October 5, 2026
SCHOOL NEWS
LATE START ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
The first Wednesday of each month is a late start for all students. Please see the attached updated 2026-2027 FAMILY CALENDAR for all the dates and our LATE START & 2 HOUR DELAY BELL SCHEDULE. The building will be closed until 9:30 am for staff meetings, so please plan accordingly for dropping off students.
ATTENTION CURRENT 7TH GRADE FAMILIES –TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT
We’re going to Washington, D.C. and New York City in Spring 2028, and we’d love for your student to join us! We’re excited to tell you more about the trip we’re planning with EF Explore America, our educational travel partner. The meeting is via zoom tonight, October 5 at 6pm. Please be sure to register for this zoom info session to be considered for this opportunity: 7th GRADE DC NEW YORK TRIP There are limited spots on this trip, and those at the meeting will have first access.Please contact Mrs. Porreco at mporreco@jajags.com with any questions.
HONOR ROLL IS COMING
JA Secondary will be holding our Honor Roll Ceremony to honor students academic achievements from the Spring Semester of the 2025-2026 school year (current grades 8-11). The ceremony will be held in the main gym beginning at 8:30 am. Parents are welcome to attend, but must check in at the main office to receive a visitor badge. Students who earned a 3.5 or above last semester will be honored. Parents and students can find this information in the Parent Portal under the reports tab.
PARENT SQUARE UPDATE
Jeffco’s new mass communication platform, ParentSquare, will officially roll out across all Jeffco schools on Wednesday, October 21. This new platform delivers messages in families' preferred languages via email, app, voice, or text. This system is used for school wide, community wide communications. No action is required to receive messages. An account is automatically created for each parent or guardian using the contact information you submit via Campus Parent Portal during registration and the Annual Update.
An important reminder for all parents: When parents need to send messages or contact the school, Admin or teachers directly, please JA staff members' jajags email or Canvas unless teachers have said to communicate through parentsquare.
FALL PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 15th. If you have concerns about your student that can be addressed in a quick conference, please make plans to attend the open house hours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm or 6:15pm to 7:30pm. If your student is doing well and you have no concerns, we encourage you to spend an evening celebrating their success. If you have concerns that will take longer to discuss, please contact the teacher to set up an appointment. Friday, October 16th are invite only conferences. Invitations will be emailed out by Ms. Adams or individual teachers.
One of JA's fantastic traditions is providing dinner for the staff during Parent/Teacher Conferences. Donations help Boosters put together a really nice dinner break in the midst of a long day. Donations are accepted via CheddarUp at: Parent Teacher Conferences Donations or drop off an envelope in the office indicating "Parent Teacher Conference Staff Dinner."
FALL SUPER TESTING DAY IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15TH On Thursday, October 15, all 10th & 11th grade JA Secondary students will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT exam. The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a standardized practice test that measures college and career readiness and serves as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The PSAT/NMSQT is a different exam from the SAT 11 and PSAT 10 that students will be taking in April.
Testing will begin promptly at 8:30am and will conclude at approximately 11:15am.
THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL FOR 7, 8, 9 & 12 GRADE STUDENTS.
10TH & 11TH GRADE STUDENTS WILL BE RELEASED AT THE COMPLETION OF THE EXAM.
SENIOR SEMINAR PRESENTATION REVIEWERS NEEDED!
Each of the 110 members of the Class of 2027 will be presenting their Senior Seminar capstone projects on October 13, 14, and 15. We are looking for volunteers to evaluate and provide feedback on the students’ presentations. Each student will present for 13-20 minutes on a topic within their chosen career field. Your time, attention, and feedback are greatly appreciated. Please click on the link to sign up: Senior Sem Volunteer Link
FEE STATEMENTS Now that the first quarter has almost wrapped up, fee statements will be going out. You can pay fees through Infinite Campus and use this guide if you are not able to find them. (Finding My Fees). If you have any questions about fees, contact Craig Melville at cmelville@jajags.com.
SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE: Your Voice Matters! Have you ever wondered how parent feedback shapes decisions at Jefferson Academy? The School Accountability Committee (SAC) gives families a direct opportunity to collaborate with school leadership on priorities that impact students and the school community.
Join us for our SAC Kickoff Meeting on Wednesday, October 7, from 5:30–6:30 PM, held in a hybrid format at the JA Elementary Conservatory and via Zoom. Meeting topics include principal introductions, the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP), annual survey priorities, and school updates. Free childcare will be available. Learn more and access the Zoom link at https://www.jajags.com/page/sac. We hope you'll join the conversation and help shape the future of Jefferson Academy.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
ATTENTION 10TH GRADERS
The Jeffco 10th Grade Career Expo is the perfect opportunity for high school students to learn about career pathways, engage with industry professionals, and connect for job shadows, mentorships, internships, apprenticeships and more! Jeffco 10th Grade Career Expo is on Thursday, October 15, 2026: View this flyer for more information: Jeffco 10th Grade Career Expo Students who would like to attend the event need to email Mrs. Porreco (mporreco@jajags.com) or Mr. Pierson (jpierson@jajags.com) to sign up.
