The Jayhawk Journal

Our first full week was up and running, and I want to reiterate what a great group of students that we have here at Johnson! This week we were able to see our 5th Grade classes participate in Team Building Camp here at Johnson. Students were able to get to know each other and focus on small tasks at hand to build that teamwork. Thank you to all of our parents who helped volunteer for Picture Day, we could not do it all without your help! As you may be aware, students have begin testing in classrooms in order to get our baseline data for the school year. Students will be taking the I-Ready Tests for both Math and ELA, and will also take some smaller tests to provide us insight to writing and reasoning skills. These are so important, as we will use the data to help guide our instruction and tailor lessons to meet the needs of our students. Please see the tips below from "The Nest" to help students get into testing season. Our Color Run will be on October 17th. This fundraiser is the biggest of the year, and helps us pay for the many events that take place here throughout the year. Finally, Open House will be this Thursday, the 18th from 5:30 to 6:30. Please see the section below to guide you, as we will have both 5th and 6th in the building. More detailed information will be sent out early next week for Open House. Thank you all for a great start to the school year!

- Mr. Traub

Johnson Upper Elementary School is committed to providing a safe, respectful environment that supports the academic and socio-emotional needs of every student as they develop the necessary skills to become capable, confident, life-long learners.

For the month of September, we will continue to have a heavy focus on all routines and procedures in the classroom. We want to set students up for success and we want all students to understand the expectations of the building. This week we focused on the arrival and dismissal expectations. Please see the attached matrix to go over SOARing expectations for all aspects of the building. We look forward to celebrating positive behavior with SOAR Bucks and Clubs in the upcoming year!

We would like to congratulate Mr. Koehler for being voted this award by his colleagues this week. Mr. Koehler is a 6th Grade ELA and Social Studies Teacher here at Johnson. He is an incredible teacher who always puts his students first. He goes above and beyond to do what is best for kids, making sure that each one feels supported and valued. His dedication to building strong connections creates a classroom where students feel safe, inspired, and excited to learn.

My Favorite Part of Being A Jayhawk Is....

The community we have. The kids, parents, and teachers. I feel at home here!

Some Of My Favorite Things

Place To Travel: Disney Orlando, Florida

Foods: Hot Wings and Steak

Color: Green

College: Oakland University

TV Show: Soccer Games

Sports Team: Liverpool FC

School Subject: ELA

My Hobbies....

Reading, hanging out with my family, and watching soccer.

This year, we will run the whole Open House/Curriculum Night from 5:30-6:30 p.m. We will encourage all families to park their cars on the grass field by Hix once parking spots are full, as we know parking is limited. In order to split up presentations, the schedule will run as follows:

5th Grade

Parents come to cafeteria for School Presentation with Mr. Traub - 5:30-5:45

Parents go to classrooms for Curriculum Night Presentation from teachers followed by Open House 5:45 - 6:30

6th Grade

Parents go to classrooms for Curriculum Night Presentation from teachers followed by Open House 5:30 - 6:15

Parents come to cafeteria for School Presentation with Mr. Traub - 6:15-6:30

We encourage parents to check out the new LMC during the Open House times. Students will also be able to attend if parents would like them to come.

For the month of September, all LPS schools will focus on using a Growth Mindset. Take the time to talk with your student about what that means to them and your family.

Thank you for your patience and commitment to making the loop safe for all of our staff and students. We have been able to keep the line moving smoothly and much more efficient since the first week. We have been able to keep it to 10 minutes this last week!

Monday 9/15

Tuesday 9/16

Wednesday 9/17

Thursday 9/18 Open House/Curriculum Night 5:30-6:30

Friday 9/19

9/18 - Open House and Curriculum Night 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

9/29 - No School (District PD)

9/30 - PTA Skate Night at Riverside 6 p.m.

10/3 - SOAR Clubs

10/8 - Parent Teacher Conferences

10/9 - No School - Parent Teacher Conferences

10/16 - Picture Retake Day

10/17 - Color Run

Planning to volunteer this year? Fill out the iChat form now and you'll be all set for the year! Just enter today's date (or a day next week) for when you plan to begin volunteering. Then, you'll be all set when it comes time to help with Holiday Shop, Field Day, and other events.

We ask all parents/guardians to complete the welcome back checklist on parent connect. Why? This information is who we will contact in the event of an emergency. Year after year contacts will follow a student's file if they go unchecked. Please make sure all the contacts are current.

A nutritious lunch and breakfast is available for free each day at Johnson and at all Livonia Public Schools. If you forget to pack a lunch or just run out of time, we understand. Please know we will provide your student one of our lunch options always, no matter what. We hope this option will save you a trip up to the school. We also would like to remind parents that for safety reasons, we do not allow Door Dash orders for students. Thank you for understanding.

Students cannot be dropped off for school in the morning prior to 8:15am. This is when the doors open for breakfast and when staff is available to supervise students. Prior to this time, all school doors are locked. Students are not to be left unattended, arrangements must be made. Also, dismissal is at 3:30pm daily and at 11:45am on half days. It is required that all students who are picked up in the car loop be picked up no later than 3:45pm. Staff is not available to supervise students beyond that time. The district offers a SACC program for those students that cannot be picked up by 3:45pm. Please contact SACC at (734)744-2966 to make arrangements.

If your student is arriving after the last tardy bell, please note they need to check in at the office. They should enter the building through door number one (with the arch) and check in on the chromebook in the office. Parents do NOT need to come in to drop off students only to pick up.

If you need to pick up your student prior to the end of the school day, please know you will need to come into the office to sign them out and be verified by the office staff. Whomever is picking up a student early, must be listed on the Emergency Card.

Oftentimes a student will come to the office with a medical need. The office staff is able to dispense medication as needed as long as the medication is: 1) Delivered to school by a parent in the original unopened package or prescription container, {NO MEDICATION can be brought to school by students} 2) As long as there is an individual, signed medical authorization on file for each medication {form available in the office and online} Medication includes but is not limited to cough drops, aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, prescription drugs, creams, lotions, vitamins, inhalers, EpiPens, etc.… We cannot administer any medication that is not listed on file in the office. Please reach out to Jill Jablonski or Amy Dimmer in the office to set up a time to bring in medications and to review your student’s medical needs when they are in the building.

“Tell me and I'll forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin