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
Dear JTA Families,
We’re excited for our field trip tomorrow to Actor’s Theater to see A Christmas Carol! Thank you so much for being amazing about getting permission slips back, especially with the NTI day and Thanksgiving break in the mix—we truly appreciate your support.
We love planning experiences like this for our students, but we need your help in reminding them about appropriate behavior. This trip requires considerable planning and cost, and we want students to show us they value these opportunities so we can continue offering more in the future.
Spirit Day Reminder: Tomorrow is “Dress to Impress” day! Since we’re heading to the theater, we thought it would be fun to wear our best outfits. No need to buy anything new—just choose the nicest clothes your child already has. It’s all in good fun!
Thank you for partnering with us to make this a great experience for our students. We can’t wait for tomorrow!
We’re excited for our field trip tomorrow to Actor’s Theater to see A Christmas Carol! Thank you so much for being amazing about getting permission slips back, especially with the NTI day and Thanksgiving break in the mix—we truly appreciate your support.
We love planning experiences like this for our students, but we need your help in reminding them about appropriate behavior. This trip requires considerable planning and cost, and we want students to show us they value these opportunities so we can continue offering more in the future.
Spirit Day Reminder: Tomorrow is “Dress to Impress” day! Since we’re heading to the theater, we thought it would be fun to wear our best outfits. No need to buy anything new—just choose the nicest clothes your child already has. It’s all in good fun!
Thank you for partnering with us to make this a great experience for our students. We can’t wait for tomorrow!
Good morning JTA families,
Due to the weather, today will be an NTI day. Students are expected to work from home.
Each student received a hard copy of the NTI plan yesterday, but for your convenience, the plans are also linked on our website and attached to this email. These activities do not require a computer or internet access—just good old-fashioned pencil and paper.
Students will select one assignment from the choice board for each class and return their completed work to their teachers when they return to school. We’ve designed these plans to be as simple and stress-free as possible.
If your child did not bring home the hard copy and you would like one, feel free to stop by the school and we’ll provide it for you.
A quick reminder: Permission slips for the Actor’s Theater trip were due today. We are extending the deadline by one day, so please make sure we receive them by tomorrow.
Thank you for your support, and stay safe and warm!
Good Afternoon JTA Families,
Just a quick reminder that permission slips for our field trip to Actor’s Theater to see A Christmas Carol are due tomorrow.
Please note: We cannot accept verbal permission over the phone—a signed slip is required. If the original didn’t make it home, no worries! We’ve attached a copy here for your convenience:
[Field Trip Permission Slip]
For 8th Grade Families:
In addition to the Actor’s Theater slip, all 8th graders should have received a permission slip for the Career Fair at Bluegrass Sportsplex on Friday, December 5th. These slips must be turned in by Thursday for your child to attend.
Thank you so much for helping us make these experiences possible for our students! If you have any questions, please reach out—we’re happy to help.
Good Afternoon JTA Families,
We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! As we return to school, here’s a quick reminder about our upcoming field trip to Actor’s Theater in Louisville on December 4 to see A Christmas Carol.
Permission slips are due no later than December 2 to secure your child’s spot. If you haven’t sent it in yet, please do so as soon as possible. Even if you don’t have the $5 right now, that’s okay—just send the signed slip.
Please remember: We cannot accept verbal permission over the phone, so the signed slip is required. If the original didn’t make it home, we’ve attached a copy here for your convenience:
[Field Trip Permission Slip]
Thank you for helping us make this special experience possible for our students!
Good Afternoon JTA Families,
We have a couple of exciting things happening. First, we’re heading to Actor’s Theater in Louisville on December 4 to see the holiday classic A Christmas Carol! This is an incredible experience that students won’t want to miss.
Permission slips are coming home TODAY with your student. Please return them as soon as possible—we need them back no later than December 2. With Thanksgiving break coming up, it will be easy to forget, so try to send it back tomorrow! Even if you don’t have the $5 right away - that’s okay. Send the permission slip in anyway. Remember: We can’t accept verbal permission over the phone, so it is very important to get those permission slips in. Don’t wait—secure your child’s spot now so they can join us for this unforgettable trip! Here is the permission slip just in case it didn't make it home today. Field Trip Permission Slip
Also, don’t forget that tomorrow our district's Family Stability Program will be hosting "Hats Off to Helping", a district-wide fundraiser dedicated to supporting students and families in need. EVERYONE is invited to wear their favorite school appropriate hat in exchange for a $1 donation. Every dollar will go directly to helping families in need in our community. Let’s tip our hats to helping others!
Promo Video Link
Good evening JTA Families,
Stay connected and informed about what’s happening at school this week. Click the link below to read important updates, upcoming events, and helpful resources for your family.
JTA Parent Update
We appreciate your partnership in making this a great year for our students!
Our district's Family Stability Program will be hosting "Hats Off to Helping", a district-wide fundraiser dedicated to supporting students and families in need. On November 25, EVERYONE is invited to wear their favorite school appropriate hat in exchange for a $1 donation.
Your participation—through donating, wearing a hat, or helping spread the word—directly supports the important work this program does for our families. Every contribution, big or small, truly makes a difference.
Let’s tip our hats to helping others!
Watch the promo video here: https://youtu.be/fvUNABV5LhY
Dear JTA Families,
Are you a veteran with a student at JTA? If so, we would be honored to have you join us for our Veteran’s Day Breakfast tomorrow at 8:30 AM. Each student may bring up to two guests, and all guests must sign in at the front office with a valid ID. We look forward to celebrating and showing appreciation for your service!
