The JagWire
Jackson Middle School Newsletter - December 6, 2024
Hello Jackson Families,
As we move into December, we’re enjoying sunny but cool days, with rain expected soon. Please remind students to dress appropriately, as many will need to brave the elements during PE, recess, or transitions to and from portables. PLEASE put your student’s name on any sweatshirts or coats.
This is also a good time to revisit our district’s inclement weather policy:
Closure and Delay Decisions: When inclement weather is forecasted, decisions about closures or delays are typically made the evening before. For unexpected situations, every effort is made to decide early in the morning.
Notifications:
Text alerts are sent to families, students, and staff who have opted in by texting YES to 68453.
Automated calls are sent to affected families.
Updates are posted on the PPS website, Twitter (@PPSConnect), and shared with local media.
We’re hoping for a snow-free winter this year—but if you’re missing the snow, why not channel that spirit into giving? This winter break, you can sponsor a student by selecting a snowflake from the main office. For details, see the flyer below titled Jackson Season of Giving. Don’t wait—sponsorships are open until Friday, December 13, 2025.
Thank you,
Nicole Ayala
Every day, our teachers at Jackson show up for our kids, and make a difference for every single child at school. Unfortunately, there is not enough funding from the state to bring our educator's visions for the kids to life!
The PTA is committed to filling in the gaps in teacher funding, with programs like our TEACHER GRANT PROGRAM. Twice annually, we award grants of between $200 and $500 to Jackson teachers for a wide assortment of educational items like eye protection, sewing machines, games, museum tickets and more...
YOUR support – by way of a donation of any size – gives the PTA the power to provide Jackson teachers with equipment, supplies, books, and experiences that will impact our kids for a lifetime.
Let's break it down. The PTA spends around $65,000 to cover crucial items like…
● School supplies
● Library books (!)
● Technology equipment
● Cultural assemblies
● Expert speakers
● Funds for experiences that kids can’t get anywhere else
● Equitable access to special events (like school dances and trips to Oaks Park)
● Regular teacher appreciation, to power them through the tough days
● So much more…
That’s about $80 per child currently enrolled at Jackson Middle School!
If you can, a donation of $80 would go a LONG way to getting us to our goal of $15,000 to provide supplies and experiences to the teachers who support our kids.
Giving more expands your impact beyond your own child to support the broader JMS community.
Please give what you can to help the PTA continue to provide much-needed supplies and resources to the teachers in 2025.
ALL donors will get a hand-written thank-you card and a special shout-out in the Jackson Parents Facebook Group (if you want).
THANK YOU for your generous support!
The JMS PTA Board
Teams are forming now!
An Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) information session was recently held during lunch. If your student is interested in participating, they can sign up using this link: OBOB Sign-Up Form.
Teams consist of 2-5 students. Participants can either join with a pre-formed team or we can help organize them into one.
Students can start reading the OBOB books now! Each team member doesn’t need to read every book; teams can divide the reading list to make it easier. Books are available at the Jackson Middle School Library.
The 2024-2025 book list is available here: OBOB Book List.
Practices will begin after winter break, but students are encouraged to start reading now. Practice battles are a fun way for students to prepare and engage with each other.
OBOB’s mission is to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, broaden reading interests, increase reading comprehension, promote academic excellence, and foster cooperative learning and teamwork.
If you have any questions, please email us at obob@jacksonpta.org
Bullying Concerns
At the start of the school year, we understand that bullying is a major concern for both students and families. Rest assured, we are proactively addressing this issue through several initiatives. These include:
- daily advisory lessons,
- school counselor-led sessions
- collaboration with our student leadership team to foster a more inclusive environment.
If students or families need to report an incident, they can do so in the office using a student incident report or anonymously through SafeOregon.
Nicole Ayala
Assistant Principal
