The Jaguar Journal
January 2026
Email: jamessales@fpschools.org
Website: jamessales.fpschools.org
Location: 1301 113th St S, Tacoma, WA, USA
Phone: 253-298-4200
FAX: 253-298-4215
December 22 - January 2 ~ NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
January 5 ~ First day back at school - Happy New Year! - FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
January 7 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
January 8 ~ Lindquist dental screening day
January 10 ~ Adventure Club - 4th and 5th grade students and parents - Mima Mounds Loop
January 14 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
January 15 ~ Treat money due by 9 AM
January 16 ~ Treat Friday - Fruit Snacks
January 19 ~ NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 21 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
January 21 ~ 2nd & 3rd grades performing - Martin Luther King Jr. concert
January 22 ~ Treat money due by 9 AM
January 23 ~ Treat Friday - Popcorn
January 26 ~ NO SCHOOL - Teacher Training Day
January 28 ~ EARLY RELEASE - 1:55
January 29 ~ Treat money due by 9 AM
January 30 ~ Treat Friday - Fruit Snacks
Hello James Sales Families,
Happy New Year! 2026 will be a great year for our James Sales Jaguars! We will hit the ground running as soon as we return.
We were busy benchmark testing all students in December. Reports for both reading and math progress were sent home with all students tested showing the growth they have made so far this year. Please take a minute to review that with your child and ask them about the testing. We greatly appreciate your continued support with reading and practicing math facts at home each night with your child. This practice will help them to continue to progress throughout the school year.
We enjoy collaborating with you in educating your children. Thank you for your help and support as we continue the school year.
Sincerely,
Brandy Nelson
Principal
As the weather becomes colder, it is important that you have a plan for emergency school closures and limited or delayed bus runs. School may be delayed or canceled in the case of bad weather or an emergency. The choice to delay or cancel the start of a school day includes assessing road conditions and consulting with other local services. Franklin Pierce Schools will attempt to offer updates about delays and closures by 5am.
"School Closed" means that all schools will be closed for that one day only. All school related activities will be canceled. If schools close early, parents are asked to make arrangements for their child's care.
"Late Start" means that all schools will start late and transportation will be delayed by the amount of time specified for that one day only. Breakfast will not be served on late start days. School related activities may or may not be altered.
Staff and families can expect to receive information about school closures and delays in the following ways:
· Recorded phone message - contact the main office at your child's school to ensure your contact information is up-to-date
· SMS message via ParentSquare
· Email from ParentSquare
· Notification via the ParentSquare app (if downloaded)
· Visit: www.fpschools.org
· Visit: Social Media: Facebook and Instagram
If you are experiencing issues with receiving Parent Square alerts or messages, please email aprice@fpschools.org.
If you are struggling to feed your family, you can check for availability of food resources on this district webpage . The district will update the webpage as they learn of more resources. Also, Emergency Food Network’s website is also a great resource as EFN supports over 75 food pantries in the county.
Our James Sales Junior Adventure Club for 4th and 5th graders and their parents is ready to hike! Once a month these students will have the opportunity to go on an adventure somewhere in the Puget Sound area. Each student must be accompanied by a parent/guardian/relative. Any adult attending the adventures must be cleared as a volunteer. Access the volunteer application here! Please allow plenty of time for your application to be processed. It can take up to two weeks to be approved so do it as soon as possible.
Our next Adventure Club outing will be hiking the Mima Mounds on Saturday, January 10th. The bus will leave James Sales at 9 AM and return at around 3 PM. Wear sturdy hiking boots/shoes (no crocs) and wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Bring a water bottle, and snacks in a backpack. Make sure your permission slips are turned in right away!
If you wish to give permission or decline permission for your child to be included in pictures for publication in our newsletter, in our James Sales social media, and on our website you can indicate your wishes by going to this form. If you give your permission for your child to appear in pictures, we can include them in photos from Adventure Club trips, activities at school and on field trips, etc. You can access the form here.
