Dates to Remember

January

1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2 School resumes

5 ASB Mtg 3:05-3:45 in Rm 13

8 School Board Mtg 6:30pm in Bd Rm

9 PTC Mtg 6:30pm at Jefferson Cafe

11 Outdoor School Parent Mtg 6:00pm

15 NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King JR

BDay

News from

JMS National

Junior Honor

Society

The NJHS students wanted to assist

families affected by the hurricanes, and

chose to sponsor a sock drive. NJHS

chose Delivering Goods because the or-

ganization was taking new clothing do-

nations such as socks for hurricane re-

lief. Delivering Good, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)

nonprofit who collects new donated

items such as clothes, toys, books, and

linens. Delivering Good was providing

assistance to all people impacted by the

hurricanes in Texas, Florida, Gulf coast,

and Puerto Rico. The socks will be dis-

tributed to children and adults who are

still being impacted by the hurricanes.

The Jefferson Middle School

community’s generosity resulted in 468

pairs of socks being donated.

A big thanks to everyone who donated

socks.

January Newsletter

6th Grade Outdoor

School

Outdoor School is from

May 7-9 at Twin Rocks Friends

Camp and Conference Center in

Rockaway Beach.

There is an important parent

mtg scheduled for Thursday,

January 11th @ 6:00pm here

at JMS.

Oregon Exclusion Day

Exclusion Day for students who are not up

to date on their immunizations will be

February 21st. Students can not be in

attendance until they have gotten all of their

immunizations that are required by the

State of Oregon Health Department. If you

have received a notice from the Middle

School please be sure to follow the direc-

tions or call the school office.

JMS Pick of the Pride

The following students have been recog-

nized as our Pick of the Pride students for

the month of December. This year staff are

recognizing students by including them in a

video of them receiving the certificate from

the staff member who chose them and the

video will be shown at our monthly Pride

assemblies. The December Pride assembly

was on December 15th, January Pride

assembly is scheduled for January 26th.

Congratulations to:

Lily Alford, Lily Roth, Elizabeth McCall,

Eden Larson, Zach Wusstig, Lily Idsinga,

Carli Lima, Holly Gay, Jazmyn Kennedy,

Elizabeth Blackburn.

School Wide Field Trip

JMS students and staff attended an

OSU Women’s Basketball Game on De-

cember 13th. OSU provided an age

appropriate workbook for our students

to use and they were able to interact

during the game. This has been a very

positive learning event

for our students each

year.

PTC Needs you!

JMS PTC needs volunteers

to sell concessions at boys

and girls basketball home

games. Please let Renea

Garren or the school

office know if you are able

to help. Next PTC meeting

is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9th at

6:30pm at the Jefferson Station Café.

Chess for Success

The Chess for Success team partici-

pated in a practice tournament at

Brookwood Elementary School in

Hillsboro on December 2,2017. The

chess players learned some new

strategies during tournament play

and were able to show off their

skills as they played students from

other Chess for Success teams.

Middle School Parent Corner

Kindness is Good for the Mind

As a parent you may be wondering how practicing kindness and compassion would benefit

your child. Teens who engage in generous behavior are at reduced risk for depression and

lower risk of suicide. They are less likely to fail subjects in school or participate in risky

behaviors. They tend to display higher level of self-esteem, and are more socially capable

(Post,2007). Amazingly, compassionate actions during a person’s teenage years is strongly

predictive of future happiness and well-being. Practicing kindness has been linked to

increased happiness, a greater sense of meaning of purpose, and decreased rate of stress,

anxiety, and depression (Schwartz,2003).

In conclusion, practicing kindness and engaging in compassionate behaviors has been shown

to promote joy and boost individuals’ emotional well-being. Recent research studies

demonstrate that giving to others results in even greater happiness than when we give to

ourselves. (Dunn and Norton, 2008). It turns out that the practice of kindness contributes to

benefits even beyond the support we provide others and our own happiness. It has been

shown to be one of the most powerful methods to strengthen our physical health, and even

extend our lifespan.

In our everyday lives, we all perform acts of kindness towards others, and receive similar

kindness as well. Some of these acts may be small, while others may seem much larger.

Sometimes the person for whom the kind act is being performed may not even be aware of

the act. Encourage your child to choose a single day of the week to serve as a “kindness

day”, and perform five acts of kindness toward others on that day. Below are a few exam-

ples:

Let someone go in front of you in line Use your manners. Say please, thank you and excuse me Give a compliment. It only takes one sentence Say good morning to your teachers and bus drivers. On Fridays wish them a good weekend Pick up litter around school, on the bus and in your neighborhood Help your younger brother or sister with homework Help around the house without being asked to do so Collect Box Tops for Education for your school Stand up for those who are being bullied Hug your mother Real Happiness: Proven Paths for Contentment, Peace, and Well Being. Jonah Paquette, PsyD. (2015).

Sharon Wilke Otrembiak, LPC School counselor & licensed professional counselor

JHS Assembly

Our 8th grade students have been invited to attend a Spe-

cial Assembly at Jefferson High School on January 9th.

