business.  

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

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

Summer Programs for LJMS Students

See below for information about two different summer program opportunities available for rising 7th and 8th graders here at Luther Jackson:

Registration opens March 11! District Choir Event:

This past weekend, our talented choir students participated in the District Choir event, and we couldn’t be more proud of them! Their hard work, dedication, and passion for music were on full display as they delivered outstanding performances and represented Luther Jackson with excellence.

A huge thank you to our school community for supporting our students in the arts—your encouragement helps make these opportunities possible.

Congratulations to all who participated!

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.

Counselors:

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

PTA Corner:

Nomination Committee and Audit Committee: We are actively seeking volunteers for the nomination and audit committees. As a nomination committee member, you help find and nominate PTA officers for the next school year. You can also nominate yourself for any of the open positions. We are also seeking volunteers to conduct an internal audit of PTA financial accounts. If interested, please email [email protected].

PTA website: Visit our website to become a PTA member, donate online, or to buy spirit wear at https://jacksonmspta.org/

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• From Student Services:
• From the County:
• After-School on Fridays?
• FCHS Basketball Youth Night- Free Admission for Students:
• World Book Drive & Family Literacy Fair:
• From: McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) STEM ESSAY Contest:
• Civics Student's are going to Finance Park:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

February 17, 2025- Student/Staff Holiday  (President's Day and Washington's Birthday)

March 28, 2025- End of Third Quarter

March 31, 2025- Student & Teacher Holiday (Eid al Fitr)

April 1, 2025- Student Holiday

April 14-18, 2025 Holidays (Spring Break)

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

From Student Services:

Course Selection Update

This week, our rising 8th graders worked with their counselors to complete their course selection through their Health and PE 8 classes. Student course requests will be available for review in ParentVUE starting Friday, February 14.

We encourage families to review their student’s course selections and ensure they align with their academic goals and interests. If you have any questions about course options or need assistance, please reach out to your student’s school counselor.

Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!

Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE. 

Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!

Quarter 2 Has Ended! Report Cards Coming Soon

Congratulations! Quarter 2 officially ended on January 29! Students will receive a copy of their report cards in their advisory class during the week of February 10.

Report Card Access

Report cards are issued quarterly and are available in SIS StudentVUE/ParentVUE. Families without a ParentVUE account will receive report cards by mail.

Need more information about grades? Check out Grading Scales for Secondary Schools.

From the County:

Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!

Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.  

Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools. They do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.

After-School on Fridays? Magnus Chess Academy

February 21 -May 16 (10 weeks, skipping March 28, April 11&18 for Spring Break)

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!

  Future-Preneurs: A Young Entrepreneurs Workshop

February 21 -May 16 (10 weeks, skipping March 28, April 11&18 for Spring Break)

Step into the shoes of a business owner and experience the excitement of running your own company!  From brainstorming product ideas to crafting marketing strategies, you'll learn what it takes to turn your vision into a thriving business.  

 

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

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION

FCHS Basketball Youth Night- Free Admission for Students: World Book Drive & Family Literacy Fair: From: McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) STEM ESSAY Contest:

The 7th annual STEM Essay Contest sponsored by the McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) is now open. The contest challenges 7th and 8th girls and boys to discover and publicize women including women of color (non-white) who made a difference in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, but who received little or no recognition for their contributions while they were alive. Strong preference is given to essays about women who are not well known even today. 

Each student is asked to write an essay of no more than 500 words to describe one woman's contribution to STEM, discuss the impact, and clearly state why he or she picked that woman. The branch will award five prizes: 1st Place ($100) and four Honorable Mention prizes (each $25).

Two versions of the application form (a fillable PDF and a Word document), which include essay guidelines and instructions for submission, are available on the branch website at https://mclean-va.aauw.net/stem-essay-contest-2025-copy/.The deadline is February 10, 2025, at 11:00 pm ET, and the winners will be recognized at the Branch dinner on March 18, 2025, at the McLean Community Center.

Civics Student's are going to Finance Park:

Civics teachers are taking their classes to Finance Park (next to Frost MS) on the following dates:

• Holzshu & Smith on Feb 11
• Duerst & Knight (not 1st) on Feb 12
• Taft on Feb 13
• Carter & Gartner on Feb 14

We would love to have parent volunteers to help the students learn about making a budget and paying bills – if you’ve done that then you’re qualified!

Please register for the day your child is going: https://jagw.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/jafpfc#_=_

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.

Counselors:

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

PTA Corner:

Nomination Committee and Audit Committee: We are actively seeking volunteers for the nomination and audit committees. As a nomination committee member, you help find and nominate PTA officers for the next school year. You can also nominate yourself for any of the open positions. We are also seeking volunteers to conduct an internal audit of PTA financial accounts. If interested, please email [email protected].

PTA website: Visit our website to become a PTA member, donate online, or to buy spirit wear at https://jacksonmspta.org/

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• From Student Services:
• From the County:
• After-School on Fridays?
• FCHS Basketball Youth Night- Free Admission for Students:
• World Book Drive & Family Literacy Fair:
• From: McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) STEM ESSAY Contest:
• Civics Student's are going to Finance Park:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

February 17, 2025- Student/Staff Holiday  (President's Day and Washington's Birthday)

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

From Student Services:

Rising 8th Grade Course Selection

Rising 8th-grade students will begin selecting their courses for next year starting the week of February 3rd when they meet with their LJMS counselors.

We encourage families to review course selection information on our Academic Advising website: https://jacksonms.fcps.edu/student-services/course-selection.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s counselor. Thank you for your support in helping your student plan for a successful 8th-grade year!

From the County:

Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!

Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.  

Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools. They do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.

Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email [email protected], or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.

After-School on Fridays?  

 

 

-->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

FCHS Basketball Youth Night- Free Admission for Students: World Book Drive & Family Literacy Fair: From: McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) STEM ESSAY Contest:

The 7th annual STEM Essay Contest sponsored by the McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) is now open. The contest challenges 7th and 8th girls and boys to discover and publicize women including women of color (non-white) who made a difference in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, but who received little or no recognition for their contributions while they were alive. Strong preference is given to essays about women who are not well known even today. 

Each student is asked to write an essay of no more than 500 words to describe one woman's contribution to STEM, discuss the impact, and clearly state why he or she picked that woman. The branch will award five prizes: 1st Place ($100) and four Honorable Mention prizes (each $25).

Two versions of the application form (a fillable PDF and a Word document), which include essay guidelines and instructions for submission, are available on the branch website at https://mclean-va.aauw.net/stem-essay-contest-2025-copy/.The deadline is February 10, 2025, at 11:00 pm ET, and the winners will be recognized at the Branch dinner on March 18, 2025, at the McLean Community Center.

Civics Student's are going to Finance Park:

Civics teachers are taking their classes to Finance Park (next to Frost MS) on the following dates:

• Holzshu & Smith on Feb 11
• Duerst & Knight (not 1st) on Feb 12
• Taft on Feb 13
• Carter & Gartner on Feb 14

We would love to have parent volunteers to help the students learn about making a budget and paying bills – if you’ve done that then you’re qualified!

Please register for the day your child is going: https://jagw.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/jafpfc#_=_

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.

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 Tuesday, February 4th, at 7 pm. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Nj_vofOkS5ShZRNjZAGc7Q

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

Nomination Committee and Audit Committee: We are actively seeking volunteers for the nomination and audit committees. As a nomination committee member, you help find and nominate PTA officers for the next school year. You can also nominate yourself for any of the open positions. We are also seeking volunteers to conduct an internal audit of PTA financial accounts. If interested, please email [email protected].

PTA website: Visit our website to become a PTA member, donate online, or to buy spirit wear at https://jacksonmspta.org/

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• From Student Services:
• After-School on Fridays?
• FCHS Basketball Youth Night- Free Admission for Students:
• From: McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) STEM ESSAY Contest:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

January 28, 2025- End of Second Quarter

January 29, 2025- Student Holiday

January 30, 2025- Rising 7th grade Curriculum Night (6 to 8pm)

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

From Student Services:

Quarter End StudentVUE/ParentVUE Gradebook Closure

We Did It! Quarter 2 Closes Soon!

Quarter 2 officially ends on January 28, at 2:15 p.m. To ensure accurate and timely grade reporting, the Gradebook will be temporarily closed as teachers finalize grades and prepare report cards.

Gradebook Closure Details:

• Start: Tuesday, January 28, at 4:00 p.m.
• Reopen: Tuesday, February 4, at 6:00 a.m.

During this time, grades will not be accessible in the portal. Please encourage your child to address any outstanding assignments or questions with teachers before the closure.

Report cards are issued quarterly and will be available in SIS StudentVUE/ParentVUE or mailed to families without ParentVUE accounts. Need info on grades? Check out Grading Scales for Secondary Schools.

Curriculum Night

Do you have a rising 7th grader? Luther Jackson Middle School invites you to Curriculum Night on Thursday, January 30th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Explore a variety of sessions to learn about Middle School 101, Math, Literacy, Honors classes, Electives, and more!

For families interested in AAP (Advanced Academic Programs) information, we will host a special session from 5:30 to 5:55 PM prior to the main event.

We look forward to seeing you at LJMS to help prepare for a successful transition to middle school!

 

Course Selection and Curriculum Nights 

 Parents can review their requested courses in ParentVUE. Questions? Please check the Falls Church High School website.

