Hello JTA Families,
We’re excited to welcome you tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 5) for our Title I Parent Night & Chili Supper from 5:30–7:00 PM!
Here’s what’s happening:
Student-led conferences – hear directly from your child about their progress
Book Fair – browse together and find something fun to take home
Defenses of Learning – learn about our new approach replacing Work Ethic Certification
Chili Supper – enjoy a warm meal and great company
Students earn $10 in Trojan Bucks for bringing a grown-up
Parents can enter to win one of three $50 gift cards (Speedway, Kroger, or Texas Roadhouse)
It’s a great chance to connect, celebrate learning, and enjoy a cozy fall evening together. We hope to see you there!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
We’re excited to welcome you tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 5) for our Title I Parent Night & Chili Supper from 5:30–7:00 PM!
Here’s what’s happening:
Student-led conferences – hear directly from your child about their progress
Book Fair – browse together and find something fun to take home
Defenses of Learning – learn about our new approach replacing Work Ethic Certification
Chili Supper – enjoy a warm meal and great company
Students earn $10 in Trojan Bucks for bringing a grown-up
Parents can enter to win one of three $50 gift cards (Speedway, Kroger, or Texas Roadhouse)
It’s a great chance to connect, celebrate learning, and enjoy a cozy fall evening together. We hope to see you there!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
Hello JTA Families,
Just a quick reminder that tomorrow night (Wednesday, Nov. 5) is our Title I Parent Night & Chili Supper from 5:30–7:00 PM—and we hope to see you there!
Here’s what’s on the menu (besides the chili!):
Student-led conferences to hear about your child’s progress
Book Fair tours with your family
Learn about Defenses of Learning, our new approach replacing Work Ethic Certification
Enjoy a warm meal and great company
Students will earn $10 in Trojan Bucks for bringing a grown-up
Parents can enter to win one of three $50 gift cards (Speedway, Kroger, or Texas Roadhouse)
It’s a great night to connect, celebrate learning, and enjoy some fall fun together.
Also, here’s your link to this week’s Parent Update Newsletter:
👉 Weekly Parent Update
We’re looking forward to seeing you tomorrow evening!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
Good evening JTA Families!
We’re just a day away from one of our favorite traditions—Halloween in the Halls! Join us tomorrow evening from 5:30–7 PM for a spooktacular time. Students can dress up, trick-or-treat through our decorated hallways, and show off their costumes. Bring the whole crew—siblings, cousins, even grandma—but don’t forget to bring an adult too (we love kids, but we’re not handing out candy to unsupervised goblins 😉).
We’re still accepting candy donations! The homeroom that brings in the most candy wins a pizza party and, more importantly, eternal bragging rights. And yes—bring a bag for all that candy. A pillowcase works, but style points if it’s Halloween-themed.
Coming up next Wednesday, Nov. 5:
It’s our Title I Parent Night & Chili Supper from 5:30–7 PM!
Here’s what’s cooking (besides the chili):
Have a student-led conference to hear about your child’s progress
Learn about Defenses of Learning (replacing Work Ethic Certification)
Tour the Book Fair with your family
Enjoy a warm meal and great company
Students will earn $10 in Trojan Bucks for bringing a grown-up, and parents can enter to win one of three $50 gift cards (Speedway, Kroger, or Texas Roadhouse). That’s dinner and a chance to win more dinner. Win-win!
We can’t wait to see you at both events—costumes, chili, candy, and community. What more could you ask for?
We’re just a day away from one of our favorite traditions—Halloween in the Halls! Join us tomorrow evening from 5:30–7 PM for a spooktacular time. Students can dress up, trick-or-treat through our decorated hallways, and show off their costumes. Bring the whole crew—siblings, cousins, even grandma—but don’t forget to bring an adult too (we love kids, but we’re not handing out candy to unsupervised goblins 😉).
We’re still accepting candy donations! The homeroom that brings in the most candy wins a pizza party and, more importantly, eternal bragging rights. And yes—bring a bag for all that candy. A pillowcase works, but style points if it’s Halloween-themed.
Coming up next Wednesday, Nov. 5:
It’s our Title I Parent Night & Chili Supper from 5:30–7 PM!
Here’s what’s cooking (besides the chili):
Have a student-led conference to hear about your child’s progress
Learn about Defenses of Learning (replacing Work Ethic Certification)
Tour the Book Fair with your family
Enjoy a warm meal and great company
Students will earn $10 in Trojan Bucks for bringing a grown-up, and parents can enter to win one of three $50 gift cards (Speedway, Kroger, or Texas Roadhouse). That’s dinner and a chance to win more dinner. Win-win!
We can’t wait to see you at both events—costumes, chili, candy, and community. What more could you ask for?
Enjoy this week's Edition of the JTA Parent Update.
Highlights include Student-Led Conferences on November 5th. This is a great opportunity for students to showcase their progress and take ownership of their learning. Students will earn Trojan Bucks when a family member attends their conference—so come support your student and help them earn rewards! We’ll also be holding three separate drawings for $50 gift cards during the event. Don’t miss your chance to win!
