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Proficient in Reading:
24%
Distinguished in Reading:
15%
Proficient in Math:
24%
Distinguished in Math:
8%
Link to the Document
https://reportcard.kyschools.us/
for
School Name
James T. Alton Middle School
We announced this yesterday but just wanted to send a reminder. There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, February 6, 2026.
7 months ago, Hardin County Schools
snow day 2-6-26
Dear 8th Grade Families,
We want to share an important update regarding our previously published dates for 8th grade transition events.
We originally listed the North Hardin High School Field Trip and Open House as occurring on February 9, but that date was incorrect.
Updated & Correct Information:

North Hardin High School Field Trip - Feb. 10
Open House - Feb. 10 6-7:30 PM

One‑to‑One Scheduling at NHHS
📅 February 12
⏰ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
(This date remains the same.)

We apologize for any confusion the incorrect date may have caused and appreciate your understanding. These events are an important part of helping our students prepare for a smooth and successful transition to high school, and we hope all families will be able to participate. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
7 months ago, Danielle Cassady

Dear Families,

We hope you are staying safe and warm. Today marks Day 8 of NTI due to winter weather, and we appreciate your continued support during this extended stretch of at‑home learning.

To celebrate students’ hard work, any student who has 100% of their NTI lessons submitted will be invited to a pizza party! We want to recognize the responsibility and effort many students have shown during NTI days.

Tropical Escape Spirit Day – When Students Return
When we return to school on **Monday—or the first day we are able to reopen—**we want to bring some sunshine back into the building with a Tropical Escape Spirit Day!
Students are invited to wear:

Floral or Hawaiian shirts
Bright or tropical colors
Straw hats
Sunglasses
Hawaiian leis
Or any other school‑appropriate tropical attire

We are also planning a few fun surprises to welcome students back and make the return feel joyful and energizing.

Portrait of a Learner (POL) Exhibition Night – February 25
Our Portrait of a Learner Exhibition Night will be held on Wednesday, February 25. Due to the number of snow and NTI days, we moved the event from February 18 to allow students additional preparation time.
Attendance at Exhibition Night is optional, but it is a great opportunity for students to practice and for families to celebrate their growth.

What Students Are Working On
During WIN time, students are preparing a short mini‑defense of learning. Each student will:

Select one POL competency
Choose an artifact (assignment/project) that demonstrates their learning
Complete four slides in their presentation template
Practice discussing what they learned and how the artifact shows growth

This helps build the skills needed for the required End‑of‑Year Defense of Learning, where students must present three competencies:

Personal Champion (required)
Effective Communicator (required)
One additional competency of their choice

A successful end‑of‑year defense is required for students who want to attend the Holiday World trip.

About Exhibition Night
Families are invited to attend and engage with students as they present their work. During the event:

Students will present their artifact and slides
Families can ask questions about the learning process
Teachers will be present to support and guide students

Although attendance isn’t required, the event provides meaningful practice for students before their required end‑of‑year defense.

How You Can Help at Home
You can support your child by asking reflective questions like:

What did you learn from creating this artifact?
What new skills did you develop?
What challenges did you face and overcome?
How does this artifact show your growth in this competency?

These conversations help students deepen their thinking and build confidence.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to welcoming students back with a bright, tropical celebration—and to seeing families at the POL Exhibition Night on February 26!

Sincerely,
Danielle Cassady
Principal

7 months ago, Danielle Cassady
We apologize for the second message. There was a technical issue with the audio in the first message's video. It has been corrected in the video link below.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
*Hardin County Schools will utilize Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
*Friday, February 6, 2026, will be a traditional SNOW DAY. That means that no instruction will be provided on that day.
We encourage our students, staff and families to listen to this message (see YouTube link) from HCS Superintendent Terrie Morgan. She answers some questions she has received about this prolonged time away from our physical classrooms: https://youtu.be/Sl03X8cC8es
7 months ago, Hardin County Schools
nti and close on 2-5 and 2-6-2026

Dear JTA Families,

Our superintendent has announced that tomorrow will be another NTI day, and we want to make sure your student has everything they need. Attached to this email is the new Choice Board for NTI Days 7–10.

