Dear Jefferson Families and Friends!

Welcome back to Camp Learn-A-Lot….Where Your Adventure Begins!

NO SCHOOL

Just a reminder that Labor Day is Monday, September 5. There will be no school! Also, Monday, September 12, is a Professional Development Day for teachers. There is no school on that day either. The next two weeks are both four day weeks.

PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)

Our first PTO meeting will be held Tuesday, September 6, at 6:00pm in the Jefferson School Library. One of the topics will be fundraising to help our playground out. Last year we had a slide on our east playground that was permanently damaged and removed over the summer. We would like to update that piece of equipment and replace it with something more handicap accessible. We would also like to add a bank of swings on the west playground. We would entertain other ideas from our Jefferson families about what kind of equipment they would like to see on our playground. I will be setting up some meetings with some equipment manufacturers to get some pricing after the PTO meeting and hopefully have some quotes for the following meeting in October. We will be discussing fundraising ideas to help pay for these items. I will also be working with the NPPSD Foundation to find some other funding sources to help with our project. If you have thoughts, we would love to have you come to our meeting on Tuesday.

Drop-off & Pick-up

Just a reminder that we do not have supervision on the playground in the morning until 7:30am. We encourage you NOT to drop off students before then. Also, we ask that you remind your students to use the crosswalks for their own safety. Drivers are not always looking for kids crossing the street in the idle of the street, rather they expect to see them at crosswalks and corners. Also, please be aware of the crosswalks at the end of the day and try not to block those for student safety. The southeast corner (Silber and 2nd) will be a little congested at the end of the day as we are asking parents to pick up Kindergarten and 1st Grade students at the drive-thru on the south side.

We have added one class to the area since last year (3 first grade classes last year; 2 first grade and 2 kindergarten classes this year). The first day (Wednesday) it took us nine minutes to clear all of those students and cars. Yesterday (Thursday) it took us seven minutes to clear the area. As the staff learn your vehicles it will go a little faster, though, seven minutes is pretty quick to dismiss about 85 students.

Please drive safely, look out for walkers, and follow safe driving rules. One parent did say that they were nearly in an accident. Please be aware.

If you have questions, please call us at (308) 535-7136.

DROP OFF/WALKING CLUB/PICK-UP

All students, except Preschool, may be dropped off on the East side of Jefferson (2nd Street, Silber, & 3rd Street). ALL students K-5 will participate in the Walking Club this year upon being dropped off. We will have staff on the blacktop of our playground at 7:30. Students arriving before 7:50 are expected to go to the blacktop and walk with their friends until the bell rings. When the bell rings students line up by class and their teachers will greet them and walk them into the building. If your student arrives after 7:50, and no students or staff are outside, they must be dropped off out front (3rd Street) on the north side. Your student will be counted tardy if they arrive after 8:05.

Preschool students drop off on the south side and check-in with the app.

Pick-up at the end of the day (3:20) will take place at various locations around the school depending on your student’s grade:

Preschool will pick up outside of the preschool building on the south side (2nd Street).

Kindergarten will be dismissed out of the drive-thru door on the south side (2nd Street). Please stay in your vehicle and a staff member will check with you to ensure your child gets in the correct vehicle.

1st Grade will dismiss out of the drive-thru door on the south side (2nd Street). Please stay in your vehicle and a staff member will check with you to ensure your child gets in the correct vehicle.

Please stay in your vehicle and pull as far forward as you can. We have space for four vehicles to load at a time. Our staff will help to direct you and will communicate to ensure we get your students to you as quickly and as safely as possible.

2nd Grade will dismiss out of the front door (3rd Street).

3rd Grade will dismiss out of the northwest side of the building and will proceed to the northwest corner of the school (Cottonwood and 3rd Street) for pick-up.

4th Grade will be dismissed out of the southwest corner and will be picked up on the southwest corner of the school (Cottonwood and 2nd Street).

5th Grade will dismiss out of the south doors facing 2nd Street will be dismissed out of the southwest corner and will be picked up on the southwest corner of the school (Cottonwood and 2nd Street).

Crosswalks

Please use crosswalks with your students. We have staff posted at all corners and out front at the crosswalks with stop signs to help you and your student to be safe. Please help us to teach safety to your students. Our streets around Jefferson Elementary get very busy and sometimes chaotic. Visibility can be difficult with the traffic and trees surrounding Jefferson. Please help us even if it isn’t as quick or convenient for you.

North Platte High School Homecoming Parade

Wednesday, September 14, we will be taking part in the Homecoming Parade downtown on the bricks. Jefferson School will be putting a float together and are asking Jefferson students and families to walk with us to show support for our school and for NPPSD Homecoming. We will send out more information next week.

Please support your student and his/her teacher by checking backpacks for important information, reading with your student often. We all have the same goal, to educate your child and to prepare him/her for life. I thank you in advance for your support, cooperation, and help.

Please contact me here at school: (308) 535-7136 OR jellsworth@nppsd.org if you have any questions or comments, or if there is anything else I can assist you with.

Mr. Jeffrey W. Ellsworth, Principal

“Mr. E”