Well, here we are, already rolling into December, and I cannot believe it! Each year, I try to focus on slowing things down, to enjoy the day to day processes at SJES, and it feels as though the school years continue to fly by...I want to first thank each one of you for the level of support within our community. I do not take one bit of it for granted, as it is indeed special and so appreciated. I know that we have an authentic partnership, supporting our students/children into becoming the best that they can be academically, socially and emotionally. There are days when the social and emotional rise to the top of highest need within our school, but I know that addressing those needs will only positively impact our academics. After all, a child cannot learn if he/she is consumed with worry about things that are outside of their control or our four walls. Our staff has worked for years to establish a climate and culture within our school that supports each of the students under our care, to cultivate strong and caring relationships with each other and our students (as well as their families) and to instill positive character attributes within our students so that their "learning" from SJES extends far into their futures. I'd like to take a moment to thank this amazing staff for their dedication and commitment to our students. I've never witnessed such a strong faculty that works together, leans on one another when needed and who walk through the doors of this building each day, determined to make it a good day. At SJES, there is always a clean slate each day and I see our staff members live by that motto and expectation. They give 100% each day and are committed to finding the spark in each child. I feel honored to have a front row seat to this exceptional experience and will continue to brag on them. From the cleanliness of the building, to the healthy meals served, to the answering of the phones or front doors, to the instruction within the classrooms, this is an incredible group of people supporting your children every day. I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season, celebrating in any way that you do, surrounded by family and friends and filled with love and blessings.

Ms. Mahoney

Principal

Congratulations to the following classes for the highest attendance rates for October 2023:

Kindergarten: Ms. Horne's class (96.6%)

First Grade: Miss Potts' class (96.2%)

Second Grade: Mrs. Fincham's class (97.2%---highest in the school)

Third Grade: Miss Potts' class (95.6%)

Fourth Grade: Ms. Slagle's class (95.9%)

Fifth Grade: Mr. Collins' class (95.3%)

The following classes had the highest attendance rates for November 2023: Awesome!

Kindergarten: Mrs. Fox's class (94.3%)

First Grade: Ms. Abernethy's class (94.3%)

Second Grade: Mrs. Fincham's class (96.6%---highest in the school and three months in a row!)

Third Grade: Miss Potts' class (95.9%---two months in a row!)

Fourth Grade: Ms. Slagle's class (94.0%---three months in a row!)

Fifth Grade: Mrs. Blank's class (96.2%)

Thank you for supporting your child's attendance!

Remember: To submit an absence, please go to link on our webpage (or click Great Attendance picture in upper right hand corner). Thank you!

Congratulations to our newest safety patrols: Anthony Jenkins, Louise Grantham, Layla Bates, Austin Thomas, JJ Feldman, Jaxson Rice, Lizzy Bowman, Morgan Marshall, Isabella Fote, Mia Batista, Wyatt Truitt, Ella White, Troy Fultz, Erich Fennel, Lizzy Tuitele and Avonlea Belland. Each fifth grader "applied" for the job by writing why they believed that they'd make a good safety patrol for SJES. So far, they have been trained on proper flag etiquette and are learning each of their job responsibilities. They will assist us this year with hallway safety, playground equipment and arrival/dismissal safety. They will also be responsible for putting up and taking down the flags each day. We are very proud of them and know that they will be terrific examples for the rest of SJES.

PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)

We invite you to attend our public meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will be on December 12 at 7 pm, in the SJES cafeteria. Please join us to learn more about the upcoming events, progress toward fundraising goals, and volunteer opportunities!

Save The Dates!

• December 10-Winter Event! This free event features holiday crafts, cookies, photos with Santa, and a holiday movie!

• To volunteer, sign up here: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/8050A45A9A72FA4FD0-sjes1

• To pre-register for your photo with Santa, follow this link: https://booking.luxphotoservices.com/book-santa-experience-session

• December 12 through 14-School Store! Grade levels have a designated day each month to shop at the school store; most items cost between $0.25 to $4.00; children are responsible for their own money, and we’ll have adult volunteers to assist with money counting.

• Tuesday 12/12 - Grades 4 & 5

• Wednesday 12/13 - Pre-K, K, & 1

• Thursday 12/14 - Grades 2 & 3

• SJES apparel/spirit wear can be personalized and purchased at www.Zeroinsports.com/sjes. Order soon to get items before Christmas

Contacts:

President: Karisma Neely; Vice President: April Davis; Secretary: Jessica McIntosh; Treasurer: Amber Fuller

Contact us at SJESPTO@gmail.com or on Facebook at South Jefferson Elementary PTO.

Dear SJES Families,

Tis the season of giving, but please no germs! Winter is quickly approaching, please be sure that your child is dressed according to the cold temperatures. These winter months are flu and cold season, in addition to COVID. It is a great time to remind our school families of the measures we take to keep students healthy and prevent the spread of communicable diseases. We request that you, as caregivers, join us in keeping our school healthy by keeping your child home when he/she is sick. Students are to be fever-free for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of a fever reducing medication before returning to school. Students with vomiting or diarrhea are to be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Students with fever blisters and/or honey-colored crusts should remain home until cleared by a doctor or until after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. Students with a strep throat diagnosis should be on antibiotics for 24 hours and be fever free before returning to school. Students with purulent eye drainage may attend school once they have started treatment or clearance from a doctor stating non-infectious. Students with influenza should remain home for at least 5 days after the first symptoms appear (more if fever persists) to ensure complete recovery and avoid transmission to other students. Students who have tested positive for COVID should stay home while you contact the school nurse for further instructions for the earliest possible return. You can anticipate that COVID and influenza will be in our local community, including our schools. Notices of individual incidents of illness are not sent home in backpacks. Instead, consistent healthy habits, remaining home when sick, and exclusion of ill students by school nurses are utilized to control the spread of communicable illness. Please remind your children of good hand hygiene habits and to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing. Thank you for your cooperation and helping to reinforce these healthy habits with our students. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me at heidi.libetti@k12.wv.us.

Happy Holidays,

Heidi Libetti RN, BSN

School Nurse

Thank you for completing the Learning Environment Survey for me! My goal was to receive 200 parent/caregiver responses to the survey and I was grateful to receive 206! The fourth grade had the most returned responses and have earned a free recess with me. 💜

Ms. Mahoney