No Place Like Jones
Parent Updates for the Week of 1.31.22
Principal Corner
Ira B. Jones Families:
We had a great week (almost a whole week) back to school. The students transitioned back well and seemed happy to be back at school. During my classroom visits this week, I saw high student engagement and them on task and interested in learning new things.
This week, we wrapped up with students wearing their IBJ spirit wear and showing so many acts of kindness. Although the Great Kindness Week ended, we still plan to teach and have students learn more about and practice kindness. It's an excellent skill to have! Thank you for sending in pictures of your student/s demonstrating kindness this past week. We took pictures, too, and posted some of them on our social media sites and the main office display board. Our students did a great job showing acts of kindness!
Make sure to visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and twitter.
If you don't already receive text, email, or phone communication from the school or the district, don't hesitate to contact Devin Browning, or Data Manager, at 828.350.6707 or devin.browning@acsgmail.net so she can update your setting in our automated system. You can also check our school's website and Facebook page for updates. It's important we can reach you and provide you with timely and updated information from our school and the district.
In Partnership,
Ruafika A. Cobb
Principal
Follow Us On Instagram at IraB.JonesElementary
Middle of Year Assessments
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.
Notes from the Counseling Corner with Ms. Courtney, School Counselor
Teaching Kids How to Deal With Conflict:
No one likes dealing with conflict. But no matter how hard we try to avoid them, arguments, fights, and disagreements are a fact of life — for adults and kids. Teaching kids practical skills to manage it healthily will help them navigate everything from small squabbles (“They took my doll!”) to big issues (“I don’t know if I want to be your friend anymore”) both now and as they grow up. Below are 5 steps we use at Jones to help students resolve conflicts.
First, kids need to recognize their emotions. Emotion identification is a skill that is emphasized at Jones. It can help to have a feelings chart to refer to. A stoplight can also work. A red light means emotions are big, and they need time to cool off. A yellow light means they’re beginning to calm down. Green means they’re ready to solve the problem.
You can help your student come up with tools to calm down. They might get a sip of cold water or do a breathing exercise. When they’re ready to focus, help them find the source of the conflict. Helping kids get to the root of the issue will make it easier for them to resolve what’s actually wrong. It will also give them tools to identify and talk about similar problems when they come up again. The fight may have started with a toy, but it might really be about something bigger.
Have your student pitch some solutions to their conflict. Then you can both pick out which are best. Remind them that the best option isn’t just the one that feels best. It’s also the one that gets them to their goal. It’s good to praise your student for their efforts to fix a problem, even when they don’t pan out.
Conflicts often feel enormous and immediate, making it hard to keep perspective on the situation. To find useful solutions, kids need to practice taking a mental step back.
Learning to say what you need in a way others understand is an important problem-solving tool. At Jones, we teach and emphasize using “I” statements, “I feel (share what happened), when (explain what happened), can you please share what you need).” Kids can even role-play with a grownup who can give feedback. It’s good to emphasize these skills when your student is not in the middle of a conflict. It’s important to model these skills for your student, too. You can walk them through how you’d solve your own problem step by step.
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 our last open-house tour (along with other elementary schools in ACS) on February 3rd from 3:30-6:30 pm.
Please share this information as you see fit. Thanks for your help!
Upcoming Events
January 31 - February 4: Middle of Year Star Reading Benchmarks for 4th & 5th Grades
January 31 - February 11: Middle of Year Math Benchmark Window (K-5 students)
Tuesday, February 1: First day of Black History Month
Monday, February 7: ACS Board Work Session (5:00 pm)
Monday, February 14: Valentines Day
Monday, February 14: ACS Board Meeting (5:00 pm)
Monday, February 21: Required Workday, No School for Students
Tuesday, February 22: Parent/Teacher Conference, No School for Students
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
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