November 2026 Updates

Dear Jackson Families,

November is here, bringing cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, and plenty of rainy Pacific Northwest weather! As we settle into the rhythm of the school year, it has been wonderful to see our students learning, growing, and making our new school feel more and more like home. We have so much to celebrate as we head into this season of gratitude, and I want to take a moment to share some highlights, reminders, and appreciation for our Jackson community.

First, a huge thank you to our amazing Jackson PTA for organizing another fantastic Trunk or Treat event! We had a terrific turnout down the hill at Sequoia High School last Friday: creative decorations and costumes on display, and lots of happy students and families enjoying the evening together. Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a success! We also had a wonderful time celebrating Storybook Character Dress-Up Day, and I want to thank our PTA, students, and families for showing such great school spirit and creativity. It was fun seeing so many favorite book characters come to life throughout our school! Finally, thank you to all the families who participated in our fall parent-teacher conferences. We had excellent participation, and I hope you came away with a clear picture of the learning happening at Jackson, the progress your child is making, and the exciting opportunities ahead. These conversations are an important part of our partnership in supporting every student.

Next week, we look forward to honoring the men and women who have served our country during our Veteran's Day assembly. Families are reminded that you can still submit the names of veterans you would like us to recognize as part of this special event. We are proud to help our students learn about service, sacrifice, and gratitude while recognizing the veterans who are part of our extended Jackson community. There will be no school on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veteran's Day.

As our weather turns colder and wetter, please help your children come to school prepared for outdoor recess. Warm jackets, hats, and gloves make a big difference in keeping students comfortable and ready to enjoy their time outside. We also have some great news to share: our covered play area is officially back open for business! Thanks to the quick work of our construction partner, Cornerstone, students once again have access to this important play space. We appreciate their responsiveness in getting it ready for our students. If your family needs assistance getting warm coats, hats, gloves, or other winter clothing, please don't hesitate to contact our school office. We are happy to help!

I also want to continue emphasizing the importance of daily, on-time attendance. Right now, we are averaging approximately 90% daily attendance schoolwide. While that means the great majority of our students are here each day, it also means that, on average, about one out of every ten students is missing school on a given day. Every day of learning matters! When students attend regularly and arrive on time, they benefit from the full instructional day, build strong relationships with classmates and teachers, and develop routines that support their success. I encourage every family to take a moment to reflect on how the school year is going so far. What routines are working well to get your children to school each morning? Are there small adjustments to bedtime, morning preparations, transportation, or other family routines that could help strengthen attendance and punctuality? Of course, children should stay home when they are sick, and we understand that occasional absences are unavoidable. Our goal is to work together to make being at school, on time, every day they are well a consistent priority. If attendance has been challenging for your family, please reach out. We are here to help problem-solve and provide support.

As we enter this season of thankfulness, I want to close by sharing how grateful I am for the Jackson community. Opening a brand-new school has brought tremendous excitement, along with plenty of adjustments and unexpected challenges. Throughout it all, our families, staff, students, and community partners have demonstrated patience, flexibility, kindness, and a shared commitment to making Jackson a wonderful place for children. It is a privilege to serve as your principal, and I am thankful for the trust you place in our school each day. We are writing a wonderful new chapter in Jackson's story together, and I couldn't be more excited about what lies ahead.

With gratitude,

Darren Larama
Principal, Jackson Elementary

Jackson ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) is a FREE preschool program for three- and four- year-old children from families with limited income. It prepares children for kindergarten and provides family support and health and nutrition services. ECEAP in funded in partnership with Snohomish County Human Services and DCYF.

We have two full-day ECEAP classrooms at Jackson! For more information or to apply, call 425-385-5638, email eceap@everettsd.org, or stop by the Jackson main office.

Nov 2 - 6: Book Fair

Nov 6: Early Release (1:00 p.m.)

Nov 10: Student Only Veterans Day Assembly

Nov 11: NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day

Nov 12: School Picture Re-Take Day

Nov 12: Title I Parent Information Night, 5:00 p.m.

Nov 12: PTA Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Nov 13: LIF Release, 2:15 p.m.

Nov 18: Wear Purple! Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Nov 20: LIF Release, 2:15 p.m.

Nov 23: Thanksgiving Basket Donations Due

Nov 25 - 27: NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break

📚🍁 November Library News

Jackson Elementary | November 2026

Celebrating Gratitude, Kindness, Leadership, and the Joy of Reading!

🧡🍂 Our Jackson Gratitude Jar

November is a wonderful time to reflect on all the things we are thankful for!

This month, we are starting a Jackson Gratitude Jar in the library! Students will have the opportunity to write a note sharing something they are grateful for and place it in our jar.

Each school day, we will select one or two notes to share during our morning announcements over the loudspeaker. What a wonderful way to spread kindness, positivity, and appreciation throughout Jackson!

We can't wait to hear all the wonderful things our students are thankful for! ❤️

📖🌟 Sasquatch Reading Challenge Begins!

