JSC Weekly Wave

Dear JSC Community,

Mother Nature really has us on our toes, doesn't she? It seems like just yesterday (literally) we were experiencing a glimpse of spring weather, and now here we are gearing up for another potential winter storm! School will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13th. Stay warm and take care!

I would like to take a moment to address an issue that has become an increasing concern at JSC - parking at morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. This year, we added an additional entrance / dismissal location on our building's upper level (on Mount Hope Avenue). This location was meant to be added as a convenience for our youngest students at JSC, so they would not need to walk as far through the building to get to their classroom on the upper level. The Mount Hope entrance is NOT a mandatory drop-off point for our younger students, and it is NOT a curbside drop-off. It is merely an added entrance for those who wish to walk their children to the upper level door in the morning. If you choose to bring your child(ren) to school in the morning, or pick them up in the afternoon, please park in the spaces designated for drop-off and pick-up located on 16th Street, available street parking on Mount Hope Avenue, or available spaces on the lower road (pool road). Please do NOT park in the private business lots on Mount Hope Avenue.

Starting Wednesday, February 14th, JSC staff will be standing at the entrance of the private business lots, to remind parents / guardians that private business lots should not be utilized as parking areas when dropping off / picking up students. In addition, we have reminded our staff and outside agencies that they may not park in the spaces designated for student drop-off and pick-up (unless they begin after 9 and leave before 2:45). We will continue to monitor 16th Street so those spaces remain open for AM/PM drop-off/pick-up. Please remember that the vast majority of students at JSC receive a bus ticket, and therefore have the option to utilize district transportation to and from school. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the drop-off / pick-up process at JSC, please feel free to contact me directly. You may reach me by phone at 570-621-2945, or by email at klubinsky@pottsville.k12.pa.us. Thank you for your attention in this important matter.

Please read below for news and upcoming events in our JSC community! Thank you for making JSC the place to be!

Your partner in education,

Ms. Kerri Lubinsky

Principal

John S. Clarke Elementary Center

The Pottsville Area School District will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13th, 2024. Take care!

Dunkin Fundraiser Distribution

All Dunkin gift cards will be sent home with students this Wednesday, February 14th. If you do NOT want the cards sent home with your child, please contact the JSC PTO by emailing johnsclarkepto@gmail.com or contact the JSC main office.

John S. Clarke Elementary Center is now accepting students for the 2024-2025 school year!

• Your child must be (5) years old on or before August 15, 2024.
• Kindergarten screening will take place the week of April 8th, 2024.
• Please register your child as soon as possible, so we can prepare for the screening process. Once your child is registered, you will be contacted to arrange a screening time (to occur the week of April 8th).
• To register online, please scan the QR code in the flyer below.
• If you are unable to complete registration electronically or have questions, please contact Jacki Szeliga at (570) 621-2915 or Michelle Goodman at (570) 621-2914.

Dismissal for Appointments / Changing Dismissal Method

Please remember to send a note when your child needs to be dismissed early for an appointment, or when you pick your child up as a walker.

Photo ID (Walker Dismissal and Early Dismissal for Appointments):

Any person who picks up a student needs to be on the student's pickup (emergency contact) sheet. We ask that the person picking up brings a photo ID. (This can be the actual photo ID or a photograph of the ID on a phone.)

Please contact the John S. Clarke Elementary Center main office with any questions, at (570)621-2945.

Arrival and Dismissal Parking Information

Please note that all students are welcome to enter JSC in the morning through the lower level main entrance. The Mount Hope doors (located on the upper level) are an additional option, and not a mandatory entrance. The Mount Hope doors are not a curbside drop-off. Please utilize available street parking on 16th Street, Mount Hope Avenue, or the lower road (pool road). Please do NOT park in private business lots on Mount Hope Avenue.

Thank you

JSC will celebrate Read Across America Week from March 4th through March 8th. We will be holding a Read Across America Spirit Week and will once again invite guest readers to read to our students. We welcome parents, guardians, and community members to help us celebrate a lifelong love of reading by volunteering to be a guest reader. Please click the button below for more information and/or to sign up as a guest reader. JSC's Library Media Specialist Miss Tayah Moore will contact guest readers within the next couple of weeks to confirm.

JSC will be holding Read Across America Spirit Week from March 4th to March 8th. Participation is optional.

Monday, March 4th - Hats off to Reading! Wear a crazy hat or your favorite hat.

Tuesday, March 5th - Reading All Around Us! Wear a shirt others can read.

Wednesday, March 6th - Wacky Wednesday! Wear your wackiest hairdo and / or clothing.

Thursday, March 7th - Favorite Book Character Day! Dress like your favorite book character.

Friday, March 8th - Cuddle Up with a Good Book! Wear your pajamas and bring a stuffed animal.

Congratulations to JSC's Students of the Month:

• Kindergarten: Mila Greene
• First Grade: Serenity Berger
• Second Grade: Elizabeth Lauderman
• Third Grade: Camilo Leonardo
• Fourth Grade: Lilah Barnhart

Students and staff at JSC celebrated 100 days of school on Monday, February 5th. Check out all the fun celebrations from this milestone in the 2023-2024 school year!

Did you know???

Every school district in Pennsylvania is required to have a plan for identifying and assisting students who are experiencing barriers to learning. JSC's Elementary Student Assistance Program (ESAP) can help children who are experiencing any of the following barriers to learning:

• Recent death of a loved one
• Divorce / separation of parents
• Family relocation
• Change in family dynamic (such as incarcerated parent)
• Relationship problems (family / peer)
• Other traumatic event

The JSC ESAP team is made up of trained school and agency staff who are available to connect students and families to school and community services. For more information, please click on the button below, or contact JSC school counselor John Pettit for more information.

This week's Shout-Out winner is:

Jack Gatley

Shout-out winner should report to the main office to choose a prize! Thanks to all who shared a shout-out! Keep spreading those positive vibes!

Shout Outs

Help us celebrate our amazing JSC community by giving a out shout out (which will be posted in next week's newsletter AND read aloud on JSC's morning news). Don't forget to add your child's name for a chance to win a prize at school!

We want to know what our students like to do on a snow day! Answer will be shared on JSC's Morning Splash!

Details: The Pottsville Area Soap Box Derby is holding its annual Pick-A-Ticket Auction to raise funds to continue the Soap Box Derby tradition in the Pottsville Area.

Thursday, March 7th - Shop N Drop 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Friday, March 8th - Shop N Drop 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 9th - Shop N Drop 11 AM to 4 PM

Sunday, March 10th - Doors open at 10:00 AM, pick begins at 1:00 PM.

The annual Soap Box Derby will be held on Laurel Blvd. on Saturday, May 18th!

Are you new to JSC? Come to our main office door on Wednesdays at 4PM for a building tour! Please contact JSC office to notify us that you are coming. (570)621-2945