No Place Like Jones
Family Updates for the Week of 12.04.23
Principal Corner
Dear Ira B. Jones Elementary Families:
I hope this newsletter finds you well. We are two weeks away from winter break!
As we continue to navigate the academic year, I want to express our gratitude for your ongoing support in fostering a positive learning environment for our students.
Encouraging expected school behavior among our scholars is pivotal to their overall growth as learners. I kindly request your assistance in reinforcing these essential behavioral expectations with your children to ensure a conducive and respectful learning atmosphere and environment at school.
Here are a few reminders and suggestions that can immensely contribute to nurturing a harmonious school environment:
- Respect for Others: Encourage your child to demonstrate respect towards their peers, teachers, staff, and school property. Emphasize the importance of kindness, empathy, and inclusivity in their interactions.
- Following School Rules: Remind your child about the significance of adhering to our school's expected behaviors. We need all our Global Scholars to follow C.U.B.S expectations: Choose to be Responsible, Use Kind Words and Actions, Be Respectful, and Stay Safe!
- Responsible Conduct: Remind your child of the value of responsibility by ensuring they complete assignments on time, come prepared for class, and participate actively in discussions and activities.
- Communication: Encourage open communication between yourself, your child, and the school. If there are any concerns or issues, please don't hesitate to reach out to us so we can work together to address them promptly.
- Positive Attitude: Instill in your child the importance of maintaining a positive attitude towards learning. Encourage them to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and approach their learning enthusiastically.
Your collaboration in reinforcing these expectations will significantly contribute to a conducive and productive learning environment for all students. We genuinely appreciate your partnership in nurturing well-rounded individuals within our school community.
Progress reports will go home this week. Please check your child's home-to-school folder for their progress report. Don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher if you do not receive one.
We have collected some coats, sweatshirts, hats, and gloves in the lost and found. If your child is missing one of these clothing items, please encourage them to check the lost and found area. We will donate all items left behind this month.
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 reach me by calling the school at 828.350.6700 or emailing me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.
Thanks for your continued support,
Ruafika Cobb
Principal
Ira B. Jones Elementary School
#noplacelikejones
NOTES FROM THE COUNSELING CORNER WITH MS. COURTNEY, SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Perserverance and Failure
As educators and caregivers striving to encourage and ensure student well-being, we often work with students who seem to give up too easily. Some students are excited by a new, challenging task, seeing it as an opportunity to test themselves and improve. Others see the challenge as insurmountable and feel incapable of initiating the task. Not learning to tolerate failure leaves students vulnerable to anxiety (Arky, 2023). It leads to meltdowns when the inevitable failure does occur, whether it’s at school, at home, or in the community. Unfortunately, as the world puts increased pressure on students to be successful, caregivers and educators can feel compelled to enable them in every way possible, which results in more and more students becoming distraught over even the smallest misstep.
It’s inevitable that students will encounter a number of setbacks and obstacles in every aspect of their lives. The first time students fail, it hurts and can be discouraging. However, bouncing back from failure teaches them to be more resilient in the future. While it’s normal to feel that things that come easily are more enjoyable, the truth is that the more we work for something, the more we appreciate it in the end. The value of hard work is something that is learned best by experience—and failure can be the best teacher. When we fail, it can motivate us to do better and try harder. Through this process, we can begin to see the value of our efforts instead of focusing solely on the outcome.
Perseverance in the face of a difficult challenge can also promote creativity. When students fail, they have the opportunity to learn even more than they would have if they succeeded. They don't use the same approach when trying to succeed at something they previously failed. They recognize the need for a new strategy, forcing them to return to the drawing board and search for improvements. An uncomfortable feeling brought on by a struggle is actually a good thing and is a sign that your student is on the cusp of a new stage. Remind yourself that these are "growing pains" and say, "It's okay to be uncomfortable." Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is a great step toward supporting your student’s development.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 3RD/4TH/5TH GRADES WINTER CONCERT & Spaghetti Dinner
Upcoming Important Dates
- Week of December 4: Progress Reports Go Home This Week
- Thursday, December 7: Fall Pictue MakeUps
- Tuesday, December 12: Winter Concert
- December 18 - January 2: Winter Break, No School for Students
- Monday, January 15: Holiday, No School for Students
Fall Picture MakeUps: Thursday, December 7
Lion King, Jr. Poster Contest
CONGRATULATIONS!
Students in grades 3-5 collaborated with Ms. Imhoff to create posters for the upcoming production of "The Lion King, Jr." Each grade had a winner, who received recognition at school and a prize of $20. One of the posters will be selected for use in the community. All three posters will be reprinted, signed by the artist and cast members, and available for purchase as the production approaches. Ms. Imhoff expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating that it was a fulfilling community-building experience for her classroom as they designed the posters while listening to the soundtrack. The production of "The Lion King, Jr." will take place on February 14th and 15th. Make sure to mark your calendars, as this show will be epic!
A TAPAS Residency at Jones!
2nd Graders Learn About Cherokee Culture
Second Grade was awarded a TAPAS grant from the Asheville City Schools Foundation. Students learned more about Cherokee culture and hand-building pottery techniques with Ona Armstrong, owner of Firefly Valley Pottery Studio. Last Thursday, Second Graders performed the Cherokee Morning song, retold the story of The First Fire, and shared their creative works with classmates and family members. Students carved symbols on their pottery that retold the Cherokee legend, as well as symbols representing things that bring them joy.
Here are some specifics on our visiting artist, Ona Armstrong
Ona has a Ceramics and Elementary Education degree and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Bennington College in Vermont. She has a passion for delivering academic content through the arts.
Ona taught Kindergarten as a lead teacher at Evergreen Community Charter School for 13 years.Classroom management and quality instruction are her strengths from this experience.
She owns and operates Firefly Valley Pottery Studio in West Asheville where she teaches children and adults pottery. She also operates an arts-based summer camp.
3rd Grade End of Module Celebration
3rd Graders Learn About the Sea
Third graders had their end of module showcase on Friday! They were able to share their didactic wall panels all about either sharks or the giant squid with families and rotate through each of the third grade classrooms for a fun sea-themed activity. A big thank you to Mr. Bill who visited with us and shared all about his diving experiences and even allowed everyone to see, hold and explore a few different Megalodon teeth he has personally found recently! It was an exciting day of learning.
Email: ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net
Phone: 828.350.6700