Versión en español

中文简体版

Dear Ira B. Jones Elementary Families,

We are excited to announce that we are participating in The 2022 Great Kindness Challenge, where we will join thousands of schools across the country to create a culture of kindness. Your child is part of a powerful and positive bullying prevention initiative that will lead to more kindness, unity, and respect at school and beyond.

The Great Kindness Challenge is the week of January 24th through January 28th.

Some impressive statistics that show the impact of the 2020-2021 Great Kindness Challenge week:

• Over 16 million students participated
• Over 33,000 schools signed up
• Over 843 million acts of kindness
• Over 110 countries were involved

At the heart of the Great Kindness Challenge is a simple belief that kindness is strength and that a habit is formed as an action is repeated.

Students will be challenged to try and perform 20-50 acts of kindness during the week (depending on their age) and keep track of these acts of kindness through a checklist.

Ms. Courtney Booth, our school counselor, will introduce the challenge to students and will make sure students and teachers have the Great Kindness Challenge checklist.

Please help us support our focus on kindness by encouraging your child to “do kind” and complete as much of the checklist as they can. If you would like to learn more about this challenge or are considering expanding this Great Kindness Challenge into your own home and family, you can find more information at https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/.

With Great Gratitude,

Ruafika A. Cobb

DOWNLOAD THE GREAT KINDNESS CHECKLIST HERE

Strategies That Teach Children to Set Goals And Help Them Succeed:

The New Year is a time for many to establish new routines and goals. This time of year is optimal to support goal development with your student. Here are several strategies to teach children how to set goals and succeed.

1. Define what a goal is. An easy way is to link it to an area of interest. For example, a football player is aiming for a touchdown. It is something to shoot for. Explain goal setting as planning what you need to work on.

2. Share your own goals with your student. Let your students know you have goals and that you may need to work on some things in order to achieve them.

3. Help students create a “Dream List.” Help students create a list of things they actually have the power to make happen. Then spend time together discussing those dreams. Consider what skills are necessary to make those dreams a reality. What supports are necessary for your student to succeed?

4. Tailor the goal to your student. Have a first time goal setter work on a goal that can be achieved in a week. Some examples are making their bed every day, reading a book each day, or brushing their teeth without being reminded.

5. Help your student think through steps for success. Some students need to write down the steps. The more they think about their goal and identify what they need to do to achieve it, the greater their chance of succeeding.

6. Track your students' progress. Use a chart or calendar to show stickers or stars when steps are completed.

7. Celebrate! As goals are completed, celebrate as a family.

As students work on their plans, it is inevitable for them to experience challenges and possible disappointments. Remember, failure is an important and valuable part of learning. Students should be taught to work hard and be resilient. However, fantasizing kids can control everything is not resilience. One of the greatest ways students can learn and grow is from their failures and challenges. Supporting students through missteps and challenges increases resiliency.

Parents,

Please do not send their students to school if they have ANY of the symptoms. When a student has symptoms, we have to isolate them and call parents. We are also waiting on more tests, so it can sometimes be a long time for a child to be waiting alone. I realize students can develop symptoms at school, which is a different situation, but if you notice any symptoms at home, please do not send them to school. Communicate with Josh Rigsby, our COVID Coordinator, and he’ll be in touch about the next steps. You can reach him at josh.rigsby@acsgmail.net or 828.713.4615.

Student attendance is not the only attendance affected by COVID. Our staff also follow the same protocols, and we often have staff out. This means other staff members fill in and help to help out. The difference between a typical one-day-only short-staff situation and COVID short-staff situation is that we often have multiple days in a row where we are short-staffed. I’m asking for your understanding and grace as we do our very best to keep kids safe, communicate with parents in a timely manner, and provide an excellent educational experience every day for our students.

After teaching for 25 years as a Special Education teacher, Ms. Lee Logan announced her retirement, and her last day teaching was December 17, 2021. Kelley Warner will replace Ms. Logan as the classroom teacher and her first day at our school was January 3, 2022. Meet Ms. Warner below.

• Monday, January 10th: If they have not already, students should submit their “Day 1” Remote Learning Packet to be marked present for Monday, January 3rd.
  

• Monday, January 10: ACS (Virtual) Board Meeting

• January 13th, 20th, and 27th - Open House Tours 3:30pm - 6:30pm for enrolling families (2022-2023 school year)
  

• Friday, January 14: End of Quarter 2/1st Semester
  

• Monday, January 17: Holiday, no school

• Tuesday, January 18: Optional Teacher Workday, no school for students

• Tuesday, January 25: Report cards go home

ASHEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS IS HIRING!

We will be hosting a Pop-up Career Fair on Wednesday, January 12, from 3:00 until 6:00 in the Boardroom at 85 Mountain Street. We are hiring essential positions: TAs, bus drivers, custodians, substitute drivers, substitute teachers, etc. Please share this event with your friends and family. Potential employees do not need to register. This is a drop-in event.

Enrollment "season" is approaching! Do you have a rising kindergarten you need to enroll in our school next year? Here's what you need to know:

• All enrollment information can be found on this Asheville City Schools website.

• Applications will be given equal consideration, regardless of the date received during the open enrollment period. Placements are not based on a first-come, first-serve basis. If space allows, all applications will be placed at their 1st choice. If there is insufficient space to place all applicants at their 1st choice, that particular school will go to a lottery.

• Open enrollment begins on February 7, 2022.

• We will be hosting open-house tours (along with other elementary schools in ACS) on January 13th, 20th, and 27th from 3:30-6:30 pm.

Please share this information as you see fit. Thanks for your help!