Principal's Message

Greetings Jackson-Reed Faculty, Staff, and Community,

The first day of school starts tomorrow and we are excited to welcome our students back to campus!  Last week, we conducted our Faculty & Staff Pre-Service week and it was great to reconnect with everyone as we engaged in professional development, collaborated, and set up classrooms, offices, and common areas throughout the building.  It was also great to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work done last year which resulted in a 5% increase in students meeting or exceeding proficiency in Math and a 7% increase in students meeting or exceeding proficiency in English Language Arts in the District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (DC CAPE). 

Faculty and Staff members weren’t the only ones who got acclimated to the school last week, some students and families got a glimpse into the year, by attending our Grade Level Orientations.  During these sessions, they met members of our school community, received their laptops, and familiarized themselves with our focus areas.  As you may recall, last year we focused on literacy, attendance, and Career & Technical Education.  This year, we plan to build on our success and go deeper into these areas by focusing on:

  • Evidence-based Writing
  • Chronic Absenteeism
  • Post-Secondary Planning

These three focus areas are in alignment with the DCPS Strategic Plan by helping our students succeed academically, connect to school, and prepare for what’s next. 

As we start this new school year, and strive to build a safe, supportive, and welcoming community of dedicated and self-reflective learners, remember that each of you plays a key part in the success of our students.  Thank you for your dedication and partnership in educating our students.

Tigers R.O.A.R.!

Sah Brown

Principal

Events this Week

All grade-level Town Halls this week will be announced over the loudspeaker to remind students to attend.

  • Monday, Aug 26: Staggered Start for 11th & 12th Grade (Arrival: 9:35 am, 2nd Period Begins: 10:25 am)
  • Tuesday, Aug 27: Staggered Start for 11th & 12th Grade (Arrival: 9:35 am, 2nd Period Begins: 10:25 am)
  • Wednesday, Aug 28: 9th Grade (C/O 2028) Town Hall, 11:00 am (2nd Period)
  • Wednesday, Aug 28: 10th Grade (C/O 2027) Town Hall, 2:45 pm (4th Period)
  • Thursday, Aug 29: 12th Grade (C/O 2025) Town Hall at 11:00 am (2nd Period)
  • Thursday, Aug 29: Scheduled Fire Drill, 1:00 pm (3rd Period)
  • Friday, Aug 30: 11th Grade (C/O 2026)Town Hall, 2:30 pm (4th Period)

Athletics this Week

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Student Schedules and Schedule Change Requests: Aug 26 - Sep 9

There will be additional support staff throughout the building to help students read their schedules and find their classrooms. Additional resources such as maps and reminders will be posted on school walls and Atrium TVs.

Schedule Distribution
  • Students will be informed to pull up their ASPEN accounts to view their schedule.
  • Students without ASPEN access will pick up a schedule from staff members at welcome tables inside and around the atrium.
  • Students will be directed to take a picture of their schedule using their phone immediately after receiving it.
  • Students who enroll during the first days of school will be provided with a mock schedule to follow.
Requesting Scheduling Changes
  • Students will be able to request schedule changes from August 26-September 9.
  • Students will request schedule changes using an online form accessible via a QR code that all teachers will be provided.
  • Their counselor will follow up with approval, denial, or a scheduled meeting.
  • Students must follow their assigned schedule in Aspen until presented with a new schedule by their counselor.
Schedule Change Process:
  • Schedule change requests will be accepted from August 26th – September 9th   using the Course Change Requests Form (QR Code available throughout the school building). After September 9th, schedule change requests will not be authorized.
  • Students will receive an email from their School Counselor indicating if their change has been accepted or denied.  If the School Counselor needs to meet with the student in person, they will schedule that meeting via email.
  • Students will only visit their School Counselor in person if they have an incomplete schedule or the School Counselor invites them to an in-person meeting.

Staggered Start Times

To ensure a smooth start to the school year and help our newest students acclimate to the building, we will continue to implement a staggered arrival for our students.  On August 26th and August 27th, doors will open for 9th and 10th-grade students at 8:10 a.m., and they will report to first period.  Doors will open for 11th and 12th grade students at 9:35 a.m., and they will report to their second period.  Please note that 11th and 12th-grade students will be excused from their first-period classes on August 26th and 27th .

Grade-Level Orientation Slides & Resources

Please see a copy of the presentations shared this past week during grade-level orientations below. We've also provided a document that lists grade-level-specific support teams. These resources will be available on individual class pages moving forward.

