Dear Parents/Guardians,

It is my pleasure to welcome the new and returning students and families of Jamaica Elementary School to the 2023-2024 school year. Our staff is committed to ensuring an outstanding learning experience for all our students with a focus on scholarship, character and humanity.

Our staff has been working very hard all summer to prepare for a great start to the 2023-2024 school year. We are excited for you to see some of the improvements and changes.

As we work together throughout the year, I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities to be part of your student’s education. Through open communication, teamwork and a dedication to continuous improvement, we promise this to be a rewarding and enjoyable school year for the children.

Please note school starts on a Thursday this year. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of all our students on August 3rd. (It is an early release day at 1:00)

Feel free to stop by and say hello.

Respectfully,

Ms. Black

Principal

Jamaica Elementary School

Follow our PTSO social media pages for important updates! Facebook is "Jamaica Elementary PTSO" and Instagram is "jamaicacrocsptso".

PTSO Reminder Dates

Aug 1st- Open House

Aug 2nd- Meet the Teacher/Supply Drop

Aug 3rd- First Day of School

Aug 17th- Croc Treats (Begin)

Aug 23rd- 1st PTSO Meeting

Aug 28th- Sept 1st- Fall Book Fair

Welcome to the new school year! I look forward to working with you to promote and maintain your child’s health.

Illness/Injuries:

First aid and medical care is provided by the school nurse for illness and injuries that occur during the school day. A notice will be sent home with your child if medications are administered. We cannot call home for every student that visits the nurse’s office; however, you will be notified immediately of any serious injury, head injury or emergency.

Your child’s education is important to us but please remember, school is no place for a sick child. If your child has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, deep wet cough, undiagnosed rash, strep throat, pink eye, etc… Please do not send them to school. If it is necessary to send your child home due to an illness, you will be notified immediately.

If your child has any type of injury that requires a cast, crutches, etc., a doctor’s note is required stating what the injury is and their restrictions, and a release from the doctor is required in order for them to resume PE and recess activities.

Immunizations:

Arizona state law requires that each child is up-to-date on their immunizations. It also requires that all immunization information be kept on file at school. Without proof of immunizations your child will not be allowed to attend school.

If your child will be turning 11 years old during the school year, please keep in mind that they must have their Tdap and Meningococcal immunizations after their 11th birthday. If proof of immunizations is not submitted by age 12, your child will not be allowed to attend school.

Medications:

All medication must be kept in the nurse’s office and it is required that parents/guardians bring and pick-up all medications. Please do not send medications with students. Over-the-counter medication must be in the original labeled container. Inhalers, Epi Pens and any other prescription medication must have a prescription label. Medication forms need to be completed and signed before administration.

Screenings:

Hearing and vision screenings are conducted through the school nurse’s office. If a vision or hearing issue is identified, a referral will be sent home so that you may follow up with a medical provider. If you do not wish for your child to be screened, please contact me for the opt-out form.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health or any of the above information, please don’t hesitate to call or email me.

Kaitlyn Weber, BSN, RN

Jamaica School Nurse

kweber@lhusd.org

928-854-7283

As the weather is still warm, students are wearing shorts more often. Please be sure that your student is following the dress code. Per the district handbook, Shorts and skirts must be fingertip length. This means long enough so that when standing straight, hands at sides, the hem is at the edge of the fingertips. All bottoms must be free from rips, holes, or tears above the knees. Students are responsible for checking in the mirror before coming to school.

*Dress code will be enforced, and students will be required to change if they do not follow dress code. There will be NO exceptions.

Breakfast starts at 7:30 am Students need to be finished eating by 7:55 am. Please remind your child that if they are having breakfast at school, they need to be coming in as soon as they arrive. Students that get to the office at 7:55 am with plans to have breakfast will not have enough time to eat.

PTSO is still offering the Birthday Marquee Fundraiser. $10 will get your child’s name on the marquee for their birthday week. We can also do ½ birthdays as well! Forms are in the office.

Friendly reminder that the first bell is at 7:55 A.M. daily and students must be in class by 8:00A.M. not to be considered tardy. If your student is tardy, an adult MUST come in and sign them in. Please do not drop them off and have them come in alone. Safety is our top priority.

Please ensure your students are promptly picked up at the release of school.

If you are running late, please contact the front office immediately.

Each Monday we will randomly pick 2 lucky winners of and In-N-Out gift card based on perfect attendance from the week before. Will it be you?

This year, there has been an increase in meal prices due to USDA regulations.

Breakfast is now $1.60 at all LHUSD schools. Lunch is $2.85 at all elementary schools.

Households will need to re-apply for this school year, as a new application is needed each year. To apply for free or reduced-price meals please visit the new website LinqConnect.com. A paper will be coming home the first week of school with more information.

A household can at any time of year, submit a application if there is a reduction in household income.

Stop by the front office to get your school shirts. Please bring cash or credit card for payment. Don’t forget there is a Web Store found at: https://az-lakehavasu.intouchreceipting.com/

Short Sleeve Youth Shirts are $6.50

Long Sleeve Youth Shirts are $8.00

Long Sleeve Adult shirts are $9.00

We welcome you to come to have lunch with your student. We even have a special table just for you to eat with them. Per district policy, you may only bring food for your student.

All visitors during school hours must sign in at the front office and also be issued a visitors pass. Please ensure the pass is returned and that you sign out upon your departure.

At Jamaica, we take the safety of our students, staff, and guests seriously; therefore we are a closed campus.

1. It is critical for safety that all guests, including parents and guardians, check in at the front office and sign in for a visitor’s badge. We ask that you do not go into the classrooms without an appointment.

2. The gates are staying locked in the mornings until 7:45 am. This is for the safety and security of our students in the mornings. Students should wait near the building and away from the drive-through lane. Parents, please drop off and pick up outside the gates.

3. In the parking lot, please use the crosswalk and do not walk in front of traffic. Thank you to our many parents who follow this rule to help model for our students. (This includes Jamaica. Please do not cross where there is no crosswalk)