Jasper Elementary School
August 4, 2022
Jasper Elementary School
Jasper Elementary School Welcomes Your Return
Dear Parent,
Our staff has been very busy this summer preparing for the exciting new school year ahead of us. We have had a very effective and dedicated staff cleaning the building so that our children can be proud of their very new facility. We tip our hats to Mrs. Elkins, Mrs. Hasenour, and Mrs. Hundley for giving us the cleanest facility in the state of Indiana. Mr. Folz and Mr. Mendel are to be commended for keeping our school safe and attractive even with all the construction going on.
We have a lot of wonderful things in store for our children this year. The teaching staff has been working hard to create a new emphasis in math by preparing for piloting a couple of different math options as we look toward textbook adoption next year. The students will enjoy a new schoolwide math initiative that will allow self-paced learning with rewards for their individual goal attainment in mastering math fluency. We will encourage our children to work on their goals at home as well as at school.
Not only have we worked hard in preparing for the upcoming academics throughout the summer, but our building is going through some major changes as well. In early September, kindergarten students will be joining our pre-kindergarten students on the tot lot for recess. This play area with quadruple in size and allow more size appropriate options for our smallest children. This December, we are planning on opening our building up to our new four classroom addition onto the southeast corner of our building. Currently, many of our third and fourth grade students will be shifting to a new classroom around the semester break.
With all the changes taking place, we will not forget what makes Jasper Elementary School special. Your child’s safety and educational progress will always be paramount. We also will continue to find the unique experiences that will build fond memories that will last a lifetime. We will look for opportunities for your child to emerge into a leader that sets and works toward meeting those goals in a positive healthy manner.
As a parent, we ask that you look for opportunities through making a difference in our school. There will be many activities coming up through the year, and we hope that you are a regular in attending these events. Also, communication with the classroom teacher is the absolute best way to stay connected with your child’s education. Please be sure to reach out to your teacher frequently for updates and questions. We truly need you as an educational partner for your child to flourish in education. Jasper Elementary School… where we are “better together”.
Sincerely,
Kent W. Taylor
Principal
REGISTRATION OPEN
Student registration for 2022-2023 began Monday, July 25, 2022, and will end Friday, August 5, 2022. The following information will assist parents with the steps necessary to complete this process.
Registration Objectives
• Register your child on PowerSchool
• Pay your book rental fees on MySchoolBucks or check payable to Jasper Elementary Book Rental
Step 1 - Registration - Parent Instructions
Log into PowerSchool with your parent credentials to begin the process. https://gjcs.powerschool.com/public/ You will have to use this link and not the app.
Step 2 - Pay Book Rental Fees - Parent Instructions by School
*If you wish to apply for free and reduced meals, please use the link below.
https://www.myschoolapps.com/.../Dist.../GREATERJASPER_IN...
https://www.myschoolapps.com/.../Dist.../GREATERJASPER_IN...
Bring check or cash into school any day from 8:30 – 2:30 before Friday, August 5th. Make check out to “Elementary Book Rental – Jasper Elementary School”.
Use the MySchoolBucks app or click on “MySchoolBucks” within PowerSchool on the left-hand side. It will take you to your account. You will have to “add to basket” and then pay with a credit card. There is a 4.6% fee for the transaction.
Kindergarten - $197.25
1st Grade - $196.27
2nd Grade - $167.82
3rd Grade - $149.07
4th Grade - $147.10
5th Grade - $147.10
*If you are still experiencing issues, you may call the school at 812-556-3600
August Breakfast Menu
Breakfast is FREE for ALL students. If your child is planning on eating breakfast, please have them at school by 7:45 so they have ample time to eat before school starts at 8:00
August Lunch Menu
Lunch is $2.25 for students each day. If your child runs low on funds, you can a check or cash with your child. You may also utilize My School Bucks to add money to their account.
Meet the Teacher/Staff Night!
On Monday, August 8th, your child will be able to meet their teacher! With over 900 students attending JES, we will not have parking to accommodate everyone at the same time. We are asking that you attend during the times below based on your last name.
5:30 - 6:00 - Last Name A - H
6:00 - 6:30 - Last Name I - P
6:30 - 7:00 - Last Name Q - Z
To help with parking we are going to ask that you park in the following recommended areas and enter through the recommended doors
PK or Kindergarten Student
Use the back parking lot behind the school and park on the north end of the parking lot. You would want to enter the building through door 16
First Grade or Second Grade Student
Use the back parking lot behind the school and park on the south end of the parking lot. You would want to enter the building through door 27.
Third or Fourth Grade Student
Use the parking lot in the front of the school. You would want to enter the building through door 32.
5th Grade Student
Use the west parking lot or park in the church parking lot across Ackerman Road. You would want to enter the building through door 3.
For parents who have more than one child at JES, please park in accordance with your oldest child. Please see the attached map for additional information.
Important Information!
August 8th - Meet the Teacher Night
5:30 - 6:00 - Last Names A - H
6:00 - 6:30 - Last Names I - P
6:30 - 7:00 - Last Names Q - Z
August 10 - First Day of School for Students - 8:00 am
School hours are 8:00AM -3:00PM. Students can arrive starting at 7:15AM. Students may not be dropped off prior to 7:15 AM. If you bring your child to school after 8:00 AM, you must escort them to the front doors.
We are highly encouraging parents who are bringing their child to school to use the car drop-off drive. If you would like to walk your child in, you will have to say goodbye outside the front doors. Many staff members will be at all drop-off locations to help students to their appropriate destinations. Please trust us that we have your child's best well-being in mind at all times.
Please see nurse Hannah Peltier for prescription medicine intake. All medicine must be accompanied by a parent and include a physician’s prescription. Students are not allowed to transport medicine to school.
VERY IMPORTANT- If your child's transportation changes, please notify the office with a note ASAP.
Upgrade Healthy Snack Ideas for Recess and Classroom Celebrations
Jasper Elementary allows healthy food choices for recess and classroom celebrations. A list of smart snacks can be found below. There are many other healthy food choices in addition to this list. Please be mindful when providing snacks.
Important Sick Child Reminders
We are working hard each and every day to provide a safe, learning environment for your child. Please review the following reminders to help us take every precaution!
- If someone in your household is waiting on a Covid test, your child must stay home until the results are back.
- If your child has any symptoms, even mild, please call into school and talk with the school nurse, Mrs. Peltier You can also email at hpeltier@gjcs.k12.in.us.
- Symptoms would include headache, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, stomachache, cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- If school is closed you can email Mr. Taylor ktaylor@gjcs.k12.in.us , Mr. Erny rerny@gjcs.k12.in.us , or Mrs. Peltier hpeltier@gjcs.k12.in.us
Transportation Safety Update from Mr. Buechlein!
The following are steps being taken by GJCS to ensure the safe transportation of students on school buses.
- School buses have been cleaned and disinfected prior to the start of school.
- Students must stay in their own seats and keep their hands to themselves.
- If behavior arises, students will have consequences.
- Seating charts are required on the buses.
- Students are required to ride only their assigned bus.
Please see the attachment for FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
Do you have children in multiple schools? Choose one of these! Just search GREATER JASPER to see all the options!