Patriot Press. Jeannette Junior High School s. From the desk of the Principal. Dear Parents and Students:

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1 Jeannette Junior High School Gulliver Drive Sterling Heights, MI Jeannette Junior High School s Patriot Press August/September 2013 From the desk of the Principal Dear Parents and Students: Welcome back to a new school year! For all of our returning Patriots, as well as our newest members of the Jeannette family, Tuesday, September 3 rd marks the beginning of a new journey. I look forward to meeting all of our students and would encourage all of our Jeannette parents to feel welcome and take a minute to introduce yourselves. I, along with Mr. Christian Mueller, our new Assistant Principal, cannot wait to get the school year started. That being said, please be sure to enjoy the Labor Day holiday and time with your families! As in the past, we will again be welcoming our students back with our Patriot Days for registration and orientation. Patriot Days are scheduled for August 22 nd and 23 rd. These days are very important for a smooth start to a new school year and all students should attend. Registration packets were mailed home to Jeannette families not too long ago. All the necessary paperwork for Patriot Days, including an agenda and check list, were included in the packets. In an effort to make the process more efficient we ask that you please complete the necessary paperwork prior to Patriot Days and bring them, along with your checklist, with you on your designated day. It is important to note that students can only be given their class schedule if all paperwork is completed correctly and signed by a parent or guardian and any outstanding obligations have been met. Parents are asked to park in the back of the building as all students and parents should enter the building through door #9. Additional information about Patriot Days can be found in the newsletter. Our first Sounding Board meeting of the year is scheduled for Friday, September 6 th at 8:30 am in the main office and should run for about 1 hour. All parents are welcome to attend. Mark your calendars: - JJHS Open House is tentatively scheduled for September 12 th. More information will be shared soon. - This year s MEAP testing, is scheduled for October 8 th 16 th. It is most important that all students are in attendance on these days. As I mentioned in the letter I sent home in July, I am truly excited about being part of Jeannette family and making sure JJHS is a place where students want to come every day. Jeannette will continue to be a school where students can feel safe and cared for, while being held to high academic standards. Please do not hesitate to call me or schedule an appointment to allow us the time to meet in person. I encourage and welcome parental involvement in their child s education. Working as a team, we will provide great opportunities for JJHS students. GO PATRIOTS! Jared A. McEvoy Principal

2 From the desk of the Assistant Principal Dear Jeannette Family and Friends, As the new Assistant Principal of Jeanette Junior High School for a few weeks, it has been my sincere pleasure and honor to become a member of this fantastic school family. Jeannette Junior High enjoys a rich history of academic and cultural excellence that is the result of a wonderful faculty and support staff, as well as the many great families that share their students with us each day. I am truly honored to have been appointed to this position and I am looking forward to working with our Jeannette faculty and staff to provide the best possible educational program for our students. I would like to take a moment to share a little about myself, but I do hope that I have an opportunity to personally meet all of our Jeannette families. I am happily married and a proud father of 3 sons, one of which is also starting his first year of junior high. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State University in history and science, a Masters of Teaching also from Wayne State University, and an Ed. Specialist in Educational Leadership from Oakland University. Before my appointment at Jeanette, my professional career in education included teaching science at Bogan Computer Technical High School in Chicago, IL and several positions at Madison High School in Madison Heights, MI. Over the last 7 years at Madison I had the privilege to teach both science and history subjects, I was our science department chair, school improvement chair, reform leader, and Assistant Principal. These experiences, both in Chicago and at Madison, have helped me to develop who I am today as an educator and leader. As the Assistant Principal of Jeannette Junior High School I will work hard to support our new Principal Mr. McEvoy in leading our faculty and staff through an outstanding school year. Our focus will include strengthening our relationships within our building and with our families, ensuring a safe and fun environment rich in engaging academic experiences, and preparing each and every child for success. On the Utica Community School s seal there is a quote that says, Imagine the Potential. The more time I spend at Jeannette, with the marvelous staff, meeting the dedicated teachers, and having the opportunity to work with Mr. McEvoy and others on the UCS team, I can indeed Imagine the Potential! I look forward to greeting you at Jeannette Junior High. Sincerely, Christian Mueller Assistant Principal Just a reminder that in an effort to reduce costs, all Patriot Press newsletters will be posted online at the Jeannette Junior High webpage under Newsletters.

3 School Calendar September 3 First Day of School September 24 Professional Development No School November5 No School Professional Development November 14 Parent teacher conference in PM ½ Day November Thanksgiving Vacation December 23 Winter Break Begins January 2 Classes Resumes January 15 Secondary Professional Development January End of the marking Period ½ day January 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day No School February Mid-Winter Break No School Bookmark your Computer with these helpful Web Links District Web Calendar Sports Calendar Just follow two easy steps to see Jeannette s athletic schedule. Other district high schools and junior high schools are also shown here. Included are date, time and location of all athletic events. Student Resources There are a number of resources available to both students and parents on Jeannette s homepage. Go to Click on Patriot Students Resources for information regarding assistance with homework, finding magazine and newspaper articles, UCS Handbook, reference guides, math resources, language resources and other appropriate websites. *Please note that these resources are updated frequently by the staff at Jeannette. UCS Lunch Menus & Rates Click on School lunch and Payment April 7-11 Spring Vacation No School April 18 No School May Memorial Day Weekend No School June ½ Day for Secondary Students June 13 th Last Day of School ½ day Jeannette Home Page Jeannette monthly newsletter website is: home.html or Just follow the tabs under schools and then click on school tab Junior High and then select Jeannette Junior High. Utica Community Schools is a Smoke-Free Environment! The use of tobacco products is not permitted at any time on district property or at school- related functions. This policy promotes a healthy environment for our students and families in conjunction with the state Tobacco-Free Schools Law and the Michigan Indoor Air Act. Your cooperation in promoting healthy choices for our students is greatly appreciated.

4 Planners Provided to Assist Students UCS Student Dress Code Jeannette Junior High School is again providing all students with a homework planner. The planner includes a calendar to help students organize and prioritize their school activities and highlights of the information contained in our UCS Junior High School Student Handbook. Several pages are included to help students begin the process of career exploration as well as help them develop the characteristics that make good citizens. This planner can also be a useful tool for parents. Please spend some time reviewing its contents with your student. It is designed to serve as a direct link between home and school, providing parents with a clearer understanding of daily course work, projects and homework. It can also serve as a communication tool by providing a way for parents to write and receive notes from teachers on a daily basis. Students will be expected to carry their planner every day to all of their classes. Students who lose their planner will have to replace it at a cost of $5.00. Please discuss with your child its value and encourage its use. Develop a plan to review the planner daily. Appropriate dress and grooming helps create an atmosphere conducive to learning and foster student success. As in the past, we will follow the approved dress code printed in the handbook for all UCS junior high schools. Student appearance should be neat, clean, and should not disrupt the educational process. Dress that is indecent is deemed disruptive; clothing that has lettering or symbols that are derogatory or disrespectful are not permitted. In addition, clothing that promotes the use of illegal substances or refers to alcohol or tobacco is not permitted. Articles of clothing worn as a group identifier that promotes a disruptive school climate is prohibited. Despite the warm weather it is important to remember that beachwear, short skirts, short shorts and clothing that expose the shoulders or midsection are not acceptable school attire. The vast majority of our student body exercises good judgment when it comes to appropriate dress for school. Parents are asked to share the contents of this article with their Jeannette student and monitor dress daily. The administration and faculty of Jeannette thank both parents and students for their cooperation in this matter. Non-Emergency Deliveries and Messages In an effort to keep classroom interruptions to a minimum, messages or items cannot be delivered to students during school hours. Students will not be released in the middle of classes to report to the office to pick up messages or items brought in during the day. Students are asked to check the office for items that may have been brought in for them during passing times. School Visitors Must Report to the Office A new security system has been installed here at Jeannette Jr. High. All visitors must enter through the front door. Before entering our school, you will need to push the button with the blue arrow to alert the office that you are there. Please have your photo ID ready. When the buzzer sounds, the office personnel will unlock the front door and you will enter through the left side. We ask that you please sign in at the desk as you enter the building before going to the front office. Thank you.

5 First Day Procedures School begins September 3rd, This is a full day of school and students should report to school by 8:00 a.m. Classes begin at 8:10 a.m. School will be dismissed this year at 3:01 p.m. Busses will run on the first day of school. Students should plan to be at their bus stop by 7:15 a.m. until regular pick-up times are established. Requirements for Medication in School Students should not take medication at school unless it is absolutely necessary. Parents or guardians must file an Authorization for Medication form with the school office for children to receive over the counter or prescription medication during the school day. All medicines must be clearly labeled in their original containers and will be kept in the office. Hot Lunches Hot lunches will be served beginning on the first day of classes. Lunch prices are $2.75 for a full lunch with milk and $0.45 for milk only. Additional lunches for students will be sold at the ala carte prices. Items may also be purchased in the snack line. Some students may qualify for a full or reduced price lunch according to Federal guidelines. If your child received a free or reduced lunch last year, you need to reapply to continue this lunch program. Free and Reduced Lunch Applications are available on line at Lunchapp.com. Only one application per family is required. Student Locker Assignments Every student is issued a locker and combination for use throughout the entire school year. A separate gym locker will also be issued during the year to physical education students. Students are to keep their materials and belongings in their assigned locker. It is the student s responsibility to keep the locker secure. Sharing of combinations, even with friends, often results in problems such as lost books or folders. Bus Transportation Requires Cooperation The bus driver is the authority on the bus. Bus drivers have an extremely important job to perform. Any unnecessary distraction in the form of a misbehaving student can cause injury or even death to students riding the bus. Therefore, the bus driver is to be obeyed at all times. Students who choose not to cooperate with bus rules will receive disciplinary consequences and may be temporarily or permanently removed from riding the bus. Bus transportation is a privilege not a right. Caring for Textbooks and Supplies All textbooks will be issued to students during the first days of school. The textbooks should be covered and cared for by the student. Any damage beyond normal use will result in a book fine being assessed at the end of the year. These fines can become very expensive.

