Jones Journal for Families September 5, 2025

Welcome to a new school year at Jones Academy where we #shinebright with #jonespride y somos #sololomejor. Please scroll to read this newsletter as it shares important information for the start of school. ONE TEAM. ONE GOAL.

Principally Speaking

Our students are really enjoying the Apex Leadership lessons, and we are so grateful for your support with pledges for this fundraiser! 🎉 The culminating event will be a Glow Run on Thursday, September 11. Thank you for helping make this event a success for our students! 🏃‍♂️

Nuestros estudiantes están disfrutando mucho de las clases de Liderazgo de Apex, ¡y estamos muy agradecidos por su apoyo con sus donaciones para esta recaudación de fondos! 🎉 El evento culminante será una Carrera Glow Run el jueves 11 de septiembre.¡Gracias por ayudarnos a hacer de este evento un éxito para nuestros estudiantes! 🏃‍♂️

New Annual Consent

As permitted by Senate Bill 12 (passed during the 89th Legislative session in Texas), we are requesting your annual consent for your child to receive routine school-based physical and mental health-related services from qualified school staff, including nurses, counselors, and other school personnel, as needed. This consent ensures timely and equitable access to care that promotes student safety, wellness, and readiness to learn. Consent is valid for the entire school year unless revoked in writing. Students without a completed form will be considered as declined consent. Según lo permite el Proyecto de Ley Senatorial 12 (aprobado durante la 89.ª sesión legislativa de Texas), solicitamos su consentimiento anual para que su hijo/a reciba servicios rutinarios de salud física y mental en la escuela por parte de personal escolar calificado, incluyendo enfermeras, consejeros y demás personal escolar, según sea necesario. Este consentimiento garantiza un acceso oportuno y equitativo a la atención que promueve la seguridad, el bienestar y la preparación para el aprendizaje de los estudiantes. El consentimiento es válido durante todo el año escolar a menos que se revoque por escrito. Si los estudiantes no completan el formulario, se considerará que han denegado su consentimiento.

📌 Please complete the Mandatory Annual Consent for Routine Student Health Services Form [here] as soon as possible. Complete el formulario de consentimiento anual obligatorio para servicios de salud de rutina para estudiantes [aquí] lo antes posible.

Dual Language Immersion Tips

• Read Together Daily – Use books in the target language, or read bilingual books side by side. Utilice libros en el idioma meta o lea libros bilingües uno al lado del otro.
• Label Your Home – Place labels on common items (mesa/table, door/puerta) to build vocabulary. Coloque etiquetas en elementos comunes (mesa/table, puerta/puerta) para desarrollar vocabulario.
• Practice Conversations – Encourage your child to use the target language in simple daily routines (greetings, meals, chores). Anime a su hijo a utilizar el idioma en rutinas diarias sencillas (saludos, comidas, tareas del hogar).
• Use Media Wisely – Watch shows or listen to music/podcasts in the target language; turn on subtitles if helpful. Mire programas o escuche música/podcasts en el idioma de destino; active los subtítulos si es útil.
• Celebrate Culture – Cook foods, attend events, or explore traditions from Spanish- or English-speaking cultures. Cocina alimentos, asiste a eventos o explora tradiciones de culturas de habla hispana o inglesa.
• Be Patient & Encouraging – Celebrate effort, not perfection. Mistakes are part of learning! Celebra el esfuerzo, no la perfección. ¡Los errores son parte del aprendizaje!
• Stay Connected – Ask teachers for strategies or resources to reinforce what your child is learning. Read their newsletters to stay informed. Pida a los maestros por estrategias o recursos para reforzar lo que su hijo está aprendiendo. Lea sus boletines para mantenerse informado.

The following resources outline what each student can do within the four language domains at their current level, what is expected at the next level, and how we can assist them in leveling up. Los siguientes recursos describen lo que cada estudiante puede hacer dentro de los cuatro dominios del lenguaje en su nivel actual, lo que se espera en el próximo nivel y cómo podemos ayudarlos a subir de nivel.

As we continue on this school year, we encourage you to read through the information in this newsletter and visit the district's Family Support page. We look forward to partnering with you this school year! Mientras se continue este año escolar, lo alentamos a leer la información de este boletín y visitar la página de Apoyo Familiar del distrito. ¡Esperamos colaborar con usted este año escolar!

