Welcome Back, Falcons!

Greetings, Jefferson Community,

It is hard to believe, but the start of another school year is just around the corner! We can’t wait to welcome students back on Wednesday, September 2nd. Our educators and staff have been busy preparing for an excellent school year and a welcoming start..  

If you have been following our summer updates, you know that we have been busy preparing our schools, enhancing our parent communication plan, and bringing in new staff members. To give you greater visibility into the excellent work happening across our district, we have established the Superintendent Instagram account (@JTPSFalcon_Super), designed parent feedback sessions, and planned upcoming Board presentations. The Falcon Family has a lot to be proud of, and we intend to highlight and share the work of our staff and exceptional students all year long!

• Mr. Sirajj Ziyad — Assistant Principal, Intermediate School 
• Ms. Tamarra Fernandez — Supervisor, Special Education, Gifted & Talented, and Family & Consumer Science

We are also proud to highlight:

• Ms. Lauren Donohue — Promoted to Principal, Intermediate School
• Mrs. Jessica Brennan — Entering her first full year as Principal, Arthur Stanlick Elementary 

Jefferson Township has an exceptional team of educators and administrators ready to bring our district to new heights. Whether you meet them on the first day, at an open house, or during Back-to-School night, know they have already spent countless hours preparing for your child to have an amazing year. To get off to a great start, please consider sending a quick thank-you email or a positive note about your child to one of our educators. It only takes a minute to write, but it means the world to our staff as they launch the year. Let’s begin the year with kindness! 

As you prepare for your students’ return to school, here are a few reminders and helpful resources:

School Hours	Back to School Night Schedule	District Calendar
Parent Portal	PaySchools Central	Lunch Menus
School Websites	Family Guidebook	JTIS Info (NEW!)

Save the Date:  Opening SEPAG Kick Off Meeting – 9/29/26 @ JTHS

Finally, as I begin my first school year as your superintendent, I want to reiterate my core belief that the school system is the heartbeat of a community. Jefferson has much to be proud of, and we intend to strengthen that foundation by focusing on the key components of our strategic plan:

• Goal 1: All students will demonstrate growth in their academic performance
• Goal 2: Students will exhibit healthy, well-rounded behaviors in a caring, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment
• Goal 3: Students will be positive contributing members of local and global communities
• Goal 4: The district will establish and maintain positive communication within the community to recognize our achievements and promote Falcon Pride

You will see enhancements to each goal this year, with a renewed focus on highlighting our educators' daily pride and engagement.  We look forward to seeing parents at school events, Board meetings, and in the stands – and I encourage you to participate actively in our PTAs and the JTEF. We greatly appreciate your partnership, and we can’t wait to see your children on September 2nd!

 

Scot Burkholder
Superintendent of Schools

 

Back to School Photo (4th grade wearing the clothes my mother said I would regret when I was “older” – she was wrong!)