The Jaguar Journal
October / November 2020
James Sales Elementary
1301 113th St S, Tacoma, WA 98444
Brandy Nelson - Principal
Joy Sims - Assistant Principal
Office Hours - 8:15 to 3:45
253-298-4200 / FAX 253-298-4216
Dates To Remember
October 14 ~ Asynchronous learning day
October 21 ~ Asynchronous learning day
October 28 ~ Asynchronous learning day
November 1 ~ Daylight Savings Time Ends! Set clocks BACK one hour.
November 4 ~ Asynchronous learning day
November 11 ~ NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day
November 17 ~ Picture Day
November 18 ~ Picture Day
November 18 ~ Asynchronous learning day
November 25 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 11:55
November 26-27 ~ NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 2 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 11:55 - End of first trimester
A Message From Our Principal
Dear James Sales Families!
Can you believe we are half way through October? It is great seeing so much learning in our virtual classrooms! Thank you for reminding students to stay in front of their computers so they can engage with their teacher and peers.
I want to clear up some confusion about WHEN students are supposed to be in class, and WHAT they are responsible for in the asynchronous (not with teacher) time.
Students each have a cohort time with their teacher. Cohort A is 8:30-11:00 and Cohort B is 12:30-3:00. These cohorts meet on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. During this time, your child should be using Canvas Conferencing to be with their class the whole time. We have some kids attending for short amounts of time, but they should be with the teacher the whole 2.5 hours.
When they are not with their teacher, students should attend specialist (music or library). Some students also have other groups, such as Resource Room, ELL, or LAP. All students should do their assigned homework during this time. Please remember that Wednesdays are a school day to do work, but there is not an assigned time with their teacher. Attendance is taken by work completed.
As always, if you have questions about your child's learning, please call or email their teacher.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nelson
Free Lunches
Our new school is beautiful!
We can't wait to see our students in these hallways and classrooms.
Picture Day is Coming!
James Sales picture days are November 17 and 18. Watch your email for communication about picture day from Lifetouch. We want to have every child in our yearbook, so even if you aren't planning to purchase a picture package, please come at the designated time for your child's school picture. You may order online (preferred) or obtain a paper picture order envelope from the James Sales office.
As we come closer to the picture day dates, we will let our families know just how we will schedule student's picture times. It will be different if we are still doing remote learning than if we are doing hybrid learning and students are in the school. Rest assured that appropriate precautions will be taken to maintain social distancing requirements. We are trying to serve our families in the safest and most efficient way possible. We will have a picture make-up day on January 7th for those who are unable to be at the November picture dates. Thank you for your patience at this unique time.
Help our school raise funds!
Still having laptop issues?
If you are still not able to use the school device, or if the audio or video is not working, please let us know! We want you make sure you have the 'fix' so your child can access learning each day.
For help you may call the IT help line number at 253-298-4647 or go to one of the options in the links below to obtain help.
Does your child need extra help with their school work? Check out the information below!
Update Records
Have you moved? Do you have a new phone number or email address? It is so important that we have your most current information so you will receive emails and auto-dialers concerning important school information. Please call our office at 253-298-4200 to let us know your up-to-date address, phone, and email information.
From the Health Room
Please make sure your child's immunizations are up to date. Per Washington State Law, if your child is missing any shots they will not be able to attend school in the building once we return to in-person learning. They will have to continue remote learning until immunizations are up to date.
If your child requires medication at school, please obtain that medication and doctor's orders before hybrid learning begins. These can be dropped of at the school any time during our regular hours.
Please call Mrs. Churchill in our health room if you have questions. 253-298-4208
Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Social Distance. Stay safe.
Thank you!
October 12-16 is Nutrition Services appreciation week. Our lunch ladies, Mrs. Kimball, Mrs. Laughon, and Ms. St Clair, have gone above and beyond in providing meals for students during these past few months. Many thanks for their hard work!
October 19-23 is Transportation appreciation week. Even though busses are not taking students to and from school, the transportation department has been hard at work delivering lunches and getting routes set up for the time we can return to our school for in-person learning. Thank you!
November 16-20 is Substitute appreciation week. We are grateful for the subs who help us out when our staff members are unable to do their jobs. Be sure to thank a sub!
WIFI Opportunity
Go to the link (in English and Spanish) on the Franklin Pierce Schools website.
Follow the instructions there to determine if your family is eligible. Families must reside within the Rainier Connect service area to qualify.
- Once the form is submitted, a parent or guardian must contact Rainier Connect directly at 253-683-4405 and mention the Students Connect program.
- An adult must be present during the scheduled installation.
- Rainier Connect must have access to enter the home to complete the installation and confirm the service is working at the time of the scheduled installation.
Attendance
Even while our students attend class online, we hope you will make every effort to encourage consistent and on-time attendance in their various classes. Please make appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. We are still tracking attendance every day. Teachers check to see if students are engaged in their classwork in Canvas each day. Make sure you call the school office if your student is absent for any reason so we can work together to excuse their absence. Our attendance desk number is 253-298-4206. You may leave a voice message if you need to call before or after school hours.
Do you have a preschool-age child? Read about our early learning center!
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.