Empowering Our Youth: NANBPWC Elm City Club Inspires Bluejays Through Literacy
At Benjamin Jepson, we believe that "it takes a village," and our village showed up in a big way! We were honored to welcome members of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC) - Elm City Club to our school as guest readers.
The ladies of the Elm City Club spent the morning in our classrooms, sharing stories that celebrate diversity, perseverance, and the joy of reading. As an organization dedicated to leadership, entrepreneurship, and service, these professional women provided our students with more than just a story, they provided a powerful example of community leadership in action.
Why This Matters
Seeing local professionals take the time to pour into our school reinforces the importance of literacy and lifelong learning. Our Bluejays were captivated by the guest readers, asking insightful questions and connecting the themes of the books to their own lives.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the NANBPWC members who visited us. Your presence left a lasting impression on our students and staff alike. We look forward to continuing this wonderful partnership!
Celebrating Our Students' Success!
Today, we celebrated an incredible group of students who showcased remarkable growth in their academic assessments on DIBELS, NWEA, and iReady Diagnostic. These students have demonstrated dedication and hard work, and we are proud to recognize their achievements.
As a reward for their outstanding performance, these exceptional students have been invited to attend a game at the Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Stadium. During the game, they will be honored on the field, shining a spotlight on their academic success.
This achievement exemplifies the commitment of our students to their education and the support of our amazing staff and families. We are excited to celebrate their hard work and look forward to a fantastic game day!
Congratulations to all our scholars!
Announcements for Read Across America and Upcoming Events
Read Across America Week
🎉 Monday, March 2nd:
Kick off Read Across America with Hats Off to Reading Day! Wear your favorite or craziest hat to show that you love reading.
📖 Tuesday:
Join us for Words Have Power Day! Wear a shirt with a kind or inspirational message on it for us to read throughout the day.
📚 Wednesday:
It’s Dress Like a Book Character Day! Dress up like your favorite book character and bring a copy of the book to school to read. Students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade will parade around the school in their costumes.
😴 Thursday:
Enjoy Cozy Up with a Good Book Day. Wear your pajamas so you can be nice and cozy when you read today!
👩🎤 Friday:
Come to school for Crazy Hair, Don't Care! We Love Reading Day! Rock your craziest hairstyle!
Upcoming Spirit Day
⭐ March 11th:
Student Council listened to our students and have set another Spirit day! Mark your calendars for TWIN DAY! Find a friend, or two or three or more, and come to school in your matching outfits.
This program goes far beyond reading the morning schedule; it’s a deliberate effort to weave a stronger social fabric throughout our school. By connecting our seasoned Student Council officers with the budding leaders in Ms. Karen’s room, we are:
✨ Empowering New Voices: Providing a stage for our younger students to speak up and shine.
🤝 Forging Friendships: Breaking down the walls between grade levels through shared responsibility.
🌟 Cultivating Character: Allowing our veteran leaders to practice mentorship rooted in empathy and encouragement.
We are so impressed by the way our Student Council continues to reach out and build these bridges. It’s initiatives like this that make every student—from our newest learners to our oldest—feel like a true Jepson Bluejay!
Get ready to celebrate the joy of reading! We are excited to announce our Read Across America Week schedule. We have a fun-filled week of themed days to inspire our students to dive into new stories and celebrate their favorite books.
Here is our daily schedule of events:
Monday, March 2nd: Hats Off to Reading Wear your favorite hat to school!
Tuesday, March 3rd: Words Have Power Wear a shirt with a special or inspiring phrase.
Wednesday, March 4th: Dress Like a Book Character Come dressed as a character from your favorite book!
(Note: K-2 students will participate in a special character parade around Jepson!)
Thursday, March 5th: Cozy Up with a Good Book Wear your comfiest pajamas and bring a blanket to snuggle up and read.
Friday, March 6th: Crazy Hair, I Don’t Care! Show off your most creative, craziest hairstyle to show how much you love to read.
We can’t wait to see everyone’s creativity and school spirit as we celebrate the power of literacy together!
We are also looking for guest readers! If you are interested, please reach out to Ms. Aimee!
Happy Reading,
At Jepson, we celebrate thinking.
Our Math Bee competitions for grades 1–6 are complete, and our students impressed us with their focus, confidence, and problem-solving skills.
Top three finishers in each grade were awarded PEZ dispensers thanks to the generosity of the PEZ Company — a fun reward for some serious math talent!
We can’t wait to finish strong with our 7th and 8th grade competitions and award additional prizes made possible by our supportive local business community.
Academic pride.
Community partnership.
Bluejay excellence. 💙
Student Leadership in Action: Bridging the Gap Through SOAR
At Benjamin Jepson Magnet, we often talk about our SOAR expectations, but it is a special moment when those values are championed by the students themselves. This week, our school community witnessed a beautiful example of leadership and mentorship in action.
Leading by Example
While moving through the hallways, two of our dedicated Student Council officers noticed three of our 1st-grade students consistently demonstrating our core expectations. Whether it was showing respect, taking responsibility, or acting safely, these young learners were "caught" doing the right thing—not for a reward, but because it’s the Jepson way.
What made this moment stand out was the initiative taken by our student leaders. Rather than just walking by, the officers brought their observations to the staff, advocating for these 1st graders to be recognized with Benjamin Bucks.
