TJ Family News Patriot Press
1/30/23
Safe2Help
D. 202 launches Safe2Help Illinois crisis reporting system
District 202 is participating in a new statewide school safety program called Safe2Help Illinois.
This 24/7 helpline will offer students a safe, confidential way to share information on school safety issues.
Safe2Help Illinois was launched by the State of Illinois in December 2020 and aims to help prevent suicide, bullying, school violence and other threats to student safety.
“These are real concerns with our students and to have one place to seek help will be a great benefit,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Glenn Wood. “The safety of our staff and students will always be our top priority.”
With Safe2Help Illinois, students can connect with a trained crisis professional during their own crisis or report a potential threat.
Students can share an alert via the following ways:
- Website: www.Safe2Helpil.com
- Text: SAFE2 (72332)
- Phone: 844-4-SAFEIL (844-472-3345)
- App: Download App in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
- Email: HELP@Safe2HelpIL.com
Once vetted, the information will be immediately shared with District 202 school officials, mental health professionals, and/or local law enforcement, depending on the nature of the tip.
The program is not intended to punish, suspend, or expel students. Rather, the goal is to encourage students to “Seek Help Before Harm.”
District 202 staff and students will receive information about the Safe2Help Illinois program in January.
Students will view Safe2Help Illinois videos that are customized to their age level.
- Primary Video: The Difference Between Reporting and Tattling
- Intermediate Video Grades 4-5: Let’s Give it a Try
- Teen Videos:
Learn more about District 202 school safety resources at https://www.psd202.org/page/school-safety.
Visit the Safe2Help Illinois website at www.Safe2Helpil.com.
Attendance
Parental Responsibility
In conformance with the State of Illinois Compulsory Attendance Law, parents/guardians are responsible for having his/her child in school when classes are in session. School attendance is not optional. Daily attendance and timeliness will increase the student’s probability for successful performance and foster the development of self-discipline and responsibility. Conversely, absences, repeated tardiness, and other truancies will have a negative effect on the student’s overall classroom experience and academic grade. Time missed from school can never truly be made up; the interaction in the classroom cannot be replicated by doing make-up work. If a student is not in attendance at school due to illness, he/she may not participate in performances or attend special events(such as book fairs or classroom parties) during or after school on that day, unless they have a medical note from a doctor or a dentist.
2023 Illinois Parent Survey - 5 Essentials
Please take the time to complete the 5Essentials survey.
The 2023 Illinois Parent Survey - 5 Essentials is a comprehensive based tool designed to drive improvement in schools. This system includes a diagnostic survey, scoring, reporting, and training and is an opportunity for schools and districts to identify areas of strength and those in need of support.
2023 Illinois Parent Survey
Link to survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Opens Jan. 24, 2023 and closes March 31, 2023.
Cookies for Troops
"Cookies for Troops"
Tina Vasquez is a Special Ed Paraprofessional at BMLC. She is the Chairperson of this amazing event. Her heart is focused on supporting the military.
Her son Brandon graduated from PSHS and joined the Army immediately. He is an Active Duty Infantry Paratrooper and Combat Veteran from his recent deployment to Afghanistan in 2021.
There is a USO room at O'Hare and Midway airports designated for the Military to relax, eat and rest before their flight.
With this being Girl Scout Cookie Season, what better way than to donate cookies locally to the Military.
She is asking anyone who wants to support our Troops by donating GIRL SCOUT COOKIES or ANY STORE BOUGHT COOKIES.
The Girl Scouts already have the option to donate to the Troops, but we would like to donate locally and take the cookies right to both Chicago airports.
Last year we donated 550 boxes.
Arrival Procedures
A few reminders -
For the safety of our students and families, everyone should be using the crosswalks to cross the street and in the school parking lot.
For the safety of our students, only families in our specialized programs should be using the front of the school to drop off students. Only cars with our designated Nameplate will be permitted to access the front drive of our parking lot. Cars that enter the lot who are not permitted to drop off at that location, will be directed to pull around to the back of the building and exit the parking lot by the marquee.
We apprecaite your help and cooperation!
