Dear Parents and guardians,

This week is the last week of the third quarter.  Spring Break starts this Saturday, March 11.  Monday, March 20 is a planning day for teachers so cadets do not start back to school until Tuesday, March 21.

Attention Patriot Family! You are invited to our second Title I Parent Family Engagement event, JSMAL at the Movies. WHEN: Thursday, March 9 at 6:00-7:30 in the Gym. Come out and receive information regarding our school’s data progress followed by “home movies” of JSMAL Moments and a movie including dinner and treats for the family.

We are almost there! This is the last week. Thank you to the 85 parents who filled out our survey.  Each of their cadets received 25 points towards the school store.  We still need your input on the Essential Survey - https://survey.5-essentials.org/duval. We are at 15% and we need 20%.  If you have not filled it out, please do and then email me that you did with your cadets’ name and I will give him/her 25 points.

 

 Calendar Items

Monday, Mar 6 (A Day)
Tuesday, Mar 7 (B Day) Golf practice begins. SAC/PTSA meeting at 6pm.
Wednesday, Mar 8 (A Day) $5 Dress down day for all cadets.
Thursday, Mar 9 (B Day) Movie night, 6:00-7:30 in the gym.
Friday, Mar 10 (A Day) End of Quarter 3. Club day.

Spring Break Mar 11-21. Cadets return on Tuesday, March 21.

 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and as always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL

Dear Parents and guardians,

Book Tasting is back! Attention JSMAL Family! You are invited to attend our Title I Parent Family Engagement Event, Book Tasting. This is event will be held tonight, Monday, February 27, 2023, at 6:00-7:30 in the Mess Hall. Come out for information on reading, including current Lexile scores and monitoring progress in reading for your cadet. For those who attend, there will be a raffle for several Nintendo Switches including games and gift cards. Dinner will be provided. Bring the family. Please come out and support this event!

We still need your help!!!!  We need your input on the Essential Survey - https://survey.5-essentials.org/duval. We have reached 10% for our parents. We need 20%! That’s 55 more parent surveys.  When you complete the survey, simply email me that you did, and I will award your cadet (s) 25 PBIS points towards the school store.  Each of your cadets will be taking this survey as well.  I will receive triangulated feedback from parents, cadets, and faculty that I will use to plan and improve your experience here at JSMAL.

Students interested in playing golf must sign up with Mr Benton by Wednesday, March 1 as practice will begin Tuesday, March 7 immediately after school. Those interested can get can informational letter from Mr Benton - Room 42. Parents can email Mr. Benton at bentonb1@duvalschools.org. 

As we approach the final stretch of the 2022-2023 school year, I wanted to make you aware of the grade level trips that are coming up with associated costs.  Cadets will need to check with Leadership teachers and the Deans to determine if they are eligible for the trip.

End of year field trips

6^th grade end of the year fieldtrip-      5/15/23   Wild Adventures     $112
7^th grade end of the year fieldtrip-      4/27/23  SeaWorld          $115
8^th grade end of the year fieldtrip-      5/5/23   Gradventure                $205
Officers & Ambassadors trip           5/17/23     Busch Gardens           $TBA

  

Calendar Items

Monday, Feb 27 (B Day) Book tasting family engagement night 6:00-7:30pm in the mess hall.

Tuesday, Feb 28 (A Day)

Wednesday, Mar 1 (B Day) Deadline for signing up for golf

Thursday, Mar 2 (A Day)

Friday, Mar 3 (B Day)

 

 Enjoy the rest of your weekend and as always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Tamara Roper

Proud Principal
JSMAL

Dear Parents and guardians,

Book Tasting is back! Attention JSMAL Family! You are invited to attend our Title I Parent Family Engagement Event, Book Tasting. This is event will be held Monday, February 27, 2023, at 6:00-7:30 in the Mess Hall. Come out for information on reading, including current Lexile scores and monitoring progress in reading for your cadet. For those who attend, there will be a raffle for several Nintendo Switches including games and gift cards. Dinner will be provided. Bring the family. Please come out and support this event!

