Jaguar News

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! It is going to be a busy February! Don’t forget it is Leap Year, so there are 29 days this month. I hope to see everyone at Bingo for Books and parent Teacher Conferences. Let’s hope this nice weather holds out for a while. Can you believe it is nearly an 80* temperature shift from where we were two weeks ago? With that, enjoy the newsletter!

ATTENDANCE

I would like to clarify some information on ATTENDANCE.

1. It is important for your student(s) to be in school. It is the law.

2. We send out absence letters after 5, 10, 15, and 20 absences. These are reminders for how many days your child has missed. They are form letters, though I do sign each and every one of them that go out. No matter what school you have children in in North Platte Public Schools, you will receive these.

3. Once a student hits 20 absences, for ANY reason, the absences are turned over to the County Attorney, STATE LAW. Once the County Attorney's office receives the report, they will investigate and decide whether or not to proceed with court.

4. If your child has had appointments with doctors, dentists, counselors, etc; it is important to get notes and turn them into the office upon your child’s return so the notes can be documented.

5. If your child exceeds 10 to 15 days, I will contact you to set up an attendance plan meeting so we can discuss your situation and document it.

If you have questions about absences, feel free to call me. I would be happy to discuss it with you.

TRAFFIC & STUDENT SAFETY

I would like to remind everyone that student safety is very important to all of us. I know what it means to be in a hurry and I know that time is important. However, we have to look out for all students and staff when dropping off and picking up. We have been using two large yellow cones to mark out space along the curb for bus parking for both drop-off and pick-up. Please do not park in that area. We have a yellow NPPSD school bus that is utilized for Special Needs and Handicapped students. We also have the City Transit Bus that brings students and staff to and from work daily. Both have flashing lights and STOP arms. Please do not go around the buses if the STOP arm is out, the lights are flashing, and the doors are open as students are exiting/entering the bus. Especially the YELLOW SCHOOL BUS. Those students sometimes need a little additional time to get on and off of the bus. Please be safe.

The second issue pertaining to traffic is the problem of cars going around cars in the middle of the street causing issues for both oncoming traffic and students crossing at crosswalks, especially those at the 2nd and Silber intersection. I know traffic is backed up around the corner as people are waiting to get into the drive-thru to pick up Kindergarten and First Grade students. We dismiss nearly 100 students out of the drive-thru daily in less than 10 minutes. That’s pretty good. When it is warm and nice out, we get them through in 7 minutes or less. Again, I know time is a factor, but having to wait an extra minute or two could mean the difference of saving a life or avoiding an accident. Please, be patient!

The third issue stems from the second issue. There have been reports of cars pulling through the crosswalks even when an adult is holding a STOP sign in the middle of the street. When those people are in the middle of the street it is because they are allowing students to cross safely. Please acknowledge the STOP signs and my staff in the streets and STOP! Again, we want to avoid accidents and death. Thank you.

LOST & FOUND

If your students are missing coats, shirts, pants, gloves, hats, etc., there is a good chance that the items could be in our LOST & FOUND box. We will have a table set out at Parent Teacher Conferences. Please check for missing items. Thanks.

BINGO FOR BOOKS

Bingo for Books will be February 1st from 5:30-6:30 with the Book Fair preview to follow from 6:30-7:30.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent Teacher Conferences are coming up soon. We will hold our conferences Tuesday and Wednesday, February 6 & 7, from 4:00-8:00 both evenings. Students will have school all day both days. You should have received your specific time.

PTO

Due to Parent Teacher Conferences, there will be no February meeting. We are really needing some people to step up and take over the reins of the PTO as the ladies currently serving are “BURNED OUT!” They do amazing things for us and help out with several activities throughout the school year. They have been on the PTO for three or more years and need a break. If there is anyone interested, please reach out to me or the PTO members: Randa Musil; Chandra Stroud; Kelsey Shrum. If we have no takers, we may have to disband the PTO at the end of the school year. Please consider. Again, the next meeting will be Tuesday, March 5, 6:00pm in the Jefferson Elementary Library. We typically meet on the first Tuesday of the month each month.

Bingo for Books Thursday, February 1, 5:30-6:30pm followed by the:

Book Fair Thursday, February 1, 6:30-7:30pm and during Parent Teacher Conferences.

Sucker Sales February 1st through the 8th

Valentine’s Bowling Party Friday, February 16

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

We have sent home fliers for this as we are needing some help with some games. The date is Friday, March 22. Put it on your calendar. It will be a lot of fun!

IS THIS GUY THROUGH, YET?

I really appreciate all of you supporting our school the way you do. If there are questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call: (308) 535-7136; or email: jellsworth@nppsd.org.

Mr. E