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Principal's Corner

Principal's Corner

Beverly Botchway photo.jpeg

July 15, 2024



Greetings, JMMS Families, 

Welcome to James Madison Middle IB World School, where scholars can embark on a global educational journey. We aim to create a strong partnership with our scholars so that they can reach their full potential and succeed as middle school scholars and beyond.

I hope you are having a great summer and that scholars are keeping busy. Here is an update on the James Madison Middle School renovations and some important information to prepare for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.

James Madison Middle School will relocate to Woodyard Road this summer. We are still temporarily relocated at Forestville High School until the move occurs. At this time, if you need assistance with registration, it has been postponed until July 29, 2024, or until the move is complete. 

The theme for this year is "Learning and Leading through Access, Culture, and Enrichment." We aim to revitalize and reclaim the James Madison Middle School's name by providing opportunities for all stakeholders to excel. We aim to provide all middle school scholars the best education and experience. To achieve this, we have planned the following for the upcoming school year:

  • Adding a Dean of Students (three total) to the staff to support culture.
  • Continuation of the Peer Mediation Program to support culture.
  • Field trips to colleges and universities to support access.
  • Guest speakers from specialty programs in the county to support access.
  • After-school activities, such as tutoring, to support enrichment.
  • Partnership with Taraji P. Henson socio-emotional foundation to support well-being and other health needs.
  • International Baccalaureate curriculum to support enrichment.

 

It is important for everyone involved to work together to ensure that our scholars succeed academically and emotionally. Let's strive for excellence! This year, I will introduce a parent engagement program where I will provide school-wide data and opportunities to support volunteering and engagement. In addition, members will serve as thought partners to address how we will support initiatives around Access, Culture, and Enrichment (ACE). More information on how to join and the frequency of meetings will be shared at the beginning of the school year.

Here are some important dates and information to prepare your scholar for the upcoming school year. 

Important Dates: 

  • August 14, 2024 - Parent and Scholar Orientation at 6:00 pm (virtually). 
  • August 23, 2024 - The Systemic Student Orientation will take place. 
  • August 26, 2024 - First day of school for all scholars. Scholars must report on the first day in their full uniform. The school supply and uniform policy is attached HERE.
  • September 18, 2024 - Back to School Night at 6:00 pm (in-person). 

Important Information:

  • Schedules - Scholars will receive their official schedule on the Systemic Student Orientation day and the first day of school. 
  • School Supplies - The general 2024 - 2025 school supply list is included HERE. Note: scholars will not need a bookbag on the first day of school. Scholars should be a notebook to participate in Culture Lessons for the first day of school. 
  • Bus Transportation - Bus routing information will be provided by transportation. Go to https://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=PGCPS5UR2GLJ6U for bus information. Families will receive a letter from the Transportation Department indicating student am and pm routes with stops and times. Every student will be assigned a bus due to the relocation. 
  • Free and Reduced Lunch - Free and reduced lunch applications are available online at https://www.pgcps.org/offices/food-and-nutrition/free-and-reduced-meals.
  • PGCPS Chromebooks - Students will no longer be issued Chromebooks as Chromebooks will be provided to scholars in class. Each classroom will have a cart available for scholars to use Chromebooks.
  • Immunizations - Scholars must have up-to-date immunizations. Failure to provide updated immunization records may result in exclusion from school. More information can be found HERE
  • Synergy ParentVue - PGCPS will be transitioning away from our current student information system this summer and implementing Synergy, on July 29, 2024. Student enrollment and registration for School Year 2024-2025 has been paused during the final stage of implementation and will resume on July 22nd.  For more information on student registration and enrollment once the Synergy student information system reopens on July 29th, please visit www.pgcps.org/registration. 

I look forward to working with families this year. Let’s make it the best one ever.

Please feel free to contact the school with any questions at jamesmadison.ms@pgcps.org.

In partnership,

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Beverly Botchway

Principal