The Jaguar Journal
December 2019
James Sales Elementary
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 3 - Pick up PTO Fundraiser Items - 12-4:30
December 4 - Early Release – 1:55 - Report Cards go Home
December 6 - Parent Training 9:15-10:30
December 11 - Early Release – 1:55
December 16-20 - Book Fair 8:15-4:00
December 18 - Early Release – 1:55
December 19 - Student of the Month Awards Assembly
- 1-3-5 2:00
- K-2-4 2:40
Dec. 23 - Jan. 3 - Winter Break
January 6 - First day back at school
January 8 - Early Release – 1:55
A Message From Our Principal
Hello Families!
Mrs. Sims, Ms. Callaway, and I have recently completed the first round of the parent training classes. The methods taught in the classes are directly connected to the behavior management system implemented school-wide and in your child’s classroom. The feedback was incredibly positive; therefore, we are offering more sessions. Because of the success, we will offer morning and evening sessions beginning in January on the following dates and times: 9:15-10:30 am – January 17, 24, and 31 and 6:00 -7:15 pm – January 14, 21, and 28. Watch for a note to come home with your child to register for the session of your choice.
On another note, the three character traits we focused on as a school in November are listed here so you can review them as a family with your child:
Cooperation – Cooperation means working with others to achieve a goal. When you cooperate with others, you can get things done faster, more easily, and more successfully. Cooperation with other students allows you to learn more in your classroom and prepares you to work with others in college and beyond.
Integrity – Leadership is the ability to inspire and motivate others so they can reach shared goals. It means making a difference and solving problems. Being a leader gives you the opportunity to bring positive change to the world. Leaders build peace in our schools and in our world.
Creativity – People who are creative think about the world in a different way. They may use their talents to create art, music, machines, or even a solution to a problem. Use your creativity to look at a problem in a different light and come up with a solution that no one else has thought about!
We hope you have a wonderful and safe Winter Break. We will see you in 2020!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nelson, Principal
Report Cards
The district has redesigned the elementary report card. A letter will accompany the report card to explain the changes. Scores will continue to reflect students’ progress toward end-of-year grade level standards. Report cards will come home on December 4th. Please take time to review your child’s report card with them. You may contact your child's teacher if you have questions.
From the Health Room
All children do go outside for recess. We do not have an area for students to be supervised inside. Make sure your children are dressed for the weather.
We don’t have extra clothes for accidents. Please pack a change of clothes in your child’s backpack.
Don’t forget to get your flu shots!
Health Room – 253-298-4233
Book Fair
On December 16-20 we will have a BOGO Book Fair. Hours will be 8:15 am till 4 pm daily. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Please contact Jen Bruce if you are interested.
Bikes 4 Books
November 1st kicked off a school-wide reading contest. Students in grades 1-5 have the chance to win a new bike! Bikes 4 Books will be donating three bikes to the students that read the most from now until December 10th. As students read, they will take an Accelerated Reader test which will keep track of student points.
1st and 2nd grade students need 10 points to qualify for an entry in the drawing. Third and 4th grade students need 15 points and 5th grade students need 20 points. The more times a student meets the point goal, the more times their name will be entered in the contest. Good luck readers and keep on pedaling!
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.
You may find updated school schedule information in the following ways:
· Auto-dialer –The district has the ability to send out a recorded phone message to parents and staff of Franklin Pierce Schools. In the event of an unscheduled school closure or late start, the auto-dialer will be activated. Please make sure the school has a current phone number for you.
· TV News – Look for Franklin Pierce Schools not Tacoma Schools
· Radio – AM and FM Stations
· Internet – http://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=4380
· Phone – 253-298-3000
PLEASE TRY THE ABOVE OPTIONS FIRST! If the power is out at school, our phones may also be out!
construction is moving right along at James Sales!
Students of the Month
October’s Students of the Month were honored at an assembly November 1st.
