Greetings, Jefferson Families and Friends:
Happy February!
Walking Club
With the snow and cold temperatures, we have moved our morning Walking Club inside, temporarily. We have stationed a staff member inside the 1st grade door in the drive-thru parking lot on the south side to help intercept Kindergarten and First Grade students. We just ask that you pull all the way forward and try not to block the parking spaces next to the fence. We would appreciate it. Reminder that if we are able to be outside, we will be….temperature must be 15* above 0 and the blacktop cleared.
Because it is winter and we do have snow and other weather, please make sure your students are dressed appropriately for the weather. Students that are wearing snow boots are allowed to play in the snow, as long as they have other shoes to change back into. If students do not have snow boots, ie. tennis shoes, they will stay on the blacktop. Remember also that our policy for Walking Club in the morning is: “Feels Like 15* or Warmer,” and we walk outside before school.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be Monday, February 6, and Tuesday, February 7, from 4:00-8:00pm. The teachers will schedule those with you. There will be no school Friday, February 10 nor Monday, February 13.
The Book Fair will be open during Parent/Teacher Conferences on Monday and Tuesday in Room #19. Bingo For Books will be held in March instead of during Parent Teacher Conference Week this semester. We will also be providing chromebooks to complete the perceptual data surveys once again. We will have those stationed at the front door. I will also be sending out a link that you can do on your own…your choice. We would appreciate your feedback on this survey as it really does help us improve and it also lets us know the things we are doing well.
Valentines Day Activities
Individual classes will be having Valentine’s parties on Tuesday, February 14. We are having our PTO sponsored Bowling day at Wild Bill’s on Wednesday, February 15.
Read Across America Week
Read Across America Week is February 27-March 3. We will be doing some District-Wide activities as well as Jefferson only activities. Be watching for those. We will also have Bingo For Books Thursday, March 2 of that week.
Student Safety
I have had some reports of people pulling their cars up the wrong direction for drop off before school and pick up after school. Please make sure you are obeying traffic laws especially around the school. It is equally important to have your students use the crosswalks to cross the streets coming and going from school, and if you are picking up kids on foot or you park across the street, please take the extra few seconds to use the crosswalks yourselves. In the morning it is dark and if students aren’t using the crosswalks where streets are marked and there are typically street lights to help visibility, drivers may not see kids crossing.
Student Behaviors
We have been seeing a lot of negative behaviors from many students at all grade levels including Preschool. Some behaviors include arguing with teachers; not following directions, yelling and even swearing in the hallways and in the classrooms, and a few incidents of hands on. Due to snow and more to temperatures, the kids don’t get to go outside for recess and that adds to behaviors. We need your help and support to convey to your students the importance of doing the right thing and be accountable. We all make mistakes and we don’t expect anyone to be perfect. However, we do have the expectations that students will follow directions, do their school work, and treat others how they would want to be treated. The same goes for we adults. I expect my staff will do their best to educate your students and treat them like their own children or better. We expect the parents of our school to support us and help us to grow your children into great citizens. One day these kids will be running our government and taking care of us as we age. They will be calling the shots. I want to make sure that I am cared for properly when I am in the nursing home one day. Please encourage your students to do the right thing, follow directions, and complete their work. Thank you for all of your support. We want to work with you not against you to ensure your children receive a great education.
Enjoy the winter months and all that comes with it! It will be spring soon enough.
Mr. E
Email: jellsworth@nppsd.org
Website: https://www.nppsd.org/o/jefferson
Location: 700 East 3rd Street, North Platte, NE, USA
Phone: 308-535-7136
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jefferson-elementary-378697635994999
