Update from Principal Boyd
September 9, 2022
From Principal Boyd
Parents, in full transparency we are having difficulty staffing some of our vacant positions. As you may have noticed, stores and businesses are short staffed and are heavily recruiting. Unfortunately, this problem is also affecting the field of education. There is a nationwide teacher shortage affecting schools across the country, including Esther Jackson. Please know that we are working hard to secure qualified teachers for our vacancies. In the interim, we have had to shift in-house to ensure every homeroom is covered. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.
Staffing
Currently, we have 4 vacant teaching positions, two of which are homerooms. Beginning Monday, 9/12, Emile Long will take over our 3rd grade class until we are able to secure a certified teacher. Parents of this class have been notified. Effective, Monday, 9/19, Regina Bowie will take over our Kindergarten vacancy to help reduce class sizes which are currently at 28 students. Ms. Bowie will remain in Kindergarten for the school year. Parents of affected students will be notified by email and phone by Wednesday of next week at the latest.
Attendance
The following classes won our Attendance Challenge for their grade level for the month of August. These classes received a traveling trophy and a popsicle party.
PreK - Ms. Sheerin
Kinder - Ms. Bivins
First - Ms. Kiess
Second - Ms. Cleveland
Third - Ms. Long (formerly Monroe)
Fourth - Ms. Fraser
Fifth - Ms. Whitehead
Please join me in celebrating these classes. September is Attendance Awareness Month. Parents, please continue to remind your scholar of the importance of being at school ALL Day, EVERY Day.... when healthy, of course!
Individual students with exceptional attendance will be entered into a drawing for a Kindle Tablet and/or a Bike!
Bus Expectations
We have heard from our bus drivers that they are struggling to manage student behaviors on the bus. When students are standing, running, climbing over seats, etc. while the bus is in motion, it causes an extreme safety issue. If your scholar rides the school bus, please speak with them about appropriate bus behavior. Students who continue to violate bus policy will be subject to discipline as outlined in Fulton County's Code of Conduct. This can include suspension and/or permanent removal from the bus. Please help us keep our students and driver safe on the road.
Curriculum Night/PTA/Annual Title I Meeting
Thank you to those parents who were able to attend our Curriculum Night, PTA meeting, and/or Title I Meeting. We are mandated by Title I to collect feedback from all school events. If you attended the Title I Meeting and were unable to provide feedback, please use the link below and follow the provided steps. If you were unable to attend, the presentation is linked here, Annual Title I Meeting Presentation. Please review the presentation and provide feedback using the same link below.
Please click here to complete a short survey about the Annual Title I Meeting.
When opening the survey complete the following steps:
- Select Elementary School
- Select our school: Esther Jackson Elementary
- Choose your role: staff, I am both a parent and a teacher at this school
- Select Annual Title I as the meeting you attended
- Complete the remainder of the survey
Links to all grade level Curriculum Night Presentations can be found in the last edition of SPOTS and on our school website.
Esther Jackson Chorus
Our very own Esther Jackson chorus is performing the National Anthem this evening at the Centennial High School Football Game. We would love to have your support. They sing at 7:18 p.m. sharp! Thank you to Mr. Massie for always seeking out performance opportunities for our scholars.
Katha Stuart Community Meeting
Our Board Member, Katha Stuart, is hosting her next community meeting at Esther Jackson on Wednesday, 9/21 @9:30 a.m. in the Media Center. This is a great time to hear what is happening in Fulton County Schools and to ask questions of our Board Member. I know Ms. Stuart would love to see participation from our EJ Parents.
Lunch Applications
Parents, we need YOU! Esther Jackson is in danger of losing our Title I status due to the lack of enrollment in the Free and Reduced Meal Program. If you believe that you may qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch for your student(s), please complete an application as soon as possible. We are required to feed students who have a negative account a cheese sandwich and milk after one charge. I have never adhered to this in the past, but may be required to do so if our account continues to accrue charges. Please see www.fulton.schollunchapp.com to apply for free and reduced meal benefits.
Snack
Students may bring a healthy snack such as fruit, vegetables, or cereal bars. The classroom teacher will schedule a time for the daily snack to be consumed. Candy is not appropriate as a snack. Please save candy to be enjoyed at home. We receive donations for students who are unable to bring a snack. We ask that you please send one in with your child if you are able, so that we can save the donations for students in need.
Drop Off Cart
Parents – if you are dropping off items for your student, please follow our drop off system procedure. There will be a cart in the entrance area between the 2 sets of doors. Once you indicate the reason for your visit, you will enter the front door and follow the instructions on the cart to drop off item(s). All items (lunches, snacks, jackets, water bottles, etc.) must be labeled and dropped off by 10:00 a.m.
PTA Membership
Please consider joining our PTA to support events and activities throughout the year. We have membership levels as low as $8 in addition to various PTA Levels. Our current president for the 2022-2023 school year is Margaret Gunter (Margaret.g.gunter@gmail.com). If you would like information about how to get involved, please reach out to Margaret and review the PTA page on our school website. You can purchase spirit wear and join the PTA using the link below.
https://estherjackson.memberhub.com/store
A copy of PTA Sponsored events is linked below.
Jaguar Spotlight
This week I am highlighting two of our jaguars!
Ms. Emilie Long - Ms. Long has been a teacher at Esther Jackson for 14 years. During that time, she has taught various grade levels and has been in our ESOL Department for many years. When Emilie learned of the teacher shortage and how it was affecting EJ, she graciously volunteered to take over our third grade class while we secure a qualified teacher. Emilie loves Esther Jackson and goes above and beyond to support our school both inside and outside of the classroom. EJ is so lucky to have her!
Ms. Regina Bowie - Ms. Bowie has been a teacher in Fulton County and at Esther Jackson for many years. She has taught multiple grade levels and has been an Early Intervention Teacher (EIP) for the past few years. Regina was asked to take over a fourth grade position last year in January and is now going to take over our Kindergarten vacancy to help reduce class sizes. Regina is a leader in the building and is dedicated to supporting our scholars to ensure success. We are so fortunate to have her at EJ!
Thank you to both of these exemplary educators!
Teacher and Staff Recognition
I have received so many positive emails from parents this week. We will continue with our Strategic Plan Goal which is to Increase the opportunities for positive recognition for teachers and staff. If you would like to recognize an EJ staff member, please complete this short form: https://tinyurl.com/StaffRecognitionEJ We would love to hear from you!
Principal Feedback
Parents, please use this link to provide feedback on how we can better serve you. I welcome questions, suggestions, concerns, and of course positive messages about EJ or any staff member. Please do not include questions about your student(s) performance. Instead, contact your student's teacher.
Dates to Remember
September 9 - EJ Chorus to perform at Centennial High School at 7:18 p.m.
September 14 - College and Career Day
September 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
September 16 - Progress Reports in Parent Portal
September 21 - Katha Stuart Community Meeting at Esther Jackson @9:30
September 23 - Donuts With Grown-Ups (PTA Event)
September 28 - Fall Picture Day
October 2 - Custodian Appreciation Day
October 7 - Last Day of 1st Quarter
October 10 - Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day - NO SCHOOL
October 11 - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
October 12 - Teacher Workday/Conferences - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
October 14 - Report Cards Sent Home