Families may print the choice board at home if they would like a hard copy, or if you prefer, you may stop by the school tomorrow, and we will gladly provide a printed copy for your student.

NTI Day Expectations:
Students should complete one activity per class each NTI day.
All activities can be completed without online access using paper and pencil.
Students will turn in their work to teachers when they return to school.

Teacher Support During NTI:
Our teachers are available in Google Meets throughout the day to answer questions, provide help, or check in with your child. You can find the full list of Google Meet links on our school webpage under the NTI tab at the top right.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we navigate the weather. If you need anything or have questions, please call the school tomorrow—we will be here and happy to help.

Stay safe and warm,
Mrs. Cassady
Principal

NTI Lessons Days 7-10

7 months ago, Danielle Cassady
Dear 8th Grade Families,

I hope you are all staying safe and warm. Due to the recent weather and NTI days, we have had to reschedule all 8th grade transition activities. Below is the updated calendar of events to help you plan ahead.

Updated 8th Grade Transition Events
February 9 – 8th Grade Visit to NHHS. We still need many permission slips returned for this trip.
If you have not yet turned yours in, please send it with your student on the first day back.

February 9 – NHHS Freshman Open House (6:00–7:30 PM). This is a great opportunity to tour the high school, meet staff, and learn about programs offered to incoming freshmen.

February 12 – One‑to‑One Scheduling at JTA (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM). Guidance counselors from NHHS will be at JTA to meet individually with every 8th grader to begin the scheduling process for 9th grade. Parents are encouraged to attend with their student. If this time does not work for your family, you may contact the NHHS counseling office to arrange an alternate meeting time that fits your schedule.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work around the weather. Transitioning to high school is an exciting time, and we want to make sure all families have the information they need. If you have any questions, please reach out. We’re here to help!

Warm regards,
Mrs. Cassady
Principal
7 months ago, Danielle Cassady

Dear JTA Families,

I hope everyone is staying safe, warm, and dry. This is a reminder that today is NTI Day 6 and can be found on the 2nd Choice Board. Students should complete one activity from each class. There is no online requirement for these lessons—just good old‑fashioned paper and pencil. Students will turn in their completed work to their teacher when we return to school. Our teachers are in Google Meets all day to provide help or just to check in and say hello. You can find all lessons and all Google Meet links on the JTA school webpage under “NTI” in the top right corner. If we move into NTI Day 7, we will send out a new choice board for students.

Mr. Payne, our FRYSC coordinator, is collecting information to better support our families.
Please take a moment to complete this quick survey—it will help him assist our JTA community.

Field Trip Updates
6th Grade – Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (Louisville) is still scheduled for this Thursday, pending school being in session. If school is canceled, we will do our best to reschedule. If you have not turned in the permission slip, please send it on the first day back. The permission slip is linked below for your convenience.

8th Grade – NHHS Visit is rescheduled for February 9. Many students still need to turn in their permission slips; that form is also linked below.

All students are scheduled to attend Seusical the Musical on February 19 at the PAC. This permission slip was included with the 6th and 8th grade forms, so it is linked separately here for 7th grade families.

6th Grade Permission Slip
8th Grade Permission Slip
7th Grade Permission Slip

If your family needs anything—food, support reaching a teacher, or any other assistance—please call the school. We are here all day and happy to help. Thank you for your continued support, and please take care.

Warmly,
Mrs. Cassady
Principal

7 months ago, Danielle Cassady

HCS will conduct Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

7 months ago, Hardin County Schools
nti feb 3 2026
ALL students have the tools they need to shape their own future. From hands-on creative projects to high academic standards and diverse extracurriculars to our more than 40 career pathways, our #DistrictofOpportunities ensures no one is left out of the big picture. 🌎✨

Why fit into a mold when you can shape the world?

