#NoPlaceLikeJones
Family Updates for the Week of March 11, 2024
Spring Fling Planning Meeting: Thursday, March 14 at 5:30 in the Cafeteria
Principal Corner
Dear Jones Elementary Families,
I hope this message finds you doing well. We are getting ready for another productive week at school. I have a few reminders to share as we head into this week.
First, tomorrow, Monday, March 11, is a teacher workday, meaning students will not attend school. During this time, our teachers will be participating in LETRS training, a professional learning requirement that must be completed over two years. While some teachers will finish this requirement during the current school year, most will complete it next year. Despite the significant effort required for this training, our teachers have been acquiring valuable knowledge in teaching our students how to read!
Next, we need all students to follow the group plan and adhere to the expected behaviors while at school. When students fail to follow the group plan, it not only disrupts the learning process but also poses safety concerns. Moreover, students are being asked and reminded multiple times to adhere to the group plan and instructions given by teachers. Consistent adherence to the group plan is crucial for maintaining a safe and productive learning environment for all students. You can imagine how challenging it can be for teachers to manage many students in the classroom while trying to teach. Following the group plan fosters a safe and respectful atmosphere, ensuring all students can learn and thrive in a supportive environment. We would appreciate you reinforcing these expectations at home to ensure your child can thrive and learn in a safe and supportive environment.
Lately, we have noticed incidents of general unkindness among our students towards each other, which is contrary to the values of respect and empathy that we aim to teach our students at Jones Elementary. While we are actively providing group lessons and interventions to address these issues, we also require support and reinforcement from parents or guardians at home. We ask for your assistance in reminding your students about the importance of being kind and respectful to others. Teaching empathy and understanding at home and your guidance plays a crucial role in shaping our students' behavior inside and outside the school.
I am delighted that our 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students had a great time at last Friday's SOCON basketball game! It was a wonderful opportunity for them to bond with their classmates and enjoy the thrill of live sports. I want to express my gratitude to all those who helped supervise the trip.
Lastly, our 5th graders are about to embark on an unforgettable experience as they prepare for their culminating school trip to Atlanta this week. This trip is particularly significant as it marks the transition from their time here at Jones Elementary to the next chapter of their educational journey in middle school. We want to give a HUGE thank you to our FTO, volunteers, and donors who have made this trip possible. We hope our students have a safe, enriching, and memorable experience.
I invite you to visit our school's website and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/ and follow us on Twitter @Principal_IBJ and Instagram @IraB.JonesElementary. These will serve as a resource tool for all upcoming events, the student/family handbook, and important reminders, and you can catch up with all the wonderful things our students and teachers are doing. I also send out a weekly family newsletter. Please ensure we have updated contact information so you can stay informed of all our school happenings.
As a school leader and a parent, I understand the necessity of healthy communication between families and the school. I welcome your questions, celebrations, or concerns at any time. You can call the school at 828.350.6700 or email me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.
In Partnership,
Ruafika Cobb
Principal
Ira B. Jones Elementary School
#noplacelikejones
Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for math enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math, and eat pie.
Pi has been calculated to over 50 trillion digits beyond its decimal point. As an irrational and transcendental number, it will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern. While only a handful of digits are needed for typical calculations, pi’s infinite nature makes it a fun challenge to memorize, and to computationally calculate more and more digits.
5th Grade Students Completing 6th Grade Electives Coming Up!
Attention 5th Parents:
Middle school counselors will visit with our students on March 18 to support them in registering for 6th grade electives. Elective preference forms will be sent home soon.
Upcoming Events
- Monday, March 11: Required Workday for Staff, No School for Students
- Monday, March 11: ACS Board Meeting @ 5:30 pm - ACS Boardroom
- Friday, March 22: IBJ Career Fair
- Friday, March 29: End of Q3
- Friday, March 29: Early Release Day for Students
- Week of April 1 - 5: Spring Break
- Friday, May 10: Spring Fling
Email: ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net
Phone: 828.350.6700