The Jaguar Journal
February 2024
James Sales Elementary
Email: jamessales@fpschools.org
Website: jamessales.fpschools.org
Location: 1301 113th St S, Tacoma, WA, USA
Phone: 253-298-4200
FAX: 253-298-4215
Brandy Nelson - Principal
Ryan Moore - Assistant Principal
Office Hours - 8:30 to 3:30
Dates to Remember
February 7 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
February 14 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
February 8 ~ 100th day of school!
February 8 ~ General PTO Meeting - 3:40 - All invited!
February 9 ~ 101 Days of School - Dress in black and white
February 15 ~ Treat money due - 50¢
February 16 ~ Treat Friday - Popcorn
February 17 ~ Junior Adventure Club - Gold Creek Pond - Snowshoeing
February 19-23 ~ President's Day / Mid-Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
February 28 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
February 29 ~ Last day to order a yearbook for $12 - After this date they will be $15
February 29 ~ Treat money due - 50¢
March 1 ~ Treat Friday - Gummies
March 6 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
March 7 ~ Treat money due - 50¢
March 8 ~ Treat Friday - Popcorn
March 10 ~ Daylight Saving Time begins
March 14 ~ Class Picture Day / Optional Individual Pictures
March 14 ~ Treat money due - 50¢
March 15 ~ Treat Friday - Gummies
From the Principal's Office
Hello James Sales families,
We are excited about the start of the new year!. Your students came back to school from Winter break 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.
I have had some neighborhood complaints about parents parking and blocking mailboxes, private gates, driveways, and neighbors' parked vehicles while dropping off and picking up students. If your child is a walker, they need to be walking home. If parents are driving to pick up students, students will be waiting with the teacher in front of the school. Our pick up drive through line moves smoothly. If you are driving and currently pick your child up at the walk zone along 12th street, please call the office at 253-298-4200 to let them know your child will be a parent pick-up rather than a walker. James Sales parent's parked cars are causing this area to be very unsafe for our walking students, neighborhood traffic, and buses pulling out from the school parking lot. Thank you for your help and support of our neighbors and SAFETY of our students.
Thank you 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 are appreciated.
Thank you for all your help, support and collaboration in educating your child. We love working with you!
Sincerely,
Brandy Nelson
Principal
James Sales Elementary
Attendance is Important!
Annual Student Information Update
As we finalize the transition between Skyward and Qmlativ, we ask that parents and guardians review and update their student's information in our Qmlativ/Skyward database. This information allows FPS and your student's school to stay connected with you and access vital information about your child's health and safety.
For a tutorial on how to complete the Annual Student Information Update, visit https://www.fpschools.org/departments/k-12-office/asiu.
Thank you in advance for completing the Annual Student Information Update!
Food Drive Success!!
Just a small portion of the food donations from James Sales students!
Change of Clothes
It is a good idea for younger students to bring a change of clothes in their backpacks just in case of a bathroom accident or a particularly wet day outside. Put the clothing in a plastic bag into their backpack, then when the clothing is needed, they can put the wet clothing into the plastic bag and bring it home to be laundered. If we have lent your child clothes, please wash them and return them to the health room. Thank you!
Buses
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.
Treat Fridays Will Start Again!
We are starting Treat Fridays again after a long hiatus that began during the pandemic. The PTO is looking for volunteers to help with treat Fridays. We need volunteers to help with popping popcorn, bagging popcorn, and other related jobs. The time frame would be from 8 AM to about 10 AM. If you are interested in helping, please let the front office know and complete a volunteer application. Click here for the volunteer application.
Treats will alternate Fridays between popcorn and gummies. The cost is 50¢ per treat - exact change. Money for treat day will be collected on Thursdays, the day before the treat day.
January Students of the Month
Congratulations to the January students of the month who will be honored at an assembly on February 2nd.
