WE ALL BELONG!

During the month of April, our school focused on the importance of inclusion. We believe that all children matter and are dedicated to helping every child learn and grow.

Recently, two former Jerry Ross students gave motivational speeches on the topic of inclusion from their perspective.

Sometimes our students' voices need to be heard because they truly have beatiful thoughts to share. Enjoy these powerful words provided by Audrina Sims, former Jerry Ross student.

Have you ever felt like you were being left out in a group? If you haven’t, it feels horrible. Everyone in this room is here because they have helped people out of that situation. No matter if you saw someone working alone in a group project or saw someone sitting by themselves at a party, you made an attempt to make them feel included. Understandably, not everyone wants to be in a big group, and that’s okay. What’s not okay is standing by and watching someone feel isolated from everyone else. Everyone in here took note of that and did their best to not make anyone feel that way, and the teachers and staff saw that. But just because you were rewarded for being inclusive, doesn’t mean you should do it for the award. Being inclusive is a lifelong skill, not only will it make others feel good, but you too.

With me today, I brought my friend Olivia. We became friends because I chose to be a Peer Mentor. A Peer Mentor is someone who helps others who are different feel included. Olivia and I became closer throughout the school year because I have always been with her. The first time I hung out with Olivia was when we were in gym class together. I saw her sitting in a corner by herself, so I went over to her and helped her feel included in the activity. After that we started hanging out in school everyday. Now I can say that she is one of my best friends. She has made me a better person and I’m grateful that I get to spend time with her everyday. If I hadn’t made an effort to make others feel welcome, I would've never gotten as close to Olivia as I am today.

I understand that you may not want to include everyone because of how they treat you or others. However, that doesn’t mean you have an excuse to exclude others. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, whether you think so or not. “We don't have to earn the right to be included – we are all born as equal citizens and part of a community.” We all need to take action in being inclusive, because it’s a basic human need. Presence is the foundation for inclusion and if you're not there, no one will know you're missing.

Enjoy the weekend,

Ms. Linsley and Mrs. Reeder

Our elementary schools are excited to begin welcoming students being redistricted to their new school community. Principals will be visiting schools for a brief meet and greet with their new students during the weeks of May 15th and May 22nd. We look forward to this opportunity to begin building relationships with our future students and to share more about our school.

We understand that some families may not have shared with their child yet that they will be attending a new school next year. In the event you would like to opt your child out of this meet and greet, please contact your current principal by May 10th.

We will continue to reach out to families by sharing our newsletters this spring and look forward to welcoming you and your child to our building for the 2023-2024 school year with some beginning of the year activities. Please check your 2023-2024 school’s website for important dates and relevant information.

We look forward to partnering with you to support the growth and success of your child.

Thank you to those who participated in our Math-a-thon. Together, we raised $4,791 for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Yet again, I am reminded of what an incredible community we belong to. We can't do all the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good that we can do.

Next week, we will be selling Smencils during arrival for one dollar a piece. Students may purchase five Smencils a day while supplies last.

I look forward to seeing you all at our Springfest next Friday. Our Student Council will be selling beverages.

Thanks again, Jerry Ross families,

Mrs. Sims, 5th Grade Teacher

Between now and the end of the school year, you can save 25% at all Crown Point Schools online spirit wear stores with the code SPIRIT. You’ll find gear and accessories with dozens of official designs on over three hundred items. Brands include companies like Under Armour, Nike, NorthFace, Ogio, and more. Visit www.cps.k12.in.us/spiritshop to find your school’s store.

The NEHS is accepting donations for any of the following items to assist with the Outdoor Learning Lab:

New or used:

• garden tools (rakes, shovels, hand tools)
• garden gloves
• garden statues, orbs, or decorative stones
• windchimes
• flowerpots
• flowering perennials (hosta, hydrangea, lilac, lavender, etc)
• potting soil
• birdhouses or bird feeders

Thank you for your assistance in helping to make this a special place for Jerry Ross.

