EJES News
August 31, 2020
Welcome Back!!
For the last 11 years, I have loved welcoming students back to school. The return tomorrow leaves me more excited than ever before and I cannot wait! It has been too long since our school family has been together. School this year may look a little different, the content may look a little different, but our purpose to best support our students will remain the same. Our primary focus as we start school at East Jordan Elementary is safety, being in tune with the social-emotional well being of our students and families, and having fun.
Access to the building is very limited this year.
Just a reminder every child, young fives through 6th grade, will need to wear a facial covering (the district will provide a mask if needed).
The elementary office is open every day from 7:55 AM-3:30 PM.
If your child is participating in remote learning, a remote learning teacher will contact you this week to set up a successful start. Please be on the lookout today for more information as well. Don't forget we will also be holding our Virtual Welcome Back to School meeting for remote learners at either 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM on September 1st.
Can't wait to see you all soon!
Mrs. Carla Vrondran
Proud Principal, East Jordan Elementary
New Staff!!
Alexis Carpenter
Audrey Hartzell
Sara Heise
Catey Kerr
Caitlyn Force
Murrey Sober
2020-2021 EJES All Star Staff Line Up
Ms. Kelli Kauffman/Ms. Destinne Olstrom
Ms. Geralyn Skeel/Ms. Bridgid Gillespie
Ms. Tammy Kraemer/Ms.Taylor Kroush
Kindergarten
Mrs. Mary Anderson
Mr. Andrew Bergmann
Mrs. Charity Patten
1st Grade
Mrs. Jennifer Buffman
Mrs. Emily Kozlowski
Mrs. Kelly Neer
2nd Grade
Ms. Alexis Carpenter
Ms. Jeannine Sladick
3rd Grade
Ms. Morgan Skop
Mrs. Katelyn Poel
4th Grade
Mrs. Catey Kerr
Mrs. Tina McDuffie
5th Grade
Mrs. Irene Ferguson
Mrs. Anne Petrie
6th Grade
Mr. Derek Boyer
Mrs. Wendy Crick
Remote Learning
Mrs. Kathy Drenth
Mrs. Leslie Foley
Ms. Lindsay Novotny
Mr. Dan Ziebarth
Mrs. Gwen Sarya
Mrs. Michelle Seelye
Mrs. Lauren Buffman
Mrs. Shawndee Hatfield
Special Education
Mrs. Lauren Buffman
Mrs. Shawndee Hatfield
Mrs. Michelle Seelye
MAP
Mrs. Gwen Sarya (Music)
Mr. Darrin Podskalny (Art)
Mr. Dan Ziebarth (Physical Education)
Mr. Crouch (5-6th grade Band)
Title I
Mrs. Leslie Foley
Ms. Lindsay Novotny
Support Staff
Ms. Audrey Hartzell (Communities in Schools)
Mrs. Sara Heise (Counselor)
Mrs. Amber Southerton (Social Worker)
Mr. Nate Dzwik (Student Success Coordinator)
Mr. Murrey Sober (Therapy Dog)
Health Assistant
Mrs. Cindy Thomas
Teacher Assistants
Mrs. Dawn Fuller
Mrs. Gabby Gee
Mrs. Jen Caverly
Mrs. Ginny Petrie (Intervener)
Mrs. Bonnie Grover
Ms. Caitlyn Force
Secretaries
Mrs. Angie Nachazel
Mrs. Sara Stone
Custodial/Maintenance Staff
Mr. Tim Drenth
Mrs. Beth Knebl
Mr. Tom Reid
Mr. Matt Weisler
Transportation Department
Mrs. Mitchelle Bartig
Mrs. Cindy Bennett
Mr. Tim Drenth
Mrs. Kathy Roehrig
Mrs. Kelli Streufert
Mrs. Jan Swanson
Mrs. Terri Warnos
Mrs. Tracey Zipp
EJ Cafe
Ms. Gretchen Bender
Mrs. Bobbie Kibbe
Mrs. Jacqui Murray
Mrs. Sarah Sheridan
Principal
Mrs. Carla Vrondran
Meet Murrey
His professional training will allow him to support our students and staff.
PHYSICAL and EMOTIONAL: According to the National Institute of Health (NIH),
having a dog present in school promotes positive mood and provides significant anti-stress
effects on the body. The simple act of petting a dog lowers blood pressure and heart rate
by lowering stress hormones. Just being in contact with a dog calms kids down when they
are upset and reduces anxiety.
SOCIAL: Promotes greater self-esteem and focused interaction with other students
and teachers. Than can offer friendship and a shoulder to lean on for students.
COGNITIVE: It has been empirically proven that dogs in school stimulate memory and
problem-solving skills, language skills, and even optimize executive function skills.
Murrey is looking forward to meeting everyone soon!
Arrival (Drop Off) Procedures
As expected, we know we have several more pickups and drop-offs than in years past. As we continue to learn and to teach our procedures we are asking for your partnership. As a reminder school starts promptly at 8:10 AM every day. Our drop off location for all students is in the same location as last year, in the back parking lot off of Williams Street. We ask that you drive down 5th Street and enter the back parking lot by turning right and following the flow of traffic. A staff member will greet students every morning in the designated area.
Our arrival time starts at 7:55 AM and goes until 8:10 AM. Prior to getting to the front of the line, please make sure your child has their mask on and their backpack next to them.
When possible, please have children sitting on the passenger side of the car. We prefer kids not to walk in front of vehicles. If your child is not able to do so, please have them exit the car on the passenger side. Please stay in the traffic lane, do not pull to the side. Arrival is a one-lane process and parking is not permitted in this location during this time.
Our focus is keeping our students safe; both with traffic and with distance. We will continue to work towards making this process the best it can be, and make adjustments as necessary.
Dismissal (Pick Up) Procedures
Preschool/Kindergarten: Door 2
1st Grade: Door 3
2nd Grade
3rd Grade: Door 12
4th, 5th, 6th Grade: Door 8
Health Department of Northwest Michigan Guidance Documents
2020-2021 Bus Routes
East Jordan Elementary
Email: cvrondran@ejps.org
Website: www.ejps.org
Location: 304 4th Street, East Jordan, MI, USA
Phone: 2315367564
Twitter: @eastjordanes