J.M. Alexander Middle School Family Newsletter – Friday, 3/02/2012

J.M. Alexander Middle School Family
Newsletter – Friday, 3/02/2012
Code of Conduct Assemblies
This week and last we held code of conduct assemblies for every grade level. At these assemblies, we reviewed
the CMS Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, academic expectations, and appropriate attire for school. We
reminded the girls of the following dress code rules: shirts must have sleeves (cap sleeves or longer), no
plunging necklines, no off-the-shoulder shirts, no tummy showing, skirts must be no more than four inches
above the knee, no large purses, and no head coverings (except for religious reasons). We reminded the boys of
their dress code rules: no saggy pants, no hats on head unless for medical reasons, and no book bags in class.
Run Too Overcome – March 17th
Parents, guardians, scholars, and staff of JMA -- Go get your running shoes! The 4th annual Run Too
Overcome is March 17th at Hough High School. Run Too Overcome is a 5k, 10k, and 1 mile fun run set up to
raise money and awareness for the Exceptional Children’s classes at participating schools in northern
Mecklenburg County. The money raised goes directly to EC classrooms. Register online at
www.queencitytiming.com or pick up a registration card in the front office at JMA.
Scholars can earn community service hours for participating in this event. The organizers of Run to Overcome
also need volunteers to help prepare for and run the event. Scholars who don’t want to run but who would like
to volunteer the day of the race or earlier, please contact Cathy Henry at indianahenrys@sbcglobal.net or
704.450.9550. You can also sign up to volunteer in the JMA front office.
Opportunity to host visiting French students
Ms. Diane Smith, a French teacher at East Mecklenburg High School, is looking for families in Mecklenburg
County to host visiting students from France. At the moment, she is looking for placements for a 9 th grade girl
who will be in Charlotte April 22 - May 4 and an 8th grade girl who will be visiting Charlotte from April 13 -
April 27. Students will be matched with families by gender & interests. There is also an opportunity for this
summer -- a group of 10 students (8 girls/2 boys, ages 12 - 15) will need host families from July 13 - July 24.
Any family interested can contact Madame Dejong at marianne.dejong@cms.k12.nc.us or call JMA and leave a
message. She will then get in touch with Ms. Diane Smith and have her forward application forms ASAP.
Summer Camp – STAND (Students Taking Action Not Drugs) Anuvia’s
Prevention Summer Camp, STAND (Students Taking Action Not Drugs), is approaching. Anuvia is looking for

ising 5 th , 6 th , 7 th and 8 th graders who want to be campers of STAND this year. STAND Camp is a 4-day
residential camp that provides an array of educational, social and recreational activities designed to bolster
students’ life skills, grow leadership and teamwork skills and enhance appreciation of the diversity of our
community. Scholars can download applications from the JMA website:
(http://jmastudentservices.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/ ) or pick up an application in Student Services. The deadline to
turn in the application is Thursday, March 29 th .
Sign up for Parent Assistant!
Have you signed up for Parent Assistant? If not, it’s not too late to sign up for this valuable tool. You can use
Parent Assistant to check your scholars’ progress and make changes to family information, including changing
phone numbers, adding emergency contacts, and providing an email address for Connect Ed messages (address
changes still need to be made in person). Forms for establishing a family account can be found on the JMA
website: http://jmastudentservices.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/. Parents wishing to sign up for Parent Assistant can
email the form directly to our registrar, Marla Swanger (marla.swanger@#cms.k12.nc.us), who will then
establish the account.
Girl Power!
Is your daughter curious about becoming a nurse, attorney or marketing professional? Does she excel in science
and math classes? Then visit the Energy Explorium on Saturday, March 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to attend
“Girl Power!” “Girl Power” is a one-day event targeting girls in middle and high school. The event allows girls
to learn more about careers they may be interested in pursuing in the future in a small classroom setting led by
female professionals. Each interactive session lasts about 50 minutes, so girls will have a chance to ask
questions and participate in real-life scenarios. In addition to pre-registering for classes, all girls will attend a
group session which will focus on self-confidence, nutrition/health and exercise. Read below for more info!
“Girl Power” Goes “Green”
Since “Girl Power” falls on St. Patrick’s Day this year, we’re asking all participants to wear green! In addition, a
session will be offered on learning more about “green” jobs and the important role they play in a large company.
Register for Girl Power
Visit the EnergyExplorium website (External) to learn more about the careers being offered and to register.
Registration opens Feb. 15. Click here to register for your classes (don’t forget to read through the class descriptions
found below first). Although you’ll attend three classes, be sure to check your top four choices since class size is
limited. Registration closes March 9.
Additional Event Information:
� This is a free event, however, lunch will not be provided. Please be sure to bring a bag lunch.
� Registration packets will be distributed from 8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
� Think of this event as an introduction to your first job. Being on time is very important; the event will start
promptly at 9:30 a.m.
Class Descriptions:
Engineering (High School Girls Only)
Students will learn about the many fields of Engineering from McGuire Nuclear Station engineers. An interactive
session is planned which will explore career options in engineering. Famous engineering marvels and failures will be
presented, and hands-on activities will give students an opportunity to create their own engineering marvels.

