The Jaguar Journal
February 2022
James Sales Elementary
Email: jamessales@fpschools.org
Website: jamessales.fpschools.org
Location: 1301 113th St S, Tacoma, WA, USA
Phone: 253-298-4200
Brandy Nelson - Principal
Joy Sims - Assistant Principal
Office Hours - 8:15 to 3:30
253-298-4200 / FAX 253-298-4215
Website - jamessales.fpschools.org
Dates To Remember
January 31 ~ 1st and 5th Grade Family Curriculum Night - 5-6:30
February 2 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
February 2 ~ Kindergarten Family Curriculum Night - 5-6:30
February 3 ~ 3rd and 4th Grade Family Curriculum Night - 5-6:30
February 8 ~ Voting Day
February 9 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
February 10 ~ 100th Day of School!!!
February 16 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
February 17 ~ 2nd Grade Family Curriculum Night - 5-6:30
February 21-25 ~ NO SCHOOL - President's Day / Mid-Winter Break
February 28 ~ Read Across the World Day - Dress as your heritage or community of choice.
March 1 ~ Book Character Day - Dress as your favorite book character
March 2 ~ Dr. Seuss' Birthday - Dress as your favorite Dr. Seuss character
March 2 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
March 3 ~ Fairy Tale Day - Dress as your favorite fairy tale character
March 4 ~ Favorite Book Day - Bring your favorite book to school
March 4 ~ Spring Picture Day
From the Principal's Office
Hello James Sales families,
We are excited about the start of the new year!. Your students came back to school eager to continue learning. The teachers work hard daily with your children in class practicing reading strategies and introducing new math skills. Please join us in the teaching of your child by reading at home for 15-20 minutes and practicing math flashcards with your child nightly. Together we can all make a difference in the lives of your children.
Thank you for bundling up your little ones for recess. Remember, we try our best to have outdoor recess every day so your kids can run and play. We appreciate you dressing your children for the weather – sun, rain, or cold! Also, please take some time to discuss recess expectations with your child. We are working hard with students to remind them to keep their hands to themselves and to use kind words. Your help and support with this are appreciated.
Thank you for all your help, support and collaboration in educating your child. We love working with you!
Sincerely,
Brandy Nelson
Principal
James Sales Elementary
Good-bye old James Sales!
Order Your Yearbook Now!
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Class Pictures and Optional Individual Pictures
Class picture day is scheduled for Friday, March 4th. If we are allowed to take class pictures, all students will receive a complimentary 6x8 class photo this year! You may also purchase optional individual pictures. Only students with picture money will be photographed for individual pictures. Make checks to Quality School Portraits or send the correct amount of cash to school that day in a picture payment envelope, or pay online at www.qualityschoolportraits.com. Remember, neither the office nor the photographer can make change. Payment envelopes will come home with your student later in February.
QUestions about buses?
Sign up for the Bus Bulletin to receive text, email, or voice messages if your student's bus is running late. Click here for more information.
Employee Appreciation
One of the great things about public schools is that we welcome every child with open arms. As you know, some children face unique challenges. James Sales is fortunate to have an outstanding team of professionals to support the special learning needs of all our students. During the week of February 7-11, we recognize and honor Anna Thordsen, Speech Pathologist; Kelly Glick, Psychologist; Karen Harkins, OT; Beth Crabtree, PT; Sharika Callaway, Counselor; and Coleen Brisbin, Social Worker. These professionals do an outstanding job supporting the needs of our James Sales students. Please give them a big “Thank You” when you see them during this week!
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. Please click here for more information regarding school closures and delays.
You may find updated school schedule information in the following ways:
- Auto-dialer – 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.
- SMS Message - for families/staff who have opted-in. Click here if you would like to opt-in
- TV News – Look for Franklin Pierce Schools not Tacoma Schools
- Radio – AM and FM Stations
- Internet – Click here to download the Flash Alert app and receive email notifications.
- Social Media - Facebook and Twitter
- Phone – 253-298-3000
PLEASE TRY THE ABOVE OPTIONS FIRST! If the power is out at school, our phones may also be out!
Free Dental Screenings!
