The Jaguar Journal
January 2023
James Sales Elementary
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 1 ~ Happy New Year!
January 3 ~ First Day Back at School
January 4 ~ FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
January 9-26 ~ Food Drive
January 11 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
January 16 ~ NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 18 ~ FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
January 25 ~ FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
January 27 ~ NO SCHOOL - Teacher Training Day
February 1 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
From the Principal's Office
Hello James Sales Families,
Happy New Year! 2023 will be a great year for our James Sales Jaguars! We will hit the ground running as soon as we return.
We will be busy benchmark testing all students in the school. We will conduct our winter reading and math fluency assessments. Students have been working incredibly hard at school on reading fluency and comprehension along with daily practice on math fact fluency to prepare for testing. We greatly appreciate your continued support with reading and practicing math facts at home each night with your child. This practice will help them to continue to progress throughout the school year.
We enjoy collaborating with you in educating your children. Thank you for your help and support as we continue the school year.
Sincerely,
Brandy Nelson
Principal
James Sales Elementary
James Sales Food Drive
Important Information!
Book Fair Update
Our book fair just before Winter break brought in $2500. Thank you for your support! The proceeds from this book fair will be used to purchase a book for every student in the spring.
Attendance Matters!
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. If your child must miss school for an appointment, please ask for an excuse note for your child. Doctors, dentists, and therapist offices who serve children are set up to provide you with a note to excuse absences! Make sure you call the school office at 253-298-4200 if your student is absent for any reason. You may leave a message if you need to call before or after school hours.
From the Health Room
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 getting 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 lent your child clothes, please wash them and return them to the health room. Thank you!
SPYA Soccer
From the Health Department
November Students of the Month
Congratulations to the November students of the month who were honored at an assembly on December 2nd.
These students were selected by their teachers for showing Compassion:
Isaac F., Isabella H., James B., Niko F., Kaylana D., Alex J., Josiah T., Sebastian S., Maraiha S., Eli E., Emmanuel H., Leykanny D., Ayden B., Nezzy L., Jenna K., Judy C., Legend W., Ziona O., Casey C., Margaret T., Jay'veon P., Jordon M., Brenda J., Alexis F., Craig L., Angelina V., Serah J., Giselle O., Amanda Lin R., Ethan G., Ellowyn K., Alex D., Isaac H., Jayden H., Lana F., Manaia S., Leland W.
From Our Handbook
Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs, and Weapons
Federal and State law requires public school campuses to be tobacco, alcohol, drug and weapon free. This includes e-cigarettes/vapes and is true for anyone on school property. Thank you for setting this example for our students.
Please remind your child that students cannot have any object at school that can reasonably be considered a weapon or instrument that can create a danger to self or others, or cause a disruption of the learning environment. Consequences can be short-term suspension, long-term suspension, or expulsion and may require a referral to the Pierce County Sheriff. We appreciate your partnership in keeping everyone safe. If your child sees or hears anything regarding weapons, drugs or alcohol at school, it is important that they immediately report this to an adult at school.
Hewins Early Learning Center Enrollment
Please scan this QR code for information about enrolling at the Hewins Early Learning Center, an income based program for preschool aged students in the Franklin Pierce School District.
Franklin Pierce Community Action Group
The Franklin Pierce Community Action Group meets once a month. The group consists of parents, students, and district staff who are striving to help improve the culture of our schools and district. Please come share your experience with us in the FPSD. Everyone is welcome!
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.
Families can expect to receive information about school closures and delays in the following ways:
- Recorded Telephone Message contact the main office at your child's school to ensure your contact information is up to date
- SMS Message for families/staff who have opted-in, click here if you would like to opt-in
- Email from info@fpschools.org
- Website www.fpschools.org
- Flash Alert Notification sign up to receive email notifications and download the Flash Alert App, click here.
- Local Media including KIRO 97.3 FM, KOMO 1000 AM, KIRO TV Channel 7, KOMO TV Channel 4, and KING TV Channel 5
- Social Media Facebook and Twitter
Reminders from the Office
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 you and to 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 2:45 so we have time to get a note to the teacher.
- Call the office (253-298-4200) 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! Tardies and leaving school early shows on your child's attendance record. Please make appointments outside of school hours when possible.
- If you need to take your child out of school before the end of the school day, please come before 2:45 so we can easily locate your child and you won't be stuck in the end-of-the-day 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.
- 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 students become ill, or otherwise need your help, we need a way to contact you! Thank you.
Before and After School Care with Right at School
James Sales hosts a before and after school care program on-site for our students this year. 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. Enter WASAVE50 for a $50 discount!
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.
Nutrition Services
Volunteers
At the end of last year we were finally able to have volunteers help with field trips! Hooray!! We anticipate the need for volunteers this year as well. 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 up to two weeks 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. If you were cleared as a volunteer last year you will need complete an application again. A new volunteer application must be completed every year.
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 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.