Greetings Thomas Jefferson Elementary!

My name is Mr. Rudi Schwerdle (Shh-wur-dul) and I am humbled to be the new music teacher for TJE this school year. I am a Ball State University (IN) graduate, but more importantly, I am a Plainfield 202 alumni of Eagle Pointe, Heritage Grove, and Plainfield North. My family has been living in the area since 2002 so I am firmly rooted in all that is Plainfield. I am excited to once again be in the district getting to share my passion for music education with this new generation of students. Expect to hear more from me in the coming weeks as we look toward both new and old experiences for the students at Thomas Jefferson.

Finally, I want to let you all know I fully understand the massive shoes I am filling from Mr. Anderson. He has been an unbelievably vital and key member of Thomas Jefferson and I promise my primary goals will be to facilitate a smooth transition between the two of us while also showcasing my own educational style and personality. I cannot wait to officially meet everyone and begin making music on Tuesday, September 5th.

Have a good weekend and see you all soon.

To celebrate and recognize your commitment and excitement to the start of the school year, we will be celebrating with Freeze Pops next week. If your child has an allergy or you do not want your child to participate in the celebration, please let your child's teacher know. See the ingredient list below:

We encourage you to speak with your child about how they can be their BEST in school and outside of school.

Students are recognized with Patriot Prides for being their best. Each week, students have the opportunity to have their name drawn and win a Patriot Prize.

Only parents/guardians are allowed to sign out their child/ren. Parents/guardians will need to contact our office in advance if a listed emergency contact will be signing a student out of school.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with our office procedures.

Electronic Devices: Items such as tablet devices, cameras, or handheld gaming systems, etc., may only be brought to school with the permission of a staff member. Cell phones may not be used during the school day. All electronic devices, including cell phones, must be powered off and stored in the student’s backpack. Misuse of any electronic device may result in confiscation of the item for parent/guardian pick-up. Pictures should not be taken with any device and should not be sent electronically to other devices while on school grounds including on the bus and at the bus stop. These devices are a disruption of the educational process and their use during the school day will result in disciplinary action. Plainfield School District 202 is not responsible for any lost or stolen electronic device.

Electronic Devices

Electronic Devices Cell phones, tablets, or any wearable technology (including headphones/airpods/smartwatches) Board of Education policy does permit students to bring cell phones to school for emergency purposes only. If a parent chooses to send a cell phone to school with the student, the phones must be turned OFF and be kept in the student’s backpack, cubby, or designated storage space. Cell phones are NOT to be used during the school day, which includes while riding on the school bus. The exception is when a supervising teacher grants permission and/or use of the device is provided in a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 plan or health plan. Since the phones will not be stored in secure locations, the school does not assume any responsibility for lost, stolen, or broken phones. Students who use their phones during the school day for any reason (including texting or taking pictures), may have their phones confiscated by building administration and may lose the privilege of bringing the phone to school. Pictures and videos should not be taken with any device and should not be sent electronically to other devices while on school grounds, including the bus except when a supervising teacher grants permission and/or 35 use of the device is provided in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 plan or health care plan. All rules that apply to cell phone possession and usage also apply to other forms of technology, such as, but not limited to tablets, or any wearable technology (including headphones/airpods/smartwatches).

In order to ensure accurate counts of meals, students will need to make a choice in the morning. Please see the link for the menu below and talk to your child about their lunch choice.

Elementary Breakfast and Lunch Menu

• Plainfield202 2022-2023 School Calendar
• English
• Spanish

• Arrival Procedures
• Dismissal Procedures

We are asking for your cooperation and patience with arrival and dismissal to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families. If your child is a car rider, please place a nameplate in the front window of your car that is visible to staff. Your child's teacher can provide you with a nameplate or you can get one from the office.

Students can enter the building at 8:50. There will not be supervision prior to 8:50 AM. If students are not at their classrooms by 9:05 AM, students will need to get a tardy slip from the office.

If your student is arriving at school after 9:05, you will need to sign your child into school in the main office.

If you and your child are walkers, we are asking everyone to cross using the designated crosswalks in the parking lot and in front of the school for your safety.

We are asking all families who are picking up their children as walkers to remain on the sidewalk and out of the grass. Please stay behind the bike racks to allow students room to dismiss safely.

Please know the safety of our students is first and foremost, they will not be able to change their dismissal arrangements unless the office has been notified. Please contact the office prior to 3:00 with any dismissal changes.

Thank you to everyone for your cooperation!

September

4 Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

7 - Blue House Bash

12 Fall Picture Day

18 School Improvement Day - No Student Attendance

18-22 Homecoming Spirit Week

October

9 Indigenous Peoples' / Columbus Day - NO SCHOOL

13 End of First Quarter

16 School Improvement Day - No Student Attendance

31 Fall Party

7 Spirit Wear Orders Due

13 Francos No Cook Night 4-9 PM

19 PTO Meeting Media Center 6:30 PM

22 Popcorn Friday

October

5 Lunch Spirit Monkeys

12 Westfield's No Cook 10 am -9 pm

14 Costume Exchange

19 Lunch Spirit Monkeys

20 Popcorn Friday

27 Trunk or Treat

Adrianna Aurich - Vice President

Karen Killian - Secretary

Justin Zak - Treasurer