Jackson eNews

6/12/2024

JACKSON MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of Jackson Elementary School is to provide a safe and supportive learning environment in order to ensure high levels of learning for ALL students.

JACKSON VISION STATEMENT:

We are mission-driven, highly motivated, and maintain the highest expectations for ourselves, our students, and our colleagues. Our students are precious, and we will treat them kindly and with love every day. All of our students will succeed academically no matter what! Our tenacity and focus on what’s best for our children will guide our actions every day.

Hello Jackson Families!

We had a wonderful turnout on Monday afternoon for our Veterans Day Assembly! Our students have been learning about patriotism, freedom, and love of your country. It was very meaningful for all of those in attendance to be able to show appreciation for the men and women who have sacrificed by serving in our country's armed forces. We had Veterans from several branches of the military who were able to attend the assembly and the kids loved being able to give their thanks in person. I would like to acknowledge our volunteers and staff members who helped make this assembly a success: Shereen Orensten (Wall of Honor, decorations, student activities and tribute video); each grade level for their decorations, letters and speeches; Amanda Schrepel for the Assembly video below; our staff who brought food and set up for the reception; Jose Barnett (grade level musical performances and music); Ashley Manley and other parent volunteers who assisted with decorating, preparing the staff lounge for the reception and setting the gym up for the assembly. Thank you all so much!

Our PTA Fall Fundraiser ended last week and PTA is busy calculating the funds raised and the winners of: 1) the Top Selling Grade Level Glow Party; 2) the Top Seller in each grade level for lunch with the Principals; and 3) the students who sold 25 items or more for a Jungle Patrol stuffy! Stay tuned for the exciting results--winners should be announced this coming week!

On Friday, Kindergarten and grades 2-5 (1st was busy rehearsing for the Turkey Show) were able to participate in AMPED's Turkey Trot 5k run. This is an annual event that our students look forward to--it definitely adds an element of challenge! Students were able to participate at their own fitness level and everyone did their best. We had 41 Fifth graders finish the 5k distance during their time! Can't wait for the Jingle Bell 5K!

Also last week, student tickets for free admission to Heritage Farmstead's 2024 Lights on the Farm were sent home with your child. With over 1 million dazzling lights, unique holiday elements, festive holiday music and a chance to meet Santa, this is an experience that will certainly get you and your family in the holiday spirit!

For the last few weeks, our First grade students have been rehearsing for the Jackson Turkey Show. The Turkey Show has been a Jackson tradition since 1999 and our students are so excited to see this year's First graders perform their favorite Thanksgiving songs! There will be a Turkey Show performance for our students on Thursday, November 21, at 8:00 a.m. and another performance for family and friends at 6:00 p.m in the gym. What a great way to head into the Thanksgiving Break--Gobble, Gobble!!

We hope everyone will be able to enjoy some time with family and friends during the upcoming Thanksgiving Break. Jackson will be closed on Monday, November 25, through Friday, November 29, for Thanksgiving Break.

Thank you!

Crystal Roach

Principal

Jackson Elementary

Jackson Veterans Day Assembly 2024.mp4

drive.google.com

Volunteer Opportunities at Jackson

Plano ISD's partnership with Communities in Schools (C.I.S.) is a valuable resource for providing daily intervention to high-need students and families. Jackson's own wonderful CIS staff member, Teresa Ventura, is in need of volunteers to help with some ongoing and holiday assistance programs.

If you are able to assist with any of these programs, please reach out to Teresa at Teresa.ventura@pisd.edu. Anyone interested in volunteering will also need to create a VOLY account and complete the volunteer approval process.

Starting Monday, 11/4, C.I.S. and PTA will team up for a Winter Clothing Drive. Donations of new and gently used winter coats, shoes, sweatpants, jeans, leggings, undies and socks would be appreciated. Volunteers will be needed to help sort donations.
Plans for a Holiday Assistance Program (similar to Angel Tree) are underway. We will need volunteers for this program as well.
Jackson is part of the Food4Kids Program that provides students with a bag full of nutritious, nonperishable, kid-friendly food every Friday afternoon. We need volunteers to help during the week with sorting snacks and filling bags. We could also use help placing the bags in lockers on Fridays.
The Mentor Program at Jackson is an opportunity for community members to volunteer to be a mentor for a selected student. Mentor duties include lunch once a week and working with the student 1:1. If you are interested in becoming a Mentor, you will be asked to fill out a mentoring questionnaire to assist Teresa in matching you with a student. Jackson is especially in need of bilingual mentors.

We greatly appreciate your willingness to invest your time and efforts into supporting Jackson students, families and staff.

Thank you!

Winter Clothing Drive

Important Dates

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2024

Thursday, November 21

1st Grade Turkey Show, 6:00 p.m., gym

Friday, November 22

Kindergarten Field trip to the Dallas Arboretum

November 25-29

Student/Teacher Holiday, Thanksgiving Break

Friday, December 6

English Spelling Bee for 4th and 5th Grade (monolingual and dual language) classroom winners, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
3rd Grade Spanish Spelling Bee, 10:50 a.m.
4th and 5th Grade Spanish Spelling Bee, 1:10 p.m.

Wednesday, December 18

K-2 Awards Assembly (end of 2nd 9 weeks), 8:05 a.m., gym

Thursday, December 19

3rd-5th Awards Assembly (end of 2nd 9 weeks), 8:05 a.m., gym

Friday, December 20

End of 2nd 9 weeks, report cards and portfolios go home
Early Release, 12:00 noon

December 23rd - January 4th

Winter Break for Students and Teachers

Monday, January 6

Professional Learning Day for Staff/Student Holiday

Tuesday, January 7

Students Return from Break

The district calendars for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years have been published. Please use these dates to plan family vacations when school is not in session. It is important that students do not miss school for vacations that can be planned during times of school closure. The Texas State Attendance law requires students to be in school for at least 90% of the school days in order to not face the possibility of being retained in that grade level and parents facing required court appearance and possible fines. If your child is absent from school, you must email the secretary to let her know why they are out (sick, doctor appointment, etc.). Thank you!

Click HERE for 2024-25 PISD Calendar

Click HERE for 2025-26 PISD Calendar

Hello Jackson Families,

AVID is a district wide program that helps our students become college and career ready at an early age. Jackson teachers work hard to implement AVID strategies each and every day into everything we do to help your child succeed.

Here is this month's AVID Family Focus!

Collaboration: Let’s get talking!

Whether it’s asking, “How was your day?” or talking around the dinner table, students sometimes do not know how to express themselves. Below is the scholarly language card that teachers use with their students to encourage them to have positive conversations with their peers and family. Give it a try!!!

A paper copy will be coming home with your child for each family to have to help guide great conversations.

If you have any questions about these AVID strategies, please contact me, Shelly Arthur, AVID Coordinator, at shelly.arthur@pisd.edu.

Thank you!

My Scholarly Language Pal

Scholarly Language

Classroom Lessons

Welcome to the Counselors’ Corner! We will use this section of the eNews to inform you all of topics we will be covering in our Counselor lessons and any other important or useful information! Students come with their class to the counselor bi-weekly to receive lessons. We absolutely love this time with them!

For our next lesson, the weeks of 11/18 and 12/02, we will be teaching Violence Prevention/Conflict Resolution. Students will learn whether we are frustrated with a friend or in an argument with a family member, we need tools to help us navigate conflict successfully. Students will practice using the Tree of Choices, which is a simple tool to lead us toward successful conflict resolution. The first step, The Roots of the Tree, is learning to identify if the problem is big or small. Big problems require assistance from an adult, which usually means someone is being hurt physically or emotionally. Small problems can be solved on their own without adult assistance. The next step, The Heart of the Tree, is naming the emotions you are feeling. The last step, The Branches of the Tree, focuses on making a choice to move it out (step away from the problem), talk it out (talk through the issue or connect with a friend/trusted adult), or breathe it out (practice some strategies that help us calm our emotions before responding in the heat of the moment). Teachers will also be referring to the Tree of Choices to help students navigate conflict.

Tree of Choices - English

Tree of Choices - Spanish

Jaguar of the Month Program

Jaguar of the Month is a student reward program (Grades K-5) that incorporates character traits from the program, CharacterStrong. A new character trait is introduced every month and students will engage in classroom discussions and activities to reinforce the trait. At the end of the month, each teacher will identify a student who consistently demonstrated the targeted trait. These students will be recognized on JagTube, receive a certificate, wristband, and a Jackson Jaguar pencil. Grade level group photos will be displayed on the bulletin board near the front office AND Jaguars of the Month will attend a popsicle party with Dr. Roach, our principal!

Our Jaguar of the Month Trait for November is GRATITUDE! Our definition of Gratitude is choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives. Check out the CharacterStrong Family Letter (English) / CharacterStrong Family Letter (Spanish) for more information about PurposeFull People and some fun ways you can join us in teaching and reinforcing Responsibility! Monthly Family Newsletters will be sent home that outline the CharacterStrong skills students are learning in class and provide fun ideas to grow as a family at home.

We hope you find this Counselors’ Corner helpful! Please never hesitate to reach out for anything! We are always here to support you and your students!

Thank you!

Michelle Hardy (Grades PK, 1, 3, 5)

Michelle.hardy@pisd.edu

(469) 752-2115

Nicole Sollie (Grades K, 2, 4)

Nicole.sollie@pisd.edu
(469) 752-2116

November Activity Calendar

Our awesome P.E. coaches are sharing a monthly calendar with fitness challenges and other activities that promote the development of motor skills, physical fitness, and social skills. These activities can be done at home with family or friends. Have fun with fitness!

Report Absences in Skyward Family Access

Drama Kids at Jackson - Fall Registration Open Now!

We do drama different. We set the stage for success! Enjoy an exciting mix of theatre games, improvisation, scripted work and more in a safe and inclusive environment. Boost self-expression, social skills, and creativity with us!

Ages: K-5th

Location: Jackson Elementary

Day/Time: Thursdays, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Enroll today: www.dramakids.com/tx3

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Website: jacksonpta.com

Facebook: Jackson Elementary School PTA

Instagram: ptajacksonelem

Dear Jackson Parents,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! My name is Jacquie Wooten, and I am honored to be your PTA President for this upcoming school year. I have lived in Plano for 14 years and 11 years in this neighborhood. My youngest is a 3rd grader at Jackson this year and I also have a 13- and 11-year-old who are Jackson graduates and now attend Wilson Middle School.

I am a registered nurse and work full time as a nurse manager at a local hospital. I know what it's like being a working mom and juggling a job and family! I want to share with everyone the importance of PTA and the support it provides to our students and teachers. I would love to get more Jackson families involved in whatever capacity they are able. I hope to have the opportunity to meet each of you and work together to make a lasting and positive educational experience for our students!

Thank you!

Jacquie Wooten

Jackson PTA President

jacquelyn.wooten@gmail.com

816-506-0510

More Ways to Support Jackson PTA

Kroger Community Rewards

Scan your Kroger Plus Card each time you shop and Kroger will give back a portion of eligible purchases to Jackson PTA! Log in to your Kroger account>click on My Account>click on Community Rewards> add Jackson Elementary PTA

World Wear Project

You can also support our PTA by bringing any household donations (clothes, shoes, etc.) to the donation bin in the back parking lot. You will be helping our PTA and the environment by recycling!