The Jolliff Middle School band has been busy this past week!
Friday night, members of our band performed alongside Western Branch High School's marching band and Western Branch Middle School band students. They performed together during the Bruins' home football game and showed our borough pride!
They then took a little field trip over to Chittum Elementary, where some of our 8th graders performed during their Tuesday pep rally!
We already know they brought the energy and showed their Jaguar pride with their amazing performance!
Great job, Jags, and keep up the amazing work! We love to see our community coming together and showing what Jolliff is capable of!





Tuesday, we came together to celebrate our Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Amanda Rossettini! As our band director and a grade-level chair, Mrs. Rossettini leads with excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Under her direction, our band students have earned top honors at the Music in the Parks festival at Busch Gardens for multiple consecutive years!
She was celebrated alongside her mother, current and former staff members, and her students. After school, everyone gathered to share their congratulations and enjoy some cake in honor of our Teacher of the Year. This distinction is well deserved, and we are so fortunate to have her as a member of the JMS family!
But Mrs. Rossettini's impact extends far beyond awards. She helps students discover their love of music, challenges them to reach their full potential, and continues to support many of them long after they leave Jolliff. Her dedication to her students, our staff, and our school community truly sets her apart.
Mrs. Swindle's 8th-grade technology class put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test as they worked in groups to build robots! The teams then raced to move small blocks into designated locations, competing for both speed and accuracy. Once the challenge was complete, they compared their times to see which team finished the fastest!
Our Jaguars showed up in pink on Thursday to support Breast Cancer Awareness! The school was bursting with every shade of pink as students and staff showed their support. I challenge our Jaguars to outdo themselves for our next Pink Out Day on October 20!
We kicked off Friday with plenty of energy thanks to an impromptu dance party in the 7th-grade hallways! Staff and students came together before homeroom to do the Cupid Shuffle and raise the roof. What a fun way to start the day!
Finally, our cafeteria staff and students from all grade levels came together to promote healthy eating and celebrate Virginia agriculture by participating in the Crunch Heard Round the Commonwealth event!
We can't wait to see what next week brings at JMS!









Don’t let this year’s memories disappear into the fog! 👻
Order your 2026–2027 yearbook for just $40 through December 1st!
After December 1st, the price goes up to $50, so grab yours early and save $10!
📚 $40 now → $50 after December 1st
Get yours before the price gets spooky!

On September 25th, our community came together and dressed and donated like Dolly Parton! Gently used and new books were collected by our SCA members around the school in the spirit of getting books into the hands of as many kids as possible, just like Dolly. We still have a ways to go towards reaching our goal of 925 books! Collection will continue on Monday so consider purging that book shelf and donating your gently used books! Remember, donating books means you have more room on the shelf for new ones 🥳
We hope to continue our giving mood with our Shoe Drive as well! More info coming soon on the JMS Shoe Drive!
Let's show our community what it means to be a Jaguar by giving back!







🎙️ Season 4 of Amplified is here! We’re starting the new season with Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker, who sits down with us to talk about his first weeks in Chesapeake. From what has impressed him about our schools and students to what brought his family to Chesapeake, Dr. Brubaker shares his early impressions and what he’s looking forward to in the year ahead.
Listen today at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts! 🎧

Attention families of rising kindergartners and students new to the City of Chesapeake: If you haven’t completed enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year yet, please submit your registration by August 3, 2026.
Registering by this deadline guarantees bus transportation for your child on the first day of school! Enrollments completed after August 3, 2026, will still receive a bus assignment as soon as possible, but enrolling early helps us plan for a smooth start to the school year! 🚌
Register today:
Kindergarten: cpschools.com/kindergarten
New to Chesapeake Students (Grades 1-12): cpschools.com/enrollment
Know a new neighbor? Help us spread the word and tag them below 👇

We are hiring, and stories like Perry Hunt’s reflect the impact educators have in Chesapeake Public Schools. From iteach participant to Portlock Primary School Teacher of the Year, Perry’s journey highlights the opportunities available for individuals ready to step into education and make a difference. ✨
View Perry's story here and learn how you can join a team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of students. We are currently hiring reading specialists, media specialists, general education teachers (preK–5), special education teachers (K–12), and math teachers! Visit cpschools.com/careers to apply today! 🎉
A special episode of Amplified is now available! 🎙
As he prepares for retirement, Superintendent Dr. Jared A. Cotton joins us for a candid conversation about his time leading Chesapeake Public Schools and the journey that brought him back home to serve the community that helped shape him.
From navigating the challenges of a pandemic to expanding opportunities for students and supporting employees, Dr. Cotton reflects on the experiences, accomplishments, and people that have made an impact throughout his career.
Join us as he shares memories, lessons learned, hopes for the future, and a final message to the Chesapeake community. #EmpowerCPS #CPSCelebrates
🎧 Listen at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts.