Why Student Voice Matters
When older students take the time to notice and celebrate the successes of our "Little Bluejays," it creates a powerful ripple effect:
Mentorship: 1st graders see firsthand what leadership looks like.
Ownership: Students become active participants in maintaining a positive school climate.
Community: It reinforces that we are all looking out for one another.
Celebrating our SOAR Stars
We are incredibly proud of our three 1st-grade recipients for their hard work and our Student Council officers for their keen eyes and leadership. These "Benjamin Bucks" represent more than just a prize; they represent the heart of our school community.
Keep SOARing, Bluejays!
🌟 A Family’s Experience at Jepson 🌟
There is nothing more powerful than hearing from families who trust us with their children.
This family found classrooms that were warm, welcoming, and truly engaging. Through hands-on projects, field trips, and individualized support, their children grew not just academically — but confidently.
At Benjamin Jepson, we believe:
• Every child should feel safe and cared for
• Learning should be meaningful and hands-on
• Growth happens when relationships come first
When families say their child exceeded expectations in reading and math — that’s academic excellence rooted in community.
We are proud to be a school where students are nurtured, challenged, and celebrated.
✨ Student Voice Matters at Jepson ✨
When our students talk about Jepson, they don’t start with test scores.
They start with kindness.
They start with friendship.
They start with feeling welcome.
At Benjamin Jepson, students are known, encouraged, and celebrated. From math bees and spirit days to Benjamin Bucks and classroom awards, learning here is joyful and motivating.
But what we love most?
When a student says, “I’ll be your very first friend.” 💙
That’s belonging.
That’s community.
That’s Bluejay pride.
Come see what makes our school so special.
Mentorship in Action: Bridging the Gap at Jepson
For the past week, our Student Council has been scouting the next generation of leaders! Each morning, we’ve invited two friends a day from Ms. Jill’s class to step up to the microphone and help lead our morning announcements.
This initiative is about so much more than just sharing daily news; it’s about fostering mentorship and a deep sense of community. By pairing our experienced Student Council members with Ms. Jill’s 1st and 2nd graders, we are:
✨ Building Confidence: Giving our youngest learners a platform to find their voices.
🤝 Creating Connections: Strengthening the bonds between grade levels.
🌟 Developing Leaders: Showing our older students how to lead with kindness, patience, and heart.
We are incredibly proud of how our Student Council has stepped up to bridge the gap, ensuring every student feels like a vital part of the Jepson family!
🎉 Stretch Growth Breakfast! 🎉
Today we celebrated 130 amazing students who hit the halfway mark toward their stretch growth goals!
Students enjoyed a special hot breakfast, won some fun prizes, and one lucky student even got to do a Benjamin Bucks Cash Grab — grabbing as much as he could!
We’re so proud of their hard work and excited for the growth still to come! 💙
Keep growing, Jepson! 🌱
Friendship Grams & Be Yourself Spirit Day: Celebrate Together!
Order Your Friendship Grams!
Show someone you care! Friendship Grams with a beautiful flower and a heartfelt message are just $2. Perfect for friends, family members, or teachers! Orders must be placed by Monday!
Mark Your Calendars! Spirit Day!
The Student Council listened to the student voice and we are excited to announce a "Be Yourself" spirit day on Wednesday, February 11th!
Wear something that represents your culture, heritage, or simply your unique style. Let's showcase our true selves and make this day special!
Together, we celebrate who we are!
✨ Order your Friendship Gram today and get ready for a fantastic Spirit Day! ✨
Bluejay Pride Alert! While most students head straight to the school store with their Benjamin Bucks, Ms. Jill’s class is thinking bigger.
These amazing students are choosing to invest in each other! By saving their bucks, they’ve unlocked "Whole-Class Experiences" like extra recess, creative art projects, and spirit days. Seeing our students prioritize teamwork and community over "stuff" is what being a leader is all about. Way to go, Ms. Jill’s class!
There is no greater compliment than a student returning to us as a parent.
We are so moved by these words from one of our legacy parents! Seeing the "Jepson Magic" pass from one generation to the next is exactly why we do what we do. From walking these halls as a student to watching her daughter, Amina, thrive in them today—this is what community is all about.
“There’s always something fun to do at Jepson.” 💙
From spirit week and Winter Wonderland to pizza, lemonade, and even earning Benjamin Bucks, Jacob says it best — school should be a place where learning and joy go hand in hand.
When students feel excited to be here, it shows.
✨ Real students. Real joy.
“She comes home every day excited about how much she’s learning.” 💙
That joy matters. Watching confidence grow, skills develop, and curiosity take root is what makes Jepson special. From early reading to language learning and a community that truly welcomes families, these moments tell the story better than we ever could.
✨ Real families. Real growth.
Exploring Earth from the inside out!
Our 8th Grade Science class put their lab skills to the test with this hands-on density experiment. Students explored how different materials stack based on their density to better understand our planet's layers. We love seeing our students so focused and engaged in their research!
Comfortable, creative, and ready to learn!
Pajama Day is always a favorite here at Benjamin Jepson. It was so much fun seeing everyone’s unique style on display while we enjoyed a day of "cozy" education. Thank you to everyone who participated and made the day so special!
Soaking up every bit of sunshine!
Taking advantage of this beautiful weather to get outside, get moving, and have some fun. Check out these highlights from our time on the playground!
