An Update From Principal Boyd
Every Scholar. Every Day. NO EXCUSES!
September 21, 2024
Happy Saturday!
September 15th marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. You will see EJ decorated beautifully in honor of this year's theme, Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future, until October 15th.
The following Independence Days are celebrated during this month:
- September 15 - El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras
- September 16 - Mexico
- September 18 - Chile
- September 21 - Belize
One of the BEST things about Esther Jackson is our diversity of students and staff. It is always an honor the differences of our EJ community!
Attendance
Our percentage of students with satisfactory attendance for the month of August was 69%. We have had an uptick of absences in September. PLEASE remember that students need to be in school daily. If they do not have a fever or have not thrown up within 24 hours, please send them to school. Typically, we begin to feel better after we are out and about. If your student cannot make it due to illness or another reason, please remember to reach out to their teacher to request our participated remote options.
September 23-27 is Attendance Week. Please help us bring awareness to the importance of school attendance by encouraging your scholar to participate in the weekly spirt week activities.
Donuts with Grownups
Friday, September 27, is Donuts with Grownups Day. We encourage parents to bring their scholars to school, grab a donut, and head to class to see our morning routine. Parents are welcome to join us until 7:50 on Friday!
Morning Announcements
Are you interested in seeing our daily morning announcements? Did you scholar arrive to school late and miss the announcements? If so, we have you covered. Esther Jackson now has a link under Features on our website where you can view the daily morning announcements. Check it out!
School Supplies
Does your scholar need a backpack or school supplies? If so, please email your student's teacher and copy me at boydn@fultonschools.org and Ms. Vergara at vergaram@fultonschools.org. We have a supply closet dedicated to supporting our students. Do not hesitate to reach out for assistance.
Legacy of Excellence Awards
On October 4th, Fulton County will host the Legacy of Excellence Awards in celebration of all Teachers and Professionals of the Year. Our very own Avery Sather and Kellie Lahey will be honored at this time.
We also have the privilege of honoring one of our community partners at this event. Esther Jackson is proud to have Pastor Phillip from Home Church Roswell as our special community partner guest.
Bike Riders - Dismissal
We LOVE that EJ is a neighborhood school and that we have scholars who walk and ride their bikes. In an effort to keep everyone safe, we are asking that students WALK their bikes down the carpool line instead of riding in the afternoons. This will allow students who carpool the opportunity to enter and exit cars safely.
As a reminder, we have bike racks on both sides of the school. Students are encouraged to use the bike rack on the side of the building that is closest to their way home. Thank you in advance for helping us to ensure safety of all students.
Police Officer Presence and Safety
You may have noticed that we have police officer presence from Roswell Police Department on campus some mornings and afternoons. While it is extremely unfortunate that we need this at the elementary school level, I am happy to know that we have outside safety support available. Please do not be alarmed if you see them.
Fulton County has a Culture of Safety webpage (www.fultonschools.org/safetyfirst) which hosts comprehensive information about the continuing efforts to keep our schools safe. Topics on this webpage include investments in physical building safety, safety-focused technology, and explanations about the training and drills keeping our students and staff prepared for any situation. Links to printable/emailable PDFs can be accessed on the Culture of Safety page.
Important Student Discipline Information
In full transparency, there has been an increase in violations of the Code of Conduct at Esther Jackson in the area of harassment that can lead to serious consequences. Elementary aged children are very impressionable and they often repeat what they hear outside of school (in homes, on the internet, television, and social media) here at school. We have had students refer to each other as monkeys, Niggers, apes, and other racially offensive terms. This behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Fulton County School nor at Esther Jackson.
It is extremely important that all parents and students are familiar with Fulton County's Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct has been revised to include prescribed and tiered discipline responses for harassment, bullying, and teasing/taunting. I understand that this can be a sensitive and difficult conversation to have with students. However, it is imperative that students and parents understand the implications of making poor decisions.
Please help me by encouraging your students to do this one thing...... ONLY REFER TO OTHERS BY THEIR NAMES. If they only call people their actual names, they will never have to worry about if what they are calling someone is offensive. Let's partner on this to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for ALL.
Click (Here) for quick access to Fulton County's Code of Conduct.
Dates to Remember
September
2 - Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)
3 - Teacher Workday (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
4 - Professional Development Day (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
5 - Curriculum Night
5 - Title I Parent Input Meeting and PTA Meeting @5:00
6 - 4.5 Week Progress Reports
11 - College and Career Day
15 - Hispanic Heritage Month begins
23 - Attendance Spirit Week begins
25 - Fall Picture Day
27 - Donuts with Grownups Day
October
2 - Legacy of Excellence Awards
2 - Custodian Appreciation Day
3 - Listening and Speaking Flamenco Assembly
4 - PTA Kid's Night Out at Tumbles
7-11 - Georgia Pre-K Week
9 - Parent English Classes
9 - Career and College Day
10 - 3rd grade filed trip to Teaching Museum
10 - Literacy and Math Parent University - Lego Night!
14-16 - Fall Break for Students - NO SCHOOL!
16 - Professional Development Day for Teachers
18 - PTA Movie Night
21-25 - Red Ribbon Week
31 - Dress Up Day