Dear Parents and Friends, October is here, and we have had an excellent start to the year. This is traditionally a busy and exciting time at our school. The faculty, staff, and students are acclimated to their new schedules and are actively involved in academic as well as extra-curricular activities. We are now operating on the JAYEM AM bell schedule, and first period begins everyday at 7:45. JAYEM A.M. begins daily at 9:15 and concludes at 9:50. JAYEM AM allows students the opportunity for remediation and enrichment. Parents please make plans to attend our first JMHS Boosters meeting of the year on October 13 from 6:00-7:00 P.M. in the lecture hall (Room 120). Our first Principal s Coffee will be held on October 26 from 8:00 A.M.-2:30 P.M. Homecoming, an annual event known for energizing the presence of school spirit at JM, will be celebrated the week of October 10-15. This year s theme is A Night in the Jungle. The festivities will include daily spirit week activities and a powder puff football game at Maury Stadium. The students are excited about constructing their club floats to show off their pride and creativity. They will have the opportunity to do so on Spirit Friday, October 14, as the annual parade takes the Yellow Jackets down Washington Avenue to historic Maury Stadium for a spirited pep rally. That evening the excitement continues with the traditional Homecoming Football Game when the Jackets take on the Chargers of Chancellor High School. The half time show will be performed by the James Monroe Marching Band under the direction of Mr. Daniel Johnson. Also at halftime, we will introduce the Homecoming Court and crown the Prince, Princess, King, and Queen of Homecoming 2016. On Saturday evening, October 15, the Homecoming Dance will take place in the James Monroe High School Commons Area from 8:00-11:00 P.M. You will want to mark your calendars for the following dates: On October 5 the National Honor Society will conduct their annual induction ceremony. Look for your child s first interim report which will be sent home on October 7. Testing dates for the month include the SAT on October 1, the PSAT on October 19, and the SOL Writing Test on October 18-19. On October 21, school will be dismissed at 12:00 P.M. for a staff development day. This busy month will conclude with performances by the Fine Arts Department. The choirs will perform in concert on October 24, the bands will perform on October 25, and the orchestra will perform on October 26. All concerts are at 7:00 P.M. and are free of charge. I hope you will be able to attend one of the many activities scheduled for the month. Sincerely, Dr. Taneshia Rachal Principal I n side th i s i s su e: SCA/Class Officers 2 Counseling News Changes to FAFSA Process Giant Food Bonus Bucks The Day of Service College Fair SPED Advisory Athletes of the Month for September Student Drop Off Procedures JM Boosters Application October Calendar 6 2 3 4 5
Principal's Newsletter, James Monroe High School, October 2016 Page 2 The results of SCA and Class Officers elections are as follows: Need your counselor s email address for college applications? Sharon Johnson (A-G) shjohnson@cityschools.com Holly Stinchcomb (H-M) hstinchcomb@cityschools.com SCA Executive Board 2016-2017 President Maren Gudmundsson Vice-President Ashley Kim Treasurer Grace Hall Secretary Lizzie Hamlett Class of 2017 The Seniors President Ashley Hodges Vice-President Tyshawn Smithers Treasurer McKenzie Girvan Secretary Catie McCoy Class of 2018 The Juniors President MaKayla Swain Vice-President Brett Johnson Treasurer Nellie Brady Secretary William Dyer Historian Keara Forjan Class of 2019 The Sophomores President Caroline Wack Vice-President April Kim Treasurer Morgan Rigual Secretary Kayla White Historian Mason Allen Class of 2020 The Freshmen President Christian Taylor Vice-President E. Claire Brady Treasurer Sarah Marchosky Secretary Grace Marchosky Historians Kyle Boyd, Emma Kruus Gregory James (N-Z) gjames@cityschools.com The school counseling department will meet with the students by grade level to distribute valuable information such as college planning, financial aid resources, and testing. Be sure to ask your student about the information handed out! In an effort to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application process for students, the federal government is offering two big changes to the 2017 2018 FAFSA process. Students can submit the 2017 2018 FAFSA earlier. In the past, students had to wait until January but now they can submit it a full three months earlier on October 1, 2016. The earlier date will allow families to complete the application closer to the time the college application process begins instead of waiting until tax season. Allow the use of earlier income and tax information. For the 2017 2018 FAFSA, students (and parents) must report their 2015 income and tax information rather than their 2016 income and tax information. This makes it easier because most people will have already filed their 2015 taxes, and they may be able to use the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Data Retrieval Tool to automatically import their tax information into the FAFSA.