 

Donate to the PTSO

The Jackson-Reed Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) supports funding requests from teachers, administrators, staff, and student groups with grants that meet the needs of our community. Some examples:
  • Lab equipment for 500 chemistry students
  • Professional development for social studies teachers
  • 250+ meals for teachers and staff on their in-service days
  • Backpacks of school supplies for English language learners
  • Annual support for The Beacon
  • Printmaking supplies for the Art Department
  • Support for field trips, speakers, and heritage celebrations
  • And much more!
Consider giving $1/day for each day your child is in school ($180), $2/day ($360), or whatever you can afford. It will be well spent!
Donate Here

Student Clubs & Organizations: National Honor Society Applications for SY2024-2025 Open!

Rising Seniors and Juniors can now apply for membership in Jackson-Reed High School's chapter of the National Honor Society. All necessary information regarding the application process as well as links for the application can be found on our school website. The deadline for Senior applicants is Friday, September 13th, 2024 and for Junior applicants it's Friday, October 4th, 2024. If your student has any questions, please have them contact the co-sponsors, Ms. Munoz (daniela.munoz@k12.dc.gov) in room 224 and Mr. Heckler (david.heckler@k12.d.c.gov) in room 215.

Apply Here

Community Service: Celebrate Van Ness Main Street!

This is a series of Van Ness/Forest Hills community events on Saturday, September 14 from 10 am to 10 pm.

Opportunity: Mikva Challenge DC High School Councils

Application deadline: September 17, 2024

Mikva Challenge DC is now accepting applications for our two citywide, civic engagement, high school programs that provide an opportunity for DC students to elevate their voice in local decision-making with other youth changemakers while earning community service hours, going on field trips, and receiving a stipend. Application deadline: September 17, 2024. To apply, contact Crystal Gordon, crystalg@mikvachallenge.org. For more information, visit mikvachallenge.org

Opportunity: 2025 United States Senate Youth Program

Application deadline: Monday, October 28, 2024

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is seeking high-achieving student leaders to participate in the 2025 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). DC public, public charter, and private high school juniors and seniors who will be serving in an elected or appointed position during the 2024-25 school year and who possess a strong interest in government, history, and causing a change in their communities are encouraged to apply. Application deadline: Monday, October 28, 2024.

Athletics: Join Girls Ultimate Frisbee!

The JR Girls frisbee team is holding an interest meeting on Thursday, August 29th during lunch in room 408! Come to learn about the supportive ultimate community, and our team, and meet new friends. Beginners are welcome, no tryouts or prior experience is necessary. We practice 2-3 times a week and compete at home games as well as local and travel tournaments. Don’t miss out on the chance to make memories, build skills, and experience the thrill of the game.
Ultimate Frisbee offers a wonderful, beginner-friendly opportunity for athletes feeling stressed or burnt out in another sport or those looking to try a team sport for the first time to discover the joy of playing sports and the power it can provide throughout your life. We encourage all students interested to come out to our interest meeting or a practice to see what ultimate is all about!
Fill out our interest form to sign up for updates from the team about practice and scheduling info!

Athletics: Join Jackson-Reed Crew's Novice Squad

Jackson-Reed Crew registration is now open for new athletes! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED. Any Jackson-Reed High School student is invited to join.

 

The novice squad is open to any athlete, including those students with no previous rowing experience. Because rowing is not usually available until the high school level, freshmen, sophomores, or even juniors have a unique opportunity to learn and explore a new sport, starting on equal footing with their classmates and competitors. Over the course of the year, incoming student-athletes go from never having stepped into a boat to rowing at a very competitive level and are ready to join the varsity squad in their second year. Jackson-Reed Crew is the only public high school crew team in DC. The program can provide financial assistance so that no interested rower is prevented from participating due to financial barriers.

 

Interested in learning more? Complete our online form and you will be invited to an virtual information session on Thursday, September 5 at 8 PM via zoom or visit www.jacksonreedcrew.org/novice to learn more about our program.

Atheltics: GEARING UP FOR FALL SEASON 2024

Although it seems that school just ended, our fall sports teams will begin practicing before we know it.   Please keep in mind:  In order to participate in athletics at Jackson-Reed High School, you must have the following complete by the first day of try-outs for that sport.  Please see the athletics website for Fall Sports try-out dates.
The DCIAA Eligibility Paperwork is now posted and available for our student-athletes to fill out.

Universal Health Certificates/Physicals must have the following:

  • Be up to date (Date of Exam) - UHC's have a lifeline of 1 year ( Example: Date of Exam 1/23/2023 - Expires 1/23/2024 - will not be accepted) 
  • Must be signed by a doctor or nurse practitioner's - Any signatures with Initials next to them will not be accepted
  • Stamp from the doctors office found on the bottom left of the second page
If they have any questions, please feel free to direct them to the Athletic Department Staff. 

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