Week of May 16th - 20th...plus the 25th

The home stretch.  Thanks for your hard work and dedication.  We have a couple more weeks to invest in kids for the year and I appreciate how you look for each and every moment to make a difference.  We have a lot of events and details coming up.  Please watch your email closely.  After this blog post, we will send other more immediate details via email.  Lots of events and meetings coming up.  Please double check the Jefferson Elementary Events calendar.

Here's to a great last couple of weeks.

Angie



Leader in Me - No New Updates
I wish I had something new to report, but we have still now heard about the grant.  As soon as I do, you will know.  In the meantime, I will be meeting with Terri and Janet to have a contingency plan.  Thanks for your patience.  This is not a Franklin Covey issue.  The benefactors are still looking and grant application.  There is still hope.

Details about the Carnival Permission
Our PTO puts on a really fun carnival for kids the last week of school (Monday, May 23rd).  The permission needs to be collected and kept in the classroom with you.  Students will need to have two separate signatures.  One for the bound house and one for the train.  Please help us ensure that parents have signed both.  We mark students hand the day of carnival to indicate which events they can participate in.

Track and Field
This week is track and field.  Please refer to the email Anne sent out last week regarding changes to the lunch schedule Wednesday through Friday to make sure that classes get out to track ans field on time.  Thanks to Chris and the paras who make this happen each year! 

3rd Grade Aloha
Last year we started a new tradition at Jefferson where we say "Aloha" to our 3rd Grade students.  This is a farewell that you say when you part with someone you care for, but also a greeting, and our students will be greeting a new opportunity as they head to 4th grade.  Each 3rd grader receives a lei as they pass through the hallway and out the front doors for the last time as Jefferson Kids.  We would like the younger kids to help us line the halls to cheer them on.  We will iron out last minute details for this on Wednesday, May 25th.  Please watch your email for final times.

End of the Year Assembly
We currently have an End of the Year Assembly on the calendar, but we've haven't put one detail together.  Please share your thoughts on this with your BLT member.  I will be meeting with them soon.

Kindergarten Graduation
We have kindergarten graduation on Tuesday, May 24th.  It is usually a packed crowd.  We will hold one graduation at 9:00 AM and another at 1:00 PM.  It is very common for older brothers and sisters to attend with their families.

Books, Books, and More Books!

1. The ladies from the public library will be here on Tuesday, May 24th to share about the summer reading program.  Emily will soon be sending out details on a 5-10 min. visit that they will make to your classroom.
2. We will be hosting a checkout time for Jefferson and Horizon Elementary students during the month of June.  Horizon received a grant to do this for three years, but will be unable to host because they are getting a new roof this summer.  Watch for a flyer to send home with kids.
3. The United Way, in their most generous fashion, have free books to send home with our kids this summer!  They will also be here on Tuesday, May 24th.  We are working out details with them about when they will be available, but the plan is to have the books available in the library and have you bring your class through for a quick trip to pick theirs.  As soon as I confirm times with Brittany from United Way, I will let you know so that your grade level can sign up for a time.

Vickie's Retirement Party
Don't forget Vickie's retirement party on Thursday after school!

Reminder From Dale

Jerome School District Foundation mini-grants due July 1

http://www.jeromefoundation.org/

Fun App and Learning Idea from the Blog Reading by Example

"If you are looking for a way to capture your students' attention in the beginning of a unit of study, consider Goose Chase. This app allows you to create a scavenger hunt. Students use a mobile device, such as an iPad, to complete a set of tasks related to your learning goals. Goose Chase keeps track of points and rankings for teams. All attendees at my conference were invited to take part in one of these activities"

Week of May 2nd - 6th

It's easy to make a buck.  It's a lot tougher to make a difference.  ~Tom Brokaw

As we head into Teacher Appreciation Week, please know that what you do matters to the kids at Jefferson!  You plant seeds in kids lives and then each day you warm them with your greetings and water them with your hard work.  We may not see the fruit for a long time, but don't doubt that your efforts are making a difference.  Thanks for all you do!

This also happens to be Children's Book Week, so a little later this week, I hope you will enjoy a small token that blends the two celebrations.

Also, there's nothing like the giving, so I would encourage you to reach out to a teacher who invested in you too!  A quick note or a post on Facebook can make all the difference!

Have a great week!  Thank you for what you've chosen to do each day!

A Small Token

As a small token of appreciation, Friday will be a Blue Jean Friday! Enjoy!

Note of Appreciations from a Staff Member to Another

Thank you Valerie and Chelsey for letting us borrow Nicole for the day to help with [Student}.  She has such a caring, thoughtful manner with Jefferson Students and clear boundaries with the students she interacts with. [Students} and all the students enjoyed hanging with her today.   Nicole's  help today was so appreciated!!! 

Final Progress Monitors
Please make sure that you get final MCOMPS into the spreadsheet as well as Mileposts.  The MCOMPS should be posted by this week, but there is a bit longer to ensure they are in Mileposts.  Also, Misty will be finishing up ISATs and make ups this coming week, but there should be some spaces available at the end of the week.  Please touch base with her to see if your spot will be open.  She can help you with Star and Star Early Lit. testing.

Ordering and Student Supply Lists
Please remember that your grade level ordering needs to be in to Anne by Friday.  Also, please have your team look over the grade level student supply lists.  Because of new legislation and a court ruling, please keep the following in mind as you revise the lists:

• Items should not be for general collection and use  (i.e. pencils can be on a supply list, but should be used by that individual, not  a supply for the class)
• Don’t require specific brands.  A brand may be recommended with an explanation of why, but not required (ie, Band-Aide, Kleenex, Ticonagroga)
• Review lists to make sure items are necessary and not just there because they have been in the past
• Keep the cost reasonable

Calendar Expectations

In the next few weeks, Anne and I will be setting up calendar dates for the 2016-2017 school year.  Please ensure that you 'accept' each of these so that show on your own calendar.  Our hope is that by planning ahead you will also be able to make some of your own personal arrangements and plans for next fall and winter.

Please Review Bathroom Expectations

Lately there have been a number of issues in the bathrooms with toilet paper on the floors, writing on mirrors with soap and urine on the floor.  :S  Please take a few minutes this week and review bathroom expectations with students.  We will try really hard to narrow down who might creating this mess, but hopefully a reteaching time will help.