JSE Tracks

JSE family and friends,

Welcome to our first newsletter for the 2025-26 school year! Typically each Monday I will send out a newsletter highlighting upcoming events, showcasing happenings throughout the previous week, share community news, and so much more. You will be emailed this newsletter link weekly, or you can find it on our JSE website under NEWS. Our website has news, highlights, calendars, and more. Bookmark it for all of your UTSC information.

I wanted to send a newsletter out early to give you some updates on registration, first days of school, and other UTSC quick information. If you have any questions you can always email me at khankins@union.k12.in.us. I will be back in the building on Monday, July 28.

Have a great rest of your summer vacation!

- Mrs. Hankins

Registration begins Tuesday, July 29. Returning students, including Bearcat Beginnings PreK from last year, and families that came to Kindergarten Round Up can register online through the Harmony Portal. Any new students will come into the school office to complete paperwork for enrollment and then register.

Teachers will not be released until all families are registered. Typically this is the Tuesday or Wednesday following registration. We have the most amazing staff, so you will be in good hands!

All buildings will have their first day of school on Wednesday, August 13.

Elementary schools serve breakfast at 8:30 a.m., students may go to their classes at 8:40 a.m., and the tardy bell is at 8:50 a.m. School dismisses at 3:15 p.m.

JSE is thrilled to host our preschool students and families. Preschool starts Thursday, August 14.

AM preschool runs from 8:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

All Day preschool will run from 8:15 a.m.- 2:45 p.m. with a lunch and recess break from 11:00-12:00.

Reminder, for the safety of our students, staff and community, we do not allow families to walk their children into school the first day. We have several support staff that will help our students get to their proper rooms.

This year all grades PreK-5 will meet their teacher and drop off supplies on Monday, August 11 from 6-7pm. Teachers will be there to say hello, give some quick information about the upcoming year, and meet our families.

Our amazing PTO will have a welcome table for our families as well. Be sure to stop by for your welcome back prize, check out the spirit wear, and see all of the ways to volunteer and get involved with PTO and JSE.

We are excited to offer this night for all of our students and families!

With the addition of our preschool program, we will need to adjust some car rider procedures and need your help in supporting this so we can get everyone in and out on time.

AM Procedures:

K-5 car riders will go to the back lot but may not arrive before 8:25am. Breakfast is served at 8:30 and we open the doors then to let students in. Those that are not eating, wait in the hall area until 8:40 when we let everyone in.

Preschool families will go to the back lot and be greeted by our staff to get your child into the classroom.

Bus riders will be in the main lot and dismissed at 8:30 for breakfast and 8:40 for the school day.

Walkers/Bikers will enter the main entrance. They can arrive at 8:30 for breakfast or 8:40 for the school day.

PM Procedures:

Preschool leaves at 2:45pm and elementary leaves at 3:15pm.

Preschool families will come up to the back lot. Please do not wait back here until 2:30pm. If you arrive earlier, we will ask you to leave as the car line blocks our doorways for deliveries and emergencies.

K-1 car riders and older siblings will go to the back lot. Since every preschool is a car rider, elementary parents may not get in line until 3:00pm.

2-5 car riders will leave at Door L just past the main entrance. Please stay tight to the right as you serpentine through the parking lot. This allows our cars to be safely in our lot rather than on the side of the road. Please do not wait in line until 3:00pm. If you arrive earlier, we will ask you to leave as the car line blocks our doorways for deliveries and emergencies.

Bus riders will be in the main lot and dismissed as they arrive.

Walkers/Bikers will leave through the main entrance with our walker aide. They must walk bikes at school grounds and across the street, then they may ride their bikes.

Preschool Times

AM Class: 8:15- 11:00am

All Day Class: 8:15- 2:45pm

Thank you so much for helping with the new times for waiting in line and getting our littlest Bearcats in and out safely. We appreciate your cooperation! Be on the lookout the first day of school for your car rider sign from Mrs. Morton if you take that option.

Thank you!

Date: First Friday of every month starting in September

Time: 4:00- 5:00pm

Where: JSE Library

Who: Any JSE community member wanting to be involved and in the know!

Looking to be a part of the school? Our PTO is always seeking volunteers. Some things may be in person at school, and some may be things you do at home. Check out this flyer and get connected with a wonderful group that really helps connect our school and families!

You can access Mealtime to upload funds or drop off money to the JSE office. Checks need to be made out to John Simatovich Elementary School and in the memo put your child(ren)'s names.

For more information about Food Services check out our website or contact JSE's kitchen manager, Brandy Christiansen at bchristiansen@union.k12.in.us.

For those of you with middle schoolers, below is a list of events for students in grades 6-8 from UTMS.

Any and all parents but especially to our soon to be 6th grade families! Please use this handbook as a guide to what to expect in your UTMS school years.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f25SBuCMFg4cGTVQO8OmLXMHS8Rd17u8ZDwURoqVucg/edit?usp=sharing

Come join us August 1st, 2nd at 7pm or August 3rd at 2pm and see Bearcat Theatre Company's community present "The SpongeBob Musical".