The Jaguar Journal
May 2023
James Sales Elementary
Brandy Nelson - Principal
Joy Sims - Assistant Principal
Office Hours - 8:15 to 3:30
253-298-4200 / FAX 253-298-4215
Website - jamessales.fpschools.org
Dates to Remember
May 1 ~ 3rd Grade SBA Testing
May 1 ~ Last day to order yearbooks!
May 3 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
May 2-4, 9-11 ~ 4th and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 10 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
May 16 ~ 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 17 ~ 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 17 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
May 18 ~ 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 18-19 ~ Book Fair for students during specialists 9-3
May 19 ~ Last day to turn in orders for A Night with the Tacoma Rainiers
May 22-25 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 11:55 - Conference Week
May 22 ~ Book Fair for students during specialists / parents during conferences 9-4
May 23 ~ 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 23 ~ Book Fair for students during specialists / parents during conferences 9-6 - Late Conference Night
May 24 ~ 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 24 ~ Book Fair for students during specialists / parents during conferences 9-4
May 25 ~ 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 25 ~ Book Fair for students during specialists / parents during conferences 9-12
May 26, 29 ~ Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 31-June 2 ~ 5th Grade SBA Testing
May 31 ~ FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
June 17 ~ PTO Fundraiser - A Night with the Tacoma Rainiers baseball game
From the Principal's Office
Hello James Sales families,
Spring is here and so is testing season! Third, fourth, and fifth grade students will be taking the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts (ELA) and Math Assessments in the coming weeks.
Third graders will continue to test on May 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, and 26. (They have already completed the ELA portions of the test.)
Fourth grade students’ test dates are May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25.
Fifth graders will test on May May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 and will take the science assessment on May 31, and June 1, and 2.
Families can support their students during testing time by:
- Making sure your child gets a good night sleep the night before testing.
- Making sure your child attends school on testing day. Please avoid scheduling appointments on testing day.
Thank you for your help and support during this important time! We do appreciate collaborating with you in educating your child. We love working with you!
Sincerely,
Brandy Nelson
Principal
James Sales Elementary
New School Year Enrollment is Open!
We are preparing for the 2023-24 school year! Enrollment for new kindergarten through grade 5 students who live within our attendance boundaries is open now. A child must be five years of age on or before August 31, 2023 to be eligible to enroll. Please prepare to register by obtaining medically verified immunization records, birth certificate, and a proof of residence (utility bill, lease/rental agreement, or mortgage papers). All enrollment is done online. Click here to access the enrollment application or go to fpschools.org and click on enrollment.
- We are moving to a new online system. Enrollment will end in our current system on June 11th and will reopen on July 17th in the new system. Please make sure to complete your child's enrollment application by June 11th or wait to start it after July 17th. (A complete application will include all required documents, valid proof of residence, medically verified immunization records, and a birth certificate. You are welcome to bring the documents to the school for the office to attach to your enrollment application.)
Current students who live within James Sales boundaries are automatically enrolled at James Sales for next year. Students who were overloaded to James Sales for the 22-23 school year will return to their home schools for 2023-24. Students living within our district but outside of James Sales boundaries who want to attend James Sales must complete a within-district transfer form online. Click on the Transfers and Homeschool link to access the correct form. Out-of-district students who wish to attend James Sales must complete a new out-of-district transfer (Choice Transfer) from their home district to be considered for enrollment.
It is Field Trip Season!
We are very excited to have the opportunity to have field trips this year. Watch for field trip information coming from your child's teacher. Teachers will reach out to parents if volunteer chaperones are needed for the excursions.
Volunteers
At the end of last year we were finally able to have volunteers help with field trips! Hooray!! We anticipate the need for volunteers this year as well. If you are interested in volunteering as a chaperone for field trips or in any other capacity that may come up, please complete the volunteer application as soon as possible. It may take up to two weeks to process an application and we don't want you to be left out of a volunteer opportunity because you are not approved yet! Click here to begin your volunteer application. If you were cleared as a volunteer last year you will still need to complete an application again. A new volunteer application must be completed every school year.
