TJMS Weekly Family Newsletter

Jaguar Families,

Remember, NO SCHOOL, Monday, February 17th in honor of Presidents Day.

It's hard to believe we're half way through February, 2025, and half way through the third quarter at TJMS. Things are moving quickly! Please check out updates in more detail below. But the highlight this week is our FIRST annual Community Connect Night this Tuesday, February 18, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. It will take place in our gym. In collaboration with the Family and Community Engagement office we are hosting a night to bring people together to find out how to continue coming together more frequently and purposefully. All details are below. Hope to see you there!

GO JAGS!!! 💜

Jenny Keyport

TJMS Principal

TJMS & the FACE Department will be hosting a Community Connection NIGHT on Tuesday 2/18 at 5 PM to allow us a chance to connect while also showing the documentary "Join or Die".

Leadership and Face has invited ALL CLUBS to participate. Clubs will participate by having a booth where information is shared about the club, an activity or game, or items for sale. Leadership will be giving away FREE popcorn and buttons!

The event is open to the public to drop in for any length of time to watch the screening of "Join or Die", check out TJMS clubs to join, and other ways to connect in our Elk Grove Community.

Movie Summary:

In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking "Bowling Alone" research into America's decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis.

Flanked by influential fans and scholars — from Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker — as well as inspiring groups building community in neighborhoods across the country, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly… What can we do about it?

TJMS Scholastic Book Fair:

When: 2/24-2/28

Where: Franklin Library Community Room

• TJMS Website
• TJMS 24-25 Bell Schedules
  
• Reporting Student Absences
• My School Bucks
• TJMS Calendar
• TJMS Student Handbook
• TJMS Activities
• EGUSD Synergy, ParentVue and StudentVue help
  
• EGUSD Calendars
  
• 2024-2025 EGUSD Parent and Student Handbook
  

LOOKING AHEAD:

• 2/17, NO SCHOOL
• 2/18, TJMS Community Movie Night TJMS Gym 5-7 PM
• 2/21, Winter Dance
• 2/24-28, Spring Book Fair
• 2/28, Band Festival
• 3/6, Student of the Month
• 3/8, Saturday Detention
• 3/8, EGUSD Middle School Band Festival
• 3/13 - 14, Term 3 Finals, Minimum Days

To see all events and activities, go to the TJMS Website and click on “VIEW ALL DATES” to see our up to date activities and events calendar.

JAZZY’S GLOW UP A SCHOOL WIDE GLOW FUNdraiser

All TJMS students will participate in Jazzy's Glow Up, a school-wide fundraiser, and a FUN day of glow dodgeball in PE. Students enrolled in PE Term 3 are raising money now until February 28th and got to play Glow Dodgeball in PE last Friday. If your child is in PE this term they brought home a flyer with information and they also received a copy in their synergy email. Students enrolled in PE Term 4 will begin raising money on April 21st and will participate in Glow Dodgeball on Friday 5/2.

TJMS COMMUNITY CONNECT NIGHT

Please join us at the TJMS Gym for a community connection night Tuesday, February 18th from 5 PM- 7PM. This event is free for all to attend. You can visit the club booths, enjoy the community atmosphere, snack on free popcorn and other treats available for purchase, and watch the documentary "Join or Die." The film follows the fifty-year story of America's civic unraveling, as seen through the work of social scientist Robert Putnam and his research on the decline of community connections in America.

FROZEN WINTER DANCE

Our winter dance will be this Friday 2/21 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Ticket sales will begin on Tuesday 2/18 and will end on Thursday 2/20. Tickets will NOT be sold on Friday. Tickets will cost $9 or $7 with an ASB sticker. Tickets will be sold at the Student Store window during lunch. Students MUST have their student ID to purchase a ticket and to get into the dance. Ticket sales for this dance and all items sold at the dance (snacks & drinks) will be CASH ONLY! Students will enter and exit the dance through Robert’s Pass. Students will not be able to come into the dance after 5:15 and will not be able to leave the dance early. *ID Cards will not be sold at lunch during ticket sales. If you need a new ID make sure to get it in advance as you may need to purchase it after school.

**Students may not buy a dance ticket or attend the dance if they are on the “no activities” list.

8th GRADE SIX FLAGS FIELD TRIP

Save the date the Toby Johnson Middle School 8th-grade students are invited to attend a Saturday field trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on March 29, 2025. The field trip cost will be $90 and will include a bus ride to the park, entry to the park, and lunch. Field trip packets may be picked up in the Student Store Annex at lunch starting 2/3. Signups will begin Monday, February 24th.

8th GRADE PROMOTION

Toby Johnson 8th grade promoting students will be celebrated with a promotion ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The ceremony will take place in the Franklin High School Gym. Ceremonies will be held by team. Mark your calendar and keep an eye on your email, more information will be sent home in February.

