Jasper Elementary School
September 12, 2022
PTO Fall Fundraiser - Paragon
Paragon is our Fall Fundraiser and we will kick off the selling of items on Tuesday, September 13. Selling will run until Tuesday, September 27. Items will be delivered on Tuesday, October25 and the money will be due on Thursday, November 3. Please check out the information below. The more items your child sells, the more prizes they can win! Thanks for your participation in this great fundraiser.
Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-ups
It is that time of year again for Parent-Teacher conferences!
Conferences will be held on two different days virtually via Zoom, with are Wednesday, September 28 and October 5th from 4:00 - 7:00. You will be receiving a secure link On Friday, September 16 from your child's teacher to sign up for a time.
Thanks for Adjusting!
Jasper Elementary School is very proud to announce that our attendance habits have improved dramatically over the past few weeks. Families have made great adjustments to ensure that their child is sitting with his/her peers when the 8:00 a.m. bell rings. We also appreciate the fact that people unload using the full length of the side walk, which enables us to unload 15 or more cars at a time and speeds the unloading practice. We appreciate everyone making the adjustments to get the day started on the right note for our students.
ESports and Wildcat Workshop
If your child signed up and was selected for the following groups please note the upcoming start dates.
Esports starts today September 12
Wildcat Workshops starts on Wednesday, September 14
Jasper Elementary School
Help Needed
Do you ever wish you could make a big contribution that would change someone’s life for the better? Today is that day that you could start making that dream come true. Jasper Elementary School is looking for people to be instructional assistants in our school. The great part is that you are not working nights, weekends, or major holidays. If you are interested in taking the step toward changing someone’s life, go to the Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools web page, https://www.gjcs.k12.in.us/resources/human-resourcesnew-page . You can also reach out to Kent Taylor, ktaylor@gjcs.k12.in.us for more information.
Short on Time, But Long on Caring
Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools are building their substitute teacher lists. Even if you have one or two days per week available, you can help students by being included on our substitute list. You can choose which days you work and which days you don’t work. Knowing that you can balance your active lifestyle and still contribute to the development of our youth. If you would like to get the process started, contact April Hopf at the GJCS central office by calling 812-482-1801. Help us keep the “Great” in Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools.
I Don't Have Any Homework!
Never ask your child if he/she has homework again. Instead just ask, "What do you have for homework other than reading and Rocket Math?"
We are asking each child to complete a session of Rocket Math daily as homework. This can be accessed on home computers, tablets, and cell phones. We encourage you to take an active interest in the progress of your child on the program by asking questions such as:
- What level are you on?
- How far did you get tonight?
- How close are you to winning a certificate?
- How close are you to getting a brag tag?
Also, every night your child will be assigned fifteen minutes of reading engagement. We realize that many children have varying abilities and focus challenges so we encourage you to try some of the following strategies to engage your child in reading:
- Child reads aloud to a sibling, stuffed animal, or pet.
- Child reads aloud to a parent.
- Child reads chorally with the parent to build pace and fluency.
- Child and parent take turns reading.
- Parent reads to a child and discuss what is read.
We hope that this answers the age old question, "Do you have any homework?", once and for all. We also hope that this helps to build a common expectation between home and school for children will embrace as doubly important.
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Kid Loves Rocket Math!
If you have a first through fifth grade student in our school, you might be hearing a lot of buzz about Rocket Math. Children can set goals for themselves and work toward winning awards for a job well done. This program is designed for multiple five minute experiences to sharpen each student's efficiency in math. If your child works from home, please follow these instructions to get started.
Envelopes
If you are sending money in for lunch or PTO dues in an envelope, please make sure you indicate on the outside of the envelope where the money should be directed. Please place your child's first and last name and the name of the classroom teacher on the outside of the envelope. This will help us get the money deposited in the correct spot.
Morning Drop Off
Thank your for your efforts in making our morning drop off run smoother this week. When dropping off your students in the morning we ask that you pull all the way forward to first flag/pole. We ask that you utilize the entire sidewalk to drop your students off. By utilizing the entire sidewalk, we are able to get to more cars through our drop off line and keep the traffic from backing up onto the road. We also ask that all drivers stay in the vehicle and students should exit the right side of car on the curb. Please don't park you car along the curb and walk you child into the building. Thanks for you help in this matter!!
Volunteer/Background Checks
With the new school year upon us, we often get the question about volunteering in the classroom or being a chaperone on a field trip. We always love when our families want to help the students or take part in a field trip.
When it comes to volunteers, each classroom is different on the number of volunteers needed. Each classroom teacher will be communicating if they are needing volunteers to help in the classrooms. When it comes to chaperones on field trips, it will be up to each grade level and classroom teacher as to how many chaperones are allowed to follow the bus. Some of the places we take trips to limit the number of chaperones we are allowed to take.
If you would be interested in volunteering or being a chaperone on a field trip, we must have a background check on file. By clicking on the link below, you will be able to fill out a background check. These will last for 5 years or while your child is at JES. It does take some time to process these, so start early so you are able to volunteer or chaperone.
https://greater-jasper-consolidated-schools-vol.school-background-checks.com/
Paying Book Rental
Pay Book Rental Fees - Parent Instructions by School
*If you wish to apply for free and reduced meals, please use the link below.
https://www.myschoolapps.com/.../Dist.../GREATERJASPER_IN...
https://www.myschoolapps.com/.../Dist.../GREATERJASPER_IN...