6 Attendance Procedures Request for Student Homework Good school attendance is important for academic success. It is equally important the students report to class on time. Parents need to call the school attendance line at the day a student is absent. The attendance line will record all absence. For your convenience, the attendance line is available seven days a week 24 hours a day. All students arriving to school after 8:10 a.m. must report to the main office to receive a tardy pass to class. Parents, please see that your student makes a list of the name and phone number of at least one classmate from every class. Keep this list at home so that in the event of a one or two day absence, the student can collect homework assignments from their fellow classmate. This will help your child with not falling behind in class assignments during their absence. The counseling office will collect homework for students only in the event of an absence longer than three consecutive days. Twenty-four hours are necessary to process such requests. Please allow for this when calling to request homework. Students are expected to be in their first hour class at 8:10 a.m. Excessive tardiness/absences will result in disciplinary action and possible referral to the districts Attendance Office. Media Release Form Allows Students to Gain Recognition in Educational Reporting Early Dismissal Procedures For security purposes, parents and /or guardians will be asked to come into the building to sign out their student. Photo ID must be shown to front office staff before student will be released. Students will only be released to people listed on their emergency card. Students are occasionally able to participate in interviews by local news media reporting on the district s instructional programs. Utica Community Schools Board of Education policy governs media relations that affect students. News media representatives are required to report to the building principal or the Office of School/Community Relations for prior approval before interviewing students involved in instructional programs. Parents are asked to complete a media release form giving the Utica Community Schools and the news media permission to interview students in connection with school activities. The signed form is kept in the school office and is valid as long as a student is enrolled in the district. Parents must notify the building principal in writing any time they choose to exclude their student from taking part in media interviews.

7 PARENTS WE NEED YOUR HELP As stated in the Utica Community Schools Parent/Student Handbook. The use of cell phones, pagers/beepers or other electronic communication devices (ECD s) by students is prohibited at any time while in school. Secondary students may carry ECD s during the school day, but they cannot be displayed or used. Use of the device shall be limited to the time before and after the school day and only when the students are outside the building. ECD s shall not be used during instructional time, lunch, passing time between classes, or on any school bus without administrative permission. Parents please do not call or text your child during the school day. If a staff member hears or sees the phone, the phone will be taken away from the student and given to an administrator. The use of an ECD s picture-taking or internet connection capability is not permitted. Utica Community Schools will not be responsible for the theft, loss or damage of any ECD. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against students who violate the policy regulating ECDs. Athletic Physicals Required for Tryouts Any student who wishes to try out for one of Jeannette s athletic teams is required to have a current physical form on file in the office. In accordance with the Michigan High School Athletic Association, physicals are yearly requirements for all athletes in Utica Community Schools. Physicals completed on or after April 15, 2013 are valid for the school year. Forms are available in the main office.

8 Please Mark Your Calendar August 22 and August 23 Patriot Day Be ready to smile and look your best on Patriot Day! School Pictures, our school photographer will be at Jeannette to take your school photo. We will also hand out your schedule for the school year. Please check the schedule below to see when you should come. August 22 All incoming 7 th graders 8:00 am 12:15pm August 23 All incoming 8 th graders 8:00a.m. -10:00a.m. All incoming 9 th graders 11:00 pm -1:00 pm What Students Must Bring on Patriot Day! All fines must be paid on or before Patriot Day. Emergency cards complete with all information. Media Release form completed. School Pictures packet that was enclosed in the mailing. (School Pictures will collect for the photos on this day.) Money if a student wishes to purchase a yearbook. Money if you wish to purchase Jeannette Wear. IMPORTANT! Students who are unable to attend Patriot Day have a couple of options. Student may come to the office August 26 th through August 29 th from 8:00 am 3:00pm. or they may report to the school cafeteria on the first day of school. When all completed paper work is turned in students will receive their schedules. Students will be able to take their photos on picture retake day. School begins on September 3 rd, 2013 (This will be a full day of school)

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11 Safe Traffic Pattern Established for Jeannette Junior High Students Because of our concern for student safety, we ask that parents drop off and pick up students in the parking lot behind the school. Only students who walk or ride a bus will enter the front of the school. Parents are asked to enter using the south parking driveway, turn right and proceed around the school, drop their students. off and continue around the school, exiting through the north drive. Your cooperation in helping us provide a safe environment for our students is appreciated. Nondiscrimination in Education In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilita-tion Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, it is the policy of Utica Community Schools that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination during any instructional opportunities, programs, services, job placement assistance, employment or in policies governing student conduct and attendance. Any person suspecting a discriminatory practice should contact the Executive Director of Human Resources at Utica Community Schools, Greendale, Sterling Heights, MI or call (586)