Please make note of the Revised 2010-2011 JISD School Calendar. (Click Here)
(Revision: January 3, 2011 - District Holiday)

Click Here for the 2010-2011 JISD Budget & Tax Information.

Click Here to access the 2010 District Training Survey.
This survey will be active :  8/30/2010 - 9/13/2010
(This survey is intended for ALL District Employees Only.)

Click Here to access the 2010-2011 JISD Employee Handbook.
(Also located in the District Documents section on the left-side navigation)

Below is a list of upcoming dates and events as we prepare and start an exciting 2010-2011 JISD School Year!

This is an Internal Posting, will be filled from within.

Click Here for the 2010-2011 JISD School Supplies List.

Click here to access Job Listings.

Click Here to access Job Listings.

Click Here to access Job Listings.

Click Here to access Job Listings

Click here to access Job Listings.

New Job Posting - JHS/JJHS Choir Director

Agenda of Special Meeting

The Board of Trustees

Jefferson Independent School District

__________________________________________________________

A Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Jefferson Independent School District will be held Wednesday, May 26, 2010 beginning at 7:00 PM in the Administration Building, 1600 MLK Drive, Jefferson, Texas.

The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are as listed below. Items do not have to be taken in the order shown on this meeting notice.

Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be acted on at one time.

1.    CALL TO ORDER

2.   FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS

A.   The announcement by the President as to the presence of a quorum, that the meeting has been duly called, and that notice of the meeting was posted in the time and manner required

3.   ACTION ITEMS

A.    Consideration and/or action regarding the process to proceed with the Primary School Cafeteria construction which includes discussion to rebid the identical project as a separate item

B. Consideration and/or action regarding the process to proceed with the Primary School Cafeteria construction which includes discussion to redesign the project to reduce cost

C. Consideration and/or action regarding the process to proceed with the Ag Shop construction which includes discussion to rebid the identical project as a separate item

D.   Consideration and/or action regarding the process to proceed with the Ag Shop construction which includes discussion to redesign the project to reduce cost and add classrooms

E. Consideration and/or action regarding a proposal to examine existing Ag Shop space and redesign to create an environment more conducive to learning

F.   Consideration and/or action regarding Football Stadium projects which includes relocation of electrical service

G.   Consideration and/or action regarding Football Stadium projects which includes discussion of ticket booth designs

H.   Consideration and/or action regarding Football Stadium projects which includes replacing the fence along the entrance

4.   ADJOURNMENT

(Click Here for the Online Article)

First person: "My students are incredible sources of joy"

By 2009-10 ATPE Associate of the Year Sara Elms, Jefferson ISD

Jefferson ISD Life Skills is a wonderful place to be a part of the education family. I am an aide for the severe and profoundly handicapped. It is not a job for me but a passion. I jokingly tell people: "You can underpay me to work in special ed, but you couldn't overpay me to work in general ed." I enjoy the one-on-one I can have with each of my students. My work is like a puzzle; I have to find the pieces to make the whole picture shine.

I never dreamed of education as a field of interest. Life had other plans-my degree is in communications-until I found my niche. The first time I met my students, I was inspired. Their spirit was captivating. Even now I remember the fear I had when I learned to tube feed. I was terrified I would somehow hurt this child, but he giggled and put me at ease. Tube feeding is just the beginning; I take care of my students' personal needs, such as hygiene, diapering and assisted feeding.

One student enjoys sewing, so this has become a passion for me as well. I place the pedal of the sewing machine on his table and hold his left hand in my right. He applies pressure to the pedal; I push fabric through with my left hand; and we create. We started out with basic fleece blankets that we donated to neonatal intensive care units and to the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission. We discussed how there are people less fortunate than ourselves, and we came away with an intense feeling of satisfaction knowing our blankets would be put to use for others. We have now graduated to quilts. We discuss color, squares, material and even who may benefit from our project. My student was asked to demonstrate his sewing technique at the annual Quilts on the Bayou show in Jefferson. He performed to a standing-room-only audience. I am very proud to be a part of this milestone in his life. I have lovingly dubbed our quilting "the patchwork of possibilities." My students are incredible sources of joy for me.

