Thomas Jefferson Elementary News
Back to School ~ August 2023
Welcome Back!
Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendar
August 10: Kindergarten Play Date (details coming soon)
August 14: Supply Drop Off / Meet Your TeacherAugust 16: First Day of School
August 22: Back to School Parents Night
August 28-September 11: Dominoes Slice the Price Card Fundraiser
August 29: Restaurant/Family Night Out ~ Panda Express 10:30am-9:00pm
September 4: No School - Labor Day
September 12: PTO Meeting @ 5:30pm
September 12: Restaurant/Family Night Out ~ Chipotle 4:00pm-8:00pm
September 15: Picture Day
September 29: 1/2 Day - Dismissal at 12:00pm
2023/2024 VCS School Year Calendar
Back to School Night
This is also a great time to bring missing documents to the office or drop off medications.
Teacher assignments will be available on skyward on August 14th, if we post them soon, we will notify you sooner. We will also have class lists posted during our Back to School Event.
Additional parking is available at ValPlayso or at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
Back to School Parent Night
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
Our school day is 8:45 am - 3:15 pm, Monday through Friday.
Our school doors open at 8:30 am for all students. If your child needs breakfast, they may enter the school at 8:20 am. We encourage all students to arrive in time to prepare for the school day and be in their seats, ready to learn when the bell rings at 8:45 am.
All students will enter through Door L. If you are dropping your child off for breakfast, please do not leave your child until a staff member is present and allowing children to enter the building. If your child walks to school, we ask that they not arrive until 8:20 am. We do not want children left unattended. If your child is not eating breakfast, please do not have them arrive prior to 8:30 am.
Dismissal begins at 3:15 pm. Kindergarten friends will be dismissed each afternoon through Door A. Students in 1st - 5th grade will dismiss through Door L.
We ask that parents not line up for dismissal until 3 pm. Middle school releases at 2:50 pm. Lining up prior to 3 pm creates a situation where middle school buses and traffic are blocked by the TJE pick up line that often extends onto Roosevelt.
As we begin a new school year with new students and new procedures, dismissal does take a little longer on the first few days of school. We appreciate everyone's patience as we fine tune these procedures. Buses usually leave TJE by 3:30 pm each day. Buses tend to run later than normal as bus drivers adjust to their new students and new routes.
Changes in Dismissal:
If your child has a change in dismissal, please remember to send a note in with your child. If you need to change dismissal after the start of school, please call the office prior to Noon to arrange for the dismissal change. Receiving phone calls right before dismissal makes it extremely difficult for us to make these quick changes. It takes time to notify the teacher and the student. We want to ensure your child is in the proper location when we begin dismissal.
Please make sure the office is aware if there is a change in who is picking up your child and please make sure this person is listed as an emergency contact. For the safety of all students, we cannot release a child to anyone who is not listed as an emergency contact or if the office is not made aware of a last minute change in pickup.
Parking Lot Safety:
Please do not exit your vehicle while in the pick up or drop off line. If your child needs assistance unbuckling or buckling, please pull in to a parking spot to help them. Students should enter and exit your vehicle curbside. If you are parking and walking across to the sidewalk, please use the crosswalk. This is for everyone's safety.
Our goal is to keep everyone safe. Please drive slowly as you pass through the school campus and follow the traffic flow map if you are dropping off your child. We do utilize the basketball court area inside the gates to help with the number of cars entering the lot for parent drop off and parent pick up. When exiting back onto Roosevelt, please note you can only turn right during Arrival & Dismissal hours. Please do not park in the designated bus area located on Roosevelt in front of the school. Additional parking is available at ValPlayso.
More Information regarding Back to School Procedures will available soon. Please check your email for this information.
Attendance & Tardies
Letters concerning student absences are generated automatically through Skyward. If the number of student absences is equal or greater to 10% of the scheduled school days, the principal will review the file for documentation and make a referral to Project Attend, if applicable.
If your child arrives after the 8:45am bell, please walk them into the building and sign them in. The sign in sheet will be in the vestibule. Please do your best to get your child to school on time. Being on time allows your child to be ready to begin each day and maintain routine.
