No Place Like Jones
Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year!
Principal Corner
Dear Ira B. Jones Elementary families,
As we approach the start of the 2023-24 school year, I would like to warmly welcome our new and returning students and families. Our staff eagerly looks forward to the first day of school and reuniting with our school community.
We are committed to ensuring that our students have a successful school year, and I am honored to be returning as your Principal. Our highly qualified and dedicated staff, outstanding students, and supportive parents make Ira B. Jones Elementary a wonderful place to learn and grow.
I believe in maintaining open and transparent communication with our families to ensure our students receive the best support possible. We share the responsibility for our student's success and will do our very best to fulfill our commitments. Please visit our school's website, Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/, and follow us on Twitter @Principal_IBJ and Instagram @IraB.JonesElementary for upcoming events, important reminders and to keep up with all the wonderful things our students and teachers are doing. I also send out a weekly family newsletter, so please ensure we have your updated contact information.
As a school leader and parent, I value healthy communication between families and the school. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, celebrations, or concerns. You can call the school at 828.350.6700 or email me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.
Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. Enjoy the remaining days of summer, and we look forward to seeing many new and familiar faces on the first day of school, August 28th.
In partnership,
Ruafika Cobb
Principal
Ira B. Jones Elementary School
#noplacelikejones
Mark Your Calendars!
August 30: Kindergarten Staggered Start Day (check with your child's teacher if you haven't recieved noticed already)
August 31: Kindergarten Staggered Start Day(check with your child's teacher if you haven't recieved noticed already)
September 1: All Kindergarten Attend School
September 1: Tea & Tissue for Kindergarten Families (8:00 am - 8:45 am) @ Ira B. Jones
September 4: Holiday
September 6: Pizza & Pops Welcome Back Picnic (5:30 - 7:30 pm) @ Ira B. Jones
September 7: Volunteer Training (5:30 - 6:30 pm) @ Ira B. Jones
September 14: First FTO Meeting (5:00 pm) @ Ira B. Jones
Walking Your Students in the Building
We know that the first few school days are unique for our youngest learners and their families. We aim to ensure that every student feels safe as they transition into school. We also understand that parents and guardians want to support their students as much as possible.
Only kindergarten parents and guardians can walk their students into the building during their first two days of school. We hope this will allow some time for students to get more familiar with their school and transition smoothly on their own by the beginning of the second week. Please use the auditorium entrance on these two days. Parents and guardians can only walk students into the building on these days. Thank you for understanding.
Kindergarten students have a staggered start based on their teacher's communication with parents. Please see the schedule below:
- Wednesday, August 30th - (staggered start based on your child's teacher's communication with you)
- Thursday, August 31st - (staggered start based on your child's teacher's communication with you)
- Friday, September 1st - All Kindergarteners Attend!
Arrival/Dismissal Need to Know
We aim to provide a secure and friendly atmosphere for our students and their families. Your cooperation is crucial in ensuring smooth arrival and dismissal. Please remain flexible, as adjustments may be necessary throughout the year.
Below are the areas in which we need your support:
- Morning dropoff begins at 7:15 a.m. Please wait until this time to release your child from the car since no staff will be available.
- Students must be in the building by 7:55 a.m. to start at 8:00 a.m. Please arrive early to avoid car dropoff congestion.
- The staff members assigned to carline duty must leave at 8:00 a.m. because they have other responsibilities in the building. If you arrive after the staff has gone inside, please park and walk your student to the door. Wait until a staff person lets them in. The student must come to the office lobby to get a tardy slip.
- Students will only be released to adults listed in PowerSchool as a contact. If you have relatives or family friends who may be picking up your student in an emergency, list them as a contact.
- Caregivers should inform their student's classroom teacher of any changes to dismissal plans. Please contact the main office in case of a last-minute change, especially later in the day.
- We will not provide bus passes for students to ride on unassigned buses. If a child is going on a playdate with a student who uses a different bus, alternative arrangements must be made for transportation.
- Please use the designated car rider dropoff area for safety.
- If you are interested in having the option for your student to be a walker, please email your child's teacher, Mrs. Cobb, and Ms. West so that we can plan for your student.
- Please pull forward to a designated parking space in front of the school during afternoon pickup if you need to adjust car seat straps and seatbelts. To make those adjustments, you may exit your car in a parking space, not the carline. Please encourage your students to begin practicing buckling their seat belts now!
- Kindergarten families can drop off their students and siblings in the morning at the kindergarten parking lot. But they must pick them up in front of the school in the afternoon.
- Parents of PreK children are required to personally pick up their child from their classroom. There are no exceptions to this rule.
- If you have a PreK student and a K-5 student, your K-5 student can be on the walker list. Please inform your child's teacher.
