🤖 The Shepherdstown Middle School robotics club finished the season strong at states! Congratulations to the SMS robotics team "The Shepherds!" on their fifth-place finish at the 2024 VEX State Championship. The team also took home the Builder Award at the March 14 tournament at Fairmont State University. Fellow SMS teams "The Mech Makers" and "The Live Wires" placed in the top 50% of teams statewide at the event. It was a successful end to an exciting season that saw the first-ever regional VEX Robotics competition held in Jefferson County. Way to go, Cardinals!
Students from all four middle schools recently represented JCS at the first-ever West Virginia Middle School All-State Band in Charleston. The event marked the first time middle school band musicians had the opportunity to earn this state-wide recognition. Visit https://www.jcswv.org/article/1386997 for a complete list of attendees!
3/20/2024: Shepherdstown Middle School is experiencing issues with the main phone line. Please dial 304-671-7436 if you need to reach the front office. Thank you.
What an active and engaging day of professional learning! Elementary art teachers participated in hands-on activities today as they continue to grow as professional educators. It was just one of several district-wide training opportunities JCS was proud to offer staff on this professional learning day as they continue to perfect their skills in our schools and classrooms. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to student success!
Students in Mr. Cleaver's 7th grade Ag class worked on their cellphone stand project this week. The students used their knowledge of safety, measurement, tools and skills to create a stand that will allow them to watch video on their phone or tablet hands-free. A great culmination of the course. Well done, Cardinals!
As a reminder, there is no school for students tomorrow, Friday, March 8, 2024. This is a professional development day for staff.
The Shepherdstown Middle School Jazz Band performed at the Eastern Regional Jazz Festival on Saturday, February 24th and received a superior rating. Outstanding soloist award winners were Nick Randell, Myla Turner, Eadyn Kruger, Logan Meredith, and the saxophone section. A recording of their performance was anonymously submitted to the state jazz judges. On Sunday, the Shepherdstown Middle School Jazz Band was named the #1 middle school jazz band in the State of West Virginia. As the WV Honor Jazz Band, the SMS Jazz band was invited to perform at the West Virginia Music Educators Association conference in Charleston, WV on Thursday, February 29th - quite an honor. Congratulations, Cardinals!
Each year 6th grade science students in Ms Kessler's classes make maple syrup. SMS is home to one silver maple tree with three large trunks. The students tapped the two trunks on January 25th - an important date as the weather must be below freezing at night and above freezing during the day to have sap flow. They collected 25 gallons of sap and slowly cooked the water off until it reached syrup stage (219 F). The total syrup was 11.5 cups. Next a taste test was done in the Teacher's Lounges comparing SMS syrup to Dollar General and Walmart brand. A tasty investigation into practical science. Nice work, Cardinals!
This week, Ms. Colbert's Math 8 students wrapped up the unit on the Pythagorean Theorem with a horse race! Students worked in teams to answer questions. A correct answer moved your horse one length closer to the finish line! A fun, friendly competition and review!
Shepherdstown Middle School is excited to play host to Jefferson County's first-ever VEX IQ robotics tournament! 🤖 Three veteran teams from SMS and five new teams from Wildwood Middle School will compete with other middle school robotics teams from around the panhandle this Saturday, February 24, in the VEX IQ Robotics Competition: Full Volume. The family-friendly STEAM event is free and open to the public. Learn more here 👉https://www.jcswv.org/article/1471266
Shepherd University invites high school students and their families (including rising freshmen!) to one of two upcoming dual enrollment information nights on February 22 and March 12. Students will learn how they can simultaneously receive high school and college credits while getting a head start on their college education! Register to attend at https://www.shepherd.edu/admissions/dualenrollment.
Don't forget! ⏰ Submissions for the JCS Black History Month art competition are due next Friday, February 23! Students are invited to celebrate notable figures throughout Black history with original artwork that highlights strength and resilience, explores creativity, and inspires others. Winners will showcase their creations at a community-wide Black History Month celebration on March 2 in Shepherdstown. Visit www.jcswv.org/bhm-art to learn more!
Due to the forecasted inclement weather, all Jefferson County Schools extracurricular activities taking place on Saturday, February 17, 2024, are canceled. This includes extracurricular activities, athletic practices, and competitions taking place at home or away. The Regional Wrestling Tournament at Jefferson High School is rescheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 18. All other rescheduled activities will be communicated at a later date.
⏰ A reminder that all Jefferson County schools will dismiss two hours early today, Friday, February 16, for faculty senate meetings.
Congratulations to aspiring scientists John Danzey and Evelyn Groff on their winning projects at this year's regional Science and Engineering Fair! Visit https://jcswv.org/regionalsciencefair for a complete list of winners and their projects.
2/15/2024: Shepherdstown Middle School is experiencing issues with the main phone line. Please dial 304-671-7436 if you need to reach the front office. Thank you.
Jefferson County Schools joins the Wildwood Middle School community in mourning the passing of Principal Jodi R. Brock, a dedicated and valued member of the WMS staff since 2008. WMS will honor Ms. Brock's memory with a candlelight vigil on Thursday, February 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the front bus loop of the school. If you plan to attend, please enter at the WMS parent entrance and park in the side or back parking lots. If those lots become full, overflow traffic may park at Jefferson High School.
Mrs. French's and Mrs. Cogle's ELA classes investigated the passengers of the Titanic for their current unit. Students researched a passenger, investigated what class they traveled in and whether they survived. Then they wrote a letter to a loved one from that perspective. It was an opportunity to be creative and factual. Excellent work, Cardinals!
Congratulations to Holly Helwig, who represented SMS at the 2024 West Virginia American Choral Directors All-State Choir Conference last weekend in Morgantown! To learn more about this prestigious choral event, visit http://rb.gy/phrp2b.
2/7/24: Phone service has been restored as of 12:50 p.m. Thank you for your patience.