Newsletter for Week of September 21
Julian Families,
It was great to see so many of you at Curriculum Night last week. I received a lot of positive feedback from parents regarding what they learned about Julian Middle School and the curriculum.
I want to let everyone know that our first round of MAP testing concluded this week. Great job to our students for putting forth their best effort on these assessments. Also, a big thanks to my administrative team and our teaching staff for ensuring that MAP testing went smoothly.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences will occur the week of October 19. The majority of these conferences take place on Thursday, October 22. All grade level teams will be using an online computer program, VolunteerSpot, to schedule conferences. When you receive an email from VolunteerSpot, please open it and follow the directions to set up a conference with your student's teacher. If you have questions, please contact a teacher on your student's team. Our goal is to meet with all parents/guardians so we can build a strong partnership with you in order to provide your student the best education possible.
As a result of parent/teacher conferences, there will be a half day of classes on Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23. Students will have an early dismissal at 12:00 pm (noon) on both days.
Getting Started with Canvas
Julian adopted Canvas as our Learning Management System last school year. Canvas is a great tool for teachers and students to use in order to communicate with each other. Teachers post a weekly syllabus, make assignments available through Canvas, host discussions, provide resources, and maintain class files/notes used for instruction. Teams can also push out notifications to both students and parents. Canvas also offers parents the opportunity to stay informed as it relates to their student's classes. Please click on the following link: Getting Started with Canvas in order to create an account, set notification preferences, see the calendar feature, check out courses, and add a student.
IB Advisory Activity
"I can be unpredictable, but I am really trying to navigate the world around me." Does this statement fit your middle school student? Our students are constantly exploring who they are and where they fit in. It is important for them to explore and celebrate who they are. With this in mind, during advisory the next month 7th & 8th grade students are writing and videotaping statements that follow the pattern, "I can be ___, but I am___." The point of writing these statements is for students to celebrate and share who they are. Clips of students saying their statement will be put together to create an all school video that celebrates who we are as individuals and how we as a group of individuals can make Julian Middle School the best environment possible. We hope you are able to stop by the Commons during parent teacher conferences to view the final product!
Julian Media Center
The Library Media Center can play a very important role in students' learning experiences here at Julian. Our website is http://www.op97.org/Julian/mediacenter/ and we're on Instagram @julianlibrary. At parent-teacher conferences, the Library will be open for visitors!
Yearbook Orders
We are a few weeks into the school year now and I'm sure your student has already shared some of his/her new experiences at Julian with you. Want a way for your student to remember those experiences forever? Then buy a yearbook! You can pre-order now for $30. Take advantage of this deal because after Dec. 18th, the price will go up to $35. Eighth grade students that order a yearbook before Nov. 24th will receive their name pressed into the front cover for free!
If you have any questions please email the yearbook sponsors, Ms. Tysse or Ms. Tucker, through the PJMS yearbook email ([email protected]).
Mile in the Middle
The 5th Annual Mile in the Middle is a color run with Brooks & Julian students running a two-mile loop. Along the route, students will be doused head to toe with non-toxic colored powder by spectators. For a $20 registration fee, students will receive a goodie bag, race t-shirt, and a color packet to throw during the after-party celebration. Not a runner? Join in the fun by purchasing color packets to cheer on the runners! Runners and non-runners are all invited to the after-party, where there will be a DJ, awards for the winners, snacks, games, and more. Do not miss this Julian PTO and Brooks PTO jointly sponsored event, which will take place on Sunday, October 4, at 9am. Check in begins at 8am.
Sincerely,
Dr. Todd Fitzgerald
Principal
Percy Julian Middle School
Email questions to Principal Fitzgerald.