The Jayhawk Journal
Week of December 1st, 2025
The Principal Corner
The I-Ready window will open on Monday when we return. Students will take both the Math and Reading Test during the next 2 weeks. Please speak about the importance of these tests to your students. We use them to watch and measure growth to analyze our teaching practices. When our staff meets on the 12th for Professional Development, we will be focusing on using this data to plan the next round of instruction needed for our students for Small Group Instruction (SGI Hour).
We will have our first SOAR Celebration on Tuesday, December 9th. This is used to give any student who went the first trimester without getting a major infraction or 3 minors. Every trimester, all of our students start with a fresh slate as the goal it to always get every student to these celebrations at the end of every trimester.
Just a reminder for the upcoming weather that is expected. Please drive with extra caution in the parking lot as snow begins to fall. Practice patience and understanding as our staff works to keep all students are parents safe in the parking lot. Also, we will be going outside for recess as much as we can! We will only stay inside if the windchill is below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Students are encouraged to bring boots and change in their lockers. If snow is on the ground, students can go anywhere if they have boots on. If students are in shoes, they will stay on the blacktop to play during that time.
Please be warm over the weekend!
- Mr. Traub
Our Mission
Johnson Upper Elementary School is committed to providing a safe, respectful environment that supports the academic and socio-emotional needs of every student as they develop the necessary skills to become capable, confident, life-long learners.
PBIS Updates
This Week Focused on Hallway Expectations
This week we focused on hallway expectations. With a short week, we were able to focus on how we use the hallways here at Johnson. Please see the attached matrix to go over SOARing expectations for all aspects of the building. Please see the information about the SOAR Celebration for December 9th to end the first trimester in the Principal Corner from Mr. Traub. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions to Mr. Traub or Mr. Bublitz.
News From The Nest
Food and Clothing Assistance
LPS Food Pantry and Clothing Depot- LPS has a food pantry and clothing depot that are housed at Franklin High School, and run by the Franklin Transition Program students and staff. Please contact Mrs. McLean at mmclean12@livoniapublicschools.org for details on how to gain access to the Clothing Depot or click on Garfield Garments
Other Resources for Food:
Staff Member of the Week
Congratulations Mrs. Thome!
We would like to congratulate Mrs. Thome for being voted this award by her colleagues this week! Mrs. Thome is a 6th Grade Teacher here at Johnson. She is committed to so much going on here in the building. She is a member of many academic committees and also did a great job putting together 6th Grade Camp this year as we tried a new location. She is dedicated to her students and always finds a way to make anyone successful. She has been a great addition to our building, and we are so lucky to have her!
Getting to Know The Staff Member of the Week
My Favorite Part of Being A Jayhawk Is....
The kids and staff here at Johnson!
Some Of My Favorite Things
Place To Travel: Northern Michigan
Foods: Pizza
Color: Pink
College: Eastern Michigan University
TV Show: Reality TV
Sports Team: U of M
School Subject: Math
My Hobbies....
Camping, binge watching tv, and vacationing with my family.
News From The PTA
Holiday Shop Helpers
If you would like to volunteer and help with the Holiday Shop, please sign-up using the link below.
JOHNSON UPPER ELEMENTARY PTA: HOLIDAY SHOP HELPERS
Just a reminder that you must have an approved I-Chat form for LPS in order to volunteer at school.
Thank you!
- The Johnson PTA
PTA Family Trivia Night
Livonia Public Schools - Community with Character
December is Mindfulness
For the month of Dember, all LPS schools will focus on working on mindfulness. Take the time to talk with your student about what that means to them and your family.
D.O. It For Denny Holiday Donations
December Lunch Menu
Week At A Glance
Monday 12/1 - "Roll Into December" PJ Day
Tuesday 12/2
Wednesday 12/3
Thursday 12/4 - Lions Spirit Day
Friday 12/5 - Half Day a.m. (no lunch, school dismisses at 11:45 a.m.)
Upcoming Dates
12/1 - "Roll Into December" PJ Day
12/4 - Lions Spirit Day
12/4 - Holiday Shop Opens
12/5 - Half Day a.m.
12/9 - SOAR Celebration
12/9 - Family Trivia Night
12/10 - Bagel Day
12/12 - No School Teacher Professional Development Day
December 22nd - January 2nd - Winter Holiday Vacation
I-Chat Forms Needed for Volunteers
Planning to volunteer this year? Fill out the iChat form now and you'll be all set for the year! Just enter today's date (or a day next week) for when you plan to begin volunteering. Then, you'll be all set when it comes time to help with Holiday Shop, Field Day, and other events.
Emergency Card Information
We ask all parents/guardians to complete the welcome back checklist on parent connect. Why? This information is who we will contact in the event of an emergency. Year after year contacts will follow a student's file if they go unchecked. Please make sure all the contacts are current.
Lunch And Breakfast Are Available To All
A nutritious lunch and breakfast is available for free each day at Johnson and at all Livonia Public Schools. If you forget to pack a lunch or just run out of time, we understand. Please know we will provide your student one of our lunch options always, no matter what. We hope this option will save you a trip up to the school. We also would like to remind parents that for safety reasons, we do not allow Door Dash orders for students. Thank you for understanding.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Times
Students cannot be dropped off for school in the morning prior to 8:15am. This is when the doors open for breakfast and when staff is available to supervise students. Prior to this time, all school doors are locked. Students are not to be left unattended, arrangements must be made. Also, dismissal is at 3:30pm daily and at 11:45am on half days. It is required that all students who are picked up in the car loop be picked up no later than 3:45pm. Staff is not available to supervise students beyond that time. The district offers a SACC program for those students that cannot be picked up by 3:45pm. Please contact SACC at (734)744-2966 to make arrangements.
Dropping Off A Student Arriving Late
If your student is arriving after the last tardy bell, please note they need to check in at the office. They should enter the building through door number one (with the arch) and check in on the chromebook in the office. Parents do NOT need to come in to drop off students only to pick up.
Pick Up Early Procedures
If you need to pick up your student prior to the end of the school day, please know you will need to come into the office to sign them out and be verified by the office staff. Whomever is picking up a student early, must be listed on the Emergency Card.
Medications At School
Oftentimes a student will come to the office with a medical need. The office staff is able to dispense medication as needed as long as the medication is: 1) Delivered to school by a parent in the original unopened package or prescription container, {NO MEDICATION can be brought to school by students} 2) As long as there is an individual, signed medical authorization on file for each medication {form available in the office and online} Medication includes but is not limited to cough drops, aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, prescription drugs, creams, lotions, vitamins, inhalers, EpiPens, etc.… We cannot administer any medication that is not listed on file in the office. Please reach out to Jill Jablonski or Amy Dimmer in the office to set up a time to bring in medications and to review your student’s medical needs when they are in the building.
Quote of the Week
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. " - Arthur Ashe