Jackson eNews

JACKSON MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of Jackson Elementary School is to provide a safe and supportive learning environment in order to ensure high levels of learning for ALL students.

JACKSON VISION STATEMENT:

We are mission-driven, highly motivated, and maintain the highest expectations for ourselves, our students, and our colleagues. Our students are precious, and we will treat them kindly and with love every day. All of our students will succeed academically no matter what! Our tenacity and focus on what’s best for our children will guide our actions every day.

Hello Jackson Families!

I hope everyone is "thawing" out from our arctic blast last week! I know I am enjoying the sun and warmer temperatures this week.

Parents, I would like to take a moment to go over changes to our walk up process at dismissal. To improve safety with traffic in the parking lot, the front parking lot will be blocked off to traffic during dismissal beginning Monday, February 24. Traffic trying to get in and out of that lot is posing a hazard for our walkers. Since most of the students in the walk up line are walking home with a parent or family member, parking is not needed. However, if parents do need to park, they will have to utilize the neighborhood streets. The carpool option is great for this situation as it is quick and efficient. If you need to change your child from walker to carpool, please let our office staff know and they will get you a carpool tag to display on your dashboard.

We have also observed some safety concerns during arrival and dismissal near the crosswalk on Jackson Drive. Bill Sommermeyer, Manager of the School Crossing Guard Unit for the City of Plano, made several observations when he was with our crossing guard on Thursday, February 20. We hope you will take the time to read the school traffic section below. Please drive as you would like other parents to drive if they come in contact with your child entering or leaving our school. Let's all work together to keep our children safe!

February 16-22 was National Engineers' Week and to shine a spotlight on engineering, Plano ISD's Coordinator of Career and Technical education, Dan Blier, arranged for Olsson Engineering Group to visit with Jackson 5th graders on Friday, February 21. The Olsson engineers discussed the different types of engineers, educational requirements for each field, and how engineering makes a difference in our world. Then, they engaged our students in a fun, but challenging, STEM activity! To read more about their challenge, please see the Olsson Engineering section below.

This week, our 2nd grade students will be visiting the Dallas Children's Theatre to see a matinee performance of "Pete the Cat" on Wednesday, 2/26, and our 3rd grade students will be taking a trip to the Heritage Farmstead Museum on Friday, 2/28. Field trips are a great way to reinforce classroom learning, build confidence and develop social skills!

Next week, March 3-7, is Diversity Week at Jackson and our students are encouraged to participate in the themed dress-up days to go along with the great selection of books that our wonderful Librarian, Ms. Kincaid, has put together. Please see flyer below.

Next Tuesday, March 4, is PTA Spirit Night at the McDonald's location at 216 S. Coit, Plano, TX 75075 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.! What a great way to get out of the kitchen and have some fun with the family! Mention the Jackson fundraiser at the register and McDonald's will donate 15% of the sales to Jackson PTA! A coloring sheet will be sent home with students this Friday. Color and return this sheet during the event for a chance to win a McDonald's gift card! It could be your "happiest" meal ever!

The Colgate Dental Van will be coming to Jackson on Friday, March 7, to give free dental screenings to our students and teach them about the importance of dental hygiene. Permission slips will be sent home with all students this week and they must be returned by Wednesday, March 5, or sooner, to participate. The Dental Van will only be able to see 250 students, so please return your child's permission slip to school as soon as you have completed.

Thank you!

Crystal Roach

Principal

Jackson Elementary

Dear Parents,

We recently received complaints regarding ongoing, unsafe driving habits of parents, along with parents who ignore safe practices when crossing a street during pick-up and drop-off times. We strive to make this process safe for our students and visitors, but it is not possible without your cooperation.

We understand that life is busy, but we must stress that when dropping off and picking up your children, please exhibit patience while following state traffic laws and campus procedures. We also ask that those parents who walk their children to and from school, please cross the street properly. We are fortunate to have a crossing guard assigned at the corner of Jackson and Forester. She is there to ensure that you and your children can cross the street safely. We ask that you utilize the crosswalk; not only is it safer, but it sets a good example for your child and instills safe practices in them.

Your children are watching your behavior, how you drive, cross a street, what laws you choose to obey, and most importantly, the ones you choose to ignore. Let's work together to set a better example for our children and those around us. As you approach Jackson, let the busy, hectic life go, and slow down. Follow the traffic laws, have patience, and be courteous.

If it takes a little more time to make the pick-up/drop-off safe... isn't it worth it? When you are operating a vehicle around the Jackson campus, ask yourself... "Would you feel comfortable with another driver driving like you are with your child present?" When you see another child on campus, on the sidewalk, or crossing the street, you should consider them your children. Drive as you would like other parents to drive when they come in contact with your child in a similar situation.

