Jackson Academy has a tradition of honoring the dedication and loyalty of its employees by acknowledging their years of service. Recognizing milestones in increments of five years, employees are given the chance to designate a contribution from JA to a cause meaningful to them in support of the school. Those who have served for 25 years or more are honored with a plaque and special recognition.

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Jackson Academy acknowledges and honors its Teachers of the Year every spring. The recognition is particularly noteworthy this year as it falls during National Teacher Appreciation Week. During the final chapel program on Tuesday, administrators called four teachers to the PAC stage where they formally expressed gratitude for the teachers’ dedicated service to the school. Faculty members vote for Teachers of the Year from among their peers by division.

Congratulations to the 2024 Teachers of the Year:

Upper School

Dee Ball
AP US Government
and AP History Teacher
35 Years of Service

Lower School

Jamie Wright
Second Grade Teacher
22 Years of Service

Middle School

Sarah Clark
Eighth Grade
History Teacher
11 Years of Service

Preschool

Courtney Bush
K4 Teacher 
8 Years of Service

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All dressed in holiday pajamas, current and prospective preschoolers hopped, twirled, sang, and posed for photos as they waited. Outside the entrance to the magical Preschool Christmas Open House, snow billowed above. Holiday music brought out excited dances and wiggles.

Along the pathway through Winter Wonderland, booths with winter scenes, festive snacks, fun activities, and tiny gifts brought delight to the youngsters. Frosty and other characters interacted with the children. A major highlight of the evening was when preschoolers got to tell Santa about their Christmas wishes. 

The JAA sponsors the annual holiday event with assistance from many departments on campus.

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Last week, JA celebrated the heroes of the United States who have served in the military, both past and present. At the Lower School Patriotic Day on November 9, honored guests from the Armed Forces were invited to stand while the song that represented their branch of service played. Students presented the flags of the Armed Forces during the recognition.

Sporting red, white, and blue hats and costumes, Preschool students paraded through the school to patriotic music in a separate event. Parents who serve in the Armed Forces accompanied their students. Preschool students learned about patriotic themes as they created their hats and costumes for the parade. They listened to patriotic music during the day. They waved American flags as they followed the parade route through JA buildings. Even the K2 students joined the outing, walking or riding in the parade.

The Lower School program in the Performing Arts Center included video messages from JA graduates currently serving. Also, a video presentation titled “Patriotic Day Heroes” showed photographs of military family members, both current and from the past.

Kindergarten to fifth-grade students learned songs and poems that celebrated veterans and honored their service, such as “God Bless America,” The American Flag,” The Heart of America,” Because of the Brave,” “This Flag We Fly,” “On Veteran’s Day,” and “You Are Our Heroes.” Students learned to be grateful for and honor those who serve our country and sacrifice for others.

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The Cheer and Accent campers from this past JA Summer Camp performed at Friday’s football game with the Accents and cheer teams. The young, spirited campers showed off what they had learned during camps this summer. They experienced Friday night under the lights alongside their cheer and Accent role models. 

Head Cheer Coach Story Warren talked about how the mentorships between campers and spirit teams grow throughout the week of camp. “Everyone’s hearts grew stronger for themselves, each other, and the school,” said Warren. “Relationships were built that will carry on campus for years to come.”

Cheer and Accent camps provide an opportunity for the older student groups to mentor the campers. They teach the purpose and techniques of cheerleading and dance, but also many other important skills.

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This year’s Alpha and Omega Spring Picnic was loads of fun for everyone. Buddies reminisced about their memories from this school year. Kindergarten buddies have gone to senior graduation activities, been given rides to school, and so much more. Not only are the seniors mentors for their buddies but these relationships are cherished on both sides.

Buddies shared pizza and popsicles outside to enjoy the beautiful day. Seniors were able to relive their childhood days playing games and blowing bubbles with their buddies. The games ranged from floating a colorful parachute, hopscotch, drawing with chalk, and throwing the football. All had a grand time!

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Did you know that a real pet rabbit inspired the tales of Peter Rabbit? Beloved author Beatrix Potter began the stories of her pet in a series of letters written to cheer a boy who was ill. She started writing the notes in 1893 and published “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” in 1902.

