Roadrunner Tracks

South Jefferson often welcomes new students to our school throughout the year (lucky us!), but we have a new addition coming soon that is going to be so exciting! Meet Bella Atkins, a service dog for Mr. Atkins, our P.E. educator. Bella is a little over one year old and has been pursuing her service dog certification so that she can assist Mr. Atkins at work and at home. Mr. Atkins was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis about 10 years ago and Bella will give him support throughout his day. Bella has been receiving one-on-one training with Erika Webb with Country Roads Canine Certified Dog Trainer. We have had Briggs Animal Adoption Center do lessons with our students about how to safely approach animals and the proper way to interact with pets. Ms. Webb will be working with South Jefferson's staff on proper training and interactions with Bella and all students will be formally introduced to Bella in the gym, when we return from Winter Break. They will learn that she is working when she's wearing her service dog harness and that she has a job to perform while she's here at school with us. They will also be taught how we will work with her in the school and what is appropriate behavior with Bella. (Trust me, she's so cute and we ALL want to pet her and give her love. But we know that she is a working dog and is there to support our favorite P.E. educator). Our students have already had limited interactions with her, as she learned the layout of the building and what the expectations would be during her "workday" at South Jefferson. She is incredibly calm and is doing an exceptional job with her training. We're so proud of her! Because Bella is a labradoodle, she is intelligent, low-shedding and, because she is part poodle, it makes her as hypoallergenic as a dog can be.

We're excited for this opportunity to learn alongside Bella and Mr. Atkins. Welcome to the team, Bella!

(If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly at kmahoney@k12.wv.us or 304-728-9216. Thank you!

I hope that you and your family have a safe and wonderful Winter Break together! No matter what holidays you may or may not celebrate, I hope that there is time to be spent together and wonderful memories shared!

Ms. Mahoney

As we wrap up 2025, we'd like to have a little fun for the next couple of weeks. Participation isn't mandatory, but it sure makes for a fun day, if you'd like to join in.

Monday, December 8th: This will be a day to TOP all days, with your holiday headgear prominently displayed! Wear your Santa hat, your reindeer antlers, your elf ears or any creative top of the dome adornment you can find!

Tuesday, December 9th: How about a candy cane lane spectacular, wearing all red and white, or stripes, to show off your holiday spirit so bright!? Who doesn't love a candy cane?

Wednesday, December 10th: Let's warm our hearts and feet with a "toasty tootsies", festive feet kind of day where you get to wear your most fabulous holiday (or wild!) socks!

Monday, December 15th: Are the holidays or the winter weather wearing you out? How about a pajama day, where you wear your snuggliest holiday (or cool) pajamas. Let's slide into this week in comfortable style....

Tuesday, December 16th: If there's a chill in the air, a cozy "channel your flannel" day sounds awesome! Wear your plaid/flannel for a plaid-tastic fun-filled day!

Wednesday, December 17th: I'll let you in on a little secret...even the Principal loves the first snow day! How about we create a festive "winter wonderland", wishing for snow, "white out" day! Dress head to toe in white, to bring on the future snow days ahead?

Thursday, December 18th: Did someone say Whoville? Today is the day to have the grinchiest day in all of Whoville! Wear your grinch-themed wear and let everyone see your heart grow three sizes today!

Friday, December 19th (2 Hour Early Dismissal): Our annual "Ugly Sweater"/Christmas outfit extravaganza! Wear your wildest sweater, socks, headgear to celebrate our last day together before our Winter Break! Let's see how festive you can be today!

During the colder months, cases of head lice tend to increase in schools. Please help us stay ahead by checking your child’s hair regularly, reminding them not to share hats, scarves, or hair accessories, and washing bedding often. If lice are detected, treat promptly and notify Nurse Heidi so we can support a healthy environment for all students.

✅ Head Lice Prevention Checklist

1. Check Weekly
   Inspect your child’s scalp—especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.

2. Avoid Sharing
   No sharing of hats, scarves, hairbrushes, combs, headphones, or hair accessories.

3. Wash Winter Gear
   Launder hats, scarves, and bedding in hot water and dry on high heat weekly.

4. Tie Back Hair
   Long hair should be tied up or braided to reduce head-to-head contact.

5. Teach Personal Space
   Remind kids to keep heads apart during play, photos, and nap time.

6. Act Quickly
   If lice are found, treat promptly, comb out nits, and notify the school.

7. Clean Environment
   Vacuum rugs and furniture; seal non-washable items in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Nurse Heidi at heidi.libetti@k12.wv.us. We are here to help!

How does the school counselor help your child?

I am here to help all students be successful in school and at home. I develop the school counseling program that teaches knowledge, attitudes, and skills that students need to acquire in academic, career, and social/emotional development. These skills serve as a foundation for their success.

Skills that the school counseling program is working on this month

• Growth mindset

• Dealing with mistakes and disappointment

• Self-control

These skills are taught every week using a fun video; ask your child about the Monday morning videos! I also visit each classroom for a monthly lesson where we do a fun activity that implements and uses one of the skills.

If you think your child would benefit from extra support with any of these skills, please reach out to me. I run small groups that dive deeper into each skill, and they are a fun way for students to practice and learn more!