2025 Promotion Schedule

• Aggies 8:30-9:30 am
• Hornets 10:30-11:30 am
• Tigers 1:00-2:00 pm

PBIS FOCUS

We will continue to teach and reinforce our 4 core values in all locations on campus with a specific focus on responsibility. PBIS lessons will focus on academic honesty, plagiarism, and the use of AI. Teachers will reward students who are meeting our core values by handing out Jag Swag. Families can continue the conversation at home by talking about the importance of academic honesty.

JAG SWAG PULL

This week we will have a Jag Swag Pull on Friday morning during TJTV. This week we will have a Jag Swag Pull for the treat truck. Students who are pulled will receive 1 ticket for themselves and 4 to share with friends. The treat truck's menu is always changing but we always have a variety of ice cream, drinks, snacks, and non-food treats too!

My name is Gabriela Lopez-Guzman and I am the Treasure for the Society of Women Engineers at UC Merced. I'm emailing you about an amazing event called Expanding Your Horizons (EYH). Below is a description of the event.

The Society of Women Engineers at the University of California Merced is hosting their 11th annual Expanding Your Horizons conference. Our conference will be in person. Our goal is to inspire girls to recognize their potential and pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We would like to have young females (grades 6-12) get the exposure they need to understand what STEM is about and to hopefully inspire them to become future engineers. We will be having a Women in STEM panel as well as fun, interactive STEM workshops.

This year, EYH will be held on Sunday, March 16th from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Just like last year, this event will be free of charge.

Registration is open! The deadline to register is Friday, March 8th at 11:59pm. Here is the link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vBfXlrxpNCyRGsfXNy3e-_Y7VFWrhQE4pi3mJpoiC9U/viewform?edit_requested=true

After you register, please be sure to fill out the 2 waivers to ensure your student can attend our conference.

Photo/video/Audio Recording:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1LqcJE26BUuUpoUnuvYPdb8ETKR9r_bvfHTxFTFUvejo/edit

Waiver Voluntary Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1X1wBM-NxKcJKkYckKW0ogUB2hQKkHj4so3cLIAJE_pk/edit

Please spread the word out to all your female students! It's a wonderful opportunity for young girls to explore the world of STEM, as well as connect with UC students. As we cannot always reach out to every school, please also feel free to let other middle and high schools in your district know about this opportunity.

Attached to this email are two flyers for EYH. One is in English and the other is in Spanish.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact our EYH coordinator.

The contact details are listed below:

eyhmerced@gmail.com

Conference Coordinators: Erika Maquiling (916-432-9473) and Lilliana Corona (909-641-4152)

Gabriela Lopez-Guzman (she/her/hers)

Treasure for Society of Women Engineers

Chemistry Undergraduate, School of Natural Science

Dear families,

I’m going to Switzerland (Lucerne region), Italy (Venice, Rome, Florence,) and France (French Riviera) in Summer 2026, and you’re invited!

I’m excited to tell you more about the trip I’m planning with EF Tours, our educational travel partner. Please be sure to register for this info session: https://rsvp.eftours.com/b85hx77

When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and we would love to have you and/or your student join us on this adventure.

In this info session, we’ll talk about:

• How this opportunity will benefit your student
• What we’ll see and do on our trip
• Everything that’s included in this experience
• How your student can earn academic credit
• How we’re keeping this safe and affordable
• How to enroll on this trip (before it fills up!) during EF’s risk-free enrollment period

There are limited spots on this trip, so I would love to have you and your student attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

* Trips are not sponsored by TJMS or EGUSD. *

Thanks,
Amanda Fiddyment

afiddyme@egusd.net

2024-25 EGUSD School Year Calendar
The EGUSD 2024-2025 School Year Calendar – English | Spanish .

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Elk Grove Upcoming Events and Key Dates

Approved Fliers:

• 2025 Summer Basketball Camp

• CYBL Basketball Registration

• Dance Classes

• CSD We Are Hiring

• Next Level Flag Football

• Western Festival Art Contest

• Youth Fest

• AI Community Event

January 27 & March 11, 2025: Community Outreach
The Elk Grove Unified School District’s Curriculum and Professional Learning Department invites families of students in grades 5, 7, and 9 to attend a preview of the Comprehensive Sexual Health Education curriculum. These informative sessions will be held via Zoom from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. To join, please visit our Comprehensive Sexual Health Education website and scroll to the bottom of the homepage for webinar links and details.