“Bullying” and “Self Image” are just a couple of the topics

that the speaker will be covering. The assembly will last

for about an hour starting at 9:30am.

We appreciate being invited by the high school to attend

this event.

2017-18 30-Day Notice for Statewide Tests

How much time do the tests take? The tests are not timed, so your child can take as long as he or she needs to fully demonstrate what he or she knows and can do. With our current exams, your child only tests once each year, unlike our previous exams which many students took multiple times. Learn more about the estimated time your child may take to complete the tests on page 35 of Oregon’s Test Administration Manual: https://tinyurl.com/TestAdmManual

What do the results mean and where do I get my child’s results? Test results identify your child’s strengths and areas for improvement in English Language Arts and Math. Each subject will be broken into categories and will show how well your child performed in each area. The tests measure student learning on a continuous scale. The state has set four achievement levels along this scale that generally describe where students are. Your school will share your child’s scores with you at the beginning of the next school year to help support your child’s success as he or she moves from grade to grade.

Why does participation matter? While no single test can give a complete picture of your child’s progress, having your child take the statewide tests provides educators and administrators with information about what educational approaches are working and where additional resources are needed. Your child’s participation is important to ensure schools and districts receive the targeted resources they need to help all students succeed.

When will my child take the test? Your child will be tested once after he or she has completed at least two-thirds of the school year. Your child’s school will determine the specific dates your child takes the tests within the statewide testing window above.

STATEWIDE TESTING WINDOWS

Smarter Balanced English Language Arts & Math Tests

February 6 – June 8, 2018

Oregon Extended Assessments for English Language Arts & Math

February 15 – April 26, 2018

OREGON’S STATE TESTS:

o Challenge your child to think critically and apply his or her knowledge to real-world problems

o Go beyond multiple choice and ask your child to explain his or her answers

o Act as a snapshot of your child’s progress and may be considered along with other pieces of information to determine your child’s academic success

o Help identify schools and districts that need additional supports to ensure more students are meeting higher standards

ALL STUDENTS GRADUATE PREPARED

In 2010, Oregon adopted higher K-12 standards in English Language Arts and Math to ensure all students move from grade to grade with the academic knowledge and skills necessary for success beyond high school. Because we raised the bar for what we expect students to know and be able to do, we have also changed the way we measure student progress through our state tests, known as Smarter Balanced.

STAY INFORMED Talk to your child’s teacher or school principal if you have questions or want to learn more.

Resources

To learn more about what your child should know and be able to do in English Language Arts & Math: http://tinyurl.com/ELARoadmap & http://tinyurl.com/MathRoadmap

To view sample test questions: http://tinyurl.com/ORPracticeTests

To read more about your child’s test results: http://tinyurl.com/ORTestResults

2017-18 Opt-Out Form

To opt-out of state tests, this section must be completed by the parent/guardian or adult student:

Student’s Legal Last Name___________________________________________________________________

Student’s Legal First Name___________________________________________________________________

Student’s Enrolled Grade______________________

Student’s School_________________________________________

Please indicate the state test(s) you are opting out of for the 2017-18 school year:

English Language Arts

Mathematics

To best support school district planning, you are encouraged to submit this form to your child’s school by February 1, 2018. For students who enroll after the statewide testing window begins on February 6, 2018, you are encouraged to submit the form within 2 weeks of enrollment. This form is only valid for the 2017-18 school year. Parents and adult students are required to submit an opt-out form annually should they wish to be exempted from statewide summative tests.

I understand that by signing this form I am opting my child out of testing.

Parent/Guardian* ___________________________________________Date_______________ (signature)

Parent/Guardian* ______________________________________________________________ (printed name)

*Adult students (age 18 and older) may sign on their own behalf and do not require a signature by a parent or guardian.

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

House Bill 2655 permits parents and adult students* to annually opt-out of Oregon’s statewide summative tests in English Language Arts and Math by submitting this form to the school the student attends. The school shall provide any student who is exempted from a state test with supervised study time while other students are testing. Visit this link to learn more about House Bill 2655: http://tinyurl.com/OR-HB2655.

Notificación sobre los Exámenes Estatales 2017-18

¿Cuánto tiempo toman los exámenes? Los exámenes no tienen límite de tiempo, así que su hijo/a puede tomar tanto tiempo como él/ella necesite para demostrar completamente lo que él o ella sabe y puede hacer. Con nuestros exámenes actuales, su hijo/a solamente toma el examen una vez al año, a diferencia de nuestros exámenes anteriores que muchos estudiantes tomaron varias veces. Obtenga más información sobre el tiempo estimado que su hijo/a puede tomar para completar los exámenes en la página 35 del Manual de Administración del Examen de Oregón:

https://tinyurl.com/TestAdmManual

¿Qué significan los resultados y dónde consigo los resultados de mi hijo/a?

¿Por qué es importante la participación?

¿Cuándo tomará mi hijo o hija el examen? Su hijo/a será evaluado una vez que él o ella haya completado por lo menos dos terceras partes del año escolar. La escuela de su hijo/a determinará las fechas específicas en que su hijo/a tomará los exámenes dentro de los tiempos determinados por el estado.

