Jefferson Elementary Newsletter

Newsletter - May 29, 2026

Thank you for trusting me and our staff with the hearts and minds of your child(ren) each day. The growth we have seen this year, academically, socially, and emotionally, would not have been possible without your support, encouragement, and involvement. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and truly look forward to what next year will bring.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back on August 25th for our Back to School and Community Resource Carnival!

The PTO will be hosting a Dine Out Night at Pizza Ranch on July 27th from 4:00–8:00 p.m. Come show your support and help raise funds for our students!

A huge shout out to our PTO for putting on such amazing events this year and for continuously supporting our staff in so many meaningful ways, including an incredible Teacher Appreciation Week and countless other moments of care and generosity throughout the year. We are so grateful for their partnership and all they do to strengthen our school community.

Enjoy a safe, restful, and joyful summer!

Warmly,

Lady Jones

We are incredibly proud of the hard work, perseverance, and growth our Jefferson Patriots demonstrated this year on their i-Ready and aimswebPlus assessments! The dedication of our students, staff, and families continues to make a meaningful difference every day.

Reading Growth Highlights

• 131% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 65% of students met or exceeded Typical Growth
• 31% of students improved their placement level

Grade 1
• 110% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 68% of students met Typical Growth
• 73% improved their placement level

Grade 3
• 141% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 67% of students met Typical Growth
• 75% improved their placement level

Grade 4
• 208% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 83% of students met Typical Growth
• 79% improved their placement level

Grade 5
• 111% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 55% of students met Typical Growth
• 52% improved their placement level

Math Growth Highlights

• 104% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth overall

Grade 1
• 100% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 53% of students met Typical Growth
• 77% improved their placement level

Grade 2
• 62% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 38% of students met Typical Growth
• 44% improved their placement level

Grade 3
• 130% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 65% of students met Typical Growth
• 82% improved their placement level

Grade 4
• 119% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 65% of students met Typical Growth
• 77% improved their placement level

Grade 5
• 86% median progress toward Annual Typical Growth
• 38% of students met Typical Growth
• 47% improved their placement level

Kindergarten Literacy Highlights (aimswebPlus)

• 48% of students performed within the Average range nationally
• 24% of students performed Above Average or Well Above Average
• Only 5% of students fell within the Well Below Average range
• Students showed strong growth in Letter Naming, Letter Sounds, Print Concepts, Phoneme Segmentation, and Early Word Reading
• Many students met or exceeded benchmark goals across multiple literacy measures

Across Jefferson Elementary, students demonstrated meaningful growth in reading, math, and foundational literacy skills this school year. Their success reflects perseverance, strong instruction, targeted intervention support, and a school community deeply committed to student achievement.

We are so proud of our Jefferson Patriots for continuing to grow as readers, mathematicians, thinkers, and learners every day!

🌞June

• 6/2 - Second Grade Field Trip to South Park
• 6/2 - Field Day
• 6/3 - 5th Grade Promotion and South Park Field Trip
• 6/3 - Fourth Grade South Park Field Trip
• 6/4 - First and Third Grade South Park Field Trip
• 6/4 - Field Day Rain Date & Last Day of School for students! 🎉
• 6/4 - 5th Grade Walk Out @ 2:30 pm

🍕July

• 7/27 - Pizza Ranch Dine-Out Fundraiser from 4-8 PM

🏫August

• 8/25 - Jefferson Back to School Open House and Community Resource Carnival

It’s time to look ahead to another wonderful year of learning and growth! Online Registration (OLR) / Annual Student Update for the 2026-2027 school year opens April 1 for all returning Oshkosh Area School District K-12 students and new 4K students.

To secure your child’s spot and ensure they are ready for the fall, please log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal beginning April 1 to register and verify your information.

What You Need to Know:

• Streamlined Forms: We’ve made it easier! Universal field trip permissions, athletic forms, dental care, and digital GO Transit access are now built directly into the online process.

• Busing & Transportation: If your child is eligible and requires busing, you must complete the transportation questions within OLR by August 16 to guarantee service for the first day of school.

• New 4K Students: Enrollment for our free 4K program also opens April 1! Current families can simply add a new 4K student while completing their annual update in the Parent Portal.

• In-Person Support: If you need language assistance or computer access, join us for Centralized Registration Day on August 5 at Vel Phillips Middle School.

How to Register: Log in via the Infinite Campus website or the "Campus Parent" mobile app (available on the App Store and Google Play). Click “More” on the bottom left, then select “Online Registration.”

👉 Read our 2026-2027 Online Registration Guide for the full update and instructions!

Need help with a password reset or creating an account? Please contact our school office for immediate assistance.

The third graders learned about space and what makes up space in one of our CKLA units this year. As part of a culminating activity, we wrote letters to NASA. The hard work paid off when we had a NASA team member come to our school to talk to the kids about what NASA stands for, about the Artemis mission, and engage in a Q&A session. The NASA team representative used models to show the relation of the size of the Earth to the moon, and how far apart they are. He also had the kids drop/throw "meteors" into a pan and watch what happens to the minerals on the moon. His presentation was very hands-on and engaging.

We’re excited to celebrate our 5th graders being promoted to 6th grade this Wednesday at 8:30 AM!

Important: All parents/guardians attending must sign in and receive a visitor badge before entering the gym.

iPads and QR codes will be set up in the front lobby for quick sign-in. Visitor badges will be pre-printed—please take yours and wear it visibly on the front of your shirt.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

On Thursday, June 4th, our fifth graders will walk the halls of Jefferson Elementary School one last time to “Pomp and Circumstance,” beginning at 2:30 PM.

We invite all Jefferson families to help us celebrate! Please form two lines outside Door 1 to create a cheering tunnel for our 5th grade students as they walk out. If you’re able to join us, please begin lining up at 2:35 PM on the blacktop.

Let’s send our 5th graders off with pride and support!

The Oshkosh Back 2 School Fair helps families prepare for the new school year by providing free backpacks, school supplies, one outfit, a shoe voucher, hygiene kits, and possible haircuts for students in 4K–12.

This year’s event will be held at Vel Phillips Middle School on August 12–13. See the flyer for full details.

Families who qualify based on income can apply now for the 2026–27 school year:
Back 2 School Fair Application

Questions? Email caseyk@uwosh.edu.

The fair is made possible by the Haliburton Family Foundation, the Oshkosh Community, and many community partners.

Our Jefferson Elementary PTO plays a huge role in creating the fun, supportive, and memorable experiences our students enjoy. From special family events to helping fund field trips and providing resources for our teachers.

At the end of next year, several of our dedicated PTO parents will be moving on as their children advance grades, which means we need new parent voices and helping hands to keep the PTO going. Without fresh members, many of the activities our students love may not be able to continue.

Here’s the good news:

Being part of the PTO is simple, welcoming, and low-pressure.

• Minimal commitment - attend a monthly meeting when you can in person or virtual
• Stay in the know about what’s happening at your child’s school
• Support our students through simple fundraising events like our dine-out nights at local resturants and fun school events
• Help shape experiences that make Jefferson special like bike or walk to school day and field day

Whether you can give a little time or a lot, your involvement matters. Even one new parent makes a big difference.

If you’re interested in joining or learning more, we’d love to have you! Let’s keep the Jefferson Elementary spirit strong for all of our students. 💛📘

Check out their Facebook page here.

To help us support your student’s success and safety, all attendance notifications need to come through the school office. This includes:

✨ Absences — Please let us know each day your child is out, especially if they’re sick for multiple days. You may email doctor's notes to the school secretary or send them to school with your student.
✨ Late Arrivals & Early Pick-Ups — Inform the office so we can properly record the day.

✨ Extended Vacations - Please fill out the Pre-Planned Absence Form (link is located at the bottom of the newsletter) and return it to the office with your student.

✨ Attendance may be reported to the office via phone, secretary email, or via Infinite Campus Parent Portal under "more" and "absence requests".

📧 Email: katie.ascher@oshkosh.k12.wi.us
📞 Phone: 920-424-0165

Important!: If someone other than a parent/guardian will be picking up your student, please notify the office ahead of time. For everyone’s safety, the person picking up must show a valid ID at pickup so we can confirm they’re approved to take your child. Changes to student pick-up information must be reported to the office by 2:30 pm so that the office can send your student a note before the end of the day.

Thank you for staying connected and helping us ensure every student’s day is safe, smooth, and successful!

📍 View the official Jefferson Elementary Traffic Flow & Parking Map:
👉 Jefferson Traffic Flow/Parking Map (official)

Where you can park & walk:

• 11th Ave (from the end of the bus loading zone down toward Oregon St.) — Street parking is allowed. You may park, exit your vehicle, and walk your student to the blacktop.

• Surrounding streets: 10th Avenue, Oregon Street, and other designated green areas on the map.

Where you cannot park:

• Minnesota Street (along the school) — Loading zone only. Pull up, drop off or pick up quickly, do not park and exit your car here.

• Blacktop in front of the playground (11th Ave) — Bus zone only. No parking or loading here.

Safety reminder:
Please keep traffic heading north on Minnesota Street. Stopping in the middle of the road to drop off creates a safety hazard with oncoming cars.

⏰ Morning Routine

• The playground is not open for play in the morning before school to ensure everyone's safety.

• Supervision on the blacktop begins at 7:30 AM. Students should not arrive before 7:30 AM.

• At 7:30 AM, students will come inside the building and report to their indoor recess locations. Staff will be at the front doors letting students in.

• The first bell rings at 7:40 AM.

• Students are expected to be in their classrooms and ready to learn by 7:45 AM when the second bell rings. Students not in their seats at this time will be marked tardy.

If your student arrives after 7:45 AM, please drop them off at Door 1. They will enter through the office, check in, and receive a late pass. Parents/guardians may say goodbye to students outside at Door 1.

🚶 Dismissal — 2:45 PM

• Students are dismissed at 2:45 PM.

• Adults picking up students should stay on the blacktop, behind the painted pink lines near Door 1, and not stand on the pavement pad next to the door.

• Teachers will bring students to their blacktop line-up spots to meet you safely.

