Jasper Elementary School
October 24, 2022
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Welcome Back!
We hope that your family had a refreshing fall break. It's hard to imagine how fast the year has passed. We have a lot of work to accomplish. We ask everyone to maintain their commitment to nightly reading and our Rocket Math Program, which can be a real challenge with the upcoming holiday seasons. It's really exciting to hear the success stories about rocket math and reading progress. Way to go families!!!
We are asking that parents review their child's personal climate ready gear. Days will be getting colder and wetter; therefore, we ask that the children dress appropriately, because we will be going outside except in the most extreme conditions. Along with that, our lost and found items will be purged by November 1, because the number of unclaimed items is growing rapidly. So please claim those items right away.
Our fifth graders will be leading us in observing Veteran's Day on November 11. To maximize the access for parents to celebrate Veteran's Day with their child, we have two show times, 9:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. We ask that each student limit guests to two for each performance. This will also allow our students to attend the program. So mark you calendars to save the date. Please remember to use Door 26 at the back of the building.
PTO Fall Fundraiser - Item Delivery Tomorrow
Items will be delivered tomorrow Tuesday, October 25 and the money will be due on Thursday, November 3. You will need to park in the west parking lot and enter through door 26. PTO members will be there to assist. Thanks for your participation in this great fundraiser.
Volunteers needed for Paragon Pick-up
Volunteers Needed!!
Paragon pick up is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25. Please visit the link to sign up for a shift to help us out. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4facab2da0f49-paragon
Pick up can't start until after school dismissal. Everything takes place in the cafeteria.
Volunteers will check in the people who are picking up the order. Paragon delivers and organizes everything alphabetically.
We gather their packages...most things are boxed or bagged up to make it easier to carry. Some people may need help to their car depending on size of the order.
If you want to help but can only help during a certain time not listed, let us know so we have an idea of who will be there and when (jespto@gjcs.k12.in.us) It works to have people checking in and runners to grab the items.
Thanks for your help!
JES PTO
Accessing Student Report Cards
This year we will be sending out a paper copy of the report cards at the end of the 2 semesters (Christmas Break and End of the School Year. To view your child's report card for quarter 1 please sign in to your PowerSchool account with this link and follow the steps below:
1. Go to Student Reports (6th Icon on the left side of the page)
2. Then select the appropriate grade level and the report card will generate.
JES APPAREL - EXTENDED
Order you Jasper Elementary Apparel today! Our PTO will be selling and delivering the apparel. You can copy and paste the link into your browser to order or click on the link here.
Wildcat Workshop - Canned Food Drive
In November, the young men of Wildcat Workshop will be traveling to the community food bank to learn about how our local community can give back. This will be our last week to collect items. Thank you to all that donated already!
LOST and FOUND ITEMS
Our lost and found has grown tremendously during the past couple of weeks. Below you will see some of the items in the lost and found. If you recognize an article of clothing that belongs to your, please have them stop by the gym to pick it up. You can also let the classroom teacher know as well. Please remind your student to be mindful of grabbing their sweatshirt or jacket before coming in from recess. If they happen to forget, we do have a lost and find next to the gym. Anything not claimed in the next week or two will be donated to St. Vincents.
I Don't Have Any Homework!
Never ask your child if he/she has homework again. Instead just ask, "What do you have for homework other than reading and Rocket Math?"
We are asking each child to complete a session of Rocket Math daily as homework. This can be accessed on home computers, tablets, and cell phones. We encourage you to take an active interest in the progress of your child on the program by asking questions such as:
- What level are you on?
- How far did you get tonight?
- How close are you to winning a certificate?
- How close are you to getting a brag tag?
Also, every night your child will be assigned fifteen minutes of reading engagement. We realize that many children have varying abilities and focus challenges so we encourage you to try some of the following strategies to engage your child in reading:
- Child reads aloud to a sibling, stuffed animal, or pet.
- Child reads aloud to a parent.
- Child reads chorally with the parent to build pace and fluency.
- Child and parent take turns reading.
- Parent reads to a child and discuss what is read.
We hope that this answers the age old question, "Do you have any homework?", once and for all. We also hope that this helps to build a common expectation between home and school for children will embrace as doubly important.
Meet our School Social Workers
Jasper Elementary School
Help Needed
Do you ever wish you could make a big contribution that would change someone’s life for the better? Today is that day that you could start making that dream come true. Jasper Elementary School is looking for people to be instructional assistants in our school. The great part is that you are not working nights, weekends, or major holidays. If you are interested in taking the step toward changing someone’s life, go to the Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools web page, https://www.gjcs.k12.in.us/resources/human-resourcesnew-page . You can also reach out to Kent Taylor, ktaylor@gjcs.k12.in.us for more information.
