This Is Tripp Crayton, Principal at Jordan-Matthews High School, with Your Bi-Weekly

This is Tripp Crayton, Principal at Jordan-Matthews High School, with your bi-weekly announcement. Copies of all messages can be found on our school website. As a reminder, school is closed tomorrow due to the Labor Day Holiday.

I wish to thank everyone for a very smooth opening day. We were excited to see so many returning students, and our seniors started the year off in style with their parade.

Our first PTA meeting of the year will take place on Tuesday, September 5th at 5:00 p.m. in the media center.

Juniors interested in taking the PSAT on October 11th should register in room #511 with either Mr. Lamach or Ms. Gray. The PSAT is a standardized test administered by the College Board and co- sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Participation in the test is optional at this time. The test costs $16 and payment is required at the time of registration. Payment is due by September 8th. Note that all sophomores will be taking the pre-ACT in October which will serve as their practice test for the ACT. More information to come.

Jostens will be on campus on Friday, Sept. 8th during lunch in the Cafeteria to take class ring orders. The deposit is $60. Jostens will be on campus on Thursday, Sept. 14th during lunch in the Cafeteria to take senior orders for cap, tassel & gowns and graduation announcements & any other senior products. A $60 deposit is required to place your senior order.

On opening day, all students received several documents to bring home for you to review and sign. Documents included free and reduced lunch forms, Technology Responsible Use Consent Form, Health Information Sheet, and Media Release Non-Consent Form. In addition, all parents of freshmen and new students to Jordan-Matthews must attend a parent orientation on the laptop process. The first session took place on Tuesday, August 29th. We will have a make-up session on Tuesday, September 5th at 6:00 p.m. in our auditorium. Anticipate the orientation lasting until 7:30 p.m. Laptops were distributed to all students on Friday, September 1st, except to freshmen whose parents have not attended an orientation session. Parents of all students must complete the “Technology Responsible Use Consent Form” and return it back to school in order to keep Wi-Fi access. Thank you for your assistance in getting the necessary forms completed for your student.

Auditions for our musical, In the Heights, will take place on September 12th and 13th. Sign up and pick up an audition information packet from Mr. Fry in room #803.

Friday, all students attended a class level assembly focused on expectations for the year and information from our Student Services’ team. In addition, juniors received class ring information, and seniors received cap, gown, senior product information. Please make sure you speak with your student regarding the various topics discussed.

Several policies and procedures were reiterated with students throughout the week.

Outside food or drink is not permitted other than a water bottle, bottled or screw top drink. Lunches from home will of course be permitted. Finally, I would like to explain our electronic device policy, as we have enhanced it slightly from previous years. Cell phones and all other electronic devices must be turned off during all periods of instructional time unless permission has been granted by the teacher for educational purposes. Students are permitted to use their devices before and after school, between classes and during lunch. Phones are not permitted to be used when students are in classes, including going to the restroom, unless deemed necessary by the teacher. Emergency situations should be addressed directly with the teacher. If a staff member asks for an electronic device and the student refuses to give it up, he/she will receive disciplinary consequences. A parent/guardian must pick up confiscated devices after school. Per Board Policy, students will not be permitted to have their phone for the remainder of the semester, if the phone has been confiscated three times.

Students may not be checked out after 2:45 p.m., except in emergency situations. We wish to preserve instructional time, and it is necessary to implement this restriction.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @JMHSJets. Enjoy the rest of your day, thank you for your continued support of Jordan-Matthews, where it’s always a great day to be a Jet. Goodbye.