• Students must be accompanied by an adult on the playground after school. Students may not stay and play on the playground without going home first or accompanied by an adult.

🚪 Visiting the School

• If you need to visit the building, please ring the doorbell at Door 1 to be let in. This includes before or after school.

• Do not enter the building while students are arriving or leaving.

• Parents/guardians may not walk students to their classrooms.

• Visitors must have an approved background check and receive a visitor badge upon entering the school.

Thank you to every Jefferson musician for making this such a great year! I have enjoyed getting to make music with every single student! During this last portion of the year, this is what we are working on:

4th and 5th grade will be continuing to learn recorder. Ask them to play a song for you over the summer or take out their music packet to practice over the summer if they have a recorder at home!

3rd grade is growing their ukulele knowledge! They are continuing to get comfortable playing the open strings as well as learning basic chords that can be played along with their favorite songs.

K, 1st, and 2nd are doing a mix of activities during the end of the year including learning some dances, some camp songs, and various instrument playalongs.

I can't wait to make music with all the Jefferson musicians next year! Stay tuned to hear all about it!

~ Ms. Noll

Hello Families,

As we wrap up another great year in Physical Education, we have a few important updates to share!

First, we are once again looking for volunteers for Field Day on Tuesday, June 2nd! If you are interested in helping, please contact Mr. Schneider or Katie Ascher in the office. All volunteers must complete and be approved through the school background check process prior to the event. Katie can assist with any questions regarding the background check, so please reach out to one of us if you are interested in volunteering.

In PE classes, we will be closing out the school year with a variety of fun activities, including 4 Square and practicing our Field Day games so all students know the expectations and activities before the big day arrives.

This school year has been incredibly rewarding, exciting, and full of fun. It has been a pleasure working with your children and watching them grow in their skills, confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the year.

As summer approaches, we encourage all students to get outside, stay active, and explore activities and interests they enjoy. Whether it’s biking, swimming, hiking, playing sports, or simply spending time outdoors, staying physically active is so important for both physical and mental health.

Thank you for all of your support this year!

June 10 – August 7

Raise the curtain for the 2026 Summer Reading Program!

How to Participate:

Pick up your Playbill at the library or print one.

Mark off the activities on your BINGO card as you complete them. If you’re also tracking your progress in ReaderZone, mark the activities as “Yes” for complete there, also. When you complete all 5 activities in a straight line (up, down, or diagonal), you have a BINGO! Come to the library to collect a small prize and a raffle ticket. Enter the raffle of your choice!

Each player can complete the BINGO card one time.

https://www.oshkoshlibrary.org/reading-challenges

Use our district databases for audiobooks and ebooks all summer.

Destiny Discover can be found on Classlink and your Destiny page.

BookFlix, TumbleBook, Sora, and Pebble Go are all on your Destiny page

Susan Martin LPN/Health Assistant and Liz Lynch, BSN, RN, NCS

Summer Time Fun

5 Summer Healthy Safety Tips

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is another safety concern during the summer months. Be sure to drink enough liquids throughout the day, as our bodies can lose a lot of water through perspiration when it gets hot out.

Protect Your Skin

Use sunscreen 30 minutes before going out. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10am and 4pm. Stay in the shade whenever possible.

Water Safety

Remember to always have adult supervision for children. Whether they’re in the pool or playing in the sand at the seashore, having someone who can help them in case an emergency arises - is essential.

Eye Safety

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light can harm the eyes. Wear sunglasses year-round whenever you are out in the sun. Sun damage to the eyes can occur any time of the year. Choose shades that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB light.

Sports Safety

Not only can injuries happen, but in heat exhaustion and dehydration can happen more often in the summer months. It helps to be conditioned to the activities in which we’re preparing to engage. Warm up, stretch, gear up, go with a buddy, and remember to cool down and stretch afterwards.

Summer Bucket List

If your student has a change in their health or has a healthcare need at school, please contact Susan Martin susanm.martin@oshkosh.k12.wi.us or Liz Lynch elizabeth.lynch@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Medication Information:

If your student will need to take medication during the school day, please have your child’s provider fill out and sign the appropriate form below. These can then be returned to the office or faxed by the provider to: 920-424-7583.

Over the Counter Medication Form *parent signature only required*

Prescribed Medication Form

Inhaler/Asthma Action Plan

Epipen/Allergy & Anaphylaxis Form

REMINDERS:

• Directions on the medication bottle/box must match the written order on the medication request form.
• Stock Epi-pens do NOT go on field trips.
• Please fill out an Emergency Epi-Pen/Anaphylaxis Plan even if you don’t have a personal Epi at school.
• PRN medications (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Tums etc.) must come in a new and unopened bottle.
• Is your child up to date with their immunizations? Please contact the doctor for physicals and immunizations! All students at Jefferson are required to have their Tdap, Polio, MMR, Varicella and Hep B! Please check with your doctor to see what wellness requirements are needed for your child.

Field Day

📅 Tuesday, June 2nd - Please send students to school with a water bottle for our outdoor activities.

🎓5th Grade Promotion

📅 Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026
🕕 8:30-9:30 AM, reception and kickball to follow
📍 Jefferson Elementary Gymnasium