Jefferson Journal

Dear Families,

It has been a busy and productive couple of weeks! We are currently wrapping up our beginning-of-the-year benchmark testing, which gives us valuable insight into where each student is academically so we can tailor instruction directly to their needs. Building on those results, we are excited to launch our ELA and Math WIN (What I Need) time this month. During WIN time, students receive targeted support and enrichment designed to help them reach their fullest potential.

Creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment remains at the heart of everything we do. This week, we are celebrating Start with Hello Week, a wonderful initiative focused on building connections, fostering empathy, and ensuring every student feels a true sense of belonging. We encourage everyone to join in the fun by participating in our Spirit Week dress-up days!

Looking ahead, please make sure to read the section below regarding our upcoming Safety Week. This marks our third year partnering with Eastlake Police Department and Eastlake Middle School on our shared campus to spend the week guiding our students through age-appropriate safety drills and proactive learning on how to remain safe.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in making our school community a place where students thrive!

Warmly,

Mrs. Platt and Mr. Eberly

35980 Lakeshore Blvd. Eastlake, OH 44095

Office Email: tj.office@weschools.org

Main Office Line: 440-942-7244

Attendance Line: 855-612-7207 (24 Hours)

Transportation Department: 440-975-3736

• Mrs. Candace Platt, Principal
• Mr. David Eberly, Assistant Principal
• Mrs. Lori Dugger, Principal's Secretary
• Mrs. Lori Miller, Administrative Secretary
• Mrs. Jacque Sparent, Family Liaison
• Ms. Katie Klemencic, School Nurse

• 9/21-9/25- Start with Hello Week
• 9/23- Skating Party- 6-8:30 PM at United Skates
• 9/24- Vision & Hearing Screenings
• 9/28-10/2- Safety Week
• 10/1- Cleveland Browns Spirit Day
• 10/2- Mum Pick-Up at TJ from 4:30-6:00 PM

On 9/24/26, we will be conducting vision and hearing screenings at school. If you wish to have vision and/or hearing screening completed for your child, you must complete the corresponding consent form below. You may also decline the screenings. If consent is not obtained, no screening will be completed.

Consent/Decline Form:
Consent Form: District Health Screenings

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Along with Eastlake Middle School, we are coordinating with the Eastlake Police Department to practice some important drills and procedures. This will occur during our “Safety Week” the week of September 28th.

• Monday, September 28th- Fire Drill
• Tuesday, September 29th- Lockdown/Barricade Drill
• Wednesday, September 30th- Mass Evacuation to Safe Location(s)
• Thursday, October 1st- Situational Drill (Lockdown/Barricade/Evacuate)
• Friday, October 2nd- Tornado Drill

*Specific times for these events will not be provided for safety reasons

Please talk with your child about the importance of these drills. These drills are not intended to scare students or make anyone nervous. We want our students to understand what to do in case of an emergency and how we can keep ourselves safe. These drills are required by the state, and having them all done in one week helps us keep everyone prepared. Please contact Mrs. Platt if you have any questions or concerns.

Great News! Your child can get dental care at our school.

Best of all, in most cases there is no cost to you if your child is insured with Medicaid or CHIP! Private insurance and affordable self-pay options are also available.

Easy & Convenient

Having your child seen by the in-school dentist saves you valuable time. Top quality care is provided by local, licensed dentists right in the familiar surroundings of your child’s school. Dental care includes a complete exam, x-rays, cleaning, fluoride and sealants when needed. Restorative care, such as fillings, may also be provided.

Keep Your Child Healthy

By having your child see the in-school dentist, you can help reduce the risk of:

• Early Tooth Loss caused by dental decay
• Gum Disease
• Heart Disease
• Impaired speech development

Taking care of your child’s teeth is an important part of keeping them healthy!

The Mobile Dentist is coming to TJ on 11/12. Sign up here: https://www.myschooldentist.com/Default.aspx

• It is very important that the school is aware of your child’s daily dismissal plan. Please communicate with the school with a note or email, if there will be changes to their dismissal for the day.

• Our Jefferson School hours are 8:15 AM.– 3:00 PM. First bell to enter the building is 8:05 AM. During inclement weather, students will be allowed to wait indoors.

• Buses will arrive between 8:05-8:15 AM for morning drop-off, using the Bus Only lanes. Buses will line-up between 2:45-3:00 PM in the Bus Lanes. Student dismissal is 3:00 PM.

• To help ensure a safe and efficient dismissal process, families are encouraged to arrive at or near the designated dismissal time. Arriving significantly before dismissal can create traffic congestion around the school and does not expedite student pickup.

• Buses Only in the front of the school during the following times:

• 7:55-8:15 AM

• 2:45-3:15 PM

• It is a single lane. Parents will use this loop for student Drop-Off/Pick-Up. Please follow the traffic pattern. Drop-off is from 8:00-8:15 AM.

• Students may NOT be dropped off prior to 8:00 AM. Teachers are there to supervise at that time.

• After 8:15 AM, students must enter through the main doors and buzz the office in the vestibule. They will be instructed to report to the office before going to class. Parents/Guardians do not need to come in to sign a student in.

