Jefferson Jotter
October 2018
Letter from Principal
Dear Jefferson Parents,
It is hard to believe that September is already coming to a close. With the erratic temperatures we've had this past week it is hard to know whether it is still summer or fall! But today was a "picture perfect" fall day!
Over the past five weeks, the children have done a marvelous job of learning the school routines, gaining more independence with their arrival and departure tasks, navigating through the hallways, verbally sharing their ideas, and engaging in problem solving. In just one month we have already seen personal growth in all of the children! We look forward to documenting and sharing your child’s growth with you throughout the school year.
One of our primary goals for all of the children is to develop self-help and independence skills so that they can feel a sense of pride in accomplishing new tasks and are well prepared for kindergarten and first grade. For example, rather than emptying a child’s backpack or zipping/unzipping fasteners we have the children do it even though it would be faster if one of the adults did it. Additionally, we encourage a child to use his/her words to ask for help rather than automatically helping them when we can see they need something. There is nothing better than the look on a child’s face when he/she does something that was difficult for them in the past, thought they couldn’t do, or that their older sibling can already do!
As parents, you too are encouraged to foster your child’s self-help and independence skills at home. For example, you could give your child safety scissors to cut open a snack bag rather than opening it yourself, encourage your child to tell you why they are upset even if you saw what might have upset them, and giving them small household tasks to assist with meal preparation, setup, or cleanup. At school you can also work on independence by having your child carry his/her backpack rather than you carrying it for them and after a welcome hug, have them walk to the car rather than carrying them. Independence is a great gift we can give our children and one that will benefit them throughout their life!
Thank you for all that you do to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for your child and for working in collaboration with the Jefferson team to make the 2018-19 school year a great success for your child and all children at Jefferson School!
Respectfully,
Lisa Halverson
Principal
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 1 - Walking Field Trip - PK morning and afternoon classes
October 1 - 8 - TRENDS School Climate and Safety Survey
Friday, October 5 - KidsStuff Coupon Book sale ends
Monday, October 8 - No School - Columbus Day
Tuesday, October 9 - Board of Education COW Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Jefferson School
Monday, October 15 - Yoga - PK afternoon classes
Tuesday, October 16 - Preschool Screenings - By Appointment
Wednesday, October 17 - Birth to 3 Screenings - By Appointment
EDK Open House - 6:00 - 7:00 - EDK morning classes; 7:15 - 8:15 - EDK afternoon classes
Monday, October 22 - Dog Therapy - PK afternoon classes
Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Washington School
Friday, October 26 - PK Parent Group - 9:00 a.m. - Jefferson School
Saturday, October 27 - ELF 5K Halloween Hustle - Hodges Park
Wednesday, October 31 - Halloween
Library Lady - PK morning and afternoon classes
Thursday, November 1 - PK Parent - Teacher Conferences - 4:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Thursday, November 8 - PK Parent - Teacher Conferences - 4:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Inspire every child to discover, learn, achieve, and care
Jefferson School Information
Student Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
If you have been at Jefferson School for drop off or pick up, you can see that it can get very congested at times given the limited number of parking spots we have available. To ensure everyone's safety and to optimize the parking that we do have, it is important that drivers following our expectations.
When picking up or dropping off, please:
- park on the curbside or in angled parking spots first
- don't block open, angled parking spots
- pull up as far as you can
- if you arrive after the road has been blocked off, don't park on Greendale Ave, instead park along the entrance to the back parking lot or in the back parking lot
- if you are double parked, be respectful of the person you are blocking in and quickly pick up and/or drop off your child
- If you are on a tight schedule, it is recommended that you park in the back parking lot or along the entrance to the back parking lot so that you don't get blocked in
We continue to have a number of drivers who are double parking in front of open, angled parking spots rather than pulling into the angled spot. So, if you have someone other than yourself picking up or dropping off your child, please share the above information with them!
Earlier this week you received an email from me notifying you of an online survey that we are asking all parents to complete. The survey pertains to the Climate and Safety of D64 schools. As an early childhood program, we know the importance of developing strong partnerships with families and attending to our students' social and emotional needs. Therefore, your feedback is very important to us as we strive to continually improve in this area. You will receive an email from me on Monday, October 1 with the link to take the short survey (less than 10 minutes). You have until October 8th to complete the survey. Please note that completing the survey using cellular connections can be problematic, so make certain you are connected to the Internet or Wi-Fi.
If you have children in other schools you will receive an email for each child and are asked to complete the survey for each school. Our Extended Day Kindergarten (EDK) families will also be asked to complete the survey for their home school as well as Jefferson.
ELF Halloween Hustle 5k presented by Lakeview Bus Lines
The District 64 Elementary Learning Foundation (ELF) is hosting its Second Annual Halloween Hustle 5k Presented by Lakeview Bus Lines on Saturday, October 27. Starting and ending in beautiful Hodges Park, the loop will allow for a 5k Run or Walk, or a shorter 3k distance in the event a 5k is too far. There is even a Tiny Tike Trot around Hodges Park for those participants aged 5 and under! Wear your Halloween costume!
