The Jaguar Journal
February 2020
James Sales Elementary
Brandy Nelson - Principal
Joy Sims - Assistant Principal
Office Hours - 8:15 to 3:45
253-298-4200 / FAX 253-298-4215
Dates To Remember
February 5 - Early Release – 1:55
February 6 - Family Cultural Night – 5-6:30
February 10 - General PTO Meeting – 3:45
February 10 & 18 - Lindquist Dental
February 12 - Full Day of School
February 14 - Mid-Winter Break – No School
- Jump Rope for Heart online donations due
February 17 - President’s Day – No School
February 19 - Full Day of School
February 29 - Yearbook order deadline for reduced price - $12
February 26 - Early Release – 1:55
February 28 - Student of the Month Assembly
- 1-3-5 2:00
- K-2-4 2:40
February 29 - Yearbook order deadline for reduced price - $12
March 2-6 - Read Across America
March 3 - Class Pictures/Optional Individual Pictures
A Message From Our Principal
Hello James Sales families,
We are excited for the start of the 2020 school year. Your students came back to school eager to continue learning. The teachers work hard daily with your children in class practicing reading strategies and introducing new math skills. Please join us in the teaching of your child by reading at home for 15-20 minutes and practicing math flashcards with your child nightly. Together we can all make a difference in the lives of your children.
Thanks for bundling up your little ones for recess. Remember, we try our best to have outdoor recess every day so your kids can run and play. We appreciate you dressing your children for the weather – sun, rain, or cold! Also, please take some time to discuss recess expectations with your child. We are working hard with students to remind them to keep their hands to themselves and to use kind words. Your help and support with this is appreciated.
The character traits we focused on as a school in January are listed here so you can review them as a family with your child:
Grit – A person with grit works hard and sticks with things even when things are tough. They take on new challenges, make mistakes and learn from them. Show your grit as you do hard things and stick with them until they are accomplished!
Growth mindset – If you have a growth mindset, you believe you can learn to do things that are difficult for you. You believe in your ability to change, try things that are hard and become good at something that was once really tough for you. When you have a growth mindset, you look at challenges as chances to grow and learn!
Effort – Putting your best effort into all you do means you try your best and give 100 percent. Whether you are playing a sport or learning something new in the classroom, you are putting all your energy into doing the best you can. Show effort by trying as hard as you can to reach your goals.
Understanding – Being understanding of others means you watch, hear, think, reflect and ask questions so that you really know what people are telling you. Listen with your heart so you don’t miss anything. When you are confused, keep asking questions until things are clear. Show understanding to others by forgiving when they make mistakes and being respectful of them when you disagree.
Thank you for all your help, support and collaboration in educating your child. We love working with you!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nelson, Principal
Attention 3rd and 4th Grade Parents!
It is time to refer 3rd and 4th grade students for the 2020-21 Highly Capable Student Program.
Do you have a student who:
- Learns easily and quickly?
- Thinks up unusual ways to solve hard problems?
- Has a clever sense of humor?
- Dislikes doing the same thing over and over?
- Thinks logically and wants things to make sense?
- Is open to new ideas?
- Is persistent and wants to keep trying with difficult tasks?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, please refer your student to test for the Highly Capable Student Program. Please complete a Project Excel Program referral packet online (https://bit.ly/2RRmKGb) by 4:00 PM, March 13th.
Testing materials are ordered the next day and late registrations may not be able to be accommodated.
Please be aware that students who live within the district boundaries will receive first consideration. Out-of-district students who attend Franklin Pierce Schools must be granted another year’s release and will be placed in the program after all qualifying in-district students have been served.
Order Yearbooks Now!
Did You Know?
Each day we announce which classes had perfect attendance and no tardies the day before. Help your child help his or her class achieve this goal by being at school and arriving on time! Students are tardy if they are not in their seats by 8:55.