Learn more at www.hardin.kyschools.us! #HCSDifferenceMaker
8 months ago, Hardin County Schools
HCS students are shaping the world
Good morning, JTA Families!

Today is NTI Day 5, and students should continue working from the same NTI Choice Board they used yesterday (NTI Days 4–6). Choice boards were sent home on Friday, and they are also posted on the front page of our school website under the “NTI” section. https://jta.hardin.kyschools.us/

As a reminder, none of the NTI assignments require internet access. Students can complete their work using simple paper and pencil and return their assignments to their teachers once we are back in the building.

Teachers will again be available through email and Google Meet throughout the day.
The school phone may not be answered until later, so please use email or Google Meet if your child needs help.

I decided to brave the weather and come into the building this morning. Here’s what I’m seeing:
Main roads appear pretty clear,
But many side roads are still very icy.

My advice? Stay put, stay warm, and eat some junk food.

Looking Ahead – Thursday & Friday
Tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday will be traditional weather days, not NTI days.
This means there will be no assignments—students (and families!) can relax and enjoy the days off.
These days will be made up at the end of the school year, so please take this time to rest, recharge, and stay safe.

We will continue to update families through our school website, social media, and phone/text alerts. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We look forward to having our Trojans back in the building soon!

Have a great day and stay warm!

Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal, JTA
8 months ago, Danielle Cassady
Good morning, JTA Families!

Today is NTI Day 4, and we want to make sure students have everything they need to be successful.

We sent NTI choice boards home with students on Friday, but they are also available on the front page of our school website under the “NTI” section. Clicking that button will take you directly to our NTI site, where all assignments for each day are posted.
You can also access the site using this link: https://jta.hardin.kyschools.us/

Please remember that none of the NTI assignments require internet access. Students can complete all work using simple paper and pencil.

Teachers will be available by email and Google Meet throughout the day.
Because of weather and scheduling, the school phone may not be answered until later, so we encourage families to use staff email or Google Meet for support.
Students are encouraged to join Google Meets to receive accommodations, ask questions, and get feedback from their teachers.

When we return to in-person learning, students should bring their completed NTI assignments back to school and turn them in to their teachers.

We will continue sharing updates through our school website, social media, and phone/text alerts. Thank you for your support in helping our students continue learning during NTI days. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We look forward to seeing our Trojans back in the building soon!

Have a great day and stay safe.
8 months ago, Danielle Cassady

Dear JTA Families,

This is a reminder that today and tomorrow are NTI days due to weather conditions.

NTI Work for Today (Day 1)
Students should choose one assignment from the NTI Choice Board (Lessons 1–3) to complete.

NTI Work for Tomorrow (Day 2)
Students should choose one assignment from the NTI Choice Board (Days 4–6) to complete. The second choice board was sent home with students on Friday in anticipation of the weather, and both choice boards are linked to this email for your convenience.

No Internet Required
All NTI assignments can be completed on paper. No internet access is needed.
Students should turn in their completed work to their teachers when they return to school.

Teacher Support Available Today
Teachers will be working from home today and are available to help your child if needed. They can be reached by email or Google Meet anytime between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. All staff will take a lunch break from 11:00–11:30 AM.

Thank you for your support in helping our students stay on track during NTI days. Please stay safe and warm!

Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal, JTA

8 months ago, Danielle Cassady

Dear Parents and Guardians,

With the winter storm expected to move into our area this weekend, we are cancelling Saturday School for tomorrow. The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority.

Today, we also sent students home with a new NTI choice board just in case weather causes us to miss more days next week. The previous choice board should still have one day of NTI work remaining. The new choice board provides three additional NTI days of lessons. Together, students now have four total NTI days of work prepared if it becomes necessary. If the superintendent calls for an NTI day, we will send out additional information at that time.

Field Trip Permission Slips
We currently have several field trips planned, and permission slips were sent home earlier this month. Because of the possibility of more weather closures, it is extremely important that these are returned on the first day students come back to school, should we be out next week.

