Dolphin Digest

We are proud to share that Jefferson Elementary earned an overall rating of Good on the South Carolina School Report Card for the 2025-2026 school year! This achievement reflects the hard work of our students, staff, and families and demonstrates what we can accomplish when we work together.

From academic growth and student leadership opportunities to strong family engagement and a positive school culture, there are so many amazing things happening at Jefferson. Thank you for your continued partnership, encouragement, and support. Together, we are helping our students learn, lead, and grow, and we look forward to building on this success throughout the year.

🍬 Candy Challenge Winners! 🍬

Congratulations to our Candy Challenge champions! It was a very close race all the way to the finish, and every class did an amazing job participating.

🥇 1st Place: Ms. Talley’s Class

🥈 2nd Place: Ms. Spears’ Class

🥉 3rd Place: Ms. Bostick’s Class

A huge thank-you to everyone who donated candy and helped make this challenge such a success. Your generosity and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated! We loved seeing everyone work together, and the competition kept us on the edge of our seats until the very end.

Way to go, winners, and thank you for supporting our school! 🎉

Mission:

Our mission is to cultivate a service-oriented community of learners who strive for personal growth and excellence as communicators, collaborators, creators, and critical thinkers.​

Vision:

To Learn, Serve, and Give as ONE

Dear Parents,

Carolina Photography will be at Jefferson Elementary School – York for Fall makeup pictures on Nov 5.

The QR code is no longer valid for makeup day. Paper flyers will still be accepted at the camera. Or after picture day, proofs will be sent to the school to distribute for parents to order online with the online code that’s on the proof.

If you have questions, go to answers@carolinasp.com

We look forward to seeing all your smiling faces!

Sincerely,

Carolina Photography (704) 483-5862

We invite our JES families to join us for Parent Walk-Throughs on November 4 from 8:30-10:00 a.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit classrooms, see learning in action, and experience our school day firsthand. As part of our campus safety procedures, all visitors must present a valid photo ID upon arrival in order to check in. Space is limited, so please sign up asap. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the great things happening at Jefferson Elementary!

Students may purchase items using rewards earned at school or with money brought from home.

Please remember to send an excuse any time your child is absent from school. Excuses should be submitted as soon as possible after the absence so we can keep your child’s attendance record accurate.

Parents may submit a written note or send a message through ParentSquare explaining the reason for the absence. Each student may use up to 10 parent notes per school year to excuse absences.

Please keep in mind that a student is considered truant after 3 consecutive unexcused absences or 5 total unexcused absences. Turning in excuses promptly is very important and can help prevent your child from being flagged for truancy.

Thank you for helping us keep attendance records up to date and for making regular school attendance a priority!

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Please remind your child that if they use a cell phone or other device while riding the bus, they must use headphones or earbuds. Audio should not be played aloud on the bus.

Thank you for helping us keep our buses calm, safe, and respectful for everyone!

If you need to make a request for bus transportation, the timeline for the request to be routed may take 48-72 hours. Any questions, please contact Transportation at 803-684-1952.

Information for 3rd Grade Parents About Read to Succeed Law

Third grade is a critical year for our students as they transition from learning to read to reading to learn. We are committed to supporting your child’s reading development and helping them succeed. Below are key details about the Read to Succeed Act and how it impacts third-grade reading expectations.

Why Third Grade Reading Matters

Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is essential for your child’s academic success. At this stage, students use reading skills to learn other subjects like math, science, and social studies. Developing fluency and comprehension now lays the foundation for future learning and success.

The Read to Succeed Act

The Read to Succeed Act ensures that all students gain the reading skills necessary for college, career, or military readiness. The law requires that third-grade students who do not demonstrate reading proficiency—scoring Does Not Meet Expectations on the SC Ready reading assessment—be retained for additional support.

Good Cause Exemptions

Students who qualify for specific Good Cause Exemptions may still be promoted to fourth grade. These exemptions include:

· Limited English proficiency (fewer than two years of English instruction).

· Disabilities requiring alternative assessments or interventions (as outlined in their IEP).

· Receiving reading interventions for two years and previously being retained.

· Demonstrating reading proficiency on an approved alternative assessment.

Please contact your school if you believe your child may qualify for an exemption.

Summer Reading Camp (SRC)

Students who do not meet the required reading level by the end of third grade will be invited to attend Summer Reading Camp. This program offers intensive, small-group instruction to help students strengthen their reading skills. Successful completion of the camp could lead to promotion to fourth grade.

How We Support Your Child

We are committed to helping every student become a confident, independent reader through:

· Additional instructional time focused on literacy.

· Small-group and individualized reading interventions.

· Specialized teacher training provided by literacy coaches.

We also monitor progress regularly and communicate results to keep you informed.

How You Can Help at Home

Your involvement is key to your child’s reading success. Here’s how you can help:

· Read Together Daily: Encourage your child to read aloud and ask questions like, “What happened in the story?” or “Why do you think that happened?”

· Communicate with Teachers: Stay in touch with your child’s teacher about their progress.

· Use School Resources: We’re here to provide tools and materials to support your child’s reading journey at home.

By working together, we can make this year a success for your child. If you have questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.

Thank you for partnering with us to make third grade a year of growth and learning!

Oct. 26-30 - Red Ribbon Week

Nov. 3 - Student/Staff Holidays (Election Day)

Nov. 4 - Parent Learning Walk (8:30-10:00 AM)

Nov. 5 - Fall Picture Make-up Day

Nov. 5 - 2nd and 3rd Grade Music Program (5:30-7:30 PM)

Nov. 10 - PTO/SIC (5:00-6:00 PM)

Nov. 11 - Interim Reports (Elementary)

Nov. 11 - Veterans Day Breakfast (8:15-9:15 AM)

Nov. 11 - Professional Collaboration Day Student Dismiss at 11:30am

Nov. 17- Rezoning Public Information Session #2 6:00pm YCHS Cafeteria

Nov. 20 - Vehicle Career Day

Nov. 25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday