Family Newsletter

March

*Parent FYI's: (For Your Information:

Time for Kids: Students continue to receive a free& ;nbsp;year long subscription to 'Time for Kids' which is a weekly magazine featuring current event stories and geographical information from around the world. Students are encouraged to complete the booklets and return them to school for the issuing of 2010-11 school years.

End of 3rd Nine Weeks was March 6th.  Grade cards were sent home on Friday, March 12 or given on Monday, March 15 during the parent-teacher conference.

Parent-Teacher conferences were held on Monday, March 15. Grade cards were given out to those who attended a scheduled conference.

Tornado Drill:  A tornado drill was held on Tuesday, March 23rd in preparation for the season.

Illinois Youth Survey: Jefferson Middle School participated in the 2010 Illinois Youth Survey on Wednesday, March 17th. A request/notification was made by Chris Boston, Preventionist with ROE #10 of the need for the student services and the importance of continuing these types of programs. Thanks to Mrs. Suey for conducting the survey.

Yearbook Spirit Week: In celebration of the conclusion of ISAT testing, the yearbook staff planned a spirit week beginning Tuesday-March 16.  A 'theme-day' was chosen for each day and students are encouraged to dress appropriately for the theme: Tuesday- 'Dash into Clash Day' wear mismatched clothes and shoes: Wednesday: 'Be Lucky, Dress Like the Irish' wear green, Thursday: Hooray for Decade Day: dress like your favorite decade (50's-60's-70's) and Friday: Crazy Hair for the end of a Crazy Week. Thanks to the yearbook staff for planning such a fun week to end with the Fun Day!

Fun Day: A Fun Day for all students was held on Friday, March 19 as an end to ISAT Testing. Students will enjoy a day of fun-filled activities, popcorn, pop and a movie. The highlight of the day will be Mad Science of St. Louis. The Up, Up, and Away Assembly will feature the making of a mini hot air balloon as well as a vortex generator that will create giant smoke rings as students watch an incredible exothermic reaction take place before their eyes.

Thanks to Mrs. Schutt for being the contact person and making all the arrangements for this Special Event. (Event paid for with funds from the JMS Fundraiser.)

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle: Debbie LeVault, CCSWMD presented a Recycling unit during science classes on Wednesday March 17. Students became more aware of the importance of recycling and created an edible landfill.  Fifth grade students toured the Taylorville Land Fill on March 18-19.

Awards Day was held on Monday, March 22 for grades 5 and 6. Students were recognized for Perfect Attendance and Academic Achievement.

Tags of Achievement; On Tuesday, March 23, One Hundred-twenty-six (136) Tags of Achievement (tags) were distributed to students who qualified for the 3rd nine weeks. (up 10 from the 2nd nine week grading period) Students  received a mini tag with a Panther for not having more than 5 late/missing assignments for the nine week grading period. Congrats go out to these students who are making an academic difference. Thanks to the Pana Education Foundation for approving the mini-grant that supports this successful program.

AR: Congrats goes out to the following sixth grade students who have met their AR goal with at least an 80% test average: Trever Ermovick, Allison Wilsman, Lyndsy Christman, Sydney Jones, Jessica Laucus, Blake Ade, Katie Merritt, Anna Osborn, and Noah Wafford.

Teacher Pages: All teachers in our building have created a teacher page which can be accessed via the district webpage and click teacher pages below the heading: Jefferson Middle School. This feature is a service to assist you as parents/students of homework assignments and/or projects in the classroom.

Panther Prowl:  Each month, a Panther Prowl is written and sent throughout the district to staff members for the purpose of keeping them abreast of the happenings in the buildings within the district. The Panther Prowl has a link on the Jefferson Middle School Web Page for your viewing. I am in hopes you enjoy reading about the neat things that happen in our building as much as I enjoy observing and writing about them.

Progress Reports continue to be sent home the 5th and 20th of each month which makes you aware of grades, assignments that have not been completed, and/or assignments that have been given partial credit due to being late. This is a tool that will assist you in keeping your child from falling behind educationally. If you notice that grades are falling and/or assignments are not being completed and you have not had a contact from the teacher, please contact the homeroom teacher for a conference. Staff members team on a daily basis which gives an opportunity to meet with them.

Staff email: All staff members including myself have an email address with easy access on the panaschools.com web site. Please do not hesitate in emailing your concerns and/or questions.

AutoSkills Training: A new AutoSkills lab has been placed in both title classrooms to assist title students in these areas of reading and math. Students have begun a pre-test to determine placement in the program.

Spring Soccer: Pana Soccer League is registering players for the second season of 6v6 Spring Soccer. Students had the opportunity to take forms and register with the Pana Soccer League. Games will be played at Tanner Field on Saturday morning beginning April 15.

Fun Fridays: In an effort to move in the direction of PLC's, the staff will be introducing Fun Fridays to the students as they encourage ALL of them to do 'whatever it takes' to join in the FUN! Students will have the opportunity to participate EVERY Friday in a FUN FRIDAY: No tardies-No late assignments-Be prepared with Good Behavior is what it takes to participate in the end of the day Fun Friday. No cost. Just plain FUN!

*Student Recognition:

Kindness Kounts: Congrats goes out to the following Kindness Kounts recipients for January:. Teri Hall, Mitchell Cothern, Frankie Cuttill, Hannah LaBrie, Brooklyn Jewsbury, Brittany Hocq, Kayla Wood, Jonathon Foor, Webber Jacobs, and Anna Osborn. I am proud of their effort and may they Kontinue to be Kind.

Subway Super Students: Congrats goes out to:  Trenton McClain, Brooklyn Thompson, Christine Bigler, Farrah Ginger, Matthew Hunter, James Moon, and Danielle Simpson for being a Subway Super Student. These students bring academics to a 'higher' level by exhibiting academic achievement at its best. Each recipient is awarded a certificate for a free 6" sub from Subway.

Smile-O-Grams were issued to the following students for Outstanding Leadership at JMS. Congrats go out to: Sara Carman, Martina Helm, Sydney Evans, Andy Lebon, Case Hudlin, Lauren Merrifield, Katie Beck, and Bailey Boswell . These recipients were awarded a certificate and card for a free 8" pizza at Pizza Man.

Panther Paw Recognition: Congrats goes out to the following students for Panther Paw Recognition: Bryson Thompson, Mackenzie Hardy, Alyssa Helm, Matt Cox, Brody Lehn, Lee Swisher, Drake Smith, Levi Howse, and Tanner Lebon.The Panther Paw recognize students for Trustworthiness, Caring, Fairness, Respect, and Responsibility. These recipients were awarded a certificate and card for a free 8" pizza at Pizza Man.

Pizza Hut: Star Pupil Pizza Hut Award  In recognition of academic achievement and being good role models Pizza Hut is awarding all qualifying students a free single- topping personal pan pizza. The coupon may be used in both Pana/Shelbyville restaurants. Congrats goes out to: Bostyn Morrell, Keaton Plummer, Andy Schloz, Adrianna Patient, Bethany Beeson, and Reaghan Vaughn.

AR: Congrats goes out to the following sixth grade students who have met their AR goal with at least an 80% test average: Trever Ermovick, Allison Wilsman, Lyndsy Christman, Sydney Jones, Jessica Laucus, Blake Ade, Katie Merritt, Anna Osborn, and Noah Wafford.

Perfect Spellers: Mrs. Maziarz will be implementing a Perfect Speller incentive program. The program will encourage students to become 'perfect' spellers. Students will be awarded a 'Perfect Speller' pencil for their efforts as well as a 'life-long' learning skill. Congrats goes out to the following 'Perfect Spellers' for the 3rd quarter grading period: Grade 5- Michael Hrabak and Reagan Reed: Grade 6: Adrianna Suter, Katie Beck, Christine Bigler, Kobe Schafer, Blake Ade, Kacee Bradshaw, Jake Franklin, Levi Howse, Anna Osborn, Logan Welburn, Phillip Bland, Lyndsy Christman and Taran Kiefer.

Tags of Achievement; The homework incentive program- On Tuesday, March 23, One hundred-thrity six (136)tags will be distributed to students who qualified for the 3rd  nine weeks. Students will receive a Panther Paw tag for not having more than 5 late/missing assignments for the nine week grading period. Congrats go out to these students who are making an academic difference! One Hundred-twenty six (126) tags were distributed the 2ndnine weeks.

*Education Update:

So Many Exciting, Learning Experiences are Happening at Jefferson MS and the students are generated by their accomplishments:

'If I were president", Fifth and sixth grade students are having the opportunity to participate in a local speech contest on Friday, April 9 at Jefferson MS. The students will be judged on theme, organization, continuity, interest, and length. Those qualifying will move to the district level. Thanks to Mrs. Maziarz , Mr. Eversole and Mr. Matthewsfor organizing the contest and preparing the students for the event.

Core Sampling: Ms. Galvin's fifth grade science classes are learning about the earth and visualizing the size and layers of the Earth's surface by using candy bars to obtain 'core samplings'. Students use three candy bars and carefully push a straw through each candy bar to observe/record what is inside of each bar and how the sampling may represent a layer of the Earth.

Enjoy the break!