No Place Like Jones
Family Updates for the Week of October 30, 2023
DONATE TO THE JONES HEROES CAMPAIGN! 10/16-11/8
Principal Corner
I want to remind you that there will be no school on Wednesday, November 1, for students. Additionally, report cards will be sent home on Tuesday, November 7.
Regarding Halloween, students can dress up as their favorite book character or according to a chosen class/grade-level theme. However, students should avoid wearing masks or makeup and bringing props to school. It is also important that they wear safe shoes and leave candy and sweets at home throughout the week.
Thank you to everyone who has already filled out the Panorama Opt In/Out Form. This is a gentle reminder for all families to take a minute to fill out your preference using the form.
ACS uses three Panorama surveys during the 2023-2024 school year in order to gauge the social emotional well-being of all students. This information helps to inform and guide our instruction and student services. We have posted these surveys on a common website (https://www.ashevillecityschools.net/site/default.aspx?PageID=6053 for best results, you may need to paste this link to your browser) in order for parents or guardians to review and then opt-in or opt-out their student’s participation.
In accordance with North Carolina’s Parents’ Bill of Rights, Asheville City Schools must provide parents or guardians access to all school-wide surveys that relate to their student’s well-being, behavior, and mental health. Parents or guardians will have up to ten days to review the surveys and then opt-in or opt-out of student participation.
Please take a moment to review the Panorama survey for your student’s grade span. Then sign the form and select Agree or Disagree. Please complete by October 25, 2023. Here is the link to the form: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/24448934.
Approve means you opt in to allow the survey. Do not approve means you opt out of the survey. You will need to sign the form and choose Agree or Disagree for each of your children.
Please reach out if you have any questions.
I invite you to visit our school's website and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/ and follow us on Twitter @Principal_IBJ and Instagram @IraB.JonesElementary. These will serve as a resource tool for all upcoming events, the student/family handbook, and important reminders, and you can catch up with all the wonderful things our students and teachers are doing. I also send out a weekly family newsletter. Please ensure we have updated contact information so you can stay informed of all our school happenings.
As a school leader and a parent, I understand the necessity of healthy communication between families and the school. I welcome your questions, celebrations, or concerns at any time. You can reach me by calling the school at 828.350.6700 or emailing me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.
Sincerely,
Ruafika Cobb
Principal
Ira B. Jones Elementary School
#noplacelikejones
Jones Heroes Campaign
Our FTO has started its annual fundraiser, the Jones Heroes Campaign and we invite you to donate online. You can visit https://app.99pledges.com/fund/irabjones to make a donation of any size. We are grateful for any support that you can offer. We also encourage you to share the Heroes donation form with any Asheville small business owners you know. Donations from local businesses are essential in helping us reach our goal. There are also wonderful incentives to recognize their brands for those who support our school.
This is our primary fundraiser of the year, and all the money raised goes towards supporting our school community. The funds will be used to provide classroom supplies, teacher projects, field trip scholarships, staff appreciation, and much more. We appreciate your support in making our school the best that it can be. #noplacelikejones
Upcoming Important Dates
- Monday, October 16: the start of FTO annual fundraiser, the Jones Heroes Campaign
- Tuesday, October 31: End of Quarter 1
- Wednesday, November 1: No School for Students
- Friday, November 10: Holiday, no school for students and staff
- November 22 - 24: Holiday, no school for students
Notes from the Counseling Corner with Ms. Courtney, School Counselor
It is essential for students to learn the importance of taking care of themselves and their communities. Self-care can help students of all ages become more introspective and aware of their physical and emotional needs. It can also prepare them to effectively handle future stressors. Even small acts of self-care and self-help can decrease stress, improve relationships, and promote wellness of the body and mind.
Adults and caregivers can teach their students healthy self-care habits at any age. It is necessary to remember that adults’ ideas about self-care might look different than their students' ideas.
Movement and creative activities can provide an emotional outlet while fostering connection. Activities like painting, coloring, or using Play-Doh are less likely to feel like a chore. Music and dance can have huge positive impacts on your child’s cognitive development and self-awareness.
Carve out daily quiet time together
It is important for families to carve out space for quiet time. A few minutes of singing to your child, reading a book together, or doing a kid-friendly meditation can strengthen your connection.
Make a calm down box
Some students respond well to having their own “calm-down box”. Include items that are soothing to the senses, such as a fidget toy, stuffed animal, stress ball, plastic snow globe, or scratch & sniff stickers. When you observe them on the verge of being dysregulated, encourage your student to utilize the items in the box to help regulate their emotions. It can be helpful to think of these items as tools rather than for normal play. Make sure that you are encouraging the student with positive language rather than making it part of a consequence.
Additional self-care exercises for elementary schoolers can include:
Practice your breathing by blowing on a pinwheel.
Review a few things you’re grateful for that day together.
Help your child(ren) label emotions – these cards can help!
Every family is different. There is no one right way to practice self-care – see what works for you and your student. The earlier students practice healthy self-care habits, the easier it will be for them to integrate these practices into their future lives and manage stressors that come their way.
Support Our School!
SUPPORT IRA B. JONES WHEN YOU GROCERY SHOP
Harris Teeter will donate a percentage of your purchase to Ira B Jones when you link your VIC card (free Harris Teeter loyalty account) to Jones. You can do this in person at the store, or online. IBJ's school code is 2143, or you can search by our school's name. VIC card holders can link up to 5 NC schools! A percentage of all items you purchase from the Harris Teeter brand, HT Traders, Farmers Market (pre-packaged items only), and Harris Teeter Organics will be donated back to Jones.
Survey for the ACS Calendar Committee
The ACS Calendar Committee is seeking feedback from students, parents, and staff about the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 calendar. We are asking stakeholders to complete this short survey to identify priorities for the school calendar, including spring and winter breaks, teacher workdays, and early dismissal days. The survey will close on November 3rd.
Email: ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net
Phone: 828.350.6700