Jackson Jottings

In order to align practices with other elementary schools in Shakopee and improve our safety practices for family drop off and pick up, we are changing our protocol for those families dropping and picking up their student by car.

• All morning drop offs will be directly from cars in the designated lane illustrated on the map – once pulled up to the designated area, students will exit the car and walk into school.
• Cars in line may not be left unattended.
• Family members will no longer be able to park in the parking lot and walk the students to the front door.
• After school, family members will no longer be able to park in the parking lot and walk to the school to pick up their student.
• Each family will be provided with a sign with the student’s name and teacher to display in the passenger side window for pickup after school.
• Signs will be available at the Connect and Assess appointments through the office.
• Once your car is pulled into the pickup lane with sign displayed, students will be called out by radio to meet you in your car.
• Once you have your student(s), you are able to pull out of the line and leave as identified on the map.
• Cars in line should pull forward as spaces open but may not pull around other cars to fill empty spaces.
• If you do not have the sign, please park in the lot and come into the office, and we will make one for you.
• If picking up students early from school for appointments, families will still use the parking lot and walk into the school to get them.
• Walkers will continue to be dismissed as normal.

We realize this is a change and may take time to efficiently implement, but our hope is that it will foster a safer and more peaceful process. Please be patient as we work on making this change work well. There will be staff outside to help direct as we get used to the new process.

The Shakopee Public Schools Board approved the adjustment of school start and end times beginning Fall 2026 to accommodate changes to the student learning day.

Jackson Elementary - 9:00 AM - 3:50 PM

Students can not be dropped off before 8:50 AM.

If you are making a change to your student's dismissal, please contact the office no later than 3:15 pm.

Consistent school attendance is foundational to a student's overall success. Shakopee Public Schools is dedicated to partnering with families to ensure all students have the opportunity to fully participate in their education and maximize student learning outcomes.

This below guide includes attendance resources that are also listed in each school’s online handbook. Together, we can cultivate a supportive environment that prioritizes daily school attendance, empowering each and every student to reach their greatest potential.

Online Attendance Submission: Families can also enter absences into Infinite Campus.

Jackson Attendance Line: 952-496-5802

• If you will be changing how your child is getting home at the end of the day, please call the main office before 2:30 pm.

At Shakopee Schools, we are committed to helping every student succeed by providing the support they need to thrive academically. One way we do this is through a daily instructional block called WIN Time, which stands for “What I Need” time.

What is WIN Time?
WIN Time is a dedicated period during the school day when students receive targeted literacy instruction based on their individual needs. This may include enrichment opportunities, additional practice, small group support, English Language Development, reading intervention, or IEP services. The goal is to ensure that all students get exactly what they need to grow; whether it’s extra support or an added challenge.

How does it work?
Students are grouped flexibly based on assessment data, classroom performance, and teacher observations. These groups will change throughout the year as students’ needs change. Instruction during WIN Time is purposeful, focused, and aligned with grade-level goals and standards.

You may hear your child talking about different teachers, groups, or activities during this time—that’s a great sign that they’re receiving instruction tailored to help them succeed.

Our Commitment to WIN Time

Teacher

• Assess needs and deliver targeted instruction

• Collaborate and communicate with stakeholders

• Meet regularly with students and document student progress over time

If you have any questions about WIN Time or how your child is supported during this period, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher directly.

• Please sign in through the main office.
• Please arrive five minutes early and have your driver's license with you.
• If you plan to eat lunch from the school, please bring exact change or a check. Adult lunch is $5.30. If your student's lunch account has money in it, you may also use that to purchase your food.
• You may bring a special meal for your student if you are joining them for lunch in the cafeteria.

Birthday Celebrations: Birthdays are a special milestone! To celebrate birthdays, each elementary school has its own unique traditions to celebrate and honor students on their special day; please connect with your teacher or front office team. Outside food and treats are not permitted for birthday celebrations (store-bought or homemade).

Food Delivery: Frequent food delivery by a family member for student consumption is not encouraged. Food delivery (i.e. delivery orders) for students is prohibited during school hours.

