Jefferson News
September 2019
A Note From the Principal
Welcome back to another fabulous year at Jefferson! This year brings all new drinking fountains, bottle filling stations and water pipes coming into the building. Our water has been tested and we are ready to go!
Our PTA has been working like dogs this past month and are almost ready to put on another community building “Fall Harvest Festival”. Please contact them if you would like to work or contribute in any way. jeffersonfalconspta@gmail.com
We have kicked off the year testing all students for academic abilities and have leveled much of each child’s educational day. Our goal is to individualize by re-mediating or extending learning as much as possible for each child. Believe me when I say, “WE ARE ON IT” when it comes to challenging your child to grow each day.
We learned may things with our “Sneak Peak” and appreciate all of your comments to help us have an even smoother start next year. The bottom line is that, for the first time, the only tears were on the adults dropping off students. Our student anxiety was at an all time low so that is a huge success!
As you know, we are a Love and Logic school. We strive daily to intentionally shape student goals and help them create their own identities. If they hear comments like ““Who do you think you are?” from others, we want them to have a custom tailored answer.
Our goal at Jefferson is to see more young people whose identities incorporate ideas like:
• “It’s not all about me. I’m here to help others… not just myself.” • “There is something bigger than me. I have a purpose that goes beyond my day-to-day life.” • “I am capable of making a positive impact.”
To positively shape identity, many wise parents spend some time (informal times are great — perhaps while doing chores, playing games, taking a walk or a drive) asking questions about kids’ interests, goals, and about things they feel they do well.
The idea is to be intentionally planting some “you are capable” and “to give is better than to receive” seeds.
We like conversations that include:
Asking them how they plan to solve problems: Getting them talking about their strengths and victories: Asking which problems they would like to contribute solutions for:
“I’m interested to see how you decide to solve this.”
“How did you do that?”
“I noticed you like to draw. Tell me more about that."
“What are some ways you would like to make a difference in the world?”
“How do you plan to be part of the solution?”
With some intentionality and a few of the right questions, we can have an impact on how kids view their own identities. And we know their identity will affect their behavior. Thanks for sharing this village with us and know that we are honored that you have chosen Jefferson!
Annual Emergency Response Procedures
We look forward to a great year with no emergencies happening; however, the district wanted to share with you the procedures in case something does arise this year.
Please click on the following link to see the districts procedures in case of an emergency.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1toiBupeMl06Kl1dK2wpRPKdXfS28jT3P
Annual Notification Regarding Public Release of Student Directory Information
The Boise School District complies with federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) as it relates to the release of student directory information to the public. To learn more, log on to www.boiseschools.org and navigate to Parents & Patrons > Parent Information > FERPA Form. Or, you may pick up a FERPA form at your school, or call the Clerk of the Board at 208-854-4123 to obtain a copy of the FERPA form.
Jefferson Techniques This Year
Organize your thoughts and writing: Check out the "Thinking Maps" that we will be using for developing critical organizational skills. Thinking Maps- click here.
"Toolbox" for Life: We are working with different strategies a student can use when faced with various situations they might find themselves in, we call this our "Toolbox". Click here to check out the Toolbox strategies you and your students can use.
Character Education Traits
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-eT3pQB3J7vTFM3WUNTaFd4MHYxRGp1eUc4SDFaMEZOY1hB/view?usp=sharing
Dropping off and picking up your students at Jefferson
As you know our parking lot is rather small and narrow and it really helps to just allow buses into the lot to drop off and pick up students. The use of the cross walks in the front of the school are also cutting back on students running across the street in front of cars.
Safety is our number one concern in the mornings and afternoons.
Drop of times: Students should not be getting to school before 8:20 am. We do not have supervision until that time and with the weather getting colder, that is just that much longer they will be outside since the bell does not ring until 8:40 am.
Pick up time: All students should be picked up by 3:30 pm. Please coordinate with your student before school starts on the way they will be going home for that day. If they can not walk home or take the bus and you are going to be later then 3:30 pm, please consider signing them up for the after school program, Kid City.
