Jasper Elementary School
January 23, 2023
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Inclement Weather
As more winter weather approaches, it's important to remind everyone of what will transpire on any such day. The state of Indiana requires a minimum of 180 of instruction per year for the students in our charge. Therefore, our corporation will either implement an e-learning day or a missed day that would be made up as prescribed on the corporation calendar.
The only times we will implement e-learning days will be when we have sent devices home the day prior. All unexpected weather occurrences (ones where student devices are not sent home) will be made up on the make-up days indicated on the calendar.
The state allows for two-hour delays to count as a full day of instruction during inclement weather concerns. On these days, breakfast will not be served and 10:00 a.m. is school start time. No child should arrive prior to 9:15 on these days. We will NOT have Preschool in the morning session if we are on a delay.
Every time that your child's school day is to be altered, there will be a direct call from Dr. Lorey to the numbers that you inputted into PowerSchool. If you do not receive a call, then please go into your PowerSchool account and adjust your personal information. Local television and radio will also carry altered school day information.
Kindergarten Registration
BRIGHT ARROW (SCHOOL REACH) PHONE CALLS
Following our most recent automated call, we received feedback that some individuals did not receive our message. We strive for seamless communication with our families and understand the frustration this may have caused. After investigation, it was determined that there are several factors that may contribute to this occurring. We wish to offer some solutions to families to resolve this issue so that future calls are received.
Raise Right
COLD WEATHER ABD RECESS GUIDELINES
- Your child will be going outside for recess even when it is cold outside.
- Please send a coat, hat, and gloves for these colder days.
- If your child forgets their coat at home, we do have a few select coats that students can borrow. If student refuse to borrow a coat, they will still be sent outside for recess.
- Our lost and found has already started to grow again. Please take inventory of your child's belongings every week to make sure they have their coat, gloves, and hat.
- All missing items will be located in the lost and found my gym.
Instructional Assistants Pay Raises
Do you ever wish you could make a big contribution that would change someone’s life for the better? Today is that day that you could start making that dream come true. Jasper Elementary School is looking for people to be instructional assistants in our school. The great part is that you are not working nights, weekends, or major holidays. At the October Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools Board Meeting, our instructional assistants were granted a raise of over 14%. Now our instructional assistants start at $12.00 per hour with incremental increases each year for twenty years.
If you are interested in taking the step toward changing someone’s life, go to the Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools web page, https://www.gjcs.k12.in.us/resources/human-resourcesnew-page . You can also reach out to Kent Taylor, ktaylor@gjcs.k12.in.us for more information.
GJCS Raises Substitute Wages
At the September GJCS Board Meeting, the substitute wage was raised. Qualified substitutes can get $70 daily. If you have an educational teaching license, you will receive $80 daily. Even if you have one or two days per week available, you can help students by being included on our substitute list. You can choose which days you work and which days you don’t work. Knowing that you can balance your active lifestyle and still contribute to the development of our youth. If you would like to get the process started, contact April Hopf at the GJCS central office by calling 812-482-1801. Help us keep the “Great” in Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools.
I Don't Have Any Homework!
Never ask your child if he/she has homework again. Instead just ask, "What do you have for homework other than reading and Rocket Math?"
We are asking each child to complete a session of Rocket Math daily as homework. This can be accessed on home computers, tablets, and cell phones. We encourage you to take an active interest in the progress of your child on the program by asking questions such as:
- What level are you on?
- How far did you get tonight?
- How close are you to winning a certificate?
- How close are you to getting a brag tag?
Also, every night your child will be assigned fifteen minutes of reading engagement. We realize that many children have varying abilities and focus challenges so we encourage you to try some of the following strategies to engage your child in reading:
- Child reads aloud to a sibling, stuffed animal, or pet.
- Child reads aloud to a parent.
- Child reads chorally with the parent to build pace and fluency.
- Child and parent take turns reading.
- Parent reads to a child and discuss what is read.
We hope that this answers the age old question, "Do you have any homework?", once and for all. We also hope that this helps to build a common expectation between home and school for children will embrace as doubly important.
