East Elementary
April 2024
Proposition T
Proposition T Educational Information is located on the Jackson R-2 School District website. Prop T will be placed on the April 2, 2024 ballot. For more educational information, please visit the website or click this link. You can vote absentee now! Hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Here is the address: County Administration Building, #1 Barton Square, 3rd Floor, Jackson, MO 63755.
Solar Eclipse
On Monday, April 8, East Elementary students and staff will celebrate the total solar eclipse. Here are the details:
- Teachers will take classes out around 1:30 and head back in around 2:15. (The eclipse will begin at 12:41 and end around 3:17. Maximum totality begins at 2:00.)
- Students are welcome to bring a drink, snack, and towel/blanket for the event. They will sit with their grade level.
- When viewing the eclipse, students will wear their eclipse glasses provided by the district.
- This is a student and staff event only.
Upcoming Library Events
Jackson Reads
This is a community reading event on April 11, 5:30-7:00 PM at the Jackson Band Shell.
Amanda Doyle Author Visit for 3rd and 4th Grade
Amanda Doyle, author of Missouri Weird and Wonderful, will be at East on April 12 to meet with all 3rd and 4th grade students.
Scholastic BOGO Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair will be at East Monday, April 22 through Thursday, April 24 from 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM.
The Benefits of Reading
Check out the graphic for ways to make reading a routine!
Got Caught Reading!
Our March Winners for Got Caught Reading are:
- Madyson Blessing - Kindergarten Mrs. Ventura
- Riley Jones - 1st Grade Mrs. Byrd (not pictured)
- Brock Hahs - 2nd Grade Mr. Wendel
- Joslynn Shumate - 3rd Grade Mrs. Conrad
- Sadie Wade - 4th Grade Ms. Doyle
Lunch Bunch
It's time for Lunch Bunch at East Elementary! Kindergarten and 2nd grade parents are invited to join their child for lunch on Friday, April 12.
- Kindergarten: 11:00-11:40
- 2nd Grade: 11:45-12:25
During this time, you are able to enjoy lunch with your child picnic style out on our large playground. You can bring lunch for you and your child, or your child can get a lunch from the cafeteria. We do have a few picnic tables outside, but we encourage you to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs. You can arrive as early as five minutes prior to the event to get your area set up. As students begin to head outside, they will meet you. When you are finished eating, feel free to play with your child at recess.
Once the event is over, we ask that you allow your child to line up with their class and head in. Parents are asked to exit the playground using the gate at the southeast corner next to the building. We hope to see you all soon!
Just a reminder, 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades had their lunch bunch back in November.
Teacher Requests
In an effort to maintain balanced classrooms, we will be using all available resources, including current and previous teachers’ input, to evenly balance classes. As a parent, should you have any specific educational information you feel we will need to ensure a good placement, please feel free to contact Mrs. Weadon or Mrs. Criddle during the month of April. During the month of May, principals and grade level teams will be collating all class lists. In early August, students’ placement will be considered finalized and teacher assignments will be sent by email to parents on August 9. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
East PTO...Did you know?
It’s almost April Fools Day! If you have a house, work place, or general village full of pranksters— you should probably prepare yourself for some whoppers. But, hands-over-our-heart, we promise all of the following is true:
DID YOU KNOW… Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, parents, etc. we raised roughly $13,000 through the online auction last month. Since then the schools have been bustling with popcorn parties, jean days, teacher experiences, and teacher lunches. Cashing in on these extra special “items” will continue in April and May. More importantly we have the funds for field trip buses, Play Day shirts, Teacher Appreciation, and so much more.
But students and teachers aren’t the only ones who get extra treats in April. The PTO couldn’t function without the incredible people who volunteer as reindeer food assemblers, fake tattoo spongers, popcorn baggers, and for countless other jobs. Students might have to scoop ice cream with their fingers and teachers might be forced to dine on Ramen if not for the cutlery, food, etc brought in by families. With this in mind we will be hosting our 2nd annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at 8:30 am on Thursday, April 11th. We’re not pulling your leg and really do hope you can join us.
PTO does not fool around when it comes to supporting our students, teachers, and families. The more involvement we have to do that the better. Please join us on Tuesday, April 16th at 5:30pm in the library for our last meeting of the year. We will talk about all things Play Day, make plans for next year, and vote on the 2024-2025 PTO officers.
