The following information was sent to families via SchoolMessenger on Wednesday, March 8 with the subject "Weekly Wednesday Update 3.8.23". The content has been formatted for the web.
Hello, West Jeff Middle families. This is your Weekly Wednesday Update for March 8, 2023.
Upcoming Dates
March 10: "Science Around Us" Science Fair
March 13: deadline to order Day Without Hate t-shirts
March 15: Honor Roll assemblies, 6th grade, 7:35 am, and 8th grade, 8:00 am
March 15: WJMS Community Math Night, 5 - 6:30 pm
March 16: Honor Roll assembly, 7th grade, 7:35 am
March 20 - 24: no school, Spring Break
School News
Projects for the "Science Around Us" Science Fair are due on Thursday, March 9, and the fair will take place Friday, March 10. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Buffington or Ms. Dickinson.
Jeffco students observe A Day Without Hate to promote nonviolence, respect, and unity within our schools. Staff, students, and community members are encouraged to wear white or a current or past year's event shirt on that day. The 2023 t-shirts are available to order through our school through Monday, March 13. The cost is $6 per shirt and may be ordered by returning a completed order form and check (payable to the school) to Mrs. Jessee. Shirts will be delivered to our school and can be worn on Thursday, April 27th.
Students will be recognized in short Honor Roll assemblies for Trimester 2 grades. A GPA of 4.0 is recognized with Gold Honor Roll; a GPA of 3.9-3.5 is recognized with Silver Honor Roll. Families are welcome to join us and take pictures.
Wednesday, March 15: 6th grade, 7:35 am; 8th grade, 8:00 am
Thursday, March 16: 7th grade, 7:35 am
Our math department invites interested adult family and community members to a Community Math Night on Wednesday, March 15 from 5 - 6:30 pm. Our math teachers will provide an informational and collaborative session as they discuss the school's math curriculum and overall math philosophy. Please see the Community Math Night flier for more information.
West Jeff Middle students that formed a team for the Jeffco Middle School Battle of the Books should be reading the books in preparation for our school competition in April.
Every January, Jeffco schools collect items for Grub Club, a program that provides boxes of food items and toiletries to Jeffco high school students in need. This year, West Jeff Middle is collecting macaroni and cheese cups through March 17. Direct donations for the program may be made online at https://bit.ly/conifer-evergreen23.
Our students will be participating in Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) testing after spring break. The three main testing days – April 11, 12, and 13 – will be early release days. Students without learning plans (e.g., IEPs and 504 plans) will take one Math and one ELA CMAS subtest on those days, and then be released early (around noon). Students who have learning plans AND have an extended time accommodation will be taking one ELA subtest on each of those three days and will also be released around noon. Students with a learning plan will then take their Math subtests during school time the week of April 17th. Eighth graders will also have one day of Science CMAS testing on April 18th. Makeup testing will occur during the week of April 24th. Please expect additional testing information to be shared in standalone messaging from the school and the Weekly Wednesday Update. If you have any questions regarding CMAS testing at our school, please email [email protected].
Adult family or community members available at the beginning or end of the school day to help keep the drop-off and pickup of students safe and well supervised are invited to volunteer with our Watch D.O.G.S.! Please contact our Lead WatchDOG, Daniel Tucker, with any questions at [email protected].
Students that do not feel well during the school day may ask their teacher for a pass to the health room. Adult family members will receive a call from the school (303-982-3056) if your student needs to be picked up. Families, if your student contacts you during the day to inform you that they are ill and want to be picked up, please direct them to go to the health room.
Destination ImagiNation teams place at regionals
The Destination Imagination teams from West Jefferson Middle School competed in the Jefferson County regional tournament on Saturday, February 25. The eighth grade Mountain Eagles – Maisie, Lily, Rowan, Luke, Silar, and Sienna – took first place in the Scientific Division. In addition, this team received a Renaissance Award which is given to teams that demonstrate outstanding skill in the areas of engineering, design, and performance. The sixth grade Sky Eagles – Maddie, Ava, Sayla-Jewel, Molly, Corbin, Hilde, and Declan – took first place in the Middle School Fine Arts Division. Congratulations to all these students who have worked very hard on their projects. They will now compete at the state level on Saturday, April 1.