COLLEGE VISITS
Each year, JA welcomes a variety of colleges and other post-graduation opportunities to campus. These visits are a great chance for our students to hear what different programs have to offer, learn about college admissions, and ask any questions they may have. First semester’s college visits are open to juniors and seniors only.
Upcoming College Visits: Registration is encouraged to ensure we have enough seats, but it is not required. Registration links were sent to students.
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, Wednesday, October 21, 2026 in the Library at 8:45 am.
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, Thursday October 22, 2026 in the Library at 1:15 pm.
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION NIGHT
Wednesday, October 20th, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Senior families do you have questions about the financial aid process? Please join us on Wednesday, October 20th, via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to seniors via their email. Lesa Briggs, a financial aid educator, will lead a financial aid/FAFSA presentation and will be able to assist with any questions you may have. This event is for families and students in the Class of 2027 only.
TEACHER OFFICE HOURS
October tends to be a student slump. If you are interested in your student attending extra help time with teachers, please refer to the Teacher Office Hours, also located on the secondary.jajags.com website under Resources.
ATHLETICS
CLIMBING CLUB/TEAM
JA Climbing Club/Team will be hosting an informative meeting October 5, from 3:30pm-4:00pm, in rm 254. Climbing practices will begin November 2 at The Spot in Louisville. Please contact coaches with questions if you cannot attend. gbilinski@jajags.com or rmellott@jajags.com
CONCESSION STAND SIGN-UPS WANTED CONCESSION STAND SIGN-UPS WANTED
We are looking for volunteers to run the Outdoor Concession Stand for boys soccer. The shifts will be shorter than normal (just one game) and we'll make arrangements for "on the job" training. Sign up here: Concession Volunteer Sign Up
JH GIRLS SOCCER TRYOUTS
All 7th and 8th grade girls are invited to try out for the JA 4th quarter competitive soccer team! Mandatory Form
Mandatory Tryout Details:
WHEN: Monday, October 12 @ 3:30- 5:00 PM
WHERE: JA Secondary Soccer Field
NOTE: This is the ONLY tryout date
In the event of inclement weather, tryouts will be rescheduled
What to Bring & Wear:
Soccer cleats and shin guards
Athletic attire suitable for the weather (Please check the weather and bring layers)
Soccer ball
Water
Injury Policy: If a player is injured before October 12, tryouts for that individual will take place during the first three days of Q4, which is the course add/drop period. You must notify Coach Luceri and the Athletic Department before October 12.
Q4 Season Information:
Based on assessed skills, the coaching staff will select individual students to be part of the competitive team, placing them in the Q4 Team Sports D Block class. The team practices during the school day and competes in after-school games against local middle schools.
If your student makes the team, the following must be completed before Q4 begins:
$130 athletic fee
A current physical (within the last 365 days) that includes a doctor’s signature
Completed online registration
JH GIRLS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
All 7th and 8th grade girls are invited to try out for the JA 3rd quarter basketball. Mandatory Form
Mandatory Tryout Details:
WHEN: Thursday, November 5th and Friday November 6th; 3:45-5:00pm
WHERE: JA Auxiliary Gym
What to Bring & Wear:
Court shoes or tennis shoes
Athletic attire suitable for basketball
Water bottle
Injury Policy: If you are injured or can not make it for any reason, please contact Coach Porreco (gporreco@jajags.com) or JA Athletics BEFORE the tryouts take place.
Q3 Season Information:
Based on assessed skills, the coaching staff will select individual students to be on the basketball teams, placing them in the Q3 Team Sports D Block class. The team practices during the school day and competes in after-school games against local middle schools.
If your student makes the team, the following must be completed before Q3 begins:
$130 athletic fee
A current physical (within the last 365 days) that includes a doctor’s signature
Completed online registration
JAGUAR ATHLETIC UPDATE: Our High School and Junior High teams are having a great fall season, and I’m incredibly proud of our coaches and student-athletes for their effort, commitment, and hard work. Thank you to our families for your continued support, and to our athletic volunteers who give their time to help our teams and events. Your support truly makes a difference.
Within The Game- Podcast: This school year, we launched Within the Game: Building People Through Athletics, our Jefferson Academy Athletics podcast. Our inaugural episode featured Principal Jeff Peirson discussing leadership, why athletics matters, and game-day safety. This month, we’re joined by Athletic Trainer Jake Diers for Taking Care of the Athlete, exploring injury prevention, recovery, communication, and the importance of taking care of yourself. We invite you to listen to the episodes and join us next month for Building the Culture, focused on what it takes to create a strong team and athletic program.
Thank you for being part of Jaguar Athletics and for continuing to support our student-athletes.
Taking Care of the Athlete: With Jake Diers- Ep. 3
Taking Care of The Athlete -Click on the taking care of the athlete and a link will come up.
Why Athletics Matter: Principal Pierson- Ep. 1
Why Athletics Matter -Click on the Why Athletic Matter and a link will come up.
Game Day Safety: Principal Pierson- Ep. 2