Jonathan Elementary News

JES NEWS - November 19, 2020

Dear JES Families,

I hope the first full day of distance learning went well for your child. Please let us know if there is anything we can help with—please reach out by phone or email. The distance learning schedule and other information: Distance Learning Schedule; Family/Caregivers Summary

We have learning supplies for in person students and online academy students that haven’t been picked up yet. These supplies are in the vestibule outside the main office with your child’s name on it. If they are not picked up by Friday 10:00 a.m., they will be delivered to your home by our transportation department.

Last spring, Mr. Larson and myself put together the morning announcements. Sometimes they were a bit “crazy” but hopefully students learned a little something along the way. The morning announcements are starting out pretty low key, but we will be working on enhancing them as the days of distance learning go on. We feel this is a good way to keep some continuity with what we do during the school day. These announcements can be found https://sites.google.com/isd112.org/jes and/or https://twitter.com/JesElementary

Dr. Seuss says it well:

I am grateful for each of our learners and their supportive families. BETTER TOGETHER….even in distance learning, WE GOT THIS!!

Again, reach out if I can help in any way possible.

Nancy Wittman-Beltz, Principal

wittman-beltzn@district112.org

952-556-6510

DATES TO REMEMBER

Nov. 19 - Distance Learning Starts

Nov. 25 - Nov. 27 - NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 24 - End of 1st Trimester

Nov. 30 - NO SCHOOL, Teacher Workshop

Dec. 8 - PTO Meeting, 7 p.m. - Zoom Meeting Link

Pictures are in!!

If your child had their picture retaken or taken for the first time, please pick up their picture in the vestibule outside the main office. The vestibule is open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.

End of Trimester 1; November 24th

As we near the end of our first trimester of school, teachers will be reporting grades in Campus Portal. Teachers will have a day on Monday, Nov. 30^th to work on reporting grades within Infinite Campus.

Viewing Power Standards Scores and Assignments in Infinite Campus

This school year families will be able to see the academic progress of their elementary student within Infinite Campus. Within a course, there will be anywhere from one to several power standards that are reported in the Grades area of Campus Portal. Power standards are the highest priority or most important standards students will learn in a course. To learn more about how to find learning progress scores and what these scores mean, please visit https://youtu.be/r6YGvUE3ufY.

Keep Your School Nurse Updated in Distance Learning

Even though we’re not physically in school it’s important that you still call in when your child is sick – especially if it’s a confirmed or suspected COVID case. Here’s why it’s so important:

We need accurate data about the spread within our school communities as we make decisions on when, or how, to bring students back to in-person learning. Whether that’s bringing in students who need a higher level of support in small groups, or getting all of our students back in the buildings, we need to understand what our district numbers look like to make an informed decision.
We also need data about who is being asked to quarantine at both the student and staff level to make sure our staffing numbers have stabilized when we want to bring students back into the buildings.
Our public health agencies at the state and county level are overwhelmed given the number of positive cases. School nurses are playing a crucial role in helping them do contract tracing and investigating, and are far more likely to be able to answer your questions in a timely manner.

Our Health Services Team is here to help you even during distance learning to answer questions, work through guidance, and support you. Please help us by keeping us informed (or if you have any questions or concerns) when your child is sick by contacting Nurse Rachelle Hunnicutt (JES attendance line) at 952-556-6519 or email at HunnicuttR@district112.org.

District 112 Health Services. (https://www.district112.org/district/departments/health-services)

Free Meals to All Students During Distance Learning

Thanks to government funding, ALL ECCS students have access to free meals for the remainder of the school year. Participating in our distance learning meal kit program gives students nutritious and delicious meal options, supports local vendors and business partners, and supports 112 Nutrition Services. Parents can sign up weekly for meal kits, which includes 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches for each student. Meal kits are full of student favorites that come as ready-to-eat foods along with some frozen items that are meant to be baked at home. Watch for a weekly email every Thursday (starting Nov. 26) with the following week’s menu and link to order form. This free Meal Kit program is available to ALL students. You do not need to be on the free/reduced lunch program to receive these kits. Read more HERE.

LINK: https://www.district112.org/district/departments/nutrition-services/distance-learning-meal-kits

Food Drive

We will continue to collect food to support the Bountiful Basket Food Shelf in Chaska through December 16. If you would like to donate any items Read More Here. Bring items and leave them outside the main office. Also, any gift cards for families in need, please label in envelope, "Caring Cards" and leave on the table outside the office.

PTO

Support PTO just by shopping!

Did you know there are two easy ways to support us without spending an extra dime? When you shop Shutterfly or Amazon, if you shop via our Storefront and Smile site, the PTO gets a portion of the proceeds. Please consider shopping via these links.

Shop Via JES PTO Shutterfly Storefront

Amazon Smile: Add Jonathan Elementary School PTO Here

December 15: Read-a-Thon Fundraiser Planning Meeting 7PM

We are seeking ideas/input for a virtual Read-a-Thon this year. Come ready to share suggestions! NO COMMITMENT! Join the zoom meeting here: Read-a-Thon Planning Zoom Link

Yearbook Photos Needed!

With the shift to distance learning, we are asking for parent help to fill the pages of our yearbook. Please send photos to: jonathanelementarypto@gmail.com

Some specs to keep in mind:

Photos should be at least 750 kb, 1MB or larger is ideal.
If sending more than 5 pics at a time, please send in separate emails.
Photos should be clear and focused.
No graphics or collages if possible.

Close ups with cute kid faces are perfect!

District to post weekly COVID-19 data dashboard

The district will post weekly county and district COVID-19 information on the Return to Learn webpage -- view the ECCS data dashboard HERE. (http://www.district112.org/datadashboard/)

We are thankful for all of you!