PERÍODOS DE EXÁMENES ESTATALES

Exámenes Smarter Balanced de Artes del Lenguaje en Inglés y Matemáticas 6 de febrero – 8 de junio de 2018

Evaluación Extendida de Oregón para Artes del Lenguaje en Inglés y

Matemáticas 15 de febrero – 26 de abril de 2018

EXÁMENES ESTATALES DE OREGÓN

o Retan a su hijo/a a pensar de un modo crítico y aplicar su conocimiento a los problemas del mundo real

o Van más allá de opción múltiple y pida que su hijo/a explique sus respuestas

o Actúan como una foto instantánea del progreso de su hijo/a y pueden ser considerado, junto con otras piezas de información para determinar el éxito académico de su hijo/a

o Ayudan a identificar las escuelas y los distritos que necesitan apoyo adicionales para asegurar que más estudiantes están cumpliendo con los estándares más altos

TODOS LOS ESTUDIANTES SE GRADÚAN PREPARADOS En 2010, Oregón adoptó estándares más altos de K-12 en Artes de Lenguaje en Inglés y Matemáticas para asegurar que todos los estudiantes pasen de un grado a otro grado con los conocimientos y habilidades académicos necesarios para tener éxito más allá de la escuela preparatoria. Debido a que hemos elevado el nivel de lo que esperamos que los estudiantes sepan y sean capaces de hacer, también hemos cambiado la manera en que medimos el progreso de los estudiantes a través de nuestros exámenes estatales, conocidos como Smarter Balanced.

MANTÉNGASE INFORMADO

Hable con el maestro o el director de la escuela de su hijo/a si tiene preguntas o desea aprender más.

Recursos Para obtener más información acerca de lo que su hijo/a debe saber y debe poder hacer en Artes de Lenguaje en Inglés y Matemáticas: http://tinyurl.com/ELARoadmap y http://tinyurl.com/MathRoadmap Para ver muestras de las preguntas del examen: http://tinyurl.com/ORPracticeTests Para leer más sobre de los resultados del examen de su hijo/a: http://tinyurl.com/ORTestResults

Los resultados del examen identifican los puntos fuertes de su hijo/a y las áreas para mejorar en Artes de Lenguaje en Inglés y Matemáticas. Cada tema será dividido en categorías y mostrará que tan bien se desempeñó su hijo/a en cada área. Los exámenes miden el aprendizaje del estudiante en una escala continua. El estado ha establecido cuatro niveles a lo largo de esta escala que generalmente describe en dónde se encuentran los estudiantes. Su escuela compartirá las calificaciones de su hijo/a al inicio del próximo año escolar para ayudar a apoyar el éxito de su hijo/a conforme él o ella se mueve de un grado a otro.

Ningún examen puede dar una visión total del progreso de su hijo/a, permitir que su hijo/a tome los exámenes estatales ofrece información a los educadores y a los administradores sobre cuales enfoques educativos están funcionando y dónde se necesitan recursos adicionales. La participación de su hijo/a es importante para asegurar que las escuelas y los distritos reciban los recursos específicos que necesitan para ayudar a todos los estudiantes a tener éxito.

Formulario de Exclusión 2017-18

Para ser excluido/a de los exámenes estatales, esta sección debe ser completada por el padre/madre/tutor o el estudiante adulto:

Apellido Legal del Estudiante__________________________________________________________________

Nombre Legal del Estudiante__________________________________________________________________

Grado en el que está inscrito el estudiante_______________________________________________________

Escuela del Estudiante________________________________________________________________________

Por favor indique de que examen o exámenes estatales quiere ser excluido/a para el año escolar 2017-2018:

Artes de Lenguaje en de Inglés

Matemáticas

Para apoyar mejor la planificación del distrito escolar, se le anima a presentar este formulario a la escuela de su hijo/a antes 6 de febrero 2018. Para los estudiantes que se inscriban después de los tiempos determinados por el estado comenzando el 6 de febrero de 2018, se le anima a que presente el formulario dentro de las 2 semanas de inscripción. Este formulario sólo es válido para el año escolar 2017-18. Los padres y los estudiantes adultos deben presentar un formulario de exclusión anualmente si desean ser excluidos de los exámenes acumulativos estatales.

Yo entiendo que al firmar este formulario estoy excluyendo a mi hijo/a de los exámenes. Padre/Madre/Tutor* ____________________________________ Fecha _________________

(Firma)

Padre/Madre/Tutor* ___________________________________________________________

(Nombre en letra de molde)

*Estudiantes adultos (de 18 años y más) pueden firmar a nombre propio y no requieren la firma de un padre/madre o tutor

DESCRIPCIÓN DE LOS DERECHOS

El Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara 2655 permite a los padres y estudiantes adultos* excluirse anualmente de los exámenes acumulativos estatales de Oregón en Artes de Lenguaje en Inglés y Matemáticas al presentar este formulario a la escuela que asiste el estudiante. La escuela debe proporcionar a cualquier estudiante que sea excluido de un examen estatal con un tiempo de estudio supervisado mientras que otros estudiantes están tomando el examen. Visite este enlace para obtener más información sobre el Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara 2655: http://tinyurl.com/HB2655