Welcome Back Families

Welcome back to school! Whether you are new to our Jamaica family or returning from last year, I want to take this opportunity to welcome you back to our school. Here at Jamaica, we have a strong sense of family and belonging.

We are here for your students every day, physically, emotionally, and academically. As your principal, I would like to share a brief philosophy that I have developed over the years. I strongly believe in a "We Before Me" approach. We are all in this together. We celebrate successes together, and when we fall short, we encourage one another to continue growing and improving. This philosophy applies to both students and adults.

If you ever have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help in any way we can.

Thank you for sharing your students with us each day. We learn from them just as much as they learn from us. A child's education is a truly special part of their life, and we are committed to making that experience the very best it can be.

Sincerely,

Mr. Keller
Principal

Why Daily Attendance Matters

Showing up every day sets students up for success—academically, socially, and emotionally. Here’s why it matters:

Missed Lessons = Missed Opportunities
Even one day out can mean falling behind on key lessons, activities, and class discussions.

School Today, Success Tomorrow
Consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic progress—and opens doors to future opportunities.

Resilience in Action
Being present every day builds habits of responsibility, perseverance, and grit.

Stronger Friendships
Daily attendance helps students form strong social bonds and feel more connected at school.

Healthier Habits
A consistent routine supports mental and physical wellness—for kids and families.

Let’s make 2026–2027 a year of growth, connection, and daily learning—for every student, every day.

With extreme temperatures, we want to share how we decide when it’s safe for our students and staff to be outside for recess.

LHUSD has a weather monitoring station at Lake Havasu High School. All district schools use the information from this station to monitor temperature, air quality, and lightning throughout the day. The system alerts us when conditions become unsafe for students to be outside.

Thank you for being so supportive as we navigate the high temperatures throughout the next few weeks.

If you have any questions at any time, contact the front office.

Beginning July 1, 2026, a new state law known as the Arizona Healthy Schools Act will take effect in public schools participating in federally funded child nutrition programs.

This law limits certain food and beverage products that may be served, sold, or distributed on school campuses during the regular school day. As a result, some foods that may have been permitted in the past for classroom celebrations, birthday treats, student rewards, fundraisers, and other school-related activities may no longer be allowed.

To comply with state law, schools may require ingredient labels and nutrition information for food items brought onto campus for school-sponsored activities. Parents, volunteers, PTO organizations, booster clubs, and other groups planning food-related events will be asked to provide this information before approval is granted.

Please understand that these requirements are the result of a statewide law and apply to all public schools participating in federal child nutrition programs.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to ensure LHUSD remains compliant with state requirements. If you have questions, please contact your school office or the Child Nutrition Department.

School Calendar: Stick on the fridge! (Calendar Link)

Thank you to all the students for all their hard work at the beginning of the year when it is hot everywhere. I am very proud of them and appreciate the effort they give every time they are in my classroom. Thank you to the parents and families also for ensuring that the students have the proper attire and shoes to maximize their potential in physical education. Reminder: students will receive a reduced grade for not having appropriate footwear for that week's lesson. The first non-dress will be scored as a 5/10 (50%), the second non-dress will be scored as a 2.5/10 (25%), and the third and after will be scored as a 0/10 (0%). Please no Crocs, sandals, boots, slippers, or flip-flops (the expectation is closed-toed sneakers). Please keep in mind that physical education class is a participation-based grade.

I hope that everyone has had an enjoyable start to this school year, and remember to stay hydrated as it is still warm outside. We will be starting our first unit, Volleyball. After Volleyball, we will transition into football, proper overhand throwing and catching, followed by our first fitness assessment. Again, thank you for all your hard work in helping your son or daughter be successful in class. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Andrew Branchik

abranchik@lhusd.org

Follow our PTSO social media pages for important updates! Facebook is "Jamaica Elementary PTSO" and Instagram is "jamaicacrocsptso".

August Events

8/26: 1ST QTR PTSO MEETING 3 pm- Jamaica Library

Upcoming

9/7: LABOR DAY-NO SCHOOL

9/14: Fall PICTURE DAY

9/21-9/25: BOOK FAIR

9/24: Open House

Welcome to the new school year! I look forward to working with you to promote and maintain your child’s health.

