The Jaguar Journal
December 2023
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
November 29 ~ End 1st trimester - EARLY RELEASE - 11:55
December 6 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
December 8 ~ Report cards go home
December 11-18 ~ Book Fair - Students only shop during library time
December 12 ~ Cookies for Bookies - 4-6 pm - Evening shopping at the book fair
December 13 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
December 16 ~ 4th and 5th grade Junior Adventure Club - Geocaching at Point Defiance
December 20- January 2 ~ NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
January 1 ~ Happy New Year!
January 3 ~ First day back at school - FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
From the Principal's Office
Hello James Sales Families,
Wow! Can you believe that we are one month away from celebrating the new year, 2024? Where has 2023 gone? We have had a great start to the year here at James Sales. Thank you families, for partnering with us. Please know we love every opportunity you have to meet or chat with us about how we can best collaborate together as a school and home to meet the needs of students. Mr. Moore and I are always open to having conversations as we join together to support our students.
This year we are continuing our Principal's Fab 50 club. Students who are 'caught' by a staff member being helpful in some way, having especially good behavior, or exceeding behavior expectations in some way, will call home with a principal and also receive a 'Teachermon' card to collect and trade with other students. Ask your child if they have received a Teachermon card to show it to you.
Another way we are encouraging good behaviors is to reward classrooms with a Badge of the Week. Classes have the opportunity to earn badges for keeping their classroom clean, raising their hands to speak, walking in the hallways quietly, and many others!
Wednesday, November 29 we will dismiss students at 11:55 so that teachers can work on student report cards. Report card scores will reflect students’ progress toward end of the year grade level standards. If a student receives a / or X in a standard it means that the teacher doesn’t have enough information to give a score (/) or has not introduced the standard yet (X). Report cards will go home on Friday, December 8. Please take time to review your child’s report card with them. Don’t hesitate to contact the teacher if you have any questions.
Please remember to take time as a family to remember the things we are grateful for. This time of year can be stressful for a variety of reasons. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with students and families.
Sincerely,
Brandy Nelson
Principal
James Sales Elementary
Plan ahead! See the dates for the new school year so you can make sure your vacations don't conflict with school days.
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
- SMS Message for families/staff who have opted-in, click here if you would like to opt-in
- 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
Winter Break
School will dismiss at the regular time, 3:25, on Tuesday, December 19th for Winter Break. School will resume on Wednesday, January 3rd which will be a full day of school. We will see you in 2024!
Lost and Found
Is your child missing a coat or jacket? Our lost and found has many items that we would like to return to the proper owners! Please have your child check our lost and found items. (They can come to the office and we will show them where it is.) Anything that is left by the last day of school before Winter break will be donated. As always, it is a good idea to put your child's name in their coat so we can return it to them easily.
Important Information!
From the Health Room
Please make sure your child comes to school dressed for the weather! Students are outside every day for recess and need warm jackets, hats, and proper footwear. It is getting cold and wet outside and we want our students coming back to class refreshed and ready to learn, not damp and shivering for the remainder of the day.
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!
Book Fair Update
Attendance Matters!
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 pone 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.
Schedule Changes
The end of the day at James Sales is a hectic time! If you forgot to send a note in the morning and need to call the office with a change to your child’s schedule, please do so before 2:40 so the office can get a message to your student before they leave for the day. All end of day schedule changes must be made through the office, not with the classroom teacher. The office will ensure the teacher is informed of the change.
Bus Cancellations
Due to a bus driver shortage, your child's bus may be cancelled. Our Transportation Department and Public Information Office are working hard to be sure our communication is timely and effective. If you experience a bus cancellation, please remember the following:
- When a bus is cancelled in the morning, it is also cancelled in the afternoon. If you bring your child to school, please be sure they also have a way to get home. If someone who is not listed as an emergency contact is picking up your child, please be sure to call the school office.
- If you are not able to drive your child to school, please call our attendance office at 253-398-4500 to report your child's absence, so that it will be excused.
- If your child's bus has not come and you have not heard anything, please check the Franklin Pierce Schools website at www.fpschools.org for updated information. Bus cancellations are always posted on the front of the website. You may also contact the transportation department at 253-298-3865.
