Jimtown Intermediate
2nd Quarter Newsletter
Message from Mrs. Brubaker
You have all been amazing through the endless calls being made in regards to contact tracing and quarantining. Parents have been graceful and respectful and I really couldn't ask for anything more. It has made me realize how truly blessed I am to be a part of this community and what a special place this is.
Heading in to this new year, I am thankful for the position I am in and I am thankful for this amazing community of learners. We are eager to see students in the building again! Enjoy the next couple of weeks celebrating the holiday. Stay safe and healthy and we will see you in the new year!!
School Calendar
January
4 - Students return to school from break
6 - Report cards go home
8 - Class Parties and Friday Early Dismissal (1:15)
11 - Virtual Awards
18 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February
12 - Valentine Parties
15 - NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day
March
12 - End of 3rd Grading Period
22 - NO SCHOOL - Staff In Service
April
2 - NO SCHOOL - Good Friday
5 - 9 -NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
Early Release of students
JIMTOWN INTERMEDIATE'S THERAPY DOG
Counselors Corner - Mrs. Burns
Hi JIS Families! Merry Christmas! I just wanted to update you on a few things happening in the Counseling Department at JIS.
We have been selected as recipients of a suicide prevention grant for 4th-6th grade called "Hope Squad." As most of you know, suicide has become a major health crisis among our youth. According to the National Insititue of Mental Health, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds. The purpose of this program is to provide elementary-age students with training and information on how to help peers who struggle with mental or emotional problems. We have nine staff who will be serving in advisor roles and will have around ten students, grades 4-6 (per grade) nominated by their peers to serve on the Jr. Hope Squad. These are students who are known to be kind, caring and good listeners. The Jr. Hope Squad members will receive training about resilience, mental wellness, anti-bullying, suicide prevention, and how to seek help from an adult. Children will not be asked to act as a counselor for other children, but rather will be trained to refer student peers to a trusted adult for help. We will be providing more information as we complete our training, but wanted you to know that this is on the horizon. If your child is nominated, I will be calling you individually and inviting you to our training.
Secondly, we have a school counselor intern who will be starting in January. Her name is Kaela Klinker and she is in her last year of graduate school at Indiana Wesleyan. She will likely be at the intermediate two days a week. Kaela and her husband recently moved to the area so please give her a warm welcome when you meet her. She will be helping with classroom lessons, individual meetings with students and groups when possible.
Covid Reminders
Calls to our school nurse for coronavirus cases have drastically declined during our virtual learning time. It is very important that the nurse be made aware as soon as possible of any close contacts or positive test results within your household. Knowing dates of positive cases will assure that your student is returning to school at the appropriate time.
Also, if your student has tested positive for COVID-19 (in the past or future), please send a copy of his/her test result to the nurse. Knowing who has already had the virus will help us when we have to contact trace future positive cases. Communications for the nurse can be emailed to khoward@baugo.org or faxed to 574-522-7649.
As a reminder, any student who is showing ANY ill symptoms should stay home from school and may need to be evaluated by their physician. Many symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to symptoms of other common ailments such as a cold or allergies. If your student has any of the following symptoms: headache, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, loss of taste or smell, cough, or fever, please contact the school nurse and do not send them to school!
We strive to keep our schools open while keeping all of our students and staff safe. Your prompt, transparent communication is vital to achieving this goal.