Jordan/Jackson News You Can Use

Dear Families,

I wanted to follow up with you regarding a couple of recent student assemblies we have held.

Post-pandemic, we have identified areas to proactively support students and educate them on some things they have seen, heard or may have been involved in themselves. In prior years, these topics have been discussed more at the middle school level. However, we have seen the need in recent years to discuss these topics in an age-appropriate manner as a preventative measure.

The first presentation was provided to fifth-grade students and it was centered around the dangers of vaping. It also focused on peer influence and some of the pressures students face as they are getting older and involved in more complicated social situations. This presentation was developed in collaboration with our health and wellness staff and was very well-received by students.

This week, we met with all students to discuss Civil Rights and what it truly means to care about ourselves, others and our school (the Jordan/Jackson “motto”). We know that students can be exposed to hateful speech and actions and at this level, they do not truly understand the impact those types of words and actions can have on others. We collaborated with the middle school and modified their presentation to meet the needs of our age group. The students were extremely attentive and we had some wonderful conversations at each grade level. We explained why hateful words and actions are not tolerated at Jordan/Jackson and in society and that there are laws in place to protect all of us. We shared and discussed ways in which we all have the power to ensure that Jordan/Jackson is a safe place for students to learn and a safe place for adults to work.

I want to assure you that we are not conducting these assemblies because we are seeing widespread examples of these behaviors. Our goal is to provide early education and intervention, just as we do academically.

We hope that this is helpful in partnering with all of you to help children make informed and appropriate choices.

Thank you,

John Nieratko

Yesterday, after learning about Veteran's Day, Mrs. Pasquale's fifth grade class video called Lieutenant James McMahon (Mrs. Pasquale's cousin!) who is stationed in Okinawa, Japan with the Marine Corps.

A few fun facts they learned from Lieutenant McMahon:

- James learned how to tie a rope and dangle from a helicopter across Okinawa.

- McDonalds is considered a fancy restaurant and the food on the menu is different.

- James is one of the younger officers and most people in his unit that he is in charge of are actually older than him.

James' job in the Marines is extremely important and we are thankful for his service!

Proposed Start Date: Immediate

Hours: 10:30am - 1:00pm

Responsibilities include:

- Monitor students Grades 3-5 during lunch and recess

- Implement appropriate cafeteria and recess health and safety protocols

- Provide active and engaging supervision of students at recess to ensure safety

- Maintain a positive playground environment while promoting positive interactions between students

- Assist students with cafeteria lunch line, appropriate behavior, and student disposal of trash

- Five day availability preferred

Applications can be mailed or dropped off at Jordan/Jackson, 255 East Street, Mansfield

Attention: Mrs. Katherine Perreault

Please click on the following link to our employment application:
Town of Mansfield's Application for Employment

MASS Healthy Smiles are dental professionals that provide important preventive services to children and families that may not regularly see a dentist. Our services include screenings, cleanings, fluoride, sealants against cavities and referral to a local dentist if needed.

MASS Healthy Smiles will be at Jordan Jackson on December 8, 2023. Information and consent forms have been sent home with your child. If you are interested in participating in this program, please complete the consent form (see link below) and return to school by 11/30/23. Here is the link to the MASS Healthy Smiles consent form, if you have not received the copy sent home with your child.

Jordan/Jackson is excited to announce that Stop and Shop in Mansfield has selected our school this month for its Community Bag Program which benefits local nonprofits in the area. For the entire month of November, any time a shopper purchases a $2.50 reusable Community Bag (as pictured) in the Mansfield store, $1.00 is automatically donated to J/J.

If you are interested in joining the color guard, there are opportunities for children in Grades 4-7 (minis) - no experience necessary! - as well as students in Grades 8-12 ( varsity). If you would like to learn more, please click on the flyers below. First rehearsal: November 13, 6pm-8pm @ Qualters Middle School gym.

Winter Guard Information

Mini Guard (Grades 4-7) Flyer

November 10: NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day

November 13: Health Screenings/Grade 5

November 14: Health Screenings/Grade 3

November 20: Health Screenings/Grade 4

November 22-24: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break

November 27: Health Screenings/Grade 4

December 8: Report Cards/Term 1 Distributed

December 14/15: EARLY RELEASE DAYS - CONFERENCES

December 23, 2023 - January 2, 2024: NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

We are excited to host the 37th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Congregational Church in Mansfield on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023 at 1:00 PM. We are not exclusive to the elderly! People of all ages are welcome!! Click HERE for more information.

If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to call or email. My direct line is (508) 851-9414.

Regards, Randy E. Pickus

Co-chair, Friends of the Elderly Thanksgiving Dinner

randyepickus@gmail.com

The iCARE Disability Awareness program is looking for volunteers who can read books about special needs to all the classrooms in the preschool and elementary schools to help teach our typically developing kids about their special-needs peers. If you are interested in volunteering, it can be very rewarding and takes as little as half an hour of your time. Please contact Kim Piro at

kimpiro20@gmail.com or call/text at 781-630-0463. Readings will start in January and go through Feb/March at all three schools.

Mansfield Elementary School Association (MESA) is the non-profit parent organization of the Robinson and Jordan/Jackson elementary schools. We facilitate fundraising, enrichment, and community building fun for our schools and students. We are always looking for help, new ideas and involvement! Click on the links below to learn more about MESA.

About MESA

MESA Contributions

Check out the events MESA is currently working on in their latest newsletter:

MESA's Newsletter

Jordan/Jackson artists are wrapping up a unit on how cats are depicted in artwork. Check out the work of our amazing artists below.

Cats in ancient Egypt were regarded highly, partly due to their ability to combat mice, rats and snakes- which all threatened their food supply. Cats of royalty were, in some instances, known to be dressed in golden jewelry and beautiful gems! Our grade 3 artists explored many types of LINE. We focused on pattern, design, shape, contrast and color. How many types of LINE can you identify in our artwork?

Who was the artist Paul Klee? Students explored warm and cool colors as well as shape to achieve their own version of Klee’s painting, Cat and Bird (1928). Paul Klee was born in Switzerland. As a child he loved to play the violin and paint. He adored cats! Just like the cat in the painting, he found himself imagining what a cat would say in his daily life. Do you think the cat and bird were friends? Why do you think he selected bright colors and bold shapes?

Grade 5 students recently explored the art of Zentangle, inspired by artist Laurel Burch. Zentangle is an American method for drawing, which not only promotes concentration and creativity but at the same time increases personal well-being. Laurel Burch was a folk artist who loved to paint whimsical cats in bright colors. The boundless imagination of this extraordinary artist places her among the most treasured creative spirits of our time.

Families are encouraged to view our Hornet Electronic Backpack to view fliers and notices from outside organizations, such as youth groups and the SMARTS Summer Institute. This link can be accessed on our district home page. Just click the folder for the current year to see what events are happening. We have also placed the websites of several organizations on our website under the Community Tab of our District Home Page.