Students in grades 1st, 3rd, and 5th will be screened for hearing and vision concerns by the nurse and volunteers on 10/6/26 according to the Minnesota Department of Health recommendations. The Minnesota School Sealant Program will also screen students for urgent dental concerns. To decline the dental screening please complete the Opt-Out Form.

Greetings from the Art Department!

We hope everyone has had a great start to the school year!

We certainly have at Jackson! The 4th and 5th graders have been exploring ways to enhance their creativity. They are doing this by adding their own ideas to a masterpiece artwork. We are excited to display these works of art in the hallways during October and November. The 2nd and 3rd graders have been learning about the color wheel and intermediate colors. They are completing an intermediate color still life. The Kindergarteners and 1st graders have painted a color wheel and are now learning the order of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. They are creating a hot air balloon artwork and will be bringing it home soon.

K-2 Families: Please remember to send an ART SHIRT with your student if you have not already. An art shirt is just an old T-shirt that protects their clothing from getting messy.

Sincerely,

Mr. Olson

Tiffaney Breasch

Jackson Art Specialists

In September, students are getting back into the rhythm of music class! We’ll review how to keep a steady beat, learn how to properly play and care for our classroom instruments, and practice listening carefully to different instruments. Students will explore how instruments can sound alike and different.

Mrs. Kim will use Seesaw to share information and announcements about upcoming concerts for grades K, 1, 2, and 5. Please stay tuned for concert dates and details as each grade-level concert approaches. We’re looking forward to a wonderful year of music-making together!

Grade 5 Band - Look for a monthly band newsletter in SeeSaw from Mrs. Lake

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions:

Mrs. Kim: hkim@shakopee.k12.mn.us (K–2 and 5th Grade General Music)
Mrs. Peoples: speoples@shakopee.k12.mn.us (3rd–4th Grade General Music and 5th Grade Band)
Mrs. Lake: blake@shakopee.k12.mn.us (5th Grade Band, Go here first for band questions)
Ms. Atkins: aatkins@shakopee.k12.mn.us (K–2 and 5th Grade General Music (Cycle Day 3 only, quarter 1)

Mrs. Altringer: haltringer@shakopee.k12.mn.us QUARTERS 2-4 (K–2 and 5th Grade General Music (Cycle Day 3 only, quarters 2-4))

• 3rd Grade Orchestra Hall Field Trip, Wednesday, Oct. 28th

• 3rd Gr. Concert, Friday. Nov 13, 2:30 pm in the Jackson Gym

• 5th Gr. Native Pride field trip in the Shakopee High School Gym – Thurs. 11/19/26

• 2nd Gr. Concert, Friday, December 11th, 2:30 pm in the Jackson Gym

• 1st Gr. Concert, Thursday, March 18th, 2:30 pm in the Jackson Gym

• District Band Concert (grades 5, 8, & HS), Sat. Mar. 20th, 4 pm in the Shakopee High School Gym (rehearse at 3 pm)

• Kinder Concert, Thursday, April, 29th, 2027, 2:30 pm in the Jackson Gym

• 5th Gr. Band Concert, Tuesday, May 4th, 6:30 pm in the Shakopee West Middle School Auditorium

• 4th Gr Concert, in May, 2027.

• 5th Gr. Concert, Friday, May 28th, 2:30 pm in the Jackson Gym

All elementary schools in Shakopee have replaced Media classes with STEM classes! We were already doing STEM lessons in Media classes before. In order to make sure our students are prepared for the future, we opted to go for a very hands-on and engaging curriculum! If you are a parent or community member with STEM experience, we would love to welcome you with a visit to our classroom!

Please contact Gigi Hilgers, STEM specialist, using her email: ghilgers@shakopee.mn.us and let's connect regarding how you might share your career and how it connects to STEM!

Mackin VIA is our school’s e-book platform! Student can select from a wide variety of e-books. Download the app for free on any home device!