Please fill out the survey!!!!  It opened last Tuesday, February 7 - 5 Essential Survey - https://survey.5-essentials.org/duval. Only 5% of our parents have responded. We need 20%! When you complete the survey, simply email me that you did, and I will award your cadet (s) 25 PBIS points towards the school store.  Each of your cadets will be taking this survey as well.  I will receive triangulated feedback from parents, cadets, and faculty that I will use to plan and improve your experience here at JSMAL.

 

A message for 8^th graders from Dr. Royce Turner, Principal of Paxon School for Advanced Studies - As a family with a rising 9th Grader we realize the important decision you have to make regarding your child’s future. We believe Paxon School for Advanced Studies is a great choice for students. If your child is enrolled in either Algebra I or Geometry at this time, we would love for you to view the attached video of our school. We have a final Magnet tour on Thursday, February 23rd at 8:30 AM. If you have submitted an application without previewing our school, it is not too late to learn more about the quality education we provide. Magnet applications are due by February 28th and we want you to select Paxon School for Advanced Studies. I have attached a video for your viewing pleasure.

As we approach the final stretch of the 2022-2023 school year, I wanted to make you aware of the grade level trips that are coming up with associated costs.  Cadets will need to check with Leadership teachers and the Deans to determine if they are eligible for the trip.

End of year field trips

6^th grade end of the year fieldtrip-      5/15/23   Wild Adventures     $112
7^th grade end of the year fieldtrip-      4/27/23  SeaWorld          $115
8^th grade end of the year fieldtrip-      5/5/23   Gradventure                $205
Officers & Ambassadors trip           5/17/23     Busch Gardens           $TBA

 

Calendar Items 

Tuesday, Feb 21 (B Day)

Wednesday, Feb 22 (A Day) Early Dismissal. School ends at 1:40pm.

Thursday, Feb 23 (B Day)
Friday, Feb 24 (A Day)

Monday, Feb 27 (B Day) – Book tasting family engagement night 6:00-7:30pm in the mess hall.

 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and as always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL

Attachments:
messages/attachments/303718dadfd7f8397f02f2e9cfee0942/Paxon_Promo_2.mp4 (26.8 MB)

Dear Parents and guardians,

Progress report cards were posted in Focus this week.  Please check your cadet’s grades in Focus.  Reach out to teachers if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s grades.  This week I read off the names of every cadet who scored at a level 3, 4, or 5 on the second state test for reading and math.  Each one of those cadets will also get 100 points towards the school store.  It is a huge accomplishment to already be on grade level in February.  All cadets will take the final state assessment in May.  This test will help us determine what courses your cadet will take next year. It also plays a large part in our school grade.

This week we finish up the winter sports and soon we will start the spring sports.  We have Girls and Boys Track, Baseball, Softball and Swimming.  Attached are the spring sports schedules.  Things MAY change, but I wanted to get you the latest versions so you can plan! Tryouts for Baseball, Softball and Track can begin February 27th.  Swim tryouts can begin March 6th. Please check with your coaches for any and all details regarding sports and practices.

As we approach the final stretch of the 2022-2023 school year, I wanted to make you aware of the grade level trips that are coming up with associated costs.  Cadets will need to check with Leadership teachers and the Deans to determine if they are eligible for the trip.

End of year field trips

6^th grade end of the year fieldtrip-      5/15/23   Wild Adventures     $112

7^th grade end of the year fieldtrip-      4/27/23  SeaWorld          $115

8^th grade end of the year fieldtrip-      5/5/23   Gradventure                $205

Officers & Ambassadors trip           5/17/23     Busch Gardens            $TBA

 

Opened last Tuesday, February 7 - 5 Essential Survey - https://survey.5-essentials.org/duval. It is that time of year when we ask for your input about how we are doing at JSMAL.  The window is open now through March 10.  When you complete the survey, simply email me that you did, and I will award your cadet (s) 25 PBIS points towards the school store.  Each of your cadets will be taking this survey as well.  I will receive triangulated feedback from parents, cadets, and faculty that I will use to plan and improve your experience here at JSMAL.