Feeder High School Curriculum Nights:

• Marshall High School: February 6th - 5:00-7:30 PM

• School-life balance  is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you have questions!

🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning

Planning which courses to take next year — and in future years — must be given considerable thought. Students and families should review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond.  

The Curriculum webpage may also be helpful. Refer to our course catalog and course selection webpages.

After-School on Fridays?  

 

 

-->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

FCHS Basketball Youth Night- Free Admission for Students: From: McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) STEM ESSAY Contest:

The 7th annual STEM Essay Contest sponsored by the McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) is now open. The contest challenges 7th and 8th girls and boys to discover and publicize women including women of color (non-white) who made a difference in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, but who received little or no recognition for their contributions while they were alive. Strong preference is given to essays about women who are not well known even today. 

Each student is asked to write an essay of no more than 500 words to describe one woman's contribution to STEM, discuss the impact, and clearly state why he or she picked that woman. The branch will award five prizes: 1st Place ($100) and four Honorable Mention prizes (each $25).

Two versions of the application form (a fillable PDF and a Word document), which include essay guidelines and instructions for submission, are available on the branch website at https://mclean-va.aauw.net/stem-essay-contest-2025-copy/.The deadline is February 10, 2025, at 11:00 pm ET, and the winners will be recognized at the Branch dinner on March 18, 2025, at the McLean Community Center.

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.

Counselors:

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

PTA Corner:

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/

Contact [email protected]

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• From Student Services:
• From the County:
• From Theatre Arts:
• After-School on Fridays?
• From: McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) STEM ESSAY Contest:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

January 20, 2025- Holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day)- School Closed

January 28, 2025- End of Second Quarter

January 29, 2025- Student Holiday

January 30, 2025- Rising 7th grade Curriculum Night (6 to 8pm)

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

From Student Services:

Quarter End StudentVUE/ParentVUE Gradebook Closure

We Did It! Quarter 2 Closes Soon!

Quarter 2 officially ends on January 28, at 2:15 p.m. To ensure accurate and timely grade reporting, the Gradebook will be temporarily closed as teachers finalize grades and prepare report cards.

Gradebook Closure Details:

• Start: Tuesday, January 28, at 4:00 p.m.
• Reopen: Tuesday, February 4, at 6:00 a.m.

During this time, grades will not be accessible in the portal. Please encourage your child to address any outstanding assignments or questions with teachers before the closure.

Report cards are issued quarterly and will be available in SIS StudentVUE/ParentVUE or mailed to families without ParentVUE accounts. Need info on grades? Check out Grading Scales for Secondary Schools.

Curriculum Night

Do you have a rising 7th grader? Luther Jackson Middle School invites you to Curriculum Night on Thursday, January 30th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Explore a variety of sessions to learn about Middle School 101, Math, Literacy, Honors classes, Electives, and more!

For families interested in AAP (Advanced Academic Programs) information, we will host a special session from 5:30 to 5:55 PM prior to the main event.

We look forward to seeing you at LJMS to help prepare for a successful transition to middle school!

 

Course Selection and Curriculum Nights 

Students are meeting with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night will be hosted on January 30th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Families can learn more about course offerings and programs at these events.

Feeder High School Curriculum Nights:

• Marshall High School: February 6th - 5:00-7:30 PM

• School-life balance  is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you have questions!

🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning

Planning which courses to take next year — and in future years — must be given considerable thought. Students and families should review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond.  

The Curriculum webpage may also be helpful. Refer to our course catalog and course selection webpages.

From the County:

📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at 703-204-8100.

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors. 

🧥 Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. We monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.

Visit Fairfax County’s website for Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips. 

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact our family liaison, Ricardo Bethencourt, at [email protected]. You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

From Theatre Arts:

VOICES OF NOW | LUTHER JACKSON ENSEMBLE 2025

WORK WITH THEATER PROFESSIONALS - MAKE A PLAY ABOUT YOU - PERFORM AT ARENA STAGE Become part of Voices of Now, where creativity meets relevant social issues that matter to you. Join an ensemble of youth and teen artists to co-create an autobiographical play that speaks to your experiences. You’ll showcase your work at the Voices of Now Festival at Arena Stage, engaging in a fast-paced, collaborative performance that asks meaningful questions and challenges societal perspectives. This is a platform for your voice—let's make it heard. Interested in being part of Voices of Now. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Register here to sign up for the workshop, and audition! AUDITION WORKSHOP VON Audition - Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025  2:30 pm-4:30 pm Students that attend the Jan 15th workshop and the audition will receive priority placement in the program. The ensemble is limited to 20 students. Turn in your application today!

Voices of Now Application

EXTRA BONUS: YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN BOTH THE SPRING MUSICAL & VOICES OF NOW!

After-School on Fridays?  

