Jefferson Jewels

Welcome back and Happy 2026! January is a time for reflection and resetting, and I hope you had the chance to do both during the break. I am excited to see what the new year brings as we wrap up our first semester and transition into 2026!

January offers multiple opportunities for parents to actively participate, such as our new PTO, Parent Workshops, and the Parent Walk next Sunday, 1/11, at 9:00. Your involvement helps build a stronger school community, and I look forward to seeing you there.

This week, we are launching Minga as our campus system for hall passes. Minga has been used in most high schools in LBUSD to support positive campus environments. After learning about the positive impact on student learning and attendance, Jefferson has chosen to implement the system as well. Students will learn more about Minga in the next few weeks; however, many teachers started using the platform before the break and found it easy to navigate.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday when we return. Until then, have a safe and restful weekend!

In partnership,

Dr. Renée Shipman

Principal, Jefferson Leadership Academy

LBUSD Attendance Campaign: You Belong! Great parents know attendance matters. Help ensure your student comes to school every day so they can learn, grow, and feel connected.

Congratulations to Mrs. Van Dyck on being selected as one of 30 schools to receive a Music & Arts Grant! Mrs. Van Dyck's arts program was chosen for this award after careful consideration of nearly 400 applications. California Casualty has designated 30 schools in seven states as 2025 Music and Arts Grant awardees. Congratulations to Mrs. Van Dyck and the students who will benefit from this grant!

* Students who arrive to school without uniform will be changed into school uniform. Students may call family members to bring uniform items or they will be provided clothes for the day. Students MUST return loaner clothing at the end of the day to be laundered.

If your student does not have device to assist with homework, please click the button below and fill out the form to request a Chromebook. Once you have completed the form, we will order the Chromebooks and deliver them to your students 6th period class as soon as the Chromebooks arrive.

Si su estudiante no tiene un Chromebook para ayudarle con las tareas, haga clic en el botón de abajo y rellene el formulario para solicitar un Chromebook. Cuando haya completado el formulario, pediremos los Chromebooks y los entregaremos a su estudiante en la clase del sexto periodo tan pronto como lleguen.

As we plan for an AMAZING 8th Grade year at Jefferson, we are also thinking ahead to the many ways we celebrate our 8th graders for all of their accomplishments! This year we will be offering 8th Grade Packages to bundle and save on all of the fun and celebrations for our 8th grade students. Package items and activities can be purchased separately or bundled together to save. Please scan the QR code above or click on the link found HERE to order a package or individual items and activities. To make a CASH purchase, visit the banker on Tues./Thur. or the front office Mon.- Fri. We are now accepting VENMO, which can be accepted through the form at anytime!

Dr. Renée Shipman

Principal

Jefferson Leadership Academy

750 Euclid Avenue, Long Beach, Ca.90804

Email: RShipman@lbschools.net

Pronouns: she/her/hers