GJCS Raises Substitute Wages
At the September GJCS Board Meeting, the substitute wage was raised. Qualified substitutes can get $70 daily. If you have an educational teaching license, you will receive $80 daily. Even if you have one or two days per week available, you can help students by being included on our substitute list. You can choose which days you work and which days you don’t work. Knowing that you can balance your active lifestyle and still contribute to the development of our youth. If you would like to get the process started, contact April Hopf at the GJCS central office by calling 812-482-1801. Help us keep the “Great” in Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools.
Kid Loves Rocket Math!
If you have a first through fifth grade student in our school, you might be hearing a lot of buzz about Rocket Math. Children can set goals for themselves and work toward winning awards for a job well done. This program is designed for multiple five minute experiences to sharpen each student's efficiency in math. If your child works from home, please follow these instructions to get started.
Volunteer/Background Checks
With the new school year upon us, we often get the question about volunteering in the classroom or being a chaperone on a field trip. We always love when our families want to help the students or take part in a field trip.
When it comes to volunteers, each classroom is different on the number of volunteers needed. Each classroom teacher will be communicating if they are needing volunteers to help in the classrooms. When it comes to chaperones on field trips, it will be up to each grade level and classroom teacher as to how many chaperones are allowed to follow the bus. Some of the places we take trips to limit the number of chaperones we are allowed to take.
If you would be interested in volunteering or being a chaperone on a field trip, we must have a background check on file. By clicking on the link below, you will be able to fill out a background check. These will last for 5 years or while your child is at JES. It does take some time to process these, so start early so you are able to volunteer or chaperone.
https://greater-jasper-consolidated-schools-vol.school-background-checks.com/
You do not need to complete the CPI/CPS portion of the background check! This is for employees only.
A Note from the Lunch Room
With a shift away form the free lunch program, there is now a charge for lunches. Families fall into one of three categories: full pay, reduced pay, or free. If your child falls into the first two categories, you may receive a lunch slip or a text message from our cafeteria staff that your child owes lunch money. You can send in payment in an envelope with your child's name on it or you can use My School Bucks to also pay.
Thank you!
October Breakfast Menu
Breakfast is FREE for ALL students. If your child is planning on eating breakfast, please have them at school by 7:45 so they have ample time to eat before school starts at 8:00
October Lunch Menu
Lunch is $2.25 for students each day. If your child runs low on funds, you can a check or cash with your child. You may also utilize My School Bucks to add money to their account.
Important Information!
School hours are 8:00AM -3:00PM. Students can arrive starting at 7:15AM. Students may not be dropped off prior to 7:15 AM. If you bring your child to school after 8:00 AM, you must escort them to the front doors.
We are highly encouraging parents who are bringing their child to school to use the car drop-off drive. If you would like to walk your child in, you will have to say goodbye outside the front doors. Many staff members will be at all drop-off locations to help students to their appropriate destinations. Please trust us that we have your child's best well-being in mind at all times.
Please see nurse Hannah Peltier for prescription medicine intake. All medicine must be accompanied by a parent and include a physician’s prescription. Students are not allowed to transport medicine to school.
VERY IMPORTANT- If your child's transportation changes, please notify the office with a note ASAP.
Upgrade Healthy Snack Ideas for Recess and Classroom Celebrations
Jasper Elementary allows healthy food choices for recess and classroom celebrations. A list of smart snacks can be found below. There are many other healthy food choices in addition to this list. Please be mindful when providing snacks.
Covid Protocols for 22-23 School Year
If COVID positive....
- Must provide a picture of the positive home test card or a copy of the positive lab report.
- Email to on of the following:
- rerny@gjcs.k12.in.us , ktaylor@gjcs.k12.in.us , hpeltier@gjcs.k12.in.us
- Isolate 5 days from symptom onset or isolate 5 days from test date if asymptomatic; May zoom when confirmed positive.
- Return to school on day 6. THERE IS NO MASK REQUIREMENT UPON RETRUN TO SCHOOL
Symptoms but not testing for COVID or has a negative test result....
- Follow regular school policy
- Fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication
- If vomiting, is able to eat solid meals before returning to school.
- Free of diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school
PTO UPDATES
The JES PTO will meet on Wednesday, November 2nd at 6:30 in the JES Library. All parents and teachers are welcome to join. Please email jespto@gjcs.k12.in.us if you have any questions. Looking forward to seeing you there! Please continue to send in your dues. Thanks to everyone who has already done so. Your contribution goes a long way!
The PTO met last month in the JES library. You can view the minutes below:
Do you have children in multiple schools? Choose one of these! Just search GREATER JASPER to see all the options!