JSE Tracks February 14th
We are Lil' BEARCATS!
Keeping you informed of all the "tracks" we make at school and in our community!
JSE Monthly Attributes:
Characteristic of a Successful Learner (CSL): Transfer Knowledge to New Situations
Bucket-Filling Trait: Random Acts of Kindness
We Love our Schoolhouse!
We are feeling the JSE LOVE today! A fancy chandelier, heart balloons, and pink cookies created a perfect Valentine lunch to get everyone excited for classroom time of sharing kindness. Thank you to all our parent volunteers today and our JSE cafe! Another special JSE Valentine tradition!
Congrats to our 2nd Robotics Team as they competed in another Robotics Competition in Chesterton this weekend and placed 3rd overall! We are surely making tracks in the community with our robotics program!
The next two weeks will be short weeks packed full of learning and activity! Please remember we have no school on Friday or Monday. We hope you enjoy quality time with family. Remind your kiddos to get on Canvas and access their free learning resources! I wish winter was over in February but I am reminded by Mr. Joe that we often get inclement weather through March. A big thank you to Mr. Joe for all his extra time and efforts during the winter season!
3rd-5th grade families, please read the important information below regarding IREAD and ILEARN and avoid scheduling absences during these dates.
Kindergarten Round-Up is scheduled, please spread the word to our new families!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Leigh Barnes
Principal
Robotics Team in Action!
Attention Grades 3-5: IREAD/ILEARN Information
ILEARN/IREAD-3 Information: Our 3rd-5th grade teachers have started to discuss the assessments with our students, when they occur, and what they can expect. With that, please view the dates and resources below for you as a parent. We will begin practicing through the practice website next month. The short practice times will help our students become familiar with the online platform and technology embedded questions. As always, please let me know if you have any questions regarding the assessments.
ILEARN (3rd-5th)will take the place of the previous standardized assessment ISTEP+
The testing window: April 18th - May 13th, we will update you with our specific testing dates.
https://www.in.gov/doe/files/ILEARN-for-Families-Flyer-English.pdf
IREAD-3 Only 3rd Graders
The testing window: March 8th and 9th , we will update you with our specific testing dates.
2022-2023 Kindergarten Round-Up April 7th or April 8th
Stay tuned for more information!
In early August, before school begins, we will host a Kindergarten Open House for students and their families to meet their teacher, visit their classroom, and tour the school.
Welcome Information Page for Incoming Kindergarten Families
PTO News
- Upcoming: Chocolate Bar Fundraiser, Dr. Suess Books and Bingo and Teacher Appreciation Week. If you are able to volunteer to help with any of these please let me know!
- Join our facebook page and let us know if you are interested in joining our meetings and looking for ways to get involved in our school! Please reach out to us through our facebook page or our PTO email.
- PTO Meetings usually occur the first Tuesday of each month at 6PM. Please consider attending the meetings this year, every JSE parent is welcome and encouraged to attend!
Important Dates:
February 18-21 President's Day No school/Snow Make-Up Day if needed
March 3 Dr. Seuss, Books and Bingo Night 6PM
March 8/9 3rd Grade IREAD-3 Standardized State Assessment
March 11 End of 3rd Quarter
March 14th NWEA Benchmark Assessments
March 17 3rd Report Card
March 21-25 Spring Break No School
April 7th/8th Kindergarten Round-Up
Wear your Bearcat Spirit Wear on Fridays!
Community Corner:
Archived:
School Closure may call for an eLearning Day
If a school closure is announced please be aware that an eLearning day MAY be considered and would be communicated in the school closure communication from our UTSC superintendent's office.
On eLearning days, students are not expected to get online for live instruction with their teacher during the day. Rather, on an unscheduled eLearning day such as a snow day, teachers will provide students a daily agenda with activities and an assignment list posted in Canvas by 9am. Students are expected to complete the eLearning work before the next school day, however, they are allowed up to three days for completion. Chromebooks will not be sent home for elementary students on eLearning days. eLearning days count for school days, therefore students are considered in attendance when they complete assigned eLearning work and activities. From your child's teacher, look for specific communication pertaining to your child's eLearning day. Teachers are available during school house (9AM-3:30PM) via email and canvas messenger to answer any questions and support your child's learning.
CANVAS REMINDER: To access your child's eLearning information they will need to access their online CANVAS. You may access their account via our website, this will ensure you are in our CANVAS account and not another school's system. You will use your child's 100 number and their password.
Google REMINDER: Please make sure you are not logged into your google (gmail) account and instead add and log into your child's google account using their 100number@union.k12.in.us email and their password.
Canvas Directions/Google Directions
CANVAS Access
STEP 1: Go to the school website http://jsimatovich.union.k12.in.us/ Go to Menu
STEP 2: Scroll down to Parent Info on the right side and click on Canvas
STEP 3: Log in to Canvas using your 100 number (no utsc) and password
STEP 4: Your teacher will indicate where to go next. Go to Dashboard and you will see your child’s courses.
*** Problems that may arise
If at anytime you get a message that says your child has to log in and sign into their google (gmail) account follow the instructions below:
Put in your child’s 100 number followed by @union.k12.in.us
Example 1005655@union.k12.in.us
Their password is the same one that they use to log in to Canvas
That should solve all issues
Parents should log-out of their own personal google (gmail) account to ensure a child is using their students' school account.
Winter Reminders:
Delays and School Closures: You will receive an email and text from UTSC indicating a school delay or closure plan. Make sure we have updated contact information in our system. You may also check our website in the morning for a school closure announcement as well as follow the UTSC twitter account.
2 Hr. Delay schedule:
10:40 Arrival Bell
10:50 Tardy Bell
No Breakfast Served
Lunch Schedule remains the same
*2 Hour Delay or School Closing will be posted to our UTSC Main website, texted, emailed and tweeted from our UTSC Twitter.
JOIN our UTSC Team: Employment Opportunities - Substitute Teacher and JSE Dishwasher Opening
Want to work at Union Township Schools? If so, please take a look at the below postings or click the UTSC Corporation website HERE:
- Kitchen Dishwasher- 10:45-1:45PM Monday-Friday. Interested applicants should email Leigh Barnes at lbarnes@union.k12.in.us
- Substitute Teachers Needed: High School Graduate Requirement Only. Interested applicants should check our website or the IDOE website and email Leigh Barnes at lbarnes@union.k12.in.us
- Bus Aide/Bus Substitute Driver- Interested applicants should email Superintendent John Hunter at jhunter@union.k12.in.us
- JSE Substitute Custodian- Interested applicants should email Leigh Barnes at lbarnes@union.k12.in.us
Daily Schedule returns
8:30AM Free optional breakfast for all students
8:40AM First Bell
8:50AM Tardy Bell and School Begins
Lunch Schedule below *Lunch is free this year also
3:20 Car Rides and Walkers/Bike Riders *see car rider directions below
3:25 Bus Dismissal
**Masks are optional during the school day and required on the bus.
You are always welcome at JSE!
Please let us know how we can strengthen our partnership with you!
Leigh Barnes, Principal ext 3001 lbarnes@union.k12.in.us
Barb Rittel, Secretary ext 3000 brittel@union.k12.in.us
Lisa Morton, Home School Advisor ext 3003 lmorton@union.k12.in.us
Kathy Maniszko, School Nurse ext 3002 kmaniszko@union.k12.in.us
Email: lbarnes@union.k12.in.us
Website: http://jsimatovich.union.k12.in.us/
Location: 424 West 500 North, Valparaiso, IN, United States
Phone: (219)759-2508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JSEPTO/
Twitter: @JSimatovichElem