February 5 - 26, 2025: Financial Literacy Boot Camp
Strive for Strength (S4S) prepares teens and young adults to overcome modern challenges like anxiety, depression, and economic pressures. Led by Program Director Ted Fong, S4S offers boot camps in five key areas: Financial Literacy, Mental Health, Career Development, Healthy Relationships, and Independent Living. The Financial Literacy Boot Camp will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Winn Center, Cosumnes River College (8401 Center Pkwy, Sacramento). Parents are welcome. For more information, contact Ted Fong, Program Director, at sasfprograms@gmail.com.

• Learn more and register for boot camp

2025 Block Party Student Performers Needed
🌟Attention All Student Performers!🌟 The Educational Equity and FACE Department of EGUSD invite you to showcase your talent at our annual Block Party on May 8, 2025, at the Elk Grove Shopping Center. We’re seeking talented individuals to perform and share their skills! Please reach out to Aisha Madu at amadu@egusd.net with any questions. We can’t wait to see you shine!
Performance Registration | Block Party Student Performers Flyer

Care Solace Support and Well-Being Resources
As you step into 2025, take a moment to reflect on the moments of joy and growth from the past year. If you or your loved ones are seeking support for mental health or substance use, Care Solace is here to help. They offer free, confidential assistance in connecting you with the right care to meet your unique needs. If prioritizing mental well-being is one of your goals this year, Care Solace can guide you every step of the way. Call 888-515-0595 or visit caresolace.com/egusdfamilies to find a care provider that’s right for you. Let’s make 2025 a year of connection, growth, and self-compassion!

March 1, 2025: EGUSD 2025 Black Family Conference: The Power of Us

Join us for the 2025 Black Family Conference, hosted by the Elk Grove Unified School District, Families of Black Students United (FBSU), the Department of Family and Community Engagement, and the CSUS Doctorate in Education Program, at Monterey Trail High School. The event, themed "The Power of Us: Strengthening the Black Family, Student, and Community," is a free, engaging opportunity for Pre-K to 12th-grade students, families, and community members. It will feature workshops on wealth building, empowering youth, family relationships, health and wellness, inclusion in education, community resilience, and more. Everyone is welcome to join us for a day of learning, connection, and celebration. We look forward to seeing you there!
Save the Date Flyer

Now until May 2025: Parent Education at Elk Grove Adult and Community Education

Join our eight-week free course designed for all parents, offering practical strategies and insights to enhance parenting skills. Court-approved, it covers communication, discipline, child development, and family dynamics. Experience a supportive environment to exchange experiences and gain essential tools.
Parent Education Registration Information

Varsity Tutors for Schools
Elk Grove Unified is pleased to announce an exciting partnership with Varsity Tutors for Schools, a leading platform for live online tutoring at no cost to EGUSD students and families. When students need help with homework or are struggling to solve a problem, they can immediately chat with a tutor, 24/7, to get the help they need. Students can take practice tests and follow personal lesson plans for guided self-study. They can also sign up for expert-led live classes, and learn subjects like geometry, middle school math, elementary school reading and more, alongside their peers. The Varsity Tutors for School platform is now visible in the EGUSD student portal.

• Varsity Tutors Announcement

Cafe Con Leche (Spanish Parent/Caregiver Group)
This is a six-week program for Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers, covering topics such as setting boundaries, discipline, connection, communication, coping skills, and self-care. Sessions will be held at Kennedy Elementary from January 21 to February 25 on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. and at Jackman Middle School from January 24 to February 28 on Fridays from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Cafe Con Leche at Kennedy ES Flyer | Cafe Con Leche at Jackman MS Flyer

Empowered Parents (English Parent/Caregiver Workshop & Support Series)
This is a six-week program for English-speaking parents and caregivers, focusing on topics such as setting boundaries, discipline, connection, communication, coping skills, self-care, anxiety, and depression. Sessions will be held at Batey Elementary on January 15 and 29, February 5 and 19, and March 5 and 12, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Empowered Parents Flyer

Sacramento County Immunization Assistance Program
Free for those who do not have commercial insurance. Serving children ages 0-18. Clinic is by appointment only. Call (916) 875-7468 to schedule an appointment.
Immunization Assistance Program Flyer (translated flyers included)

The Dangers of Smoking & Vaping Resources
As we start a new school year, talking to your children about the dangers of smoking and vaping can be daunting. EGUSD’s Youth Development’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education program has some tips and resources for having those talks.
View The Dangers of Smoking & Vaping Resources

FREE Mental Health App
Explore your mental health journey with us. Soluna offers confidential support for California residents aged 13 to 25, completely free of charge. Engage in one-on-one chats with a professional coach, utilize interactive tools to manage stress, or dive into a variety of quizzes, videos, forums, and more. The choice is yours! No cost. No pressure.
Learn More About Soluna

Kaiser Permanente Offers FREE Narcan Nasal Spray
Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center is offering free Narcan nasal spray to members and non-members.
Narcan Nasal Spray Flyer