Set an example for your children. Set an example for other parents.

We need your help to make Jackson a safer place. We cannot do it without you.

Thank you!

After Jackson 5th graders broke up into groups, our students were given the task of building a bridge that would span the distance between two chairs that were placed several inches apart. This bridge also needed to support a plastic cup with weights added. Our students were given a sheet of paper to design their bridge with the materials that were allocated--straws, scissors, tape, and a plastic cup to construct the bridge. It was great to see our students working together on this project and to see the different ways they tackled the same task. There were some very unique bridges built and the students were able to take their bridges back to the classrooms for testing!

Thank you, Mr. Blier and Olsson Engineering for helping our students understanding the field of engineering a little better and engaging them in a higher-level thinking, STEM activity!

Wednesday, February 26

• 2nd Grade Field Trip to Dallas Children's Theatre

Friday, February 28

• 3rd Grade Field Trip to Heritage Farmstead Museum

MARCH 2025

March 3-7

• Diversity Week at Jackson! See themed-day flyer for more details.

Tuesday, March 4

• PTA Spirit Night at McDonald's, 216 S. Coit Rd., Plano, TX 75075

• Colgate Dental Van permission slips due

• Colgate Dental Van visits Jackson

Thursday, March 13

• Jackson Spring Open House, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

• Spring Break for Students and Staff

• Student Holiday/Staff Professional Development

Thursday, March 27

• K-2 Awards Assembly, 8:05 a.m., gym (end of 3rd 9 weeks)

• 3rd-5th Awards Assembly, 8:05 a.m., gym (end of 3rd 9 weeks)

Monday, March 31

• Instrument Fitting for incoming 6th graders taking Orchestra at Frankford Middle School

The district calendars for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years have been published. Please use these dates to plan family vacations when school is not in session. It is important that students do not miss school for vacations that can be planned during times of school closure. The Texas State Attendance law requires students to be in school for at least 90% of the school days in order to not face the possibility of being retained in that grade level and parents facing required court appearance and possible fines. If your child is absent from school, you must email the secretary to let her know why they are out (sick, doctor appointment, etc.). Thank you!

Click HERE for 2024-25 PISD Calendar

Click HERE for 2025-26 PISD Calendar

MONDAY: Research hats worn in different cultures. Wear a hat.

LUNES: Investiga acerca de los sombreros que se usan diferentes culturas. Usa un sombrero.

TUESDAY: Dress like a scientist.

MARTES: Vestirse como un científico.

WEDNESDAY: Wear your fanciest clothes.

MIERCOLES: Vistete ropa elegante.

THURSDAY: Read about about a different culture. Wear something to represent your family’s

culture.

JUEVES: Lea un libro sobre cultura diferente a la tuya. Viste algo que represente la cultura de tu familia.

FRIDAY: Kaleidoscope Day: Wear different colors.

VIERNES: Día del Kaleidoscope: Usa ropa de diferentes colores.

The Colgate Dental Van will be coming to Jackson on Friday, March 7th to give free dental screenings to our students and teach them about the importance of dental hygiene. Permission slips will be going out for all students this week and the deadline to get them turned in is Wednesday, March 5th .

Only the first 250 students to turn in permission forms will be able to participate, so it's very important that you return your child's permission slip to school as soon as you complete it.

Thank you!

TELPAS testing (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) began at Jackson this week and will continue through the first of March for all students designated as "emergent bilingual." If your student will be participating in this assessment, please read the letter below from Mr. Riggle for more information regarding this assessment.

Parent TELPAS Letter - English

Parent TELPAS Letter - Spanish

Classroom Lessons

Welcome to the Counselors’ Corner! We will use this section of the eNews to inform you all of topics we will be covering in our Counselor lessons and any other important or useful information! Students come with their class to the counselor bi-weekly to receive lessons. We absolutely love this time with them!

For our next lesson, the weeks of 02/24 & 03/03, we will focus on Bullying/Empathy. This will be our last bully prevention lesson of the year! Students will understand their responsibility when it comes to bully prevention and understand what empathy is. During these lessons, students will be reminded of the characteristics of a friend, bully, target, upstander, and bystander. We will reiterate effective strategies for upstanders and differentiate the differences between rude, mean, and bullying. Students will strengthen their understanding of what empathy is and how it can impact behavior. Empathy is extremely important because it helps students build connections, regulate emotions, and promote helping behaviors. Students will learn how empathy can prevent bullying, help them make meaningful relationships, and help them receive help from others when needed. Empathy is the key ingredient to successful relationships in school and beyond!