These students were selected by their teachers for showing Resiliency/Problem Solving:
Kamdin R., Aria E., Mi'kcael S., Piper W., Alexander F., Roxana T., Carmei S., Ander M., Lyla T., Leonardo L., Zoey B., Camila G., Maraiha S., Emmary A., Eliana A., Erick H., Ireri P., Harper J., Judy C., Pierre M., Sir Legend W., Rayland S., Xeranna T., Rhys J., Mia T., Genesis F., Cassie J., Harry B., Helio V., Izellah S., Kaitlynn F., Agnes I., Jeremiah M., Valentina M., Bowie S., Ayden B., and Kaitlyn F.
Important Information!
From the Health Room
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) published a report in 2015 about sleep health, where they provided several suggestions. In its study, NSF brought together a panel consisting of sleep experts, psychologists, scientists and others to garner a wide range of views.
After studying the issue at length, the panel came up with the following guidelines for the amount of sleep necessary for each age group:
- Newborns 0-3 months of age – 14-17 hours
- Infants 4-11 months of age – 12-15 hours
- Toddlers 1-2 years of age – 11-14 hours
- Preschoolers 3-5 years of age -10-13 hours
- School-aged children 6-13 years of age – 9-11 hours
- Teenagers 14-17 years of age -8-10 hours
- Young adults 18-25 years of age – 7-9 hours
- Adults 26-64 years of age – 7-9 hours
- Older adults ages 65 and over – 7-8 hours
Yearbook Order Time
Don't miss out on the memories! Order your 23-24 yearbook today! This year's yearbook will feature cover art by a James Sales student once again! You can reserve your copy by February 23rd for only $12 each. Yearbooks ordered after February 23rd will be $15 each and are only available while supplies last. Ordering deadline is May 3rd. Click here to order. For questions please email ecordell@fpschools.org.
Class Picture Day
Class picture day is scheduled for Thursday, March 14th. All students will receive a complimentary 6x8 class photo this year! You may also 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. Payment envelopes will come home with your student later in February.
Dental Health Month
A Message from James Sales PTO
PTO would like to invite you to our next General Membership Meeting, Thursday, February 8 2024 at 3:40pm in the James Sales Elementary library. We will be discussing the upcoming World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser, The Rainiers Games, Treat Fridays, and we will have nomination forms available for those interested in running for the 2024-2025 PTO Executive Committee. ALL Positions Need to be Filled! If you have any questions, feel free to contact Ms. Bruce. jbruce@fpschools.org
PTO’s mission is to encourage family involvement in the classroom and around the school, as well as raise funds to support classroom enrichment, and to provide our students and staff with items and activities not funded by the district.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!
If you have ever considered volunteering NOW IS THE TIME! We need volunteers for Popcorn/Treat Fridays on Friday mornings starting around 8 AM. We need help popping popcorn, bagging treats and delivering to classrooms. VOLUNTEERS' STUDENTS RECEIVE FREE TREATS/POPCORN!!
You must be cleared by the district prior to volunteering in any way, INCLUDING CHAPERONING FIELD TRIPS. If you have not already been cleared to volunteer for THIS SCHOOL YEAR by Franklin Pierce Schools, please visit the James Sales Office to use the technology there or go to this link to apply:
https://www.fpschools.org/get-involved/volunteer
WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU!
101 Days of School
SPYA Fundraiser
Family Dance Fundraiser to support SPYA's basketball development teams! This is a fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day as a family and support youth sports in our community. Friday, February 9th at 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the FP Annex (old Gates HS gym, next to Brookdale). Tickets will be sold at the door and are $20/couple and $5/additional family members. Free pizza from Jed's Big Slice and Gatorade are included (while supplies last). Smooth sounds are being provided by DJ Sai, a parent in FPS. Pictures are available for purchase.
School Store Fundraiser
We are partnering with SchoolStore to raise funds for essential tools our students and teachers need to succeed. Participation is easy through our 100% online email campaign, and your child can earn points towards great prizes.
Here's what you need to do:
1. Go to SchoolStore.net and sign up using our School ID: 195626
2. Send the provided emails inviting family, friends, and co-workers to support your student. Every email sent helps your student's school meet its fundraising goal, so if you have a phone contact, asking to use their email can help boost your student's SchoolStore program.
3. If your student has not already done so, return the envelope that was sent home with the Student Prize Code for your child to get their awesome participation prize.