Birthdays
A student may only bring in party invitations to pass out, if one is being given to all the students in the class or given to all students of the same gender as the birthday child.
Bus Riders
The transportation department will be setting up bus routes for the school year. The information for your child (bus number & stop) will be found in Skyward Family Access 2-3 days before school begins.
Boys & Girls Club / Kidstop
The Boys and Girls Club works with local schools to transport members via bus from school to the Club. You must sign your child up with the Boys and Girls Club.
Please contact the Boys and Girls Club for more information at (219) 462-2182.
Communication
Follow along with TJE news and events via the following platforms:
- Class Dojo ~ We request all parents connect to Class Dojo. Classroom teachers can help you get connected, if you haven't done so. Class Dojo is great for personal messaging, reminders and school information.
- Facebook ~ Follow Thomas Jefferson Elementary School on Facebook for reminders & updates. You can also follow PTO reminders & updates on their Facebook page, TJE PTO.
- TJE Website
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular Activities will be held at school either before or after school hours. Each activity will send home information about the days and times of meeting.
lunch
Meal prices have increased for 2023-24, prices are listed below. Parents can deposit money into their child's account online via Skyward. Families needing assistance can apply for free and reduced meals.
Free & Reduced Meal Information
Payment Information & Other Parent Resources:
Menus are available here or on the My School Menus App. This app is the easiest way to see what is being served in our cafeteria each day.
Notes from tje Clinic
Any child that needs medication at school needs to have physician orders dated for 2023-2024. A parent needs to bring the medication into the nurse's office. Please do not send medication with your child in their backpack or on the bus. Over the counter medications also need to be brought in by a parent and physicians orders must be on file.
If your child has a medical appointment, please send a doctors note in with your child or have the office fax the note to the school office.
Please refer to the VCS Health & Wellness link for any health related information. You may also call, dojo, or email Mrs. Arizpe with any questions. Marizpe@valpo.k12.in.us
NOTES FROM TJE SOCIAL WORKER (Mrs. Noonan)
If your child is in need of school supplies or if your family needs any additional resources, please do not hesitate to contact me via phone or email. Anoonan@valpo.k12.in.us
Specials
Staff
- Mrs. Macie Danna ~ Fourth Grade Teacher
- Ms. Cal-Jammie Stassis ~ Special Ed Instructional Aide
- Mr. Shawn Hansell ~ PM Custodian
Staff Changes:
- Mrs. Becky Allred ~ Utility Aide
- Mrs. Jenn Will ~ 1st Grade Teacher
Tips for a Successful School Year
TJE PTO
We appreciate your support and look forward to another wonderful year. Any money raised by PTO goes back to the students, teacher needs and school events. Look for more information about events we have planned and how you can become involved.
Be sure to save the date for our First Restaurant Night Out on August 29th at Panda Express & our First Meeting on Tuesday, September 12th at 5:30pm!
PTO Board
Francielle Daly (President)
Nicole Miranda (Vice-President)
Holly Perez (Secretary)
Meg Stanberry (Treasurer)
You can follow us on our TJE PTO Facebook page or watch for our posts on Class Dojo for events offered by the PTO. You can also email us at TJEPTO@gmail.com
TJE Spirit Wear
Water Bottles
Parent Information
- Teacher Assignments will be viewable on Skyward on August 14th (if this date becomes sooner, we will sent you a notification)
- 2023/2024 School Supply List
- The Spring ILEARN results for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who took this assessment in the spring are finalized and your child's scores can be viewed on Skyward, in the Student Portfolio.
Visitors/Volunteers
Visitors/Volunteers
If you are anticipating volunteering at the school this year or signing up to be a chaperone for a field trip, you will need to complete a Criminal Background Check. Your child's teacher can send a background check home with your child or you may use these links on the TJE website.
You may return them to the office or your child's teacher. These will be processed during the first few weeks of school. You will not be able to volunteer at school without a current background check on file.
Traffic Flow Map for Arrival & Dismissal
Turn in Your Strack & Van Til Receipts ~ Apples for the Students helps us earn classroom supplies
About Us
David Muniz ~ Principal
Email: hevans@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://valparaisotjes.valpo.k12.in.us/
Location: 1700 Roosevelt Road, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 531-3130