The Jacobs Journal

The state has officially released our 2025–2026 accountability data, and this week’s Journal is dedicated to sharing some pretty incredible news with our Jacobs community. The Jacobs School earned an Accountability Percentile of 76, officially placing us in the top quartile of all elementary and middle schools across Massachusetts!

This one means a lot. In 2023, we established a schoolwide goal of reaching the 75th percentile. It was an ambitious goal and one that we knew would require sustained growth over several years. At the time, our Accountability Percentile was 41 (a rise from the 34 the year prior). We continued to climb, reaching 69 last year, and now, just a few school years after setting that goal, we have reached 76 and officially surpassed the goal we set for ourselves. To be performing in the top quarter of schools in Massachusetts, a state consistently recognized as a national leader in public education, is something our entire school community should be incredibly proud of.

While 76 is the number that will appear on our state report, that number represents so much more. It represents our students showing up each day, working hard, taking risks, and demonstrating growth. It represents our teachers and staff continually analyzing data, adjusting instruction, collaborating with one another, and refusing to become complacent. It also represents our families. Your commitment to attendance, communication, reinforcing the importance of education, and partnering with us plays an incredibly important role in the success of our students. This accomplishment belongs to all of us.

There is also something pretty special about setting a goal together, putting in the work year after year, and then being able to say, we did it. I could not be more proud of our students or more grateful to work alongside the incredibly dedicated educators at the Jacobs School. Thank you to our families for continuing to trust us, support us, and partner with us along the way.

Of course, anyone who knows us knows that reaching a goal does not mean we are finished. In the spirit of our One Word this year, we will remain curious. Curious about what worked, curious about where we can improve, and curious about just how far our students can go.

But for today, we celebrate. 76. Top quartile in Massachusetts. Goal accomplished.

Congratulations, Jacobs!

-Mr. Shaw

Over the past several weeks, we have assessed students in Grades 1–3 to better understand their progress toward grade-level literacy standards. We use this information to plan targeted intervention and enrichment during Pirate Time and to ensure students receive the support they need to continue developing as readers.

Students in Grades 1–3 were assessed using Renaissance Star Early Literacy and Star Reading, a universal screening tool. Universal screening provides schools with information about students’ early literacy and reading skills and helps us identify students who may need additional support. Screening assessments do not diagnose dyslexia or other disabilities; rather, they help us identify students who may be at greater risk for reading difficulties and may benefit from additional support.

• Grades 1–3: September, January, and May
• Kindergarten: January and May

Following each screening window, grade-level teams review student results and use the information to plan instruction and support. Caregiver reports from the September assessment are going home in students’ backpacks today. Please take a moment to review your child’s report.

If your child’s results indicate that they are significantly below the expected benchmark, we will contact you within 30 school days of testing to share our plan for supporting your child and provide an opportunity to meet with our team.

Universal screening is one part of our ongoing effort to ensure that every student develops the literacy skills needed to become a proficient reader. We appreciate your continued partnership and support as we work together to help every child grow.

This week, Jacobs Elementary celebrated Fire Prevention Week with visits from the Hull Fire Department, led by Captain Alquist. Students learned important fire safety tips, including how to prevent fires, what to do in an emergency, and ways to stay safe both at home and at school. Our PreK students also had the exciting opportunity to explore a fire truck up close!

Each student received a paper to participate in the Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Posters are due Wednesday, October 14, and should follow this year’s theme: “Charge Into Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower!”

A big thank you to Captain Alquist and the Hull Fire Department for spending time with our students and helping them learn how to stay safe!

In collaboration with the Hull Board of Health, the influenza vaccine will be available to the students/staff/siblings/parents/guardians at Jacobs School beginning on October 19.

If you would like your child to receive the vaccine at school, please complete the online registration by going to the following link or accessing through the QR code.

https://home.color.com/vaccine/walk-up/hull/jacobs-elementary-school

Once the online registration is complete, Nurse Yakubian will call the parent/guardian to set a date and time for the student to receive the flu vaccine in her office. Please do not hesitate to email Mrs. Yakubian at ryakubian@hullpublicschools.us with any questions or concerns.

Hull PTO is sponsoring the JES (K-5) dance on Friday, Oct. 30, from 5:00-6:30pm. The JMS (6 & 7) Dance, sponsored by Grade 6 Nature's Classroom Committee, will follow from 7:00-8:30pm. Volunteers and Donations are requested for both dances. Please click on the links below to see how you can help.

• JES Dance Volunteers and/or Donations
• JMS Dance Volunteers and/or Donations

Last week, I shared that the Hull Public Schools are definitely trending in the right direction! We are proud of the progress we have made as a school community in reducing the number of students who are chronically absent each year.

This brings us around to accountability. It is one of the key measures of how a school is performing. Accountability considers student attendance, achievement and growth. It looks at student performance in English language arts, mathematics and science. It factors in equity by considering how various student subgroups perform against the student population as a whole. At the HS level, it also considers how well we ensure all students have a pathway to graduation including access to advanced coursework.

From the district level, it is great to see that both the Jacobs School and Hull High School received improved accountability scores last year. Principals Shaw and Hrivnak go into greater details of their accountability scores in their respective newsletters. These types of gains take a team to achieve: Every educator has to stay focused on individual student growth while we systemically continue to provide supportive resources, pathways and opportunities for improvement.

Community. Confidence. Curiosity.

For more frequent updates throughout the week, please “Follow and Like” the Hull Public Schools Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Mrs. Irby is looking for volunteers for the library for grades K-3, no experience needed. Please contact her at dirby@hullpublicschools.us if you are interested or have questions. Thank you!

Send RAD Photos of your Pirates having fun in their Core Value T-Shirts or School Colors to lrajan@hullpublicschools.us, and we'll add them to the slide show at our next Spirit Day assembly! Kids love seeing themselves and their friends on the big screen!

Fri, Oct 9 ─ Grade 1 to Boston Children's Museum

Fri, Oct 9 ─ Grades 6 & 7 to Holly Hill Farm

Mon, Oct 12 ─ Indigenous Peoples' Day, No School

Weds, Oct 14 ─ K to Sauchuck Farm

Weds, Oct 14 ─ PTO Meeting 6:30pm at LJS Library

Fri, Oct 23 ─ Picture Retake Day

Weds, Oct 28 ─ Early Dismissal 11:55am

Fri, Oct 30 ─ JMS & JES Halloween Dances

Picture Retake Day 10/23/26

Picture Retake Day Price List

Fall Fest 10/24/26

Youth Basketball Registration is Open!

Join the Girl Scouts!

Join the Cub Scouts!

Calendars & Menus

October 2026 Jacobs Calendar

Online Breakfast & Lunch Menus

2026-2027 Hull Public Schools District Calendar

South Shore Backpackers: Food Access on Weekends & School Breaks

Lillian M. Jacobs School

Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

5th-7th Grade Unified Arts Rotating Schedule

Title I Report Card Annual Letter 2026

Lillian M. Jacobs School Student-Parent Handbook 2026-2027

HPS Electronic Device Policy

Federation for Children with Special Needs Events Calendar

Dyslexia 101: Building Awareness & Inclusive Learning presented by the International Dyslexia Association, October 22, 2026 at Hull High School, 5:30-7:30pm.

CORI Form Required to participate in school activities, field trips, etc. Submit completed forms at the school office. Don't forget to bring your ID!

Hull PTO Gift Card Program You pay the same prices, but PTO gets a cut!

Don't Lose Stuff With Oliver's Labels

Jacobs Photo Gallery Archives 2025-2026