Jackson eNews

Hello Jackson Families!

We hope everyone had a safe and relaxing Fall Break! We are ready to welcome our students back on Monday, October 16. We have a full week coming up next week and below are a few of the highlights!

On Tuesday, October 17, our wonderful PTA will roll out a new fundraiser from Believe Kids. Our students will attend an assembly that morning to learn about the program and merchandise--wrapping paper, gifts and candy/food products. Incentives will also be presented to get the students and teachers excited about what they will be selling! A packet will be sent home with order forms, a prize chart and ordering deadline. Students can sell in-person to friends and family or provide an online link. What a great way to get a jump on your holiday shopping and help Jackson at the same time! The fundraiser runs from October 17 through November 6.

The month of October is National Bullying Prevention Month and Jackson will be hosting a Parent Workshop titled Rude, Conflict or Bullying? What is the Difference? on Tuesday, October 17, from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. This workshop is for parents only and it may answer some of your questions about bullying! We hope to see you there! (Flyer below).

This week, October 16-20, will also be Jackson's Bullying Prevention Theme Week. Our students will be engaging in activities all week to raise awareness of bullying and how to be an upstander! On Wednesday, October 18, we will observe Unity Day and all students are encouraged to wear orange.

Later that evening on October 18, from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m., the PISD Mobile Van will be coming to Jackson to help parents navigate Parent Portal as well as helping to fill out the back to school forms that parents may not have completed before school started. The presentation will be in both English and Spanish and is open for all grade levels.

On Thursday, October 19, PTA will be sponsoring a Spirit Night at Cici's Pizza, 2220 Coit Rd #300, Plano, TX 75075 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. When you order, please mention you are with Jackson Elementary and a portion of the proceeds will come back to Jackson. Yum!

On the evening of Thursday, October 19, our 5th grade team will host a Camp Parent meeting. Parents will be able to get all their camp questions answered, pay for camp and get camp forms notarized!

See you Monday!

Thank you!

Crystal Roach, Ed.D

Principal

Jackson Elementary School

OCTOBER 2023

• October 16-20 – Jackson's Bullying Prevention Week
  
• Tuesday, October 17 - PTA Fundraiser Assembly, 7:30 a.m., Gym
• Tuesday, October 17 - Jackson Parent Workshop: Rude, Conflict, or Bullying? What is the Difference? 5:00 p.m., Library
• Wednesday, October 18 - Unity Day, wear orange
• Wednesday, October 18 – The PISD Mobile Van will be coming to Jackson to help parents navigate Parent Portal. The presentation will be in both English and Spanish and is open for all grade levels. Time: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Library
• Thursday, October 19 - 5th Grade Camp Parent Meeting, 5:00 p.m., Cafeteria and Library
  
• Thursday, October 19 - Cici's Pizza Spirit Night (2220 Coit Road, #300, Plano, TX 75075), 5:00- 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 20 - PACE referrals due by 5:00 p.m.
  
• October 23-27 – Red Ribbon Week
• Monday, October 23 – Fall Picture Retakes
• Thursday, October 26 – PTA Fall Picnic, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Longhorn Park
• Friday, October 27 – Book Character Parade, 2:05 p.m.

Click HERE for 2023-24 PISD Calendar

Children's Health is hosting a series of family education events at Beaty ECS on Tuesdays through December. There will be simultaneous sessions in English and Spanish.

Children's Health organiza una serie de eventos educativos familiares en Beaty ECS de martes a diciembre. Habrá sesiones simultáneas en inglés y español.

Children's Health is hosting a series of family education events at Isaacs ECS on Thursdays through December. There will be simultaneous sessions in English and Spanish.

Children's Health organiza una serie de eventos educativos familiares en Isaacs ECS de jueves a diciembre. Habrá sesiones simultáneas en inglés y español.

Classroom Lessons

Welcome to the Counselors’ Corner! We will use this section of the eNews to inform you all of topics we will be covering in our Counselor lessons and any other important or useful information! Students come with their class to the counselor bi-weekly to receive lessons. We absolutely love this time with them!

We wrapped up our third lesson that focused on Mental Health Safety by teaching Coping Skills! In our previous lessons, we discussed how when we have strong emotions, it keeps us from thinking clearly! Sometimes our brains can cause us trouble when we experience emotions with intensity and we temporarily lose control of our actions (aka “flipping a lid”). These reactions are perfectly normal and were designed to keep us safe from danger; however, when we experience such strong emotions, we are not always in danger. Many times, this results in acting without thinking, which can get you in trouble or result in being more upset! During these lessons, we will focus teaching appropriate coping skills students can utilize here at school and at home. We want students to practice these calm down strategies to ensure their Amygdala is calm so the rest of their brain can do it's important job!