 

Calendar Items

Monday, Feb 13 (B Day) Girls Soccer at home vs Westside at 5:00pm

Tuesday, Feb 14 (A Day) Boys Soccer at home vs Baldwin.  Girls and Boys Bball at JWJ. Vision
                                            and Hearing screening for grade 6.

Wednesday, Feb 15 (B Day) Issues Based Theatre from Douglas Anderson HS to perform during
                                             school day. 8^th grade trip to Ed White HS 12:00-1:30pm.

Thursday, Feb 16 (A Day)
Friday, Feb 17 No School. Weather Day.

Monday, Feb 20 No School. Presidents Day.

Wednesday, Feb 22 – Early Dismissal. School ends at 1:40pm.

 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and as always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL

Attachments:
messages/attachments/f3237414bf3acdfc9908ba49498128f4/2023_BASEBALL_Schedule.docx (67.5 KB)
messages/attachments/a4de4a66fe32f402d9870d654ffdb33e/2023_SOFTBALL_Schedule.docx (67.3 KB)
messages/attachments/0177964eaa07931ee939399a7d03c052/2023_TRACK_Schedule.docx (67.0 KB)
messages/attachments/a438701711dd4b097e7f1fe217530d3f/2023_SWIM_Schedule.docx (67.0 KB)

Dear Parents and guardians,

We are excited to share with you that we are celebrating Black History Month every day during February.  8^th graders in Leadership have done research and made posters to place in our halls. Each poster depicts heroic African Americans and their contribution to society.  The best projects are being read off each morning during announcements, and if selected, the cadet earns 50 points towards the school store.  In addition, seven of our 8^th graders submitted essays to the Governor in hopes of earning a scholarship.  Our 7^th grade cadets are watching a three-part documentary on the Tuskegee Airmen. Additionally, they are taking a deep dive into some of the lives of those individuals that were responsible for the success of the program and to those that were not in favor. 7^th graders are also doing some model airplanes and will do some in-class presentations.  Thank you for your support and help with our cadets’ projects.

Come join us on February 7 at 6:00pm in our Media Center for our Mid-Year Stakeholder meeting.  I will be reviewing our midyear data on the district and state tests your cadets took recently.  I will be seeking help from you with strategies for improvement, and I would love your input.  This meeting will also serve as our monthly SAC and PTSA meeting.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

JSMAL has a new counselor! Meet Christopher Dillinger, from the Tampa Bay Area. He is coming to us with many years of high school counseling experience and we are lucky to have him.  We are changing how we split the students up between the two counselors.  Mr. Dillinger with have students with last names A-J and Mrs. Griffin will have students with last name K-Z.  This allows you to have the same counselor for your entire middle school experience here at JSMAL.

The safety of our cadets comes first here at JSMAL. Often, you, as the parent or guardian, find out information firsthand from your cadet about potential threats on campus. Did you know that Fortify FL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials? Download the app or go to the website and follow the easy 4-step process to submit a tip. Your name and contact information is always optional, just skip it to submit anonymously.

To get the app and more information, got to https://getfortifyfl.com/

Opening on Tuesday, February 7 - 5 Essential Survey - https://survey.5-essentials.org/duval. It is that time of year when we ask for your input about how we are doing at JSMAL.  The window opens on Tuesday, February 7 through March 10.  When you complete the survey, simply email me that you did, and I will award your cadet (s) 25 PBIS points towards the school store.  Each of your cadets will be taking this survey as well.  I will receive triangulated feedback from parents, cadets and faculty that I will use to plan and improve your experience here at JSMAL.

 

Calendar Items

 

Monday, Feb 6 (A Day) Girls soccer at Charger Academy.

Tuesday, Feb 7 (B Day) – Boys soccer at Lakeshore.  Boys and Girls bball at Lakeshore. Midyear
                                             Stakeholder meeting/SAC/PTSA at 6:00pm.

Wednesday, Feb 8 (A Day) – Girls soccer home versus Lakeshore.

Thursday, Feb 9 (B Day) – Boys soccer at Westside. Girls’ soccer at home versus Westview. Boys and Girls
                                               Bball home versus Charger Academy.

