Principal's Corner (September 2021)
Supporting our students through challenges and changes!
CAREFUL THOUGHTS, CAREFUL DEEDS, CAREFUL ACTIONS...
As we move forward into September (National Safety Preparedness), we also focus on our PBIS trait of being careful. This is an important concept, not just for our school but for our students as well.
At Jamaica, we work hard to teach our students what careful actions look like. We show them how to walk carefully, we model how to use our words carefully, and we discuss what careful actions are needed to keep each other safe on our campus.
In this new time of even more concerns over safety and wellness, we will be working hard at helping our students and staff feel safe, as well as teaching them how to exercise caution with our health and safety guidelines to be proactive and positive for each other.
This month, we will also be focusing on Kindness Challenges to support the idea of using careful actions and words with our peers and our families. So, at home, we hope you will also focus on modeling safe and heallthy choices, as well as kind and careful words with your students; helping them understand the impact of their words and actions on others.
We will be looking at the concept of being "careful" from a practical perspective. Our staff will be updating certifications for all safety procedures on campus this year, including presenting Online Safety to our 5th and 6th grade students. Our mission at Jamaica is to educate the whole child, and this is just one way to help them develop the skills to care for themselves and others in the process. We look forward to feedback from them and from you as well after the presentation. So, thank you for all you do to support them in this process!
This year, we are looking forward to finishing the safety upgrades that our were unable to be completed last year. Our lower playground area will be adding a staircase to the playground, increasing our ability to have handicap access and a stair case to our field improving safety during transitions to recess, as well as during fire drills and emergency situations. This Phase II extension will happen later in the year and include upgrades to our playground area near our field. We are grateful to our community and our community partners who continue to invest in our schools safety and improvements.
Challenging their Minds and Hearts
Building a Community of Kindness and Compassion
Creating a Chain Reaction in our Schools
Parking Lot General Rules
SAFETY is our #1 Priority.
2. Inside lane is the circling lane, no pickup. You must park.
3. Outside lane along the sidewalk, may not park. This is the pickup lane. No stopping along the sidewalk until you have pulled all the way up by the playground to the end of the sidewalk. Staff will look for your "name plate" and call your students to your car in the pull through lane.
4. There will be NO parking in the center lane during pickup. These spots will be used for staff parking, and we will be closing off this lane of traffic at pickup time to help expedite the pickup circle and avoid any backup of traffic in the center lane.
5. Please stay in your car at pick up. DO NOT ask your child to cross in front of traffic. This is NON-NEGOTIABLE and UNSAFE. You will need to enter into the pull through lane to pickup your students or park outside of the lot and have them meet you there.
5. Right Turns ONLY out of the parking lot.
6. Do NOT pull into the upper driveway (bus lane) for pickup. This is only for buses at this time. If you need to pick up your student due to an injury, please pick them up no later than 2:25, as the upper gate will be locked from 2:30-2:45pm to through traffic.
PICK UP PROCEDURES
PICKUP PARKING LOT REMINDERS
• Use the inside lanes to circulate and the outside lanes to pick up/exit.
• Circulate until your child is present. Staff will be monitoring cars and calling for students to ensure safety.
• Pull forward as far as possible.
• Being kind, patient, and observant of our parking lot attendants (they are there to keep your children safe!).
• Following all parking lot rules (you may earn a Croc Award).
Open House
Our Open House for the 2021-2022 school year will take place on September 15th from 6:00-7:30pm. We will have community partners here to share community resources as families are welcomed to visit our classrooms and our campus.
School Site Council Representatives Wanted!
School Site Council is a great opportunity to get involved here at Jamaica and make a difference. Volunteer to be a member of the Jamaica Site Council for the 2021-22 year. If you are interested in joining our Site Council this year, please contact Mrs. Helart at ahelart@lhusd.org or stop in the main office. Our first meeting will take place on September 13st, 2021. We hope to see you in the library!
PTSO Recruitment
Thank you to all those who joined us for our first quarter PTSO meeting. Please be sure to contact the school if you'd like to volunteer. Our first event will be our Book Fair starting on September 13th- 17th. You can reach the office at 928-854-7280 or email our PTSO members at jamaicaptso@gmail.com. Don't forget to visit our PTSO Facebook page!
Welcome to Nurse Berstler's Nook!
Greetings from our MUSIC Department
Greetings from our Physical Education Department
Library Newsletter
Please see the attached library newsletter from Mrs. Timmerman welcoming our students this year.
Counselor's Corner
Toolbox-Social Emotional Tools to Develop Resilience
DRESS CODE 2021
Start the year out right by making sure you have your shirts. Don’t forget there is a Web Store found at:
Shorts and skirts must be fingertip length. This means long enough so that when standing straight, hands at sides, the hem is at the edge of the fingertips. Any rips, frays, holes, and tears must be below the fingertip length as well. Masks are not required, but may be worn if the student or staff member feel this is appropriate for their safety.