These students were selected by their teachers for showing responsibility, respect, caring, and safe behavior:
Jay’Noah Z., Khalia S., Kalani H., Xya W., Valentina M., Aydan A., Jasmine W., Christian A., Addilynn H., Agnes I., Saul L., Elvis P., Jayden H., Elizabeth U., Kaylee F., Kevin S., Motusaga S., Myles T., Zoey K., Neveah K., Malachi W., Eliannah F., Anastasia D., Atherna M., Garryian S., and Kayden S.
Jay’Noah Z., Khalia S., Kalani H., Xya W., Valentina M., Aydan A., Jasmine W., Christian A., Addilynn H., Agnes I., Saul L., Elvis P., Jayden H., Elizabeth U., Kaylee F., Kevin S., Motusaga S., Myles T., Zoey K., Neveah K., Malachi W., Eliannah F., Anastasia D., Atherna M., Garryian S., and Kayden S.
Music Notes
Appreciation Week
December 2-6 – Custodians and Maintenance
Cheryl Larson, our chief custodian, and Jesse Tuivaiave, our night custodian, work very hard to keep our school clean and safe for our students and staff. They help maintain the playground, clean restrooms and other areas of the building, help at breakfast and lunch, and do countless other jobs. Please join us in giving them a big THANK YOU!!!
Lost and Found
Our lost and found is still overflowing with students' belongings! Please check to see if your child is missing a jacket or other items. You will find our lost and found bin just inside the front doors. Remember to label your child’s belongings with their name so we can return them to the proper owner more easily! All unclaimed items will be donated during Winter Break.
Winter Break
School will dismiss at the regular time at 3:25 on Friday, December 20th for Winter Break. School will resume on Monday, January 6th. We will see you in 2020!
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
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.
Our Goals for 2019-20
Are your students on target for meeting the attendance and behavior goals at James Sales?
· Attendance – This year’s goal is to have nine or fewer tardies and/or absences. At the end of each trimester, all students who have missed less than nine days or have less than nine tardies, will receive a reward. At the end of the school year, the PTO will sponsor a reward for students who meet the attendance goal for the year.
· Behavior - Students with one or fewer write-ups at the end of each trimester will receive a reward. At the end of the year, students with one or fewer write-ups will go on a PTO sponsored field trip.
Attendance
We hope you will make every effort to encourage consistent and on-time attendance at school. Did you know if your child is tardy or leaves school early, it will show on their attendance record? Please make appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. Make sure you call the school office if your student is absent for any reason. Our attendance desk number is 253-298-4200. You may leave a voice message if you need to call before or after school hours.
Volunteers
If you would like to spend time in your child’s classroom for any reason, attend field trips, or be at field day, you must be cleared as a volunteer. All previously approved volunteer applications expired July 31st and must be renewed before participating in any volunteer capacity at James Sales.
You will find the online application for volunteers on the fpschools.org website. Hover over 'Get Involved' and click on ‘Volunteers’ and follow the directions. You will receive an email when you are cleared. It can take up to two weeks to process the application. Please don’t wait until just before your student has a field trip to submit your application!
It can take up to two weeks to process the application. Please don’t wait until just before your student has a field trip to submit your application! All volunteer clearances will expire July 31, 2020 for the 2019-20 school year.
PTO News
Thank you for your participation in the school fundraiser! We raised $5500.00! This money will be used to purchase needed items for classrooms and to support family activity nights.
Fall fundraiser items will be available for pick up at the school on Tuesday, December 3rd from 12pm to 4:30 pm. ALL ITEMS MUST BE PICKED UP DURING THIS TIME!!
The Box Tops winners for November were Ms. Paczkowski’s class with 77 box tops and Mrs. Stover’s class with 62 box tops.
Please download and use the Shoparoo app. We earned $175 last year from parents scanning their receipts with the Shoparoo app!
We alternate Popcorn Friday and Treat Friday. If your student would like to purchase popcorn or a treat, please send 50 cents – exact change – to school with your student. Money must be turned into the teacher first thing in the morning for the PTO to fill the classroom orders. This means that students who are tardy will not be able to turn their money in on time and receive their popcorn or treat.
You can contact the PTO board by email - PTOJamesSales@gmail.com or Facebook message. Search @jamessaleselementarypto to follow on Facebook.
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.