JCSS Family Engagement Newsletter
April 2021
April: A Month of HOPE
April is known as the National Month of Hope. The dictionary defines hope as "a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen." As we wrap up the 2020-2021 school year, we are doing so with so much hope! We have a hope that vaccines will bring normalcy to our lives. We have a hope that after we make it through this pandemic, we will not lose sight of what is most important: health, family, and friends. We have the hope that when school resumes in fall, our classrooms are filled with students who are eager to learn and families who continue to support them!
April is also the month of Autism Awareness, National School Library Month, and the Month of the Military Child. Additionally, April is Keep America Beautiful Month, National Lawn and Garden Month, and National Humor Month. In this issue of the JCSS Family Engagement Newsletter, you will find resources on these topics and more as we plan for a fruitful spring!
Birds, Bunnies, Chicks, Eggs, Insects, Fruits, Veggies, and
Flowers, Oh My!
Enjoy a Spring Stroll Take your child for a walk around the neighborhood or a nearby park. Ask them to look for signs of spring such as birds chirping, budding leaves and blooming flowers. Then ask, “What colors do you see?” Provide a clipboard with a pencil attached to a string. Then watch them “document” their discoveries.
On the Hunt for Spring Fun Drop by one of middle Georgia's public libraries. Help your children find books about insects. Show them how to look up different types of bugs. Next, move the fun outdoors for a bug scavenger hunt. Take pictures and help them create a scrapbook of their discoveries.
Berry Delicious Fun Take a family trip to a local farm to pick fresh berries. Don’t forget to bring a basket. The children can count the number of berries they collect.
Create a Greener Earth In honor of Earth Day, ask your child to help you sort plastics, papers, and cans. Sorting is an important school readiness skill.
Get Down and Dirty Children love to play in the dirt and watch things grow. Plant a garden or pot with flowers, tomatoes, or green beans. Learn about nature together as you take care of the plants.
Take a “Rocky” Walk During your spring stroll, ask the children to collect some rocks. Paint the rocks with spring-themed colors and designs. Give the rocks to friends and neighbors with a friendly spring message.
~marylandfamiliesengage.org
“Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.”
–Brad Henry
If you have a question or concern, don't hesitate to contact us!
Shelley Dunlap: sdunlap@jones.k12.ga.us or 478-986-3032 Ext. 1284
Melody Nebel: mnebel@jones.k12.ga.us or 478-986-3032 Ext. 1285
April: Autism Awareness Month
A Parents Guide to Autism
Autism: HealthyChildren
Tips for Parenting a Child on the Autism Spectrum
Everyday Active Learning
Active learning is learning that engages a child in the learning process (e.g., exploring personal interests, problem solving, asking and answering questions). This month’s active learning tip is to explore the outdoors. As the weather warms up, now is a great time to explore the changes in nature happening right now.
- Go for nature walks and point out the signs of spring you see.
- At night, go stargazing and try to find constellations. If you’re able, point out planets as well.
- Plant something. Go to a garden center or lawn and garden store and let your child choose anything he/she would like to plant. Encourage your child to take care of the plant during this spring and summer.
Conversation Prompts
Here are some questions to ask your child this month.
What do you think is the best thing about spring?
Do you know what the words peer pressure mean?
What two words would you use to describe your teacher?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Tip of the Month
Reading is a critical part of academic success. But not every student is a good reader or loves to read. If your child isn’t an enthusiastic reader, here’s how you can help.
- Show your child that reading is a way to pursue personal interests. Regularly take your child to the library to help him/her find books on topics that are of interest to him/her.
- Have family reading time—20 minutes when everyone in the family reads something of interest: books, magazines, comic books, etc.
- Read a book together. Take turns reading, switching to pages or chapters.
-Woodburn Press
Month of the Military Child
Current Opportunities for Family Engagement in JCSS
Please view the following presentations if you haven't already.
FREE WIFI at the following locations across Jones County:
-All JCSS School Parking Lots
-Baker's Acres Office Parking Lot
-Parking Lot between Carol's Park and Knox Center
-East Juliette Church
-Immanuel Baptist Church
-JC Animal Services
-Joycliff UMC
-Sawmill Restaurant
-Jones County Pre-K
-Griswoldville Firestation #9
-Griswoldville Industrial Park
-Haddock Park
-HWY 18 Recreation Complex
-Juliette Fire Station
-JC Fire Station 10- HWY 129
-Liberty Park
-Hardies Chapel Church of Christ
-Christ Community Church
-James Fire Station #4
SSID: JCSS-Public-Access-Wifi
Password: JCSSWifi2020
Jones County Schools Family Engagement
Shelley Dunlap sdunlap@jones.k12.ga.us or 478-986-3032
ext. 1284
Melody Nebel mnebel@jones.k12.ga.us or 478-986-3032
ext. 1285
Email: cfoskey@jones.k12.ga.us
Website: https://www.jonescntysd.ga.schools.bz/
Location: 125 Stewart Ave, Gray, GA, USA
Phone: 478-986-3032
Facebook: facebook.com/jcssfamilyengagementteam