Torrance Unified School District

Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, A California Distinguished SchoolA California Distinguished School

“Welcome to Back-to-School Night

2014-2015”

We ProvideWe Providea comprehensive,

well-defined, cohesive instructional program….

…to meet the needs of the whole adolescent.

We WillWe WillWork together with you to

provide a nurturing, encouraging, & enriching environment that supports

the growing adolescent. An environment where

students learn responsibility, pride,

critical thinking skills, group cooperation,

leadership and to think outside and beyond…..

We Provide a Student-Centered

and enriching environment

Together…Together…

Setting the Tone for LearningWe Practice ‘The Best

Practices’ • Be Responsible• Be Respectful• Be Safe• Be Proud

The Five Core Commitments to be College & Career Ready

1.) Striving for excellence

2.) Cultivating personal & academic integrity

3.) Contributing to a larger community

4.) Taking seriously others perspectives

5.) Developing competence in ethical and moral reasoning & action

Core Commitments emphasizes five dimensions of personal and social responsibility

• High National Standards• College and Career Readiness• No more STAR testing----Smarter Balance instead• 3 Things for Parents to Know:

Thinking Deeply: Emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving, student driven instead of teacher directedIntegrated Learning: Learning across disciplines (reading, writing, math, science and social studies)Showing How They Know: Students will learn how to explain HOW they know something---moving away from worksheets and skill and drill

Common Core Standards:Supporting College and Career Readiness

JMS Program OfferingsJMS Program OfferingsMoving to Common Core from foundations to Complex Thinking:

Our E/LA program includes -

1. Building knowledge through content-rich nonfiction, spiraled throughout our science and social science programs

2. Reading, writing, and speaking grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational…again, spiraled throughout our science and social science program

3. Regular practice with complex text and its academic language…spiraled throughout all subject areas

Our Mathematics Program -

1. Focus: Narrow and deepen the scope to focus deeply on only the concepts prioritized in the standards.

2. Coherence: Connecting the learning within and across grades to build new understanding onto foundation built in previous years.

3. Fluency: Supports speed and accuracy with simple calculations; class time and/or homework time is structured for memorization, through repetition, core functions.

4. Deep Understanding: Deeply understanding and operating easily within a math concept before moving forward. Learning the concepts of math.

5. Application: Using math and choosing the appropriate concept for application.

6. Dual Intensity: Practicing and understanding – Both occurring in the classroom with intensity.

Our Science / Social Science Program -

• An advanced science program promotes scientific thinking, and observation paired with the hands-on & lab experiments.

• Our social studies program teaches an understanding of the world today, community & past history.

Developing The Whole StudentDeveloping The Whole Student• 5 Core Commitments • CHOICES Program

• Best Practices • iLead

• Computer Lab and 1:1 Tablet carts • Student Council

• Model United Nations • Model United Nations

•Classroom Computers • 8th Grade Service Learning Project

• Wireless Campus with full Internet Access • Camp Jaguar

• Supplemental curricular technology programs • Students VS Staff Basketball Game

• Wonderfully stocked School Library • Second Step social-emotional program

• Recognition & Awards

• Co-Rec: Parks and Recreation Program

• G.A.T.E.

•2 -Learning Centers

• Adventures in Art

• 1st Lego League Robotics Team

• Band /Choir

•Counselor / School Psychologist /RN

• Million Word Challenge

• Running Club

• Book of the Quarter / 7 Habits of Highly Effective Readers Modeling

School/Home PartnershipSchool/Home Partnership Communication

School Broadcasting Phone System SchoolParent Connect (Online: news, homework, attendance,

grades) -

Updated School Website and Teacher SitesTuesday E-Blasts for weekly School & PTSA

information & NewsEmails Newsletters:

Teacher Updates / Newsletters / Websites / ZangleWeekly E-Letter from Principal –Tuesday Week-at-a-

Glance

We are turning

GREEN

ProtocolProtocol• Visitors Welcome ! Complete our Volunteer form and TB Test for the safety of all students. Check-in/out at the office at all times and obtain a visitor’s pass.

• Drive Safely: follow valet drop off & pick up guidelines

• Dogs are not allowed on campus

Promote good attendance, everyday, on time.•Please make doctor / dentist appoints after school when possible.

•Look at scheduling vacation during school breaks and the summer break.

We enjoy and appreciate when you attend conferences, check Parent Connect weekly, volunteer, & join us for school activities.

PresencePresence

• Provide a quiet place to work.

• Check your student’s homework.

• Model

• Listen to your child.

Home SupportHome Support

Volunteer / Donate your time & talents

Join the PTSA:• Membership is $7-• Chair, Co-Chair, Volunteer on a Committee

Support TEF: We Need a JMS Ambassador! • Pier-to-Pier Walk: Sunday, 10/26/14• Donor Events

Join a Council or Committee

Ways to Support and Get Involved

Bond dollars create great facilities:

PTSA dollars create great school communities!

TEF can fund programs and staff to maximize the learning for our students in those great facilities and great communities

District and School Supports

Tonight's Tonight's ProgramProgramEach Teacher will Present discussion Six Times between 6:00 – 7:30 pm 10 Minute Classroom Visits. Period Time Class Room Teacher

6:00-6:10 pm 6:45 – 6:55 pm 6:15 – 6:25 pm 7:00 – 7:10 pm 6:30 - 6:40 pm 7:15 – 7:25 pm

7:15 – 7:30 pm ELMAC Parent Meeting – Room 7

7:30 – 8:00 pm GATE Parents Meeting - Cafeteria

5:30 – 8:00 pm Book Fair- Jefferson Middle School Library

Tonight’s Purpose – A Group Informational Meeting Conferences Scheduled: Fall and Spring

Thank You for Being Here and Supporting Your Child and JMS!

Welcome Jefferson P T SA2014-2015