JBE Family Update
February 17, 2022
Tomorrow is Early Release
Reading Instruction at JBE
How do you teach a student to read? I have been in education for decades and I have seen the reading instruction pendulum swing back and forth in opposite directions multiple times. I am so grateful for the cognitive research and guidance that has come out around the science of reading. Scarborough's Reading Rope (see below) illustrates how complex the task of reading actually is, requiring students to master multiple critical strands. For a long time, many elementary schools focused heavily on the language comprehension part of the rope, leaving many students stranded without the decoding skills needed to be successful readers. Wisely, CCSD began implementing a systematic phonics program for K-5th grade in 2017 (Open Court), and now at JBE, we are taking it a step further. Thanks to an anonymous donor, all of our first-grade teachers are being trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach. This cumulative, sequential, multisensory approach, is helping our students look at words differently, understand spelling rules, and identify word parts.
In addition to this attention to decoding, we continue to focus on Language Comprehension. This is done by diving deep into rich, complex, high-quality literature at every grade level. You will see and hear small group book discussions, read alouds, and novel studies throughout the building as students build their background knowledge, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. At JBE, students are given all the strands of the reading rope and the support to weave them together to become a confident reader as their rope comes together.
Car Rider Line
If your child arrives after the 7:25am bell, please utilize the bypass lane. Our smallest students, who also happen to have special needs, arrive after the 7:25 am bell to avoid the hazards and chaos of carpool and they need to utilize the regular drop-off lane. It takes time to get these little folks out and lately, some parents have honked their horns, thrown their hands up in frustration, and sped through the parking lot. Not only is this EXTREMELY unsafe, but it is also very disheartening for the parents of our special needs students.
JBE Substitutes Needed
Please consider applying to substitute teach for JBE. Yes, you can filter your registration to only sub at JBE! Apply at www.mykellyjobs.com or call 843-747-4826 or 843-806-2109.
Volunteers Needed
Does a weekend work better than a weekday to volunteer? Then, please consider helping March 26th from 9am - noon at Greenhouse Plant Sale. No green thumb needed! Please email Kim kim@earthartdesign.net
Volunteer Information
If you are one of our wonderful JBE volunteers we need you to fill out CCSD's Volunteer Application located HERE. Once a volunteer application is submitted online it usually takes 24 to 48 hours to receive an approval, this approval will come via email. If there is a problem verifying the information entered it can take longer.
CCSD defines a volunteer as: "Any person who is placed in a position of responsibility over one or more student(s) inside an active CCSD facility or as a part of a sanctioned CCSD event, or who is given prolonged access to students with limited supervision from a CCSD staff member. Volunteers do not receive any compensation from CCSD or a CCSD contractor for the services being provided. Examples of volunteers include front office assistants, field trip chaperones, volunteer tutors, those who read to students, and those who provide supplemental academic support to students on a volunteer basis. For the purpose of this guideline, the term volunteer does not apply to non-compensated athletic coaches as they are subject to procedures implemented by the CCSD Human Resources division."
Examples of volunteer positions at JBE include lunch duty, field trip chaperones, Greenhouse volunteers, Boat building, etc.
We ask that you complete the volunteer application by February 25th.
Covid Mask Policy Reinstated
Due to the latest DHEC rating for Charleston County, all students, staff, and visitors must wear face coverings in all of our schools and buildings. The Board’s goal is to keep students and staff as safe as possible while there is a significant increase in COVID-19 positive cases in the community.
The Board’s action reinstates all parts of Policy ADD, which you can review here. This includes exemption waivers. If waivers were approved and granted for students earlier this year, they will still be in place next week.
Read Across America Week
“Drop Everything and Read” --we will drop everything and read for 15 minutes each day the week of 2/28-3/4 at school and encourage parents and guardians to do the same at home!
New School Store & Uniform Order Updates
Support JBE and show off your school spirit with items from our new SCHOOL STORE! Items will change several times a year to give you options to support the Best Little School in the Lowcountry! Click here JBE One School Store
Uniform orders from January are being filled. If you are missing items from January, please contact Sarah uniforms@jbeone.org . The Spring ordering window will open March 14th!
5th Graders To Visit Moultrie Middle School
During the day on Monday, March 21st, JBE 5th graders will be visiting Moultrie Middle School. 5th grade parents, mark your calendar... on Tuesday, March 22, Moultrie will be hosting a parent night.
World Down Syndrome Day
We have lots to look forward to, learn, and raise awareness for in the coming months. On March 21st we will be celebrating World Down Syndrome Day [WDSD] and April is Autism Awareness Month. This year we have a new JBE t-shirt for World Down Syndrome Day as well as our JBE Autism Awareness t-shirt available HERE: Special JBE T-Shirts starting Wednesday February 16th. To ensure your child will receive the shirts in advance of these events please order the WDSD by February 21st.
Thank you in advance for supporting JBE in raising awareness for some of our most precious friends! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me (Blair Perry-Occupational Therapist): kathryn_perry@charleston.k12.sc.us
Plant Sale
Spring Auction
Get your Amazon Smile account ready to get your cowboy hats, boots, and bling accessories for the JBE One Spring Auction coming up on March 26th-tickets will go on sale soon!
Do you have extra travel miles or reward points to donate? Email korieellison@hotmail.com or annamarylee@gmail.com to help you turn those into points into donation items for the auction.
Staff Appreciation
Staff Appreciation Week will be May 2nd-6th. Please email Shannon sstaffordrice@gmail.com if you would like to join this committee.
Upcoming Dates
Friday, February 18 Early Release (12:25 dismissal) (Teacher Workday)
Monday, February 21 eLearning Day- All students learning at home
Wednesday, February 23 Chic-Fil-A Spirit Night 5-7pm (Remember to mention you’re with JBE at check-out or on your order notes.)
Wednesday, March 2 College Wear Wednesday
Monday, March 14 Spring Uniform ordering opens
Monday, March 21 World Down Syndrome Day
Tuesday, March 22 5th Grade Parents Moultrie Middle School prep meeting
Wednesday, March 23 Teacher Workday/PD (NO STUDENTS)
Saturday, March 26 Spring Plant Sale @ JBE Greenhouse (9am-12pm)
Saturday, March 26 Boots and Bling Spring Auction, Hobcaw Yacht Club 6:30-9:30pm
Wednesday, March 30 Spring Picture Day
Thursday, April 28 O’Brion’s Pub Adult Happy Hour – TIME TBD
May 2-6 JBE Staff Appreciation Week
Connect With JBE
Jennifer Simpkins- Assistant Principal (jennifer_simpkins@charleston.k12.sc.us)
Visit JBE One
Email: jbeuniforms@gmail.com
Website: https://www.ccsdschools.com/jbedwards
Location: 855 Von Kolnitz Road, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Phone: (843) 849-2805
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesbedwardselementary
Twitter: @JBEelementary