Spring Pictures
March 3rd is class picture day. All students will receive a complimentary 6x8 class photo this year! You may purchase optional individual pictures. Only students with picture money will be photographed for individual pictures. Make checks to Quality School Portraits or send the correct amount of cash to school that day in a picture payment envelope, or pay online at www.qualityschoolportraits.com. Remember, neither the office nor the photographer can make change. Watch for payment envelopes to come home with your student the week before picture day.
From the Health Room
Head Lice is very common in the school setting and can quickly become a big problem. Be vigilant! Check your child’s head once a week for nits or bugs even if they have never had it before. The sooner you find it and treat it, the easier and more effective that treatment will be. The longer lice go undiscovered on a child’s head, the more eggs they lay, and the more offspring they produce. This makes them even more difficult to get rid of! Remind your students not to share coats, hats, brushes, or hair accessories such as head bands or barrettes. If your child has long hair, always keep it braided or tied back so that it can’t touch another student’s hair as they work or play together. Remember to treat the entire household and house, including your car, if your child has head lice.
Health Room – 253-298-4233
P.E. News
Please make sure your student wears tennis shoes or some sort of athletic footwear on their P.E. day to avoid twisted ankles and other injuries!
James Sales students have the opportunity to raise money for the American Heart Association through the Jump Rope for Heart program. Your student should have received a packet at the end of January for collecting donations. The fundraiser is explained in the packet. The deadline for donations is February 14th. If you have questions, please email Mr. Jackson at jjackson@fpschools.org.
Update Records
Have you moved? Do you have a new phone number? We cannot empahsize enough how important it it that we are able to contact you in any type of emergency involving your child. Please call our office at 253-298-4200 or send us a note with your most up-to-date address and phone information.
School Delays and Closures
As the weather becomes colder, it is important that you have a plan for emergency school closures and limited or delayed bus runs. School may be delayed or canceled in the case of bad weather or an emergency. If the regular school schedule is changed, local radio and television stations will be notified.
“School Closed” means that all schools will be closed for that one day only. All school related activities will be canceled. If schools close early, parents are asked to make arrangements for their child’s care.
“Late Start” means that all schools will start late and transportation will be delayed by the amount of time specified for that one day only. Breakfast will not be served on late start days. School related activities may or may not be altered.
You may find updated school schedule information in the following ways:
· Auto-dialer –The district has the ability to send out a recorded phone message to parents and staff of Franklin Pierce Schools. In the event of an unscheduled school closure or late start, the auto-dialer will be activated. Please make sure the school has a current phone number for you.
· TV News – Look for Franklin Pierce Schools not Tacoma Schools
· Radio – AM and FM Stations
· Internet – http://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=4380
· Phone – 253-298-3000
PLEASE TRY THE ABOVE OPTIONS FIRST! If the power is out at school, our phones may also be out!
Students of the Month
January’s Students of the Month were honored at an assembly January 31st.
These students were selected by their teachers for showing responsibility, respect, caring, and safe behavior.
Kaiden W., Angel T., Davina R., Iana M., Aubree H., Arianny R., Giselle O., Terreya T., Gabriel V., Blake B., Eric R., David N., Danielle L., Mason T,. Ryn Jake R., Kimberly G., Kayani G., Julianna P., Azelin K., Levi L., Liam K., Tristan B., Natally R., Cadin R., and Tobias R.
The following students exlemplified the ‘Virtue of the Month – Effort.
Alana T., Malakai T., Ashton C., Aubree L., Iresan L., Troy V., Eleanor S., Angelina B., Quintin P., Leland W., La’Mareon C., Bella B., Jayden P., Nicole C., Thomas B., Joben P., Zinnia L., Matthias K., Olivia C., Sa’Mya B., and Priscilla A.
Bikes for Books
During the month of November, as students read and took AR tests, they earned tickets for a drawing. Each ticket was a chance to win a new bicycle. At the end of the month, three student names were drawn from all the tickets collected and they were each presented with a bike and a gift card for a new bike helmet at our December assembly. The lucky recipients were Edgar N.—3rd Grade, Quentin G.– 4th grade, and Lacey G. – 5th Grade.
