The Jacobs Journal
December 11, 2025
A Note from the Principal
Day 71/180
This week brought an incredible mix of hands-on learning and enrichment across the Jacobs School. On Tuesday, our second graders transformed into young scientists during an in-school Mass Audubon field trip focused on weather and erosion. This experience directly supported essential science standards and brought their classroom learning to life.
On Wednesday, our fifth graders were treated to an energetic and highly engaging presentation from Top Secret Science, complete with demonstrations and hands-on experiments connected to the study of weather. This topic was chosen intentionally by our fifth-grade teachers after reviewing MCAS data and ongoing assessments indicating that students would benefit from reinforcement in this standard. Students were captivated, curious, and excited to share what they learned.
Meanwhile, our kindergarteners took a special trip to Hull High School for a sneak peek of the upcoming musical Once Upon a Mattress. Based on The Princess and the Pea, this performance aligns perfectly with the kindergarten CKLA curriculum and gave our students the experience of seeing a familiar story brought to life on stage. And the enrichment did not stop there! Our fourth graders visited the South Shore Art Center, where they met a local artist and created artwork inspired by his style. What a week!
As we shift into the holiday season, I want to share an update about our annual Winter Concert. Some families have been surprised to see the concert taking place in January rather than December. We started doing this last year, when the concert date was postponed out of necessity, and what we discovered was significant. We found that holding the performance after the holidays created more space for students and families during an otherwise busy time of year, resulting in a calmer and more enjoyable experience for all. This year, knowing the concert would be held later allowed students to focus on their performance at the Turkey Trot Pep Rally, which was truly elevated, before shifting to concert preparation. The extra prep time has boosted both confidence and quality for both events. We look forward to a wonderful celebration of music in January.
-Mr. Shaw
Mark Your Calendar!
Dec 12, 13 & 14 ─ HHSTA presents "Once Upon A Mattress"
Dec 15 ─ School Committee 6:30pm @ HHS
Dec 17 ─ Grade 3: Museum of Illusions
Dec 17 ─ Jacobs School Council 3:15-4:15
Dec 18 ─ JMS Meeting
Dec 18 ─ Jacobs Theatre Program Presents "Dear Edwina, Jr."
Dec 19 ─ JES Assembly
Dec 22 ─ Grade 7: Holly Hill Farm
Dec 23 ─ Jacobs Express Day
December 23 ─ Early Dismissal: K-7 @ 11:25, AM & Full-Day PreK @ 11:00, NO PM PreK, NO lunch served, NO after school childcare
Dec 24-Jan 4 ─ Winter Break
Jan 5, 2026 ─ Back to School!
Jan 19 ─ MLK Day, No School
Jan 20 ─ Staff Professional Development, No School
Jan 27 ─ JES Concerts: PK, K, 1 & 2 @ 9:00am; PK, 3, 4 & 5 @ 1:30pm
Jan 28 ─ 11:55am Dismissal
Jan 29 ─ JMS Concert 6:30pm
Volunteers Needed for Jacobs Express on December 23!
Jacobs Express Coordinators Kim Panetta, Jill Mansfield-Jollin, and Deborah Irby are actively seeking volunteers to help with this year's extravaganza! Please click on the link below to sign up for one of the many available volunteer slots:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44A5A922ABFFCE9-61017423-jacobs
To keep our students safe, all volunteers must have a CORI form on file to participate in school activities. Please submit a completed CORI form by December 17 if you need it in time for Jacobs Express. Click here to download a form, or fill one out at the school office. Don't forget to bring an official ID when you submit the form!
"Dear Edwina, Jr." One Night Only!
Thursday, December 18
Don't miss this spectacular musical production, performed by the Jacobs Drama Club!
*Poster Created by 6th Grader Leah Dibley!
Library Nook
The following classes have library next week:
McMurdie, Rosado, Perniola, Hall, Wilson, Massari, Campanini, and Shields
Shop With/For Gift Cards & Support PTO
You can purchase gift cards from dozens of retailers through the Hull PTO this season, and year-round! The cards are available for purchase at regular price, with a small portion of the proceeds going to the PTO. They can be used as gifts, or for your own shopping needs. Click here for more information
Federation for Children with Special Needs December Events
Our district is a member of MassPAC at the Federation for Children with Special Needs. Under the membership, families and educators have access to weekly rights workshops as listed on the attached December calendar. You can register for more than one!
Please use this link to register for each workshop you want to attend: https://fcsn.org/events/. A Zoom link will be sent via email prior to the workshop.
This Week at the Lost & Found!
Send Us Your RAD Photos!
We'll Put Them On The Big Screen!
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 monthly assembly! Kids love seeing themselves and their friends on the big screen!
Links! Links! Links!
Other Stuff
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!