TJMS Weekly Family Newsletter

Jaguar Families,

There are tons of details below. We're headed into National School Counseling Week, our winter rally, Student of the Month, and our Glow Fun fundraiser through PE. There is NO School the next two Mondays, 2/10 and 2/17.

We are always concerned about traffic safety. Our schools are in a very congested area with limited roads coming in and out. Students ride their new e-bikes and e-scooters FAST and often without helmets, ignoring traffic rules. Please remind your students to ride carefully, look for traffic, wear their helmet and SLOW DOWN. Below is a news report that just came out from KCRA about increased attention for traffic violations in school zones.

KCRA news coverage about increased attention to traffic violations in school zones:

Be Kind. GO JAGS!!! 💜

Jenny Keyport

TJMS Principal

• 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:

• February 3-7, It's National School Counseling Week!
• 2/5, Winter Rally
• 2/6, Student of the Month
• 2/7, Glow Fun
• 2/10 NO SCHOOL
• 2/15, Saturday School
• 2/17, NO SCHOOL
• 2/21, Winter Dance
• 2/24-28, Spring Book Fair
• 2/28, Band Festival

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.

Good afternoon,

As Digital Citizenship Site Coordinators and principals, we invite you to join us in celebrating National News Literacy Week this February 3-7 and ask that you pass the following information on to the teachers and staff at your schools.

National News Literacy Week, celebrated from February 3-7, empowers educators, parents, and students to take a stand against misinformation. This week-long initiative provides valuable resources and tools to help individuals critically evaluate news sources, understand the impact of misinformation, and foster a culture of truth and transparency.

During this week, we invite teachers, staff, and families to use some of the National News Literacy Week resources provided by The News Literacy Project, the resources listed in our most recent blog post - Empowering Critical Thinkers: Celebrating National News Literacy Week, and/or the recently Board adopted Checkology curriculum from The News Literacy Project (recommended for grades 5-12) to engage students in conversations about news and media literacy.

If you have any questions about teaching news and media literacy or the resources provided, please email Erica Swift and Kathleen Watt.

Erica Swift

Technology Integration Support Specialist

Elk Grove Unified

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

January Student of the Month is Thursday 2/6. Invites & certificates will be given to students by Wednesday 2/5. This month’s treat is a Hot Cocoa Bar.

WINTER RALLY

Our Winter Rally is Wednesday, February 5th! Students and staff can look forward to an exciting, jam-packed event to get everyone hyped for the upcoming 7th-grade Basketball season and to showcase our Talent Show winners. We will be following the Rally Bell schedule that day. This rally will feature the TJMS Band, our 8th Grade Basketball team, Franklin High School’s Flag Team, select performances from the Toby Johnson Talent Show, and some fun games led by Leadership. Remember to show your Toby spirit by dressing in purple or wearing any Toby gear!

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 and will be playing Glow Dodgeball on Friday 2/7. If your child is in PE this term they brought home a flyer with information last week 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 play Glow Dodgeball on Friday 5/2.

VALENTINES GRAMS

Valentine grams will be on sale in the student store annex Tuesday 2/11 to Friday 2/13. Grams will be delivered in 5th period on Friday 2/14. Grams cost $1- $2 each depending on the treat.

VALENTINES SPIRIT WEEK

Show your school spirit and your LOVE by dressing up for our Valentines Spirit week. Students and staff who dress remember to stop by MC6 at lunch to scan in for spirit points and a prize.

• Tuesday 2/11 Match: Match with a friend or group of friends
• Wednesday 2/12 Show What you Love: Dress as something you LOVE (Example: Kings Fans wear your Kings gear)
• Thursday 2/13 Frozen (Winter Whiteout): Dress as your favorite Frozen character or wear all white
• Friday 2/14 Pink, Red, and Hearts: Wear pink, red, or hearts.

TJMS COMMUNITY MOVIE NIGHT

Please join us at the TJMS Gym for a community movie night on Tuesday, February 18th at 5 PM. This event is free for all to attend. You can visit the club booths, enjoy the community atmosphere, snack on treats, 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 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 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.

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 cost of the field trip 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. Students who are pulled will get to choose a prize. Prizes include a popcorn party, Jaguar pride merch, a VIP event ticket, a Front of the Line Pass, or a snack bag. Staff, if your swag gets pulled you win a prize too. Make sure to complete your class drawings and turn in your

Final Opportunity to Join - Japan 2025!

My name is Amanda Fiddyment, and I am excited to share that there is an amazing travel opportunity available for you and your student(s). I am taking a group from the Toby Johnson and Franklin communities with me to Japan this June with EF tours!

I am holding a FINAL Information Meeting on Wednesday, February 5 at 6 PM on Zoom where we will discuss details like what we'll see and do on our trip, how EF keeps the trip safe & affordable, and how to enroll on the trip (current discounts included!).

Use this link for the specific meeting information and to RSVP: https://bit.ly/3EcDqkz

Or for more information, including to sign up for our tour, use this link: https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2796569HC or call our Traveler Support Line at 1-800-665-5364.

If you have any questions or want to learn more, please reach out directly to me at afiddyme@egusd.net.

Thank you,

Amanda Fiddyment

TJMS Teacher

(Experienced Group Leader for past trips in 2022, 2023, & upcoming 2025, and 2026 trips)

**This is not an EGUSD-sponsored travel experience.

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

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Elk Grove Upcoming Events and Key Dates

• 2025-26 School Year EGUSD Preschool/TK/Kindergarten Enrollment Opens January 13, 2025 (Announcement)

Approved Fliers:

• CSD We Are Hiring

• Next Level Flag Football

• Western Festival Art Contest

• Youth Fest

• AI Community Event

• DCSS EGUSD Flyer

• Cheerleading Winter 2024

• Rotary Youth Exchange

• Seth Smith Memorial Crab Feed
• Parkway Little League

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