Don't hesitate to contact the main office at 828.350.6700 if you have questions about the procedures or bus transportation. We cannot wait to see students in person next week!
Arrival Procedures
Arrival Procedures
K Car Riders: Families with kindergarten students should drop them off in the designated parking lot at 7:15 a.m. Older siblings should exit the car at the kindergarten/auditorium entrance. To enter the parking lot, drivers must approach the school from Beaverdam via Kimberly Avenue. Upon arrival, drivers must turn right and follow the roadway counterclockwise. A staff member will welcome each student to school, and someone will walk them to their classrooms starting from the second week. Only let a student out of the car once a staff member arrives. Refer to the information about walking your students to class during the first few days of school.
1-5 Car Riders: Drop-off for non-kindergarten families is in the loop in front of the office starting at 7:15 a.m. Drivers must approach the school on Kimberly Avenue from Beaverdam to avoid crossing traffic to enter the loop. Students may only be released when their car is directly in front of the building in one of the numbered slots unless a staff member indicates otherwise. Once all students have safely made it to the sidewalk, that group of cars will be released. Drivers must turn right out of the parking lot and should refrain from using cell phones while in the car loop for safety.
Bus Riders: Bus riders will arrive on campus and enter the school via the two-story building. During the first weeks, we will support all students in getting to their classrooms as needed.
Walkers: Students who walk to school will enter the building through the front doors between the office and the primary building. A staff member will be available to assist them in finding their new classrooms.
Dismissal Procedures
Dismissal Procedures
K-5 Car Riders: During the first week of school, families will receive placards for car pickup. Notify your child's teacher if you need more than two placards. Car riders will be picked up in the main loop, and drivers must turn right out of the parking lot. Drivers should not use cell phones while in the loop.
Bus Riders: At 2:30 p.m., first-load bus riders will head to the bus area, while second-load bus riders remain in assigned classrooms until their buses arrive. Staff members will assist students in boarding the correct buses.
Alternative Transportation: Students who use after-school transportation programs like YMCA Beaverdam, Sun-Tsu, or Asheville Community Movement will exit near the cafeteria. The staff on duty will communicate with classrooms when the program arrives for pickup.
Walkers: Students approved to walk will have a designated exit based on home location. Parents meeting walkers will communicate with assigned staff at the outdoor classroom area for student release.
Bus Transportation Information
Bus Transportation Information
2) The parent portal to PowerSchool is finally open. Bus info is there but updates take much longer. The Chipmunk app will give you real time info. Also, you need your student's ID number for PowerSchool but only your email for Chipmunk.
3) If you still do not see a bus assignment for your child/children, you MUST complete THIS google form. Any student attending an after school program, must have a bus request on file EVEN IF they rode the bus last year. Several after school programs imply the bus is automatic and that is FALSE!
4) We are allowed to write temporary bus passes for EMERGENCIES only! Students ARE NEVER allowed to ride home with friends, get off on other stops, or meet parents in other locations. This practice is unsafe and a liability for the school system.
5) BY LAW, all pre-k and kindergarten students MUST be met at the bus stop by a parent. If you are late, the bus will keep going and will eventually bring your child back to me at the school. This is usually much later as the bus is still responsible for dropping other students off on time. Your child will be safe in the front of the bus but you will have to come to the school. PLEASE make every effort to be on time to greet your children at their stops.
6) Bus drivers ARE allowed to drop all other students at their stop without a parent. Please know that the drivers cannot wait for you.
7) Finally, our transportation department has worked TIRELESSLY to improve our bus services. One way we can support them is to be kind and respectful to our drivers and INSIST that our students treat them with respect as well. Bus drivers report that the stress of driving while also maintaining student behavior is overwhelming and is making them leave a profession they love. PLEASE join me in appreciating the drivers and making their jobs as easy as possible.
Questions? Email me at rheta.west@acsgmail.net or call the office!
Hello from The Jones F.T.O
GET INVOLVED WITH OUR IRA B. JONES FTO (Family-Teacher Organization)
GET INVOLVED WITH OUR IRA B. JONES FTO (Family-Teacher Organization):
The Ira B. Jones FTO is a non-profit volunteer team that proudly supports our Jones school community! Our school and our teachers and students benefit when we have broad, diverse participation in our FTO. Our first meeting is coming soon (including childcare & snacks) on Thursday September 13th. ALL are always welcome! To receive more information and tell us about your interests, please click here: https://forms.gle/S7TBQRp89HyqeGSq8
Meet Our New Folx!
Meet Our New Folx!
We have a few new staff members to welcome to our school community. I started posting their bio on our school’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. Please take a moment to visit our social media pages to learn more about them.
Ruafika A. Cobb, Principal
Email: ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net
Phone: 828.350.6700
Twitter: @Principal_IBJ