Public Speaking
The ability to speak eloquently is an invaluable tool for every career. This class will help students hone their verbal
and nonverbal communication skills and give them useful tips on how to speak and present themselves well. The
instructor will also discuss the many different career opportunities in the communications field.
Chemistry
Ever wondered what goes on inside a real science lab? Duke Energy chemists will take you inside an actual chemistry
lab and instruct girls on the fundamentals of Chemistry. Students will conduct many stimulating and unusual
experiments. Girls must wear closed-toe shoes to participate in this class.
Law
Anybody ever told you, you’d be a great attorney. Girls will learn about career options in law. The instructors will
discuss educational requirements for various positions, such as paralegal, attorney and court clerk.
Computers/Information Technology (IT)
Are you interested in understanding careers available in the field of Information Technology? In this session, we will
discuss work in areas of IT involving Application Development and Support, Networking and Infrastructure, IT
Consulting, Workstation Support, IT Security and Project Management. We will also be looking at ways Duke Energy
utilizes technology to help support day to day operations.
TV Reporter/Journalism
Being a TV reporter may seem glamorous, but it's actually a pretty tough job. Find out if your likes and interests can
help you be a successful TV reporter. You'll learn how a story is developed, what it takes to meet tough deadlines and
the secrets behind the scenes. Bring a story idea and we'll see if we can make it TV ready.
Marketing and Tourism
Spend a day in the life of a Marketing and Sales Coordinator. Learn about multiple elements of marketing through
graphic design, advertising, social media, website management, merchandising, groups sales, and selling a location as
the destination to spend your next vacation. See an inside look of marketing projects over time and the purpose of
why travel and tourism is so important for our community.
Nursing
Interested in Nursing? This session will focus on many opportunities that becoming a professional nurse can offer. It
is not uncommon for people to believe that all nurses work in hospitals or clinics caring for the sick and injured.
However, a degree in nursing opens the door to many different aspects of healthcare. Come explore what being a nurse
could mean to you!
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness
Members of the Huntersville Police Department will lead an engaging discussion on the effects of alcohol and
substance abuse. With the aid of a golf cart and visually-impairing glasses called “Beer Goggles” girls will simulate
driving while being in an impaired state.
Renewable Energy 101
Do you ever wonder why you don’t see solar panels and wind turbines everywhere, even though the energy is “free”
from the sun and wind? If it’s free, then we should see it everywhere, right? Duke’s mission is to provide affordable,
reliable, and clean energy for our customers. Today, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are clean, but
they’re not cheap to build and they’re not reliable for generating power around the clock…but someday, they could be.
And that’s what makes the renewable energy business challenging and exciting. Come join Emily for a lesson on the
who-what-when-where-why-and-how of renewable energy
Presbyterian Healthcare Volunteer Opportunity
Presbyterian Healthcare is now accepting applications for the 2012 Junior Volunteer summer program. This
program lasts for 9 weeks and is for students who will be 14 years old by June 1, 2012. Students will assist
staff, visitors, and patients with non-medical tasks.Volunteers must be able to follow directions, accept
supervision, work independently, and exhibit interest and enthusiasm. Applicants who are accepted must be
reliable, responsible, and able to commit to one shift per week, 3 1/2 hours long, for the entire program. Only

