Here are the highlights from the JWMHS Weekly Call for the Week of August 18th!
We hope that everyone has had a great first week and have settled into the school year! Thank you for making the school year start off on the right hoof!
Safety and Security Procedures
For those who are not aware, the State of Florida enacted new laws regarding school safety and security (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1473/?Tab=BillText). These require us to keep gates and doors locked. It has proven a challenge as we run a very large and open campus. If you are not familiar with these laws, we ask that you familiarize yourself with them.
We also ask that you are patient this year as we implement our safety and security rules and policies. There are many changes for how we access campus and we hope you will be understanding at this time as we work through them!
New Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures Begin Monday, August 19th
Our campus will open at 7:50AM each day. Only specific gates will be unlocked. Please visit the website below:
Due to the new State of Florida law regarding school security (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1473/?Tab=BillText), we are implementing a change to our arrival and dismissal traffic pattern. This change will affect parent access for JWMHS and SSMS. We have included a map that outlines the new traffic pattern for dropping off and picking up students for both JWMHS and SSMS. We believe these changes will allow us to move families in and out of campus in a safe, quick and efficient manner.
In order to avoid the traffic backups and delays that have occurred, we are asking that parents and guardians follow the outlined procedures moving forward:
- When entering campus (Jaguar Trail), please enter campus via the second lane from the right.
- No one will be able to go behind SSMS to drop off or pick up.
- Please only stop to drop off or pick up a student.
- Do not park or stop for an extended period to wait for a student while in the Car Loop.
- Keep the Car Loop moving so that traffic can keep flowing to avoid backup.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we move forward.
Bus Riders
Bus riders will need to enter their lunch number or scan their digital transportation badge to enter and exit the buses. When they arrive to campus, bus riders will need to safely walk on campus sidewalks when walk to and from the bus loop. Do not cut through the parking lots, this is unsafe.
Bike Riders
Bike riders will need to walk their bikes while on campus or crowded areas. Bikes will be stored at the bike racks near the red building.
Driving to School – Please Follow the Rules and Be Patient!
As you come to school, please follow the speed limit and the signs in the parking lot as to the direction of the traffic flow and where to drop off and pick up students. Again, please watch our video highlighting the traffic flow that you should follow. (https://tinyurl.com/JWMHSCarLoop)
Parking on Campus
All parking spots are assigned to staff or students. Please park in your assigned parking spot only. You can apply to park by following the parking procedures listed on our website. Only juniors and seniors are allowed to park on campus. Students that have been approved to park on campus can view their parking spot numbers in My Student. Student Parking passes will be passed out during all lunch periods during the first week of school. All student drivers must pick up their parking pass and display the pass in their vehicle.
Parents, if you come to campus, please park in a marked VISITOR spot or along a curb as all spots are assigned and reserved.
Be on Time & Enter the Correct Gates
Please arrive in your classes on time each day, as being on time is important now and in the future. If a student arrives after 8:30AM, he or she must go to Student Services and check in there as the gates will close and should remain closed for security. Do not prop open gates or put items in gates so that the gates remain open. If you arrive to campus on time, you should not need to worry about having to use these gates. If you arrive late to campus, please do not ask someone to come and open the gate. Please follow our expectations and report to Student Services. Violations of these expectations will result in disciplinary action.
Schedule Changes
Should there be an issue with your schedule, we will be reviewing requests ONLY submitted through our MACH Form that can be found on our website. The last day to submit changes is tomorrow, August 19th at 2:52PM. Please make sure your student checks their schedule in myStudent every morning as we are wrapping up schedule changes and balancing classes. Due to the number of requests received, it’s not possible for us to notify students if their schedule has changed. All changes will be finalized by this Friday.
Meeting With School Counselors & Academic Advisors
For those who have requested to see their school counselors or academic advisors, for the first two weeks of school we ask that you are patient as we register new students and systematically review schedule issues and change requests. We anticipate that we will be able to serve everyone faster this way. We thank you for your patience.