Also, tomorrow is the final day to turn in permission slips and the $5 fee for the End-of-Trimester Reward Trip to Sky’s the Limit trampoline park. If your child qualifies and plans to attend, please make sure they’ve submitted both the slip and payment.
Lastly, we’re collecting items for our Thanksgiving Food Drive and need your help! We’re asking families to donate:
Canned Corn
Canned Green Beans
Boxed Mac & Cheese
Let’s come together to support our community and make a difference this holiday season!
Thank you for your continued support,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
Are you a veteran with a student at JTA? If so, we would be honored to have you join us for our Veteran’s Day Breakfast tomorrow at 8:30 AM. Each student may bring up to two guests, and all guests must sign in at the front office with a valid ID. We look forward to celebrating and showing appreciation for your service!
Also, tomorrow is the final day to turn in permission slips and the $5 fee for the End-of-Trimester Reward Trip to Sky’s the Limit trampoline park. If your child qualifies and plans to attend, please make sure they’ve submitted both the slip and payment.
Lastly, we’re collecting items for our Thanksgiving Food Drive and need your help! We’re asking families to donate:
Canned Corn
Canned Green Beans
Boxed Mac & Cheese
Let’s come together to support our community and make a difference this holiday season!
Thank you for your continued support,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
Here is this week's edition of the JTA Parent Update. Be sure to check out the details for tomorrow's Veteran's Day breakfast for the veteran family members of our students.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This is a friendly reminder that permission slips and the $5 fee for the end-of-trimester reward trip to Sky’s the Limit are due by Tuesday, November 11.
Please make sure your child turns in both items by the deadline so they can participate in this exciting celebration of their hard work and positive behavior!
If you have any questions or need another copy of the permission slip, feel free to contact the front office.
Thank you for your support!
This is a friendly reminder that permission slips and the $5 fee for the end-of-trimester reward trip to Sky’s the Limit are due by Tuesday, November 11.
Please make sure your child turns in both items by the deadline so they can participate in this exciting celebration of their hard work and positive behavior!
If you have any questions or need another copy of the permission slip, feel free to contact the front office.
Thank you for your support!
Dear Families,
We’re excited to celebrate our students’ hard work and great choices with an upcoming End of Trimester Trip to Sky’s the Limit!
Students who qualified received an information sheet and permission slip today. To secure their spot, we’ll need the signed permission slip and $5 turned in no later than Tuesday, November 11.
To qualify for the trip, students must meet the following criteria:
No more than 2 unexcused absences
No more than 4 behavior points
No suspensions
No F’s on their report card
This will be the same criteria we use for reward trips all year long, so encourage your student to keep up the great work!
Thanks for your support — and for helping us celebrate students who are showing up, working hard, and making good choices. We’re looking forward to a fun and well-deserved outing!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
We’re excited to celebrate our students’ hard work and great choices with an upcoming End of Trimester Trip to Sky’s the Limit!
Students who qualified received an information sheet and permission slip today. To secure their spot, we’ll need the signed permission slip and $5 turned in no later than Tuesday, November 11.
To qualify for the trip, students must meet the following criteria:
No more than 2 unexcused absences
No more than 4 behavior points
No suspensions
No F’s on their report card
This will be the same criteria we use for reward trips all year long, so encourage your student to keep up the great work!
Thanks for your support — and for helping us celebrate students who are showing up, working hard, and making good choices. We’re looking forward to a fun and well-deserved outing!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
I almost forgot to share one more exciting update—tomorrow is PJ Day at JTA!
This comfy celebration is a reward for our students meeting the October attendance goal, and we couldn’t be prouder of their commitment to showing up and showing out.
So let your student roll out of bed and head to school in their favorite pajamas (school-appropriate, of course!). It’s a fun way to celebrate their success and keep the momentum going as we take on November’s attendance challenge: beating West Hardin Middle.
This comfy celebration is a reward for our students meeting the October attendance goal, and we couldn’t be prouder of their commitment to showing up and showing out.
So let your student roll out of bed and head to school in their favorite pajamas (school-appropriate, of course!). It’s a fun way to celebrate their success and keep the momentum going as we take on November’s attendance challenge: beating West Hardin Middle.
Dear JTA Families,
Thank you so much for joining us at tonight’s Title I Parent Night & Chili Supper! The hallways were packed with smiling Trojan families, and the energy was incredible. Your students led their conferences like seasoned pros—we were so proud to see them take ownership of their learning and share their progress with confidence.
We hope you enjoyed the chili, the Book Fair, the jazz band, and the chance to connect with our staff. It was a joy to see our school community come together in such a meaningful way.
Congratulations to our gift card winners:
Texas Roadhouse: Brittany Rossell
Kroger: Leah Rhone
Speedway: Rachel Leasure
Thank you again for your continued support. We love partnering with you to help our students grow and succeed!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
Thank you so much for joining us at tonight’s Title I Parent Night & Chili Supper! The hallways were packed with smiling Trojan families, and the energy was incredible. Your students led their conferences like seasoned pros—we were so proud to see them take ownership of their learning and share their progress with confidence.
We hope you enjoyed the chili, the Book Fair, the jazz band, and the chance to connect with our staff. It was a joy to see our school community come together in such a meaningful way.
Congratulations to our gift card winners:
Texas Roadhouse: Brittany Rossell
Kroger: Leah Rhone
Speedway: Rachel Leasure
Thank you again for your continued support. We love partnering with you to help our students grow and succeed!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal