The Jayhawk Journal

This has been an amazing week to watch all of our staff come back and begin to do what they love. We are eagerly waiting for the halls to be filled with our students who make this a wonderful place to be. As we begin this week, just a reminder that no parents will be allowed in building. We will have extra staff in the halls to guide students to where they need to be for their rooms. All staff members will be wearing our "Building Together" shirts so we are visible for students. I look forward to seeing the faces we know, and taking the time to welcome the new ones who are coming!

-Mr. Traub

Dear Johnson Community,

I want to share some bittersweet news with you. I have accepted the opportunity to serve as the principal of Roosevelt Elementary School. While I am excited to begin this new chapter, leaving my role as assistant principal here at Johnson is not easy.

Over the past several years, it has been an honor to work alongside such dedicated staff, supportive families, and amazing students. I am deeply grateful for the relationships we’ve built together and the trust you have placed in me.

Though I will miss being part of the Johnson community on a daily basis, I carry with me the many memories and lessons I’ve learned here. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and partnership—it has meant the world to me. I wish you a wonderful 2025-2026 school year.

With gratitude,

Kimberly Samouelian

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.

In order to be ready for the school year, we would like you to look over the Johnson Car Loop drop-off and pick-up map that is attached in this email. We value the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and community members. If you see, we have an additional “snake lane” that allows us to house more cars in the parking lot that keeps them off of Hix Road. We ask that all parents are patient the first week as new 5th grade families learn this new procedure. On average we are done loading the car line within 8 minutes after dismissal (this may be longer in week 1). We will continue to send updates in the parking lot the first week of school.

Monday 8/25 Half Day (Dismissal at 11:45 a.m., No Lunch Served)

Tuesday 8/26 Full Day (Dismissal at 3:30)

Wednesday 8/27

Thursday 8/28

Friday 8/29 No School

8/25 - First Day of School - Half Day Dismissal at 11:45 a.m. (No lunch)

8/26 - Full Day of School Dismissal at 3:30 p.m.

8/29 - No School Labor Day Weekend

9/1 - No School Labor Day Weekend

9/9 - PTA Meeting @ 6 p.m.

9/11 - Picture Day

9/18 - Open House and Curriculum Night

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.

It is required that each family review the emergency contact information that is on file at Johnson. You can view this information in parent connect. Why? in the event of an emergency, sick child, severe weather, we may need to reach you. The process to verify your emergency contact information is correct is simple. Simply log into Parent Connect and follow the prompts.

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. Please note that there will be NO SACC on the first day of school, Monday, August 25th.

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.

“Today is the beginning.” - Anonymous