The Eagle Express
News & Updates from
South Jackson Elementary School
The Eagle Express
News & Updates from
South Jackson Elementary School
Eagles, we’re rolling right along with the school year and working hard to make sure every student is on the path toward future college and career success! One highlight this week was seeing our kindergarteners dressed up as community helpers to celebrate the culmination of their social studies unit on People in Our Neighborhood. What a wonderful reminder that our learners are beginning to imagine the roles they might play in their communities one day.
One of our school’s goal areas is College, Career, and Life Readiness. Our teachers are committed to this work in two important ways:
By creating opportunities for students to explore areas of interest that spark excitement about their future pathways.
By leaning into clear, intentional teaching of grade-level content and skills to prepare students for any future they choose to pursue.
At South Jackson, we believe “When you learn, you glow”—and it’s been amazing to see our students shining brighter every day. Keep encouraging your Eagle at home, and together we’ll help them keep glowing toward their future!
SJ’s Mindset Heroes for Everything is Possible are recognized for dreaming big, embracing creativity, thinking positively, and taking action even when faced with setbacks. They inspire our Eagles to set high expectations, appreciate their unique talents, and see that with the right mindset, everything is possible!
South Jackson is proud to announce our Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year, and they’re both our amazing PE coaches!
Every day, they bring energy, encouragement, and a love for movement to our Eagles, showing students that health and fitness can be fun. From games in the gym to lessons on teamwork and perseverance, their enthusiasm inspires our kids to be active, confident, and joyful.
Congratulations to our dynamic duo; you keep our Eagles soaring strong!
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.
The SJ Reading Challenge is officially underway! Our Eagles are teaming up with the Athens Rock Lobsters in the Rocking & Reading Program to log 1,000 minutes of reading by December 17th. Students who reach their goal will earn a FREE Rock Lobsters game ticket!
Claws Up, and let’s get reading, Eagles!
The Jackson County School System will once again be participating in the annual Bus Safety Poster Contest sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education. Interested students should contact their school's art teacher for more information!
Calling All SJ Innovators!
Bring your ideas to life; the JCSS Student Technology Competition is coming! Show off your skills in animation, game design, robotics, graphic design, multimedia, and MORE. Winners from our school will advance to the district level.
Open to all students in third through fifth grades, and projects are due by November 3rd.
Learn more and see all the categories HERE.
Join
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 grace period for students who received free or reduced meals during the 2024–2025 school year will end on September 11, 2025.
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.
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!
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.