Luther Jackson November 22, 2024

Espanol


Nov2

Our Table of Contents:


From our Principal:

Raven

Dear Jackson Families, 

As we approach the winter season, I want to share a few updates and reminders to keep our students warm, supported, and healthy.

We are excited to roll out a new Advisory system starting the week we return from Thanksgiving Break. This system will allow students who are not in required intervention groups to rotate between different teachers each week during Advisory. This flexible approach enables teachers to offer focused support, such as test re-takes, re-teaching, and tutoring to students who need extra assistance. We believe this system will further enhance our commitment to personalized support for all learners. 

As the temperatures drop, we remind families to ensure students dress appropriately for the colder weather. Outdoor recess continues throughout the year and is only canceled during cold/wind advisories or precipitation. Please encourage your child to wear warm clothing, including coats, hats, and gloves. Lightweight pajamas or onesies are not ideal for school-based activities or cold weather, and students should wear hard-soled shoes to school for safety. House slippers or soft-soled shoes are not suitable and can lead to injury or frostbite in wet or snowy conditions. 

If your child needs assistance obtaining coats or winter clothing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Social Worker, Ms. Ali Smith, for support. We are here to help! 

Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving Break. Please note that the break begins on November 26th, and students return to school on December 2nd. I hope you enjoy this time with loved ones and come back rested and ready to learn!

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's success! 

Sincerely, 

R. Jones


Upcoming Events :

November 27, 28, 29- Holiday (Thanksgiving)- School Closed


Admin Team Information:

Revised

Checking Students out from school:

Families, remember that when coming to the school to pick up your student, an official photo ID must be presented to the Main Office staff. Please understand that this is for security purposes. Driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs are appropriate examples of official IDs.


Attendance Matters:

Regular school attendance is crucial for student success, and we are committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to learn and thrive. Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.  When students reach six (6) or more days absent from school they will be invited to attend our Attendance Recovery Program.  These are after-school sessions to make up for missed instructional time. This will help them stay on track with their coursework and avoid falling behind.  Student may also choose for other After-School Academic offerings, such as staying with a teacher, to make up for missed instructional time. 

Benefits of Attending After-School Sessions:

  • Catch up on missed classwork and assignments
  • Receive personalized assistance from teachers
  • Improve academic performance and understanding

Advanced Academics Spring Referral:

Parents interested in referring your student for the Spring Level IV Screening must submit a Level IV Referral form to Shawn English, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), by December 15, 2024. It may be helpful for you to complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in addition to your referral form.This can also be found on the page that is linked above. Once I receive the referral form, a request for work samples and ratings will be requested from your student’s current teachers. Then the information will be passed along to the screening committee. The screening committee will meet in the spring and make the appropriate recommendations for your student. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at srenglish@fcps.edu.


All Students Need to Register for After-School

Did you know that our 5 day a week after-school program (LJ After Hours) is totally free, and includes a free snack supper, and late buses on Monday-Thursday??  There are over 40 clubs, activities and intramural sports to choose from each week.  All you need to do in order to access this fantastic program is complete the online registration/parental permission form.  We need a form for any student who stays after school for any reason... even if it's just to re-take a test with a teacher.  Parents who have NOT completed the form will get a reminder email from Mr. Hoffert, with the link to the form included.  It takes just a few minutes to fill it out... you just need your student's ID number in order to complete it.

Currently, only 33.5% of students who have attended after-school so far this year have a completed registration form on file.  Please help!

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE AFTER SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM


After-School on Fridays?

logo

Yes! That's a thing!

We are excited to offer two new activities on FRIDAYS this fall, starting on September 20th through December 13th (skipping Oct 4, Nov 1, and Nov 29 because of school holidays).

Both activities will meet from 2:35-3:35pm, and we will offer study hall and/or open gym for students until the parent pickup deadline (4:00pm).

No late buses are available on Fridays.

 

Magnus Chess Academy

Magnus Chess Academy has been teaching chess in Fairfax County since 2008. Over that time period we've taught more than 30,000 students in after school clubs, before school clubs, and camps. They include kids who've won seventeen state championships and four national championships, but most of our students are beginners looking to learn a fun new game. That's how all the champions start out too!

Super Sleuths (Crime Scene Investigators)

Get out your magnifying glasses and detective hats; we have clues to decipher and crimes to solve! We’ll put our critical thinking skills and STEM knowledge to the test and get to the bottom of mysteries by learning the tricks real investigators use to solve cases. While experimenting with simple detection techniques, your reasoning skills will grow, and your problem-solving skills will be on par with real CSI Agents!

 

-->COMING IN JANUARY<--

Group Guitar Class

Whether you're a regular John Mayer, or you can't remember if a guitar has 4 or 6 strings, this is your chance to start learning or sharpen the face-melting skills you already have.  Fridays, after school, starting in January.  We'll provide the guitar (there's a $20 rental fee... talk to Mr. Hoffert if that's an issue).

January 17-March 21 (10 weeks)

 

Each activity has room for a max of 20 students, so sign up today!

Students must register separately for these two Friday activities, using the form below.

FRIDAY ACTIVITY REGISTRATION


From Theatre Arts:

LJMS Drama presents, Aesop Live!, a funny comedy that twists old fables into a fun-filled evening for audiences of all ages! Please come and support the over 100 students who have been working both on and offstage to create the world of Aesop with all its silly animals, zany gods and people who just cannot get things right! Tickets available online now for only $5 ($6 at the door). There will also be tickets available during all lunches the week before the show. Bring your family and friends and come and have some fun! Doors open ½ hour before curtain. Show dates are Thursday, Nov 21, Friday Nov 22 & Saturday, Nov 23rd. Flowers are available to purchase for your favorite cast & crew.

Aesop Live! Ticket Link

Drama


Good things to know:

When students need to miss school, it is important for parents/guardians to communicate those absences with the school.  This can be done by calling the attendance phone line at 703-204-8282. 

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that support can be provided if needed. Also, keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!