Dear Cavalier families,
Welcome to a new school year at Jenkins Independent! Whether your family has been part of our district for generations or your child is becoming a Cavalier for the first time, thank you for choosing Jenkins and trusting us with your child’s education.
There is tremendous excitement throughout our district. Enrollment has grown by more than 10% from where we ended last school year, and we are welcoming many new students and families into the Cavalier family. Even as we grow, we remain committed to the personal attention and strong relationships that make Jenkins special. We want every student to be known, supported, challenged, and given opportunities to succeed.
Our students have access to an impressive and growing range of opportunities. Through dual-credit courses, associate degree pathways, industry certifications, engineering, technology, fine arts, academic teams, clubs, student leadership, and athletics, students can explore their interests while preparing for college, careers, and life. We will continue strengthening classroom instruction and providing additional support based on the individual needs of our students.
We are also continuing to invest in our schools. Our students already benefit from state-of-the-art technology, upgraded learning spaces, a modern fitness center, and professional-quality sound and lighting for drama and school events. After an extensive rebuilding and approval process, our elementary playground is now open for our youngest Cavaliers to enjoy. We are also in the early stages of planning several exciting building upgrades across the district and look forward to sharing more as those plans develop.
Regular attendance will remain an important focus this year. Students gain the most from our programs, instruction, and relationships when they are present and engaged each day. A student who misses 10% of the school year—approximately 18 days in our 175-day calendar—meets the definition of being chronically absent, whether those absences are excused or unexcused.
We understand that illness and unexpected circumstances occur. Our district and school-level attendance teams will work with families to identify concerns early, address barriers, and provide support when it is needed. By communicating and working together, we can help students establish strong attendance habits and take full advantage of everything Jenkins has to offer.
Communication between home and school is essential. Please keep your contact information current, review messages from your child’s school, and reach out whenever you have a question, concern, or need. We want every family to feel informed, welcomed, and supported.
Our staff has worked hard to prepare for this school year, and we are excited about what lies ahead. Thank you for choosing Jenkins Independent and for allowing us to serve your family.
Together, we will Encourage our students, Engage them in meaningful learning, and help them Excel to their fullest potential.
Sincerely,
Damian Johnson
Superintendent
Jenkins Independent School District
August 12, 2026