Here are three ways your family, friends, and co-workers can help our school:
1. Support your child's classroom with a 100% tax-deductible donation by purchasing a Caring for Classrooms gift card for your child's teacher to acquire classroom supplies and equipment.
2. Shop online at The Family Book Store for wrapping paper, magazines, popcorn, cookbooks, and more. Our school receives up to 50% from each purchase.
3. Shop online with over 400 major merchants like Walmart, Kohls, Best Buy, Disney, and more. Our school earns a percentage of these sales also.
With only a few minutes of your time, SchoolStore offers a safe and easy way for our teachers and school to raise money for materials that enhance your child's education.
Thank you for your participation!
* Please confirm that your supporter's emails are correct. Your student only gets credit for valid emails.
SPYA Soccer
From Our Handbook
Recess
Recess is an important time when students get to expend physical energy, explore, express themselves creatively, have fun together, build and strengthen friendships, and independently experience life lessons which will help them develop and grow. We want to create a play environment where all kids feel safe and can find a place where they belong.
General Playground Expectations:
1. For safety and to maintain order, it is essential to follow the directions of adults.
2. Concerns at recess should be shared with an adult right away.
3. Misconduct such as play fighting, kicking, pushing, karate, and grabbing of clothing is not tolerated.
4. Objects such as rocks, gravel, twigs, mulch, etc. are to stay on the ground.
5. Appropriate language for school is to be used. “Keep it clean.”
6. Use the playground equipment appropriately, and follow the rules of all games.
7. In cold weather, coats must be taken outside. After students have left the classrooms, they are not allowed to return unsupervised to get their coats.
8. For dangerous or illegal behavior, such as fighting, students will be sent directly to the office. The parents will be notified of the infraction and the consequences.
9. Invite other students to join in. It is not ok to exclude or tell others they cannot play.
10. Play safely and have fun!
February Junior Adventure Club Activity
The James Sales Junior Adventure Club (for 4th and 5th grade students and their parents) will go to Gold Creek Pond at Snoqualmie Pass for snowshoeing and other snow fun on Saturday, February 17th. The bus will depart James Sales at 10:00 am and arrive back at the school around 3:30 pm. All attendees must dress appropriately for snow!
Please make sure your student lets Mr. Horak know that they will be going by turning in the permission slip for the trip. Students must have an parent/guardian attend with them. Any adult accompanying a student on the activity must complete a volunteer application (https://www.fpschools.org/get-involved/volunteer) and pass the background check to attend. Please let Mr. Horak (chorak@fpschools.org) know if you have any questions!
January's Adventure Club Activity
Geocaching at Point Defiance Park
Students, parents, and teachers had an awesome time geocaching at Point Defiance! Treasures were found and others were left behind for someone else to find. Thank you Mr. Horak for organizing our Junior Adventure Club activities!
Employee Appreciation
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 5-9, we recognize and honor Anna Thordsen, Speech Pathologist; Lisa Lohse-Miranda, Psychologist; Karen Harkins, OT; Maddie Roberts, PT; Sharika Callaway, Counselor; and Coleen Brisbin, Social Worker. These professionals do an outstanding job supporting the needs of our James Sales students. Please give them a big “Thank You” when you see them during this week!
Free Developmental Screening For Children 3-5 Years Old
Hewins Early Learning Center Enrollment
Tutoring at PLU
Parkland Literacy Center
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.
Families can expect to receive information about school closures and delays in the following ways:
- Recorded Telephone Message contact the main office at your child's school to ensure your contact information is up to date
- Email from info@fpschools.org
- Website www.fpschools.org
- Flash Alert Notification sign up to receive email notifications and download the Flash Alert App, click here.
- Local Media including KIRO 97.3 FM, KOMO 1000 AM, KIRO TV Channel 7, KOMO TV Channel 4, and KING TV Channel 5
- Social Media Facebook and Twitter
Before and After School Care with Right at School
James Sales hosts a before and after school care program on-site for our students this year. 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.
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.
Nutrition Services
Volunteers
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 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.