Attendance Reminder for the 2025–2026 School Year: As we wrap up the trimester, we want to remind families of the importance of timely attendance documentation. Students must turn in school excuses promptly to remain eligible for school activities and field trips throughout the year. Our goal is to reduce unexcused absences and continue improving student achievement. Thank you for making attendance a priority—we’ve already seen great progress!
Excuses may be emailed to jta@hardin.kyschools.us or turned in at the front office.
Have a great weekend!
Stay in the loop with everything happening at school! Let’s keep working together to support our students and build a strong school community! JTA Parent Update
Good Afternoon JTA Families,
Our Lost and Found is overflowing with jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and all sorts of other items! We’ve been reminding students throughout the week to check for anything they may have misplaced. Please encourage your child to stop by and claim any missing belongings before the end of the day on Friday. After that, all unclaimed items will be donated to Goodwill. Thank you for your help in getting these items back to their owners and for helping to keep our school tidy!
Our Lost and Found is overflowing with jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and all sorts of other items! We’ve been reminding students throughout the week to check for anything they may have misplaced. Please encourage your child to stop by and claim any missing belongings before the end of the day on Friday. After that, all unclaimed items will be donated to Goodwill. Thank you for your help in getting these items back to their owners and for helping to keep our school tidy!
Good Afternoon JTA Families,
Our Lost and Found is overflowing with jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and all sorts of other items! We’ve been reminding students throughout the week to check for anything they may have misplaced. Please encourage your child to stop by and claim any missing belongings before the end of the day on Friday. After that, all unclaimed items will be donated to Goodwill. Thank you for your help in getting these items back to their owners and for helping to keep our school tidy!
Also, 6th Grade Families,
We’re excited to invite you to join us for our Thanksgiving Holiday Meal on Wednesday, November 20th at 10:30 AM! This is a special time for our students and families to come together and celebrate the season with gratitude and good food.
To help us plan, please take a moment to fill out the Google Form linked below to let us know if you’ll be attending.
👉Holiday Lunch RSVP
We look forward to sharing this festive occasion with you!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal
REMINDER - There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 13, 2025! The day is a Professional Learning Day for Hardin County Schools staff. We are excited to welcome students on Tuesday, October 14, 2025!!
Dear JTA Families,
Just a quick reminder that our Snack Cart will be available tomorrow! Students are welcome to bring a couple of extra dollars if they’d like to purchase a treat. All proceeds from the Snack Cart will go toward our Christmas shopping trip, which helps support students in need during the holiday season.
Also, please remember to return the Impact Aid forms tomorrow. These were sent home with students last week and are important for our school’s funding and support services. Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
Just a quick reminder that our Snack Cart will be available tomorrow! Students are welcome to bring a couple of extra dollars if they’d like to purchase a treat. All proceeds from the Snack Cart will go toward our Christmas shopping trip, which helps support students in need during the holiday season.
Also, please remember to return the Impact Aid forms tomorrow. These were sent home with students last week and are important for our school’s funding and support services. Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
REMINDER - There is NO SCHOOL next week (October 6 - October 10, 2025) because of Fall Break. School IS IN SESSION on Friday, October 3, 2025!
REMINDER - There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 13, 2025. That is a Professional Learning Day for HCS staff.
Students will return to school after Fall Break and the PLD on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
REMINDER - There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 13, 2025. That is a Professional Learning Day for HCS staff.
Students will return to school after Fall Break and the PLD on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Hello again … This is Danielle Cassady … principal of James T. Alton Middle School.
We contacted you this morning, notifying you that we were in soft lockdown in our building. We took this measure after receiving word from our law enforcement partners that an unknown person was walking around our community with a weapon.
Law enforcement officers tell us that they have found this person and that there is no longer a danger. We will be returning to normal operations. While in a soft lockdown, we proceeded with our instructional day, but no one was allowed to enter or exit the building.
We appreciate our friends with the Vine Grove Police Department and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, who work hard to ensure safety for our students and staff.
Thank you again for your cooperation, support, and dedication to your child’s success!
We contacted you this morning, notifying you that we were in soft lockdown in our building. We took this measure after receiving word from our law enforcement partners that an unknown person was walking around our community with a weapon.
Law enforcement officers tell us that they have found this person and that there is no longer a danger. We will be returning to normal operations. While in a soft lockdown, we proceeded with our instructional day, but no one was allowed to enter or exit the building.
We appreciate our friends with the Vine Grove Police Department and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, who work hard to ensure safety for our students and staff.
Thank you again for your cooperation, support, and dedication to your child’s success!
Good morning ….
This is Danielle Cassady School principal at James T. Alton.
We have been notified by law enforcement that a person is walking around our community with a weapon. Law enforcement is actively pursuing this person. We are currently in a soft lockdown situation. That means the instructional process continues, and no one enters or exits the building.
Please do not come to our building. No one is allowed to enter or exit the building until we receive word from our law enforcement agencies that the lockdown can be lifted.