The bikes were provided by the Grand Lodge of F&A Masons of Washington through their ‘Bikes for Books’ program. Mr. Kyle Foster, a representative of the local Masonic lodge and a teacher in the Franklin Pierce School District was instrumental in bringing this motivational program to James Sales. Many thanks to the Masonic Lodge and Mr. Foster and congratulations to the winners!
Employee Appreciation Week
One of the great things about public schools is that we welcome every child with open arms. As you know, some children face unique challenges. James Sales is fortunate to have an outstanding team of professionals to support the special learning needs of all our students. During the week of February 3-7, we recognize and honor Anna Thordsen, Speech Pathologist; Karissa Thomas, Psychologist; Susi Esson, OT; Lori Odagiri, PT; Sharika Callaway, Counselor; and Jennifer Parsons, Social Worker. These professionals do an outstanding job supporting the needs of James Sales students. Please give them a big “Thank You” when you see them during this week!
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Free Developmental Screening
Children ages 3-5 who reside within the Franklin Pierce School District are eligible for free developmental screening. Hearing, vision, kindergarten readiness, speech and language, motor skills, and behavior are checked. Screenings take place regularly. See their web page here. To schedule an appointment, call the Early Learning Center Child Find hotline at 253-298-4658.
Our Goals for 2019-20
Are your students on target for meeting the attendance and behavior goals at James Sales?
· Attendance – This year’s goal is to have nine or fewer tardies and/or absences. At the end of each trimester, all students who have missed less than nine days or have less than nine tardies, will receive a reward. At the end of the school year, the PTO will sponsor a reward for students who meet the attendance goal for the year.
· Behavior - Students with one or fewer write-ups at the end of each trimester will receive a reward. At the end of the year, students with one or fewer write-ups will go on a PTO sponsored field trip.
Attendance
We hope you will 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 if your student is absent for any reason. Our attendance desk number is 253-298-4200. You may leave a voice message if you need to call before or after school hours.
Volunteers
If you would like to spend time in your child’s classroom for any reason, attend field trips, or be at field day, you must be cleared as a volunteer. All previously approved volunteer applications expired July 31st and must be renewed before participating in any volunteer capacity at James Sales.
You will find the online application for volunteers on the fpschools.org website. Hover over 'Get Involved' and click on ‘Volunteers’ and follow the directions. You will receive an email when you are cleared. It can take up to two weeks to process the application. Please don’t wait until just before your student has a field trip to submit your application!
It can take up to two weeks to process the application. Please don’t wait until just before your student has a field trip to submit your application! All volunteer clearances will expire July 31, 2020 for the 2019-20 school year.
PTO News
Please join us for our next PTO General Membership Meeting on February 10th at 3:45pm in the Library. We will be discussing the upcoming World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser, enjoy a guest speaker from the YMCA, receive information on running for next year's Executive Committee, and vote on amending our Standing Rules. All are welcome to attend; members are needed to vote.
Our World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser begins in March. Please check your student's backpack for information that will be sent home soon. Please note that we will only have Treat Fridays during the sale. Popcorn Fridays will resume after the sale is over.
The January winners of our Box Tops Trophies were Ms. Gott’s class from grades K-2-4 with a total of 50 Box Tops and Mrs. Davis class from grades 1-3-5 with a total of 37 Box Tops. Please continue to send in AND scan your receipts with the Box Tops app!
We alternate Popcorn Friday and Treat Friday. If your student would like to purchase popcorn or a treat, please send 50 cents – exact change – to school with your student. Money must be turned into the teacher first thing in the morning for the PTO to fill the classroom orders. This means that students who are tardy will not be able to turn their money in on time and receive their popcorn or treat.
You can contact the PTO board by email – PTOJamesSales@gmail.com or Facebook message. Search @jamessaleselementarypto to follow on Facebook.
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.