Para-educators sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Often, we don't receive the level of respect we should, and there is a common misperception about our roles as educators. I am not "just an aide"; I am an educator. I might not currently hold a teaching certificate, but my classroom runs smoothly because I am a part of the team.

ATPE does a fabulous job of recognizing the talent and dedication that para-educators bring to the classroom and to their districts. And to be recognized as one of the best educators our state has to offer-well, that is an educator's dream come true.

Kent Thigpen is sworn in as the newest JISD Board Member, while Amy Varnell and Regina Nelson return for another term. (Click Here for Photos)

Congratulations to the Jefferson High School Choir for MAKING HISTORY, earning a SWEEPSTAKES rating at UIL Concert & Sight reading Contest! This is a first for the JHS Choir!!! The choir participated in the contest on Tuesday, April 6th at Canton High School.

Today, April 7th, is Texas Go Blue Day! Everyone was encouraged to wear blue to raise awareness for child abuse prevention! Every teacher participated and most of our students remembered their blue as well! JES is proud that our halls were a sea of blue today! Thank you for helping to spread the word Bullpups!

For more information on Go Blue Day which is sponsored by the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards, visit this link:

http://www.tccwb.org/

Here is an article on Go Blue Day:

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/90021092.html

The whole month of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month! Follow this link for more information:

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/

For more information on Texas Child Abuse Prevention or for help on reporting child abuse follow these helpful links:

http://www.preventchildabusetexas.org/index.html

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/child_protection/About_Child_Protective_Services/

http://www.txabusehotline.org/ (Provides an online form for reporting)

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/txts/child_abuse.shtml (An article from the Attorney General of Texas)

Click here or Click the "District Calendar" Button at the top bar.

Website for Parents to order drug/alcohol testing materials to test their children.  There are other resources for parents in dealing with these issues on the website, as well.  DrugTestYourTeen.com

  Basketball DISTRICT 20AA

Elysian Fields, Harleton, Jefferson, Joaquin, Tatum, Waskom

A meeting of the District 20AA Executive Committee will be held February 23, 2010 beginning at
2:30 p.m. at Jefferson ISD Administration Office.

The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are as
listed below. Items do not have to be taken in the order shown on this meeting notice.

1.  Call to Order

2. Action Items

A.   Selection of District 20AA Executive Chair

B.   Approval of District 20AA Schedule of Games

C. Approval of District 20AA Rules and Procedures

The notice for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act on
February 19, 2010 at 4:30 p.m.

___________________________________

For the District 20AA Executive Committee

Sharon Ross, Ed.D

Superintendent, Jefferson ISD

(Click Here)

New Parent Resources have been added to the Parent's Website! (Click Here)

Click on the Icon to check the latest on the 2010 Census!

The Jefferson High School & Junior High Choirs 

Present

Our Second Annual Coffeehouse Concert

"The Look of Love"  

Thursday, February 4^th at 7p.m. (Doors open at 6:30)

JHS COMMONS

Tickets: $3 (for admission, dessert & coffee!)

Please come and support your local choirs

Click Here to see new messages from Dr. Ross.

2009-2011 District Improvement Plan. (Click Here)

Click Here to goto the New District Documents Site.

"Safety" Santa visits Jefferson ISD Schools!  Our very own Police Chief Chuck Rogers dawns his "Santa" suit and utility belt to visit the students of Jefferson ISD.  He is the brother to "Santa Claus".  He brought everyone a very special Message:

"Be Safe during the Holidays."
"Do not Talk to Strangers."
"Mind and Listen to your Parents."
"Remember your BullPup Manners!"

He was received with Smiles, Cheers, and Hugs as he went to every classroom and department spreading his Christmas Cheer and Message.

Here are some Pictures of the visit:
(You can also CLICK HERE to see more pictures!)

JISD 2007-2012 Board Goals "A.L.I.V.E." (Click Here)

November 17, 2009

DPS warns parents:

Mexican cartels and gangs recruiting in Texas schools

The Texas Department of Public Safety is warning parents across the state to be aware of efforts by Mexican cartels and transnational gangs to recruit Texas youth in our schools and communities. These violent organizations are luring teens with the prospect of cars, money and notoriety, promising them if they get caught, they will receive a minimal sentence.