Together, we honored 166 dedicated employees whose service, leadership, and compassion have helped shape the lives of students, staff, families, and our entire community. Together, they represent 3,499 collective years of commitment to public education and student success. #CPSCelebrates #EmpowerCPS
📸 See the photo gallery from the ceremony: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ThqnjmPcaGbTH7Lw7
📖 View the full list of retirees: https://canva.link/cpsretirement2026
🎥 Watch the full ceremony: https://youtube.com/live/7niBtbGHZgs
From classrooms and cafeterias to buses, offices, and beyond, we thank our retirees for the lasting difference they have made across our district. 🌟










Congratulations to these talented individuals for representing our district with such creativity:
Roslyn Caldwell | Jolliff Middle School
Andie Hooper | Hickory High School
Well done, Roslyn and Andie! 🌟 #CPSCelebrates #VSBA


What does student-centered learning look like in your child’s classroom? In Chesapeake Public Schools, our teachers are creating engaging, meaningful learning experiences for students. In our latest episode, nationally recognized educator, author, and speaker Dr. Catlin Tucker joins us to highlight how this work is taking shape in our classrooms, from increasing student voice and choice to building stronger connections that support learning. 🎧 Listen at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts.


Important Calendar Updates & Reminders! 📅
April 6 - 10 is Spring Break. Schools will be closed. We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing break! 🌸
April 13 is a Teacher Workday. No school for students.
April 21 is now an Asynchronous Day for all students. Meals will also be available at select school sites. More information is available here: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=53908933
As a reminder, you can full our full calendar of events here: https://www.cpschools.com/events

For the latest updates and additional information, visit https://www.cpschools.com/emergency

🎶 Fine and Performance Arts Month Spotlight! 🎙 Our latest district podcast episode highlights the powerful impact of music education across our division. In “From First Note to Full Ensemble,” Supervisor of Music Orion Burke and Deep Creek Middle School chorus director Taylor Mercier share how Chesapeake’s K–12 music pathway helps students discover their voice, build confidence, and find a sense of belonging. From the first notes in elementary music class to full ensembles in middle and high school, this episode celebrates the teachers, opportunities, and experiences that help students grow as musicians and leaders. 🎙️ Listen to the episode at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts!




👏 We are so proud of our JMS Jaguars for stepping up as leaders and sharing their talents! #CPSCelebrates
Check out the photos below to see our JMS Jaguars in action! 👇










🍎 Your future starts here!
Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced educator, we want you on our teaching team in the City of Chesapeake! Join us at one of our upcoming hiring events:
1️⃣ Title I In-Person Job Fair
🗓️ March 11, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Oscar Smith Middle School
⚠️ Must be eligible for a VA teaching license.
📝 Apply here:https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=51819906
2️⃣ Virtual Teacher Job Fair
🗓️ March 23 – March 27, 2026
📝 Deadline to Register: March 13 (Required)
🔗 Register: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=51833839
✨ We offer incredible perks for our educators, including:
✅ Low-cost health insurance
✅ Our own dedicated pharmacies & health clinics
✅ A supportive professional community
🔗 See all benefits: https://www.cpschools.com/page/benefits
🎥 Check out this video highlighting our pharmacy: https://youtu.be/G5Do-FMSsaU

We had an amazing day at our 4th Annual Teen Summit this past Saturday at Indian River High School! 🙌 We were honored to hear from former James Madison University All-Conference Running Back Dr. Eugene Holloman, who inspired students with a powerful message about perseverance and purpose. From mental health and money management to athletics, college prep, and stress management, our teens gained tools for success now and in the future. Thank you to our Department of Family & Community Engagement for organizing the event, and to our presenters, volunteers, and community members who made it such a success!










✨ Live Performances
🎨 Hands-on Activities
🍕 FREE Pizza & Ice Cream!
📅 When: March 5, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Where: Deep Creek High School
Let’s celebrate our diverse community together! This event is open to everyone.
🔗 RSVP here: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=51834265
This program is part of our Peake Parent University. For more information, please visit: https://www.cpschools.com/page/family-and-community-engagement/

🎧 Listen now at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts. #CPSCelebrates #EmpowerCPS

💻 Visit our website for additional details: http://cpschools.com/emergency
Be sure to get important weather, closing, or delay notifications with our district app and turn on "Push Notifications." You can also follow your school and receive important updates, events, and more.
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/4pncEZl
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/3KcIghX

