Principal Update to JES Families
15 - January - 2026
Message From the Principal
Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, marks the final day of the second quarter. It’s hard to believe how quickly the school year is moving. As we head into the second half, I encourage you to take a few moments each day to enjoy the journey with your child. Ask about their learning, their friendships, and the moments that made them proud.
Please also continue to check Take‑Home Folders regularly for important updates from teachers about classroom content, assignments, work samples, and upcoming events. This quarter’s report cards will include teacher comments, offering a clear window into your child’s daily progress and classroom experience.
Our celebration of students continues both inside the schoolhouse and out in the community. We are thrilled to share that Grade 4 student Esha Bhatt (above right) recently had artwork displayed at the Superintendent’s Gallery at Greenwood throughout January and February. Congratulations as well to Rose Delemantre (Grade 1), Gavin Reaver (Grade 1), and Blake Fahey (Grade 4), whose artwork was featured in the digital display at the Winter Art Exhibition at The Avenue at White Marsh. Their creativity and hard work shine brightly.
Recognition at Jacksonville is ongoing and woven into the fabric of our school culture. Students are celebrated through classroom and grade‑level acknowledgments, special‑area incentives, the JES Virtue of the Month, SOAR Buck initiatives, Perfect Attendance, and our Grade 5 Science questions. We are incredibly proud of our students for showing up each day ready to learn, grow, and give their best.
Our Race for Education continues to bring exciting progress toward our new playground. Next week, we will meet with a civil engineer to walk the site, begin drafting a proposal, and map out a timeline for construction. Our most recent update projects groundbreaking in August. We are committed to ensuring that both student and staff voices help shape the final design. To keep the momentum going, we will hold a schoolwide assembly next Friday, January 23, where students who raised a certain amount toward the project will have the chance to silly‑string a teacher and a select group will even turn me into an ice‑cream sundae.
We are also looking forward to seeing many of our students tomorrow evening from 6:00-7:30 at the PTA‑sponsored Glow Night. As a reminder, tomorrow is a half‑day with dismissal at 1:05 p.m. Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Report cards will be available in Focus beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Jacksonville is a special place because of our students, our staff, and our families. Together, we make each day meaningful.
🎉 Our current attendance rate is 96.49%, reflecting a 0.59% decrease since our December newsletter. We appreciate your continued partnership in supporting strong attendance. Each day of school matters, and consistent presence in the classroom plays a vital role in your child’s academic and social success. Thank you for making every effort to ensure your student is here, engaged, and ready to learn.
🏆
- Mr. Bayne, Principal
Daily reading at home is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support your child’s success in school. Research shows that even 15–30 minutes of reading each day helps children build stronger vocabulary, improve comprehension, and grow into more confident, independent readers.
Reading doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be your child reading independently, you reading aloud, or taking turns. Talking about the pictures, predicting what might happen next, or sharing your favorite part of the story all help deepen understanding.
Creating a consistent reading routine (before bed, after dinner, or whenever your family can unwind) helps children look forward to this special time together. Small daily habits truly add up, and your support at home makes a meaningful difference in your child’s learning journey.
"A Guide to Building Reading Fluency at Home" (October 8, 2025; AIM Institute for Learning & Research)
Why Daily Math‑Fact Practice Matters
Building strong math‑fact fluency is one of the most powerful ways families can support their child’s confidence and success in math. When students practice their addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division facts for just a few minutes each day, those facts become automatic.
This frees up mental energy so they can focus on solving more complex problems in class.
Short, consistent practice (flashcards, quick games, math apps, or even quizzing each other in the car) helps children become faster, more accurate, and more confident mathematicians. Daily repetition strengthens memory, reduces frustration during homework, and sets the foundation for future math learning.
Your support at home makes a meaningful difference, and these small daily habits truly add up.
“Master Fact Fluency” — Lucky Learning with Molly Lynch
“Master Math Facts with Engaging Practice Ideas for Kids” — The Parenting Pro
“Why Parent Involvement in Math Facts Builds Fluency for Kids” — Techie Turtleteacher
From Mrs. Stewart and Mr. Bayne
Dear Families,
As we begin the new year, we wanted to take a moment to share a quick reminder about caring for library books at home.
Recently, we have seen a larger-than-average number of books returned either damaged or lost. Most of this damage appears to be accidental and related to everyday situations—such as contact with pets, water bottles, food, or younger siblings. In many cases, the damage isn’t noticed or reported right away and is only discovered later by another student, which can be disappointing for the next reader.
This is a great opportunity to review book care expectations with your child. Here are a few ideas you may find helpful:
-Find a special “safe spot” at home for library books
-Keep books away from snacks, drinks, and water bottles
-Consider having your child carry their books to and from school in a zip-lock bag, especially if they travel with a water bottle
- If a book is lost or something happens to it, just let us know
We are here to help and very much appreciate your care in making sure that every child has a great reading experience. Your continued support helps keep our library a special place for everyone!
Congratulations to the fifth graders on an outstanding performance in the Winter Concert!
Kindergarten students have begun preparing for their annual Valentine’s show. Letters went home to Kindergarten parents with the details.
Students in all classes are working on the concept of melody, learning about how music can go higher or lower and using that to compose and perform their own tunes.
Mrs. Tice
Principal: Matthew Bayne mbayne2@bcps.org
Asst. Principal: Marlana Mathis mmathis2@bcps.org
Main Office: Jackie McElduff; Kim Campbell
Website: jacksonvillees.bcps.org
Location: 3400 Hillendale Heights Road. Phoenix, MD 21131
Phone: (443) 809-7880
School Hours: 9:05 a.m. - 4:05 p.m.
PTA: jacksonvillees.bcps.org
Instagram: jacksonville_elementary_