You might remember seeing them at Back to School Night since they were here to discuss any concerns or questions you might have had and to sign your students up for the program. It is a place for them to go after school and they are open until 6 pm. If you have questions about their program, please call them at 208-854-5294 after 3 pm as they are not in their Jefferson office until then. Or call the full program office at Boise Parks and Rec 208-407-2566 to get more information.
Help Keep Flu Out of School!!!!!! Vaccination Clinic Coming to Jefferson
Click here for information on the clinic. This is also being sent home today, 9/9/19
Please turn in the consent form ASAP to the school nurses office or send back to your students teacher. Click here for consent form.
Book Author to Visit Jefferson
AUTHOR VISIT AND BOOK SIGNING AT JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY
1 PM ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Patrick Carman, author of the popular Skeleton Creek and Land of Elyon series, will be at Jefferson Elementary on Friday, September 13. He’ll promote his new fantasy series, Towervale, which combines reading with an online game. Monroe 3-6 grades are also invited to attend his presentation from 1-2 PM at Jefferson. See below for book ordering information:
ALL PRE-ORDERS ARE DUE BY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th
PLEASE READ ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!!!
Visit https://www.towervale.com/schools to place your order for the Towervale Book and Game Bundle. If you pre-order the book by September 9, you’ll pay $15.99; a 20% discount off the list price of $19.95. Please make note of the following:
IMPORTANT: Order your book, print off receipt and send it with your child to give to me at school. You can also email the receipt to tracy.rhoades@boiseschools.org.
IMPORTANT: You’ll still fill out the shipping section for the order, choose “In School Pick Up” as shipping method. You MUST list the school name as Jefferson in order to receive a 20% discount.
Discounted books can be picked up at the Jefferson Library the day of the event. Students must provide proof of purchase (receipt) in order to receive their books.
To have the book shipped directly to your home, visit https://www.towervale.com/. This link will not provide you with the 20% school visit discount. You’ll pay the list price of $19.95 to cover shipping costs.
Please contact me if you have any questions about the ordering process. Thank you for allowing your child to participate in this fun event!
Tracy Rhoades
Jefferson Librarian ~ 208-854-5690/ tracy.rhoades@boiseschools.org
The Towervale Bundle includes the 256 page hardback book and the online and app-based Towervale video game. The Towervale game app is compatible with Apple and Android mobile devices and the Towervale online game works with all major web browsers.
Visit https://www.towervale.com/game-scree to preview the game and see a book trailer.
Fall Festival at Jefferson - September 20th
Also at the festival......
T-Shirt orders will also be taken that night. Look for the table and you can order your student or even yourself a Jefferson Spirit T-Shirt. $11 for t-shirts, $22 for sweatshirts. (Orders will be submitted the following week to the agency)
Bring your bikes to festival. The Boise Bike Project will be there to tune up your bikes and make sure they are working great for this school year.
As stated in Mr. Totorica's notes - contact jeffersonfalconspta@gmail.com to find out how you can also get involved with this activity and many other activities the PTA is planning for this year.
The next PTA meeting will be on Tuesday, October 1 at 3 pm at Jefferson. Come and check it out or email them for the details and notes if you can not make it.
Boise Bicycle Project Fall Youth Programs
Free Kids Bike Repair
Kids Fix-it: (flyer attached in English, Swahili, French)
Location: Boise Bicycle Project, 1027 S. Lusk St., Boise, ID 83706
Time: 6pm-8pm
Dates: September 5th, September 19th, October 3rd, October 17th
Mobile Repair:
If BBP has not brought the Mobile Repair trailer to your school (in Ada County) or an apartment complex nearby, and you would like us to, let me know!
Times: 2.5 hours of bike fix beginning when school lets out
Available dates: September 25th, October 10th, October 16th, October 23rd, and October 30th
Free Kids Bikes (ages 4 through 11)
Registration for our monthly giveaways is full for the remainder of the fall, but look out in November for our Holiday Kids Bike Giveaway Registration.
If you have any QUESTIONS - please call the Boise Bike Project at 208-429-6520
Save the Date - Conferences
Also, if you missed the yearly student calendar for the 2019-2020 school year that was sent home the first day of school with your student, click on the following to print it and keep for reference regarding early release days and school closures. 2019-2020 School Calendar