The Mexican cartels constantly seek new ways to smuggle drugs and humans into Texas are now using state based gangs and our youth to support their operations on both sides of the border. 

For example, Laredo natives Gabriel Cardona and Rosalio Reta were recruited in their teens to be hit men for the Zetas. The Zetas, composed primarily of former Mexican military commandos, originally served as the enforcement arm of the Gulf Cartel, but have since become their own cartel.  El Paso teens have been recruited to smuggle drugs across the border, many with the packs taped to their bodies.

While such recruitment is growing across Texas, juveniles along the Texas-Mexico border are particularly susceptible. In 2008, young people from the counties along the Texas-Mexico border accounted for just 9 percent of the population in Texas, but 18 percent of the felony drug charges and gang-related arrests.

"As these dangerous organizations seek to co-opt our children to support their criminal operations, it is more important than ever that parents be aware of these risks, talk to their children and pay attention to any signs that they may have become involved in illegal activities," said Steven C. McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

To protect our communities and our children from these powerful and ruthless criminal organizations, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the District Attorneys in Texas border counties are working together to detect, disrupt and deter Mexican cartel-related crime along the Texas-Mexico border.

### (PIO 2009-81)

Tela Mange
Chief of Media Relations
Texas Department of Public Safety
512-424-2083
512-424-2649 (fax)
512-424-2277 (after hours)
Follow us on Twitter!
@TexasDPS_PIO
@TxDPS_Capitol

New Links are posted in the JISD Police Department Useful Links area. (Click Here)

To Get more details, Click Here for the JISD E-Rate Information Page.

Click on the following Link to access the JISD Police FAQs.

New Job Listing: DAEP Director (Click Here) to access Job Listings.

(Click Here)

Mobile Dentists is coming to JJHS Campus on November 12, 2009.  Mobile Dentists will provide students with FREE Dental Exams, Cleanings, X-Rays, Fluoride and Sealants.  This is an All Day event located at the JJHS Campus.  Consent forms need to be turned by October 5, 2009.  Mobile Dentists website: http://www.mobiledentists.com  For more information contact the JJHS CIS Director @ 903.665.2461 x3316

2009-2010 Approved School District Budget. (Click Here)

2009-2010 Lady Bulldogs Basketball Schedule Post. (Click Here)

Click Here for more information.

Click Here to view Job Postings.

Click Here for the 2009-2010 Jefferson ISD Budget Summary.

Jefferson ISD partners with the Boy's & Girl's Clubs to offer students a safe environment with afterschool activities and programs. The Boy's & Girl's Club will meet every weekday after school, at the Jefferson Primary Campus. For more information, please contact the Primary Campus directly. More information about the Boy's & Girl's Clubs of the Big Pines can be accessed ar the following address: http://www.begreatjefferson.com

(Click Here)

Click Here

Click Here for 2009-2010 JISD School Supply List.

Collge For All Texans!
Click the above link for College Resources!

Click HERE to search for a Food Service Program Near You!

New JISD Board Members and their positions. (Click Here)

Today's tip from Buckle Up America: How to
meet more police officers. One great way to get
the cops to notice you is to drive around without a
seat belt. Not wearing a seat belt is against the law.
The police write tickets for this. And in May,
they have this seat belt mobilization to catch
people who don't buckle up. Seat belts can secure
the people you like. Not wearing seat belts can set
up a roadside chat under flashing lights.

UIL has Rescheduled ALL Current Activities in response to the Swine Flu Outbreak in Texas and the US. (Click Here for more Information)

Jefferson ISD

"Level 5 District" ... "Systemic Planning" ... "good to GREAT!" ... "District Beliefs"

What are these about?

Please plan to attend upcoming special meetings open to our Parents, Community and all School Employees on how to acheive those statements above!

Check the District Calendar in the month of May for more information!

