North Jefferson Elementary School

Star News

February 2025

Principal's Note

Dear NJES Friends and Families, 

The month of February is packed full of activities, so please keep your eye on the school calendar and for various communications coming home. 

I want to take a minute to highlight three of the upcoming events. One is the practice West Virginia General Summative Assessment (WVGSA), which will run from February 10-13th. This is the staff and students’ opportunity to practice the end of the year assessment, which is one of the primary ways our school is judged on its academic success. Therefore, it’s critically important that students be in school to take this practice exam. The test also gives our teachers a better understanding of which concepts students have not yet mastered. Note the testing schedule for the week: Monday = Reading; Tuesday = Writing; Wednesday = Math; and Thursday = Science for 5th graders. There will be no make-up tests if a student misses a day. 

The second event is the Friendship Festival (and Dance). Bringing some Fun into February, our school is going to celebrate all the incredible friends and families that make our community so strong. And now that we know North Jefferson is staying open, we want to plan for our future! We hope to use the funds raised by the Friendship Festival and Dance to purchase an outdoor pavilion, which will provide us with a permanent outdoor classroom that can accommodate messy crafts and science experiments, a shaded space for recess, a meeting place for clubs, and much more.  

Finally, Parent Teacher Conferences are coming up on Thursday, February 27, from 5-7pm. For these conferences, teachers will be sending home letters, and guardians can sign up for a pre-arranged time slot. That same evening, we will offer tech support for guardians on the use of Canvas and the ROOMS app. Lastly, families can attend sessions on emotional regulation and behavior management with Ms. Bubb, which will be held throughout the evening. 

All this and more is coming up this month, and we certainly hope to see as many of you as possible. North Jefferson is all about community, and we thrive because of you. 

 

Sincerely, 

Priscilla Rodd 

Interim Head Principal 

Non-Traditional Instructional Days Connectivity

More snow is possible in the coming weeks, which would mean additional Non-Traditional Instructional Days (NTIDs). We want to ensure all students have the necessary connectivity to fully participate in their studies when we are virtual, and even when we aren't! If your family needs internet access, we can help! All families in need of a hotspot may check one out from the school. A form has been sent home to all families, please complete this form and return it. If you did not receive a form, and need internet access please call NJES at (304) 725-9587. General NTID information can be found in the Beacon.

The 100th Day of School

The 100th Day of School is February 7th, 2025! To celebrate we are asking that students and staff dress up as if they are 100 years old! Please check the ROOMS app for other activities that will be happening, as each class celebrates the 100th day of school.

100th Day of School

NJES Friendship Festival

NJES is fundraising to improve our school with upgrades like an outdoor pavilion. An outdoor pavilion would give teachers, and students a place to learn while enjoying the outdoors. This would allow for more science experiments, and hands on learning for our students.

Beginning on February 14th, North Jefferson Friendship Week will begin with a soft opening of the "For the Love of Friends and Family Gift Shop" - and chocolate Valentine Pops will be selling for $2 a piece. The following week, the gift shop will be open every day, and students will be able to purchase items for $.50 - $5.00. Students will also be able to earn a limited number of tickets to purchase items through good behavior.

Other Friendship events will include school spirit days that are listed below and school-wide art project.

The week will end with a Friendship Festival and Dance on Friday, Feb. 21st. The event will feature a dance in the gym, games in the library, and crafts in the art room - as well as a popcorn machine and drinks! In order to attend, students must return a permission form, and we are asking for a $2 donation. The Festival/Dance begins directly after school from 3:45-5:30pm. The doors will open to guardians at 5:00pm, if they wish to take pictures, buys gifts, and participate in activities. All guardians are asked to sign their students out at 5:30pm. More information will be sent home soon.

NJES Friendship Festival Flyer

PTO Launches New Facebook Page

In an effort to better communicate with parents, guardians, and the community the PTO has launched a new public Facebook Page. The page is called the North Jefferson Elementary PTO. This page is run by PTO members. Any parent or guardian is welcome to join the Parent Teacher Organization. The PTO meets once a month, and their next meeting is February 11th at 6:00pm. Students are welcome to attend with their parents. The PTO raises funds for school improvements, school events, teacher appreciation week, and so much more. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the PTO please contact them at northjeffersonelementarypto@gmail.com.