Friday, Feb 10 (A Day)

 

 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and as always, please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Tamara Roper

Proud Principal
JSMAL

Dear Parents and guardians,

We are well into the third quarter of this 2022-2023 school year.  Please check your cadet’s grades and attendance in Focus so we can be proactive in keeping our cadets caught up with their schoolwork and grades.  We will start pulling cadets out of elective classes if they received an F in quarter one and two so they can recover those grades and promote on time this year.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Thompson, our APC at pricec1@duvalschools.org.

The safety of our cadets comes first here at JSMAL.  Often, you, as the parent or guardian, find out information firsthand from your cadet about potential threats on campus. Did you know that FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows you to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials? Download the app or go to the website and follow the easy 4-step process to submit a tip. Your name and contact information is always optional, just skip it to submit anonymously.

To get the app and more information, got to https://getfortifyfl.com/

Last call for school pictures taken in early November, here is the information for you to order pictures online. The window closes on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

Visit our website: www.kurtenglish.com
Click on: Client Galleries
Click on: Childrens Galleries
Click on our school icon
Password: 12052022

 

 Calendar Items

Monday, Jan 30 – (B Day) Girls soccer at home against Baldwin.

Tuesday, Jan 31 (A Day) – Boys soccer at home versus JWJ.  Boys and Girls bball at home versus Baldwin.

Wednesday, Feb 1 (B Day) – Girls soccer at JWJ

Thursday, Feb 2 (A Day) – Boys soccer at home versus Charger. Boys and Girls Bball at Westside Middle.

Friday, Feb 3 (B Day)

 

Coming soon

Tuesday, Feb 7 – Midyear stakeholders meeting in Media Center at 6:00pm

 

Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL

Dear Parents and guardians,

WOW!  “It was always the Jags!”  What an exciting time for Jacksonville! Although we did not bring home a win against the Chiefs, they are champions in my mind. I cannot wait for the next season.  GO JAGS!

Testing: Tomorrow we will test all our 6-8^th graders who are not in Algebra I and Geometry on the state FAST test.  Please help them get a good nights sleep and stress the importance of these assessments.

Uniform reminders:  Cadets are only authorized to wear what you purchased from RC uniforms. We understand when the weather is cold that cadets may wear warmer outerwear, but once they enter the building, they must remove any non-uniform items until 3:25pm. Socks and shoes must be all black. Absolutely no hoodies may be worn in school, even if purchased for a sports team. Sports attire is to be worn during practice after school or off campus. All parents/guardians are made aware of our strict uniform policy before making a choice to send your cadet here. Please help reinforce this at home. If you have any questions, please refer to the cadet manual or your cadet’s leadership teacher.

We had school pictures taken in early November, here is the information for you to order pictures online. They have opened the window to order through this last week in January.

Visit our website: www.kurtenglish.com

Click on: Client Galleries

Click on: Childrens Galleries

Click on our school icon

Password: 12052022

 

 

Calendar Items

 

Monday, Jan 23 (A Day) – Math state testing for everyone except Alg I and Geo. Girls soccer at Lakeshore.

Tuesday, Jan 24 (B Day) – Boys soccer at Baldwin (DH). Boys and Girls basketball at Charger Academy.

Wednesday, Jan 25 (A Day) – Girls soccer at Charger Academy.

Thursday, Jan 26 (B Day) – Boys and Girls soccer at Baldwin. Boys and Girls Bball at home versus JWJ.

Friday, Jan 27 (A Day)

 

Coming soon

 

Tuesday, Feb 7 – Midyear stakeholders meeting in Media Center at 6:00pm

 

Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL

Dear Parents and guardians,

First, happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! His influence in impact has not waned over the years and I would argue his influence only gets stronger each year. What an incredible, selfless, and inspirational civic leader. In celebration of the upcoming Black History Month, Ms. Edwards has every eighth grader researching and making a poster of an African American game changer. We will display all the best posters all throughout our hallways.