Principal's Newsletter, James Monroe High School, October 2016 Page 3 Spotsylvania Town Centre Wednesday, October 19, 2016 6:30-8:30 P.M. James Monroe HS 02708 Students can register online for the fair at: http:gotocollegefairs.com. This will allow students to print out a barcode which can be scanned by the colleges the night of the fair. Students will still be able to attend if they don t pre-register. The Day of Service will honor Ceili Leahy, Class of 2014, and her crusade to give back and make lives better. Students, parents, staff, and community members can participate by performing acts of service including babysitting, yard work, hauling, house cleaning, painting, running errands, etc. Contact Mrs. Katie Hornung at 372-1100 ext. 2366 to participate on October 29, from 8:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Volunteer your time, request work, or donate through ceilileahyservicescholarship@gmail.com. All proceeds will go toward the Ceili Anne Leahy Service Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded at graduation to a senior who has continued Ceili s legacy. Visit the website for more details: http://ceilileahyservicescholarship.weebly.com/ The Special Education Parent Advisory meets four times a year. All parents with an interest in special education are invited. Parents who volunteered for the committee will be notified in early October. Please mark your calendars with the following meeting dates for the 2016-2017 school year: Date Time Place Subject Thursday, October 27, 2016 5:30-7:00 P.M. James Monroe Special Education Testing SOL/ VAAP Wednesday, November 16, 2016 Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Tuesday, April 4, 2017 TBD LUES(?) TBD HMES (?) TBD LUES (?) Holiday gift ideas for children with special needs TBD Review of FCPS Annual SPED Plan and transition Information/waivers
Principal's Newsletter, James Monroe High School, October 2016 Page 4 Dirk Jones Senior Football Dirk is a senior captain and starts at both wide receiver and kick returner. He is a hard-working student-athlete and is also a star in the track program. He is a member of the Gladys P. Todd Program and will graduate from Germanna Community College and James Monroe High School in the spring. Coach Rich Serbay Mary McDaniel Sophomore Field Hockey Mary is a sophomore defenseman. This is her second year as a starting varsity player. As a freshman, she was 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All Region and 2nd Team All State. Mary is a strong defender. She played an important part of a strong defensive unit which helped carry her team to the State Tournament last year. Coach Jamie Tierney In order for all parents to safely drop off their children the following Drop Off procedures must be followed: In the Student Drop Off Circle at the front of the school: Pull as far forward in the circle as possible. Remain in single file. Do Not pass the vehicles in front of you. Do Not park your vehicle. Do Not switch drivers. Do Not unload items from your trunk. Do Not pull into the Buses Only drop off area. If extra time is needed to drop off your student, please park in the Parent/Guest parking area.
Principal's Newsletter, James Monroe High School, October 2016 Page 5 James Monroe High School Booster Club Let Your Voice Be Heard and Join the Booster Club! If you are interested in getting involved or would like more information, please contact the Booster Club President Mrs. Aude Mann at amann@cityschools.com If you are ready to make a difference, then join this organization please fill-out the information below with your $5.00 membership fee per member. All checks should be made out to JMHS. Name of New Member: Phone Number: Email Address: Your JMHS Student s Name I am interested in the following: Serving on the JM Booster Club Board Organizing the JM Booster Club Golf Tournament Helping with Fundraising Activities Party Planning with the After Prom Committee Serving on the Teacher Appreciation Committee I have additional, new ideas to share with the JM Booster Club I am unable to help JM Booster Club at this time, but would like to be a member The first meeting will be Thursday, October 13 @ 6 P.M. in the lecture Hall