π± No Place Like Jones π±
Family Updates for the Week of February 27, 2023
Principal Corner
Ira B. Jones Families:
It's almost March! The time is quickly moving, and we only have a few months of school left. This is usually the time of year when students need more encouragement to do their best and always try, even when what they are doing seems complicated or challenging. It's also an excellent time to inform you that teachers are steadily increasing all students' academic rigor and learning expectations. Sometimes, this may mean that students are asked to do more challenging work, take risks, increase their stamina, engage longer in activities, work on complex tasks, and persevere through completing activities that may be hard to achieve initially. Please continue talking to your student about the importance of not giving up and accepting and taking on new learning challenges. We don't want our students to give up and quit trying when things get tough. Did you know that Thomas Edison failed 1,000 times before successfully creating the lightbulb? Can you imagine what would have happened if he just gave up?
Please continue encouraging your students to come prepared and ready to learn. Every day I see our Global Scholars working diligently to learn new things, engaged, and doing impressive work!
Lastly, please make sure your student is getting enough sleep at night. When students don't get enough sleep, it can affect their health and interfere with their performance at school. Below is an article with some helpful bedtime tips every parent should know.
REMINDERS:
- Wednesday, March 8 is a Late Start Day
- Students will only be released to adults listed in PowerSchool as a contact who can pick them up. Bring your license! Our system requires your identification. If you have relatives or family friends who may be picking up your student in an emergency, list them as a contact, and remind them to bring their identification. This includes if someone different is coming to pick your child up in the carline!
- Caregivers should communicate with their student's classroom teacher about changes to dismissal plans for the day. If there is a last-minute change, especially later in the day, please contact the main office.
I invite you to visit our school's website and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/ and follow us on Twitter @Principal_IBJ and Instagram @IraB.JonesElementary. These will serve as a resource tool for all upcoming events, the student/family handbook, and important reminders, and you can catch up with all the wonderful things our students and teachers are doing.
As a school leader and a parent, I understand the necessity of healthy communication between families and the school. I welcome your questions, celebrations, or concerns at any time. You can reach me by calling the school at 828.350.6700 or emailing me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.
In Partnership,
Ruafika A. Cobb
Principal
Ira B. Jones Elementary School
#noplacelikejones
March Kicks off Women History Month
π π π
Notes from the Counseling Corner with Ms. Courtney, School Counselor
The Power of Positivity
In a 2018 study by Stanford University, researchers looked at 240 children ages seven to 10 and found that "being positive improved their ability to answer math problems, increased their memories and enhanced their problem-solving abilities." Study author, Abigail Johnson Hess, goes on to state, "Schools across the country should dust off their 'If you believe it, you can achieve itβ posters because scientists have discovered the brain pathway that directly links a positive attitude with achievement."
The research pinpoints explicitly how a positive attitude improved the functions of the area of the brain responsible for memory. Memory is a core ability needed for all learning processes. The greater the memory, the greater the learning.
In the article The Impact of Positivity for Students, Melani Hess explains how powerful positive thoughts and practices can be for our students. She first discusses the impact on physical health, including stronger immune responses and improved heart health. Positivity has so many more benefits, including mental health benefits. Students who are positive thinkers and practice positivity tend to be stronger problem solvers, have better coping skills, and increased creativity. The academic benefits for students include more effort put into schoolwork and increased success in school. At school, positive thinking is discussed with students during guidance lessons and across the curriculum.
π 3rd/4th/5th Graders Will Attend the SOCON Basketball Game π
3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Parents:
On March 2nd, all of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will attend the SOCON basketball game. If you still need to, please sign and send in the permission form so your student can go. Contact your child's teacher if you have questions.
Donate to Our Maker Space
Do You Have Any of these Items?
The Makerspace is looking for donations of scrap fabric, thread and other sewing materials such as fabric scissors, rotary cutters and cutting mats. If you have anything around your home you would like to donate- please send it in with your student or contact Cathy Sorensen - cathy.sorensen@acsgmail.net
Manna Food Drive
Ira B. Jones Elementary will collect non-perishable items to support MANNA Food Bank. Please send non-perishable items to Jones from March 1, 2023 - March 17, 2023. We will have containers located in the front lobby to collect. The IBJ Student Council is supporting this worthy cause!
Upcoming Events
- February 27 - March 3: Q3 progress reports go home this week
- March 1: First Day of Women's History Month
- March 2: 3rd - 5th grades SOCON field trip
- Wednesday, March 8: Late Start Day
- Wednesday, March 8: FTO Meeting at 5:00 pm
- Thursday, March 16: Spring Picture Day!
- Monday, March 20: Required Workday for Staff; No School for Students
- Friday, March 24: IBJ Career Fair
- Tuesday, March 28: Schoolwide Read-a-thon
- Friday, March 31: End of Q3
- Friday, March 31: Early Release Day for Students
- Week of April 3 - 7: Spring Break
- Wednesday, April 12: FTO Kicks off Dance-a-thon Fundraiser
π Picture Day is Coming - March 16 π
Superintendent Search Input Forum
As we continue the search for our district's next superintendent, The Asheville City Board of Education has scheduled seven community input forum listening sessions. The community is invited to join board members at one or all of these forums to provide insight. The remaining listening session information is listed below. Please plan to attend!
Sessions Dates & Times
- Monday, February 27th: Isaac Dickson Elementary - 8:15 AM
- Tuesday, February 28th: Virtual Option - 5:00 PM (google meet information will be shared later)
- Wednesday, March 1st: Asheville High/SILSA - 6:00 PM
Ira B. Jones Elementary Career Fair
Email: ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net
Phone: 828.350.6700


