Dolphin Update
Jones Dolphins Make a SPLASH!
Week of November 10th...
For Translation...
Click on "Translate Newsletter" and select language of choice to translate letter.
*Arriba de esta pagina haga click "Translate Newsletter" y seleccione el idioma "SPANISH"*
*Nhấp vào "dịch Newsletter " và chọn ngôn ngữ của sự lựa chọn để dịch thư "VIETNAMESE"*
*انقر فوق "ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية" وحدد اللغة التي تختارها لترجمة الرسالة. "ARABIC"*
Our Learning Community...
As we pause to reflect this season, we want to express our deep gratitude for the partnership we share in your child’s educational journey. At Jones, we believe that cultivating gratitude is more than a practice, it is a mindset that empowers children to recognize their strengths, appreciate others, and grow in resilience and kindness. Research and educator practice tell us that children who regularly engage in gratitude experiences often have greater well-being, stronger social connections, and a more optimistic outlook. As they learn to pause, reflect, and appreciate what they have, they develop a foundation for growth in every area, academic, social-emotional, and beyond.
We are deeply thankful for you, our families, because your support, encouragement, and involvement make all the difference. Together, we are teaching the next generation of innovators, engineers, coders, mathematicians, writers, artists, and leaders. Your partnership helps us open doors for our students so they can dream big, explore boldly, and succeed with purpose.
In this spirit of gratitude, we invite you to join us in encouraging your child to reflect on what they are thankful for this year, big and small. Whether it is a favorite book, a caring friend, a moment of laughter, or a challenge they overcame, we all have much to appreciate.
This Week...
Coach Jensen's Corner...
As we finished October and fly into November, I would like to share another reason why Physical Education is so important. Did you know that physical activity can boost brain function which includes concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills? Kids who are physically active tend to score better on tests and stay more focused in class. Active students are more likely to stay on task, participate in discussions, and are less likely to become distracted.
Including movement in daily routines whether through sports, recess, or family walks can be a game-changer for a child’s brain development so together we can help our Jones students on their academic journey by providing opportunities to be active.
During the past month, our dance class included cultural dances with Latin and Filipino influences as well as some fun Halloween inspired dances. Ask your student to show you the Macarena or the Monster Shuffle.
Stay active – Coach Jensen
Highlights From Last Week...
Learning through culture and tradition! Students visited the Counseling Center to learn about Día de los Muertos, honoring the importance of remembering loved ones and celebrating life through art, color, and reflection.
Upper grade music practice in progress! Students are refining their embouchure and airflow as they practice blowing into their mouthpieces, building the control and tone that make beautiful music possible.
Two readers found their next adventure! Our library is full of stories waiting to be discovered!
Rolling into learning! Students explore coding and problem-solving with Sphero!
Students practice writing commands and solving problems as they program Sphero robots.
We love discovering how fun STEAM can be through hands-on experimentation and teamwork.
Students are also learning how to code the Ozobots to follow direction, change color and speed. Some even programmed their Ozobot to perform actions such as go fast, slow down, pause, dance or spin like a tornado.
Students coded Ozobots to navigate meter mazes they designed themselves! Using rulers, they measured 100 cm paths with precision.
Once their Ozobots completed the course, they engineered upgrades like shortcuts and creative maze additions.
Check out Zoe, a Tech Team Ambassador, sharing about Book Creator at the Screen Castify link below!
Looking Ahead...
November
10 - No School: Non-Instructional Day
11 - No School: Veterans Day
12-13 - PTA Dine Out: Mr. Moto Pizza Mission Valley
13 - End of Trimester 1
14 - Achievement Awards
17-21 - Conferences: Minimum Days ALL Week
17-21 - Scholastic Book Fair - Library
20 - Turkey Trot (am)
20 - Pie Pick Up - PTA Moms Pie Fundraiser
21 - 4th & 5th Grade Family Event: Gratitude Art Project
24-28 - No School: Fall Break
December
4 - VAPA Arts Rotation #3
15 - SGT/SSC - Virtual
19 - Winter Performance - Auditorium
19 - Additional Minimum Day TK-5th Grade
22 - January 2 - No School: Winter Break
Student Council Food Drive...
Our Student Council is excited to launch a Food Drive to support the Serra Mesa Food Pantry, which provides essential groceries to local families in need. This season of giving is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and make a difference!
The Food Pantry shared that their biggest current needs include:
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Reusable grocery bags (they use nearly 200 each week!)
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Unopened, unexpired canned goods, especially soup and spaghetti
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Financial donations, as an agency partner with the San Diego Food Bank, the Serra Mesa Food Pantry can purchase dry goods like tuna, peanut butter, and rice at deeply discounted prices
Families wishing to make a monetary donation can write checks payable to Mission Village Christian Fellowship with “food pantry” in the memo line, or drop off cash donations directly at the pantry on Wednesdays.
Thank you for supporting our student leaders in their effort to give back to our community!
PTA Spotlight...
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...
Check out These Book Collections...
Gratitude
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:
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Choose a cozy time and space to read together
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Let your child pick the book (even if it’s the same one again!)
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Ask questions about the story to boost comprehension
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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...
Additional Resources for Families...
Taft Triumph...
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!
San Diego Unified Food Services...
Free Breakfast & Lunch
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...
Share Your Love of Jones!
Did you have fun at the Fall Festival? Has your child grown academically, socially, and as a leader? Has Jones helped foster a love of the arts? Has a Jones educator made a meaningful impact on your child or family? Have you built friendships and community through the families you’ve met at Jones?
We know you have choices when it comes to your child’s education and we are so grateful you have chosen Jones Elementary! Whether Jones is your neighborhood school or one you chose through the district's Choice Program, your story matters.
As prospective families explore schools on GreatSchools.org, we want them to hear directly from the people who know Jones best... you! Please take a few minutes to share what makes our school special and why you are proud to be part of the Jones community.
Jones Elementary
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
Jones Elementary PTA
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