Personal Property
TJ Art Room Newsletter
Bad Weather Info Reminder
As the bad weather season approaches, we want to remind our families, staff, and community that DISTRICT 202 DOES ITS BEST TO keep our schools open whenever possible. FAMILIES SHOULD ALWAYS PLAN FOR SCHOOL TO BE OPEN UNLESS weather is so severe that it is impossible to ensure our children can get to school safely.
District officials work with our transportation and local public safety officials to determine road conditions "in the moment" so we will announce our plans as early as possible through Connect-ED and local media When weather or other emergencies dictate that school cannot be open for students, District 202 may cancel school using an emergency day or use an E-Learning day to provide our students with a continuation of learning.
E-learning days are synchronous.
Please click here for more detail regarding student expectations for e-learning.
Additional information regarding weather closures is also available here.
Thank you for your cooperation and always remember to be safe first!
E-Learning Days
E-Learning Days
E-Learning Days are used when all students in the district are in a remote learning setting because of an emergency (Snow Day/Emergency Weather Closure Day).
The schedule for each level will be synchronous learning.
- Assignments for the day will be posted to the Google Classroom by the end of the school day by the teacher.
- The remainder of the 5-hour instructional day will be asynchronous student learning.
- High School students will log into their first period at 7:05 and follow their daily schedule.
- Plainfield Academy, TAP, Turnabout, and PSTEP will log into their teacher's Google Classroom according to the attached schedule found on the high school document
- Middle School students will log into their first period at 7:55 and follow their daily schedule.
- Plainfield Academy and TAP Middle School will log into their first period at 7:45 and follow their daily schedule in the Middle School Document
- Elementary Students will log into their teacher’s Google Classroom at 9:05 am
Students should be taking their laptops home daily.
Students should know how to access their Google Classroom. If you or your child is having difficulty accessing their Google Classroom, please contact your child's teacher.
Breakfast/Lunch Menu
Social and Emotional Learning
• Children will learn to identify, understand, and respond in a caring way to how someone is feeling.
• The Second Step program is teaching students how to have empathy and show compassion.
• When we reinforce students’ empathy and compassion, students will show these skills.
* When we model empathy and compassion ourselves, it’s easier for children to do it.
Colder Weather & Snow Reminders
Students will go outside for recess when the wind chill temperature is 20 degrees or above. Please have your child dressed appropriately, including such items as boots, hats, and gloves.
Students will not be permitted to play in the snow during recess or during arrival and dismissal. Please give your child reminders to keep the snow on the ground. If you are picking up your child as a walker, we would appreciate your help with reminding your child to keep the snow on the ground.
ABCDE Calendar
Arrival and Dismissal
We are asking for your cooperation and patience with arrival and dismissal to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families. If your child is a car rider, please place a nameplate in the front window of your car that is visible to staff. Your child's teacher can provide you with a nameplate or you can get one from the office.
If you and your child are walkers, we are asking everyone to cross using the designated crosswalks in the parking lot and in front of the school for your safety.
We are asking all families who are picking up their children as walkers to remain on the sidewalk and out of the grass. Please stay behind the bike racks to allow students room to dismiss safely.
Please know the safety of our students is first and foremost, they will not be able to change their dismissal arrangements unless the office has been notified. Please contact the office prior to 3:00 with any dismissal changes.
Thank you to everyone for your cooperation!
Student Laptops
Please have your child charge their computer nightly and bring their charger to school with them daily. Also, all students and parents/guardians are required to complete the District 202 Acceptable Use Policy each year. Please click on the link below:
Student Information
Important Dates
1/30 -School Improvement Day-No Student Attendance
2/13 -2/24 OLSAT 2nd grade and new students (grade 3-5):
2/20 - President's Day No School
PTO
Angela Roman -Vice President
Misty Dawn Yau - Secretary
Samantha Navarro -Treasurer
January
1/30 - No School for Students School Improvement Day
February
2- Spirit Monkeys sold at lunch
3-Free popcorn Friday
8-No Cook Night - Portillos
10-Dance
13 - No Cook Night - Mora Fusion
15- Free Family Fitness
20- No School
23-Spirit Monkeys sold at lunch
24- Paint Night
Translate TJ Family News Using Google Translate
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Email: tj_reg@psd202.org
Website: https://tjes.psd202.org/
Location: 1900 Oxford Way, Joliet, IL, 60431
Phone: (815) 577-2021
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjelem202/post