From the Health Room
Please make sure your child comes to school dressed for the weather! Students are outside every day for recess and need warm jackets, hats, and proper footwear. It is getting cold and wet outside and we want our students coming back to class refreshed and ready to learn, not damp and shivering for the remainder of the day.
It is a good idea for younger students to bring a change of clothes in their backpacks just in case of a bathroom accident or a particularly wet day outside. Put the clothing in a plastic bag into their backpack, then when the clothing is needed, they can put the wet clothing into the plastic bag and bring it home to be laundered. If we have lent your child clothes, please wash them and return them to the health room so we can use them for the next child in need. Thank you!
2nd and 3rd Grades Performance
Attendance Matters
We enjoy treat Fridays each week at James Sales. Treats alternate between fruit snacks and popcorn. See calendar attached to this newsletter to see which treat is offered on which Friday.
We will resume Treat Fridays on January 15 (for the money collection) and 16 (for the treats). You may once again pre-pay for 10 weeks by sending $5 with your student any time by January 15 at 9 AM. Otherwise you can pay 50¢ weekly on Thursdays by 9 AM.
- Treats are 50¢ each week (exact change only)
- One treat per student may be purchased each week.
- Treat money must be turned in to teachers by 9 AM on the Thursday before Treat Friday! Late money will not be accepted.
- Parent volunteers to help with treat Fridays are needed. Please contact Mrs. Nelson (bnelson@fpschools.org) if you are interested in volunteering an hour or so each week.
Tobacco, Drugs, Alcohol, and Weapons
Federal and State law requires public school campuses to be tobacco, alcohol, drug, and weapn free. This includes e-cigarettes/vapes and is true for anyone on school property. Thank you for setting this example for our students.
Please remind your child that students cannot have any object at school that can reasonably be considered a weapon or instrument that can create a danger to self or others, or cause a disruption of the learning environment. Consequences can be short-term suspension, long-term suspension, or expulsion and may require a referral to the Pierce County Sheriff. We appreciate your partnership in keeping everyone safe. If your child sees or hears anything regarding weapons, drugs or alcohol at school, it is important that they immediately report this to an adult at school.
Please read these important reminders from the office!
- If you need to come into the building, please press the intercom button on your right as you look at the front door. This will enable the office to see you and to buzz you into the entry if needed.
- Please notify the office of any changes in the way your child will go home at the end of the day. We need this information before 2:45 so we have time to get a note to the teacher.
- Call the office (253-298-4200) if your child will be absent. If they have an appointment, please ask the doctor, dentist, counselor, etc. for a note for school. Offices that treat children are accustomed to giving notes to students for excuses! Tardies and leaving school early shows on your child's attendance record. Please make appointments outside of school hours when possible.
- If you need to take your child out of school before the end of the school day, please come before 2:45 so we can easily locate your child and you won't be stuck in the end-of-the-day pick-up line! You will need to sign your child out and wait for them to come from their classroom, so allow plenty of time.
- If your phone number, email address, or home address changes, please let us know so we have the most up-to-date contact information for you. If students become ill, or otherwise need your help, we need a way to contact you! Thank you.
Each trimester our students have the opportunity to earn a special treat reward for meeting the following goals:
- Behavior - One or fewer Write -ups
- Attendance - Three or fewer absences and/or tardies
We hope all of our Jaguars will be able to meet these goals!
We anticipate the need for volunteers for field trips and other occasions. If you are interested in volunteering as a chaperone for field trips or in any other capacity that may come up, please complete the volunteer application as soon as possible. It may take two weeks or more to process an application and we don't want you to be left out of a volunteer opportunity because you are not approved yet! Click here to begin your volunteer application. If you need assistance with your application please come to the office, call 253-298-4200, or email Linda Morrison - limorrison@fpschools.org .
James Sales houses a before and after school care program on-site for our students. The care is provided by Right at School. Right at School provides a safe environment to learn, to play, and to grow. Click here for more information and to register.
Franklin Pierce Schools has a resource center for our families. You will find information and help for all sorts of situations and needs - food, diapers, formula, community referrals, and more. Click here to access the Family Resource Center website.
