Jefferson Times

Dear Amazing Jefferson Families,

I’m thrilled to reflect on another successful Carnival—dunk tank and all! Thank you to everyone who attended; your presence is what truly makes this event so special. A special shout-out goes to the dedicated parents who volunteered their time; your support was essential to our success! I am already looking forward to next year's Carnival (yes, even the dunk tank :)

It was a pleasure seeing so many of you during Parent-Teacher Conferences this week. I hope you had meaningful conversations with your child’s teachers. We wholeheartedly believe that “it takes a village” at Jefferson, and we appreciate your commitment to fostering these connections. Please continue to engage in those important conversations with your child’s teachers so we can work together as a team to best support your child.

As we continue to set high expectations and maintain rigor here at Jefferson, I encourage you to support your child in taking initiative. For our 6th through 8th graders, please motivate them to reach out to their teachers via email with any questions. They’ve been learning how to write professional emails, and this is a great opportunity for them to practice their skills with minimal guidance.

Please take the time to read our emailed newsletter each week, especially the "weekly events schedule" and the "important upcoming events." It is also available on our school website. Furthermore, follow us on Instagram @jeffersonwildcats. Also, get involved with our fabulous MJPFA by visiting them at https://mjpfa.ptboard.com/ and follow them on Instagram @mjpfa6. For any questions, contact our office at (209) 835-3053.

Take care,

Jason Strickland

Principal

"Every Student. Every Day. Whatever it Takes"

September 30th thru October 4th - 6th Grade Science Camp

October 3rd - Parent Advisory Committee @ District Office

October 7th - 11th - Fall Break (NO SCHOOL)

October 15th - Spelling Bee @ Jefferson

JSD Board Meeting @ District Office

October 17th - Great Shakeout (Earthquake Drill)

October 18th - Decades Dance (1st Dance of the Year; Must have ASB Card to attend)

October 23rd - Jefferson School District Spelling Bee

October 24th - Fall GATE Test

October 25th - Coffee and Conversation with the Principal

November 1st - Staff Professional Development Day (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

The Jefferson School Spelling Bee is under way and classrooms are wrapping up their individual competitions. Our school Spelling Bee (top spellers from each Core class) will be on

Tuesday, Oct. 15 with our 5th and 6th grade competition at 8:30

and our 7th and 8th grade competition at 10:00am.

The top two 5th/6th grade students and the top two 7th/8th grade students

will go on to compete at the Jefferson School District Spelling Bee on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Details about each event will be sent to the families of the winning spellers.

Jefferson School Spelling Bee: Tuesday, October 15th

Jefferson School District Spelling Bee: Wednesday, October 23rd

For more information, please visit our school website:

https://www.jeffersonschooldistrict.com/domain/644

Makeup Picture Day is coming up on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Students can reserve a spot for makeup picture day by completing this google form

by Monday, October 14, 2024 (from their chromebook): https://forms.gle/yAZswUJbGFDHUmSC7

Our 1st dance of the year is Friday, October 18th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. This dance is only open to 6th through 8th grade students who have already purchased an ASB membership. The deadline to purchase has passed and we are no longer accepting payments.

If your child is interested in attending the dance and has already purchased their ASB membership, please make sure they sign up in the front office. On the day of the dance:

• Dress Code Applies
• No cell phones
• No late entry (Doors will close promptly at 6:15pm, no exceptions)
• Please pick up promptly at 8:00pm

If you have any questions, please contact the front office.

The Fall GATE testing date is approaching (October 24th). The deadline to apply is October 15th.

Here is the link to the application for the Fall GATE Testing. For more information, please visit the Jefferson School District GATE website.

We started sign ups this week for Boys Basketball and Co-Ed Soccer. The season will

begin in late October. If your child is interested, they need to sign up in the front office and

bring home a Sports Contract. Please complete the Sports Contract and have your child

return it to the front office.

All Sports Contracts are DUE no later than FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4th by 3:00pm.

YEARBOOK PURCHASE DEADLINE- Monday March 28,2025

If you would like to purchase a yearbook , please use the link below.

Yearbooks are $30 until December 31, 2024. After December 31st yearbooks will be $35 until the deadline of March 28, 2025.

Order Here: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/

It's time to purchase your baby ad for your 8th grade student. The Deadline to purchase an Ad is March 14th, 2025.