Featured Businesses

We are proud to showcase our local small businesses that represent and support the Jones community. Estamos orgullosos de presentar los negocios locales que representan y apoyan a la comunidad de Jones.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration September 18

¡Están Invitados! Please join us as we come together to celebrate the rich traditions and contributions of Hispanic culture. Acompáñenos a celebrar las ricas tradiciones y las contribuciones de la cultura hispana.

Save the Date! National Dance Day September 20!

Counselor Corner

How Is Your Child Doing?

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Mental health is an important issue for all middle and high schools. Nationally, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for 10- to 14-year-olds and the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. Although, suicide is rare for kids under the age of 10, it is important that the parents of our elementary students are educated as well.

Parents can play a critical role in preventing youth suicide. Even if you think it will never happen to you or your family, it’s important to understand the facts, stay connected with your child and know what to do in an emergency situation.

So how do you recognize that your child may be at risk for suicide?

It starts by acknowledging that suicide is a reality for today’s youth – even those that come from good homes. It is not about parenting skills – at its simplest, it is a sign that a child is in a vulnerable place. Young people who are thinking clearly do not think about suicide as a solution to life problems.

The next step is to pay attention to your child’s behavior. Are you noticing any changes in behavior?

For example, students who were active may become withdrawn, quit athletic teams or social clubs, stop paying attention to their personal appearance, daydream, or even fall asleep in the classroom. Have you heard any threats? Were there any situations that could serve as triggers, such as getting into trouble at home, in school, or with legal authorities or relationship problems?

It’s important to keep these warning signs – or FACTS – in mind when your paying attention to your child’s behavior:

FEELINGS like expressing hopelessness about the future, seeming sad and unhappy, being anxious and worried, or getting angry and aggressive.

ACTIONS like withdrawing from activities or friendships, doing risky, dangerous things like drinking & driving, or researching ways to die online.

CHANGES in the normal mood and behavior of your child. In some ways, this may be what is easiest for you to notice. If you observe changes that concern you, reach out to others in your child’s life (i.e., teachers, friends, religious leaders) to see if they’ve also noticed changes.

THREATS are sometimes direct like “I’d rather be dead”. They can also be vague like “I just don’t care about anything anymore.”

SITUATIONS are events that can serve as triggers for the suicidal behavior. These can include things like getting into trouble at home or school or with the law, experiencing some type of loss or facing a life change that the child finds overwhelming.

If you notice any warning signs – or FACTS – what do you do?

Take your observations seriously – even if your child is not thinking about suicide, there is no harm in asking. Research has proven that asking about suicide cannot plant the idea in someone’s mind. It can actually be a relief if the person has been keeping suicidal thoughts secret – it exposes them to the light of day and begins the process of getting help.

How do you bring up the subject?

Directly! Say something like: “You haven’t been yourself lately. I’ve noticed some things that concern me.”

At this point, mention those changes you noticed, then follow up with a statement like: “I’ve heard that sometimes when kids act the way you do, they may think life isn’t worth living anymore. Have you ever thought about taking your life?”

LISTEN to the answer!

If your child responds affirmatively, ask them to tell you more:

• When they think about suicide
• How often they think about it
• If they have a plan or have practiced it

Positive answers to these questions, especially the last one, mean you need to get your child help immediately! It is also important that you immediately remove all the things in your house that could be deadly, especially firearms and medication (both prescription and over the counter drugs). Keep them somewhere else (outside the home) until you are sure the risk of suicide has passed.

Finally, consider counseling for your child.

I, as your school counselor, or your family doctor may be a good starting point for finding a mental health provider who works with children and youth, but do not wait. Make sure your doctor understands the concern is about suicide risk. If you are worried that your child is at immediate risk of self-harm, call your local mental health crisis support team, or go to your local emergency department.

If you are unsure of what to do:

There are special hotlines you can call or text:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat on their website

Crisis Text Line: Text “GOT5” to 741-741

Upcoming Events

• September 9- Volunteer Training
• September 11- Apex Fun Run
• September 12- Donuts with Dudes! Sponsored by Dads' Club
• September 15- Fall Individual Picture Day
• September 18- PTA Meeting & Hispanic Heritage Month Kick Off
• September 19- Student Holiday/Professional Learning Day for Staff
• September 20- National Dance Day
• September 22- Student Holiday- Parent Conference Day
• September 29- Volunteer Training