East Elementary
February 2024
Jackson Middle School Transition Night
Transition night for students new to JMS next year (current 4th grade students) will be on Thursday, February 8th at 6:00 PM at the Jackson Middle School Gymnasium. The following information will be provided to parents and students:
- Changes from elementary to middle school
- Grading and academic supports
- Course selection forms
- How you can help your student prepare for middle school
Other transition information for 4th to be 5th graders:
- Fourth graders will receive transition information from the middle school counselors when they visit elementary schools in February. Each student will be given a course selection card and a course selection guide.
- Students should:
- complete the course selection form with a parent at home
- obtain a parent signature
- return the signed card to their 4th grade teacher by Tuesday, February 13.
- Students will come with their 4th grade classes to visit JMS later in the school year.
- During orientation, held in August, you and your student will receive their schedule, have an opportunity to tour the school, and meet their teachers.
Purple Paw 5k - February 10, 2024
Embracing "new year, new you?" Then sign up for the Purple Paw 5K and run like a champ. The race will be held at East Elementary. The Purple Paw is a service project for the JHS Interact Club and 100% of profits benefit Southeast Pets (formerly the Humane Society) and Rotary International.
Not interested in running but still have a desire to help some "good boys and girls?" We are also looking for volunteers and sponsors. If interested, please email mlacy@jr2mail.org.
To sign up for the race, click the button below!
Valentine's Day Parties
Our Valentine’s Day parties will be on Wednesday, February 14 at the following times:
- Kindergarten and 2nd Grade 2:15 - 3:00
- 1st Grade 12:45 - 2:30
- 3rd Grade 1:30-2:15
- 4th Grade 11:15-12:00
Information about each class' party, including volunteer and supply needs, has been sent out by the Homeroom Parents. Due to space limitations in each classroom, only those who sign up to volunteer will be allowed to attend the party. Just a reminder, per our Jackson R-2 School District Elementary handbook, younger siblings are not allowed to attend parties. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but appreciate your understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Proposition T
Proposition T Educational Information is located on the Jackson R-2 School District website. Prop T will be placed on the April 2, 2024 ballot. For more educational information, please visit the website or click this link.
PTO...Did You Know?
While a goldfish may live for 3 years, or less than 3 days, an African Gray parrot can clock out at 80 years old. A dog just requires kibbles and bits, but a Bearded Dragon will have you serving—- and searching for— live crickets. Anyone who has contemplated adding a pet into the mix… and an infinite list of other life choices… knows the value of INFORMATION.
DID YOU KNOW… there is a reason this question stem always pops up in this Newsletter? It’s because we are all about sharing information.
This is why the East Elementary PTO will be hosting Jackson R-2 Superintendent Scott Smith on Tuesday, February 20th at 6pm. Dr. Smith will present and answer questions about “Proposition T” that goes before voters who live in the JR-2 School District in April. We believe knowing the facts about this proposed tax levy is so important that we are even sponsoring dinner and childcare for the school-aged kiddos of parents who attend.
It’s so important that we’re extending the offer to more than just our families. East Elementary is only 1 of the 10 schools in this district. So please share and invite friends from any of the JR-2 schools. You may also have neighbors, family or friends who live in our District but don’t have school age children. Invite them too!
Anyone who made it to a Christmas concert in December has seen our gym PACKED. That’s our goal for this event as well. We don’t think Santa will make the meeting, but we’re hoping lots of other people do!
We do ask that attendees register via the following Google Form so we will have the right number of chairs, child care attendants, and slices of pizza for kiddos.
https://forms.gle/YAsD5ZPMeWianWVCA
INFORMATION is so important, so please feel free to email us at east.pto.info@gmail.com if you have questions about this event, other East PTO events, or getting involved.
Got Caught Reading!
Our January Winners for Got Caught Reading are:
- Joelle Dillick - Kindergarten Mrs. Ventura
- Harmonie Williams - 1st Grade Mrs. King
- Lilly Keesee - 2nd Grade Mrs. Brune
- Elliot Irey - 3rd Grade Mrs. Hahs
- Beckett Runyon - 4th Grade Mr. Rayburn
Mrs. Moyers' Message
I’ve had several interesting conversations about kids and coping skills recently. Essentially, what I’ve taken away from these separate conversations is that adults recognize that kids need to develop appropriate, safe, helpful coping skills. What some adults don’t recognize, however, is the essential role they play in helping kids learn those skills.
