In my February counseling lessons, we focused on GRIT or not giving up, even when something is challenging or frustrating.

All students learned about GRIT during my February counseling lessons. Students learned:

• Grit is when you don't give up, even when things are challenging or frustrating. It is working towards a goal even when it is hard.
• Anyone can become smarter, stronger or better at something. But it takes hard work and practice.
• When we do something challenging or frustrating it can exercise our brain and make it smarter and stronger.
• Mistakes and failures help us learn and do better.

All students practiced different teamwork challenges with their classmates to practice GRIT and how to work through challenges and frustrations. Here are some ideas to continue to build your child's GRIT at home (ideas from Big Life Journal):

1. Discuss their dreams and goals: Talk about the steps that would be required to reach their goals. Encourage them to create a dream board.
2. Share stories of gritty famous people: Encourage your child to study famous people (and their failures). These examples can show that perseverance through failure can lead to great success!
3. Ask, "What's the hard part?": When your child feels discouraged or tempted to give up, ask them, "What's the hard part?" After you have identified the challenge together, brainstorm solutions.
   
4. Share your passions: Show your child excitement for activities outside of working and parenting. Devote time to developing these passions.

As always, please let me know if there are ways that I can be supporting your child and their social and emotional well-being. I am available by email or phone (email is usually the easiest way to get a hold of me since I am split between two buildings).

Thanks so much!

Annika Olivo, School Counselor

We had a fantastic turn out for our FIRST EVER PTO Glow Party. We had close to 300 people in attendance!!! In addition to the awesome decor and illumination there was music, BINGLO, popcorn and prizes!!! It was heartwarming to see all the families connecting and lots of positive memories being made. A special thanks to all our dedicated PTO parents and Jefferson Staff for their time and talents to make this amazing event possible!

Please join us for our next DINE OUT NIGHT on FEB 21st at Chipotle! Families will be asked to present this flier so please take a screenshot to show when you go to pick up your delicious meal! We are moving away from paper copies of this flier in order to be more environmental and budget conscious.

Would you like to spend quality time with our Jefferson students from 10:45 to 1:00? Can you open a spork and ketchup packet with ease? The we need you! We are looking for a lunchroom supervisor on Mondays and would love to have you join our team. If you are interested please email mbrues1@isd77.org.

It is so nice to invite family and friends in for lunch with students once again. If you are planning on joining your student or have a family member or friend who plans on attending lunch here are some things that can help us to welcome you in the best possible way!

Before Arriving:

* Call the office or email your childś teacher so we can confirm lunch times and reserve a spot where everyone can sit together and add you to our lunch count if you´d like to enjoy a school lunch.

During Lunch:

* Purchase a school lunch or bring a lunch

* Sit and enjoy lunch with your child

After Lunch:

* Wish your child a happy afternoon and send them with their class and teacher from the lunchroom so they can continue their learning

Feb 3rd & Feb 17th- School Store

March 2nd & 16th- School Store

March 2nd Kindergarten Round Up

March 3rd Music Concert for Families at 9:30 and 1:00 for k, 2, and 4

March 8th Early Release

Mon, March 13th Parent Teacher Conferences 3:20-8:00

Thu, March 16th Parent Teacher Conferences 3:20-8:00

March 17th- Science Fair

Tue, March 21st Parent Teacher Conferences 3:20-8:00

Spring break - Thu March 23rd - Tue March 28

Substitute Teaching: Have you ever thought about being a substitute teacher? Our sub pool is quite limited this year, and we are on the hunt for interested individuals to consider this opportunity. A 4-year Bachelor's Degree is required, and you would need to obtain a substitute license, but we can help with that process. AND...if you only wanted to sub here at Jefferson, and nowhere else, we could help to support this. If you have any inkling that you might want to do this, please reach out to me!!! mbrues1@isd77.org. Details around how to acquire this licensure are linked below. We would love to have you at Jefferson!

PELSB Short Call Sub Requirements