Dear parents/guardians,
Happy Sunday Patriots! This is the last week of the third nine weeks leading up to Spring Break. Our cadets have been taking the last round of district testing before final tests in May. Teachers and coaches are preparing to pull out cadets for tutoring based on these results. The last test will be tomorrow for eighth grade students in ELA. Early results look very promising in Civics, Science, and ELA. If we can ensure that cadets are in school every day, we will be well on our way to achieving a school grade of a B. We cannot do this alone; we need our parents and guardians to encourage and motivate our children to study and do the work my teachers are asking them to do. It is also our goal to ensure that each cadet promotes to the next grade level. To promote to the next grade level, each cadet must pass math, English (ELA), science and social studies. To remain at JSMAL they must also pass Leadership.
Cell Phones in School - Did you know that according to the State of Florida, Duval County Public Schools and JSMAL, that cell phone use in school is prohibited? We need your help to ensure your cadet is aware, even though they are warned daily. If your cadet decides to use a cell phone or any electronic device in school that it will be confiscated and locked up in the main office until you can come retrieve it. We need your support so that our cadets are receiving a consistent message. Cell phone use is school is absolutely the number one source of distraction that impedes learning. It also leads to social drama, bullying, isolation, and student conflicts. Help us help your cadet, by eliminating cell phone use during school hours. You can also help by not texting or calling your cadet during school hours. If you need to get a message, call the front office and we will be more than happy to deliver the message to your cadet.
Need help navigating Focus and your child’s blended learning platforms? One of our parents has volunteered to be at JSMAL every Friday from 2:00-3:30pm in the front office to assist any of you who need help. She has been there the last three Fridays ready to assist you.
Algebra I Tutoring – Need help with Algebra I, we have afternoon tutoring from 3:30 – 4:30pm every Wednesday with Ms. McNally.
Testing this week: Monday, March 3: Grade 8 ELA DMA3
Car safety - Parents, please do not park on Permento when picking up and dropping off your cadet. Use the drop off and pick up on Burma Road. The traffic on Permento and the buses makes it not safe for your child. In addition, the only entrance for drop-of-and-pick-up is the front office or gate in the front of the school on Burma Road. Only buses and staff members are allowed to enter from Permento Road.
Family Engagement’s Parent Academy program offers webinars in the areas of student achievement, parenting & advocacy, and personal and individual growth. These webinars are free and designed for you and the families you serve. To view the full spring 2025 catalog and register for webinars, visit duvalschools.org/ParentAcademy and select the digital catalog. If you have any questions, please email FamilyEngagment@duvalschools.org.
8th Grade Military Ball – Date has been changed from March 14 to April 24th.
End of the year field trip information
6th & 7th Graders- SeaWorld : Date: 4-22-25. Cost: 135.00. Time: 6:30 am to 8pm. The cost includes admission to the park, lunch voucher, transportation (charter bus) and a JSMAL SeaWorld shirt. Please bring extra money for snacks or souvenirs. SeaWorld is a cashless event. Go online to purchase SeaWorld fieldtrip ticket on https://DCPS.schoolcashonline.com/ Payment is due by April 7th. The first seventy-five students will go. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Thompson via email at Thompsonn2@duvalschools.org.
8th Graders- GRADVENTURE : Date: 5-2-25. Cost: 230.00. Time: 1pm-3:30 am. The cost includes admission into two parks (Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure), a dinner voucher, transportation (Charter bus), and a JSMAL Gradventure shirt. Please bring extra money for snacks and souvenirs. Gradventure is a cashless event. The first seventy-five students will go. Go online to purchase a Gradventure field trip ticket at https://DCPS.schoolcashonline.com/
Payment is due by March 28th. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Thompson via email at Thompsonn2@duvalschools.org.
Calendar Events this week:
Monday, Mar 10– (B Day)
Tuesday, Mar 11 – (A Day)
Wednesday, Mar 12 – (B Day)
Thursday, Mar 13 – (A Day)
Friday, Mar 14 – (B Day) Club Day at JSMAL
Coming soon:
March 17-21 – Spring Break
March 24 – Teacher Planning Day, no school.
Tamara Roper
Proud Principal
JSMAL Vision: We exist to ensure that all cadets value and demonstrate leadership, character, citizenship, physical development, and academic excellence