This family-friendly event is an inter-school competition open to the entire community to see who has the most Halloween Spirit by helping ELF raise money to fund innovative grants that are awarded to District 64 schools. The school with the highest participation percentage will win the highly coveted ELF Trophy. Will it be Franklin again, or will it be one of the other schools? Click Here for Registration Link for ELF Halloween Hustle
Since ELF will not be hosting Casino Night this year, Halloween Hustle is ELF’s BIGGEST fundraiser of the school year so come out for this fun event and support ELF who has supported our local District 64 schools since 1994 with over $790,000 for innovative Grants! Check out past Fabulous ELF Grants Here!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Would you like to volunteer at the ELF Halloween Hustle 5k? We need parents, teachers, families who want to come and cheer on the runners as well as help with the day of event logistics. Click Here to VOLUNTEER for the ELF Halloween Hustle 5k
STUDENT ARTIST NEEDED
Calling all artists! District 64 Elementary Learning Foundation (ELF) is looking for a logo for the upcoming ELF Halloween Hustle 5k Run & Walk on October 27 at 8 am in Hodges Park!
Do you have what it takes to be the featured designer? You can enter as many times as you want. The design can be in color or black and white - anything goes! Design a logo for the event on regular 8 x 11 ½ paper. The winner will receive a complimentary entry into the 5k, and the design will be featured on the flyers, banner, race bibs and other goodies. Student submissions only, please. Good luck!
To enter, submit your design by Sunday, September 30 via e-mail to: district64elf@gmail.com.
Jefferson School Spirit Wear
Thank you for placing your orders for the Jefferson School t-shirts. Once the t-shirts arrive we will be sending them home with your children. The proceeds from the t-shirt sale will be used to enhance the Jefferson School courtyard so that we can provide more learning opportunities for our students!
Developmental Screenings
On a monthly basis the Early Childhood Diagnostic Team conducts screenings of children ages three to five. Additionally, twice a year they conduct developmental screenings of children birth through three. 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 Screenings is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16. Additionally, a screening for children birth through age three is scheduled for Wednesday, October 17. 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.
Snacks and Food Allergy Management
To ensure the safety of all of our students and staff, parents should not send peanuts/nuts and their products for snack time. Product labels should always be read for listing of peanuts/nuts, and for disclaimers such as "processed on shared machinery" or "manufactured in/with peanuts/nuts." Instead, parents are asked to send a healthy snack with their child on a daily basis. Healthy snacks include fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and cheese sticks.
Box Tops for Education
Jefferson School uses Box Tops for Education as a fundraising source for special projects, so please consider sending in the Box Tops from your favorite products. Each box top collected is worth ten cents!
No School
Monday, October 8 is a non-attendance day for students and staff in recognition of Columbus Day. Please mark your calendars!
Preschool Information
Earlier this week your child brought home a plastic bag with a Kids Stuff Coupon Book to popular clothing, food, toy, and department stores. The cost of the coupon book is $25 and Jefferson will receive $12.50 per book sold, which is a great deal for us! If you order 5 coupon books you will get the 6th book free. If you want to purchase the book all you need to do is send in a check for the amount of books needed or you can order online at http://mykscb.com/myschool. If you don't want to purchase the book, just send the coupon book back to school. Orders are due, Friday, October 5th. Proceeds from the coupon book sale will be used to provide special activities for our students. Thank you in advance for supporting Jefferson School by participating in this fundraising project!
It was great seeing so many parents at the first parent group of the 2018-19 school year! The next parent group will be presented by our "motor team" and will focus on developing your child's play skills. The group will be held on Friday, October 26 starting at 9:00 a.m. Childcare is available. We hope to see you there!
Child's Absence
If your child will be absent from school, please remember to call the attendance line, as an email to the teacher isn't sufficient. To reach the attendance line call 847-318-5360 and press 1. You need not listen to all of the prompts, but can go directly to the attendance line by pressing 1. If your child rides the school bus you will also need to call Lakeview Bus Service (847-647-6965) so they don't unnecessarily stop to pick up your child.
Safety During PE and Gross Motor Time
Every day the students engage in gross motor play, either in PE class, on the playground, or gym. When the children are running, climbing, and/or engaging in various movement activities it can be dangerous when wearing sandals, flip flops, or Crocs. To ensure your child's safety, please send your child to school on T,W, and F in athletic shoes or send a pair to be left at school. Your child will have the opportunity to change into athletic/gym shoes before going to PE. Additionally, girls who wear flowing dresses and/or skirts on PE days find it hard to actively participate and/or are not safe because of the dress/skirt getting caught in the equipment. Please help your child be safe by sending them to school on PE days in clothing that will keep them safe!
Preschool Fun!
Students using technology!
Following a block design!
Learning how to interact with a dog!
Extended Day Kindergarten (EDK) Information
Now that school is up and running, we'd like to invite the Extended Day Kindergarten families to an Open House so that you can learn more about a "day in the life" of your kindergartener! The Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, October 17 from 6:00 - 7:00 for the morning EDK students and from 7:15 - 8:15 for the afternoon EDK students. At the Open House you'll be able to see your child's classroom, learn more about the learning activities they are involved in each day, and get a guided tour of the classroom and school from your child! We look forward to seeing our EDK students and parents on October 17th!
If your kindergarten child will be absent, you need to call Jefferson School to report the absence (847-318-4212) in addition to notifying their home school. If your child attends Beyond the Bell, you will also need to contact the Park District.
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.