Eye on the Junior High: 9/4/25

Posted Date: 9/04/25 (4:37 PM)

Good afternoon, RJ Grey Families:

I hope you are doing well and that your children are adjusting to the rhythms of the school year. All continues to go well at RJ Grey. To start the year, we focused heavily on classroom routines, knowing that structured and organized environments must exist for deep learning to take place. I am pleased with what I've seen in classrooms and larger spaces over the last six days.

On Friday and again on Tuesday, I spoke to each grade at assemblies to review our safety procedures here at RJ Grey. I started each assembly with the opening question: "How do we keep students and staff safe?" Several student volunteers offered up good answers that matched my own thoughts. Along with doors that lock, safety plans and drills, and other things, I always include "we get to know you" and "strong parent communication" as important ways that we keep everyone safe. We firmly believe that many occasions of school violence or disruption are prevented when someone speaks up. I advocated to the students that if they know about something potentially dangerous, their job is to tell you or an adult at school. I share this so that you will be in touch with me if you hear any talk at home that we should know about.

In those same assemblies, we reviewed our procedures for the ALICE protocol, which is how we would respond to a dangerous situation with an armed intruder. At RJ Grey, we take this protocol seriously. Our first drill will be held next Wednesday, September 10. We'll make it very clear to students and staff that the drill is just a drill. I'll let all families know once the drill is complete.

Many of your students have been trying out for our athletic teams - I hope they report a positive tryout, even if they haven't made a spot on the team. Cross country has reached its max capacity of 100 students. Our cap on numbers this year comes as a result of not having available transportation options for away meets. At this point, registration for all fall sports is closed. Winter sports sign-ups will open up around November 1. Our clubs will get going in the coming weeks. When your child chooses a club or activity that feels like a good fit beyond October 1, we will be in touch about how to pay the $50 Activity Fee, which covers clubs and activities for the year.

I appreciate the handful of positive comments I have received since writing about cell phones last week. Thanks for being on the same page and supporting our belief that phones cause a substantial distraction. We've had a good beginning of the year on this front, so thank you for your support behind the scenes.

That's it for this week. I hope you have a nice weekend.

Take care,
Jim

Upcoming Dates

Monday, Sept 8: Library closed to students after school
Tuesday, Sept 9: iReady Reading Diagnostic for all students
Monday, Sept 15: Early Release at 1 pm
Tuesday, Sept 16: iReady Math Diagnostic for all students
Friday, Sept 19: School Picture Day
Tuesday, Sept 23: No School, Rosh Hashanah
Thursday, Sept 25: Back to School Night at RJ Grey, 6:45 pm

Athletics

Student Resources

Eye on the Junior High: 9/4/25