Belong, Learn, Contribute August 30, 2010 Tricia Murin, Principal
Welcome Back
The staff at Jackson Elementary School would like to welcome the families and students to the 2010-2011 school year. There are some exciting new changes this year at Jackson Elementary School and we will be informing you about them as we go throughout the school year. The Chalkboard is the best way to learn about events and new policies.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the families and students at Jackson Elementary. I will be informing families of events and happenings at Jackson Elementary through this newsletter known as the Chalkboard. The Chalkboard will also be posted on our webpage. (http://www.cchs.k12.pa.us/jackson) Please take the time to read through each edition so that you know what is happening at our school.
Renovations at Jackson Elementary
We are proud to announce that our renovations are performing ahead of schedule. We are thinking that it should be complete in October 2010. Everyone worked very hard to make this possible. Please visit the school and check out our renovations.
Changes in the Teaching Staff
There are three new teachers at Jackson Elementary School. Miss Kirsten Makosy will be teaching Life Skills in Grade 2 through Grade 5. Miss Erika McKnight will be teaching emotional support and Mr. Ted Rakar will be teaching Physical Education classes in grades kindergarten through Grade 5 and 7th and 8th grade Health classes one day a week. Some of our teachers will be teaching different grades this year. Mrs. Jan Michalow will be teaching 1st grade and Mrs. Kathy Kupchella will be teaching kindergarten.
Meet the Teacher Night
Meet the Teacher Night for grades 3-5 has been scheduled for September 1st from 7:00-8:30 PM. Presentations will be held for each grade level. The following are the scheduled times: Third grade parents are scheduled from 7:00-7:30, and Fourth grade parents are scheduled from 7:30-8:00. Fifth grade students are scheduled for 8:00-8:30. All teachers will be in their classrooms from 7:00-8:30.
Please try to attend this program and meet your child’s teacher.
Parking will be an issue because of the construction project so please bear with us.
Jackson Elementary PTO
The PTO will be sponsoring many events throughout the upcoming year. The first event is the annual fundraiser. The fundraiser kickoff will be September 1st. Students will bring home their catalogs and order forms. Students should not go door-to- door to sell. They should only sell to those people that they know. There will be prizes for students who are the highest sellers. The PTO will sponsor field trips, in-school programs, the Book Fair, and Author Day. The first PTO meeting will be held September 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the gym.
Homework Hotline Number
The Homework Hotline number is 749-1488. The procedure for using the homework hotline is the following: if your child is absent you should call the school before 9:00 AM. Please state your child’s name, homeroom teacher’s name, and length of absence. Please let us know if you will be picking up the homework or are having it sent home with another student. This line will be turned on daily beginning at 4:00 p.m. You can call the evening before if necessary. Parents may begin picking up homework at 2:00 p.m. This gives the teachers an opportunity to gather the assignments. Your cooperation with this system is appreciated.
Lunch Prices
Lunch prices have remained the same. Student lunches at the elementary school are $1.35 for lunch and $.70 for breakfast. Students pay $.40 for reduced lunch and $.30 for reduced breakfast. The price of extra milk is $.45 for white milk and $.50 for flavored milk. A free and reduced lunch form has been sent home with each child. If you feel that you qualify for this program please complete the form and send it back to school as soon as possible.
The same software system will be used for the food service department. Parents will be able to access their child’s account online. Also, parents can deposit money into their child’s account online. Checks can still be used and should be made out to Central Cambria Food Service Department. Students should give their money in an envelope to their classroom teacher or Mrs. Snyder during their lunchtime. Parents be sure your child knows their PIN number. All PIN numbers will be kept confidential.
Lunch Learner Program
Nutrition, Inc. is offering a lunch learner program to Kindergarten students. All Kindergarten students will receive free breakfast and lunch the second week of school which will be September 6th – 10th.
Jackson Elementary Web Page
Communication between the school and the home is very important. The use of the Jackson Elementary web page is a tool that parents can use to learn about the events that happen at our school. We hope this will be helpful for families.
Student Leaders Program
About every four weeks, students will be
selected from the fifth grade to assist with
different projects like Meet the Teacher Night, Parent/Teacher Conferences, New Student Orientation, etc. Every 5th grade student will
have a chance to participate throughout the
year. The following students will be the student leaders for August/September: Katie Harrison, Grant Buynack, Alish Nagy, Shyloh Primel, Owen Wagner, and Justin Bezek.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Teachers are in their classrooms beginning at 8:20 a.m. Students riding the school buses are
not released before 8:20 a.m. Therefore,
any student who is dropped off by their parents must not arrive before 8:20 a.m. There is
no supervision available for them until
they can go to their classrooms. If it is necessary
for parents to drop off their children earlier than 8:20 a.m., they must sign up with our before/after school program through The Learning Lamp at (814) 262-0732.
Dismissal time can be very hectic in a
school building. It is very important for your
child and his/her teacher to know in writing
exactly where he/she is to go at
the end of the day. Your child’s safety is our number one priority. Thank you for your cooperation!
September 1st - Meet the Teacher Night – 7:00
September 1st – Fundraiser Kickoff
September 14th – PTO Meeting in the gym – 7:00
September 16th – Jackson Elementary Blood Drive
3:00 – 7:00
September 16th – Picture Day