 

 

-->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: McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) STEM ESSAY Contest:

The 7th annual STEM Essay Contest sponsored by the McLean Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) is now open. The contest challenges 7th and 8th girls and boys to discover and publicize women including women of color (non-white) who made a difference in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, but who received little or no recognition for their contributions while they were alive. Strong preference is given to essays about women who are not well known even today. 

Each student is asked to write an essay of no more than 500 words to describe one woman's contribution to STEM, discuss the impact, and clearly state why he or she picked that woman. The branch will award five prizes: 1st Place ($100) and four Honorable Mention prizes (each $25).

Two versions of the application form (a fillable PDF and a Word document), which include essay guidelines and instructions for submission, are available on the branch website at https://mclean-va.aauw.net/stem-essay-contest-2025-copy/.The deadline is February 10, 2025, at 11:00 pm ET, and the winners will be recognized at the Branch dinner on March 18, 2025, at the McLean Community Center.

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.

Counselors:

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

PTA Corner:

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/

Contact [email protected]

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• From Student Services:
• From the County:
• Oakton High School Curriculum Night Rescheduled:
• From Theatre Arts:
• After-School on Fridays?
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Principal Message:

Dear Jackson Family,

Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope you had a restful winter break and a great time with friends and family enjoying the unexpected days off due to the snowstorm. We are excited to see our students return to school, ready to continue learning and growing in 2025.

Parents, we continue to expect cold temperatures throughout winter, and want to remind you that middle school students in FCPS participate in outdoor recess, just as elementary school students do. Please speak with your children about the importance of dressing for winter weather, as they are expected to attend outdoor recess unless FCPS cancels outdoor activity due to cold, heat, or environmental hazard advisories. Should you, or someone you know, need assistance with obtaining coats or other winter wear for children, our School Social Worker or School Counselors are able and willing to help.

As we return to Jackson and approach the second half of the school year, I want to remind everyone of the importance of maintaining a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment. This includes adhering to all school rules and expectations, including FCPS’ Away for the Day policy regarding cell phones. Students are required to keep their cell phones silenced and stored in their Yondr pouches throughout the school day. This policy helps to minimize distractions and ensures that students are fully engaged in their learning. Prior to the end of January, all students will engage in another SR&R Assembly, led by school administrators. The SR&R assemblies are held at the beginning of the school year and prior to the start of 2nd semester and are one of the ways we communicate school-wide norms and Positive Behavior Incentives to our students during the school year.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing expectations at home and encouraging your student to make positive choices at school. Together, we can create an environment where every student is able to be successful in school and maintain positive relationships with peers and adults.

Thank you for the partnership you continue to provide, and I wish each of you a fulfilling and joyful 2025!

Sincerely,

R. Jones, Principal

Upcoming Events :

January 20, 2025- Holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day)

January 28, 2025- End of Second Quarter

January 29, 2025- Student Holiday

January 30, 2025- Rising 7th grade Curriculum Night (6 to 8pm)

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

From Student Services:

Quarter End StudentVUE/ParentVUE Gradebook Closure

We Did It! Quarter 2 Closes Soon!

Quarter 2 officially ends on January 28, at 2:15 p.m. To ensure accurate and timely grade reporting, the Gradebook will be temporarily closed as teachers finalize grades and prepare report cards.

Gradebook Closure Details:

• Start: Tuesday, January 28, at 4:00 p.m.
• Reopen: Tuesday, February 4, at 6:00 a.m.

During this time, grades will not be accessible in the portal. Please encourage your child to address any outstanding assignments or questions with teachers before the closure.

Report cards are issued quarterly and will be available in SIS StudentVUE/ParentVUE or mailed to families without ParentVUE accounts. Need info on grades? Check out Grading Scales for Secondary Schools.

Curriculum Night

Do you have a rising 7th grader? Luther Jackson Middle School invites you to Curriculum Night on Thursday, January 30th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Explore a variety of sessions to learn about Middle School 101, Math, Literacy, Honors classes, Electives, and more!

For families interested in AAP (Advanced Academic Programs) information, we will host a special session from 5:30 to 5:55 PM prior to the main event.

We look forward to seeing you at LJMS to help prepare for a successful transition to middle school!

 

Course Selection and Curriculum Nights 

Students are meeting with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night will be hosted on January 30th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Families can learn more about course offerings and programs at these events.

Feeder High School Curriculum Nights:

• Falls Church High School: Monday, January 13th - 
• Oakton High School: Wednesday, January 15th - 4:30-6:30 PM
• Marshall High School: February 6th - 5:00-7:30 PM
• Madison High School: Tuesday, January 14th - 6:00-7:00 PM
• McLean High School: Tuesday, January 14th - 6:00-7:30 PM

School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you have questions!

🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning

Planning which courses to take next year — and in future years — must be given considerable thought. Students and families should review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond.  

The Curriculum webpage may also be helpful. Refer to our course catalog and course selection webpages.

From the County:

📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at 703-204-8100.

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

Oakton High School Curriculum Night Rescheduled:

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 for all rising 9th graders. 

 

Oakton Academic Advising Site: Choosing Courses for Next School Year (2025-26) | Oakton High School

From Theatre Arts:

Join us for the Voices of Now Luther Jackson Workshop Workshop 1 – Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 2:30pm-4:30pm

VOICES OF NOW | LUTHER JACKSON ENSEMBLE 2025

WORK WITH THEATER PROFESSIONALS - MAKE A PLAY ABOUT YOU - PERFORM AT ARENA STAGE Become part of Voices of Now, where creativity meets relevant social issues that matter to you. Join an ensemble of youth and teen artists to co-create an autobiographical play that speaks to your experiences. You’ll showcase your work at the Voices of Now Festival at Arena Stage, engaging in a fast-paced, collaborative performance that asks meaningful questions and challenges societal perspectives. This is a platform for your voice—let's make it heard. Interested in being part of Voices of Now. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Register here to sign up for the workshop, and audition! AUDITION WORKSHOP VON Audition - Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025  2:30 pm-4:30 pm Students that attend the Jan 15th workshop and the audition will receive priority placement in the program. The ensemble is limited to 20 students. Turn in your application today!

Voices of Now Application

EXTRA BONUS: YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN BOTH THE SPRING MUSICAL & VOICES OF NOW!

After-School on Fridays?  

 

 

-->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

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.

Counselors:

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

Who: Students, Parents & Caregivers of 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th graders that will be attending FCHS in the Fall of 2025. We are also planning specialized sessions for Multilingual Learners (formally ESOL), Literacy courses, Advanced Academics (Honors, AP, & DE), and Math pathways.  

When: January 9, 2025,  6:15pm presentation, 7:00pm academic fair with representatives available to answer questions about content and levels including the elective options. 

Where: Falls Church High School Lecture hall and cafeteria (Door 7 & 9)

What: Curriculum night is a presentation to families regarding course selection information, diploma requirements, Academy opportunities and curriculum information. The Falls Church Academy is included and holds an open house to allow all eligible high school students a chance to learn about the Academy offerings. Academy representatives from Marshall, Fairfax, Edison, Chantilly, and West Po are also present.

Why: Your child will be selecting his/her/their courses for the next school year, this presentation offers lots of information on making the best choices for a successful school year.

PTA Corner:

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/

Contact [email protected]

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• From the County:
• Bake for Good:
• After-School in the New Year
• After-School on Fridays?
• Falls Church High School Curriculum Night:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

December 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025- (Winter Break)

January 20, 2025- Holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day)

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

December 20th Snow Much Fun - Perfect Attendance Celebration!

To encourage strong attendance during the busy holiday season, we're excited to announce a special event, "Snow Much Fun," scheduled for December 20th during the last block of the day. This event is exclusively for students who maintain perfect attendance (this means coming to school each day!) from December 10th to 20th.  This initiative aims to combat the typical increase in absences leading up to winter break, which can significantly impact our school's overall chronic absenteeism rate.  There are also other fun events scheduled during these days such as spirit days and raffles. Please support your student by ensuring they are at school each day!  Attendance Matters!  . 

From the County:

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions. ⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Bake for Good:

Seventh grade students taking Family and Consumer Sciences had an amazing opportunity to give back to their community by participating in the ‘Bake for Good’ program. The King Arthur flour company sent bread-making kits for each of the seventh graders as part of their ‘Bake for Good’ charity to which their teacher had applied to. They also sent a professional baker to school to demonstrate how to bake bread and explained the science behind the baking. Students then took the kits home and baked bread. They got to keep one of the loaves for their family and brought the other to school to donate to the food pantry.

After-School in the New Year There will be NO after-school programs and NO late buses the week of January 6-10.  After-School will start up again on Monday, January 13th. After-School on Fridays?  

 

 

-->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

Falls Church High School Curriculum Night:

Fall Church High School Curriculum Night - January 9th 6:15-8:00pm

We wanted to share with you that the first big event to begin our academic advising season will be our curriculum night. We will hold the event in person, hosted by our Principal, Director of Student Services, Academy Administrator, Director of Student Activities and department representatives.

Who: Students, Parents & Caregivers of 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th graders that will be attending FCHS in the Fall of 2025. We are also planning specialized sessions for Multilingual Learners (formally ESOL), Literacy courses, Advanced Academics (Honors, AP, & DE), and Math pathways.  

When: January 9, 2025,  6:15pm presentation, 7:00pm academic fair with representatives available to answer questions about content and levels including the elective options. 

