BCJ SOAR Spotlight

Dear BCJ Parents and Caregivers,

We hope you and your family are well! A few reminders for this week:

📚 Parent-Teacher Conferences
🗓️ October 7: 4:00–7:15 p.m. | October 10: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Celebrate your child’s progress, review goals, and partner with teachers. If you haven’t scheduled yet, contact your child’s teacher soon!

🔥 National Fire Prevention Week (Oct 5–11)
A great time to review fire safety at home and talk with your child about fire drills and safety tips learned at school.

🌟 National Principals Month
October is National Principals Month, a time to recognize principals across the country for their dedication to schools and students. For me, being a principal is rooted in a deep belief that every child deserves access to opportunities that unlock their full potential. My “why” is ensuring our students not only learn but also grow with resilience, confidence, and hope for their future. It is truly an honor to serve the incredible students and families of BCJ each day.

Thank you for your support, we look forward to connecting with you during conferences!

With gratitude,
Your BCJ Admin Team

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and our staff is proudly wearing pink on Thursdays to show support and raise awareness. Several students have asked to join in and we think that’s wonderful!

Students are encouraged (but not required!) to wear pink on Thursdays - shirts, socks, hats, or any pink accessory to show solidarity with our staff and the cause. Let’s come together as a BCJ family to honor those affected by breast cancer and show our school spirit!

The School District of University City invites families and staff to join us for a community-wide discussion of The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt.

🗓 Monday, October 13
🕠 5:30–7:00 p.m.
📍 University City Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd.

This bestselling 2024 book explores how 📱 smartphones, 💻 technology, and 🌐 social media have reshaped childhood and contributed to growing concerns around youth mental health. With new Missouri cell phone policies being implemented through Senate Bill 68, this conversation is more timely than ever.

✨ Don’t miss this chance to come together, share perspectives, and strengthen our support for students’ well-being.

👉🏾 Register today by visiting ucityschools.org/bookstudy or scanning the QR code!🙌🏾

Barbara C. Jordan Elementary is excited to partner with the University City Adult Education & Literacy Program to provide free English classes for parents and caregivers right in our neighborhood!

✨ Improve your English for school, work, and everyday life.
✨ Learn how to better support your child’s education.
✨ Gain confidence in communicating with teachers and staff.

🕓 Classes are scheduled in the evenings to fit your schedule.
📍 Open to all parents and caregivers in our community.

👉🏾Interested? Please complete the quick survey using the QR code below (available in English and Spanish on the flyers).

We look forward to seeing many of our BCJ families take advantage of this wonderful opportunity!

With appreciation,
Your BCJ Admin Team

Celebrating Our Amazing Custodians! 🧹
Last week, we took time to honor our incredible custodial team for all they do to keep Barbara C. Jordan Elementary clean, safe, and welcoming for our students and staff. Our custodians go above and beyond each day, often behind the scenes, to make sure our school shines.

To show our appreciation, we presented them with a special banner, heartfelt thank-you cards, and a small token of gratitude from our school community. Please join us in celebrating our BCJ custodians for their hard work, dedication, and care that make a difference every single day! 🌟

BCJ students celebrated their positive behavior at our Sugar & Sunshine SOAR Party this past Friday! Students enjoyed shopping with their earned Eagle Bucks for treats like Sour Punch Straws, Fruit Snacks, Chips, and Fun Dip, and had fun taking pictures with our festive backdrops and props. Thank you to our staff for making this celebration smooth and enjoyable, and to our families for supporting students as they continue to SOAR! 🖤💛🦅

The Family Engagement Survey closes soon! Your feedback helps us plan:
📘 Academic workshops
🎲 Family fun nights
👩🏾‍💼 Parent leadership opportunities
🌎 Cultural celebrations

🎁 Complete the survey now for a chance to win a gift card!

👉🏽 Click here to complete the survey

Don’t miss your chance to help shape an amazing year at BCJ—share your ideas today!

Get ready for the Best Week Ever! The Scholastic Book Fair will be at BCJ October 6–10 in the Strings Room. It’s a great way to build your child’s love of reading while supporting our school.

✨ Highlights:

• Set up an eWallet for safe, cash-free shopping

• Share the Fair so every child gets a book

• Extra shopping hours during conferences

• Paper orders due: Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m.

• Online orders close: Oct. 7 at 11:59 p.m.

Visit our Book Fair Homepage to learn more!

Here are the key dates to keep in mind for a successful month ahead!

Honoring Andrea Peoples (UCHS Class of 2000 – Dancer & Choreographer)
📅 Tuesday, October 14, 2025
🕖 7:00 p.m.
📍 UCHS Library Media Center (7401 Balson Ave – use Jackson Ave entrance)
✨ Free & Open to the Public!
🔗 Register: ucityschools.org/ra2025

Featuring: Anita Jackson, Brothers Lazaroff, Larry “Fallout” Morris, and more!

🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
📍 COCA – The Berges Theater
🕕 VIP Reception: 6:00 p.m. | 🕖 Concert: 7:00 p.m.

🎟️ Tickets:

• $50 – Concert Only

• $125 – Concert + VIP Reception

🖤💛 Proceeds benefit the University City Education Foundation.

👉 Purchase Tickets Here! 🎟️💳🎉

✨ Bonus: Show your concert ticket at participating UCity restaurants for Savor the Pride exclusive dining offers!

🖤💛 Proceeds benefit the University City Education Foundation

• Tues., Oct. 7 - Parent/Teacher Conference (Elementary) | 4:00-7:30 p.m.
• Thurs., Oct. 9 - Winter Warm - up | 4 - 6 p.m. Jackson Park Elementary
• Thurs., Oct. 9 - Flu Clinic | 3:00 - 6:00 pm (3:00 - 4:00 p.m. STAFF ONLY) Jackson Park Elementary School
• Fri., Oct. 10 - No School for Students
• Fri., Oct. 10 - Parent/Teacher Conference (8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) [no evening conferences]

• Tues., Oct.14 - Flu Clinic | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.; McNair Administration Building
• Tues., Oct. 14 - Returning Artist Andrea Peoples, UCHS; 7:00 p.m.

• Fri., Oct. 17 - No School - Plan Day/Records Day

• Sat., Oct. 18 - Homecoming Parade(We are looking for volunteers to help with decorating) 8:00 a.m.
  
• Sat., Oct. 18 - Celebrate the Pride: Concert & Community Celebration, 7:00 p.m., COCA