Jefferson Jewels

Thank you to the families who joined us for Lunch with a Loved One on Friday! This is one of our favorite ways to celebrate community at JLA, and it provides an excellent opportunity to connect students, families, and staff during the day. I hope you enjoyed the beautiful quad, the lovely weather, and the great company. Our next Lunch with a Loved One will be in the spring, and we hope to see you there!

With November comes our next sports season. This week begins our Boys Basketball season with an away game on Tuesday and a home game on Thursday. We will also see our Girls' Track Team on Wilson's field on Saturday for the practice meet. I hope to see you cheering on our student- athletes.

This week we are in full 8th grade School of Choice. 8th grade students are learning about High Schools, pathways, and the application process. Our high schools are hosting Site Nights across the district, and Mrs. Carrington will continue to host parent workshops on the SOC process at JLA. Please review all the details below.

Last week, I received several calls from concerned community members about student behavior after school. Our neighbors are reporting students vandalizing their property and using inappropriate language after school. Students are responsible for their actions when leaving campus. Please remind your child of your expectations for their behavior after school. They will have consequences for trespassing or damaging private property, which may include local law enforcement. Your partnership in setting positive behavior expectations for students is appreciated.

Finally, this Wednesday, we will observe Veterans Day. Please note that there will be no school on November 11, 2026, as JLA will be closed. Thank you to all who serve in our military branches.

In partnership,

Dr. Renée Shipman

Principal, Jefferson Leadership Academy

This week we will be completing an emergency preparedness fire drill. During 2nd period, all students will practice evacuating to the field under the direction of the classroom teacher. This process helps us to be prepared in the case of an actual emergency. Please remind your JLA student of the importance of remaining calm, listening to directions, and staying quiet during safety procedures. We appreciate your support.

JLA families, help your student set up their fundraiser to raise money for our end-of-year activities! The more we raise, the more opportunities we’ll have to celebrate our students’ accomplishments and make lasting memories together.

• 🍔 A little friendly competition makes it even more fun! The student who raises the most money in each grade level will receive an In-N-Out lunch delivered to them at school!
• Ready to get started? Click the link below for your student’s grade level and follow the easy steps to set up their fundraiser.

Thank you for helping make this fundraiser—and our end-of-year celebrations—a success for our Jaguars! 🐾

School of Choice is an LBUSD process that gives 8th grade students and families the opportunity to explore the 11 high schools throughout the district and determine which high school and pathway program aligns with their interests, strengths and future goals. The online application for families opens November 3rd and closes December 11th. So students can have as much information to make an informed decision, please see the flyer for School of Choice Site Nights at the individual high schools.

We know there are times when you need to pick up your child early. You can do this before or after their scheduled lunch period. If your child is at lunch, we are not able to release them quickly from the lunch area. Picking up your child before or after lunch will help you leave JLA without delay.

For school information, please use one of our many forms of communication. Visit and favorite/bookmark the Jefferson Leadership Academy Website https://jefferson.lbschools.net/ and follow our Instagram page @lbjefferson_jags.

Dr. Renée Shipman

Principal

Jefferson Leadership Academy

750 Euclid Avenue, Long Beach, Ca.90804

Email: RShipman@lbschools.net

Pronouns: she/her/hers