6th Grade – Stage One Performance (Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief)
Permission slips are due January 30.
If we are out next week, please ensure your student returns the permission slip the very first day we are back so we can finalize arrangements and create bus lists.

8th Grade – NHHS Tour
The 8th grade trip has been rescheduled for February 9, 2026.
Although the permission slips were originally due already, due to our two recent snow days, we will continue accepting them as soon as students return to school. Please keep track of this and have the form ready to turn in right away.

For your convenience, both permission slips are linked to this message in case you need another copy.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us stay prepared during this winter weather. As always, we will keep you updated with any new information. Stay safe and warm!

Danielle Cassady
Principal, JTA Middle School

8 months ago, Danielle Cassady
Dear 8th Grade Families,

I hope you and your students are staying safe and warm during these snow days. Because school was closed both yesterday and today, several of our planned 8th‑grade scheduling and transition activities were missed or pushed back. We are coordinating with three different schools, so thank you for your patience and flexibility as we adjust. Below is the updated schedule for all 8th‑grade transition events:

NHHS Guidance Counselor Visit: February 4 at 8:30 AM (at JTA) - North Hardin High School counselors will meet with our 8th graders to explain the scheduling process and answer questions.

NHHS Freshman Fair (Open House): February 4 from 6:00–7:30 PM. This event is a great opportunity for students and families to tour NHHS, meet teachers, and learn about courses and extracurriculars.

1:1 High School Scheduling at JTA: February 5 – starting at 8:00 AM. NHHS counselors will be on‑site at JTA for individual student scheduling. They will stay as long as needed to finish every student. Parents are encouraged to attend this session with their child. If February 5 does not work for your schedule, please contact North Hardin High School directly. Their counseling team will be happy to set up an appointment on another day.

High School Tour: Rescheduled Date TBD. We were originally scheduled to take 8th graders on a field trip to tour NHHS, but the snow days have delayed this as well. We do not yet have a new date, but we will share updated information with you as soon as it is confirmed.

Please Note: These Dates May Shift Again
We are also expecting a major weather event this weekend, which may result in additional school closures next week. Because of this, all of the dates above should be considered tentative. If weather impacts these plans again, we will communicate any changes with you as quickly as possible through email, School Messenger, and social media.

Thank you again for your understanding as we adjust to weather‑related changes. If you have any questions about scheduling, transition events, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal, JTA
8 months ago, Danielle Cassady
Dear JTA Families,

I hope you are all enjoying this unexpected snow day and making some wonderful memories together.

Because school was closed today, we will hold our Attendance Reward Day tomorrow—or on the next day we are back in session if the winter weather continues. To celebrate, students may wear sweatpants and use their personal devices during lunch.

We look forward to seeing everyone back as soon as it is safe to return, and we’re excited to celebrate our students’ great attendance and hard work.

Stay warm and enjoy the snow!

Sincerely,
Danielle Cassady
Principal, JTA
8 months ago, Danielle Cassady
Hello families,

First, my apologies for the late message last night — I’m still getting the hang of Apptegy’s scheduling feature.

I also want to let you know that our lost and found is overflowing with jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and a variety of other items. We've been reminding students to look through it for anything they may be missing, but we wanted to pass the message along to you as well in case you’d like to encourage your child to check.

Since we can’t store items indefinitely, any unclaimed belongings will be donated next week.

Thank you for your help!
8 months ago, Danielle Cassady

Dear JTA Families,

I hope you are all doing well and staying warm! I have several important updates and reminders to share as we move into a very busy stretch of the school year.

Mid‑Year School Supply Check
January is always a great time to take a quick look at your child's school supplies. Many students are running low on basics like paper and pencils. A quick refresh now helps keep them organized and ready to learn.

Attendance Reward Day – This Wednesday
Our students met their attendance goal for December—great job! As a reward, this Wednesday will be a special celebration day. It also happens to be National Sweatpants Day, so students are welcome to wear sweatpants to school.
In addition, students will be allowed to use their electronics during lunch only. They may listen to music, text, play games, and enjoy the things we normally avoid during instructional hours. This privilege is for Wednesday at lunch only.