“It was always the Jags!”  What an exciting time for Jacksonville! I am still in shock about the greatest comeback in franchise history on Saturday! What an example of never giving up hope. It was a chilly three-day weekend, but my wish is that it was a great one for each you.

Testing: We have a short week this week. The district had issues with our testing platform last week, so it has been rescheduled for this Thursday. Most cadets will be taking their second ELA FAST test on Thursday. This is the test they will take in May for their final placement for next year. We will administer the math portion of the FAST the following week.

Report Cards: Your cadet received a paper report card last week, so clean out those back packs or you can look in Focus. Cadets must pass math, ELA, social studies, and science to promote to the next grade level. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

Uniform reminders:  Cadets are only authorized to wear what you purchased from RC uniforms. We understand when the weather is cold that cadets may wear warmer outerwear, but once they enter the building, they must remove any non-uniform items until 3:25pm. Socks and shoes must be all black. Absolutely no hoodies may be worn in school, even if purchased for a sports team. Sports attire is to be worn during practice after school or off campus. All parents/guardians are made aware of our strict uniform policy before making a choice to send your cadet here. Please help reinforce this at home. If you have any questions, please refer to the cadet manual or your cadet’s leadership teacher.

We had school pictures taken in early November, here is the information for you to order pictures online. They have opened the window to order through the end of January.

Visit our website: www.kurtenglish.com

Click on: Client Galleries

Click on: Childrens Galleries

Click on our school icon

Password: 12052022

 

 

Calendar Items

 

Monday, Jan 16 – School Closed. MLK Day

Tuesday, Jan 17 (A Day) – Boys soccer and Boys and Girls at home versus Westside Middle 

Wednesday, Jan 18 (B Day) – Boys and Girls soccer at Westside Middle

Thursday, Jan 19 (A Day) – Boys soccer at home versus Lakeshore. Boys and Girls Bball at home versus
                                                Lakeshore

Friday, Jan 20 (B Day)

 

Coming soon

 

Tuesday, Feb 7 – Midyear stakeholders meeting in Media Center at 6:00pm

 

Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL

Dear Parents and guardians,

How about those Jags!!!!!  It wasn’t pretty, but it was a great win.  What an exciting time for Jacksonville!  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  We have a full five-day week this week.  All cadets will be taking their second ELA FAST test on Tuesday.  This is the test they took in September and will take again in May for their final placement for next year. This state test replaced the FSA.  Tomorrow is also the first day of the third nine weeks and it is a B Day. 

Last Thursday and Friday, our Deans held grade level student code of conduct meetings to review our expectations.  Please ask your cadet about these meetings to see what they are learning and how to avoid the discipline process.  I am attaching the presentation so that you are aware of the policies and consequences for violating the code of conduct.

We had school pictures taken in early November, here is the information for you to order pictures online.  They have opened the window to order through the end of January.

Visit our website: www.kurtenglish.com

Click on: Client Galleries

Click on: Childrens Galleries

Click on our school icon

Password: 12052022

 

Cadets who are interested in competing in our Spelling Bee need to contact Ms. Kiki Amundsen by January 11.  She has set up a team’s page with a study guide.  Make sure your cadet check with her if he or she wants to compete for JSMAL’s spelling bee champ!  You can reach her at amundsenj@duvalschools.org.

 

Attendance and classroom disruptions – There are two things at JSMAL that are affecting student learning in our school.  Number one is attendance.  Missing school puts your cadet at a huge disadvantage and in a constant state of catching up.  Combine this with the many cadets who are over two years behind in reading, we are struggling to get them ready for high school.  Please make it a priority to send your cadet to school, on time and resist signing them out early.  Our school starts at 0820 and we end at 1530 or 3:25pm.  Number two is classroom disruptions.  If your cadet cannot stay on task or otherwise disrupts the classroom, just know that we are going to remove them from the classroom.  Our teachers work very hard to prepare and teach lessons for your cadets.  If your cadet chooses not to learn, that is one thing, what we will not tolerate, is a cadet who disrupts the learning environment and denies other cadets from learning.  If you receive a call from a teacher or one of our Deans regarding your child’s behavior, please know that we have already given him or her every opportunity to make a different choice and we need your support.  I can assure you, every teacher, paraprofessional, therapist, administrator, and any other staff here wants the absolute best for your cadet.  Please partner with us to help get the best support for your cadet.

