Winter break is the perfect time to slow down, get cozy, and read with your kids. Just a few minutes of reading each day helps build imagination, vocabulary, and a lifelong love for books.
Snuggle up, grab a good story, and make reading part of your winter traditions! 🐼💛
We’d love to see what your family is reading—share your favorite family reads with us!
📸 Email any family reading photos to esparzaj@duvalschools.org
We’ll highlight them on our social media to inspire and encourage other families to join the fun.
Reading rocks! 📖✨ Go Pandas!
We hope this season brings you joy, rest, and special memories with loved ones. Thank you for your continued support and for being an important part of our school community.
❄️ Winter Break runs from Saturday, December 20th through Tuesday, January 6th.
✨ We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday, January 7th!
Enjoy a safe and restful break! 🎁⛄️
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Holiday cheer and holiday spirit are filling San Jose Elementary, with lots of Panda love and Panda joy spreading all around to our students!
We had another 30 students join us for photos, and it’s not too late to participate. We will continue taking photos Wednesday and Thursday during morning arrival.
🎄 Holiday photo ornaments will be sent home with your student on Friday.
Thank you for helping us make this a fun and festive experience for our Pandas. Go Pandas! 🐼
Families, there’s still time to participate in our Panda Holiday Photo Ornament for $5!
We will take:
An individual holiday photo of your child
A special group photo with our administrative team
The photos are turning out great—45 students participated on Monday, and we’re hoping to add another 50 students on Tuesday!
📸 Photo sessions will continue through Thursday morning during arrival. Thank you for helping us make this a fun and festive memory for our students!
✨ Monday – Snazzy Holiday Party
Dress to impress! Break out your fanciest holiday sparkle, shine, and style.
💚 Tuesday – Holiday Character Day
Pick your holiday character and bring the magic (or the mischief)!
🎁 Wednesday – Ugly Sweater Day
The uglier, the better. Bonus points for lights, jingles, and creative chaos!
😴 Thursday – Comfy PJ Day
Roll out of bed and straight into school in your coziest pajamas.
🐼 Friday – Panda Excellence Day
Show your House Pride with a festive twist—holiday colors, accessories, and all the cheer!
We will be taking photos during morning arrival Monday–Thursday and will send the ornament home with your child on Friday. Go Pandas!
Did you know your child could receive free books mailed directly to your home? Through our partnership with New Worlds Reading — a state‑supported literacy program — eligible VPK through 5th grade students can build their home library and keep reading all year long.
If your child is not yet reading at grade level and attends a Florida VPK program or public school, you qualify! ✅
Ready to get started? Visit newworldsreading.com/en/eligibility
to register your child and have books sent to you at no cost.
📚🌳 Join Ms. Miller and Principal Gomez for Reading in the Park during Winter Break! 🌳📚
Students and families, let’s kick off winter break with a fun and inspiring Reading Event on Monday, 12/22 from 12–1 pm at: 📍 Crabtree Park | 1704 University Blvd W, Jacksonville, FL 32217
PLUS — Every student who attends will receive a free book to enjoy over the break! 🎁📚
Bring your picnic blanket, get outside, and enjoy an afternoon of reading, reflection, and community time.
Let’s celebrate the joy of reading together—see you there! Go Pandas!
Our Scholastic Book Fair will be open December 8th–11th!
Don’t miss out on great books and fun for our students.
📅 Family Night
Join us Thursday, December 11th from 4–5 PM for a special family shopping event!
💳 e-Wallet Available
Make checkout easy by setting up an e-Wallet at Scholastic.com.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🐼💛📖
📣 San Jose Elementary – Upcoming December Events! ❄️🐼
We have an exciting month planned! Check out what’s happening:
📚 Scholastic Book Fair
December 8–11
Send funds with your child so they can purchase items at the Book Fair.
📚 Family Night at the Book Fair
December 11 | 4:00–5:00 PM
🍽️ Desayuna Conmigo / Have Breakfast With Me
December 18 | 8:15–8:45 AM
⛄ Winter Break
December 22 – January 6
Students return after the break on January 7.
❄️✨ We hope you enjoy all the wonderful events this month at San Jose Elementary!
We are excited to invite our families to Desayuna Conmigo, a special morning to enjoy breakfast with your child!
🎟️ The first 100 adults who register will be able to attend.
Please RSVP to reserve your spot: https://dcps.questionpro.com/PandaBreakfast
📅 Date: Thursday, December 18th
⏰ Time: 8:15 AM in the cafeteria
👨👩👧👦 Important: Please bring your child with you in the morning so you can enter the cafeteria together and enjoy your time without delays.
We look forward to sharing this special breakfast experience with you!
🪥 Toothbrushes
🦷 Toothpaste
🧼 Bars of soap
🧴 Hand sanitizer
🧖♀️ Shampoo/Conditioner
🧻 Toilet paper
Every donation makes a difference! And to make it fun, the House with the most donations will earn House Points toward becoming the House of the Quarter in January!
Let’s come together, support those in need, and show our students what community truly means.
Every item counts. Every act of kindness matters.
This week is especially important as we begin state testing, so please help us by making sure students:
✨ Get plenty of rest tonight
✨ Arrive on time and ready to learn
✨ Feel encouraged and motivated to do their best
Together, we can help our pandas shine! 🌟
🐼💛 Every Day Counts at School! 💛🐼
Panda Families, regular attendance is key to your child’s success. Being in school every day helps students:
✅ Stay on track with learning
✅ Build friendships and social skills
✅ Be ready for assessments and important lessons
Let’s work together to ensure every panda shows up, shines, and reaches their full potential. Your support makes a big difference—thank you for helping your child come to school every day! 🌟
As a fun bonus, students will get the chance to run around with our admin team—dressed as turkeys! The Turkey Trot will take place Tuesday afternoon, and we can’t wait for all the laughter and excitement.
Thank you for supporting our pandas and helping us continue to create fun, meaningful experiences for them!