Children rely on the adults in their lives to learn and develop a wide range of skills. They watch us from the time they are babies to learn how to walk, talk, feed and dress themselves, etc. The same is true for learning how to respond to strong emotions.
You can help your child learn constructive coping skills by having conversations with them about different emotions you face and how you deal with them. Ask your child about strong feelings they have and what seems to help them cope. For some kids, drawing, coloring, or writing is helpful. For others, being able to safely get out excess energy, such as punching a punching bag or pillow, screaming into a pillow, doing some jumping jacks, is what they need. Listening to music is another tool many find helpful, while others simply need a quiet space to collect their thoughts.
A very powerful way to help your child to learn appropriate and safe coping skills is to model them. When you’re having a strong emotion and feel able to do so, tell your child how you’re feeling and what you’re going to do to cope. For example, telling your child that you are frustrated by a situation and that you’re going to take a few minutes to take some deep breaths, go for a short walk, get a drink of water, etc. to help yourself calm down gives them a chance to see what you’re wanting them to learn to do for him or herself.
We have talked about coping skills in Counseling; however, talking about them and being able to put them into practice in the moment of strong emotions are two very different things. Furthermore, coping with situations at school often looks different from coping with situations at home. The more we can work together to support our students in developing appropriate coping skills now, the more prepared they will be to face challenging situations throughout their lives.
Boys Boot Camp and Girls We Run
- Who: 4th grade boys and girls at East Elementary that enjoy having fun with friends, exercising, and working hard towards goals.
- When: February 22, 2024 - March 28, 2024. We meet every Monday and Thursday after school from 3:30-4:30.
- Parent pick up is at 4:30 in the FRONT pick-up lane each day the club meets.
- If your 4th grade child is interested, please complete the form sent home on February 8, 2024 and return on or before February 15, 2024.
We can’t wait!
Ms. Broderick, Ms. Brown, Ms. KeLeigh, and Ms. Ashley
Jackson R-2 Princess Dance
Calling all elementary school princesses ages Pre-K - 4th grade...Join us for the Princess Dance! Friday, March 1 at the Jackson Middle School, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. All proceeds will be donated to the JR2 Power Pack program. This dance is for elementary Princesses (Pre-K - 4th grade) and their Prince (Dad, Grandfather, Uncle, Brother, Friend, other). All princesses must be accompanied by an adult.
*You do not have to be a Jackson R-2 student to attend. If you don't have a JR2 student, your child must still meet the age guidelines to attend and you must purchase a ticket. More information will be sent home soon!
Questions? 573-243-9501 or email amkimmich@jr2mail.org
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, March 7 and Tuesday, March 12 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Teachers will send invitation letters/emails home soon. Please specify the time and date that works best for you and return to school. Please come and support your child! Our goal is to have 100% participation.
East PTO Auction
Our PTO Auction is coming up on Thursday, March 7th and we need your help!
Donate!
Do you know a business that would be willing to donate? It can be an item, a gift certificate or a service. It's a great way to advertise and it supports our school projects. Please contact emilyfunk@gmail.com with possible donations.
Add the Auction to your Calendar
You don't want to miss participating in our auction. It is all online. You can select items ahead of time and set your bids. It's easy, fun and supports our school. Closing times on Thursday, March 7th are:
- 7:00pm Experiences
- 7:30pm Grade Gift Baskets and Community Donations
- 8:00pm Fund a Need Items (Teacher Lunches, Jeans Passes, Classroom Parties)
News from the Nurse
We can’t believe it is already February!!!!
Here is a little “note” from the nurses:
Please continue to monitor your child before sending to school. We are still seeing a lot of sickness during this time of year.
Keep your child home if they have a temperature of 100.1 or higher. They need to be 24 hours free of fever before they can return to school (during those 24 hours of being fever free you wouldn’t give fever reducing medication).
Keep your child home if they have been vomiting or if they have had diarrhea. They need to be 24 hours free of vomiting and/or diarrhea before they can return to school.