From the Handbook
Health Issues
Healthy students are more successful learners, and our philosophy is to work cooperatively with parents to provide a healthy and safe environment for learning. If your child has a special health condition, please notify the teacher and the school health office (298-4223). Health conditions may include chronic asthma, food allergies, bee sting allergies, or any condition that will affect your child during school hours. Should your child take daily medication at home, please notify the health office so any side effects can be recognized and treated. It is also essential to notify the health office if there is a medical condition that impacts your child’s regular attendance.
In case a student has an accident or becomes ill at school, the following steps will be taken:
1. First aid will be administered.
2. If serious, the parents/guardian will be contacted. Please be aware, a school nurse may not be on site to make a diagnosis. In those cases, office personnel will exercise their best judgment in determining whether the situation is serious and if emergency personnel need to be contacted.
3. If the parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact provided by the parent will be called. Please ensure that the school has at least two emergency numbers to call in case you cannot be reached. Persons listed on the emergency card will be considered to have your approval for temporary care.
4. Children leaving school during the day for health or other reasons, must have a parent or authorized guardian sign them out through the school office.
Student Led Conferences
Student Led Conferences will take place May 22nd through May 25th. Teachers will send home conference appointment times soon. Please make sure you return the conference appointment time form to the school with your time choice marked. It is important to meet with your student and teacher together. Your children are doing great work and want to share with you! During this week students will be dismissed at 11:55 and will receive a sack lunch before going home.
Book Fair is Coming!
The BOGO (Buy One, Get One) Book Fair begins May 18th and runs through May 25th. Please take a minute to come check it out during your child's conference or view what is coming on the Book Fair website: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/jamessaleselementaryschoo2.
Students may purchase books during specialist times and after school on days they have conferences. E-Wallet can be used to make purchasing books at the fair easier. To access E-Wallet use this link: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/jamessaleselementaryschool2.
Book Fair Hours:
May 18th – 9:00-3:00
May 19th – 9:00-3:00
May 22nd - 9:00 - 4:00
May 23rd – 9:00 – 6:00 - Late Conference Night
May 24th - 9:00 - 4:00
May 25th - 9:00 - 1:00
Buses
To figure out which bus your child rides, click on this link.
Call 253-298-3865 if you are wondering where your student's bus is or for any other transportation related question or problem.
Sign up for the Bus Bulletin to receive text, email, or voice messages if your student's bus is running late. Click here for more information.
Important Information!
From the Health Room
It is allergy season! If your child has allergies, please make sure to give them allergy meds before school so they can get through their day comfortably.
Return Library Books
Attendance Matters!
We hope you make every effort to encourage consistent and on-time attendance at school. Did you know if your child is tardy or leaves school early, it will show on their attendance record? Please make appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. Make sure you call the school office at 253-298-4200 if your student is absent for any reason. You may leave a message if you need to call before or after school hours.
April Students of the Month
Congratulations to April’s students of the month who were honored at an assembly on April 28th!
These students were selected by their teachers for showing advocacy and respect:
Maxwell A., Violet-Ruby M., Ander M., Nathan F., Terry W., Joshua G., Iveah T., Mya C., Lily H., Kylie T., Emely A., Landon C., Ezra N., Sofia F., Danna G., Leyton C., Joseph F., Alessandra R., Ariel M., Zoe G., Khalia S., Kailani K., Valeria A., Thomas M., Daria S., Eleanor W., Aireanna M., Darius H., Matthew E., Dakota I., Isaac H., Shaelyn D., Ezequiel P., Camila F., Kailah-Ann K., and Kevin S.
Employee Appreciation
We are fortunate to have the finest teachers around! Our teachers provide James Sales students with a safe environment where they can learn and grow. In addition to the daily responsibilities of running a classroom, our teachers spend countless hours outside of the school day planning and preparing for their students. Please make a special effort to show our teachers how much you appreciate what they do every day!
Brittany Behrer, Ciarra Bernhoft, Jennifer Bruce, Britney Callaghan, Donna Chanthabouly, Lucyka Clark, Austyn Collins, Helen Craig, Joseph Delgado, Claire Elbaum, Hallie Fortt, Emily Fryberger, Carol Gillon, Erica Gott, Denise Hall, Danielle Harro, James Ingram, Basia Kasprzyk, Amber Marquez, Cassidy McCloud, Cindy Miller, Madison Mosier, Teri Soholt, Jessica Stewart, Sophia Stover, Elayna Van Hess, and Taylor Wilkinson.
