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Why fit into a mold when you can shape the world?
Learn more at www.hardin.kyschools.us! #HCSDifferenceMaker
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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!
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
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.
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
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
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
Reminder - Monday, January 5, 2026 is a professional learning day for HCS staff. We are excited to welcome students back to school on Tuesday, January 6, 2026!!
Dear JTA Families,
We hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season and are enjoying some time to relax! As we move into the second half of the school year, we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to provide the best possible experience for your child at JTA.
Please take a few minutes to complete our Mid-Year Parent Survey:
Mid-Year Parent Survey
Your feedback is anonymous and will be used to help us improve the student experience. Feel free to complete it now while things are calm—or wait until school is back in session. Either way, your input truly matters!
Thank you for partnering with us to make JTA a great place for every student.
Warm regards,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
Good evening, JTA families,
We wanted to let families know that students will have the opportunity to purchase items from a snack cart tomorrow as we kick off our last day before Christmas break. Cash will be accepted, and we are also able to accept tap-to-pay payments.
Good Afternoon JTA Families,
Tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday, students will complete the mid-year iReady diagnostic assessments.
Monday: Reading
Tuesday: Math
Attendance is very important on these two days. Please encourage your child to do their best, as these results help us make important scheduling decisions. This is especially critical for 8th graders, who will soon begin planning their high school schedules. If a student is below grade level in reading or math, they may need to take an intervention class, which could replace an elective.
Additional Updates:
The dance originally scheduled for Friday, December 12 will be rescheduled for after winter break.
This week is Spirit Week! Please see the attached flyer for daily themes and festivities.
Thank you for your support in helping your child succeed!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Dear JTA Families,
Next week, we will administer our i-Ready diagnostic assessments:
Monday: Reading Diagnostic
Tuesday: Math Diagnostic
Attendance is very important on these two days. These assessments help us understand where each student is academically and guide decisions about scheduling and support.
Please encourage your child to take their time and do their best. The results are used to determine whether students need additional intervention in reading or math. For example, students performing below grade level may be scheduled into an intervention class.
For 8th graders, this is especially important. In January and February, they will begin planning their high school schedules. If they are not on grade level, they may need a reading or math intervention class in place of an elective. We want to reserve those classes for students who truly need them—not for those who rushed through the test.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your child’s success!
Warm regards,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
Next week, we will administer our i-Ready diagnostic assessments:
Monday: Reading Diagnostic
Tuesday: Math Diagnostic
Attendance is very important on these two days. These assessments help us understand where each student is academically and guide decisions about scheduling and support.
Please encourage your child to take their time and do their best. The results are used to determine whether students need additional intervention in reading or math. For example, students performing below grade level may be scheduled into an intervention class.
For 8th graders, this is especially important. In January and February, they will begin planning their high school schedules. If they are not on grade level, they may need a reading or math intervention class in place of an elective. We want to reserve those classes for students who truly need them—not for those who rushed through the test.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your child’s success!
Warm regards,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
Good morning JTA families,
As you know, today is an NTI day. These days are considered instructional, so students will need to complete their assignments at home.
We will use the same NTI choice board that was sent home for the December 2 NTI day. Your child should select a different activity from each content area to complete today. This choice board is designed for three NTI days, so if we have another NTI day after this one, we will send home a new board.
All activities on the choice board can be completed without a computer or internet access—just good old-fashioned pencil and paper! Students should turn in their completed work to their teacher when they return to school.
Teachers are available throughout the day via email and Google Meet if you or your child have any questions about assignments. Please note that teachers will take a lunch break from 11:00–11:30 a.m. and will be unavailable during that time.
If you’ve misplaced your choice board, I’ve attached a copy for your convenience. If you’d prefer another hard copy, feel free to stop by the school—we’ll be happy to provide one.
Stay safe and warm!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please find this week’s Parent Update Newsletter attached for important school news and upcoming events.
We are excited to announce that our Winter Dance will be held this Friday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the school gym. Here are the details:
Tickets: $5 (sold during lunch on Friday)
Concessions: Available for purchase during the dance
Eligibility: Students must meet PBIS expectations for attendance, grades, and behavior to attend
We look forward to a fun and safe event for our students! Thank you for your continued support in helping us make this a great experience.
Good Afternoon JTA Families,
Progress reports were sent home with students today. Please take a moment to review your child’s report and discuss their progress with them.
We also want to warmly invite parents and guardians of all 7th and 8th grade students to join us for a special Holiday Meal at JTA on December 17th. If you plan to attend, please complete the attached form by December 12th so we can prepare accordingly.
We look forward to celebrating the season with you!
December Holiday Meal RSVP Form