Jackson Charter School

🚨 We have some important update to our Student & Family Handbook for the 2026, 2027 school year. The big highlights are in this post's graphic. 🔍

For the full handbook, including all of the updates, please visit our website.
https://jacksoncharterschool.org/student-handbook/

Green house is Isibindi! 💚

Isibindi is a tight-knit group of individuals, like a pride
of African lions, where family means everything. The House’s symbolic
animals, the mute swan and the lion, serve to empower incoming
members. While new students might be quiet or shy at first, the
longer that they are in the House, the more they begin to display the
characteristics of strength and bravery. In Zulu, Isibindi means “courage.”

The dichotomy of sharing symbolic animals between the gentle
and beautiful swan and the proud and courageous lion is what
makes Isibindi so unique. It is a House that inherits the legend and
influence of both Shaka Zulu as well as Nelson Mandela. It is a
House that knows when to be strategic and creative, or when to pull
back and be reserved, but also when to go full force with power and
strength.

It's happening THIS FRIDAY (7/31) at Union Rockford!

We're hosting a mixer for educational professionals to come together, connect, and to hear a couple of short presentations on mental health within our industry.

Head on over to the Facebook event for all the details!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1005801272040965

We're getting all geared up to start the school year! 💪 These are just a few photos from one of our Professional Development days we hosted this week! 📸 Big shout out and thank you to our Community Partner, Rockford Park District, for hosting our event. 🙏

Joining us for this Friday's Education Professionals Mixer is Warren Baykin of NAMI Northern Illinois! Come hear what he has to say in regards to mental health in our profession.

Whether you're in administration, leadership, or the classroom. We want you to join us!

RSVP at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeD_bIxhRv8T6G8O4RwmWWT03TlIL8tNxqZLvR5ShkFc7evWg/viewform

Warren Boykin is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated with a B.A. degree in Political Science from Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois. Warren began his professional career as a Systems Engineer at IBM, and as a Personal Computer Support Specialist at ABC Supply Co.,
Inc., and the Rockford Public School District.

Warren then worked for nearly 20 years as a Behavioral Specialist on a hospital inpatient psychiatric unit in Rockford, Illinois. Over those years, Warren conducted educational groups and supported patients ranging in age from young children to older adults. Topics covered in the educational groups included: Wellness, Depression and Anxiety, and Relaxation Techniques.

In 2012, while he was still working for the hospital, Warren was invited to join the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) as a Connection Recovery Support Group Facilitator. In 2022, after leaving the hospital, Warren was hired as the Program and Outreach Coordinator for NAMI
Northern Illinois. Since then, he has obtained his Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) certification from the State of Illinois and Advanced-Level Facilitator certification in W.R.A.P. (Wellness Recovery Action Plan).

In addition to being a NAMI Connection Support Group Facilitator, Warren is also a certified teacher for a number of NAMI courses, including: NAMI Peer-to-Peer; NAMI’s (Mental Health) Provider Education course; NAMI In Our Own Voice; and NAMI’s Ending the Silence program for Middle and High School faculty, students, and students’ family members.

Just a gentle reminder that our Back to School House Party is coming up fast! Make sure you have August 11th on your calendar. 🥳

Music, food truck, games, prizes, and more. Be sure to bring your school supplies for drop off and wear your House Colors! 🔴🔵⚫️🟢

We can't wait to see everyone!

Come meet your new principal on Thursday, August 6th, from 4:00 - 5:00 PM here at Jackson Charter School! 🥰 New Jackson families are invited to stay for our Ice Cream Social hour being held right afterwards from 5 - 6. 🍦 Hope to see you there!