Our school nurse, Jessica Churchill, is an indispensable part of our school. She takes care of our students’ health needs while they are here at school. Make sure you express your appreciation to her for all she does to take care of so many students.
A very BIG and special thank you goes to our principal, Mrs. Brandy Nelson and our assistant principal, Mrs. Joy Sims. They both put in many hours to make sure our school runs smoothly and our students have a safe and caring learning environment. When you see them, thank them for all they do for the James Sales community!
A Night with the Tacoma Rainiers
The final PTO fundraiser of the 22-23 school year is coming up! We will have a Night with the Tacoma Rainiers on Saturday, June 17th! Look for order forms to come home with students on Friday, May 5th. Orders for tickets are due on Friday, May 19th. Please send your completed order form to school with your payment (exact cash or check made payable to James Sales PTO) in the envelope provided. $2 from every ticket sold goes directly to our PTO and is spent to benefit our students!!
SPYA is Enrolling for Baseball Season!
Free Tutoring for Grades K-12!
Need help with math, reading, English, science, or another subject? The Parkland Literacy Center can help! Go to plu.edu/PLC or email literacy@plu.edu for more information.
Para Adultos - Guarderia Para Ninos
Reminders From the Office
Please read these important reminders from the office!
- If you need to come into the building, please press the intercom button on your right as you look at the front door. This will enable the office to see you and to buzz you into the entry if needed.
- Please notify the office of any changes in the way your child will go home at the end of the day. We need this information before 2:45 so we have time to get a note to the teacher.
- Call the office (253-298-4200) if your child will be absent. If they have an appointment, please ask the doctor, dentist, counselor, etc. for a note for school. Offices that treat children are used to giving notes to students for excuses! Tardies and leaving school early shows on your child's attendance record. Please make appointments outside of school hours when possible.
- If you need to take your child out of school before the end of the school day, please come before 2:45 so we can easily locate your child and you won't be stuck in the end-of-the-day pick-up line! You will need to sign your child out and wait for them to come from their classroom or wherever they are in the building, so allow plenty of time for us to find them and have them get their belongings and come to the office.
- If your phone number, email address, or home address changes, please let us know so we have the most up-to-date contact information for you. If students become ill, or otherwise need your help, we need a way to contact you! Thank you.
Guidelines from the Health Department
Nutrition Services
PTO Needs Volunteers
PTO is in need of new parent volunteers to join the Executive Committee (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) for the 2023-2024 school year. Due largely to the Covid-19 pandemic our volunteer pool has dwindled, and the the current Executive Committee is in dire need of help. Unfortunately, we have reached the point that if new volunteers do not step up to take on a leadership role, there may not be a PTO after next year. The loss of the PTO would be devastating to our students and staff, as PTO is the main generator of funds outside of the district. If you have ever considered becoming a PTO leader NOW IS THE TIME. For more information please email PTOJamesSales@gmail.com
Join the James Sales PTO!
Because we are a PTO, not a PTA, we are able to put 100% of our membership dues right back into our school! We provide classroom enrichment, and raise funds to provide our students and staff with items and activities not funded by the district. Volunteering and attending meetings is encouraged, but not required. A family membership (for adults living in the same household) is $10.00. PTO membership forms are in the office. Cash or checks are accepted. Make checks to James Sales PTO.
James Sales PTO is on Facebook
Franklin Pierce Schools has a resource center for our families. You will find information and help for all sorts of situations and needs - food, diapers, formula, community referrals, and more. Click here to access the Family Resource Center website.
Hewins Early Learning Center Enrollment
Please scan this QR code for information about enrolling at the Hewins Early Learning Center, an income based program for preschool aged students in the Franklin Pierce School District.
Before and After School Care with Right at School
James Sales hosts a before and after school care program on-site for our students. The care is provided by Right at School. Right at School provides a safe environment to learn, to play, and to grow. Click here for more information and to register.
Franklin Pierce Community Action Group
The Franklin Pierce Community Action Group meets once a month. The group consists of parents, students, and district staff who are striving to help improve the culture of our schools and district. Please come share your experience with us in the FPSD. Everyone is welcome!
Franklin Pierce Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to Brandy Marshall, Compliance Coordinator for State and Civil Rights Laws; Wendy Malich, Title IX Officer; or John Sander, 504/ADA Coordinator at 315 129th ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253)298-3000. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to Human Resources.