Jefferson Jotter
April 2019
Letter from Principal
Dear Jefferson Parents,
It is hard to believe that when we return from Spring Break we will only have two months left to the school year! While the first two trimesters have gone by quickly, the last trimester speeds by even faster as we prepare for summer vacations and the next school year. Please take time to read through the Jotter to stay up to date on the next steps to the registration process for the 2019-20 school year and to learn about upcoming events in District 64 and at Jefferson School.
At the end of February, Jefferson School had the opportunity to host a Board of Education meeting and shared a video with the Board. We highlighted what a day in the life looks like for our preschool and Extended Day Kindergarten students. To view the video click here. I hope you enjoy watching the children engaged in learning and seeing what makes Jefferson such a special place! I am proud of the awesome Jefferson School staff and value your willingness to partner with us to make Jefferson School a great learning environment for children!
Whether you are traveling or staying home for Spring Break, I hope you take advantage of this time to create special memories with your children by going on unique outings and/or doing special projects with your children. We'll see you back at school on Tuesday, April 2nd!
Respectfully,
Lisa Halverson
Principal
Upcoming Events
March 25 - April 1 - No School - Spring Break
Tuesday, April 2 - School Resumes
Election Day
Friday, April 5 - WOW registration deadline
Monday, April 8 - Dog Therapy - morning classes
Yoga - afternoon classes
Kindergarten Roundup - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Carpenter School
Kindergarten Roundup - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Washington School
Tuesday, April 9 - Preschool Screenings - By Appointment
Board of Education Special Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Jefferson School
Wednesday, April 10 - Birth to 3 Screenings - By Appointment
Kindergarten Roundup - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Field School
Kindergarten Roundup - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Franklin School
Thursday, April 11 - Kindergarten Roundup - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Roosevelt School
Monday, April 15 - COW Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Jefferson School
Friday, April 19 - No School for Students and Staff
Monday, April 22 - Parent Group - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Dog Therapy - afternoon classes
Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Jefferson School
Monday, April 29 - Yoga - afternoon classes
Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Jefferson School
Inspire every child to discover, learn, achieve, and care
Jefferson School Information
Thank you to all of the families who purchased books from our first, annual Usborne Book Fair. We were able to purchase $745.56 worth of books for our classrooms due to the credit we received from the books our parents purchased! Families who ordered books online will have their books sent home with students tomorrow, Friday, March 22. Enjoy your books!
Developmental Screenings
On a monthly basis the Early Childhood Diagnostic Team conducts screenings of children ages three to five. Additionally, twice a year screenings are provided for students birth to three years of age. The screenings are conducted by a team, consisting of an occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, psychologist, and social worker. The areas assessed include motor, communication, play skills, pre-academic and thinking skills. The next Preschool Screening is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9 and the Birth to Three Screening is April 10, 2019. If you have concerns about your child's development in any of these areas please call 847-318-5360 to schedule an appointment for the screening.
Spring 2019 Reminders from School Health Services
Springtime turns thoughts to warmer weather, outdoor activities, and spring break travel. Here are two important reminders to help your families enjoy this time of year!
Please continue to take time to regularly check your child for the presence of head lice. The Centers for Disease Control has practical information regarding head lice, which can be accessed here. In addition, your Building Nurse can provide you with useful materials regarding identification and treatment of head lice. Information also is available on the D64 Health & Safety tips webpage.
This time of year also is called “influenza (flu) season.” In the U.S., flu season occurs in the winter; however, flu outbreaks can happen as early as October and can last as late as May.
D64 has noticed an increase in the number of influenza-type illnesses in our schools, which is to be expected at this time of the year. Cleaning protocols have been adjusted in all buildings in response to this increase. In addition, frequent handwashing and proper cough/sneeze etiquette are regularly reinforced with our students and staff.
Please visit Cook County Department of Public Health for information about influenza, including prevention tips that you may find helpful at home, too.
No School
All District 64 Schools will be closed March 25 - April 1 for Spring Break. School will also be closed on Friday, April 19. Please mark your calendars!
Preschool Information
We had some very handsome and beautiful children on Picture Day! Picture packets have been placed in your child's folder. If you are unhappy with your child's picture you may return it and have the picture retaken on April 10th at 10:00 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.. If your child was absent for Picture Day their picture will be taken on Wednesday, April 10th.
The deadline for registering for Jefferson's WOW program is Friday, April 5th. Once registration closes, parents will receive notification of their child's confirmed enrollment in the summer program.
Registration for 2019-20 School Year
Pre-enrollment for the 2019-20 school year is well underway!
Next Steps for the Registration Process:
1. Current student who isn't kindergarten age for fall 2019
- If you completed the Reserve a Spot form or have already completed the pre-enrollment form, you will receive an email on April 22, 2019 from the District to complete the registration process through InfoSnap. If your child has an IEP for the preschool classroom you too will need to complete this step of the registration process.
- Complete the pre-enrollment form by going to the district website. Through the pre-enrollment process you will be asked to upload your residency documents.
3. Sibling new to Jefferson
- Complete the pre-enrollment form by going to the district website. If you submitted the "reserve a spot" form by January 31st a spot has already been reserved for the sibling. However, you still need to complete the pre-enrollment form, where you will be asked to upload your residency documents.
4. Current speech only student
- If your child will only receive speech services and won't be attending our preschool program, you will receive an email on April 22, 2019 from the District to complete the registration process through InfoSnap.
If you've already completed the pre-enrollment form for kindergarten, you will begin receiving communication from your child's elementary school about the 2019-20 school year. The week of April 8, each of the elementary schools will host a Kindergarten Roundup where parents will be provided information about the school and kindergarten program. Children will also have an opportunity to see the school and visit a kindergarten classroom. The dates for the Kindergarten Roundups are:
- April 8 - Carpenter and Washington Schools
- April 10 - Field and Franklin Schools
- April 11 - Roosevelt School
If you haven't completed the pre-enrollment form for kindergarten it isn't too late. However, the only way the school knows who to communicate with is if you register for kindergarten!
Registration for the Jefferson Extended Day Kindergarten program (EDK) will begin April 22nd for those families who have completed the pre-enrollment form for the 2019-20 school year. A link to the registration page for the EDK program will be found at the end of the registration form through InfoSnap. If you are interested in the EDK program, it is best that you complete the registration this spring rather than waiting until the summer when you find out whether your child has morning or afternoon kindergarten, as the program has limited spaces. If you don't get your first choice for morning or afternoon kindergarten, we'll change your child's EDK registration to match their kindergarten assignment. For general information about the Extended Day Kindergarten program click here.
The next parent group is scheduled for April 22 from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. A representative from Advocate Children's General will discuss nutrition and a representative from Children's Health Resource Center will share information about available resources. Childcare will be provided. We hope to see you there!
Preschool Learning!
Students Learn Secondary Colors!
Students Test Out Their Ramp!
Working on Balance Skills!
Extended Day Kindergarten (EDK) Information
We still have a few open spots for the morning and afternoon Extended Day Kindergarten program. If you know any D64 families that would like their kindergartener to experience more enriching learning opportunities have them call the school office at 847-318-5360.