Jefferson School PTA

Our School ROCKS!

The school motto and chant is “Our School Rocks!” It stands for:

• Respect
• Open Hearts and Open Minds
• Courage
• Kindness
• Success for All

To hear the kids chant “Our School Rocks,” attend a school assembly.

About Jefferson School

Four hundred and ten students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade attend Jefferson, which is located in a quiet residential neighborhood just west of Sacramento Street on Rose Street. We’re in the Northwest zone of Berkeley elementary schools, along with  Berkeley Arts Magnet, Thousand Oaks, and Rosa Parks schools.

Like all Berkeley elementary schools, our teachers, students, and families get to know each other well. Teachers share information with their colleagues as students progress each year. Each family becomes part of the larger Jefferson community.

Enrollment Information

For enrollment information, visit the Berkeley Unified School District website.

In general, enrollment forms for kindergarten are available in January. The district website also has information on when and where they offer the Kindergarten Fair, an event you should attend, if you have questions about Jefferson or any other Berkeley schools.

Visiting in the Fall?

If you are planning to visit in the fall, scheduling a school visit by calling the school secretary at 510-644-6298, and also consider attending our annual Book Fair and Ice Cream Social.

Incoming Parents and Children

Incoming kindergarteners and their parents are especially encouraged to attend the following events:

• Mayfair – Jefferson’s biggest community event. Attend in May while your child is still in preschool to get your child excited about Jefferson.
• Kindergarten – First Grade Play Date to meet other parents and children, find out your child’s classroom assignment, ask questions, and get acquainted with Jefferson School.

To help you transition to Jefferson, parents have come up with a handout called Jefferson Helpful Hints.

Explore this website for more information and especially check out the main PTA page.

A Very Active PTA

The activities of the PTA are too numerous to list. A partial list includes:

• monthly community events
• after-school classes
• scholarships for after-school classes
• fund-raising for classroom supplies, field trips, and other programs
• organizing volunteers and room partners

Assemblies

Assemblies are a Jefferson tradition. All students gather in the Cafetorium—that’s the auditorium and cafeteria rolled into one—and sing together, perform for one another, and sometimes enjoy guest performers or educators.

Assemblies are generally at 8:30 am second and fourth Tuesdays. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend.