The Jaguar Journal
January 2021
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 253-298-4215
Dates To Remember
December 21-January 1 ~ NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
January 4 ~ Welcome back to virtual classes!
January 6 ~ Asynchronous learning day
January 13 ~ Asynchronous learning day
January 18 ~ NO SCHOOL - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 20 ~ Asynchronous learning day
January 20 ~ Picture retake day
January 25 ~ NO SCHOOL - PRAD Day
January 27 ~ Asynchronous learning day
February 1-14 ~ Online Book Fair
From the Principal's Office
Hello James Sales Families!
We hope you had a safe and healthy holiday break! We are looking forward to seeing our students in our Zoom classrooms beginning Monday, January 4th.
Please make sure you watch your email and listen to the auto-dialer messages that will be coming soon. Important information will be shared with our James Sales families!
As we return from our holiday, we want to take a minute to remind students of our online expectations.
- Be sure to have your cameras on
- Have a set learning area in your home
- Have materials ready and near you so you don’t have to leave your camera
- Sit up tall facing the camera showing you are listening and ready to participate
- And most important, enjoy the time with your classroom teacher!
Our instructional leaders work incredibly hard planning meaningful classroom lessons and support groups. If your child has been invited to participate in a LAP, ELL or a Resource Room group, please help by setting a timer so your child doesn’t forget to join this additional support.
Please reach out if you have any questions. We hope you and your families are doing well during this time. Stay healthy!
Love,
Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Sims
School Picture Retake Day!
Students who are not satisfied with their pictures from October may also come to have their pictures re-taken. The complete original packet of pictures must be returned on re-take day.
The office will have picture order envelopes available if you wish to pay for pictures with cash or check. You may also order BEFORE picture day, online at mylifetouch.com. Use the picture day ID EVTJBKFJW
When you come for picture day, we will have staff members to take your children into the building through the front door of the school to the gym. We will return them to you outside as soon as they are done with the photographer. We are limiting the number of students in the building. Restrooms will not be open to the public, so make sure your children have the opportunity to use a bathroom before you come to the school.
Help our school raise funds!
Students of the Month
Decemberr’s Students of the Month were honored during Zoom meetings with Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Sims, and other James Sales staff members.
These students were selected by their teachers because they exemplify the virtue of Friendship:
Deimien P., Xeranna T., Ivy N., Violet M., Liam G., Cristobal S., Sean M., Kailani K., Khalia S., Christian S., Eleanor W., Madeline T., Elisaia A., Savannah L., Danna C., Aubree L., Addilynn H., Bennett H., Lillianne R., Troy V., Quintin P., Sophia J., Jakob R., Maximus W., Athena K., Dominic A., Moana T., Isaiah E., Nathan L., Marc R., Yaretzi G., Royce R., Zinnia L., William G., Pablo C., Alexander F., Raph N., and Jeremiah H.
The following students exemplified the virtue of Helpfulness:
Zachary J., Andrea H., Lyric B., Casey C., Elijah M., Act F., Genesis F., Jessi A., Zyon M., Porter S., King W., Gabriel V., Alexia G., Aubree H., Darius H., Allison D., Maryaniya M., Lillian S., Destiny J., Eleanor S., Mahkenly M., Zoey K., Micheal W., Myles T., Kimberly G., Marquis M., Katie D., Charles N., Tristan B., Anastazia D., Trance G., and Ukiah L.
Weather and Emergency Updates
Weather-related closures will look slightly different while students are in remote learning during the 2020-2021 school year.
Remote learning will be cancelled if the entire district is closed. Breakfast and lunch service will not be available.
Click here for more information.
Lunches
Lunches are available at the school each school day from 11:00 to 12:00 in front of the school. All children through the ages of 18 are eligible to receive a lunch. The sack lunch also contains food for breakfast for the following morning. This government sponsored program will continue through the end of the 20-21 school year.
From the Health Room
IMPORTANT! If you have received a call letting you know that your child's immunizations are not medically verified, please contact your doctor's office to get a print-out from their office and drop it off at the school.
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 we must have those medications and a doctor's order on file before your child can attend in person.
Please call our health room if you have questions. 253-298-4208
Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Social Distance. Stay safe.
Thank you!
January is School Board Recognition Month! We would like to thank our school board members who serve as volunteers on behalf of the students in the Franklin Pierce School District. We appreciate Ms. Rebecca Gallogly, Mrs. Mary Sherman, Mr. Alex Davis, Dr. Gil Mendoza, and Mr. Cole Roberts for all of their hard work to make our Franklin Pierce schools the best they can be. Please join us in giving them a big THANK YOU!!!
Did Someone Say Book Fair???
IMPORTANT!! Annual Student Update Needed for Every Student
A primary guardian must log on to Family Access in Skyward and complete the Annual Student Information update for each student. Each year there are several forms that must be completed, so even if you don't have any changes you must log on and complete the updates.
In the past, all of these forms were done on paper. Doing them online will take just a few minutes of your time. Please see examples below of what to look for in Skyward. Click here to go to the Skyward login page. If you need help logging in to Family Access, please call the office at 253-298-4205,
Make sure to click SUBMIT to complete the updates when you are finished!
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.
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.
Child Find - Free Developmental Screening for Preschoolers
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.