Jaguar of the Month Program

Jaguar of the Month is a student reward program (Grades K-5) that incorporates character traits from the program, CharacterStrong. A new character trait is introduced every month and students will engage in classroom discussions and activities to reinforce the trait. At the end of the month, each teacher will identify a student who consistently demonstrated the targeted trait. These students will be recognized on JagTube, receive a certificate, wristband, and a Jackson Jaguar pencil. Grade level group photos will be displayed on the bulletin board near the front office AND Jaguars of the Month will attend a popsicle party with Dr. Roach, our principal, and Mr. Riggle, our assistant principal!

Our new Jaguar of the Month Trait is RESPONSIBILITY! Our definition of Responsibility is taking action and understanding the impact of our choices. Check out the CharacterStrong Family Letter for more information about PurposeFull People and some fun ways you can join us in teaching and reinforcing Responsibility! Monthly Family Newsletters will be sent home that outline the CharacterStrong skills students are learning in class and provide fun ideas to grow as a family at home.

We hope you find this Counselors’ Corner helpful! Please never hesitate to reach out for anything! We are always here to support you and your students!

Thank you!

Michelle Hardy (Grades PK, 1, 3, 5)

Michelle.hardy@pisd.edu

(469) 752-2115

Nicole Sollie (Grades K, 2, 4)

Nicole.sollie@pisd.edu

(469) 752-2116

Welcome back to school! I wanted to share the Back to School Checklist below and a few reminders on ways we can keep our students healthy all year.

Back-to-School Checklist

• All controlled substances must be brought in by the parent or guardian.
• Advise the nurse of your child's health concerns.

• Make sure all immunizations are up-to-date.
• Complete and return all required medical paperwork.
• Review hygiene tips to prevent the spread of infection.
• Establish a bedtime and wake-up routine to ensure adequate and consistent sleep.
• Develop a routine for homework and after school activities.
• Eat breakfast every morning. Do not forget to send a snack and water bottle.
• Help make appropriate clothing choices (for example, wear safe and comfortable shoes).

It is important to teach kids to wash their hands before eating, after playing outside, and after using the restroom. Practicing proper hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent illness.

Talk to your children about covering their mouths with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. We encourage coughing and sneezing into our elbows at school.

When should you keep your child home from school?

• If your child has a temperature over 100 degrees, keep them home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
• If your child is vomiting or having diarrhea, they should remain home until they are symptom free for 24 hours without the use of medication and they are able to successfully eat 2 meals.
• If you do not think your child is sick, but may be acting a little "off", please let me and the teacher know. Once I am aware, I will be able to more closely monitor your child throughout the day.

Let's make this a safe and healthy school year!

Thank you,

Jill Wheeler, Nurse

Jackson Elementary

Plano Academic and Creative Education (PACE) is a program for students who require academically gifted enrichment services and have demonstrated the need for advanced, differentiated instruction. PACE at the elementary level is a weekly pull-out program that removes students from the general education classroom to work under the guidance of a gifted specialist. If you have a child you believe may need PACE services, please click on the links below for more information, or contact Jackson’s Advanced Academics/PACE Specialist: Betty Fancher at Betty.fancher@pisd.edu.

PACE Program - English

PACE Program - Spanish

PISD PACE Website

K-5 PACE Referrals are due online by October 20, 2023, at 5:00 PM

National PTA Reflections welcomes all grades (Pre-K to 12th) and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Annually, thousands of students will reflect on a common theme and create original works of art in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.

Students (or a member of their immediate family) must have a current membership of their local PTA to participate. Multiple entries into any or all of the categories is allowed and encouraged. Students' work is judged at the local campus, with the opportunity to advance to Council, Texas and National PTAs. Scholarships and prizes are available for top entries!

This Year's Theme: "I am Hopeful Because..."

Deadline to Enter: Friday, November 10, 2023

PTA status: student must have one parent in PTA listed as active by October 31st

For More Information:

Jackson PTA site: National PTA Reflections

Plano Council of PTAs site: Reflections

Texas PTA site: Reflections Overview - Texas PTA - every child. one voice.

