Families and friends,

As we head into the end of the 2022 calendar year, we are not slowing down, but coming out strong. There's a lot going on at JSE these next few weeks and a lot of celebrating with our students!

Most notably, this Wednesday our own Lil' Bearcat Singers will be performing a Holiday program for grades K-2 and our JSE Choir at WHS. I hope to see many of you there as Mrs. Willis and the students have really worked diligently on perfecting their program. I can't wait!

NWEA Testing is also being conducted in our classrooms this week and next. We have two tests, Math and Reading, that we take three times a year. These tests are so beneficial in seeing our growth of our students and recognizing the hard work and growth mindsets they have already put in since August. I can't wait to see the evidence of all of that growth!

Have a very merry week,

Mrs. Hankins

JSE Families collected a total of 1,324 items!

1st Place: Ms. Bobin's Class (with over 300 items!)

2nd Place: Mr. Dobitz' Class (with over 200 items!)

3rd Place: Mrs. Sullivan's Class (with over 100 items!)

Thank you to all families that donated! Maisie said it best while helping collect and count, "It feels really good to help others. I love the food drive!"

We are so excited to welcome a new nurse, Lauren Hall, to our office staff. Nurse Lauren started last week and she is already loving being here (obviously!)

We would also like to welcome back Ms. Ashley Byers to our Learning Loss position. This post is a great resource for our students to get that extra support and we are beyond thrilled that Ms. Byers has been able to return to us!

Our November Successful Learner Traits were to Think Interdependently and Gratitude. Our "smart cookies" earned a cookie treat at lunch and will be joining Mrs. Hankins for Principal's Breakfast on Thursday, December 8.

Kindergarten: Johnnie Forystek and Grayden Tolliver

First: Emmett Tamietto and Carter Watkins

Second: Virginia Scapin and Kiara Connelly

Third: Sofia Perez and Emily Zwierz

Fourth: Wesley Wilson and Kendra Benson

Fifth: Bella Guillen and Xander Martin

Our November Successful Learners got their "smart cookie" treats at lunch courtesy of Henze's Bakery. They donated cookies for each of our star students. Thank you to PTO for helping get this donation!

Thursday's breakfast is being donated by Family Express. They will be providing donuts and water bottles to each student.

We are so appreciative of the love and support for our students!

Our December Principal's Challenge is to make a Funko Pop based off of a book character. Please be sure to fill out the whole page neatly and completely to be entered into the drawing to be Principal for the day.

These are due December 15 and our Principal for a day will be December 19th.

November Principal's Challenge Winners showed gratitude throughout the month. One student per grade was randomly selected to be junior principal on November 30.

Junior Principals helped greet students, created announcements for our JSE News, passed out birthday treats, wrote positive notes to staff, and helped with our safety protocol.

Our junior principals passed out birthday treats and were able to peek in classes to see the great learning taking place.

Principals Layla and Jenna were popping in Mrs. Koch's kindergarten class. They were working hard all day and got to have a little end of the day celebration fun with a Jib Jab video. The students were so excited to see themselves up on the board having a sledding race! Tristian is pointing out his handsome face on the screen.

They also saw Mrs. Asher's class working on a problem, and stopped by to help them work through the thinking.

JSE PTO needs volunteers! We will have the Holiday Shop from Tuesday, December 12 - Friday, December 15. They need volunteers to help students shop and wrap gifts. Check out JSE PTO Sign Up Genius to choose a time to be jolly little helpers for our students!

Thank you for those that stopped by in person or through the drive through to help support our school! It was a great success and we will try for other nights like this in the future.

As you are holiday shopping, be sure to go first to Amazon Smile link then select John Simatovich Elementary School and have fun shopping! Every purchase provides a small donation.

Registration for Union Township Youth Softball has opened. The recreational league is for students grades K-12. Online registration can be found at https://www.uniontwpsoftball.com.

Registration is from December 1, 2022 through January 31, 2023. Any registration after January 31 will incur a late fee of $25. Visit our Facebook page at UT Bearcats Softball for further details on season and schedule.

Do you exhibit and support Teamwork, Responsibility, Academic Achievement, quality Character traits, Kindness, and work for Success? Our JSE team is looking for several positions and maybe you're ready to get on TRACK with us.

We are in search of:

- dishwasher from 10:45-1:45

- bus drivers 4 hours, 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon

- substitutes for teachers, aides, and bus drivers

- custodial and kitchen substitutes

If you are interested or know someone who might be, please send me an email.

Thank you,

~Mrs. Hankins

At JSE we are a child-centered community with dedicated adults that promote responsibility, self-confidence, social and academic skills, and a love of learning that are essential foundations for our children to reach their maximum potential.

We believe in our corporations mission statement of Every Child, Every Day!

You can also follow Mrs. Hankins and JSE on Instagram @jseprincipal.

Email: khankins@union.k12.in.us
Website: http://union.k12.in.us/JSE
Location: 424 West 500 North, Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Phone: 219-759-2508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067203131177
Twitter: @JSimatovichElem