 

Calendar Items

Monday, Jan 9(B Day) – Girls soccer at home versus Mathew Gilbert at 5:00pm.

Tuesday, Jan 10 (A Day) – SAC/PTSA at 6 pm in the Media Center. Boys soccer at Mathew Gilbert.  Girls and Boys BBall at Highlands. BEST midyear testing in ELA.

Wednesday, Jan 11 (B Day) – Girls soccer at home versus JWJ at 5:00pm.

Thursday, Jan 12 (A Day) – Girls and Boys soccer at JWJ – Double header.  Girls and Boys BBall at Baldwin.

Friday, Jan 13 (B Day)

 

Next Week

Tuesday, Jan 17 (B Day) – Boy soccer at home versus Westside Middle.  Boys and Girls BBall at home vs Westside Middle.

Wednesday, Jan 18 (A Day) – Boys and Girls soccer at Westside Middle.

Thursday, Jan 19 (B Day) – Boys soccer at home versus Lakeshore.  Boys and Girls BBall at home vs Lakeshore.

 

Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL

Attachments:
messages/attachments/b90f7dcf5789ce92840c286ece3f759c/2022-2023_Student_Code_of_Conduct_Presentation.pdf (1033.9 KB)
messages/attachments/8e40ab2b6a251e6a7be19edc8ebb7aae/JSMAL_Attendance_Flyer.pdf (297.0 KB)

Dear Parents and guardians,

Welcome back Patriots!  Tomorrow is an A day.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and your cadets are ready to come back to school to learn and grow.  Due to the loss of a few weather days, the end of the quarter was extended.  We are still in our second quarter this week.  The end of the quarter is Friday, January 6.

8^th graders - Don't forget...School Showcase Saturday is this Saturday, Jan. 7. All district schools will be open 9 AM – 2 PM. Families can visit schools, take a tour, speak with school leaders, and learn more about the schools. This is designed to help families select the right school for their children for the upcoming school year. The applications for VPK programs, magnet schools, and special transfer options schools are now available in Focus. Schools will be open.  You can visit up to four schools.  Take a tour, talk with principals and staff, and apply to the school that is right for your child.

School tours at:

9:00 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

This Thursday, our Deans will be holding grade level student code of conduct meetings to review our expectations.  Please ask your cadet about these meetings to see what they are learning and how to avoid the discipline process.

We had school pictures taken in early November, here is the information for you to order pictures online.

Visit our website: www.kurtenglish.com

Click on: Client Galleries

Click on: Childrens Galleries

Click on our school icon

Password: 12052022

 

Calendar Items

Wednesday, Jan 4 (A Day) – Back to school.  Girls soccer at Mathew Gilbert. 

Tickets must be purchased online via gofan.co.  That's not a typo, it's dot co.  No cash can be collected at the door.

Thursday, Jan 5 (B Day) – Grade level assemblies from 1-3pm. Boys soccer at home versus Mathew Gilbert.  Boys and Girls BBall at HOME.

Friday, Jan 6 (A Day) – End of second quarter

Saturday, Jan 7 – School Choice Expo 9-2pm

 

Coming Next Week

 

Monday, Jan 9(B Day) – Girls soccer at home versus Mathew Gilbert at 5:00pm.

Tuesday, Jan 10 (A Day) – SAC/PTSA at 6 pm in the Media Center. Boys soccer at Mathew Gilbert.  Girls and Boys BBall at Highlands.

Wednesday, Jan 11 (B Day) – BEST midyear testing in ELA. Girls soccer at home versus JWJ at 5:00pm.

Thursday, Jan 12 (A Day) – Girls and Boys soccer at JWJ – Double header.  Girls and Boys BBall at Baldwin.

Friday, Jan 13 (B Day)

 

Tamara Roper
Principal
JSMAL Proud