National PTA site: Reflections Arts Program | National PTA

We are excited to announce that PTA is partnering again with Mabel's Labels for our first fundraiser of the 2023-2024 school year! You can purchase personalized labels, name stamps, tags and more to label clothing, school supplies, backpacks, lunch containers, water bottles, etc. What a great way to get everyone in your house organized and help your student keep track of their belongings! The best thing---20% of all purchases will come straight back to Jackson! Please see the flyer below for more details.

Whether giving of your time, your resources, or just providing a little encouragement to those in our Jackson Community, we LOVE our volunteers!

Jackson teachers and staff are looking for family volunteers to help during all Jackson lunch and recess periods. Beginning this school year, Plano ISD is requiring Cafeteria doors to remain locked during all lunch periods. This means a staff member has to supervise the cafeteria doors for students needing to step out for water or restroom breaks.

Your help will allow us to provide enough supervision to keep our students safe! Volunteer time slots are in 30 minute to 1 hour increments. Volunteers have the opportunity to monitor students for a 30 minute lunch and/or a 30 minute recess. While volunteering, you will not be able to eat with the children, but you will likely be helping with opening food/drink items & assisting in the lunch line.

All volunteers will need to create an account and complete an application, online orientation and background check through the Plano ISD volunteer management system, VOLY, to be eligible for district/school volunteer opportunities. Please visit plano.voly.org to create a volunteer account and begin this process. These items will need to be completed by volunteers each school year.

An email will be sent to the volunteer applicant communicating the status of their application and criminal history search within 3-5 business days of completing these steps. Volunteer approval status can also be viewed by the volunteer by logging into their account. Volunteers will need to complete the online orientation as well to be eligible to volunteer.

Once approved through VOLY, please sign-up at the link below.

2023 - 2024 Lunch Duty Volunteer signup:

We greatly appreciate your willingness to invest your time and efforts into supporting Jackson students, families and staff.

Thank you,

Brenda Arcibar

VP of Volunteers

Jackson Elementary PTA

Hello Jackson Families,

Support our students by joining the Jackson PTA! Your PTA membership helps to provide various programs such as: field trips, Bookfairs, school supplies, author visits and other educational programs for next year. We can't do this without your support! Please visit our website to become a member of the Jackson PTA.

The Jackson PTA website is also a great resource for you to find out about updated PISD, Jackson, and PTA events on the calendar, find ongoing and new volunteer opportunities, how you can help raise money for Jackson, and much more! Visit www.jacksonpta.com to explore our site!

Be sure you are also following us on social media for reminders of upcoming events! We are on Facebook "Jackson Elementary School PTA" and Instagram at "ptajacksonelem."

Thank you!

Your Jackson PTA Executive Board

You can also support our PTA by bringing any household donations (clothes, shoes, etc.) to the donation bin in the back parking lot. You will be helping our PTA and the environment by recycling!

District Updates for Plano ISD Families

Annual Registration for Existing and Newly Enrolled PISD Students

New Student Online Enrollment and Annual Registration

District Safety and Security Procedures

Transportation Services - Bus Route Finder

Required Immunizations

PASAR After School Care

Volunteer Application

Food and Nutritional Services

Free and Reduced Meal Program

School Cafe

School Meal Application

Plano ISD participates in the federal meal program, which provides free and reduced-price meals to students who qualify. Families who may qualify for meal benefits should complete a meal application for the 2023-2024 school year, available through Parent Portal or via the website at www.pisd.edu/mealprogram.

Families who already have a SchoolCafé account can sign in to complete the meal application. Families who do not have an account can create a new one by selecting that option on the SchoolCafé page. View this SchoolCafé information video for instructions on how to complete the meal application.

Applications will be processed within 10 business days. Eligibility notification letters will be sent via email. If you have not received the letter in your inbox, please check your junk and spam folders.

Kinder Information Night 2023
Video - A Day in the Life of a Kindergartener at Jackson Elementary

1st Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - English

1st Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - Spanish

2nd Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - English

2nd Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - Spanish

3rd Grade Parent Information Night Presentation – English

3rd Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - Spanish

4th Grade Parent Information Night Presentation – English

4th Grade Parent Information Night Presentation – Spanish

5th Grade Parent Information Night Presentation – English

5th Grade Parent Information Night Presentation – Spanish

Make Sure Your Communication Preferences Are Up To Date!

Visit www.pisd.edu/schoolmessenger to choose how you prefer to receive communications from Jackson and Plano ISD.

Website: http://pisd.edu/jackson
Location: 1101 Jackson Drive, Plano, TX, United States
Phone: 469-752-2100
Twitter: @JacksonPlano