Information from the Pierce County Health Department about COVID 19 testing and vaccines
Check out this link from the health department for current information about COVID 19.
https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/human-coronavirusFrom the Health Room
Please be aware that we are required to send home any student complaining of any cold or flu symptom. This includes:
- Cough
- Stuffy/runny nose
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Fever >100.4
- Diarrhea
If your student complains of any of these symptoms at home, please keep them home until symptoms have resolved for 24 hours without medicine. If we have to send them home from school, they could be out 5 days or more per the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department.
Remember to wash hands, mask up, vax up, & stay safe. We love you.
COVID Safety
These are some safety precautions we practice at James Sales:
- Students are required to wear a mask on the bus, in the halls, in class, and at recess.
- Students wash hands and use hand sanitizer throughout the day.
- Students sit 3 feet apart in the classroom and during breakfast & lunch.
If your child has been exposed to COVID, or if they are showing symptoms of illness, you may not send them to school until they have been quarantined and symptom free according to DOH guidelines. For more specific information regarding your particular situation please call the district COVID hotline at 253-298-3099. Teachers will provide work for students during this time. We are counting on everyone to keep James Sales safe for all students and staff. Thank you!
Winter Weather is Here!
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 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 loaned your child clothes, please wash and return them to the health room so they are ready for the next child who needs them. Thank you!
SPYA Spring Soccer
Click here to register online.
Cost: $60 (FP residents) - $65 (Non-FP Residents) $10.00 late fee registration
Season: March 7 - May 13
Practices & Games: Weeknights from March 7 - May 13
Divisions: PreK - 8th Grade
Registration Deadline: February 18
Any questions, please email SPYA at spyarecreation@gmail.com or call at 253.298.3109.
Free Developmental Screening For Children 3-5 years of age for families living in the Franklin Pierce School District
The Franklin Pierce School District offers free developmental screening during the school year for children ages 3 to 5 who are not yet kindergarten age. The screenings address suspected developmental delays in preschool-aged children in communication, learning, physical development, social/emotional skills, and self-help skills. Vision and hearing screenings are also administered.
Screening information is used to determine if a child needs further evaluation. Preschool-aged students who have been evaluated as needing special education services and have a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may be eligible for one of the district’s early childhood programs.
Call the Franklin Pierce Early Learning Center
for an Appointment (253) 298-4658
If your family is living in a temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are staying to attend a screening
Birth to Three services, please call Early Intervention at 253-798-3790.
Family Resource Coordinators serve as your single point of contact and coordinate early intervention services. They can provide free screenings and referral for evaluations for children under age three who are not developing as expected, have a medical condition, or are experiencing a developmental delay for any reason.
Examen gratuito del desarrollo Para niños de 3 a 5 años de edad Familias que viven en el Distrito Escolar Franklin Pierce
El Distrito Escolar Franklin Pierce ofrece exámenes gratuitos del desarrollo durante el año escolar para niños de 3 a 5 años que aún no tienen edad de jardín de infantes. Las pruebas de detección abordan los presuntos retrasos en el desarrollo de los niños en edad preescolar en la comunicación, el aprendizaje, el desarrollo físico, las habilidades sociales/emocionales y las habilidades de autoayuda. También se administran exámenes de la vista y de la audición.
La información de cribado se utiliza para determinar si un niño necesita una evaluación adicional. Los estudiantes en edad preescolar que han sido evaluados como que necesitan servicios de educación especial y tienen un Plan de Educación Individualizado (IEP, por sus" pueden ser elegibles para uno de los programas de primera infancia del distrito.
Llame al Centro de Aprendizaje Temprano Franklin Pierce
para una cita (253) 298-4658
Si su familia vive en una situación temporal, puede comunicarse con el distrito donde se hospeda para asistir a una
Servicios de Nacimiento a Tres, por favor llame a Intervención Temprana al 253-798-3790.
Los Coordinadores de Recursos Familiares sirven como su único punto de contacto y coordinan los servicios de intervención temprana. Pueden proporcionar exámenes gratuitos y referencias para evaluaciones para niños menores de tres años que no se están desarrollando como se esperaba, tienen una condición médica o están experimentando un retraso en el desarrollo por cualquier motivo.
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.