Jefferson Middle School

1. Torrance Unified School District
Jefferson Middle School,
A California Distinguished School
“Welcome to Back-to-School Night
2014-2015”

2. We Provide
a comprehensive,
well-defined, cohesive
instructional program….
…to meet the needs of
the whole adolescent.

3. We Will
Work 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…..

4. We Provide a
Student-Centered
and enriching
environment
Together……

5. Setting the Tone
Wef oPrra cLtiecae r‘Tnhine gBest
Practices’
• Be Responsible
• Be Respectful
• Be Safe
• Be Proud

6. 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

7. Common Core Standards:
Supporting College and Career Readiness
• 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 directed
Integrated 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

8. JMS Program Offerings
Moving 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.

9. Developing 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

10. SScchhooooll//HHoommee PPaarrttnneerrsshhiipp
Communication
We are turning
GREEN
School Broadcasting Phone System School
Parent Connect (Online: news, homework, attendance, grades) -
Updated School Website and Teacher Sites
Tuesday E-Blasts for weekly School & PTSA
information & News
Emails
Newsletters:
Teacher Updates / Newsletters / Websites / Zangle
Weekly E-Letter from Principal –Tuesday Week-at-a-Glance

11. Protocol
• 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

12. Presence
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.

13. Home Support
• Provide a quiet place to work.
• Check your student’s homework.
• Model
• Listen to your child.

14. Ways to Support and Get Involved
 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

15. District and School Supports
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

16. TToonniigghhtt''ss PPrrooggrraamm
Each 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!

18. Welcome Jefferson P T SA
2014-2015