The Jaguar Journal
May 2022
James Sales Elementary
Email: jamessales@fpschools.org
Website: jamessales.fpschools.org
Location: 1301 113th St S, Tacoma, WA, USA
Phone: 253-298-4200
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 2 ~ Final yearbook order deadline
May 4 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
May 3-4,10-11 ~ 4th and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 11 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
May 17-18 ~ 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 18 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
May 19-20 ~ Book Fair for students during specialists - 9:00 - 3:00
May 23-26 ~ Conference Week - EARLY RELEASE - 11:55
May 23 ~ Book Fair for students during specialists/parents during conferences - 9:00 - 4:00
May 24 ~ 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 24th ~ Book Fair for students during specialists/parents during conferences - 9:00 – 6:00 - Late Conference Night
May 25 ~ 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades SBA Testing
May 25 ~ Book Fair for students during specialists/parents during conferences - 9:00 - 4:00
May 26 ~ 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades SBA Testing Make-ups
May 26th ~ Book Fair for students during specialists - 9:00 - 1:00
May 27-30 ~ NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
June 1 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
June 1-2 ~ 5th Grade SBA Testing
June 18 ~ PTO Fundraiser - Tacoma Rainiers vs. Sacramento River Cats at Cheney Stadium
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 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26. (They have already completed the ELA portions of the test.)
Fourth grade students’ test dates are May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25.
Fifth graders will test on May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25, and will take the science assessment on 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 Playground Progress!
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR 22-23 SCHOOL YEAR
We are preparing for the 2022-23 school year! Registration for kindergarten and NEW 1st through 5th grade students who live within our attendance boundaries is open now. A child must be five years of age on or before August 31, 2022 to be eligible to enroll in kindergarten. 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.
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 21-22 school year will return to their home schools for 2022-23. 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.
Return Library Books
The end of the school year is quickly approaching! It is time to look under beds, in closets, and other hiding places for those overdue and lost library books. Students who have overdue books or unpaid library fines will be excluded from participation in field trips or field day unless these books are returned or fines paid before these events. Our goal is to have all books turned in so every student can participate in field day. Please help us out! Last days for library book check-out are the week of May 16th. Books must be returned by May 31st or fees will be assessed. Questions? Email Mrs. Bruce – jbruce@fpschools.org or call 253-298-4200.
Book Fair is Coming!!
The 'Musical Mayhem' Book Fair begins May 19th and runs through May 26th. This book fair will help buy new instruments for the music room. 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/jamessaleselementaryschool.
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://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/parent-how-it-works.html?fairID=5111338. Please visit the homepage to view what’s coming!
Book Fair Hours:
May 19th – 9:00-3:00
May 20th – 9:00-3:00
May 23rd - 9:00 - 4:00
May 24th – 9:00 – 6:00 - Late Conference Night
May 25th - 9:00 - 4:00
May 26th - 9:00 - 1:00
Order Your Yearbook Now!
Field Trips are Happening this Year!
James Sales PTO Fundraiser "Day at the Park"
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Clothing Guidelines
These reminders are to help you and your child select clothing that is comfortable, appropriate for warmer weather, and meets school standards. Thank you for your support!
- Crop tops and bare midriffs are not acceptable at school. Tummies must be covered.
- Shorts and skirts are to be at least finger-tip length.
- Straps must be at least two finger widths wide – no spaghetti straps on shirts and dresses.
- No flip-flop, open toed, or high-heeled shoes. These type of shoes are not appropriate for PE and are not safe during recess activities.
Appreciation Weeks in May
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, Marietta Brown, Jennifer Bruce, Britney Callaghan, Austyn Collins, Helen Craig, Maraye Davis, Joseph Delgado, Claire Elbaum, Hallie Fortt, Emily Fryberger, Carol Gillon, Erica Gott, Lucyka Hwang, Amber Marquez, Alicia McDonell, Cindy Miller, Madeline Omdal, Denise Pfeiffer, Ronda Siebert, Teri Soholt, Jessica Stewart, Sophia Stover, Elayna Van Hess, Taylor Wilkinson, and Allison Zhang.
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. She has had an especially challenging job these last couple of years with COVID. She has made sure that our students are protected from the transmission of illness. 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!
April Students of the Month
Congratulations to the April students of the month who were honored at an assembly on April 29th!
These students were selected by their teachers for showing Respect and Advocacy :
Ireri P., Lacaste E., Erick H., Aniyah G., Theo R., Diana C., Cashmere M., Lokadah G., Yoally R., Lilly B., Margaret T., Syrianna W., Addison L., Angelica T., Brenda J., Ruby A., Angel T., Kwilliy J., Yoana R., Ash M., Maria W., Aaliyah C., King W., Saul L., Serenity V., Danielle L., Malachi T., Adleigh B., Kailah-Ann K., Karlee P., Elijah P., Edgar A., Ziggy J., Abi W., and Vanessa M.
Information from the Pierce County Health Department about COVID 19 testing and vaccines
Check out this link from the health department for current information about COVID 19.
https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/human-coronavirusFrom 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. Please remember that we still have to send students home if they have severe symptoms.
COVID Safety
If your child has been exposed to COVID, or if they are showing symptoms of illness, you may not send them to school until they have been quarantined and symptom free according to DOH guidelines. For more specific information regarding your particular situation please call the district COVID hotline at 253-298-3099. Teachers will provide work for students during this time. We are counting on everyone to keep James Sales safe for all students and staff. Thank you!
Attendance Matters
QUestions about buses?
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.
Reminders From the Office
- If you need to come into the building, please press the button that says 'Push Here' 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 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!
- If you need to take your child out of school before the end of the school day, please come before 2:45 so 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, so allow plenty of time.
- 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 they become ill, or otherwise need your help, we need a way to contact you! Thank you!
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 James Hester, 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.