The Eagle Express
News & Updates from
South Jackson Elementary School
Embedded Files
Upcoming Events:
August 25th-29th-Everglow Forest Book Fair
August 28th, 5:00-7:00
PTO Meeting 5:00
It's Glow Time, Back to School Bash, Book Fair Family Shop, & Title 1 Input Meeting
Each Friday, participating students will receive a free bag of non-perishable groceries to help support meals over the weekend. This program is especially helpful for families facing food insecurity, but ALL families are welcome to sign up — no questions asked.
To participate, just fill out a confidential form for each child in your household: Southside Backpack Kids Sign Up
Start date: Week of September 1st
Questions? Call us at (706) 543-8798.
We were so lucky to have a special guest fly in to start the year—DJ SOAR came by to help pump us up about our positive behavior system! With music, dancing, and tons of energy, DJ SOAR helped our Eagles understand how positive choices can lead to exciting rewards and recognition all year long. It was the perfect way to kick off our school-wide commitment to celebrating great behavior and a strong school community.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we continue to fine-tune our morning arrival and afternoon dismissal routines. Safety will always come first, and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping us make drop-off and pick-up as efficient and smooth as possible. Every day, we’re getting a little better—and we couldn’t do it without your support.
We’d also love to see everyone next Friday at Eagle Youth Night—it’s always a great time to show your South Jackson spirit and connect with our community! And while you're at it, go ahead and mark your calendars for all the amazing Family Events we have planned this year. You can find all the details in the document linked in this newsletter.
Let’s keep glowing and have another amazing week ahead!
Just a friendly reminder for our Eagle families—there’s no need to line up early for car rider pickup. Our line moves quickly and efficiently, taking only about 20 minutes from start to finish. Car rider dismissal begins at 2:40 and ends at 2:55. Arriving too early can block the school entrance, so we appreciate your help in keeping the process safe and smooth for all.
Safety is our top priority during arrival and dismissal. Help everyone stay on time and out of harm's way by following our trusty eagle timeline and car rider protocols. Staff will be on hand at the front of the school every day from 7:00-7:35 and 2:35-2:55 to ensure student safety.
Don’t forget to turn in your Color Our World Summer Reading Log! The last day to turn in your reading log is AUGUST 15th.
We can’t wait to see all the amazing books you read over the summer. Be sure to bring your log to school and help us celebrate a colorful start to the year!
Get ready, Eagles — the Athens Rock Lobster Reading Challenge is coming!
Look for your reading logs to come home next week. Read 1,000 minutes by December 17 and you’ll earn a free ticket to an Athens Rock Lobsters home game during the 2025-26 season!
Let’s see how many Eagles can rock this challenge!
Our Literati Online Book Fair is now open!
Support South Jackson Elementary by shopping for books, STEM materials, teacher wishlists, or gift cards! Gift cards can be used later this month at our in-person book fair or online!
Start shopping here: https://literati.com/store/?school=south-jackson-elementary-sch-athens-ga
South Jackson Elementary Named Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School
South Jackson Elementary School has been named a Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse School, the highest honor bestowed upon the organization.
South Jackson Elementary School met the required criteria in nine performance areas of high performing schools required for the prestigious recognition. SJES was recognized for its student focus and support; school organization and culture; challenging standard and curriculum; active teaching and learning; technology and integration; professional community; leadership and education vitality; school, family and community partnerships; and indicators of success.
South Jackson Elementary School is the fifth school within the Jackson County School System to earn the prestigious honor, joining East Jackson Elementary School, Maysville Elementary School, East Jackson High School and West Jackson Middle School.
The Blue Ribbon Lighthouse certification lasts for five years for South Jackson Elementary School, during which time it will have the opportunity to collaborate on exemplary practices with other schools on a local, regional and national level, as well as providing mentoring and networking to schools actively seeking guidance and assistance on improvement initiatives.
South Jackson Elementary
The Free & Reduced meal application is now available. To apply, please click here. Upon clicking the link, you will be asked to search for the school district. Please enter "Jackson County School System". A prompt will come up to select "Jackson County School System (Jefferson, GA)". After selecting this option, please follow all prompts and fill out the information in its entirety to ensure the application is complete.
The Georgia Department of Education is once again paying the cost for the reduced meals, so any student approved through the application process will once again receive free meals throughout the entire 2025-26 school year.
Bus routes for the upcoming 2025-26 school year are now available. Please note, estimated arrival times will be made available at all Open House events, and the Here Comes The Bus application will become active on the first day of school, Thursday, July 31. Please visit www.jacksonschoolsga.org/busroutes to view the routes for this school year.
Did you know we have our own Little Free Library? Located in the back parking lot near the trail entrance, this tiny library is filled with books waiting to be discovered. Feel free to stop by to take a book or leave a children's book for others to borrow; let's keep SJ Eagles reading!
JCSSCanvasParentLogin.pdf
Here Comes The Bus for the Jackson County School System is now live! Here Comes The Bus allows for families and students to track the location of their school bus. The app will notify families of morning and afternoon arrival, and is a great transportation enhancement. Please note the app may take 24-48 hours to update. If after a problem with the application arises following the update window, please contact the JCSS Transportation Department via email at transportation@jcss.us. #SuccessatJCSS #AllAroundExcellence
Scan the QR code below for the SJ Road List.
Infinite Campus
All families should set up an Infinite Campus Parent Portal Account. Click HERE to set up your child's account. This account allows you to receive important school messages through the Parent Square app. If you have trouble with this process, email Mrs. Embry at angie.embry@jcss.us After a parent portal account has been activated, please allow 24 hours for the information to sync with the Parent Square app to be able to message teachers. If you are unable to use Parent Square at any time, please send your child's teacher an email.
Every day is a great day at SJ!
Every day is a great day at SJ!
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