Bring check or cash into school any day from 8:30 – 2:30 before Friday, August 5th. Make check out to “Elementary Book Rental – Jasper Elementary School”.
Use the MySchoolBucks app or click on “MySchoolBucks” within PowerSchool on the left-hand side. It will take you to your account. You will have to “add to basket” and then pay with a credit card. There is a 4.6% fee for the transaction.
Kindergarten - $197.25
1st Grade - $196.27
2nd Grade - $167.82
3rd Grade - $149.07
4th Grade - $147.10
5th Grade - $147.10
*If you are still experiencing issues, you may call the school at 812-556-3600
A Note from the Lunch Room
If your student brings their lunch and gets a milk, they will be charged $0.50 for the milk. We wanted everyone to be aware of this charge. If your student brings their lunch and wishes to take part in the pick three portion of the lunch program, they will be charged accordingly.
Thank you!
September Breakfast Menu
Breakfast is FREE for ALL students. If your child is planning on eating breakfast, please have them at school by 7:45 so they have ample time to eat before school starts at 8:00
September Lunch Menu
Lunch is $2.25 for students each day. If your child runs low on funds, you can a check or cash with your child. You may also utilize My School Bucks to add money to their account.
Important Information!
School hours are 8:00AM -3:00PM. Students can arrive starting at 7:15AM. Students may not be dropped off prior to 7:15 AM. If you bring your child to school after 8:00 AM, you must escort them to the front doors.
We are highly encouraging parents who are bringing their child to school to use the car drop-off drive. If you would like to walk your child in, you will have to say goodbye outside the front doors. Many staff members will be at all drop-off locations to help students to their appropriate destinations. Please trust us that we have your child's best well-being in mind at all times.
Please see nurse Hannah Peltier for prescription medicine intake. All medicine must be accompanied by a parent and include a physician’s prescription. Students are not allowed to transport medicine to school.
VERY IMPORTANT- If your child's transportation changes, please notify the office with a note ASAP.
Upgrade Healthy Snack Ideas for Recess and Classroom Celebrations
Jasper Elementary allows healthy food choices for recess and classroom celebrations. A list of smart snacks can be found below. There are many other healthy food choices in addition to this list. Please be mindful when providing snacks.
School Flu Clinic
Covid Protocols for 22-23 School Year
If COVID positive....
- Must provide a picture of the positive home test card or a copy of the positive lab report.
- Email to on of the following:
- rerny@gjcs.k12.in.us , ktaylor@gjcs.k12.in.us , hpeltier@gjcs.k12.in.us
- Isolate 5 days from symptom onset or isolate 5 days from test date if asymptomatic; May zoom when confirmed positive.
- Return to school on day 6. THERE IS NO MASK REQUIREMENT UPON RETRUN TO SCHOOL
Symptoms but not testing for COVID or has a negative test result....
- Follow regular school policy
- Fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication
- If vomiting, is able to eat solid meals before returning to school.
- Free of diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school
Transportation Safety Update from Mr. Buechlein!
The following are steps being taken by GJCS to ensure the safe transportation of students on school buses.
- School buses have been cleaned and disinfected prior to the start of school.
- Students must stay in their own seats and keep their hands to themselves.
- If behavior arises, students will have consequences.
- Seating charts are required on the buses.
- Students are required to ride only their assigned bus.
Please see the attachment for FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
PTO UPDATES
The water bottle and pencil sale is underway and I hope your children are enjoying their new products! The pencils flew right off the shelf and we are currently sold out! A new shipment is pending and should arrive in the next couple of weeks. We will continue to fill water bottle orders and send home the pencils at a later date.
Thanks for your patience,
PTO
Notes from the PTO
Please continue to send in your dues. Thanks to everyone who has already done so. Your contribution goes a long way!
The PTO met last month in the JES library. You can view the minutes below:
The next meeting is scheduled for November 2nd at 6:30 in the JES Library. All parents are welcome to attend!
You can help support your child’s education and the PTO by participating in the following:
Papa John’s coupon – Use the coupon code JASPER30 when ordering online to receive 30% off of your pizza order. This coupon is good to use any and every time you order pizza! Not only will you receive 30% off of your order, JES will also earn 10%. Feel free to share this code with friends and family so they can share in the savings too!
Do you have children in multiple schools? Choose one of these! Just search GREATER JASPER to see all the options!
Community Events
McDonald's Outstanding Educator Award
Now through September 16th, we’re excited to accept nominations for the third-annual McDonald’s Outstanding Educator Awards. To nominate, simply submit your educator’s information through the below link! Coworkers, parents, family members, community members, and friends are invited to nominate outstanding educators!
SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION HERE: www.surveymonkey.com/r/McDEducator2022
Two tiers of prizes will be awarded to outstanding educators in local communities:
50 Outstanding Educators will each receive:
- $100 to use toward their classroom
- Best Teacher Ever coffee mug
- Outstanding Educator Certificate
- McDonald’s vouchers to “teach it forward” to parents with outstanding students throughout the year
5 Outstanding Educators will each receive:
- $1,000 to use toward their classroom
- Best Teacher Ever coffee mug
- Outstanding Educator Certificate
- McDonald’s vouchers to “teach it forward” to parents with outstanding students throughout the year
Our community educators make a big difference in the lives of our children, and we are grateful for each and every one of them and invite you to help recognize their efforts alongside McDonald’s!