

Dolphin Update
Jones Dolphins Make a SPLASH!
Week of April 28th...
For Translation...
Click on "Translate Newsletter" and select language of choice to translate letter.
*Arriba de esta pagina haga click "Translate Newsletter" y seleccione el idioma "SPANISH"*
*Nhấp vào "dịch Newsletter" và chọn ngôn ngữ của sự lựa chọn để dịch thư "VIETNAMESE"*
*انقر فوق "ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية" وحدد اللغة التي تختارها لترجمة الرسالة. "ARABIC"*
Our Learning Community...
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that our school community raised over $20,000 in this year’s Apex Jog-A-Thon! Your generosity, energy, and support made this incredible achievement possible. From cheering on our students to reaching out to family and friends for donations, every effort counted and it all added up to something amazing!
These funds will directly support enrichment opportunities, classroom resources, equipment and schoolwide programs that benefit every student. Most importantly, this event reminded us of the power of teamwork and the strength of our school community. Thank you for showing up, stepping up, and jogging right alongside us! Check out the Jog-A-Thon pictures below, it was an amazing morning!
As we step into the heart of spring, May offers a wonderful opportunity to continue to celebrate growth, resilience, and the vibrant diversity that makes our community so special. This month, we proudly recognize several important national observances:
- 🌸 Military Appreciation Month – A time to honor and express gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our military members, veterans, and their families.
- 🌺 Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month – We celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across generations.
- 🌼 Jewish American Heritage Month – This month highlights the profound impact of Jewish Americans on our nation's story, values, and achievements.
- 🌿 Mental Health Awareness Month – A reminder to prioritize well-being, reduce stigma, and foster compassion and understanding around mental health.
We invite you to explore the children’s book lists under the "Additional Resources for Families” section below. These stories are a great way to spark conversation, celebrate identities, and build empathy together at home.
May also brings state testing for our 3rd–5th grade students which begins this week. We need your help in supporting our students as they prepare to do their very best!
These literacy, math, and science (5th grade only) assessments are just one way we measure progress and identify areas where students are growing or may need more support. Most importantly, we want every child to feel confident, try their best, and persevere—even when the questions feel challenging.
Here are a few ways you can help at home:
- Encourage a Growth Mindset: Remind your child that effort matters most! Phrases like, “Just do your best,” “You’ve got this,” and “It’s okay to not know everything—just keep trying” can go a long way in building their resilience.
- Keep Things Calm: Help reduce stress by keeping routines predictable. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time EVERY DAY. Mornings that feel calm set the tone for a positive day.
- Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Talk with your child about what they have learned this year. Celebrate their growth, and remind them that this test is just one snapshot, not the whole picture of who they are as a learner.
- Cheer Them On: Your encouragement means everything. A little note in their lunchbox, a high-five in the morning, or a pep talk the night before can make a big difference in how they feel going into the test.
We believe in every one of our students and know they are capable of amazing things. Thank you for being our partners in helping them shine!
Spring Showcase of Learning...
Thank you for joining us for our Spring Showcase of Learning! What an incredible evening it was, full of joy, pride, and meaningful moments.
It was truly special to watch students share their learning journeys with you, highlighting not just what they have learned, but also how much they have grown. From writing and art to STEAM projects and leadership reflections, the Spring Showcase displayed the effort, curiosity, and creativity our students bring to school each day.
A huge thank you to our dedicated staff who poured so much heart and hard work into preparing this event. Their commitment to creating a space where families could celebrate student progress made the evening extra special.
We are so grateful for your continued partnership and for helping us build a school community where every child feels seen, supported, and celebrated! If you missed the Spring Showcase, check out this attachment to a slide deck highlighting the evening...
Family Dine Out This Week...
Be A Pro And Always Go...
For the final weeks of the Padres Attendance Challenge, any student who is here every day will be entered into a weekly drawing on Monday morning! Selected students will win prizes including Padres tickets, Seaworld tickets, and Manny Machado mini posters. Thank you to the San Diego Padres and San Diego Unified for donating the prizes to our site!
Whole Site Modernization Update...
Our whole site modernization project continues to be worked on behind the scenes! The design phase is now complete and we are currently in the next important step: finalizing construction drawings. These detailed plans are being developed to reflect the design vision and all necessary technical specifications for the work ahead.
Once the construction drawings are complete, they will be submitted to the state for review and approval, a required step before any construction can begin. At this time, we do not yet have a confirmed construction start date. We will continue to keep you updated as the project moves forward and as soon as we have a more concrete timeline to share.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work toward an exciting future for our campus!
Coach Jensen's Corner...
Did you know that fit kids have better mental health? Staying active could be the key to enhancing our children’s wellbeing and exercise can also boost your mood. So, I encourage you to find time to be active as a family. Go for a walk or bike ride, play catch at the park, or maybe find a dance video online that you can all move to. Exposing children to different sports and exercise activities can help them discover what they enjoy and foster a love for movement.
Dance class has been super fun as we explore the most popular dances of the 90’s and 2000’s. We tried out some MC Hammer moves as well as the Wobble and Gangnam Style. If you were able to attend the Spring Showcase of Learning, you might have had the opportunity to try out some of our IMPACT dances which have been a great addition to our exercise rotations.
