Jaguar Tracks October 2

Dear Jaguar Community,

As we wrap up another wonderful week, I am filled with gratitude for our students, staff, and families who make our school community so special.

This morning, our second-grade students hosted a family breakfast, and it was wonderful to see such a strong turnout. Thank you to everyone who helped plan, organize, and support this event. Opportunities like these strengthen the connections between home and school and remind us how important family engagement is to student success.

This afternoon, we gathered for our first monthly assembly of the year as we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. Our students learned about the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Be sure to ask your child what they learned and what stood out to them from today's assembly.

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome families to our annual Open House next week. The evening will begin with a brief schoolwide gathering in the cafeteria at 6:00 p.m., followed by classroom visits from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. This is always a special event, as students have the opportunity to showcase their learning, share their classroom experiences, and proudly show their families around their school. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

Finally, please remember that there will be no school next Friday, October 9, in observance of the State In-Service Day.

Thank you for your continued partnership, encouragement, and support of our students. Together, we are creating a school community where every child is known, valued, and inspired to learn.

In partnership,

Jerid

Dr. Jerid Morisco, Principal

Please join us on Wednesday from 6-7pm for our Open House! We'll start in the cafeteria to hear opening remarks from Dr. M and PTSA presidents. Then you'll have time to explore the school and meet your students teachers. We hope to see you there!

We are looking for 1-2 volunteers to help our photographer during picture day. This is a fun way to get involved and meet many of our students. You must have an approved SPS volunteer application and background check. Please email mkruediger@seattleschools.org if interested or if you have any questions. Thank you!

What is Jaguar Jog? The Jaguar Jog is our annual fall fundraiser that funds all our events and activities throughout the year. Students collect pledges for donations per lap or a flat donation, then on October 16th each grade runs laps around the playground or school in a great celebration of school spirit, community, and physical activity! Parents, family, friends, teachers, and staff encourage and cheer students on during their run.

This event funds school and classroom supplies for every teacher and school department, student scholarships, after-school clubs and enrichment, and all our school events throughout the year.

Sign up HERE for your child's personalized fundraising page!

Please consider volunteering at this event, all volunteers must be SPS approved. If you are a new volunteer, please start your application ASAP, as this could take 2-3 weeks to get approved.

Please also sign up HERE to volunteer!

Questions? Email Event Lead Brooke Johnson- brooke.eglin.johnson@gmail.com

Yuen Lui Studio will photograph individual portraits at John Hay Elementary on Thursday, October 15. Families can preorder portraits here: 2026-27 John Hay Elementary Picture Day 10/15. Print orders will be delivered to the school in 3-4 weeks after picture day; digital orders will be sent via email from no-reply@imagequix.com. Contact Yuen Lui Studio with any questions. Thank you!

While all SPS students now receive free meals, it is still critical that every family completes the Child Nutrition Education and Education Benefits (CNEEB) application. The information collected through this form helps determine funding for important student support programs, including LAP funding at John Hay. Even families who do not qualify can help by completing the application and selecting the "I don't qualify" option.

CNEEB Application: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

As cooler, wetter weather arrives, please send your child to school with weather-appropriate outerwear each day. We go outside for recess rain or shine! We also recommend keeping an extra set of clothes and socks in your child's backpack in case they get wet during the day. Thank you for helping your child stay comfortable and ready to learn! 🌦️🧥👟

We always welcome parent volunteers during lunch and recess. Please email mkruediger@seattleschools.org if you're interested. You must have an approved SPS application and background check.

Seattle Public Schools is partnering with the Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA) to provide vaccine clinics for the public. SVNA is offering flu vaccines to anyone age four to adult; and COVID-19 vaccines to anyone age five to adult. Most insurance is accepted (We cannot accept Cigna, Tricare, or First Choice insurance this season). Please use the link below for information on locations and dates.

https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/health-services/vaccine-clinics/

Click here for the registration link. Here's a reminder of our class offerings.

