Back to School
Jones Center 2020-2021
Welcome Back!
Jones Center Families,
I heard someone talk about the opportunity that the current pandemic provides us and it has stuck with me. Opportunity: a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. Similar words…chance, lucky chance, good time, golden opportunity…it kind of makes you take pause and look at the pandemic differently.
While most of us are struggling with the pandemic in some form or fashion, I would encourage you to take pause and reflect on the opportunities that this event has given us. From my own personal experiences, I have been forced to slow down. With two kids in elementary school, we are constantly on the go! Whether it is baseball, soccer, basketball or dance there always seems to be somewhere to go or someone to shuttle. With my husband and I both working full-time it has always been a balancing act and a logistical miracle that we have made great connections with others so we have yet to miss a practice…or forget a kid somewhere!
The pandemic has brought a lot of heartache and stress to families, it is so easy to ruminate in that negative space. I challenge you during this pandemic to think about your emotional hygiene as much as we focus on our physical hygiene. Psychologist, Dr. Guy Winch, encourages people to change your response to failure, protect your self-esteem, and battle negative thinking in order to build your emotional resilience and thrive. Taking pause and looking at the opportunities before us also assists us in practicing emotional hygiene.
The pandemic has given us the opportunity to look at education through a different lens. The one thing that we know is that relationships are the foundation of our learning. To quote James Comer, “No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.” Relationships are what we do best at the Jones Center! We are like a family, and through those relationships we will continue to reach out to each and every student to continue to educate them and support their needs.
As we navigate this “different” educational world this year we extend grace and flexibility. We know that things will constantly be changing and we will navigate that change together. We remind ourselves that “different” is not bad…it is just different. Together we can continue to grow into this and not just focus on our physical hygiene but our mental hygiene as well. Remember to protect your self-esteem and know that YOU ARE ENOUGH! We are all in this together.
Tara Kalis
Principal
Teacher Assignments
If your family has completed the annual residency verification process, you should have received class placement information in an email.
All Park Hill families are required to complete the online residency verification process before student enrollment is finalized and a class placement is made. We are unable to send classroom placement information to households who have not verified residency.
If you did not receive class placement information, please call the school office at 816-359-4510 to verify residency within the Park Hill School District. All Park Hill families must provide a copy of your lease or mortgage statement and one utility bill. Students will not be permitted to begin the 2020-2021 school year without having this verification of residency.
Grade Level Teachers
From Nurse Coleman
Hi! I am Melissa Coleman, and I so excited to be your new nurse at the Jones Center this year. I know things have changed a lot since you were last here, but I am excited to work with students, families, and staff to keep the building as safe and healthy as possible. I wanted to touch base with you all on a few reminders, as well as, a few changes for the upcoming school year.
Immunizations: Every student must be up to date on all immunizations, in order to start school on September 8th. Please reach out if you have a question about your child’s status, I sent letters and follow up emails to those needing immunizations, so if you haven't heard from me already, no new immunizations are needed at this time.
Medications: All non-prescription, over-the-counter medication must be sent in the original container with written instructions by the parent or physician. Before any prescription medication can be administered, it must be in a prescription labeled bottle accompanied by a doctor's note, and the Medication Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the parent or guardian. Parents must bring all medication to the health room; please do not send it with a student. All necessary forms can be obtained from the office.
Allergies: Students with food allergies that are prescribed Epipens must have a FARE form completed by a physician and a medication authorization form completed by a parent/legal guardian. Please let me know if you need a copy.
Masks: Must be worn in school at all times. They are encouraged to be cleaned daily. If your child needs an additional mask, I will have some available in the health room.
Cough drops: We will not be allowing students to have cough drops this year. If a student is coughing persistently enough to need a cough drop, we would prefer them stay at home.
Health room visits: We are limiting the number of health room visits by equipping the staff with health supply boxes to handle minor issues in the classroom.
Illnesses: Please be sure to follow all screening guidelines provided by the district prior to sending your child to school. Guidelines will be provided anytime your child is sent home.
