The Jaguar Journal
April 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
April 5 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
April 10-14 ~ Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
April 19 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
April 19 ~ 3rd Grade SBA Testing
April 20 ~ 3rd Grade SBA Testing
April 21 ~ 3rd Grade SBA Testing
April 24 - 28 ~ All for Books Coin Drive
April 24 ~ Penny Day
April 25 ~ Nickel Day
April 26 ~ Dime Day
April 26 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
April 27 ~ Quarter Day
April 27 ~ 3rd Grade SBA Testing
April 28 ~ Dollars and any coins that may have been forgotten!
April 28 ~ 3rd Grade SBA Testing
May 1 ~ 3rd Grade SBA Testing
May 1 ~ Last day to order yearbooks!
From the Principal's Office
Hello James Sales families,
April is here! Our state test, The Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) is just around the corner. Third, fourth, and fifth grade students will be taking the Smarter Balanced English Language Arts (ELA) and Math Assessments this spring. Third graders will be tested in April on the following dates: April 19th, April 20th, April 21st, April 27th, April 28th, and May 1st. Other testing will take place in May and June.
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!
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.
Lost and Found
Our lost and found is overflowing with nice jackets, hats, and gloves. If your child is missing any of their outerwear, please have them check with the office. We can help them look for their lost items. All left over lost and found items will be donated during Spring Break which starts April 10th.
From the Handbook
Dress and Appearance
Appropriate clothing and shoes are required for all students to ensure a safe learning environment, free of distractions. Please follow the below guidelines:
- Hats, hoods, headgear and gloves will be worn outside only. (except for religious head-wear)
- Clothing cannot have profanity or promote/advertise drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products.
- Appearance cannot imply gang membership or affiliation.
- Shoulder straps are at least 2-finger widths wide.
- Transparent clothing, strapless tops, bare midriff tops cannot be worn.
- Skirts and shorts need to be longer than your fingertips or have leggings underneath.
- Shoes should be appropriate for PE and recess. These must be closed-toed for safety. If you wear shoes that are not appropriate for PE and recess, you must bring shoes to wear for those activities.
If inappropriate clothing is worn to school, students will be sent to the health room to find a solution. A solution may be a call home so that clothes/shoes can be brought to school or alternative clothing/shoes may be provided by the health room.
All For Books Coin Drive
Our classes are collecting coins for the All for Books program. By donating loose change, you help us purchase books for classroom libraries AND give more children access to books. Scholastic matches every dollar we raise with a book donation to several children's charities (up to 1 million books). All change collected will go directly to purchase books for your child's classroom at the upcoming Book Fair in May.
We will collect coins April 24th - 28th. Please send coins in a baggie with your child.
Monday, April 24 - Pennies
Tuesday, April 25 - Nickels
Wednesday, April 26 - Dimes
Thursday, April 27 - Quarters
Friday, April 28 - Dollars and any coins that may have been forgotten
Thank you for your support!
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.
Yearbook Order Time
Don't miss out on the memories! Order your 22-23 yearbook today! This year's yearbook will feature cover art by a James Sales student! Yearbooks are $15 each and are only available while supplies last. Ordering deadline is May 1st. Click here to order. For questions please email efryberger@fpschools.org.
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.
New Guidelines from the Health Department
March Students of the Month
Congratulations to March’s students of the month who were honored at an assembly on March 31st!
These students were selected by their teachers for showing resiliency and problem solving skills:
Hope B., Allyse F., Benjamin H., Marie T,. Irving D., Andeana R., Blossom H., Kyng P., Sophie S., Ryder F., Jaxon M., Avah R., Jeremiah K., Syndal S., Yaretzi J., Sam C., Lilly B., Violet M., Maiko P., Yoally R., Valentina M., Malakai S., Emmy H., Syrianna W., Madelynn T., Jax G., Hailee W., Dagen M., Harry B., Aydan A., Jadalin M., Blake B., Monica O., Kaylee F., Jakob R., and Nunnaly M.
Employee Appreciation
We are grateful for our PTO board who keep the PTO organization going for us. We want to express our appreciation for them especially during volunteer appreciation week – April 17-21. We also appreciate all those who volunteer in any capacity in our classrooms and for future field trips. We couldn't do these things without them!
Also, please join us in recognizing our hard-working clerical staff during the week of April 24-28. Ms. Morrison – Office Manager, Mrs. Stocking – Office Assistant and Library Clerk, work closely with staff, students, and families to make their experience here the best possible and keep James Sales running smoothly.
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.
Nutrition Services
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.
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.
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.
James Sales PTO is on Facebook
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. Enter WASAVE50 for a $50 discount!
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.