Jaguar of the Month Program

Jaguar of the Month is a student reward program (Grades K-5) that incorporates character traits from the program, CharacterStrong. A new character trait is introduced every month and students will engage in classroom discussions and activities to reinforce the trait. At the end of the month, each teacher will identify a student who consistently demonstrated the targeted trait. These students will be recognized on JagTube, receive a certificate, wristband, and a Jackson Jaguar pencil. Grade level group photos will be displayed on the bulletin board near the front office AND Jaguars of the Month will attend a popsicle party with Dr. Roach, our principal, and Mr. Riggle, our assistant principal!

Our Jaguar of the Month Trait for February is Honesty! Our definition of Honesty is being truthful in what you say and do. Check out the CharacterStrong Family Letter (English) / CharacterStrong Family Letter (Spanish) for more information about PurposeFull People and some fun ways you can join us in teaching and reinforcing Responsibility! Monthly Family Newsletters will be sent home that outline the CharacterStrong skills students are learning in class and provide fun ideas to grow as a family at home.

We hope you find this Counselors’ Corner helpful! Please never hesitate to reach out for anything! We are always here to support you and your students!

Thank you!

Michelle Hardy (Grades PK, 1, 3, 5)

Michelle.hardy@pisd.edu

(469) 752-2115

Nicole Sollie (Grades K, 2, 4)

Nicole.sollie@pisd.edu
(469) 752-2116

Our awesome P.E. coaches are sharing a monthly calendar with fitness challenges and other activities that promote the development of motor skills, physical fitness, and social skills. These activities can be done at home with family or friends. Have fun with fitness!

Website: jacksonpta.com

Facebook: Jackson Elementary School PTA

Instagram: ptajacksonelem

There are currently 6 openings for School Crossing Guards in the Jackson area. We would appreciate your help in making our crosswalks safer for students and parents.

Thank you!

Bill Sommermeyer
School Crossing Guard Program Manager

City of Plano

972-941-2283

The 2023-2024 Federal Report Card for Jackson Elementary has now been released and posted to the Jackson website at www.pisd.edu/Jackson_ar. The report provides information concerning student performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), as well as information on student enrollment, class size averages, and financial expenditures. The information contained in the School Report Card is described in the “School Report Card Definitions.” The Federal Report Card is also available at https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/accountability/academic-accountability/performance-reporting/federal-report-cards.

If you have any questions concerning the School Report Cards, please let us know. Thank you for your continued support of Jackson Elementary.

_______________________________________________

El boletines de informe federal del 2023-2024 para la escuela Jackson Elementary han sido publicados en el sitio de internet Jackson Elementary www.pisd.edu/Jackson_ar.

El reporte proporciona información sobre el rendimiento de los estudiantes en la prueba STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) que es el nombre del programa de evaluación académica para los estudiantes en las escuelas públicas de Texas, así como información sobre estudiantes inscritos, tamaño promedio de la clase y gastos financieros. La información contenida en el reporte de progreso de la escuela es requerida por la ley estatal y se describe en las "definiciones del boletín de informe de la escuela". El boletín del informe del gobierno de los Estados Unidos se encuentra disponible también en https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/accountability/academic-accountability/performance-reporting/federal-report-cards.

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta acerca del boletín de informe de la escuela, por favor háganoslo saber. Gracias por su apoyo continúo en la escuela Jackson Elementary School.

District Updates for Plano ISD Families

Annual Registration for Existing and Newly Enrolled PISD Students

New Student Online Enrollment and Annual Registration

District Safety and Security Procedures

2024-2025 Transportation Updates

Transportation Services - Bus Route Finder

Required Immunizations

PASAR After School Care

Volunteer Application

Food and Nutritional Services

Free and Reduced Meal Program

School Cafe

PISD School and Classroom Library Information

Programa de Lenguaje Dual en PISD

PreK Parent Information Night Presentation - English and Spanish

Kindergarten Parent Information Night Presentation - English

Kindergarten Parent Information Night Presentation - Spanish

1st Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - English

1st Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - Spanish

2nd Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - English

2nd Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - Spanish

3rd Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - English

3rd Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - Spanish

4th Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - English

4th Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - Spanish

5th Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - English

5th Grade Parent Information Night Presentation - Spanish

Make Sure Your Communication Preferences Are Up To Date!

Visit www.pisd.edu/schoolmessenger to choose how you prefer to receive communications from Jackson and Plano ISD.

Website: http://pisd.edu/jackson
Location: 1101 Jackson Drive, Plano, TX, United States
Phone: 469-752-2100
Twitter: @JacksonPlano