Beyond the Introduction

The topics below cover a bit more detail than the general overview on the New Family's main page and are representative of some of the additional questions new parents ask.  

Classes & Daily Schedule:

Math Classes - Common Core vs. Accelerated:  Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School offers two levels of math courses at each grade level.  It is JM's goal to place all students in a math course that allows them to be successful and that is challenging.  (Incoming 6th grade families may also find more information on page 5 of the 5th to 6th Grade Transition Parent Guide.) 

Z Period:  An extended-day option for 7th graders only, allowing them to take two elective courses and requiring them to make a full year commitment.  Z Period runs from 3:04 to 3:49pm.

Wheel:  The 6th grade exploratory elective wheel is designed to give students an introduction to some of the electives that JM has to offer.  Electives included in the Wheel are:  Art; Computers; Foods: Earth Stewardship; and Drama.

Electives offered at JM

School Loop:  A portal to which all students are automatically uploaded and on which they must register, if new to the school.  To register, parents and students will need the Student ID Number shown on the class schedules you will pick up on Marauder Day.  Registered students can turn work in online, participate in assignments discussions, email their teachers directly through LoopMail, and can store documents and links in their digital locker.  Parents may be "in the Loop" too with the ability to contact teachers and staff and to receive a daily email that includes their child's assignments, progress reports, and school news published for parents.

Emergency Preparedness & Safety:

Every year safety is something we strive for here at JM.  The most important thing we can do as a community is to improve school climate and thus, provide a safe, secure environment for students to learn.  Our school community includes teachers, staff, administrators, students, and parents.  Please help us achieve our goal by following our school safety suggestions and procedures and teaching your children to do the same.  For all the ways to stay safe here at JM, please click here

Moraga Education Foundation (MEF):

A nonprofit organization, MEF raises funds to preserve and enhance educational opportunities for all Moraga public school students (TK - 12th grade), through a broad-based community effort.  Together with our PTA, MEF works to raise sufficient funds to maintain the teachers, staff, programs, and services that set our Moraga schools apart. We believe that together the entire community can build better schools for a brighter future for our children consistent with the educational goals of the Moraga School District and Campolindo High School.  

To see the impact of MEF's efforts on Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School, please click here.  For more information about how to give, go to MEF's website.

School Supplies:

Each Spring, JM's PTA offers for sale online School Supply Starter Kits for 6th grade and another one for 7th and 8th grade.  Purchasing all of your school supplies in this way is so much easier than going out to various stores to get all you need--and the costs are comparable.  If your students have matriculated after the close of this period (April - May), however, and need school supplies, here is a list of all that teachers have requested.

Hot Lunch:

Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School's PTA works with parents, staff, local restaurants and vendors for a warm lunch on campus, making every effort to meet varying nutritional needs.  Lunch options are provided for purchase only online at three different times during the school year--Fall, Winter and Spring.  For more information, click here.  To sign up for this term's Hot Lunch, please go to the "Fundraising" tab above and click first on "Hot Lunch" and then on "Online Registration" from the left-hand column. 

PE Clothes:

At JM, students wear sport shirts and shorts for PE class.  These are not items that may be purchased before the start of school; they are available during the first week of classes in PE and in 2015 cost $35.  Checks are payable to JM PE or JMIS PE.