Dental news: Our second varnish day (for K-4th grade) will be April 24 (only those students who received varnish in the fall will get varnish in the spring). Also, if you signed your child up for the fall varnish but they were absent they will NOT be eligible for the spring varnish.
Thank you so much for reading! East Families are the Best!
Tosha Borgfield, BSN, RN
Angie Boss, BSN, RN
Kids' Craft Fair
The student spring craft fair will be held during the art show this year! We are excited to give students the opportunity to sell, not only to their peers, but to anyone visiting the school art show! Students will be able to sell items anytime during the 4:00 - 7:00 PM time on March 12. Signing up prior to the evening is required as crafts need to be approved by Mrs. Job. If you child would like to participate a paper copy will be coming home and a link to the form can be found here. More information can be found on the form, but if you still have questions feel free to contact Mrs. Job.
Full Day Kids Club
Hello JR2 Parents,
Our Full Day Kids’ Club Program will be offering childcare for ALL preschool-6th grade students on certain days that the district is off of school. Our Full Day Kids’ Club program is hosted at SOUTH ELEMENTARY 7:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. (Winter and Spring Break ONLY are hosted at West Lane). All students must bring a sack lunch and a water bottle. We provide an afternoon and morning snack. No walk-ins allowed.
You must enroll and pay for your child to attend Full Day Kids’ Club by the deadlines set for each date. The cost is $30 per day, (any additional children are $25 each). ALL enrollment and payments are due before 4:30pm on the designated due date listed below.
To enroll, please click (or paste in your browser) the link below
https://sites.google.com/jacksonindians.us/kidsclub/full-day-kids-club
The upcoming Full Day Kids’ Club HOSTED AT SOUTH ELEMENTARY dates offered:
Friday, February 16 (There will be NO FULL DAY Monday, February 19). All offices are closed on President’s Day. DEADLINE TO ENROLL AND PAY for February 16 is February 2, 2024. If you cancel your enrollment after February 2, no refund will be available. Enrollments or payments received after February 2, will result in a $20 late fee per student.
Friday, March 15: DEADLINE TO ENROLL AND PAY for March 15 is March 1, 2024 If you cancel your enrollment after March 1, no refund will be available. Enrollments or payments received after March 1, will result in a $20 late fee per student.
For any questions, please email the Kids’ Club Assistant Elizabeth Greenlee at egreenlee@jr2mail.org or call the Kids Club Office 573-243-9576
Thank you!
Mandee
Birthday Book Club
East families, if you would like to help our library grow by joining the Birthday Book Club, you can find more information here: bit.ly/eastbbc
January Birthday Book Club
Jett Hubbard
Annie Conklin
Eli Obergoenner
Quinton Thornburgh
Jade Driskell
Mona Sisi
Isla McCulley
Adeline Dillingham
Delsie Shands
Luke Lawrence
Jaxon Decker
Emersyn Thomas
July Birthday Book Club (1/2 bday in January)
Boston Limbert
Vincent Brueckner
Josie Moyers
Olivia Pinnon
Teigan Winkler
Ella Pennington
Liam Moonier
Jackson Youth Track Club
February Events
February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
February 8: 4th grade Middle School Transition Night 6pm
February 10: Purple Paw 5K
February 12: SPIRIT WEEK - Stuffed with Love (wear pajamas and bring a stuffed animal)
February 13: SPIRIT WEEK - Swelce Day (wear your Taylor Swift attire or KC Chiefs gear)
February 14: SPIRIT WEEK - Show the Love (wear red and pink for Valentine's Day)
February 14: Valentine's Day Parties
February 15: SPIRIT WEEK - Dress to Impress (dress for spring picture day)
February 15: Spring Picture Day
February 15: National School Resource Officer Day
February 16: No School - Professional Development Day
February 19: No School - Presidents' Day
February 19-23: Gifted Education Week
February 20: PTO Meeting at 6:00pm
EAST ELEMENTARY
Email: eweadon@jackson.k12.mo.us
Website: www.jacksonr2schools.com/East-Elementary-school/
Location: 455 North Lacey Street, Jackson, MO, USA
Phone: 573-243-5271
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastElementaryJR2/
Principal, East Elementary Jackson R-2 School District