Screenings:

Hearing and vision screenings are conducted through the school nurse’s office. If a vision or hearing issue is identified, a referral will be sent home so that you may follow up with a medical provider. If you do not wish for your child to be screened or if you think your child will be unable to tolerate the screening process, please contact me for the opt-out form.

Illness/Injuries:

First aid and medical care is provided by the school nurse for illness and injuries that occur during the school day. A notice will be sent home with your child if medications are administered. We cannot call home for every student that visits the nurse’s office; however, you will be notified immediately of any serious injury, head injury or emergency.

Your child’s education is important to us, but please remember, school is no place for a sick child. If your child has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a deep, wet cough, an undiagnosed rash, strep throat, pink eye, etc., please do not send them to school. If it is necessary to send your child home due to an illness, you will be notified immediately.

If your child has any injury that requires a cast, crutches, etc., a doctor’s note is required stating what the injury is and their restrictions, and a release from the doctor is required in order for them to resume PE and recess activities.

Immunizations:

Arizona state law requires that each child is up-to-date on their immunizations. It also requires that all immunization information be kept on file at school. Without proof of immunizations, your child will not be allowed to attend school.

If your child will be turning 11 years old during the school year, please keep in mind that they must have their Tdap and Meningococcal immunizations after their 11th birthday, but before they turn 12. If proof of immunizations is not submitted by age 12, your child will not be allowed to attend school.

Medications:

All medication must be kept in the nurse’s office, and it is required that parents/guardians bring and pick up all medications. Please do not send medications with students. Over-the-counter medication must be in the original labeled container. Inhalers, EpiPens, and any other prescription medication must have a prescription label. Medication forms need to be completed and signed before administration.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health or any of the above information, please don’t hesitate to call or email me.

Kaitlyn Weber, BSN, RN

Jamaica School Nurse

kweber@lhusd.org

928-854-7283

To ensure a successful and safe start to the new school year, we would like to share some rules for the Parking lot. Please look these over and follow the procedures that we have put in place to keep ALL students safe. We are all in this together.

Parking Lot General Rules

1. SAFETY is our #1 Priority.

2. The 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.

4. DO NOT ask your child to cross in front of traffic. You may see your child, others may not.

5. Right Turns ONLY out of the parking lot.

6. Please refrain from parking in the handicapped parking spaces unless you have the proper permit. We do have families that need to use these spaces.

Before School Options

1. Park in a lined space and walk your child on the sidewalk using the crosswalk.

2. Drive up and around the outside lane to the sidewalk in front of the playground. Drop off as far up as you can to avoid backing up traffic. Your child can safely walk on the sidewalk up to the school. Do NOT park in this lane. Please only stop briefly for drop-off/pickup if you see your child in view.

For special needs (SDC) Families ONLY

1. Pull up to the side gate. DO NOT go past the crosswalk into the striped area. (Buses will be pulling up there to drop off students)

2. Parents may stay in their cars. We will have staff to assist your child in getting to class.

3. Reminder: this is for SDC families only.

After School Options

1. Park in a lined space and meet your child on the sidewalk using the crosswalk. Return to your parked car using the crosswalk.

2. Park in a lined space, and your child can use the crosswalk to walk to your parked car.

3. Drive up and around the outside lane along the sidewalk in front of the playground. Pull up as far as you can in the pickup line in a safe manner. Do NOT park in this lane! Stay in this lane to exit the parking lot. Please do not try to move around cars to get out sooner.

During school hours, all visitors must sign in at the front office and be issued a visitor pass. Please make sure that you sign out when you leave and return your visitor pass.

We welcome you to come to have lunch with your student. We even have a special table just for you to eat with them.

Per district policy, you may only bring food for your student. Please remember that only your child is permitted to join you at the parent table. All other students must sit with their class.

At Jamaica, we take the safety of our students, staff, and guests seriously; therefore, we are a closed campus.

1. It is critical for safety that all guests, including parents and guardians, check in at the front office and sign in for a visitor’s badge. We ask that you do not go into the classrooms without an appointment.

2. The gates are staying locked in the mornings until 7:45 am. This is for the safety and security of our students in the mornings. Students should wait near the building and away from the drive-through lane. Parents, please drop off and pick up outside the gates.

3. In the parking lot, please use the crosswalk and do not walk in front of traffic. Thank you to our many parents who follow this rule to help model for our students. (This includes Jamaica Blvd. Please do not cross where there is no crosswalk.)