Calling all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade readers!

Our 2026–2027 Sasquatch Reading Challenge is kicking off this November!

Students are invited to explore the ten books nominated for the 2027 Sasquatch Reading Award. This challenge is all about discovering new books, exploring different genres, setting personal reading goals, and finding joy in reading!

All reading counts! Whether students read independently, read with a family member, listen to someone read aloud, or enjoy an audiobook, every reading experience matters.

Families, watch for a special ParentSquare announcement with the complete book list, reading logs, and challenge details!

🌟❤️ Student Leaders Making a Difference!

Our fifth grade Student Leadership students have been working hard to make Jackson an even better place!

As part of our school's Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) efforts, our Student Leaders have been preparing and presenting lessons to younger classrooms about cafeteria expectations.

Through student-led activities, discussions, and demonstrations, they are helping their fellow students learn how to take responsibility for keeping our cafeteria clean, safe, and welcoming.

We are so proud of our Student Leaders for stepping outside their comfort zones, practicing public speaking, and being positive role models for our school community!

🍂📚 Keep Reading Over Thanksgiving Break!

Thanksgiving break is a wonderful opportunity to slow down and enjoy a good book together!

Whether your family reads a bedtime story, listens to an audiobook in the car, visits the public library, or spends a cozy afternoon reading, every reading experience helps build a lifelong love of books!

Try this family conversation starter:

What is one book or story you are thankful for, and why?

Sometimes the best memories are made when we share a story together. ❤️

🍁 Happy November and Happy Reading! 📚

Mrs. Gay
Jackson Elementary Library

DUE TO CONSTRUCTION LIMITATIONS,

WE WILL NOT BE HOSTING IN PERSON VETERANS THIS YEAR.

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM TO SUBMIT A PHOTO AND NARRATIVE SO WE

MAY STILL HONOR THEM DURING OUR STUDENT ONLY ASSEMBLY.

Retake Day Information

November 12, 2026

Here is who should go to the camera on retake day:

• Any student that was absent on the original picture day
• Any new students who have not been photographed
• Students wanting a retake photo. If a student ordered a package and wants a new photo please have them return the original package to the photographer on retake day.

Title I Parent Information Night

What is Title I?

Why is it important?

What supports are available?

Other questions?

November 12, 2026

5:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Right before the PTA Meeting at 5:30 p.m.

JAE Library

This event is for parents of grades K through 5

Jackson Elementary joins Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Nov. 18th. Students will honor Ruby’s courage through a walk through the hallways and talk about how they can make a difference in our school and community.

When Ruby was six, her first steps into William Frantz Elementary School helped change history. Her story reminds our students that they, too, have a voice.

Learn more: https://RubyBridges.foundation

#RubyBridgesWalkToSchoolDay

Thanksgiving Baskets - Due Monday November 23

Dear Jackson Families, we are accepting donations to fill Thanksgiving baskets to donate to ten Jackson families in need. Items can be dropped off at the front office by Monday, November 23rd.

Shelf Stable (Canned) Items to donate by class:

Kindergarten: Crispy Onion Toppers and Mac & Cheese

1st Grade: Corn and French Onion Soup

2nd Grade: Green Beans and Corn Bread Mix

3rd Grade: Cranberry Sauce and Stuffing Mix

4th Grade: Yams/Sweet Potatoes and Instant Potatoes

5th Grade: Turkey Gravy and Canned Pumpkin

Staff: Pies and Festive Paper Products

Holiday Shop - Wednesday, December 16 - All Day

Volunteers needed to help make this event a success! Every single Jackson Student gets to shop for 4 gifts that will be wrapped to bring home for the holidays. That means we need a lot of hands on deck to help wrap these presents!

Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A48ABAE2FA4F94-45853557-holiday#/ and email JacksonPTAEmail@gmail.com with any questions.

Want to help, but can't volunteer? Donations can be brought into the front office, or sent in with your student. We also need supplies for gift wrapping like scotch tape, wrapping paper, and gift bags. Any help is much appreciated!

Gift Donation Suggestions:

Adult Women/Men: Picture frames, housewares, jewelry, coffee mugs/tumblers, tools, gardening accessories, scarves, hats, home decor

Teen Girls/Boys: Hair & nail products, sports equipment, board games, earbuds, journals, makeup, sunglasses, hates, gloves, scarves, jackets

Elementary Girls/Boys: Sports equipment, activity books, toys, new stuffed animals, stickers, puzzles, hats, gloves, scarves, jackets

Infant/Toddlers: Onesies, pacifiers, teething toys, musical toys, blankets

Everett Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Officer and ADA Coordinator, Shawn Bryant, 425-385-4117, SBryant@everettsd.org; Section 504 Coordinator, Dave Peters, 425-385-4063, DPeters@everettsd.org; Gender-Inclusive Coordinator, Joi Odom Grant, 425-385-4137, JGrant@everettsd.org.