Mrs. Perschon and Mrs. Sexson

OUTSTANDING FEES DUE NO LATER THAN 5/26/23

Please take a moment to check your parent RDS to make sure that ALL of your fees, including chrome book repairs, lost library books, and any remaining textbook rental fees are paid in full. Any fees outstanding after 5/26/23 will be turned over to Kinum, Inc. for collections. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Lukas by phone at (219) 663-3010 or email klukas@cps.k12.in.us. Thank you!

May Observances

National Food and Allergy Awareness month, National Celiac Disease month, Skin Cancer month, Healthy Vision month, as well as Better Speech and Hearing month.

May is a very busy month for staff and students wrapping up the end of the school year. The health clinic will also need to wrap things up before the school year ends. The students that take medication here at school will be mailed information on medication pick up and new forms for next school year. These letters for medication pickups will be mailed on the 15th of May. So please look for this letter in your mailbox. Medications cannot be sent home with students and must be picked up by an adult. Please make arrangements for picking up your child’s medications with the nurse or office.

The 6th grade health information and requirements forms will go out on May 23rd. These forms are turned into the middle school nurse - not here at Jerry Ross. A physical yellow form and 6th grade vaccine information requirements sheets will go home with your child. These forms can be found on the school’s website if you need extra. If you have any questions, please call the nurse at 219-663-3010 x18081.

Heads up on head lice. These tiny, wingless insects live on the human scalp. It’s a common community problem and a nuisance. There is no transmission of any diseases with these bugs. If a child is itching his/her head please check the head for lice. Many times it is just dandruff but the bugs lay eggs called nits and they live on the hair shaft. Treatment is usually over the counter medication that is sufficient. You will also need to get the bugs (nits) off the hair shaft by combing out the nits. They are hard to get off the shaft of the hair, dandruff usually flakes off. You will also need to treat or wash: linens combs, brushes and hair clips. All articles need to be washed in hot soapy water or thrown away if exposed to active lice infestation. Check with all family members and close contact persons and treat all at the same time. If you need help with this please call and I can guide you.

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The weather is changing and you may be cleaning out your closets. Please keep the Nurse's office in mind to donate any gently used clothing. Thank you!

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Have a good weekend,

Mrs. Horst, RN

Week of May 8th

Monday: Robotics until 5:00 pm

Tuesday: Girls on the Run until 5:00 pm; NEHS until 5:00 pm

Wednesday: Intramural Basketball until 5:00 pm

Thursday: Student Patrollers at 8:00 am; Girls on the Run until 5:00 pm

Week of May 15th

Monday: Robotics until 5:00 pm; Best Buddies Ice Cream Social

Tuesday: Student Council at 8:05 am

Wednesday: NEHS until 5:00 pm; Intramural Basketball until 5:00 pm

MAY

05th: NWEA Testing begins

08th - 12th: Educator Appreciation week

09th: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Deep River; CAFE Online Auction begins

10th: Unified Sports Day

12th: 4th Grade Field Trip to Gabis Arboretum

12th: CAFE Mayfest = Up, Up, and Away

13th: Best Buddies Friendship Walk and Girls on the Run 5K

15th: 5th Grade Sports Day

16th: 4th Grade Sports Day

17th: 3rd Grade Sports Day

19th: 5th Grade Dance

22nd: Kindergarten Readiness

23rd: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Deep River and 4th Grade Music Program

24th: DARE Graduation

25th: Talent Show

26th: Awards Program/Last day of School

We want to invite you to join Jerry Ross for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point. Check-in begins at 9am, with Ceremonies beginning at 10:15am, followed by the walk at 10:30am. We hope you will join us and support our friends by signing up for the Jerry Ross Team at:

https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/lakecounty/supporting/#JR

You can sign up for free or provide a donation to support the program and opportunities for people with disabilities. A donation of $50 before April 20 will guarantee you a Best Buddy Walk T-shirt!

The Birth to School Kindergarten Readiness program is a series of FREE classes for children 4-5 years old (alongside parent/caregiver) who will attend Kindergarten in August 2023. Daytime, afternoon, and evening class times are available each month. Visit our website for more information, including how to enroll in the Kindergarten Readiness program: www.cps.k12.in.us/bts.