Speaking of votes… we’re guessing you’ve heard there is one happening and that there is a particular Prop pertaining to the JR2 school district. Many Americans take little else more seriously than exercising their right to vote. And the outcome of this vote is no joke. It will seriously affect our schools. So whether it be by car, horse, moped, or your own two feet— we hope you take the time to make it to the polls.
Upcoming Music Concerts
Spirit Singers
3rd Grade Concert
4th Grade Concert
4th Grade Talent Show
Mrs. Moyers' Message
Last week, our school district celebrated disAbility Awareness Week. I just wanted to take a moment and celebrate the progress that has been made in our district over the past 13 years that I’ve been a school counselor here. I could tell that in talking with the students about how important it is to understand that everyone is different and someone with a disability, or a different ability, is not someone to be scared of, avoided, or excluded, the students were like, “Duh, Mrs. Moyers.” I love that an environment of belonging and acceptance has been fostered in our building for ALL students. (I know that when I was growing up, that certainly was not the case.) I am grateful for administrators and teachers who are willing to learn and create spaces where students feel that they belong and can learn even if they learn differently from others. East Elementary is truly an amazing school that I am proud to be a part of!
The Art Room
It's spring cleaning time!! As you are cleaning out those drawers and cabinets if you happen to come across items that we could use during our "make whatever you want" week in art, please feel free to donate them to the art room. Suggestions/Ideas would be: SMALL toys (kids meal toys, old pieces of bigger toys, accessories to toys you don't have anymore), small interesting boxes/containers, paper cups, buttons, pom poms, fabric, pipe cleaners, scrapbook paper, etc. We will be making our fabulous creations the week of April 22-25. Please send donations to school before this week. If you are able to volunteer that week, the art room would appreciate another set of hands to use a hot glue gun. Please contact Mrs. Job if you are able to help!! ljob@jackson.k12.mo.us
Save the Date! Play Day is May 21
East Elementary’s Play Day will be held on Tuesday, May 21. Families are invited to attend when their child's class is participating in field games and lunch (please see the schedule below). We will have food vendors at play day, so students will either be able to purchase a lunch, eat a school sack lunch, or bring a lunch.
As we have done in the past, we only ask for parent volunteers to attend the PTO Carnival portion of the day. Volunteer information will be sent soon. Here is the tentative schedule:
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade:
- 8:30-10:45 - Field Games (Guests may attend)
- 10:45-11:45 - Lunch (Guests may attend)
- 11:45-12:30 - Students are in their classrooms
- 12:30-2:45 - PTO Carnival Activities (Volunteers only)
3rd and 4th Grade:
- 8:30-10:45 - PTO Carnival Activities (Volunteers only)
- 10:45-11:30 - Students are in their classrooms
- 11:30-12:30 - Lunch (Guests may attend)
- 12:30-2:45 - Field Games (Guests may attend)
Our PTO will purchase each student a play day shirt this year! Students are welcome to wear them at any time, but most importantly, on Play Day! A huge thanks to our PTO for providing these for our students. If you have any questions or concerns about play day, please feel free to call 573-243-5271.
Parents are welcome to order a play day shirt for themselves. Please see the order form below.
Elementary Summer School and After School Kids Club
Jackson R-2 is proud to offer a FREE summer school program for students entering kindergarten through fourth grades in the fall of 2024. The program is designed to provide educational enrichment activities that expand upon what was taught during the school year. Our summer school dates will be June 5-27 (No School on June 19), a total of 16 days, for incoming kindergarten through fourth-grade students. At East, we will host summer school for East, South, and Gordonville students. Please click this link to enroll your child in East Summer School.
Our incoming kindergarten through fourth-grade students will be served breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is $1.75 and lunch is $2.90. Parents may drop students off no earlier than 7:30 in the mornings. Incoming kindergarten through fourth-grade classes attend 8:00 a.m. - 3:10 p.m. the full 16 days for Summer School.
Summer School Kids’ Club (SSKC) program will be available for those families that need additional childcare following the summer school day (June 5-27, 3:10 pm-5:45 pm). The fee for SSKC program is $110 and covers the full 16 days of Summer School. Your child’s summer school teacher will walk your child down to the cafeteria every day after summer school. SSKC is available for all Jackson R-2 Summer School Elementary Buildings as well as Jackson Middle School. Please click on the following link to enroll your child in SSKC: https://www.ezchildtrack.com/JR2kidsclub/parent.