Each week, a SJES staff member is asked to select a student that is exemplifying the SJES motto, "Respect Yourself, Respect Others and Respect our School", during the school day. It's our opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of a special student who is caring, kind, compassionate, a hard worker, responsible and trustworthy. It is truly an honor to be recognized as our Student of the Week because you are selected from over 400 students. We select a student in grades K - 2 and a student in grades 3 - 5. If your child is selected, an envelope is sent home the week before, for you to gather photos or special awards/mementos that will help us decorate the Student of the Week board in the front hall.

Congratulations to the Students of the Week in November:

Noah Eubanks (nominated by Mrs. Vogel)

Robert Miller (nominated by Mrs. Shearer)

Rowan Springer (nominated by Mrs. Siddoway)

Camden Tiong (nominated by Mrs. Burwell)

Oliver Lupinacci (nominated by Mrs. Blake)

Sawyer Welch (nominated by Mrs. Siddoway)

What is a Positive Office Referral?

Any student can be nominated by ANY staff member for a kind deed, for a respectful moment or just doing something out of the ordinary. We want to recognize and celebrate the moments that we see at school! It is then my honor to recognize them on the intercom and to take a photo with them, to be shared on our webpage.

Congratulations to the following students for their Positive Office Referrals for November:

Raegan Wall for helping out in the classroom and making sure that everyone who needs help receives it!

Dylan Michaels for helping a fellow student with their math and offering lots of encouragement while they worked!

Deklin Brown for always putting the needs of others before his own!

Colton Miranda for helping a younger student in the hallway!

Joseph Reimer for patiently supporting a student who was learning the recorder!

Annabeth Rawlings for always showing kindness and respect, using her manners and patiently waiting her turn!

Kellen Fox for being a super helper, always offering to support his fellow classmates and for being a model citizen!

Natalie Schmidt for coming to school with a smile, always ready to learn and always super respectful!

Addy Phipps for helping to take care of our playground!

Gunnar Bartosiewicz for taking the time to help a fellow classmate learn the recorder AND for his leadership in the classroom!

Wesley Pauley for assisting a teacher in the building with kindness and without being asked to help!

Victoria Bowman who is always willing to help others in class!

James Siddoway for his quick problem-solving skills and leadership!

Kyle McCampbell for always being kind and respectful in class!

Bentley Duvall for his work ethic and kindness!

Violet Rawlings for her hard work and amazing attitude in school!

Marcus Light for always going out of his way to make sure that everyone is included!

Hollie Gerben for her unwavering positivity and friendly attitude!

Nathan Colson for always being such a good friend and hard worker in class!

What amazing role models we have at SJES! Super proud of each one of them!

The All-Star Classes for November:

Kindergarten: Ms. Horne's Class

First Grade: Ms. Greene's Class

Second Grade: Mrs. Fincham's and Mrs. Sturba's Classes (TIE)

Third Grade: Mrs. Mangum and Miss Potts' Classes (TIE)

Fourth Grade: Mrs. Sunday's Class

Fifth Grade: Mrs. Blank and Mr. Collins' Classes (TIE)

Super proud of all of these students and their exceptional cafeteria manners!

Congratulations to the following classes for the top attendance in November!

Top classes by Grade

Kindergarten: Mrs. Zimmerman's Class: 97.7% (2 months in a row!)

First Grade: Ms. Greene's Class: 94.9% (4 months in a row!)

Second Grade: Mrs. Fincham's Class: 95.4% (2 months in a row!)

Third Grade: Miss Potts' Class: 95.3%

Fourth Grade: Mrs. Snyder's Class: 96.6%

Fifth Grade: Mr. Collins' Class: 95.2% (2 months in a row!)

Top Class for November: Mrs. Zimmerman's Kindergarten Class! :)

Top Grade Overall: 4th Grade

Remember: Our Daily Percentage Goal is 95% or higher! Thank you for making attendance a priority and supporting our students and school!

LOST AND FOUND: PLEASE try to write your child's name inside coats, on tags in sweatshirts, on lunchboxes, etc. so that we can return the items to the correct owner.

ROOMS: Thank you to all of you actively using ROOMS! It makes our lines of communication so much simpler and we are able to provide information to you quickly using this format.

IDENTIFICATION: Please know that we will ask for a form of identification EVERY TIME you visit SJES, even if we recognize and/or know you. This is all about safety and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation on this matter.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, suggestions or positive feedback, we are always here to listen and take notes. Part of our success is directly a result of the relationships that we establish between home and school. We are in a partnership and want to work together for the success of all of our students.

Just a quick reminder about our Winter Event on Sunday, December 7th, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. We hope that you can attend, to have your picture taken with Santa, to enjoy some cookies and milk, to shop at our annual Book Fair with Mrs. Moody, to purchase small gifts from the Penguin Shoppe for family members and to create a craft. Looking forward to kicking off the holiday season with you and your family!

Please secure your spot to minimize your wait for pictures with Santa: https://booking.luxphotoservices.com/book-santa-experience-session-page

Thank you!

Please remember to contact the Main Office to let us know if you have an address or phone number change so that we have the latest information on file in the event of an emergency. Thank you!

Principal's Email: kmahoney@k12.wv.us

Assistant Principal's Email: eduggan@k12.wv.us
Jefferson County Schools: jcswv.org

Download the JCS App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/jefferson-county-school-dist/id1571165975

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