The Leader in Me
Habit #2-Begin with the End in Mind continues to be our focus this week. One component of this habit is to center your lives on those principles/values that are most important to you. These principles should be your guiding force on setting the goals/tasks you would like to achieve--don't lose sight of them!
Please look at the weekly communication from you child's teacher to find additional information about the Habit of the Week!
PTO UPDATES
PTO Meeting Update
The PTO will have their next meeting on April 5th at 6:30 in the JES Library. Parents, guardians and teachers are all welcome to attend!
Thank you to everyone who attended the last PTO meeting. Please review the minutes here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_VWaQlmyBmf7hgRegeS_lka2fFuAVRKW8C5uRU0RjRs/edit?usp=sharing
Volunteer/Background Checks
With the new school year upon us, we often get the question about volunteering in the classroom or being a chaperone on a field trip. We always love when our families want to help the students or take part in a field trip.
When it comes to volunteers, each classroom is different on the number of volunteers needed. Each classroom teacher will be communicating if they are needing volunteers to help in the classrooms. When it comes to chaperones on field trips, it will be up to each grade level and classroom teacher as to how many chaperones are allowed to follow the bus. Some of the places we take trips to limit the number of chaperones we are allowed to take.
If you would be interested in volunteering or being a chaperone on a field trip, we must have a background check on file. By clicking on the link below, you will be able to fill out a background check. These will last for 5 years or while your child is at JES. It does take some time to process these, so start early so you are able to volunteer or chaperone.
https://greater-jasper-consolidated-schools-vol.school-background-checks.com/
You do not need to complete the CPI/CPS portion of the background check! This is for employees only.
January Breakfast Menu
Breakfast is FREE for ALL students. If your child is planning on eating breakfast, please have them at school by 7:45 so they have ample time to eat before school starts at 8:00.
January Lunch Menu
Lunch is $2.25 for students each day. If your child runs low on funds, you can a check or cash with your child. You may also utilize My School Bucks to add money to their account.
Important Information!
School hours are 8:00AM -3:00PM. Students can arrive starting at 7:15AM. Students may not be dropped off prior to 7:15 AM. If you bring your child to school after 8:00 AM, you must escort them to the front doors.
We are highly encouraging parents who are bringing their child to school to use the car drop-off drive. If you would like to walk your child in, you will have to say goodbye outside the front doors. Many staff members will be at all drop-off locations to help students to their appropriate destinations. Please trust us that we have your child's best well-being in mind at all times.
Please see nurse Hannah Peltier for prescription medicine intake. All medicine must be accompanied by a parent and include a physician’s prescription. Students are not allowed to transport medicine to school.
VERY IMPORTANT- If your child's transportation changes, please notify the office with a note ASAP.
Upgrade Healthy Snack Ideas for Recess and Classroom Celebrations
Jasper Elementary allows healthy food choices for recess and classroom celebrations. A list of smart snacks can be found below. There are many other healthy food choices in addition to this list. Please be mindful when providing snacks.
Covid Protocols for 22-23 School Year
If COVID positive....
- Must provide a picture of the positive home test card or a copy of the positive lab report.
- Email to on of the following:
- rerny@gjcs.k12.in.us , ktaylor@gjcs.k12.in.us , hpeltier@gjcs.k12.in.us
- Isolate 5 days from symptom onset or isolate 5 days from test date if asymptomatic; May zoom when confirmed positive.
- Return to school on day 6. THERE IS NO MASK REQUIREMENT UPON RETRUN TO SCHOOL
Symptoms but not testing for COVID or has a negative test result....
- Follow regular school policy
- Fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication
- If vomiting, is able to eat solid meals before returning to school.
- Free of diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school
Do you have children in multiple schools? Choose one of these! Just search GREATER JASPER to see all the options!
Community Events
SCREENAGERS
Have you ever wondered about the effects of screens on students growing up in the digital age? Join us on Wednesday, February 8th at the Astra for a showing of ‘Screenagers’. This is open to all students and families in the Dubois County Community! The documentary will begin at 6pm. After the documentary, there will be a panel discussion, featuring Dr. Nord, Detective Brescher, Mr. Tolbert, Dr. Nalley and Mrs. Grothouse. Concessions will be available to purchase.