Where: Falls Church High School Lecture hall and cafeteria (Door 7 & 9)

What: Curriculum night is a presentation to families regarding course selection information, diploma requirements, Academy opportunities and curriculum information. The Falls Church Academy is included and holds an open house to allow all eligible high school students a chance to learn about the Academy offerings. Academy representatives from Marshall, Fairfax, Edison, Chantilly, and West Po are also present.

Why: Your child will be selecting his/her/their courses for the next school year, this presentation offers lots of information on making the best choices for a successful school year.

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:

Special Note from Student Services

As we approach winter break, Student Services would like to wish you all a joyful and restful break. Take this time to relax, recharge, and create lasting memories with your loved ones. We look forward to seeing you refreshed and ready for a great start to the new year.

Warm regards, The Student Services Team

Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

• Overcoming School Refusal and Resistance
• Virtual Meeting for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
• FCPS Math Week
• Supporting Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills
• Depression in Teens
• Understanding Trauma in Your Child/Comprendiedo el Trauma en su Hijo (presented in Spanish)

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings. 

Middle and High School Students Will Soon Choose Courses for the 2025-2026 School Year

Beginning in January 2025, rising 7th to 12th grade students will meet with their school counselors to discuss course selection for next year. We encourage families to actively participate in this important transition process to ensure students select courses that align with their personal interests, career goals, and postsecondary aspirations while striving to reach their highest academic potential.  

Planning which courses to take next year – and in future years – must be given considerable thought. The Graduation Requirements and Course Planning page provides information about graduation requirements and course offering information that students and families can preview to make informed decisions to plan for success in high school and beyond.  Reviewing the Program of Studies may also be helpful in reviewing the wide variety of courses offered in FCPS.  Be sure to also refer to your school’s website for your school-specific course catalog and course selection information.

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

• Current academic strengths and habits;
• Graduation requirements (high school students);
• Interests and career and postsecondary goals;
• Personal well-being; and
• Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students' time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success.  Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

Counselors:

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

PTA Corner:

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/

Contact [email protected]

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• Advanced Academics Spring Referral:
• From the County:
• After-School on Fridays?
• Falls Church High School Curriculum Night:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

December 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025- (Winter Break)

January 20, 2025- Holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day)

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

December 20th Snow Much Fun - Perfect Attendance Celebration!

To encourage strong attendance during the busy holiday season, we're excited to announce a special event, "Snow Much Fun," scheduled for December 20th during the last block of the day. This event is exclusively for students who maintain perfect attendance (this means coming to school each day!) from December 10th to 20th.  This initiative aims to combat the typical increase in absences leading up to winter break, which can significantly impact our school's overall chronic absenteeism rate.  There are also other fun events scheduled during these days such as spirit days and raffles. Please support your student by ensuring they are at school each day!  Attendance Matters!  . 

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].

From the County:

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions. ⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

After-School on Fridays?  

 

 

-->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

Falls Church High School Curriculum Night:

Fall Church High School Curriculum Night - January 9th 6:15-8:00pm

We wanted to share with you that the first big event to begin our academic advising season will be our curriculum night. We will hold the event in person, hosted by our Principal, Director of Student Services, Academy Administrator, Director of Student Activities and department representatives.

Who: Students, Parents & Caregivers of 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th graders that will be attending FCHS in the Fall of 2025. We are also planning specialized sessions for Multilingual Learners (formally ESOL), Literacy courses, Advanced Academics (Honors, AP, & DE), and Math pathways.  

When: January 9, 2025,  6:15pm presentation, 7:00pm academic fair with representatives available to answer questions about content and levels including the elective options. 

Where: Falls Church High School Lecture hall and cafeteria (Door 7 & 9)

What: Curriculum night is a presentation to families regarding course selection information, diploma requirements, Academy opportunities and curriculum information. The Falls Church Academy is included and holds an open house to allow all eligible high school students a chance to learn about the Academy offerings. Academy representatives from Marshall, Fairfax, Edison, Chantilly, and West Po are also present.

Why: Your child will be selecting his/her/their courses for the next school year, this presentation offers lots of information on making the best choices for a successful school year.

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:

Middle and High School Students Will Soon Choose Courses for the 2025-2026 School Year

Beginning in January 2025, rising 7th to 12th grade students will meet with their school counselors to discuss course selection for next year. We encourage families to actively participate in this important transition process to ensure students select courses that align with their personal interests, career goals, and postsecondary aspirations while striving to reach their highest academic potential.  

Planning which courses to take next year – and in future years – must be given considerable thought. The Graduation Requirements and Course Planning page provides information about graduation requirements and course offering information that students and families can preview to make informed decisions to plan for success in high school and beyond.  Reviewing the Program of Studies may also be helpful in reviewing the wide variety of courses offered in FCPS.  Be sure to also refer to your school’s website for your school-specific course catalog and course selection information.

