Jones Journal for Families

Jones Academy- where we #shinebright with #jonespride y somos #sololomejor. Please scroll to read this newsletter as it shares important information. ONE TEAM. ONE GOAL.

Principally Speaking

Tomorrow is Election Day in Arlington ISD, and your last chance to vote! 🗳️ The Arlington ISD 2026 Bond is on the ballot in three propositions. These three props address all 76 campuses with renovations, updates, and replacements, as well as safety and security, CTE, new buses, instructional technology, and updates to our multipurpose facilities.  Learn about how each one would impact our school and the district here. Then cast your vote on Saturday at any polling location in Tarrant County. Find the closest one to you here. We hope you have a wonderful weekend and remember - go vote! ¡Mañana es el Día de las Elecciones en el Arlington ISD, y es su última oportunidad para votar! 🗳️ El Bono del Arlington ISD de 2026 figura en la boleta electoral en tres propuestas. Estas tres propuestas abarcan los 76 planteles escolares mediante renovaciones, actualizaciones y reemplazos, así como mejoras en seguridad y protección, educación técnica y profesional (CTE), nuevos autobuses, tecnología educativa y actualizaciones en nuestras instalaciones de uso múltiple. Infórmese aquí sobre cómo impactaría cada una de estas propuestas a nuestra escuela y al distrito. Luego, emita su voto este sábado en cualquier centro de votación del Condado de Tarrant. Encuentre aquí el centro más cercano a usted. Esperamos que tenga un fin de semana maravilloso y recuerde: ¡salga a votar!

K-5 Applications for Next School Year Closes Today

If you know someone who may be interested, please share this information. If you have a younger child who will be kindergarten age next year, we encourage you to apply, too! Si conoce a alguien a quien le pueda interesar, por favor, comparta esta información. Si tiene un hijo menor que el próximo año tendrá edad para ingresar al kindergarten, ¡le animamos a que también presente su solicitud!

May 2026

Counselor Corner

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Month raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities. Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans' lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Mental health is essential for a person's overall health. Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental disorders and live full and productive lives. Mental Health Awareness Month is a good time to remember that mental illness is actually a pediatric disease. That’s because half of all mental illnesses emerge by the time a child turns 14, and 75% by the time a person is 24. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, studies indicated that 1 in 5 of our nation’s young people will experience a mental health challenge, and that 1 in 10 will have a serious mental health condition that will impact their ability to function at home, in school, and in the community. The good news is that we are talking more about mental health than ever before and we are slowly chipping away at the stigma that often comes with mental health conditions. Now, more than ever, we need to work together to do everything we can to raise happy, healthy, children. Supporting children’s mental health now and in the future is paramount to that make that happen.

When speaking to your child about mental health as a whole:

• When explaining to a child about how a mental illness affects a person, it may be helpful to make a comparison to a physical illness. For example, many people get sick with a cold or the flu, but only a few get really sick with something serious like pneumonia. People who have a cold are usually able to do their normal activities. However, if they get pneumonia, they will have to take medicine and may have to go to the hospital. Similarly, feelings of sadness, anxiety, worry, irritability, or sleep problems are common for most people. However, when these feelings get very strong, last for a long period of time, and begin to interfere with school, work, and relationships, it may be a sign of a mental illness that requires treatment. (from American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
• School-age children: Older children may want more specifics. They may ask more questions, especially about friends or family with emotional or behavioral problems. Their concerns and questions are usually very straightforward. It is important to answer their questions directly and honestly, and to reassure them about their concerns and feelings.
• Teenagers: They are generally capable of handling much more information and asking more specific and difficult questions. Teenagers often talk more openly with their friends and peers than with their parents. As a result, some teens may already have misinformation about mental illnesses. Teenagers respond more positively to an open dialogue which includes give and take.

Mental Health Resources for Parents

• A Parent's Guide to Childhood Mental Health: Broad-based toolkit for parents. Includes information on warning signs, worksheets, checklists, and other information to help parents become better equipped to support their child's mental health.
• Balanced Mind Parent Network: Guides families raising children and teens with mood disorders to the answers, support, and stability they seek.
• Child Mind Institute Family Resource Center: Information to help parents support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges.
• Child Mind Institute Complete Guide to Getting Good Care: Provides information about identifying if a child needs help, diagnosis, treatment options, and other key topics. Available in English and Spanish.
• Healthy Children.org: The Emotional Wellness Page for parents includes dozens of articles addressing issues related to discussing difficult issues with children, family dynamics and coping, helping children handle stress and more. Website sponsored by AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics)
• org: Parent's Guide to Teen Depression: Shares how to recognize the symptoms of depression in teens.
• Mental Health Resources for Parents: A range of parenting mental health resources, including Parenting & School, Identifying Mental Health Struggles in Children, Helping at Home: Tips for parents, and much more.
• Mental Health Resources for Parents of Adolescents and Young Adults: Resources from the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine, including online resources for parents, mental health networks, mental health treatment guides, and treatment services locator.
• National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health: This organization focuses on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and their families.
• National Institute of Mental Health: Website provides guides and brochures directed at parents.
• Parents and Families: This SAMHSA website helps access resources for families and family-run organizations supporting behavioral health recovery and resilience for children, youth, and adults.
• Parents Medication Guides for ADHD, Bipolar, and Depression: Three parent medication to help parents learn about effective treatments for children and adolescents with various mental health disorders. Available from the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Upcoming Events

• May 1- Spring Dance for 3rd-5th
• May 4-8- Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 4-11- End of the Year Reading & Math Screener Evaluations
• May 12- All That Jones Showcase Featuring 5th grade, 6pm
• May 15- Fun Day
• May 16- Father Fest
• May 18- Kindergarten Graduation & Showcase 2pm
• May 19- 1st Grade Awards Ceremony 9am, 2nd Grade Awards Ceremony 2pm
• May 20- 4th Grade Awards Ceremony 9am, 3rd Grade Awards Ceremony 2pm
• May 21- 5th Grade Awards & Graduation Ceremony 7pm @ CVPA
• May 22- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, EARLY DISMISSAL 12:10PM
• August 12- FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, 2026-2027