Principal’s Corner

Danisha Keeler

Welcome back to another wonderful year here at Jefferson School!

 

I am Danisha Keeler, proud principal of Jefferson. I am privileged to lead such an amazing school.  As the principal, it is my desire that we cultivate a community of scholars, staff and parents in which the academic learning of scholars is our primary goal.

 

I was raised in the North Sacramento area not far from Natomas. I graduated from Sacramento State University with a degree in Liberal Studies, as well as my multiple subject teaching credential. I was an elementary school teacher for six years and then became an Instructional Coach for three years, all in the North Sacramento/Twin Rivers school district. I later pursued and obtained my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and my Administrative Credential from Sacramento State University as well. This is my twelfth year at Jefferson School, and I am looking forward to another amazing year! Jefferson School is a great place to be! 

 

Our staff is committed to providing a focused curriculum that is both engaging and challenging. Jefferson School is officially authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) World School. The IB program will help support scholars, teachers, families and the school community to increase the academic success of our scholars while also creating global learners. Having IB as a framework for elementary education at our school would feed into a strong Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) Program within our seventh and eighth grades here at Jefferson PK-8 School. It will eventually then feed into Pre-Ap and Advanced Placement courses at Natomas and Inderkum High Schools. Eventually allowing interested scholars to be fully prepared and successfully complete the AP Capstone program at Natomas High or the IB Diploma Program at Inderkum High School. Jefferson staff continues to transform the learning that takes place at Jefferson in order to ensure that our scholars graduate college and career ready, productive, responsible and engaged global citizens. Jefferson teachers develop rigorous and relevant lessons that task scholars to use higher-order thinking skills and apply their learning to real-world situations.

 

The gifts and talents of our scholars combined with the dedication and passion of our teachers allows us to strive for excellence. Jefferson continues to be a Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) school. We also use Restorative Justice (RJ) practices throughout the school, which include restorative justice circles. Our school focuses on the development and implementation of pro-active procedures and practices to improve school culture and climate. 

 

Jefferson School welcomes all of our families to participate in our students’ education! There are several ways to become involved in the Jefferson community. Joining the PTA is an opportunity to meet other parents and teachers, to build rapport and develop relationships. School Site Council is a group of teachers, parents, and classified employees that work with site administration to develop, review and evaluate school improvement programs and school budgets. We also have an English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) for parents and other community members who want to advocate and develop educational plans, acceleration and support for English Learners. Throughout the year, we will be providing you with information on our school website, in teacher newsletters, calendars, email newsletters, and with Infinite Campus phone calls. You may also access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal from our school website. 

 

Jefferson School is destined for amazing things in 2023-2024! The gifts and talents of our scholars, combined with the dedication and passion of our teachers, allows us to strive for excellence. Excellence is not the result of a good intention or clever slogan. It is not a value that is easily achieved. It comes from a strong desire to improve how we do things when we see something we can do better. We continue to work hard to ensure that Jefferson School will be recognized as a school that sets its scholars and teachers up for success. As we strive for excellence, we will move from Good to GREAT!

 

Also remember that:

Wednesdays are College Days: wear a shirt to represent your favorite college  

Thursdays are #ChooseKindness Days: wear a shirt that shows kindness

Fridays are School Spirit Days: wear a school spirit shirt or our school colors (navy & white)

 

Let’s build a strong, healthy, spirited team by proudly participating in these spirit days each week. Again, welcome to a year of wonderful things to come!

 

Sincerely, 

 

Ms. Keeler

Ms. Danisha Keeler