Update - 4/14/2009
JHS Campus: Science/Biology Teacher
JJHS Camous: 5th Grade Math Teacher, 8th Grade Math Teacher, JJHS Band Director, Pre-Algebra/Algebra 1 Teacher, Speech/ISS Teacher
JES Campus:  Elementary Teacher
JPS Campus: Kindergarten Teacher
Administration: Superintendent Secretary
You can download an application form in the Job Listings Site. (Click Here)

Jefferson ISD is proud of it's JHS Students who pariticpated at the UIL District 17-AA District Academic meeting in
Mt. Pleasant, Texas at the Northeast Texas Community College on Friday, March 27, 2009.

Below is a list of the JHS Students who won:

(Click Here) for the 2007-2008 AEIS/AYP/HQT Report Cards.
AEIS - Academic Excellence Indicator System
AYP - Adequate Yearly Progress
HQT - Highly Qualified Teachers

On Febuary 16, 2009, Jefferson ISD got it's "Electronic Marquee" installed. (Click Here)

District 17 All-District Information now posted.  (Click Here)

The following information was taken from a letter sent out by the J.M. Smucker Company:

"For more than 100 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has been committed to ensuring consumer safety and product quality. We are confident our comprehensive product safety and quality assurance policies and procedures, which include testing for the presence of Salmonella, ensure the safety of our products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voluntary recall of certain brand of peanut butter distributed via food service channels and retail peanut butter products due to concerns relating to Salmonella does NOT apply to any products under the Smucker's®, Jif®, Adams® and Laura Scudders® brands, nor to any other peanut butter brands or products produced by The J.M. Smucker Company. Our peanut butter products and brands are safe for consumption.

The J.M. Smucker Company does not purchase peanuts or any ingredients from Peanut Corporation of America.

In addition, the Smucker Company has not been involved in this or any other previous recall of peanut butter.

Sincerely,
Al Yeagley
Vice President, Quality Assurance"

JHS/JJHS Boys & Girls Track/Softball/Golf Sports Schedules Posted. (Click Here)

New Job Postings: (Click Here for More Details)

Standing Up to a Bully 

If your child is verbally bullied, teach him or her how to respond effectively.  Discuss the following strategies with your child.  Practicing the strategies with you or another trusted adult will help develop the confidence to end the bullying. If the bullying is happening at school, speak to your child's classroom teacher or advisor so they can help.

Ignore the Bully
Teach your child to ignore the bully. Your child should not make faces, cry, sigh, or make any gesture signaling distress.  Often, when bullies don't get a reaction, they stop. 

Walk Away 
Your child can choose to walk away in a confident manner - head up, back straight and with a normal walking pace.  Your child needs to be aware of being followed and walk to a safer place, usually near adults.  If the bully says mean things, continue to ignore and walk away.

Tell the Bully to "Stop"
Keeping a distance of 1½ to 2 arm lengths, have your child say, "Stop!" or, "Cut it out!" Teach your child to:

1. Make eye contact.
2. Express confident body language; head up, back straight, arms down in front or on the side of the body and feet at shoulder width.  No fidgeting!
3. Speak clearly - a steady tone, not too loud, too soft, whiny or sarcastic.
4. Make short statements such as, "Stop!" or "Cut it out!"
5. Then turn and walk away.

Go to a Trusted Adult
When other strategies fail, or there is immediate danger, tell your child to go to a trusted adult.  This is not tattling; this is requesting assistance with a serious problem.

 ©2008 www.BalacedEducationServices.com 
Permission is granted to use this article. 

Jefferson ISD Sets Ordinance Levying Tax Rate for the 2008 Tax Roll.  (Click Here)

Budget Summary/Proposed 2008-2009 JISD Budget now Posted.  (Click Here)

Four Jefferson ISD Retirees, with a combined total of 124 years of service, were honored at the Regular Board Meeting held on Monday, June 16, 2008.  All baord members were present to honor these reitrees.  Board President, Ricky Harrington and new Superintendent, Dr. Sharon Ross presented each retiree with a plaque.

Ronald Pullum, 13 years, School Bus Driver	Kenneth Stokely, 26 Years, JHS Math Teacher
Anthony Harrison, 41 years, JES Science Lab Teacher	Treanor McCoy, 44 Years, JJHS Language Arts Teacher