We appreciate your support and cooperation. We will contact you again when this situation has been resolved.
This is Danielle Cassady School principal at James T. Alton.
We have been notified by law enforcement that a person is walking around our community with a weapon. Law enforcement is actively pursuing this person. We are currently in a soft lockdown situation. That means the instructional process continues, and no one enters or exits the building.
Please do not come to our building. No one is allowed to enter or exit the building until we receive word from our law enforcement agencies that the lockdown can be lifted.
We appreciate your support and cooperation. We will contact you again when this situation has been resolved.
Good evening JTA Families,
This week's Parent Update Newsletter is now live—but before you scroll, we need your help with something critical.
If you haven’t completed the CEP form for free and reduced lunch, please do so immediately. These forms directly impact our ability to provide free breakfast and lunch to ALL students, and they determine vital funding and scholarship opportunities for our school.
We’re on a tight timeline, and every single form counts. If you’ve already submitted yours—thank you! If not, please take just a few minutes tonight to fill it out. Your action helps support every student at JTA.
Let’s get this done—together.
Dear JTA Families,
Important paperwork alert! Today, your child brought home the Impact Aid form, which helps our school receive valuable federal funding to support student programs and resources. These forms are quick to complete and make a big difference for our school community.
To sweeten the deal, we’re offering a special incentive: Students who return their completed Impact Aid form by this Friday, Sept. 26 will receive $10 in Trojan Bucks!
Trojan Bucks can be used for school rewards and incentives, and your child will be thrilled to earn them just by turning in this one form.
If you’ve already submitted it—thank you! If not, please send it in with your child or drop it off in the front office by next Friday.
We appreciate your support and partnership in helping our school thrive!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal, James T. Alton Middle School
Important paperwork alert! Today, your child brought home the Impact Aid form, which helps our school receive valuable federal funding to support student programs and resources. These forms are quick to complete and make a big difference for our school community.
To sweeten the deal, we’re offering a special incentive: Students who return their completed Impact Aid form by this Friday, Sept. 26 will receive $10 in Trojan Bucks!
Trojan Bucks can be used for school rewards and incentives, and your child will be thrilled to earn them just by turning in this one form.
If you’ve already submitted it—thank you! If not, please send it in with your child or drop it off in the front office by next Friday.
We appreciate your support and partnership in helping our school thrive!
Warmly,
Danielle Cassady
Principal, James T. Alton Middle School
The Hardin County Schools Calendar Committee seeks your feedback on the formation of the 2026-27 school year calendar.
Please take a survey to share your thoughts. Go to https://forms.gle/jXLCWG2yKVXM2tvG8 to complete the survey. The link can also be found on the HCS website under Quick Links.
Please take a survey to share your thoughts. Go to https://forms.gle/jXLCWG2yKVXM2tvG8 to complete the survey. The link can also be found on the HCS website under Quick Links.
We’re proud of our students, grateful for our families, and energized by the momentum we’re building together. Let’s keep the positivity flowing! Here's a peek at all of the great things happening at JTA. Weekly Parent Update Newsletter
💙 #AltonStrong #MiddleSchoolMagic #CommunityInAction
We had another great week at JTA. Here is this week's Parent Update.
ATTENTION PARENTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY!!!
HCS needs your help! This week is Safe Schools Week across Kentucky! Our friends at the Kentucky Center for School Safety are asking students, parents, staff and community members to pledge to keep our students safe.
HCS is currently ranked 6th in the state in the number of pledges received! You can help us move up the list and win the challenge!!!
Please click this link to take an approximately 20-second pledge to keep our students safe while at school: https://kycss.org/safe-schools-week/safety-week-pledge/
One more announcement: JTA Archery will host an open gym after school in the cafeteria on September 11th for any Trojan interested in trying out this year for the Archery Team. Students must have an up to date sports physical on file (Healthy Roster or in hand at the open gym). It will begin directly after school from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.
Hello JTA Families!
We’re excited to share this week’s Parent Update newsletter—it’s packed with great info and fun happenings!
Mark Your Calendars: High Attendance Day is coming up on September 9! We’ve got some awesome activities planned, and we want every student to be part of the excitement. From outdoor fun to special surprises, it’s going to be a day to remember! Be sure your child comes prepared with sunscreen and a water bottle so they can enjoy every moment.
House Color Spirit Day – Tuesday! Let’s show off that house pride! All students are encouraged to wear their house colors:
Slay Squad: Purple
Flexers: Blue
The Drip: Green
No Cap Crew: Red
Not sure which house your child is in? No worries! It’s listed on their schedule in Infinite Campus under their WIN period, and we’ll also have posters up in the hallways on Monday to help everyone find their crew.
Portrait of a Learner Focus: Be a Personal Champion. This month, we’re celebrating what it means to be a Personal Champion—someone who sets goals, perseveres, and lifts others up. Click the link to learn more about how we’re inspiring students to be their best selves.
Thanks for being such a vital part of our JTA community. Let’s make it a fantastic week!