Welcome to @Alder, the monthly e-newsletter provided by the Jonathan Alder Local School district. Each month readers will be able to see highlights from all five school buildings, as well as messages from the superintendent, announcements, and upcoming dates of significance. In addition to our monthly e-newsletter, community members will still receive two printed editions of Pioneer Pages, once in the winter and again in the summer.

Enjoy!

Earlier this week, the Governor's office announced that Madison County was awarded $500,000 in demolition grants.  After a lengthy application process to the Madison County Department of Development, beginning over a year ago, we would like to announce that our estimated grant portion is at least $300,000, which significantly offsets district costs toward the project at 340 West Main St, the old Plain City Elementary building.

If you, a family member, or someone you know is an active or military veteran, we encourage you to fill out our JA Military Alumni form by clicking the image above. All forms submitted prior by the end of November 2024, will be included in a special featured piece in our printed Winter newsletter (Pioneer Pages). Also, this project will eventually lead to a section on our district website with military bio information of all alums that have or are currently serving in our nation's military.

You can also learn more about Jonathan Alder High School's Purple Star designation by visiting our Military Family Resources webpage.

Most importantly, as we approach Veteran's Day, THANK YOU for your service to our country! 

If you have any additional questions, or images you would like to share, please email Tyler Jester, JALSD Communications Coordinator, at jesterty@japioneers.org.

Jonathan Alder High School invites you to join us for their Fall Play and Winter Choir Concert. For more information on both events, please see the flyers below.

There was a lot to celebrate from our fall season of Jonathan Alder Junior High athletics! Our student-athletes demonstrated incredible dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship both on and off the field. We saw some fantastic achievements this year, with three teams bringing home CBC Championships!

A huge congratulations to:

• 8th Grade Football Team: These young men fought hard all season and earned the title of CBC Champions!

• Boys Cross Country Team: Our runners showed incredible endurance and speed, dominating the courses to win the CBC Championship!

• 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Team: With powerful serves and impressive teamwork, these girls spiked their way to a CBC Championship victory!

Beyond the wins and losses, this season was about so much more. We are incredibly proud of all our student-athletes who tried new sports and learned the value of teamwork, perseverance, and respect. Our students worked hard within their sports while also balancing academic success and social development.

A special thank you to all our dedicated coaches who spent countless hours to help our athletes grow and succeed. We also appreciate the incredible support from our parents who cheered on our teams and ensured our athletes were ready to compete. And finally, to our amazing student-athletes: your hard work, dedication, and positive attitudes made this a truly memorable fall season! Go Pioneers!

This past season during our Homecoming football game, we had the esteemed pleasure of recognizing the 1973 Football Team, who finished their season undefeated and won the DVL Championship.  We can’t express how awesome it was to interact and spend time with these past players and coaches, and their families.  They were so appreciative, and also humble and grateful to be back on campus, inside the fence, and enjoying the Friday night experience.  The 1973 team made a tunnel to welcome our team to the field before the game and smiled and cheered for defensive stops and touchdowns.  At halftime they were recognized in front of the fans, which brought many smiles and laughs to their faces as stories were read over the PA about their season.  As the game began to wind down, the 1973 team and their families headed to their old hangout, Plain City Lanes, to enjoy the remainder of the evening together.  This date proved to be an exciting night for them and our community, and even from our perspective it was incredibly rewarding.  Their season was one to remember and so was the experience of meeting and interacting with this group of guys on Homecoming weekend at Performance Stadium.

In October, Canaan Middle School held an inspiring Career Exploration Day, bringing together 13 professionals from a variety of fields to introduce students to potential career paths and the specialized skills each one requires. Our guests shared firsthand insights into their daily work, covering careers like piloting, metro park management, paving, structural engineering, construction, digital marketing, drone technology, and electrical systems. Students learned about the training and qualifications needed for each career, the day-to-day challenges and rewards, and the broader impact these roles have in the community. The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to envision exciting future possibilities, sparking curiosity and giving them a clearer understanding of the paths they might choose to explore.

The 4th graders at Plain City Elementary recently showcased their creativity and scientific curiosity by crafting homemade volcanoes as a family project. Students brought their volcanoes to school and demonstrated their eruptions as part of an exciting science experiment, inviting their younger Pioneer Pals to join in on the fun. Parent volunteers were welcomed to help with the demonstrations, making it a true community event. Each 4th-grade class conducted a gallery walk, allowing everyone to view the wide array of themed volcanoes—ranging from holiday-inspired designs to imaginative Minions. This hands-on experience was an AMAZING opportunity for students to build leadership and presentation skills, and it also inspired younger students to look forward to the day when they, too, can participate in this memorable 4th-grade tradition.

On Friday, November 1, 2024, Monroe students embraced the season with a full day of fall-themed activities, creating lasting memories for our students.

Pumpkin Decorating Challenge
The day kicked off with each of the 8 House Teams gathering for their House Meetings, where they participated in a fun and creative pumpkin decorating challenge. The task was to design a pumpkin that represented their House Team, and the students did an outstanding job! From intricate designs to vibrant colors, each pumpkin was a true reflection of the students' teamwork and creativity. As a result of their hard work, all House Teams were rewarded with extra recess time to enjoy and unwind.

Costume Parade and Fall Parties
In the afternoon, students dressed in their costumes and participated in an outdoor parade for their parents. Following the parade, students headed to their fall parties, where they enjoyed a variety of games, crafts, and delicious snacks.

Overall, it was a wonderful day filled with laughter, creativity, and team spirit. Monroe students truly made the most of the fall season, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate together.

Digital School Calendars
View a specific school calendar link below for additional details.

• JA High School

• JA Junior High

• Canaan Middle

• Monroe Elementary

• Plain City Elementary