Update from Principal Boyd
January 27, 2023
From Principal Boyd
EJ Families,
I hope that you are enjoying your weekend.
A few items I would like to share with you:
Bingo Night
Thank you to our fabulous PTA for a fun and engaging BINGO Night! So many scholars won prizes and we had many smiling faces. Such a great event!
Harlem Wizards
The Harlem Wizards are coming to Centennial High School again this year. Our scholars enjoyed a pep rally with one of the Harlem Wizards and they had a blast! The game will be played February 5th and I plan to make an appearance on the court:). Stay tuned for ticket information. Pictures from our Harlem Wizards assembly below.
Parent University - Rescheduled for Monday 1/30/23
Our last Parent University was cancelled due to inclement weather. We are holding an alternate session virtually tomorrow, 1/30 at 5:30 p.m.
This meeting will cover assessments administered in Fulton County, with a focus on the GA Milestones. Although the Milestones is only taken in grades 3-5, this presentation is for ALL parents in ALL grades.
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EJ Tour - Recap
The Community and Outreach Committee of our School Governance Council (SGC) hosted a Tour for prospective parents on January 26, 2023 and it was amazing!
We were able to give our community members with children a peek into what Esther Jackson has to offer. We are so proud of our school and would like to share what makes EJ special.
A special thank you to our School Governance Council and Community and Outreach Committee for putting together such a welcoming event. Pictures below.
Summer Learning Site
Summer Learning 2023 will serve students in grades 3-12. Summer Learning dates are set by Cabinet and Esther Jackson has been identified as a summer learning site. Below are the dates for summer learning and registration information. More details coming soon.
Face-to-Face Summer Learning 2023
Registration Dates: March 1 – May 25
Late Registration Dates: May 30 & June 2
Student Dates: June 5 – July 3
Testing Dates: July 5 – July 10
Staff Dates: May 30, June 2, and June 5 – July 10
Elementary Hours
Student Hours: 7:40 – 11:40
Staff Hours: 7:10 – 12:40
Code of Conduct 2022-2023 Parent Survey
Each year, the District solicits feedback from employees and parents on the Code of Conduct. If you are interested in giving feedback, please use the following link:
Code of Conduct 2022-2023 Parent Survey
Georgia Milestones Spring Testing Dates - SAVE THE DATE
The spring calendar for Georgia Milestones testing has been approved. Middle and high school students will begin testing on April 24. Elementary school students will begin testing on May 3. All Milestones testing (including makeup testing) will conclude by May 19.
All schools are expected to meet the minimum 95% participation rate. Students who refuse testing are NOT excluded from this calculation.
Valentine's Day
If students bring valentine cards for classmates, please have them bring cards for entire class.
As we approach this popular day, it is important to ensure that all homemade candy, desserts, baked goods, or other edible items are not to be sold or distributed during school hours, and that appropriate store-bought items are delivered to the administration. Please know that taking this measure will help us maintain a safe environment for all students with allergies, etc. You can help us protect your student(s) by requesting that they not eat anything given to them by another person, anything that they have not brought from your home or anything not in its original sealed package.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping all of our students safe at school!
Recess Equipment
Beginning Monday, students are no longer allowed to bring personal recess equipment such as balls (basketball/football/soccer), jump ropes, etc. to school. We have a number of scholars bringing their personal equipment and it is causing discipline incidents to occur. Our School Governance Council ensured that we have equipment and activities outside, so students do not need additional items to play with. We will ensure that our equipment inventory has everything students need to enjoy recess. Beginning Monday, we will collect items brought by students at the front desk, and they will be given to students as they leave school. Thank you for your support with helping us keep a safe and welcoming environment outside for students.
Fundraiser for Playground Shades
The Passion Foundation is hosting another fundraiser and we would love your support. A copy of the flyer is below. Proceeds from this event will help Esther Jackson with our School Governance Council Initiative of getting sunshades for our outside playground.
Lost and Found
We have lots of items in lost and found that need to be claimed. If your scholar is missing something, PLEASE encourage them to stop by the lost and found to check for their belongings. We are going to donate items to Goodwill at the end of this month. Thank you for your support with this.
Jaguar Spotlight
This week I am highlighting a few amazing staff members:
Emilie Long and Jill Vitagliano - Jill leads our School Governance Council and Emilie Long leads our Community and Outreach Committee. Both of these women give countless hours of time and dedication to supporting our beloved school. EJ is a better place because of them!
Myriam Seoane and Christopher Massie - These two staff members lead our Student Council. They are responsible for our scholars developing leadership skills and being servant minded. Some of our student council scholars were ambassadors at our Parent Tour and I couldn't be more proud. Thank you Ms. Seoane and Mr. Massie for your leadership.
Teacher and Staff Recognition
The role of an educator is extremely rewarding and sometimes tough. it is so important that we always show appreciation to our EJ staff.
If you would like to recognize an EJ staff member, please complete this short form: https://tinyurl.com/StaffRecognitionEJ We would love to hear from you!
Principal Feedback
Parents, please use this link to provide feedback on how we can better serve you. I welcome questions, suggestions, concerns, and of course positive messages about EJ or any staff member. Please do not include questions about your student(s) performance. Instead, contact your student's teacher.
Dates to Remember
January 30 - Parent University on TEAMs @5:30 p.m.
January 31 - First Grade Field Trip to Center for Puppetry Arts
February - Black History Month Begins
February 6 - Start of Counselor Appreciation Week
February 10 - Progress Reports in Parent Portal
February 14 - Valentine's Day
February 15 - College and Career Day
February 15 - Katha Stuart Community Meeting @Sweet Apple ES, 9:30 a.m.
February 20 - President's Day - NO SCHOOL!
February 21 - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS!
February 24 - Black History Bowl
February 27-March 1 - TAG Tybee Island Trip