One of the most impactful JA senior ceremonies is JA’s Senior Chapel, which was held today. Seniors don caps and gowns and process into the Performing Arts Center holding hands with their Alpha & Omega buddies.
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.
JA fifth grade spent Friday morning at “STEM in the Gym!” With the help of parents and faculty members, six hands-on stations were set up in the Lower School gym for the energetic fifth graders to rotate through. The six stations were the Marble Run Design, Coding with Dash, Rocket Launch, Imagination Playground, Barefoot Frogger, and the Rigamajig. Each station included elements of science, technology, engineering, and math, which students learned about all year through the Lower School STEM program.
Today, students in K4 took the lead in reminding our Preschool and Lower School students and faculty about the significance of books. On World Book Day, these young Raiders selected a book to read and brought it to life through their creative costumes. They paraded their literary creations across the Lower School playground, captivating the attention of students and faculty from seven other grades.
Lower School students participated in Field Day on Friday. Each year, Lower School students look forward to Field Day. This long-time JA tradition incorporates teamwork, competition, and hard work into exciting races that challenge strength, speed, balance, mind, and endurance. It is a fan-favorite event that students, teachers, and parents await each year.
Self-control is one of the characteristics described in the Bible as a Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Lower School STEM teacher Cliff Powers presented a chapel service on self-control when students departed for spring break.
Jackson Academy held the Scholastic Book Fair each day last week. Students discovered the latest books, journals, and other educational products. The book fair sparks students’ imaginations and ignites their love for reading, which aligns with JA’s start as a school founded to teach reading by phonics.
Parents, faculty, staff, and students gathered in the PAC Friday for an unforgettable performance by talented third grade students. With heartwarming tales by Laura Ingalls Wilder, students took the audience on a journey through key moments of her life. From the chores and square dances to the joy of Christmas at the Ingalls home, this performance transported audiences back in time to the 19th century when families churned butter and stored food for the long winter.
Unique traditions for each grade leading up to Christmas give students special memories of their school year. Teachers and parents put creativity and love into the events that celebrate the season and teach important lessons.