Shinning a Light on NJES Staff

At the January 27 JCBOE meeting, Principal Rodd continued Jefferson County's school-based staff recognitions by honoring two outstanding NJES Stars.

Lisa Long, 5th Grade Teacher - A longtime educator, Mrs. Long has guided generations of NJES students. She encourages creative and critical thinking, mentors fellow teachers, and supports substitute staff. Principal Rodd praised her dedication, including the extra time she spends after school helping students succeed.

Lynn Brown, Cafeteria Manager - Ms. Brown takes great care of the students at NJES, ensuring they are well-cared for both physically and mentally. She builds strong relationships with students through the lunch line and supports many after-school events. Principal Rodd deeply appreciates her dedication and said NJES is a better place because of her.

NJES Staff Recognition

Feel Like You're Missing Something?

Please Check Lost and Found

If your student is missing a glove, hat, or jacket please encourage them to check the lost and found. The lost and found at NJES is full of hoodies and jackets.

NJES Lost and Found

Attendance at NJES

North Jefferson Elementary continues to recognize the importance of attendance! Thank you to all the dedicated parents and guardians who have helped us increase attendance this year. In the coming weeks we will also recognize children for meeting or exceeding their academic and behavioral goals. Additionally NJES recognizes good behavior every day when students are caught being S.T.A R. S. (Safe, Team-Player, Accountable, Respectful.)

NJES Bulletin Board
Afterschool Programs at NJES 2025

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Starts Afterschool Programs at NJES!

North Jefferson Elementary has partnered with Jefferson County Parks and Recreation to begin afterschool activities. The programs will start directly afterschool beginning at 3:45pm. The programs are open to students ages 5 to 11. Parents should sign up their children directly at the Parks and Recreation Website or by calling 304-728-3207. The activities start at $40.00, but scholarships are available through the rec center.

Books, Bikes, and Basketball Moving to Mondays

In order to accommodate the increased number of afterschool programs, and the Jefferson High Basketball team - Books, Bikes, and Basketball is moving to Mondays. The club will still meet from 3:45 - 5:00PM. The next meeting is Feb. 10th, 2025, and we are still looking for adult volunteers. If you're interested, please call the office or email julie.vorhauer@k12.wv.us.

Books, Bikes, and Basketball
NJES February 2025 Calendar

NJES Lunch Policy

· Guardians can eat school lunch with their children every day of the week except on days with an early release or 2-hour delay.

· Guardians must bring an ID with them to school to be run through raptor.

· If guardians want to eat school lunch, they need to call and alert the school before 10:00AM in the morning.

· Guardians are encouraged to eat the lunch, rather than bring in outside food so that we limit distraction and feelings of jealousy.

· Because of limited space at our student tables, guardians and students will be asked to eat at a table near the back of the cafeteria.

· Guardians need to be careful and not photograph any other students, beyond their own children, when they are in school.

· If more than six guardians are signed up to eat lunch with their children, other guardians will be asked to come another day.

Lunch menus are sent home at the beginning of every month, and may also be viewed at; https://njes.jcswv.org/o/njes/dining.

NJES LOGO

Help Us With Dismissal

REMINDER: We are reaching out to ask you to please help us with our end-of-school dismissal and transportation procedures, starting on January 13th, 2025, after winter break.

Firstly, we are asking that all transportation changes be communicated to the office before 2:50 PM. Last-minute changes can lead to confusion that can stress and endanger students, and having extra time to communicate plans ensures that dismissal is more orderly and safer.

Secondly, as much as possible, we’re asking families who need to pick up students early do so by 2:50 PM. This earlier pick up time is also meant to minimize chaos at the end of the day so that students can be dismissed in the safest possible manner.  

These changes are not meant to inconvenience anyone, but to ensure an orderly end to our school day. We also understand that issues come up, and you may not be able to meet these timelines, but we truly appreciate any adjustments you can make in this regard.  

 Please feel free to call the school with any questions. As always, thank you for your support and entrusting us with your children.