• Pick-up begins at 3:00 PM and concludes at 3:15 PM. The gate will be open at 2:45 PM. By 3:15 PM, any child that has not been picked up will be brought into the office and a parent/guardian will be contacted by phone.

We appreciate your patience with our morning and afternoon car line. Our arrival/dismissal typically takes a little bit of time to get acclimated to from staff, students, and families. We could use your help to make our process run safely and smoothly:

• Follow Staff Instructions: Pay close attention to and follow all directions from staff members in the car loop.

• Stay in Your Vehicle: Parents and drivers must remain inside the car at all times to keep the line moving efficiently.

• Student Independence: Students should enter and exit the vehicle on their own whenever possible, loading and unloading on the building side of the vehicle for safety.

• Need Assistance? If your child needs help getting out of the car, simply roll down your window and let a staff member know so we can assist.

• Morning Drop-Off Line: Please allow staff members room to park so they can safely get into the building on time.

• Morning Drop-Off Stop Point: Unloading happens between the Stop sign and the end of the sidewalk. Please pull all the way up.

• Afternoon Pick-Up Stop Point: Pull all the way forward and stop at the crosswalk to load.

• Afternoon Pick-Up Mirror Tag: Always display your assigned car tag on your rearview mirror each afternoon with the number facing outward so staff can easily read it through the windshield.

Track the bus with the Bus Zone App!

Picture Day information was sent home this week with your child. Please review the flyer for how to order pictures. Our picture day is October 13th.

The Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Board of Education has placed a proposed 0.75%

earned income tax on the November 3, 2026, ballot. The outcome will determine whether the

district continues operating two comprehensive high schools or transitions to one.

The proposed 0.75% earned income tax would generate about $14 million a year on a

continuing basis, with roughly $9.6 million for operations and $4.4 million dedicated to

permanent improvements such as buildings, technology, security, and buses. A resident with

$50,000 in active income would pay approximately $375 per year.

An earned income tax is applied to the active income of district residents and does not apply to

passive income, such as Social Security benefits, pensions, capital gains, interest, dividends, or

other investment income.

If the proposed tax is approved, under the district's current plan:

● North and South would continue operating as two comprehensive high schools.

● Other reductions would happen on a more measured timeline.

● We would have more time to evaluate enrollment, building use, and long-term facility needs.

What happens if the earned income tax levy fails? Beginning in the 28-29 school year, the Board would need to implement the following cost-savings measures:

● Reduction in district staffing to match new footprint

● Consolidation to one high school and one middle school

Full details are available at www.weschools.org/futurereadyfinances.

• Student cell phones must be turned off and stored in student backpacks. Students may not have their cell phones in their pockets (pants, sweatshirts, jackets etc). Some bus drivers allow kids to use their phones on the bus, but they should not be walking in or out of school with them in their hands/pockets.
• Offense #1 - Staff Member reminds the student to turn the phone off and put it in their backpack (notify classroom teacher for tracking purposes).
  • Classroom teacher discretion whether to notify parents or not.
• ​​​Offense #2 - Staff Member takes the student’s phone and keeps it in their possession (or gives it to the classroom teacher to keep in their possession) until the end of the school day.
  • Classroom teacher will notify parents of the 2nd offense and warn about the consequences of a third offense.
• Offense #3 - Staff Member notifies the classroom teacher and brings the student’s cell phone to the office.
• Principal or Assistant Principal calls home and informs parents that the phone will remain in the office until picked up by the parent.

• Smart watches may only be used to tell time. If students are using them for communication or gaming purposes, they will follow the same rules above stated for cell phones.

  Students are not allowed to have their personal headphones (airpods, earbuds) during class time (unless approved by teacher for use), recess, or during related arts classes. Unauthorized use of these items will result in the above stated processes for cell phones and smart watches.

• Students should not bring their own toys, balls, or electronics to school and may not bring them out to recess. If they do bring them to school (for before/after school use), this is at their own risk, and they need to be kept in the student’s backpack. The school is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items.

• Students may wear hoodies inside the school, but they must keep their hoods down at all times. Having hoods up makes it difficult to identify students and their actions, and often leads to academic disengagement. Hats are not permitted inside the school unless it is a designated “hat day”.

• Outside Food Deliveries are Prohibited (Uber Eats, GrubHub, etc). If a student forgets a lunch, and the family can’t drop one off prior to the student lunch period, we will provide them with a school lunch.

We have a very active PTO and we are always looking for more people to get involved to help create fun, engaging, and memorable experiences for our students and families! You are already a member of the PTO by having a child attend our school. There are no membership fees and requirements- plan to attend a meeting!

PTO meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 3:30 PM at Jefferson Elementary. Our next PTO meeting will be Tuesday, 10/20. Your child can stay after school to have a snack and do a fun activity with one of our staff members while you attend our meeting! The meetings are typically under an hour each time. You can come to a meeting or two or attend every one throughout the year. We cannot wait to meet you!

Contact: jefferson.pto01@gmail.com