Dolphin Update

For Translation...

Click on "Translate Newsletter" and select language of choice to translate letter.

*Arriba de esta pagina haga click "Translate Newsletter" y seleccione el idioma "SPANISH"*

*Nhấp vào "dịch Newsletter " và chọn ngôn ngữ của sự lựa chọn để dịch thư "VIETNAMESE"*

*انقر فوق "ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية" وحدد اللغة التي تختارها لترجمة الرسالة. "ARABIC"*

Thank you to all of our amazing families who joined us for our Peace, Love, and Kindness March. Your presence made the day even more meaningful for our students and showed them the power of community.

As we honor Black History Month, we recognize the deep connection to the American Civil Rights Movement, a time when individuals and communities stood together, marched together, and used their voices to advocate for justice, equity, and opportunity for all. Leaders like Ella Baker, Shirley Chisholm, and John Lewis showed us that when people come together peacefully and purposefully, change is possible.

While history gives us powerful examples, we also see today that people continue to peacefully march and advocate for the causes and values they believe in. These moments remind us that collective voices and actions can create meaningful change.

Our students experienced what it feels like to stand together for something positive, spreading messages of peace, love, and kindness throughout our community. Thank you for walking alongside us, for helping create signs, for cheering on our students, and for modeling the very values we strive to teach each day.

Together, we are showing our children that their voices matter and that when we lead with kindness, we make a difference.

At Jones Elementary, we believe that data is one of the most important tools we use to support student learning. Data helps us monitor student growth over time and plan instructional next steps based directly on individual and grade-level needs. It allows us to celebrate progress, identify areas for additional support, and ensure every child is moving forward on their learning journey.

Each grade level’s standards serve as a roadmap for learning across the school year. The formative assessments students take along the way help teachers adjust instruction in real time, while summative assessments provide broader checkpoints to measure progress toward those standards. Together, these assessments guide our instructional decisions and help us respond intentionally to student needs.

Our January Data Review provides a high-level look at our districtwide assessment results from the Beginning of Year (BOY) and Middle of Year (MOY) windows. This year, both i-Ready and mCLASS DIBELS are new assessment tools for us. Now that we have multiple data points, we are better able to utilize the data as a flashlight, illuminating areas of growth and helping us capitalize on opportunities for continued improvement.

Here is a brief overview of the assessments:

• Grades K–2 take the mCLASS DIBELS Reading assessment.

• Grades 3–5 take the i-Ready Reading assessment.

• Grades 1–5 take the i-Ready Math assessment.

The January Data Review document below is organized to show districtwide scores first, followed by Kearny Cluster scores, and then our Jones Elementary results. This layered view helps us understand how our students are performing within the broader district context while staying focused on the specific needs of our school community.

Most importantly, assessment data is not about labels, it is about learning. It gives us insight, direction, and clarity. We remain committed to using data thoughtfully and strategically to ensure every student continues to grow academically and confidently.

During our Spring Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences, March 23–27, you will have the opportunity to engage in a more in-depth conversation about how your child is growing as a learner, academically, socially, and developmentally. Teachers will share specific data points, classroom observations, and examples of student work to help you clearly understand your child’s progress and next steps. We will also participate in one final districtwide assessment window in March/April, which will provide End of Year (EOY) data. This final data point will help us measure overall growth across the year and reflect on the impact of our instructional efforts, ensuring we finish the year strong.

Sandi Coast Cafe will offer take-home meals to San Diego Unified students fasting during Ramadan to promote nutrition security, health equity, and to ensure children have access to the nutrition they need.

Meals (breakfast & lunch) will be available for pickup at the end of each school day. We will determine the meal pickup location based on volume of requests and available space after we get more information about how many families are interested in this.

The initiative will be effective February 17 through March 19, 2026.

• Interested families complete a request form and turn in to our front office. These forms are also available in our office if needed.

• Link to Ramadan Menus and Forms

February

26 - School Day (as originally scheduled)

26 - VAPA Rotation #5

27 - Achievement Awards

27 - 5th Grade Field Trip: University of San Diego

March

2-6 - Literacy Week

2 - Spring Picture Day

6 - Family Workshop: STEAM/Literacy

6 - Extra Minimum Day: (TK-5th Dismissal @ 11:40/11:50 am)

9 - No School: Non-Instructional Day (as originally scheduled)

10 - La Jolla Playhouse Production of ¡Colorín, Colorado at Jones for 3rd-5th Grade

10 - SGT/SSC - Virtual

12 - PTA Jog-A-Thon

14 - PTA Spirit Wear Swap

20 - Cup O Collaboration: Coffee & PTA Association Meeting

20 - Leadership Spotlight Ceremony - Habit #6

23-27 - Conferences: Minimum Days ALL Week (TK-5th Dismissal @ 11:40/11:50 am)

30 - April 3 - No School: Spring Break

April

6 - School Resumes

9 - VAPA Rotation #6

17 - Military Appreciation

23 - Spring Showcase of Learning (Evening Event)

24 - Leadership Spotlight Ceremony Habit #7

27 - SGT/SSC

May

4 - 4th/5th Grade Spring Music Concert

4 - 8 - 3rd-5th Grade State Testing

11 - 15 - Scholastic Book Fair

15 - Achievement Awards

18 - SGT/SSC

25 - No School: Memorial Day

27 - 5th Grade Promotion

28 - Last Day of School - Minimum Day (TK-5th Dismissal @ 11:40/11:50 am)

The Jones PTA plays a crucial role in fostering strong family engagement at Jones Elementary. By organizing activities that bring families, students, and staff together, the PTA helps grow a stronger sense of belonging within our school community. These events not only strengthen relationships but also empower families to be active participants in their children's education, enhancing student success and building a supportive, collaborative school environment. Thank you for the leadership of our PTA Executive Board members, the volunteers that plan and execute PTA events, and all of you who participate! Check out what our PTA is up to...

Did you know that just 15 minutes of reading each day can make a world of difference in your child’s learning journey? Whether you are reading to your child, reading together, or listening to them read aloud, it all counts and it all matters!

Reading at home builds more than just literacy skills. It strengthens vocabulary, improves comprehension, and develops a lifelong love of learning. In fact, children who are read to daily are exposed to 1.4 million more words by the time they start school than children who are not. That kind of language exposure lays a strong foundation for both academic success and confident communication.

Just as importantly, books also help children grow socially by allowing them to step into other people’s experiences, see the world from different perspectives and practice empathy and kindness. Stories have the power to spark cultural awareness, build understanding and nurture the skills that help our students become not only successful learners, but also compassionate human beings.

Here are a few ways to make reading a special part of your routine:

• Choose a cozy time and space to read together

• Let your child pick the book (even if it’s the same one again!)

• Ask questions about the story to boost comprehension

• Model a love for reading by enjoying your own book nearby

The best part, your family has access to an endless amount of books through the internet and the Public Library. Looking for something new to read? Check out the links below for inspiration...

We love celebrating our neighborhood schools and staying connected to the exciting things happening just down the road. Click the link below to see what has been going on at Taft Middle School. It’s a great way to learn about their events, programs, and all the opportunities our students will enjoy when they move on to middle school!

Here is a link to the San Diego Unified Food Services Website where you can find allergy and nutritional information on foods served at schools. Foods not found on our regular school site menu will be listed individually under the "Alternate Menu Items" section.

If you ever have general questions about the food services at school sites you can reach out to foodandnutritionservices@sandi.net. To connect directly with the Jones Cafe Manager you can email Elena Nieto at enieto@sandi.net.

Click on the clink below to find the most current breakfast and lunch menus...

Did you have fun at the Fall Festival? Has your child grown academically, socially, and as a leader? Has Jones helped foster a love of the arts? Has a Jones educator made a meaningful impact on your child or family? Have you built friendships and community through the families you’ve met at Jones?

We know you have choices when it comes to your child’s education and we are so grateful you have chosen Jones Elementary! Whether Jones is your neighborhood school or one you chose through the district's Choice Program, your story matters.

As prospective families explore schools on GreatSchools.org, we want them to hear directly from the people who know Jones best... you! Please take a few minutes to share what makes our school special and why you are proud to be part of the Jones community.

💙 Link to GreatSchools.org – Jones Elementary

Our mission is to ensure ALL students meet or exceed grade level expectations through rigorous, high-quality, standards based instruction in a safe, nurturing, collaborative learning environment where all students are preparing to be global citizens, college and career ready.

Check out our school website for PeachJar Flyers, Counseling Resources, Family Handbook, Staff Contact Lists, After School Programs, Enrollment Information and so much more!

Email: contact@sandi.net
Website: https://jones.sandiegounified.org/
Location: 2751 Greyling Drive, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (619) 605-8800
Facebook: facebook.com/JonesElementary
Instagram: @jonesdolphins

Our Parent Teacher Association works with Jones Elementary to provide programs and support to benefit the students, their families, teachers, school administration and the community. Run entirely by volunteers, the PTA raises money to support enrichment programs, program instructors, educational assemblies and field trips, family events, and special classroom supplies.

As always, we need your membership, support and ability to volunteer. You can become a member using Totem, a respected membership management service. Please contact us with other thoughts on how we are doing, and your ideas on how you can become involved. We look forward to hearing from you.

Email: jonesdolphinspta@gmail.com
Website: https://jpjonespta.org/
Location: 2751 Greyling Drive, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (619)605-8800