At Jackson Academy, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter have been central figures in Beatrix Potter Tea Parties, a beloved tradition for K4 and K5 students. JA’s tea parties feature a stunning display of creativity, with the Preschool library transformed into an English garden and decorated with items directly from the story. New this year, K3 students will tour the garden to glimpse the magic and see what they have to look forward to next year!

K4 and K5 students are thrilled to sip lemon tea while nibbling on cookies and carrots as the Preschool librarian tells them about the escapades of the friendly rabbits. Students are amazed by the beautiful decorations and enthralled by the storytelling, participating by reciting the lines they already know. This year, students have the special treat of retired librarian Suzie Adcock taking part in the story’s reenactment.

One of Preschool Librarian Mimi Heard’s favorite Beatrix Potter quotes is, “Even the smallest one can change the world.” Heard is excited that the smallest Raiders will get a preview of Beatrix Potter week this year. Heard is also grateful for the parent volunteers from each class who peel carrots and serve tea, cookies, and carrots. She says it takes quite a few faculty, staff, and volunteers to make this long-standing JA tradition unique and memorable as it teaches lessons of curiosity, choices, listening, and a love of nature.

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Jackson Academy K3 classes had their annual morning parade through the Lower School and Preschool building on Thursday, February 2. Young Raiders dressed as characters from their favorite nursery rhymes they have been learning all year. There were appearances from Jack and Jill, the Cow Jumps Over the Moon, Humpty Dumpty, the Itsy Bitsy Spider, and more!

These creative students were able to express nursery rhymes through their costumes. Preschool and Lower School students were also a part of the National Nursery Rhyme Day magic! As the K3 students paraded around the JA campus, other students cheered on their sweet friends or siblings. Receiving smiles, greetings, and hugs, our K3 students love having supportive mentors.

Assistant Lower School Head, Sandra Triplett said, “The past few weeks our K3 students have had a blast learning about all the different nursery rhymes. Students have loved reading about the characters, acting out the stories, and making fun projects about each rhyme. They ended their unit by dressing up as their favorite nursery rhyme and celebrated with a parade. We loved seeing their creative costumes and proud faces as they marched around campus!”

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A Candyland fantasy greeted excited preschool-age students Thursday evening at Jackson Academy. More than 250 current and prospective families gathered at the Administration parking lot to enter the school, recreated into a wonderland of festive stations offering sweet treats, holiday character greetings, and fun activities. 

Mrs. Claus handed out cookies, the Elf on the Shelf perched high atop a wall and conversed with surprised preschoolers, and larger-than-life gingerbread children and snowmen provided welcoming hugs and smiles for delighted youngsters.

After expending some energy at several jump houses on the Lower School playground, children and parents made their way into the Preschool Gym for photos with Santa. Their evening concluded with a boxed dinner. The Jackson Academy Association sponsors this annual event.

Click here to watch the video on Facebook!

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Preschool students learned about all their community helpers do, and at the end of the week, K3 students got to dress up as the community helper they admire most. The young doctors, firefighters, police officers, and more were celebrated during a parade around the Lower School playground. 

On Tuesday, the Jackson Fire Department stopped by to teach the youngest Raiders about fire trucks, fire safety, and the role of first responders. Students had the opportunity to look around in the fire truck and practice stop, drop, and roll. 

Wednesday followed with a visit from Resource Officers Steve Lofton and Richard Byrd to teach K3 students about the role of a resource officer on campus. The officers showed them their gear and explained its use. Each K3 student made a police officer badge and hat to celebrate.

Friday morning, the Jackson Police Department demonstrated lights and sirens while riding up and down Sheffield Drive to show the Preschool students. Students were lined up on the sidewalk, enthusiastically smiling and jumping. A few students who happened to be dressed as police officers even got their photo with a JPD officer.

K3 students ended the week with a parade dressed as their community helper role models. Students dressed as teachers, doctors, police officers, and so much more. Preschool students enjoyed their week learning about all of their community helpers. And, thank you to our community helpers for all they do.

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