The Jim Plain Insider

We aspire to be a safe and loving community that empowers students to be lifelong learners who positively contribute to the world.

We know the mornings are cold and it is SO hard to get up early, but with an increase in tardies this week we wanted to send a reminder that our teachers start instruction at 7:30. They spend time in class meetings and building community with their learners and they want all students present for that special time.

The car rider line moves pretty smoothly without backups from 7:10 - 7:20, so you can drop your kiddos off and be on your way without having to wait in line. The car rider line will close at 7:35 as our staff have to serve the students in classrooms at that time. If you arrive after 7:35 or are in the car rider line at 7:35, you will need to bring your children to the front office to check in. Thank you for helping your children get here on time so they aren't missing out!

Have a great long weekend!

💗Mrs. Ulatoski

24-25 Academic Calendar

January is School Board Appreciation Month!

January 20

• No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 24

• Future Friday! Wear your LMS, DMS, GHS, college, or career shirt!

January 29

• Spring Picture Day - Individual & Class Photos

January 31

• 3rd grade trip to see Ballet Austin performance

February 3

• National School Counseling Week begins
• APEX Fundraiser begins!

February 13

• APEX Fun Run during specials

February 17

• Professional Learning Day - No School for Students

As part of our campus improvement plan goal on improving reciprocal communication, our campus Family Engagement committee is asking for your feedback on our campus communications. Please complete this survey so we can use your feedback as we work to improve the communication between school and families.

The JPE Campus Events Committee would like to host an event where members of the Plain Community can come and showcase their cultures through sharing food, music art, traditions and more. Each group would have their own booth to share about their culture. This would take place at the school, in the evening in the month of May. Exact date is TBD. If you are interested in participating, please complete this survey!

Our counselor, Ms. Hodge, provides snacks to students who need them. If you are able to donate snacks, please consider purchasing something from her Snacks for Students Amazon Wishlist.

At JPE, students can earn Pride Paws for showing our campus-wide PAWS expectations, and then they can spend their Pride PAWS at the Pride Paw store. We are asking for donations to refill our store so students can start spending their Pride PAWS. Here's the list for our Amazon Wish List. Thank you in advance!!

Yearbooks are already on sale! Click on the link to order yours now! Yearbooks are $20. Payment plans are available too!

New this year - 5th grade parents can create a student ad to shout out their fifth grader. Click here to create your ad for the yearbook!

We love our JPE PTA! They work together to create incredible experiences for our students, staff, and families. Interested in joining or learning more? Find out more about out JPE PTA here and be on the lookout for the PTA table at school events!

Please consider attending Rally Day at the Capitol on Monday, February 24th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Rally Day is a popular advocacy event and thousands of PTA members across the state of Texas will be in attendance. Rally Day is open to all PTA members. (Reach out to our PTA Membership Chair, Erica Smith, or to me for more information about joining the PTA.) This will be an excellent opportunity to participate in a caucus, rally on the steps, enjoy a picnic lunch together, attend legislator meetings, and participate in literature drops. Rally Day is considered an excused absence for your students, but parents must notify us of the reason for the absence.

The primary focus of the Texas PTA is getting public school dollars back into our schools, resolving teacher and staff shortages, transforming school accountability, improving public school funding, and increasing school safety. Learn more by viewing the Rally Day 2025-Legislative Priorities One Page PDF attachment below.

If this sounds like something you are interested in, please fill out this Google form: Rally Day Interest/Attendance Form

Is your child returning to Jim Plain and possesses some of these Common Characteristics of Gifted Children (source: What is Giftedness?):

• Comprehends material above their age peers
• Surprising emotional depth and sensitivity
• Strong curiosity and unique interests
• Quirky sense of humor
• Creative problem solving and imagination
• Quick learning with minimal repetition
• Self-aware, socially aware, and globally aware

These MAY be indicators that the GT/QUEST program could be beneficial to your child. Screening for the GT/QUEST program is based on referral by any adult that knows the student. If you feel your child may have an educational need for gifted services, complete the Referral Forms provided on Emily Riordan’s QUEST Website in order for them to be screened for the GT/QUEST program for the 2025-2026 school year.

*Referrals for the 2025-2026 school year are now open! They will close on March 1, 2025. Parents who referred will be notified by April 1, 2025 if their child moves to testing. Results will be sent home before the last day of school. (The next opportunity to refer a student for the GT/QUEST Program will be next school year for screening and testing in the Spring of 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year.)