Tuesday Afternoon

o Little Picasso (Preschool-K)

o Pokemon Club (1st-5th) - 6 more students needed!

o Pacifica Writer's Workshop (1st-5th)

o Let's Play Pickleball (2nd-5th)

Thursday Afternoon

o Lego Inventors (Preschool-K)- one more student needed!

o Piano Keyboard Club (1st-5th)

o Machine Sewing (1st-5th)

o Creative Dance (K-2nd)

Need financial assistance? Email enrichment@johnhayptsa.org for more information!

Monster Mash is coming Friday, October 30, and we need your help bringing one of the kids’ favorite parts of the night to life: Trunk or Treat!

We’re looking for one decorated car from each grade, Pre-K through 5th, to transform the John Hay playground into a festive trick-or-treating destination. Go all-out with a theme or keep it simple. Friendly pumpkins, silly ghosts and Halloween decorations are all welcome!

Don’t have a car to decorate? You can still join the fun by teaming up with another family and helping decorate their trunk. The PTSA will provide the candy, and if decorating costs are a barrier, the PTSA can reimburse a portion of your supplies.

📅 Friday, October 30
🎃 Setup: 3:30–5:00 p.m.
🍬 Trunk or Treat: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
📍 John Hay Elementary Playground

Sign up to decorate a trunk or help a family

Thank you for helping us make Monster Mash a fun and memorable night for our John Hay students!

These meetings provide an opportunity for you to share feedback on the issues that matter most to our school communities.

To make participation as accessible as possible, all meetings will include:

• Language interpretation (Amharic, Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese) and ASL services
• Light refreshments
• Activities for children

Upcoming Community Engagement Meetings (All meetings will be held on Tuesdays and run 6:30-8 p.m.):

• Oct. 27 at Eagle Staff Middle School (1330 N 90th St., Seattle, WA 98103)
• Nov. 17 on Zoom (Virtual)
• Dec. 15 at Chief Sealth Intl. HS / Denny MS (2600 SW Thistle St., Seattle, WA 98126)
• Jan. 12, 2027, at Coe Elementary School (2424 7th Ave. W, Seattle, WA 98119)
• Feb. 9, 2027, on Zoom (Virtual)
• March 23, 2027, at Garfield High School (400 23rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98122)
• April 6, 2027, at South Shore K-8 (4800 S Henderson St., Seattle, WA 98118)
• May 18, 2027, at Ballard High School (1418 NW 65th St., Seattle, WA 98117)

If you have questions about the Community Engagement Meetings, please contact Seattle Public Schools using Let’s Talk.

The Ballard Food Bank provides students with a free bag of food to take home for the weekend. We are looking for volunteers to pick up bags and deliver them to John Hay on Thursdays. This is one of our most essential volunteer jobs. Sign up here.

If you'd like to receive a food bag, look for the application in student's red folders or reach out to our Social Worker, Heather Baxter. There are no requirements to participate.

We love having family and community volunteers support our students and staff! If you'd like to volunteer at school, Seattle Public Schools requires all volunteers to complete and receive approval for a background check before volunteering. Once approved, volunteers may be able to help with:

• Lunch and recess supervision
• Classroom and library support
• Weekend Food Bag pickup
• School Event support
• Organizing Lost & Found items and more!

To learn more about the volunteer process and complete the required application, visit the SPS Volunteer Program page. If your unsure of your volunteer status or have questions, email mkruediger@seattleschools.org.

🔔Drop off in the morning begins at 8:35. At that time, the gates are opened. At 8:50, the first bell rings and students are led into the building by their teacher. At 8:55 instruction begins. School dismisses at 3:25 M, T, Th, F.

🔔Students arriving after 8:55am will be marked tardy.

🔔Every Wednesday is early dismissal at 2:10 PM.

Wednesday, October 7th

Friday, October 9th

Thursday, October 15th

Friday, October 16th

Friday, October 30th