Technology Student Association State Conference Results
A full listing of our Technology Student Association students' event placements at the Colorado Technology Student Association State Conference has been published on our school website:
PTA News
Are you an adult interested in helping plan 8th grade Continuation? PTA is forming a committee that will start meeting after spring break to plan the final event for our 8th graders. If you are interested in helping, please email Melissa Moore at [email protected] by Friday, March 17th. Thank you!
Area businesses interested in advertising at our school along the fence may work with our PTA to rent a portion of the fence to display a 4' x 8' laminated aluminum composite sign. Please refer to the WJMS PTA Fence Sign Sponsor Letter for more information on this program.
Families, please consider joining the West Jeff Middle PTA using our MemberHub store or printable sheet and follow the West Jeff Middle PTA page on Facebook to learn about events, volunteer opportunities, and more going on at our school!
Community News
Jeffco Public Schools is hiring! There are available positions in many areas for adults interested in working for Jeffco Public Schools. Learn more about available positions and apply online on the Jeffco Jobs Board at jeffcok12jobs.org. Many mountain area schools have immediate openings for custodial and kitchen staff.
Gifted/Talented Family Learning Night: Jeffco Gifted and Talented is hosting a virtual family learning night on Wednesday, March 8 from 6:15 - 8:00 pm via Zoom. Guest Nick Thompson will be discussing strategies and support for re-engaging gifted students after COVID, including tips on student motivation, managing anxiety, and allowing kids to fail (how parents can manage their own anxiety, decide how/when to push, and when to allow kids to fail). Free registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
Conifer High School Spirit Week for St. Baldrick's: Conifer High School is celebrating a spirit week March 13 - 17 for St. Baldrick's, an organization that raises money for childhood cancer. Donations can be made at the Conifer High School St. Baldrick's event page.
Center for the Arts Evergreen Spring Break Camps: Center for the Arts Evergreen is offering two spring break opportunities for middle school students: a full-week Public Mural Camp, which will meet 9 am to 4 pm, March 20 - 24 at Buchanan Park Recreation Center, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen; and a one-day Dye-namite Day, which will meet 9 am to 4 pm at Miller House, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen.
Marshdale Elementary memories for retiring teachers: Several longtime Marshdale teachers are retiring this year - Rose Bergman, Noel Vickers, Deb Potrykus, Sue Freytag, Mary Linehan, Rosanne Jalbert, and Tara Kulp. A book of memories is being compiled for each of these teachers so they can see the differences they have made in our community. If you have a letter, message, memory, or photo that you would like to include in the book, please submit it in one of the following ways:
Google Form Messages for retiring Marshdale teachers
Email [email protected]
Turn-in to school office - Mrs. Dickinson at West Jeff Middle
Mail to Marshdale Elementary, 26663 N Turkey Creek Rd, Evergreen, CO 80439
Please remember to include your full name and submit your memories by May 1, 2023.
Resilience1220 events: Resilience1220 is a local non-profit organization that provides free counseling sessions and support groups for young people ages 12-20, and community outreach and events that increase awareness of mental health issues. Some of their upcoming events:
March 8: Parental Burnout: Signs, Symptoms, and Possible Solutions, 7 - 8:30 pm via Zoom
Wednesdays through April 16: Resilient Spring Virtual Gathering Series, 5 - 6 pm via Zoom
March 15: Sensitive Collective support group, 3:30 - 4:30 pm via Zoom
March 23: Support after Suicide Loss support group, 5:30 - 7 pm, both via Zoom (free registration required) and in person at the Resilience1220 office (32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen)
Jefferson County Public Library events: Please follow the links for more information on upcoming programs at the Evergreen and Conifer branches:
Monday, March 13: Teen Cupcake Wars, Conifer, 3:15 – 5:30 pm
Third Thursdays: Teen Dungeons & Dragons, Conifer, 3:30 – 6 pm
Third Fridays: Teen Makers, Evergreen, 3 – 4 pm
Friday, March 24: Teen After Hours: Take Me Back to Kindergarten, Evergreen, 6 – 8 pm
Thursday, April 6: Teen Financial Literacy, Conifer, 3:30 – 5:30 pm