Stay Active – Coach Jensen
LCFF Survey Launch...
San Diego Unified is launching the 2025-26 LCFF data collection on April 28 and will be using PowerSchool Parent Portal and SurveyMonkey.
Parents/Guardians may submit a response via either method and note that an email from “survey@sandiegounified.org via surveymonkey.com” is legitimate. If you have questions, please contact Tiffani Barthelmes in our front office at 619-605-8800.
Future Ready Fridays in May...
Highlights from Last Week...
Young scientists at work! Students investigate plant life cycles by growing their own seeds and observing along the way.
Recess energy turned all the way up! Students dance it out with APEX Coach Electric E, building leadership, fitness, and fun one move at a time!
Making waves for the planet! Diego Dolphin swam through classrooms on Earth Day to celebrate student leaders taking action for a cleaner, greener future!
This year Jones partnered with Link Up, a program of Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute which partners students with local orchestras.
Ms. Baron, a visiting music teacher from Villa Musica, has been teaching weekly lesson to our 3rd graders.
On Saturday the grade level was able to participate in a concert with the L Jolla Symphony & Chorus. It was amazing!
APEX Jog-A-Thon Highlights...
Looking Ahead...
April
28 - May 9 - SBAC Testing (3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade)
29 - SSC/SGT
30 - PTA Dine Out: Urban Plates (flyer below)
May
5 - 9 - Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
7 - Student Store
9 - PTA Bike Bus Event
9 - PTA SkateWorld Skate Night
12 - 4th & 5th Grade Instrumental Spring Concert @1:00 pm - Auditorium
13 - 16 - Scholastic Book Fair
15 - Bike to School Day
16 - Achievement Awards #3
16 - PTA Dine Out: Yogurt Lounge 2 - 7 pm (Association Meeting @5:30 pm)
20 - SSC/SGT
22 - Fire Drill
23 - Jones Jamboree
26 - No School: Memorial Day
27 - UTK Promotion - K1 @ 1:00 pm
27 - Kindergarten Promotion - Auditorium @ 1:00 pm
28 - 5th Grade Promotion - Auditorium @ 8:00 am
29 - Last Day of School - Extra Minimum Day (UTK-5th)
29 - AM Preschool Promotion - K2 @ 9:30 am
29 - PM Preschool Promotion - K2 @ 1:00 pm
Save the Date...
PTA Spotlight...
The PTA plays a crucial role in fostering strong family engagement at Jones Elementary. By organizing activities that bring families, students, and staff together, the PTA helps grow a stronger sense of belonging within our school community. These events not only strengthen relationships but also empower families to be active participants in their children's education, enhancing student success and building a supportive, collaborative school environment. Thank you for the leadership of our PTA Executive Board members, the volunteers that plan and execute PTA events, and all of you who participate! Check out what our PTA is up to...
Additional Resources for Families...
Check Out These Book Collections...
Enrollment...
TK Enrollment...
TK enrollment has already started for the 2025-2026 school year. All TK applicants are guaranteed a placement within San Diego Unified School District. Jones has limited space for TK placements, once our classroom is full students will be offered placement at nearby schools that have space available.
*All neighborhood residents are guaranteed enrollment at Jones for Kindergarten-5th Grade!
Summer School...
Non District Community Organization Summer Camps...
Due to reduced grant funding space is extremely limited and priority has been given to eligible students per the ELOP grant for District Summer Programs. Below please find resources for additional summer programs. These camps are not associated with Level Up Enrichment in partnership with the San Diego Foundation.
*The linked website is provided for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by us. We recommend reviewing the website's content, privacy policy, and terms of service before proceeding.
Help Support Our 5th Graders...
San Diego Unified Food Services
Breakfast & Lunch Menus...
Here is a link to the San Diego Unified Food Services Website where you can find allergy and nutritional information on foods served at schools. Foods not found on our regular school site menu will be listed individually under the "Alternate Menu Items" section.
If you ever have general questions about the food services at school sites you can reach out to foodandnutritionservices@sandi.net. To connect directly with the Jones Cafe Manager you can email Elena Nieto at enieto@sandi.net.
Jones Elementary
Check out our school website for PeachJar Flyers, Counseling Resources, Family Handbook, Staff Contact Lists, After School Programs, Enrollment Information and so much more!
Email: contact@sandi.net
Website: https://jones.sandiegounified.org/
Location: 2751 Greyling Drive, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (619) 605-8800
Facebook: facebook.com/JonesElementary
Instagram: @jonesdolphins
Jones Elementary PTA
Our Parent Teacher Association works with Jones Elementary to provide programs and support to benefit the students, their families, teachers, school administration and the community. Run entirely by volunteers, the PTA raises money to support enrichment programs, program instructors, educational assemblies and field trips, family events, and special classroom supplies.
As always, we need your membership, support and ability to volunteer. You can become a member using Totem, a respected membership management service. Please contact us with other thoughts on how we are doing, and your ideas on how you can become involved. We look forward to hearing from you.
Email: jonesdolphinspta@gmail.com
Website: https://jpjonespta.org/
Location: 2751 Greyling Drive, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (619)605-8800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonesPTA/