JSE Tracks
Principal's Weekly News, February 1, 2021
Congrats to our Science Bowl Team!
JSE Monthly Attributes:
Characteristic of a Successful Learner (CSL): Demonstrating Perseverance
Bucket-Filling Trait: Forgiveness
#BearcatPride!
February is here and so is ol' man winter in Indiana! This month is always a student favorite: they love the crafts, hearts that decorate our hallways, the Valentine themed books, the classroom Valentine Exchange, and our annual Valentine Fancy Lunch.We love showing our students they are LOVED at JSE!
Thank you for partnering with us today to ensure your child(ren) complete their eLearning assignments. We appreciate you understanding our reasoning of calling a delay and then an eLearning day. Safety will always be a priority and some of our district roads were not cleared to make transportation safe. We do realize morning changes can make it difficult on families and appreciate your efforts at home. Please find a repeat of eLearning expectations for your reference below.
Our teachers have analyzed NWEA data including student growth, standard strengths and weaknesses, and are prepared to utilize their knowledge to inform their instruction. We use NWEA as another source of data to support us in challenging and supporting our students. February to May focus on new standards, preparing students for the next grade level. Attendance and homework practice are essential for mastery of these standards. As a reminder, virtual students may return when they feel comfortable. If you would like more information regarding your child's NWEA scores please access the NWEA family toolkit below and contact your child's teacher.
Progress Reports will be sent home or can be viewed on Thursday through the Harmony Parent Portal. If you need access, please contact our JSE office. For grade 2-5, Harmony is a highly effective way to stay up to date on your child's progress and we encourage you to check your child's grades weekly.
Thank you to our PTO for making February Fun at school and at home!
We look forward to seeing all of our students tomorrow!
Leigh Barnes
Principal
NEW Kindergarten and 1st Grade Families: Promise Porter County
Greetings, Parents!
Promise Porter County will include the names of all families who establish a college savings account for their children during the February enrollment period in a drawing for a $250 bonus! This is in addition to the $25 we will give each family that enrolls.
Visit: www.promiseportercounty.org
to sign up. Questions? Email or call the number below.
Remember, the money can be used for college, trade school, apprenticeship programs, and most post-high school career programs. Sign up today!
Susie Hord
Promise Porter County Coordinator
VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA
1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, Valparaiso IN 46383
(P) 219 462 4185 ext 226 (F) 219 477 4720
(E) promiseportercounty529@gmail.com
(W) www.promiseportercounty.org
If you have questions, please feel free to email me.
Sincerely,
Susie Hord
Promise Porter County Coordinator
VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA
1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, Valparaiso IN 46383
(P) 219 462 4185 ext 226 (F) 219 477 4720
(E) promiseportercounty529@gmail.com
(W) www.promiseportercounty.org
New Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade: Dyslexia Screening
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students at both JSE and UCE will be given the annual universal screening for dyslexia in accordance with Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 217. This same screening was conducted last year.
We wrap up the universal screening this week with our students. The screening process is very minimal for the students and will be a very small part of their academic day.
NEW: If your child met the criteria from the universal screener for a student who may be exhibiting characteristics of a student with dyslexia in the area of reading, Mrs. Barnes will reach out to you directly this week. Otherwise, your child did not meet the criteria and you will receive no further information. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Reid or Mrs. Barnes at JSE.
For more detailed information please view the information presented by our Indiana Department of Education:
PTO NEWS: Our PTO is still in action!
- February brings some excitement to get us through the winter!
- Cookie Decorating Order Form Due February 5th
- PTO is looking for a secretary, please email the pto or complete the paper form in your email.
- February 19 PTO sponsors a virtual wildlife assembly to our school live broadcasted to classroom smartboards. This will be a great reward to the end of the quarter!
- Did you know you can email the PTO at johnsimatovichpto@gmail.com with any questions or volunteering information you need?
- Open Board Position-Please email if interested!
- PTO Meetings are virtual with our PTO board this year.
Join in our Family Cookie Decorating on Valentine's Day!
Exciting family activity provided to our JSE families from our PTO for a minimal cost.
Kids love cookies and they love decorating cookies even more! A perfect family activity to celebrate family LOVE at Valentine's Day.
Please view the below sign-up link and complete your order by February 5th.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rrRjMmigVmZYTvKW-o39FgnvwXUmbx4m_z8ga1H0DrM/edit?usp=drivesdk
Thank you to our PTO and parent volunteers for making this activity possible for our families!
Union Township Sports Sign-Up!
If your child is interested in participating in Wheeler Little League, please click HERE for more information! **BASEBALL REGISTRATION ONLINE IS OPEN. LIVE SIGN UPS THURSDAY 2/6, AND 2/13. NEW PLAYERS NEED TO BRING A COPY OF CHILD'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND INSURANCE INFORMATION.
If your child is interested in participating in Union Township Softball, please click HERE for more information!
If your child is interested in participating in Union Township Soccer, registration is happening NOW! Please click HERE to register your child!
Important Dates:
February 4 Progress Report
February 11 Classroom Valentine Exchange and Fancy Valentine Candlelight Lunch
February 12-15 President's Day No school/Snow Make-Up Day if needed
February 19 PTO sponsored Virtual Wildlife Assembly at school
March 8-12 IREAD-3 3rd Graders Only Assessment
March 18 Report Card
March 22-26 Spring Break
April 2 No School/Snow Make-Up Day
Wear your Bearcat Spirit Wear on Fridays!
Harmony Parent Portal LINK: https://sis.union.k12.in.us/familyaccess.nsf/hello.xsp
With our current situation, please be reminded all dates, events, and information is subject to change. We appreciate you working together with us by checking your email regularly and reaching out to us with questions and concerns. Our partnership will remain strong for our children and community!
Repeat: Elearning Expectations
Repeat: JSE PTO is looking to fill the secretary position!
John Simatovich PTO wants YOU!
Our primary objective as a PTO is to provide our school with funds, programs, resources, and services that will enrich and maximize the education of every child and to benefit the school. To meet this important objective, we fundraise. Here are a few programs that we sponsor and/or support: Fun Fair, Family Fun Nights, Holiday Shop, Veterans Day Event, Teacher Appreciation, Ice Cream Social, Book Bingo, School-wide Assemblies, Camp Goodfellow, Field trips and various other activities throughout the year.
Our PTO board has a vacancy for Secretary. The Secretary position includes: attend all meetings, keep record of meeting minutes, keep record of meeting attendance, type a monthly newsletter, chair one event, co-chair other events, and assist with committees. Does this sound like something you would be interested in? Please consider joining the PTO Board!
I would like to be considered for:
Secretary ___________________________________
(first and last name, contact phone #)
Please return this letter by February 1st, 2021 if you are interested in the Secretary position or contact our PTO President Carey Minton at our PTO Email: johnsimatovichpto@gmail.com. Voting will take place on February 3rd, 2021 at the virtual PTO meeting at 6:00 pm. https://meet.google.com/eqg-oapw-ooz
Repeat: From the desk of JSE Nurse, Mrs. Maniszko: COVID-19 Positive Cases
Repeat: Winter Reminders
Delays and School Closures: You will receive an email and text from UTSC indicating a school delay or closure plan. Make sure we have updated contact information in our system. You may also check our website in the morning for a school closure announcement as well as follow the UTSC twitter account. A reminder we do not serve breakfast during 2hr. delays.
Repeat: Attention Families of Virtual Students
Families of virtual students are encouraged to return to in-person learning when they feel comfortable this semester. Second semester is a vital learning period of preparation for the next grade level. Your child's teacher will communicate with you if they have concerns about your child's academic progress and/or virtual learning performance.
LIBRARY: Virtual students can check out books from our library too! Check out what books we have,at this LINK and then let Mrs. Kegebein, akegebein@union.k12.in.us, know of the book you would like to check-out and we will put the book in your teacher's pick-up bin at our main entrance.
ATTENDANCE: What should I do if my child can not attend virtual school due to an illness, doctor appointment, or other absence?
The same hand-book guidelines for students learning virtually apply. Parents should call the school and report their child's absence for the day and the reason for the absence. The office will inform your child's classroom teacher. We appreciate the consistency for all student absences as this communication will support teachers in preparing for both in-person and virtual instruction.
How do I arrange for my child's learning if they are quarantined and temporarily virtual?
The nurse will work with you to determine your child's return day and then your child's teacher will work with you to develop a plan to continue their learning from home. This may include learning packets, virtual lessons, and activities on Canvas. Please email both the nurse and your child's teacher directly as well as call the main JSE office to report their absence. It is not necessary to report their absence each day after a return date is determined with our nurse. Please remember the return date may change based on symptoms or future exposure.
How can I sign up my child to read with Mrs. Barnes? Mrs. Barnes would like to read to, with, or listen to your child read through a google meet! Please email Mrs. Barnes directly to sign up for a time. lbarnes@union.k12.in.us
Continued until June, Free Breakfast/Lunch Curbside Pick-up at JSE: If you would like breakfast/lunch but were not able to sign up through the form, please let us know and we will add you to our pick-up list. Pick-up will now be at the car rider door on Mondays between 10-10:30AM.
Front Office Vestibule Pick-up/Drop-off: Parents may use this to pick up learning packets as directed by your child's classroom teacher or drop-off completed work. Please communication with your child's teacher if you have questions.
You are always welcome at JSE!
Please let us know how we can strengthen our partnership with you!
Feel free to contact me anytime! Very Sincerely, Mrs. Barnes
Leigh Barnes, Principal ext 3001
Barb Rittel, Secretary ext 3000
Lisa Morton, Home School Advisor ext 3003
Kathy Maniszko, School Nurse ext 3002
Email: lbarnes@union.k12.in.us
Website: http://jsimatovich.union.k12.in.us/
Location: 424 West 500 North, Valparaiso, IN, United States
Phone: (219)759-2508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JSEPTO/
Twitter: @JSimatovichElem