On‑Demand Writing Scrimmage – Monday, January 26
On Monday, JTA will administer an on‑demand writing scrimmage. Students will respond to a writing prompt that will help us assess their current writing skills and guide future instruction. This is an important midpoint check for all grade levels.

8th Grade High School Transition Events
Our 8th graders have several upcoming activities to help them prepare for high school scheduling:

Wednesday morning: NHHS counselors will visit JTA to talk through scheduling options.
Friday: Students will take a field trip to tour North Hardin High School.
Tuesday, January 27: NHHS Freshman Open House, 6:00–7:30 PM.
Wednesday, January 28: NHHS counselors will return to JTA for 1:1 scheduling from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM.
If your family needs a different day or time, please contact NHHS—they are happy to accommodate.

100th Day of School – January 26
We will celebrate the 100th day of school on Monday, January 26! Students and staff are invited to dress up as “100‑year‑olds.” We are excited to see all the creativity!

Upcoming Field Trips
We have several exciting experiences planned:

8th Grade: Visit to North Hardin High School – this Friday
6th Grade: Stage One performance of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief in Louisville – February 5. Permission slips go home today and will be due back Friday, January 30. The cost is Cost: $5

All Students (Grades 6–8): Seussical the Musical at the PAC – February 19. Cost: $5
Permission slips for 6th and 8th graders will be attached to their other field trip forms
7th graders will receive theirs on February 2.

Finally, here is this week's Parent Update Newsletter.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support. Please reach out if you have any questions about these events or upcoming activities. We appreciate everything you do to partner with us in your child’s education.

Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal, JTA

8 months ago, Danielle Cassady
January is Board of Education Appreciation Month! We are grateful for the dedication of our board members and their support of HCS students and staff. We appreciate the service of Dawn Johnson (Board Chair), Ben Sego (Board Vice Chair), Steve Bland, Mark Casey and Charlie Wise.
8 months ago, Hardin County Schools
thank you boe 2026

Dear JTA Families,

We hope you are having a great week. As you review this week’s Parent Update newsletter, we wanted to share additional information about several upcoming events, field trips, and important dates, especially for our 8th grade families.

Winter Dance – Rescheduled
Our Winter Dance has been rescheduled for:
Friday, January 16
3:00–5:00 PM (after school)
Tickets: $5, sold the day of the dance
We look forward to a fun afternoon for our students!

Upcoming Field Trips
We have several exciting learning opportunities coming up:

8th Grade: Visit to North Hardin High School
📅 January 23

6th Grade: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief at Stage One (Louisville)
📅 February 5

All Students: Seussical the Musical at the Hardin County Performing Arts Center
📅 February 19

More information about permissions, transportation, and logistics will be shared closer to each trip.

Important Information for 8th Grade Families – High School Scheduling
We are beginning the high school transition process for our 8th grade students:

January 21:
North Hardin High School counselors will visit JTA to meet with all 8th graders and discuss high school scheduling.

January 27:
North Hardin High School Freshman Open House
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM at NHHS
Families are strongly encouraged to attend.

January 28:
NHHS guidance counselors will be at JTA for one‑to‑one scheduling conferences
🕗 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

North Hardin High School has mailed scheduling information directly to all 8th grade families. Please review that information carefully, and reach out to them if you have any questions.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We appreciate all you do to help make JTA a positive and successful learning environment for our students. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Warm regards,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
JTA

8 months ago, Danielle Cassady
Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to share that the winter dance originally scheduled in December and cancelled due to weather has been rescheduled. The new date for the dance is:

📅 Friday, January 16
⏰ 3:00–5:00 PM (immediately after school)

Tickets will be sold on January 16, and students may pay with cash or by tap‑to‑pay at the door. The concession stand will also be open for students who wish to make purchases during the dance.

We know many students have been looking forward to this event, and we appreciate your patience as we worked to find a new date. We’re excited to provide this fun opportunity for our students!

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
8 months ago, Danielle Cassady