Pasco eSchool Placeholders
Of note, if you have an eSchool placeholder, on campus or off campus, please sign up for your classes as soon as possible. Directions can be found on our website. You must take 6 total classes each semester to be a student at JWMHS.
Seniors! Lunch and Learns & After School Help for Seniors in the Class of 2025!
Join Mrs. Chamberlin for help with your college applications on Monday, August 19th, 26th and September 9th for Manic Mondays at 3PM in the CRC and at lunch on August 19th for assistance. Continue to watch social media for more information and help sessions!
Resources for College, Career, and Life
Please review the attachments sent to you in email and via myStudent. There is important information about the upcoming College Tour, the Digital SAT this weekend, Advanced Placement and the Common App. We have also included information about important dates for the 2024-2025 school year so that you can calendar accordingly.
AP Exam Info Common App Help Days
Next Steps College & Career Night
School Advisory Council Positions
We have 2 Parent positions open on the School Advisory Committee. If you are interested in being considered as parent representative, please complete the Parent Interest form on the attached link. Once completed your name will appear on a ballot which will be on the website on August 26th to select the 24-25 Parent representatives. Interest forms must be completed by August 20th at 3:00 p.m.
https://forms.office.com/r/itRMtE3J4G
Dress Code Policy for the 2024-2025 School Year
We ask that you review the Dress Code policy with your child. Please view this policy here: a https://tinyurl.com/JWMHSDressCode and you can read the Student Code of Conduct here: https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/ssps/page/conduct. Students must wear shirts that extend to the waist. We are seeing many shirts that do not comply with this expectation. Please make sure that you are following the dress code.
Cell Phone and WCD Policy for the 2024-2025 School Year
The Cell Phone and WCD Policy for the 20240-2025 school year has changed. You can read the Student Code of Conduct here: https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/ssps/page/conduct. Students are only allowed to use their cell phones, earbuds, and other devices during lunches. Please remind students that texting from watches is not prohibited, neither is using your cell phone or other WCD during passing or classes unless part of the instructional plan.
Student Athletes and Paperwork
Any student who wants to play a sport must complete all of their paperwork on www.AthleticClearance.com prior to tryouts. All of this information can be found on the Mitchell website under Athletics and then Forms. Athletic fees must be paid online one week after you are on the team. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Burdick via email at dburdick@pasco.k12.fl.us.
Free Lunch and Breakfast for All & Breakfast Serving Times!
All students will receive free breakfast and lunch this year! Breakfast will be served each morning until 8:20AM when the warning bell will sound. If you need to put money on your lunch account, you can do so at this time via www.mySchoolBucks.com or sending cash or a check payable to JWMHS.
Please Keep Campus Clean – Throw Away Your Trash
Any drink containers or food wrappers need to be disposed of in our commons area garbage cans and not classroom garbage cans or recycle bins. Please take pride in your school and keep it clean!
Around the RANCH Newsletter
Please read our Around the RANCH newsletter. It has a lot of important information and you can find it here: https://tinyurl.com/AroundTheRANCH.
We hope that this is your best year yet! We look forward to seeing you on Monday! Have a great evening!
Go Mustangs!
~ Ms. Schultz
Quick Links
Meet the Faculty and Staff! Watch a video about your teacher and get your class supply lists: https://tinyurl.com/JWMHSOrientation
Login to your Parent Portal and Complete the Forms Required for the New Year: https://pasco.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/index.php?skipSSO
Pay Student Fees or Purchase a Yearbook or Locker: https://www.studentquickpay.com/pasco/
Request the Dance Number: https://tinyurl.com/JWMHSDanceMtg
Request a Schedule Change: https://tinyurl.com/JWMHSScheduleChange
Purchase Mustang Gear: https://tinyurl.com/JWMHSSpiritStore
Apply to be a Volunteer: https://tinyurl.com/JWMHSVolunteer
Purchase a Mustang Legacy Brick: https://tinyurl.com/mustanglegacybrick
Complete Athletic Paperwork: https://athleticclearance.fhsaahome.org/