If you are interested in additional child care that follows the summer school program, we will be hosting July Camp Kids’ Club at West Lane Elementary, July 1-August 2, 2024 (closed July 4-5). We will be updating our website https://www.jacksonr2schools.com/parents/kids_club
with additional information in the following weeks. July Camp Kids’ Club enrollment will be open April 1, 2024. If you have any questions regarding SSKC or July Camp, please email Mandee Hite at mhite@jr2mail.org.
Dates for Jackson R-2 Summer Program Opportunities:
Full Day Kids’ Club Program: May 28, 29, 30, 31, June 3, 4 for a fee of $30 per day at West Lane Elementary. See Kids’ Club website for more information.
FREE Summer School: June 5-27 (no school June 19)
July Camp Kids’ Club: July 1-August 2 (closed July 4-5)
We look forward to seeing your child at summer school! If you have any questions, please reach out!
News from the Nurse
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 will be the 2nd varnish day for those who received varnish in the fall. Those students who received varnish had a signed permission form to get varnish and were present for the first one. Unfortunately, if you were absent for the first one you do not qualify for the 2nd varnish.
Full Day Kids Club
Our Full Day Kids’ Club Program will be offering childcare for ALL preschool-6th grade students on certain days that the district is off of school. Our Full Day Kids’ Club program operates 7:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Please see the details below to confirm FDKC building location. All students must bring a sack lunch and a water bottle. We provide an afternoon and morning snack. No walk-ins allowed.
You must enroll and pay for your child to attend Full Day Kids’ Club by the deadlines set for each date. The cost is $30 per day, (any additional children are $25 each). ALL enrollment and payments are due before 4:30 p.m on the designated due date listed below. To enroll, please click (or paste in your browser) this link: https://www.ezchildtrack.com/JR2kidsclub/parent
The upcoming Full Day Kids’ Club dates offered:
- April 26 : DEADLINE TO ENROLL AND PAY for this date is April 12, 2024. April 26 Full Day Kids’ Club WILL BE HOSTED AT SOUTH ELEMENTARY. Enrollments/payments received after April 12, will result in a $20 late fee per student. If you cancel your enrollment after April 12, no refund will be available.
- May 28, 29, 30, 31, June 3 & 4: DEADLINE TO ENROLL AND PAY for this date is May 10, 2024. May 28, 29, 30, 31, June 3 & 4 Full Day Kids’ Club WILL BE HOSTED AT WEST LANE. If you cancel your enrollment after May 10, no refund will be available. Enrollments/payments received after May 10, will result in a $20 late fee per student.
For any questions, please email the Kids’ Club Assistant Elizabeth Greenlee at egreenlee@jr2mail.org or call the Kids Club Office 573-243-9576. Thank you for trusting us with our children! - Mandee
Birthday Book Club
East families, if you would like to help our library grow by joining the Birthday Book Club, you can find more information here: bit.ly/eastbbc
March Birthday Book Club
Connor Small
Dominic Kearney
Connor Monnat
Maverick Brumfield
Sawyer Garner
Addie Lifferth
Caden Daniel
Ella Fles
April Events
March 29 - April 5 : No School - Spring Break
April 8-12: National Library Week
April 8: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 8: Solar Eclipse Day
April 12: Lunch Bunch for Kindergarten - 11:00 am - 11:40 am
April 12: Lunch Bunch for 2nd Grade - 11:45 am - 12:20 pm
April 12: Author Amanda Doyle visits 3rd and 4th Grade
April 16: PTO Meeting @ 5:30 pm
April 18: 3rd Grade Music Concert @ 6:00 pm
April 19: 1st Grade Fieldtrip
April 22-26: Public School Volunteer Week
April 22-25: BOGO Scholastic Book Fair
April 23: National Bus Driver Appreciation Day
April 23: 4th Grade Music Concert @ 6:00 pm
April 24: 3rd Grade Fieldtrip
April 24: Dental Varnish (2nd Round)
April 24: Administrative Professionals Day
April 26: No School - Professional Development Day
EAST ELEMENTARY
Email: eweadon@jackson.k12.mo.us
Website: www.jacksonr2schools.com/East-Elementary-school/
Location: 455 North Lacey Street, Jackson, MO, USA
Phone: 573-243-5271
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastElementaryJR2/
Principal, East Elementary Jackson R-2 School District