Julian Newman News
October 26, 2026
Dates to Remember
October
- 27th- First Priority in Library
- 28th- Spirit Sales Wednesday!
- 28th- Early Dismissal (10:45am PreK, 11:15am K-3)
- 30th- Halloween Party (1:15-1:45- parents setting up ONLY may enter at 1:00)
November
- 5th- Make Up Pictures
- Our tardy bell rings at 7:45 am each day. Your child needs to be in the building prior to this time! Students who are consistently late, even if it is a few minutes, are still missing valuable class time. Three tardies will result in a loss of a parent note.
Spirit Items for Sale on Wednesday, October 28th
October is Statewide Parent & Family Engagement Month in Alabama
Take the 3Rs Challenge at Home! 💛🖤
At JNES, we encourage our students to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready every day! During the last week, we're bringing our 3Rs home with a fun Family BINGO Challenge! The attached BINGO board includes simple activities that help students practice kindness, responsibility, and independence at home. As your child completes each challenge, mark the square. Once they complete five in a row (across, down, or diagonally), have a parent sign the board and return it to their teacher.
Let's work together to build great habits at school AND at home! We can't wait to see our Golden Eagles put the 3Rs into action!
October Attendance Incentive
First Priority Every Tuesday!
Early Dismissal, October 28
Athens City Schools will dismiss early on Wednesday, October 28, as scheduled in the 2026-2027 ACS Academic Calendar. Buses will depart at each school's early dismissal time. Please plan for your bus rider to arrive home earlier than usual. Latchkey will NOT be available. If you have any questions, please contact your school.
Early Dismissal Schedule
- Pre-K - 10:45 AM
- ARS - 11:00 AM
- K-3 - 11:15 AM
- AIS - 11:20 AM
- AMS - 11:30 AM
- AHS - 11:45 AM
Red Ribbon Week- "Real Heroes Stay Drug Free"
During the final week of October, 10/26-10/30, JNES will be celebrating the traditional Red Ribbon Week focusing on the Substance Awareness Campaign “Real Heroes Stay Drug-Free”. All week long, we’re going to find out what it takes to be a real hero. No superpowers or capes required! Real heroes make smart, healthy choices, take care of their minds and bodies, and stay drug-free!
Every day will have its own hero theme and a fun way to dress up. So suit up and get ready:
● Monday – Home Team Hero: Wear your favorite team colors!
● Tuesday – Everyday Hero: Dress like an everyday hero! Think nurses, soldiers, firefighters,
police officers, coaches, teachers, or any everyday hero who shows up and saves the day.
● Wednesday – Red Out: Wear RED.
● Thursday – Overall Hero: Wear overalls.
● Friday –Heroes in Disguise: Wear Your Halloween Costume (no mask, face paint or weapons)
Red Ribbon Week Food Drive
During Red Ribbon Week, students are encouraged to participate in a friendly competition between classes for the purpose of helping our community. We are asking for donations that can be used to support the Full Tummy Project that so many of our students within the community benefit from.
Starting October 26th, students can bring in any of the items listed below. Each item will be given a point value and totaled each day in their classroom. The classroom with the most points by 12:00pm Friday 10/30 will be awarded a special surprise the following week.
Event Information
Party will be from 1:15-1:45pm. Only Room Moms and parents setting up may enter at 1:00pm. Other guest will enter at 1:15pm when the festivities begin.
Accelerated Reader (AR) Begins This Nine Weeks!
During the second nine weeks, we have started exciting prizes and competitions through our Accelerated Reader (AR) program! Teachers are encouraging students to read books at their level and take short quizzes to check for understanding. Students can earn fun prizes by reaching their AR reading goals, becoming the top point earners in their class, or winning a class competition! Thank you for supporting your child by encouraging reading at home!
Here's What You Need To Know About Absences
No Checkouts after 2:00pm unless planned appointments
Julian Newman Elementary School invites you to become a permanent part of the new Julian Newman Elementary School campus by purchasing a commemorative brick to recognize students, teachers, family and friends in the Athens community. Your commemorative brick could recognize a family name, student or graduate, teacher, staff member, business, or organization. You could choose to honor someone special or place a brick in memory of a loved one. The bricks are incorporated into the design and displayed at the entrance area to the beautiful new Julian Newman Elementary School. Your brick donation will serve as a visible reminder of your commitment and connection to the excellence and ongoing achievements of Athens City Schools. Proceeds go to support our teachers and students at Julian Newman Elementary School. At Julian Newman Elementary School, with your support, we are "Empowering all students for lifelong success!" Learn more and place your order at jnes.acs-k12.org/bricks. Thank you for supporting Julian Newman Elementary School!
Bee The Difference!!
Bee the Difference AWARD for EXCELLENCE
Just as the DAISY cannot survive without the BEE, Julian Newman couldn't change lives without quality, dedicated teachers. A BEE the Difference Award nominee is a reflection of the commitment and the heart of Julian Newman. Nominees are engaged, energized, and committed to the students, their families, and their fellow Julian Newman peers. The nominee proudly represents Julian Newman as a place where everyone is treasured, diversity is respected, character is encouraged, learning is loved, success is celebrated and leaders shine. Parents and employees may nominate a deserving Julian Newman teacher or staff member by completing this form and submitting to Mrs. Birdsong. You may also email the following information to Mrs. Birdsong at sharla.birdsong@acs-k12.org. Please type "Bee the Difference nomination" in the subject line OR complete the form below.
Thank you!!
Visit Our Parent HUB for JNES
Get the App Now!
Check calendars, lunch menus, and receive "push" notifications about school events and weather emergencies by downloading the ACS mobile app today. Visit the App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Android devices. Search "Athens City School System." Be sure to allow alerts, pushes, and banners in your phone settings under "notifications" to properly receive notifications. In the app settings, please select the schools from which you wish to receive updates. Contact our Central Office with any questions at 256.233.6600.
Mrs. Sharla Birdsong, Principal
Mrs. Tenika Malone, Assistant Principal
Julian Newman Elementary School
Website: https://www.acs-k12.org/Domain/10
Location: 517 Julian Newman Drive
Phone: 256-233-6630
Facebook: facebook.com/juliannewmanelementary.com