Fall MAP Testing
We have scheduled our fall MAP testing dates. Please encourage your child to try his/her/their best on the MAP test, as our teachers use this assessment information for planning student instruction. We are running a special testing schedule on testing days. Below is our fall MAP testing schedule:
- August 27: MAP Math Test
- September 3: MAP Reading Test
Please ensure your child brings wired headphones that connect to their Chromebook to school on testing days.
August 28 Early Dismissal Time
This Wednesday, August 28, is the District's first Early Dismissal day for the 2024-2025 school year. Middle school students begin the day at the regular 8:30 a.m. start time and are dismissed at 12:00 p.m. Breakfast and lunch is still available for all students on these days. Click the links below to access the Early Dismissal schedules:
- Early Dismissal Schedule #1 (odd months)
- Early Dismissal Schedule #2 (even months)
Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
Special thank you to our families who worked together and adhered to our student drop-off and pick-up procedures. When procedures are followed correctly, we have a smooth flow of traffic in and out of the plaza drive. Below are important reminders that need special attention in order to maintain traffic flow and student/staff safety:
- Pull as far forward in the plaza drive when dropping off or picking up your child. “As far forward” means to the end of the drive, when possible. This may mean that you are dropping off or picking up your child at a location on the drive that is not closest to your child's grade level entrance. That's okay! We assure you that your child will navigate the short walk on the plaza with no issues.
- Students are never allowed to unload/load vehicles on Jackson Street west of Michigan. This includes on Jackson Street west of the plaza drive. Unloading/loading of vehicles west of the drive is not allowed as it backs up traffic and creates unnecessary traffic delays. Once families enter the plaza drive traffic lane on Jackson, they are expected to enter the drive to pick up their children.
Drop off and pick up does not take place via the main parking lot unless you have approval from building administration or the health office.
Chromebook Reminders
Chromebooks are a regular part of your child’s daily school life. Below are reminders and additional information regarding student Chromebooks:
Please remind your child to charge his/her/their Chromebook at home EVERY night. Coming to school with a fully-charged Chromebook ensures your child is prepared for the day. Thank you in advance for helping with this reminder.
Remind your child that Chromebooks are monitored through the District 45 GoGuardian content filter 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students should only use Chromebooks for school-related purposes.
Looking for tips for managing your child’s Chromebook at home? Check out the “Tips for Managing Chromebooks at Home” document by clicking here.
Extracurricular Opportunities
We have a “Ways to Get Involved” clubs & activities link posted on the Jackson website. This link will bring you to a document that lists all the activities, clubs, and sports offered at Jackson. For each offering listed, the following information is included:
Activity, club, or sport name
Grade levels eligible for the activity, club, or sport
Meeting times
General description of the activity, club, or sport
Supervisor/coach contact information
Information about tryouts for interscholastic sports, specifics regarding intramurals, or other important information regarding extracurriculars will be communicated via the Jackson Happenings document which is also available on the Jackson website.
Curriculum Night
Please mark your calendar to join us for Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 4, at 6:00 p.m. Curriculum Night is an opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and hear about some of the wonderful experiences your child will have this school year. We will share the Curriculum Night schedule closer to the date.
Health Reminders
Attention 6th grade parents/guardians: As a friendly reminder ALL 6th grade students are required to turn in a current physical with updated immunizations (TDAP and Meningococcal required) by October 15 to avoid exclusion from school. Please turn in paperwork to the Health office at your earliest convenience. Paperwork can be dropped of in-person to the SSC or sent via email jahealth@d45.org. If you have any questions please call the Health office at (630) 516-7588.
Any students with medical conditions requiring medication in school are required to turn in a completed medication authorization form found on the District website or by clicking here
Any students interested in participating in interscholastic sports at Jackson are required to have a current (within past 13 months) complete IHSA physical on file with the Health office. Please see the school nurses with any questions.
Safety Drills
Our students' safety is our number one priority. As a reminder, schools practice announced and unannounced safety drills throughout every school year. This week we will practice our first safety drill (bus evacuation) for the 2024-2025 school year. Other drills we will conduct over the course of this school year include: Evacuation, Severe Weather, Hold in Place & Teach, Secure Building & Teach, and Run-Hide-Fight. Drills may be conducted in collaboration with District office and local municipalities.
Jackson Daily Happenings
PowerSchool Parent Portal
PowerSchool is a proactive communication tool parents/guardians can use to stay informed about their child’s academic and work habits progress in school. Please click on this PowerSchool Parent/Guardian Quick Guide link for more information about how to navigate the PowerSchool portal. There is a mobile app version of the PowerSchool Portal for families. The interface of the mobile app is slightly different from the web version. If you experience any difficulties accessing PowerSchool, please email Mrs. Aparicio, the Jackson secretary who oversees PowerSchool. Her email address is vaparicio@d45.org.
Attendance
A friendly reminder that it is the responsibility of a parent/guardian to contact Jackson in the event his/her child will be absent from school. Please plan to report your child’s absence, prior to 9:00 a.m., by calling our attendance line at (630) 516-7368. Parents/guardians will leave a voicemail reporting their child’s absence. In the voicemail, please include the following information:
Child’s name and grade level
Date of absence
Reason for absence
Student absenteeism should be kept to the minimum; however, the School Board recognizes that some absences are unavoidable. The following are valid causes for a student's absence and will be considered “excused,” as specified in Section 26-2a of the Illinois School Code:
Illness
Observation of a religious holiday
Death in the immediate family
Family emergency
Other situations approved by the school principal