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

• Current academic strengths and habits;
• Graduation requirements (high school students);
• Interests and career and postsecondary goals;
• Personal well-being; and
• Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students' time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success.  Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.

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 have provided paper forms to your student through their Advisory class. Please be sure to return them to your students' Advisory Teacher. 

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.

Full-Time AAP Referral Window Reminder

Families who wish for their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services must submit the Full-Time Referral Form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (Ms. English) or principal by December 15, 2024. 

No late forms will be accepted.

Translated versions of the referral form are available in: Arabic | Chinese | English | Korean | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese.

Please ensure submissions are completed before the deadline. For questions, contact your local AART or school principal.

Counselors:

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

PTA Corner:

Holiday Celebration Party, Friday, December 20: Please join us to celebrate with our LJMS teachers and staff at our annual Winter Celebration! The PTA will provide a taco bar lunch for teachers during all lunch periods on Friday, December 20. Join in the fun by providing additional food and drink, volunteering your time, or providing funds to support this effort. More details are here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A8AB22A6FFC34-53649393-2024

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/

Contact [email protected]

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

• Upcoming Events :
• Admin Team Information:
• Checking Students Out From School:
• Attendance Matters:
• Advanced Academics Spring Referral:
• Middle School Start Time Study
• Boundary Meetings
• From the County:
• After-School on Fridays?
• Winter Wonderland Holiday Concert-Oakton High School:
• Falls Church High School Curriculum Night:
• Good things to know:
• How to Report Incidents of Discrimination & Harassment:
• From Student Services:
• Counselors:
• PTA Corner:
• From our Clinic:
• From Tech Support:
• Digital Resource Consent Needed
• ChromeBook Update:

Upcoming Events :

December 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025- (Winter Break)

January 20, 2025- Holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day)

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

December 20th Snow Much Fun - Perfect Attendance Celebration!

To encourage strong attendance during the busy holiday season, we're excited to announce a special event, "Snow Much Fun," scheduled for December 20th during the last block of the day. This event is exclusively for students who maintain perfect attendance (this means coming to school each day!) from December 10th to 20th.  This initiative aims to combat the typical increase in absences leading up to winter break, which can significantly impact our school's overall chronic absenteeism rate.  There are also other fun events scheduled during these days such as spirit days and raffles. Please support your student by ensuring they are at school each day!  Attendance Matters!  . 

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].

Middle School Start Time Study

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

 

⏰Actualización de Cambios Potenciales a los Horarios de Comienzo de las Escuelas IntermediasEn la sesión de trabajo de la Junta Escolar del martes, personal de Prismatic Services, Inc. presentó opciones para ajustar las horas de comienzo en las escuelas intermedias de FCPS. Como recordatorio, Prismatic está encargado de desarrollar un plan de acción para ayudar a la Junta Escolar a alcanzar su meta de empezar las escuelas intermedias a las 8 a.m. o después.

La presentación incluye cinco opciones para ajustar las horas de comienzo de las escuelas intermedias basado en el análisis del consultor de los foros de la comunidad, encuestas, y entrevistas con el personal, padres, asociaciones, y otros grupos. El Consejo Escolar proporcionará los próximos pasos al superintendente.

Vea un video de la sesión de trabajo. Visite la página web sobre el Horario de Inicio de las Escuelas Intermedias para obtener más información sobre el proyecto.

Boundary Meetings

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15pm in the Annandale HS Cafeteria. 

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

 

Reunión Comunitaria de Revisión de Límites

Las reuniones comunitarias sobre la Revisión de Límites de FCPS se llevarán a cabo en cada una de las seis regiones de la división. Le animamos a asistir a la reunión en nuestra región, que tendrá lugar el jueves 12 de decembre, 6:45-8:15pm in the Annandale HS Cafeteria. 

Por favor, inscríbase con antelación haciendo clic en la fecha. Habrá servicio de interpretación. 

Si no puede asistir en esta fecha, consulte la lista completa de reuniones en el sitio web de la Revisión integral de límites escolares. 

From the County:

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

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.

 

 

-->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

Winter Wonderland Holiday Concert-Oakton High School: Falls Church High School Curriculum Night:

Fall Church High School Curriculum Night - January 9th 6:15-8:00pm

We wanted to share with you that the first big event to begin our academic advising season will be our curriculum night. We will hold the event in person, hosted by our Principal, Director of Student Services, Academy Administrator, Director of Student Activities and department representatives.

Who: Students, Parents & Caregivers of 8th, 9th, 10th, & 11th graders that will be attending FCHS in the Fall of 2025. We are also planning specialized sessions for Multilingual Learners (formally ESOL), Literacy courses, Advanced Academics (Honors, AP, & DE), and Math pathways.  

