The Jaguar Journal
November 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 1 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
November 2 ~ Picture Retake Day
November 2 ~ Dental Screening permissions slips due
November 3 ~ Chuck E Cheese Fundraiser - Starts at 3:00
November 5 ~ Daylight Saving Time Ends Set clocks BACK 1 hour
November 7 ~ Vision and Hearing Screenings
November 8 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
November 9 ~ Veterans Day Concert - 4th and 5th Grades performing - 5:30 - Doors open 5:10
November 10 - No School - Veterans Day
November 15 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
November 17 ~ Dental Screenings
November 18 ~ Adventure Club hike to Pinnacle Peak
November 22 ~ 3.5 Hour EARLY RELEASE - 11:55
November 23 ~ No School - Thanksgiving
November 24 ~ No School
November 29 ~ 3.5 Hour EARLY RELEASE - 11:55 - End 1st Trimester
From the Principal's Office
Dear James Sales Families,
My how time flies! November is here already!
Thank you, parents and students, for all your support. Students are settling in nicely and working hard. Please check in with your child regularly to see what they are working on in class to see if any support is needed at home. At home you and your student can practice reading, memorize math facts, and assist your student with their homework. This support is incredibly important. Thanks in advance for your support in your child’s learning.
We appreciate you listening to our weekly auto dialer messages and emails as we work to keep you informed.
Sincerely,
Brandy Nelson, Principal
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month! While we recognize that Native and Indigenous peoples should be celebrated, recognized, and included in our academic curriculum every month, we are excited to take this specific opportunity to celebrate and recognize the ancestry and traditions of Native peoples—especially our James Sales students and families—throughout the month of November. If you or your family would like to contribute something to the display case in our main hallway, please fill out the form that was sent home with your student and return it along with the item. We look forward to partnering with you to celebrate Native American Heritage Month!
Plan ahead! See the dates for the new school year so you can make sure your vacations don't conflict with school days.
Veterans Day Concert
The 4th and 5th grades will perform in honor of our veterans on Thursday, November 10th at 1:45 for the whole school and at 5:30 for all community members. Doors will open at 5:10. Students should arrive by 5:15. Plan to bring the family! We invite all veterans to wear their uniforms to be recognized at this special concert. Participation from all 4th and 5th graders is highly encouraged. Performing is a large part of learning, and all students should be present to have the experience and to encourage each other. Please contact Mr. Delgado if your student will NOT be attending the after-school performance.
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.
Fall Weather is Here!
If you child is missing their coat, please ask them to check the lost and found closet on the first floor across from the music room entrance. All unclaimed coats left in the lost and found when we leave for Winter break December19th will be donated.
September Students of the Month
Congratulations to the September students of the month who were honored at an assembly on September 29th.
These students were selected by their teachers for showing Inclusion and Embracing Diversity :
Lilianna M., Ivanna F., Mateo C., Yamilek R., Isalynn L., AJ B., Miranda C., Irving D., Liliuokalani K., Kasen H., Andrew W., Romiyah B., Ira H., Anamaria S., Nezzy L., Alyanna F., Asiah E., Lily H., Ezra N., Sofia F., Penelope M., Violet M., Maiko P., Lilly B., Ivy N., Liam G., Aiirabella C., Valentina M., Jayden P., Jordan M., Matthew E., Ammika T., Daniel C., Adi H., Thania S., and Christian A.
From the Handbook
School Assemblies
Jaguar Assemblies are held regularly to celebrate students who exemplify Jaguar Pride and our monthly character trait. Parents are invited to Jaguar Assemblies by the classroom teacher or letter from the school. Balloons are not allowed because they are a distraction . Other assemblies are held for a variety of reasons, such as school-wide expectations, PTO assemblies, and Veteran’s Day. Parents are invited to assemblies in which their child will participate.
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. Please let Mr. Horak know who will accompany your child on the trip 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.
Our next trip is a hike to Pinnacle Peak in Enumclaw on Saturday, November18th.
If you have any questions, please contact our PE Specialist, Colin Horak: chorak@fpschools.org
October Adventure Club Hike to Twin Falls
Free Dental Screenings
During the later part of October permission slips went home for Lindquist Dental. If you would like your student to have their teeth examined, please fill out the permission slip completely and return to the school by November 2nd. Screenings will take place on November 17th at school.
Is Your Child Sick?
Important Information!
From the Health Room
Book Fair Update
Picture Re-take Day
Storybook Pumpkin Patch 2023!
James Sales students had the opportunity to decorate a pumpkin with their family for our annual Storybook Pumpkin patch in October. The creativity was amazing! We definitely have artists in our midst. Pictured are just a few of the many submissions.
November Appreciation Weeks
November 13-17 – Substitute Employees
Be sure to thank a sub for their diigence in keeping our school running when our staff members are out sick or at training meetings.
Free Tutoring
Nutrition Services
Thanksgiving Break
School will dismiss at 11:55 on Wednesday, November 22nd with no school on Thursday and Friday, November 23 and 24. We are thankful to work with the wonderful students and families of James Sales Elementary school. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Chuck E Cheese PTO Fundraiser
Join us at the Chuck E. Cheese for fun, games, prizes, and pizza on Friday, November 3rd starting at 3:00 PM. The location of the restaurant is 4911 Tacoma Mall Boulevard. 20% of the sales from this event will benefit our school. Make sure you mention James Sales Elementary when you order. Bring the flyer your student brought home for coupons and 10 free play points!
Reminders from the Office
Office Phone - 253-298-4200
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 and hear you and 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 2:40 so we have time to get a note to the teacher.
- Call the office 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!
- If you need to take your child out of school early, please make sure to come to the office at least 45 minutes before dismissal time. On a regular school day, please be in the office by 2:45 and on an early dismissal day, be in the office by 1:10. You will want to make sure to come early enough so that we can locate your child and so you won't be trapped in the after-school 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. Thank you for your help!
- 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 your child becomes ill, or otherwise needs your help, we need a way to contact you! Thank you!
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.