Dolphin Update

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Last week, our Dolphins participated in the California ShakeOut, our statewide earthquake preparedness drill! Students practiced the important safety steps of Drop, Cover, and Hold On, followed by safely evacuating the building and gathering in our designated area.

Practicing these procedures helps students feel more confident and prepared in the event of an actual earthquake. Just as we practice at school, we encourage every family to take a little time to prepare at home.

Here are a few ways to get started:

• Make a family emergency plan: Decide where you will meet if you are separated, how you will contact one another, and who you can connect with outside your immediate area.

• Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Talk about how to protect your head and neck, take cover under a sturdy table or desk when possible, and hold on until the shaking stops.

• Identify safe spots: Look for places away from windows and objects that could fall.

• Prepare an emergency kit: Include water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, first-aid supplies, medications, and other essential items.

• Practice together: A quick family drill can help everyone know what to do and feel more confident during an emergency.

For additional guidance and family-friendly resources, please explore the links below:

• Great California ShakeOut: Family Resources — activities and guidance for practicing at home.

• Earthquake Country Alliance: Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety — a practical guide to preparing your household.

• Earthquake Warning California — learn about earthquake alerts and the free MyShake app.

• California Earthquake Authority: Personal Preparedness — tips for family emergency plans and emergency supplies.

We have expanded the traditional Red Ribbon Week to focus on the whole child by bringing together the importance of making healthy choices, caring for our physical health, and nurturing our mental and emotional well-being. We want our students to understand that wellness is about more than making safe choices; it is also about building healthy habits, managing emotions, developing positive relationships, and learning how to care for ourselves and one another.

Families play an important role in helping children develop these lifelong habits. Wellness conversations don't have to be formal or complicated. They can happen naturally during everyday moments. Here are a few ways to bring wellness into your home:

• Move together. Take a family walk, ride bikes, dance to favorite songs, or play outside. Talk about how movement helps our bodies and minds feel good.

• Make healthy choices together. Invite children to help prepare a nutritious snack, fill their water bottles, or choose foods that help their bodies grow strong.

• Check in with feelings. Ask, “What was something that made you happy today?” or “Was there anything that felt challenging?” Help children identify their emotions and practice healthy ways to manage big feelings.

• Practice healthy coping strategies. Take a few deep breaths together, listen to calming music, spend time outdoors, or find a quiet moment to reset when things feel overwhelming.

• Talk about making safe choices. Discuss how to recognize situations that may be unsafe, how to respond to peer pressure, and how trusted adults can help children make healthy decisions.

• Prioritize rest and connection. Establish calming bedtime routines, put devices away during family time, and make space for meaningful conversations.

• Celebrate kindness and positive relationships. Talk about what it means to be a good friend, how to stand up for others, and how our words and actions can support the well-being of those around us.

We want every student to know that their well-being matters. By working together at school and at home, we can help our Dolphins develop healthy habits, build resilience, make thoughtful choices, and understand that taking care of ourselves is an important part of being ready to learn, grow, and thrive. Thank you for partnering with us to make wellness a part of everyday life!

October

19 - 23 - Health & Wellness Week/Red Ribbon Week

20 - Cali-Q BBQ (See Info Below)

23 - Spotlight Leadership Assembly Habit #3 & #4

30 - Costume Parade (Morning Event)

30 - Fall Festival - 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm (See Flyer Below)

November

5 - VAPA Rotation #3

5 - SSC/SGT - Virtual

6 - End of Reporting Period 1

11 - No School: Veterans Day

12 - PTA Julian Pie Pick Up - 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

13 - Achievement Awards #1 (Specific invitations will be sent home with those students who are receiving an Achievement Award or Excellent Attendance Award.)

13 - PTA Star & Planet Viewing Party - 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

16 - 20 - Conference Week: Minimum Days for TK-5th Grade (Dismissal 11:40/11:50 am daily)

16 - 20 - Scholastic Book Fair: Library

20 - Turkey Trot (Morning Event, All Families are welcome to run/walk with us!)

23 - 27 - No School: Fall Break

December

11 - Family Workshop #2 - Math: Show Me How You Know

18 - Winter Performance

18 - Extra Minimum Day for TK-5th Grade (Dismissal 11:40/11:50 am daily)

21 - Jan 4 - No School: Winter Break

We’re excited to invite Jones families to join their Dolphin for lunch on campus during our upcoming SandiCoast Café Cali-Q BBQ!

This special BBQ is part of San Diego Unified’s SandiCoast Café program and is a fun opportunity for families to enjoy a meal together while experiencing one of our school lunch traditions. The district’s Food and Nutrition Services team prepares and serves the meal, bringing fresh food and a little extra fun to the school day.

📅 Date:Tuesday, October 20, 2026
⏰ Lunch Times: 11:20 - 11:50 - TK, K, 4th, 5th

12:00 - 12:30 – 1st, 2nd, 3rd

📍 Location: Jones Elementary

Families are welcome to come to campus, meet their student at lunchtime, and enjoy the Cali-Q BBQ together. You can sit at our lunch tables or bring a blanket and sit on the lawn.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Cash payment only with bills of $20 or less for adult and sibling meals
• Families many not bring outside food and beverages to the event.

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...

Scan the QR code or click on the flyer to take you to the Pie Ordering Form!

Scan the QR code or click on the flyer to take you to the Volunteer Sign-Up!

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...

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