When: January 9, 2025,  6:15pm presentation, 7:00pm academic fair with representatives available to answer questions about content and levels including the elective options. 

Where: Falls Church High School Lecture hall and cafeteria (Door 7 & 9)

What: Curriculum night is a presentation to families regarding course selection information, diploma requirements, Academy opportunities and curriculum information. The Falls Church Academy is included and holds an open house to allow all eligible high school students a chance to learn about the Academy offerings. Academy representatives from Marshall, Fairfax, Edison, Chantilly, and West Po are also present.

Why: Your child will be selecting his/her/their courses for the next school year, this presentation offers lots of information on making the best choices for a successful school year.

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:

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 have provided paper forms to your student through their Advisory class. Please be sure to return them to your students' Advisory Teacher. 

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.

Full-Time AAP Referral Window Reminder

Families who wish for their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services must submit the Full-Time Referral Form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (Ms. English) or principal by December 15, 2024.

Counselors:

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

PTA Corner:

Holiday Celebration Party, Friday, December 20: Please join us to celebrate with our LJMS teachers and staff at our annual Winter Celebration! The PTA will provide a taco bar lunch for teachers during all lunch periods on Friday, December 20. Join in the fun by providing additional food and drink, volunteering your time, or providing funds to support this effort. More details are here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A8AB22A6FFC34-53649393-2024

 

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/

Contact [email protected]

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

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

Upcoming Events :

December 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025- (Winter Break)

January 20, 2025- Holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day)

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

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

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:

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 have provided paper forms to your student through their Advisory class. Please be sure to return them to your students' Advisory Teacher ASAP. 

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.

Full-Time AAP Referral Window Reminder

Families who wish for their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services must submit the Full-Time Referral Form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (Ms. English) or principal by December 15, 2024. 

No late forms will be accepted.

Counselors:

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

From Theatre Arts:

All those interested in auditioning for Mean Girls, our spring musical, please come to the MPR either A or B session on Wednesday, December 4th. ALL are welcome- you do NOT have to be in theatre class to participate. If you cannot make the meeting, no worries. Please email Ms. Stacey ([email protected]) to get all information. Auditions begin Monday, December 17th.

PTA Corner:

Volunteer opportunities: Volunteer for PTA LJMS fundraising and sign up to work at PTA tables before "Aesop Live!" and at "Silver Diner Merrifield Night" using the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A8AB22A6FFC34-53401567-silver

 

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/

Contact [email protected]

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

Our Table of Contents:

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

From our Principal:

Dear Jackson Families, 

As we approach the winter season, I want to share a few updates and reminders to keep our students warm, supported, and healthy.

We are excited to roll out a new Advisory system starting the week we return from Thanksgiving Break. This system will allow students who are not in required intervention groups to rotate between different teachers each week during Advisory. This flexible approach enables teachers to offer focused support, such as test re-takes, re-teaching, and tutoring to students who need extra assistance. We believe this system will further enhance our commitment to personalized support for all learners. 

As the temperatures drop, we remind families to ensure students dress appropriately for the colder weather. Outdoor recess continues throughout the year and is only canceled during cold/wind advisories or precipitation. Please encourage your child to wear warm clothing, including coats, hats, and gloves. Lightweight pajamas or onesies are not ideal for school-based activities or cold weather, and students should wear hard-soled shoes to school for safety. House slippers or soft-soled shoes are not suitable and can lead to injury or frostbite in wet or snowy conditions. 

If your child needs assistance obtaining coats or winter clothing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Social Worker, Ms. Ali Smith, for support. We are here to help! 

Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving Break. Please note that the break begins on November 26th, and students return to school on December 2nd. I hope you enjoy this time with loved ones and come back rested and ready to learn!

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's success! 

Sincerely, 

R. Jones

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

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

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. Grades are now available in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE, and a physical copy has been mailed home. If you do not receive your student’s report card within a week 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).

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact us.

Counselors:

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

PTA Corner:

Restaurant Night Tuesday, November 26th: Silver Diner Merrifield is hosting an LJMS PTA fundraiser from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 20% of all orders will go to LJMS PTA funds!

Order in-person or online at silverdiner.com. Orders from third-party food delivery apps do not count toward the fundraiser. Silver Diner membership cardholders are requested not to use their cards while ordering. Instead, it is recommended that LJMS be added to it as a designated charity so donations are transferred to LJMS anytime you dine at Silver Diner locations.  Please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to the event because Silver Diner is always fun!!!

Volunteer opportunities: Volunteer for PTA LJMS fundraising and sign up to work at PTA tables before "Aesop Live!" and at "Silver Diner Merrifield Night" using the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0844A8AB22A6FFC34-53401567-silver

 

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/

Contact [email protected]

From our Clinic: 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

Espanol

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

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

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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.

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