Purchase Here: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/

Morning Drop-Off at Jefferson Campus

Drop-off is in the front parking lot (Linne Rd) OR back parking lot (Chrisman Rd). Students should not arrive before 7:30 a.m. Students must remain in the cafeteria if arriving between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Classes will open at 8:10 a.m., and students will report to their first-period class (Accelerated Math starts at 8:00 a.m.)

Front Parking Lot (Located off of Linne Road)

Afternoon pick-up for 7th and 8th Grade ONLY

● The drive-thru line is designed for a single lane for cars to drive through.

● Please pull all the way up to the drop-off line at the end of the sidewalk.

● DO NOT stop at the first crosswalk to unload your children.

● Do not open your trunk or get out of your car if you are in the car line. Park in the parking lot if you need to open the trunk or get out of the car.

Be patient with each other. This system takes time to learn, especially for new students. Let's help each other out!

Back Parking Lot (Located off of Chrisman Road)

Afternoon pick-up for 5th and 6th Grade ONLY

● The drive-thru line will be for Jefferson School busses and parents during the drop-off.

● This parking lot is designed for a single lane of cars to drive through.

● Please pull all the way up to the drop-off line at the end of the sidewalk.

● All bus students will exit the school grounds and go onto the buses first. Then, the rest of the students will be released.

● Please park in the lot if you arrive before the school buses leave. Once they leave, you can drive through the parking lot.

TO REPORT OR CLEAR AN ABSENCE, PLEASE EMAIL: JeffersonAttendance@jsdtracy.com

Chronic absenteeism is a serious problem on our campus. Many students are absent or tardy

on a regular basis and this has a huge impact on their learning! We want you to join us in making school attendance a high priority for your family. Remember, school is your child’s

first and most important job. Please support them by getting them here on time

and scheduling appointments and vacations outside the school day.

* Students are REQUIRED to be checked in at the office by a parent

when arriving to school tardy, returning from an appointment,

and/or departing early from school *

Bullying and harassment are not tolerated on the Jefferson campus. We have a strict policy in our district, and personally, I take it very seriously. The biggest thing you and your child can do to help stop it is REPORT, REPORT, REPORT. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING... SAY SOMETHING!

Please ensure that an adult on campus is aware so that we can take the necessary steps to address the issue. I am a big proponent of supporting all children and I never criminalize or adultify them, however, I will hold them accountable while making the experience/resolution a teachable moment.

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you all: Jefferson School has been recognized as a 2024 California Distinguished School!

This prestigious honor is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaborative spirit of our students, teachers, staff, and families. It reflects our commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching practices, and creating a supportive environment where every student can thrive.

Being named a California Distinguished School is not just an accolade; it is a celebration of our shared values and commitment to providing the best possible education for our students. It is a recognition of the efforts of our entire school community in fostering a culture of learning, growth, and achievement.

As we celebrate this accomplishment, let us take a moment to acknowledge and thank everyone who has contributed to making Jefferson School the outstanding institution it is today. Whether you are a student, parent, teacher, staff member, or community partner, your dedication and support have played a vital role in this achievement.

This recognition serves as both a validation of our past successes as this is the 5th time Jefferson School has been recognized as a California Distinguished School (1989, 2009, 2013, 2019, and 2024). It also serves as an inspiration for all of our future endeavors. Let us continue to work together to uphold the high standards of excellence that have earned us this honor and to ensure that every student who walks through our doors has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Once again, congratulations to our entire school community on this remarkable achievement! Together, we have shown what is possible when we unite behind a common purpose and commit ourselves to excellence in education.

If you would like to learn more about the selection process for California Distinguished School, check out their website HERE.

Office Hours:

7:30am - 4:00pm

Office Phone:

209-835-3053

Office Fax:

209-835-4419

REPORT STUDENT ABSENCES: jeffersonattendance@jsdtracy.com

Order JEFFERSON SPIRIT WEAR HERE

Principal

Jason Strickland

jastrickland@jsdtracy.com

Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Sena

csena@jsdtracy.com

Absences and General Policy

Ms. Harper

dharper@jsdtracy.com

Website: https://www.jeffersonschooldistrict.com/Domain/46
Location: 7500 West Linne Road, Tracy, CA, USA
Phone: (209) 835-3053