Dear Jamaica Families:

Happy New Year! I would like to extend best wishes to all for a happy and healthy new year.

During winter break, I hope you are spending time with friends and family and enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Over break, I am certainly spending some time reflecting on 2022 and thinking about the work and opportunities that lie ahead in 2023.

I am excited to start out 2023 strong with our Jamaica families and staff. We will continue to work hard and focus on providing quality instruction and a safe environment for all. We will also have some fun while doing it!

Here is a look at some of the great things that will be happening at our school in January as we kick off 2023 together!

• Awards assembly
• Jump Rope for Heart kick off
• Spelling Bee
• Hot air balloon visit
• 100th day of school

I am looking forward to seeing you all again very soon. Be safe, and as always, please contact the school regarding any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Jennifer 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

January 9th School Resumes

January 11th Awards Assembly

January 13th Spelling Bee

January 16th No School (MLK Day)

January 25th 100th Day of School

February 3rd Daddy/Daughter Dance

Birthday Marque Message

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.

Did you know that you can find the latest information from our online Jamaica Calendar at anytime? Please click the ink below for the most up to date information. (save it to your favorites).

https://jamaica.lhusd.org/sys/content/calendar/print/1/c240820480054c40bcae0c37a556772a

Mrs. Clark has loved teaching music for the first semester. As we come back and begin the new year her focus will be on art as she continues to explore the artistic talents of Jamaica students

It’s time for the students at Jamaica Elementary to become Heart Heroes with the Kids Heart Challenge and help those in need! The American Heart Association and Mr. Branchik will run our annual Jump Rope for the Heart program in physical education class starting on Friday, January 13th through Friday, January 27th. Program kickoff and details will be sent home with all students on Thursday, January 12th.

Immunization Requirements:

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 within a reasonable timeframe after their 11th birthday, your child will not be allowed to attend school.

If your child has already turned 11 and has not received their Tdap and Meningococcal immunizations, these need to be completed as soon as possible and submitted to the school nurse. Please let the nurse know your appointment date so your child’s health file can be updated.

If you have any questions for the school nurse please call 928-854-7283 or email kaitlyn.weber@lhusd.org

ADE has announced that all students who have Reduced priced meal eligibility will be able to eat for Free, both breakfast and lunch, through the end of the school year.

Households will need to re-apply next year as a new application is needed each year. A household can, at any time of year, submit a new application if there is a reduction in household income.

The Lake Havasu City Police Department would like to remind the community that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available for anyone who may be encountering emotional distress. This service is free and confidential to anyone in the United States 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

While everyone struggles in different ways, the Holiday season can add to the increase in an emotional crisis. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can assist by providing resources of support and understanding, and assist anyone with thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. In addition, the Lake Havasu City Police Department works closely with Community Health Associates’ Crisis Mobile Team for crisis management in our community.

If you or someone you know are experiencing an emotional crisis and would like additional information on any of the available resources for crisis management, visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org/ or by calling 988 from any telephone device.

Public Information Officer: Detective Chris Angus (928) 855-1171

Friendly reminder that the first bell is at 7:55 am daily and students must be in class by 8:00 am not to be considered tardy.

Please ensure your students are promptly picked up at the release of school, and If you are running late please contact the front office immediately.

Stop by the front office to get your school shirts. We have all sizes and colors currently available. You can also get long sleeve shirts now that the weather is cooling down. 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 $5

Long Sleeve Youth Shirts are $7

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)

As the weather is cooling down, we are seeing more and more hoodies. Please be sure that your student is wearing a standardized shirt underneath. Zip up hoodies are preferred instead of the pull-over type, but all jackets must be school appropriate.

**In addition, a few notes for the dress code. 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 should 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.