We apologize for the inconvenience these cancellations cause.
November Students of the Month
Congratulations to the November students of the month who were honored at an assembly on December 1st.
These students were selected by their teachers for showing Determination and Goal Setting:
Cristy C., Arseniy I., Esther E., Paityn T., Arthemio L., Emilia F., Remi M., Bella S., Roy K., Mya C., Benjamin H., Isabella H., Theo S., Kason L., Theo R., Julliana K., Khloe F., Kylie T., Malita S., Abel K., Lokadah G., Alessandra R., Justin C., Abigail D., Xya W., David W., Genesis F., Kaliani H., Jax G., Loona O., Ethan G., Na'Laiya K., Serah J., Arianny R., Maria W., Christian A., Eli E., Isabel E., Kody K., and Isabell E.
From the Handbook
Homework
Homework provides practice on important skills and is valuable to student learning. It is important to practice basic skills and concepts taught in class. Completing homework is also an important skill you will need in middle school and high school. At James Sales, we ask that you practice reading and math daily.
- Read for 20 minutes
- Practice math facts
- Teachers may send home any work that was not completed during the day or any work that is independent practice.
Attention 4th and 5th Grade Parents!
If you recently returned an interest form for the new James Sales Junior Adventure Club program, you must complete a volunteer application to join your child on the excursions. If someone other than a parent/guardian will accompany your child, please let Mr. Horak know who that will be and what their relationship to the student is. The volunteer application can be found at: https://www.fpschools.org/get-involved/volunteer. Volunteer applications can take up to two weeks to process, so please complete the application as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, please contact our PE Specialist, Colin Horak: chorak@fpschools.org
December Junior Adventure Club Activity
The James Sales Junior Adventure Club (for 4th and 5th grade students and their parents) will embark on an epic geocaching treasure hunt at Point Defiance on Saturday, December 16th. The bus will depart James Sales at 10:00 am and arrive back at school around 2:30 pm. Each student should bring a few super small toys to leave behind in each found geocache container. 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 a parent/guardian attend with them. Parents/guardians must be cleared as a volunteer to attend.
November's Adventure Club Hike
Reminders from the Office
Please read these important reminders from the office!
- If you need to come into the building, please press the intercom button on your right as you look at the front door. This will enable the office to see you and to buzz you into the entry if needed.
- Please notify the office of any changes in the way your child will go home at the end of the day. We need this information before 2:45 so we have time to get a note to the teacher.
- Call the office (253-298-4200) if your child will be absent. If they have an appointment, please ask the doctor, dentist, counselor, etc. for a note for school. Offices that treat children are used to giving notes to students for excuses! Tardies and leaving school early shows on your child's attendance record. Please make appointments outside of school hours when possible.
- If you need to take your child out of school before the end of the school day, please come before 2:45 so we can easily locate your child and you won't be stuck in the end-of-the-day pick-up line! You will need to sign your child out and wait for them to come from their classroom, so allow plenty of time.
- If your phone number, email address, or home address changes, please let us know so we have the most up-to-date contact information for you. If students become ill, or otherwise need your help, we need a way to contact you! Thank you.
Free Tutoring
Tutoring at PLU
Nutrition Services
Amara Family Resource Center
Adopt a Classroom Fundraiser
We have a way for you or anyone you know to donate funds to support the students and teachers at James Sales Elementary. Adopt a Classroom facilitates donations that are used exclusively to purchase needed items for our school. Click on this link to learn more. Copy this link to share with friends and family! https://donors.adoptaclassroom.org/s/designation/a1m5c000004dIbmAAE. Thank you for your support!
Attendance
Volunteers
We anticipate the need for volunteers for field trips and other occasions. If you are interested in volunteering as a chaperone for field trips or in any other capacity that may come up, please complete the volunteer application as soon as possible. It may take two weeks or more to process an application and we don't want you to be left out of a volunteer opportunity because you are not approved yet! Click here to begin your volunteer application.
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.
James Sales PTO is on Facebook
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.
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.
Hewins Early Learning Center Enrollment
Before and After School Care with Right at School
James Sales hosts a before and after school care program on-site for our students. 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.
Child Care Resources
Looking for school-age child care? Click on this link to find help.
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.