No Place Like Jones
Parent Updates for the Week of 1.24.22
Principal Corner
The world can use some extra kindness right now, and Ira B. Jones Elementary is going to deliver! Jones Elementary School students will participate in the 11th annual Great Kindness Challenge the week of January 24 - 28, 2022, and we enthusiastically invite our entire community to join in and cheer them on.
The Great Kindness Challenge, presented by the global nonprofit Kids for Peace, was launched with three Carlsbad, California schools in 2012 to address bullying and foster connection, inclusion, and compassion. The annual program has multiplied in enrollment each year, having grown to nearly 17 million students in 33,000 schools, reaching across all 50 states and 115 countries.
While the excitement of The Great Kindness Challenge is enormous, it is the simple acts of kindness that prove to be the biggest hit. Some of the items on the checklist are: wave at 25 people, help your teacher with a needed task, read a book to a younger student or sibling and safely sit with a new group of kids at lunch. Big or small, every act of kindness makes a difference.
When you notice a Jones student completing an activity from The Great Kindness Challenge Checklist or a random act of kindness, we would like you to document their efforts by taking a picture of them during their act of kindness. Please send your photos of your Jones student to irabjones@acsgmail.net. We will display the images submitted on the monitor in the front office of Jones Elementary school and on our social media pages.
Thank you for supporting our Jones students in the Great Kindness Challenge. We look forward to seeing their kindness in action!
Next week is Spirit Week! Please encourage your student/s to participate.
Monday: Throw Kindness Like Confetti - Students wear the colors of the rainbow
Tuesday: Hats Off to Kindness - Students wear a hat to school to represent kindness
Wednesday: Dream of Kindness Day - Students wear PJs to school; students need to wear safe shoes
Thursday: Wild for Kindness - Students wear their wild or mismatching socks to school
Friday: Jones Spirit Wear Day
Follow Us on Instagram at IraB.JonesElementary
FREE/REDUCED MEAL APPLICATION - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Ira B. Jones Elementary receives federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA). The school uses these funds to support our educational program and help every student achieve at a high level.
Ira B. Jones Elementary is a Title I school. This means that we receive federal funds based on the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. We operate a schoolwide program. This means we can support any student in the school who needs extra help. How do we use Title I funds? To increase student achievement! Some benefits may include but are not limited to the following:
- Tiered Instruction and Differentiation Specialist
Instructional Coach
Tutors/interventionists
Instructional supplies
Summer reading and math resources for students
Professional development for school staff
Parent engagement and education events
Classroom supplies
As of January 2021, 39% of our students qualify for Free/Reduced lunch. To continue receiving Title 1 Funds from our federal government, which totals about $135,0000, we would like to encourage every family to complete a lunch application so that we can reach the required 40% to continue receiving funding. Encouraging each family to fill this form out, regardless of whether you qualify for free/reduced lunch, will help us in so many ways. Wondering how? In addition to the above benefits, these funds help pay for parent involvement events, and our school and district departments use this data to qualify for grants, homeless and foster children services as well as teacher-loan forgiveness.
This year, it's even more important for families to complete the application since ALL students receive free breakfast/lunch, which means fewer families are completing this form.
What is the fastest and easiest way to apply? Complete an application online! If you prefer to submit a paper application, you can print one by visiting this link or pick one up from our school's front office. Once completed, please turn it in at our school or mail it to the School Nutrition office at 90 Montford Avenue, Asheville, NC, 28801.
Can you be a JONES HERO?
Our Jones PTO recently kicked off the Jones Heroes Campaign! This annual giving fundraiser is vital to support so many of our school's programs, extra staffing, and materials.
Now more than ever, Jones needs your support!
Did you know that the Heroes Campaign will fund programs such as:
- Our amazing school drama performance (details coming soon about our Spring 2022 play!)
- New playground equipment for the 3-5 Playground
- Outdoor classroom materials and furniture needs
- Educational Support Staff positions
- School Field Trips
- Equity in Education, by ensuring that all students receive the academic and behavioral support they deserve
- Teacher-Appreciation Activities and Grants that honor our educators and enrich your child’s learning;
And so much more! All funds raised will go directly to our children by enhancing school resources and opportunities, supporting our dedicated teachers, and fostering a welcoming community for our families.
Wondering how to contribute? You can:
- Donate online at www.jonespto.org.
- Send in the flyer that will be coming home with your student, with a check made out to Ira B Jones PTO.
- Drop off your donation in the Jones Heroes mailbox outside the main office.
- Mail a check to Ira B Jones PTO, 544 Kimberly Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804
Every gift makes a difference, no matter the size. On behalf of the PTO, staff, and students at Jones Elementary, thank you for your support!
If you would like to volunteer to help us with some of the implementation and organization of this program, including organizing individual classroom outreach and planning our fun Valentines Day week celebration to close out the fundraiser, please reach out to PTO president Kristin Britton at kristinbritton@gmail.com or fundraising chair Liz Tallent at liz@theorangepeel.net.
Thank you!
Ira B. Jones PTO
ACS Enrollment Info
Enrollment "season" is approaching! Do you have a rising kindergarten you need to enroll in our school next year? Here's what you need to know:
- All enrollment information can be found on this Asheville City Schools website.
- Applications will be given equal consideration, regardless of the date received during the open enrollment period. Placements are not based on a first-come, first-serve basis. If space allows, all applications will be placed at their 1st choice. If there is insufficient space to place all applicants at their 1st choice, that particular school will go to a lottery.
- Open enrollment begins on February 7, 2022.
- We will be hosting open-house tours (along with other elementary schools in ACS) on January 27th and February 3rd from 3:30-6:30 pm.
Please share this information as you see fit. Thanks for your help!
We Want to Keep You Updated!
We want to keep you informed! Our teachers have created websites for their grade level to ensure you stay in the communication loop. Please visit our school's website in the next day or two to access their new sites. We hope you find the information helpful.
Upcoming Events
The Week of January 24: The Great Kindness Challenge!
Tuesday, January 25: Report cards go home
January 31 - February 4: Middle of Year Star Reading Benchmarks for 4th & 5th Grades
January 31 - March 11: Middle of Year Math Benchmark Window (K-5 students)
Tuesday, February 1: First day of Black History Month
Ira B. Jones Elementary School
Follow Us on Facebook
Website: https://www.ashevillecityschools.net/Domain/478
Phone: (828) 350.6700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/
Ruafika A. Cobb
Follow Our School on Instagram: IraB.JonesElementary
Email: ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/acsgmail.net/jones-remote-learning-hub/home
Phone: 828.350.6700
Twitter: @Principal_IBJ