To log into Mackin VIA at any time:

User name: student number

Destiny is our Learning Commons book catalog. From home at any time, you can search for a book in our Learning Commons! It will tell you whether the book is checked in or out. To get to Destiny to search for a book or e-book, use this QR code:

This is a Link to The Learning Commons Resources!

• Destiny Catalog Search
• MackinVIA
• Virtual Student Library Card
• FREE databases for research

All students in Shakopee Public Schools have the opportunity to use their Virtual Student Library Card! The virtual card give all students access to the Scott County Libraries and the Metro Twin Cities Libraries. SORA is an app that allows students access to age-appropriate Ebooks. To log in to SORA:

User Name: 720+student ID number

Pin: Last 4 digits of the student’s ID number

Sabers Book Club is back! If your child loves to read or if you’re looking for ways to instill a love of reading, sign up for Book Club. Book Club sign-ups come out every month so you and your child can decide if you want to read the book choice. Book Club typically meets the last week of the month, during your child’s lunch time. They get to eat and discuss the book in the Learning Commons with Mrs. Bohn.

Questions should be directed to Katie Bohn, Media Specialist kbohn@shakopee.k12.mn.us.

Grade 1: Doggo and Pupper by Katherine Applegate

Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/oSGof8NGr8zgXbWaA

Grade 2: Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Katie DiCamillo

Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/kssx3fqeEjttw8Cy9

Grade 3: Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins

Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/RxEB8wS9XRzxBn4GA

Grade 4: Dogtown by Katherine Applegate

Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/Bvc9mMY4ngDDgvCP9

Grade 5: The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien

Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/SRgE3oBoB6Q31vke9

It’s fundraiser time! We are right in the middle of our biggest fundraiser of the year. Without the money we raise during this fundraiser, we cannot do things like hold all of our PTO events, provide funds for field trips buses, and feed our teachers during parent teacher conferences. Donations can be made on Venmo (@JacksonElementaryShakopeePTO) or online at

https://form.jotform.com/252176076273156. Cash and check (made out to Jackson PTO) donations are also great ways to support the fundraiser. Students can win prizes from the PTO as a class and at the grade level. Each grade also has incentives to earn during the fundraiser. Our goal is to raise $30,000, and we hope to smash it this year.

On Friday, October 9 we will host one of our favorite events of the year: Grandparents or Special Friends Day. Session 1 9:30-10:45 am (kindergarten-2nd grade) and Session 2 is 2:05-3:20 pm (3rd-5th grade). All visitors must check in at the front office and can arrive at the school 15 minutes prior to the session. Coffee, water, and dessert will be provided. We need volunteers to make this a successful event. Sign up here:

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0F4FADA823A0FCC07-65916877-2026?useFullSite=false

Tuesday, October 13 we celebrate the end of our fundraiser with a Color Run. Families are invited to attend. Please enter the field from

The east (neighborhood) side of the school.

1:00-1:20: Kindergarten
1:20-1:40: Fourth Grade
1:40-2:00: First Grade
2:00-2:20: Second Grade
2:20-2:40: Fifth Grade
2:40-3:00: Third Grade

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0F4FADA823A0FCC07-65915826-2026?useFullSite=false

Join us at Pablo’s on Monday, October 20 from 4-8 pm for our first No Cook Night of the year. Make sure you mention Jackson when you order. A portion of the profits will be given to Jackson.

We know it is a busy time and we really hope you can support these fundraising opportunities so the PTO can continue to provide so many fun opportunities to students and staff and families.

Sincerely,

Diane Bowen
Jackson PTO president

• Daily Announcements
• How to Access Report Cards

• Visitor Reminders: All visitors are required to check-in at the front office and must be screened through the Raptor system during normal school hours.

• Now Hiring Part-Time/Full-Time Paraprofessional Positions, Food Services and More: Training provided, job share responsibilities and weekend/summer/school breaks off. Click here for a list of positions and to apply.

• Communication Reminder: We encourage families to download the Seesaw app on your smartphone or bookmark on a computer to gain access to important school communications and teacher messages.