two absences can be accommodated. There are no evening or weekend shifts available. An interview with the
applicant and one parent, attending an orientation, and completion of a hospital-provided health screening are
required before beginning volunteer service.The application deadline is March 31, 2012 and can be downloaded
from www.presbyterian.org/volunteers, then follow the link to Junior Volunteers. If you would prefer to receive
an application on the mail or for any additional questions, please contact Betsy C. Krantz, 704-384-4866,
eckrantz@novanthealth.org.
JMA Listserv
If you haven’t yet, please take a moment and join the JMA Listserv! The listserv is a great way to receive
regular updates about life here at JMA through your email. To join visit the JMA website and look for the
listserv link on the left hand side of the page. After you sign up, you will receive a confirmation email to accept.
After you “accept” membership to the Listserv you will begin receiving newsletters and other communications
electronically.
Athletic Department Updates
TheAthletic Booster Club president is looking for parents to volunteer. She is currently in need of parents to
work the concession table at games selling candy and drinks. Any parent interested in helping please email Lori
Karriker at lori.karriker@gmail.com.
From the PTSA
JMA Student Directories
Work on the JMA Student directory is complete. Please be on the look-out for a Dropbox invite that provides
access to the "JMA Student Directories" - which are now available via on-line means. There are three folders
that have been set up containing the following: (1) "Full list sorted by Home Base Teacher", (2) "Full list sorted
by (scholar's) Last Name", and (3) "Sectioned lists by (scholar's) Last Name". The lists are also separated by
grade levels. We are doing our best to stay "green" and not use our very limited PTSA funds for printed copies.
Should you still require a printed copy, please let us know. If you have any questions about the directory, did
not receive your invite, or there is an error in your child’s information, please contact either Gen Suchy
at ggnssuchy@gmail.com or Jenn Curry Fox at jckota@me.com.
Spirit Wear
Haven't gotten your JMA Spirit Wear yet? Visit the PTSA website at http://jma-ptsa.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/
and print an order form. Turn it in to your home base teacher and you'll be all set. We have hoodies,t-shirts,
bags, etc., all with the JMA logo.Wear it with pride!
Tutoring Schedule
Name Days Time
Anderson, Priscilla Tues/Thurs 8:05-8:40

Extended Learning
Dial, Tamara Tuesday 8:10-8:45
Omar, Hussein Tues/Thurs 4:30-5:30
Stevens, Katherine Tuesday 8:15-8:45
Gomez, Sharon Mon/Fri after school
(class UMC, T,W,Th)
Guffey, Dru Tues/Thurs 4:30-5:00
Sweeney, Cindy Mon/Fri 7:45-8:45
Dicker, Shauna Tuesday 8:15-8:45
DeJong, Marianne Monday after school
All of 8th grade Monday 4:15-5:45
Tuesday 7:45-8:45
Ditto, Judy Friday 8:15 a.m.
Zingher Sue Monday 8:00-8:45
Tuesday 4:15-5:00
Fletcher, Lois Monday 4:15-5:15
Johnsen, Melissa Tues/Thurs 8:00-8:45
Clay Byron Tuesday 8:00
Allen, Sandra Tuesday 8:00
Wednesday 4:30-5:30
Willden, Suzanne Tuesday 8:15-8:45
Self, Debbie Thursday 8:15-8:45
Important Dates
• March 20 th – Rising 6 th grade orientation – 6:00 p.m.
• March 29 th – End-of-quarter