Family & Community Engagement Plan

JMS 20-21 FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN

Parent and family/School/Student Compacts, which outline responsibilities for each party in the process of achieving student success.
Our “BlackBoard” phone system, which is utilized to send parents and families, students, and staff messages via phone and email.
Parents and families also receive information through Facebook.
The JMS website https://jms.jc-tn.net/ contains all faculty e-mail addresses, school information and activities.
Informative flyers are sent home as needed.
Parent and family-Teacher Conferences during fall and spring semesters.
Handbook with school rules and procedures is online for easy access and available to print. https://jms.jc-tn.net/our-school/handbook
Open-door policy for parent and family concerns through phone, email, or team meetings.
School marquee to display important upcoming events.
School counselors, teacher teams, and administration keep in contact with parents and families regarding social, emotional, or academic concerns.
Regular, timely reports on progress (report cards every 9 weeks and mid-terms between each 9 week reporting period; access to Aspen (web-based grading system used by teachers).
Student academic progress is available to view through Aspen.

Jefferson Middle School holds an Open House within the first two weeks of school in order for students, parents and families to meet and greet faculty and to compile a list of parent and family volunteers.
Jefferson Middle will train volunteers on discipline and FERPA along with health and safety measures.
Jefferson Middle will host a Night of the Arts in December to exhibit student talents in singing, playing instruments, and creating artworks.
Local Veterans are invited to Jefferson Middle for refreshments and performance by band/music students on Veteran’s Day.
The school library sponsors a Book Fair each year. The Book Fair is open one evening for Family Night. Parents and families are invited to assist in the library during this time.
Our school participates in a food drive each year for Christmas in Jefferson County. The canned foods that are collected from various schools are put together for needy families. Students are rewarded for participation in the food drive.
Various service organizations, such as 4-H, FCA, and Beta Club provide support to the school and community through service projects.
Faculty supports United Way through staff and student donations.
Jefferson Middle hosts a monthly food and clothing ministry open to the community.

Before- and after-school tutoring is available to targeted students based on individual deficits.
Administration and teachers meet with parents and guardians to discuss student academic, attendance and behavioral concerns.
Students set goals and track their progress and achievement in all subjects utilizing Individual Learning Plans (ILPs). Student goals and data are reviewed with parents during conferences.
Teachers utilize communication apps to easily pass along information to families.
Aspen is utilized by faculty to communicate grades, assignments, and important events.
Edulastic, IXL, i-Ready, Khan Academy, Canvas and other resources are all subscribed programming available to students at home through the internet.
School counselors provide individual, small, and large group sessions to meet social, academic, and career needs.
Families are given timely reports on progress with report cards every 9-weeks and mid-terms between each 9- week reporting period, as well as other times deemed necessary by teachers or parents.
Jefferson Middle School has developed an attendance intervention plan to decrease chronic absenteeism.
All students are issued personal laptops for school and home use.