I am here and happy to help should you have any questions at all. I know these times are uncertain, but I am confident we will get through this together! Don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions at all!
Thank you so much!
Melissa Coleman, colemanm@parkhill.k12.mo.us
816.359.4514
Text Message Alerts
Families told us they preferred text messages to phone calls, so we added this communication tool through SchoolMessenger on August 19. We are using this service to periodically send you information.
On August 19, you received this message from the number 67587:
- “Jones Center alerts. Reply Y 2 confirm, HELP 4 info. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/txt”
If you did not get this message, try updating your cell phone number:
- Log into “Campus Parent”
- Select “More” from the left menu
- Click “Family Info” and find your name
- Click “Update”
- Enter the cell phone you wish to receive text messages
**Please note that only guardians can receive district text messages.
Updates
Technology: Students in 6-12th grade should have received a district email with directions on picking up their student device. If you need assistance, you can call the front office or the technology help desk at 816.359.5000, Monday - Friday, 7:00a - 5:00p.
Backpacks: This summer we discouraged the use of backpacks for our elementary students. We have learned more since then to allow students to bring their backpacks each day. We are hoping this will make it easier for students to bring essential supplies to and from school. Middle school and high school students will have a laptop case to carry to and from home
Water Bottle: We are asking students and staff members to please come to school and work with a water bottle, if possible. We have purchased water bottles for all students to use at school, but they have not yet arrived. Students and staff members can fill from one of our water fill stations instead of using the water fountain.
Charged Device: This year, all students will be provided a district laptop. It is the responsibility of the student to charge their device at home and bring it back to school each day.
Sanitizer (OPTIONAL): Throughout the day, we will encourage hand washing, and we will also supply hand sanitizer in every classroom. Students and staff members must wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after meals and recess. Students may bring a personal bottle of hand sanitizer if they prefer.
ATTENDANCE
Level 1: Attendance rate of 90%
Level 2: Attendance rate between 85% and 90%
Level 3: Attendance rate is below 80%
Mrs. Mickie, our School Social Worker, will be working with students and families to make sure we meet the 90/90 goal. Please help us by making being at school a priority for your family.
If your child does have to absent, please call the school office (359-4510) to report the student's absence. If the school does not receive a call when a student is absent, we will attempt to contact you to check on the student.
Car Riders
Arrival begins at 7:30 (although we do try and unload sooner if possible)
Cars should line up along the outer circle. Please pull all the way forward to the cone and avoid jumping in front of other cars in line. During dismissal, these students will be delivered to your car by a staff member.
Please be patient and continue to read updates on car riders as we anticipate additional car rider traffic this year in addition to the ongoing construction. Our goal is to continually improve our process for safety and efficiency.
Transportation Changes
If your student is going to have different transportation, a note or phone call from the parent must accompany the request. Please contact the office prior to 1:30p to request a change in transportation. If an alternative person is checking out your student, the person must have their ID ready.
If you are picking your child up prior to the end of the school day, please arrive in the office prior to 1:55p. Parents who arrive after 1:55p, may need to wait until dismissal begins for their child to be called out of class.
Bus Transportation
Don't forget your mask on the bus!
Families will receive a communication from Nicole Kirby, Park Hill’s Director of Communication Services, detailing how to access your child’s bus transportation information. Please check your contact information in the parent portal (Infinite Campus), to ensure your contact information is up to date. If you have questions or concerns regarding bus issues, please contact First Student at 816-359-4560.
2020 Update:
Please consider taking your child to school instead of sending them on the bus. We will not be able to provide physical distancing on the buses, but we will take as many precautions as possible. See the Park Hill School District's Reopening Plan for more details.
Russell Jones Education Center
Email: kalista@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Website: https://russelljones.parkhill.k12.mo.us/
Location: 7642 North Green Hills Road, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: 816-359-4510
Facebook: facebook.com/russelljoneseducationcenter