North Jefferson Elementary School

Star News

May 2025

Principal's Note

Dear NJES Families,  

I just want to take this opportunity to thank you the entire NJES community for your support this year. Being North's Jefferson's interim head principal has been an honor of my life. My hope is to continue to serve the North Jefferson community in another capacity, so I won't be a stranger. However, as I am reaching the end of my term as head principal, I do want to express my deep appreciation and love for all the students, staff, and families that I have had the privilege of working with this year.

I also want to thank our small but mighty PTO. Every year, North Jefferson staff and students are blessed with regular contributions from our Parent Teacher Association, including a wonderful Staff Appreciation Week that features lots of yummy treats and a wonderful lunch. Thank you for all that you do!

In terms of our retirees, we are losing some amazing, dedicated staff members this year. I hope that everyone is able to come and wish them well at our End-of-Year Picnic on the evening May 28th!

Sincerely, 

Priscilla Rodd 

Interim Head Principal 

Saying Goodbye After a Career of Service

Mrs. Long Retirement

Mrs. Long with Benny

Ms. Long began her career as a teacher in 1982. Before making NJES her home, she worked at Summersville Elementary as a kindergarten teacher, Augusta Elementary as a first grade and a second-grade teacher, C.W. Shipley as a kindergarten, and a 5th and 6th grade teacher until she finally found her home in 1995 at NJES. While at North Jefferson, Ms. Long taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grades, and combination class for 3rd and 4th grade, and a combination class for 4th-5th grade. When asked about retiring, Ms. Long said, "North Jefferson is the most wonderful school. I love the students, the parents, the staff and the community. I will truly miss all of these people."

Ms. Carper started working for Jefferson County schools as substitute in October of 2002. Her first position as a substitute was ISS at Jefferson High school. She then became a long term sub in the LD class at Charles Town Middle School. Next, Mrs. Carper would bring her talents to Ranson Elementary School in the kindergarten classrooms. Ms. Carper also worked at NJES as a one-on-one aide for 3 years, and then at Blue Ridge Elementary in BD. Missing the kindergarten classrooms, Ms. Carper continued her education to become an ECCAT. She would serve as an ECCAT for almost 20 years first in Kindergarten, and now in second grade. Ms. Carper will miss all of her wonderful kids but is ready to spend time with her two grandchildren Ella and Journi.

Mrs. Carper 2025
Mrs. Bubb 2025

Ms. Bubb has served as the school counselor at NJES for the last ten years. She is a West Virginian through and through, born in Jefferson County in 1951; she attended public school in Jefferson County from kindergarten to high school. Upon completing high school, she attended Sheperd College, which was a teacher's college. After graduation, she served as a PE teacher at Clark County Highschool in Berryville, Viriginia for three years. Ms. Bubb then worked for the Job Core helping students prepare for professional positions. Shortly after, Ms. Bubb joined the Marine Core, proudly serving for four years, before starting her family. Once her family settled in the state of Washington, she obtained her masters degree and started working as school counselor. She tried to retire but felt that there was more to do. She moved back to West Virginia and started once again as a PE teacher at Charles Town Elementary. Shortly thereafter, she transferred to NJES and has been part of the North Jefferson Family ever since. It is with a heavy heart that she retires after years of kindness and support from our families. She will be leaving in order to spend more time with her four children, and eight grandchildren.

NJES anouncements 2025

Thank You for Doing the Anouncements

This year the morning announcements were presented by a team of 5th grade students: Gabby, Tyler, Ari, Nora, and Rachel. The students took turns presenting the morning announcements each morning over the intercom system for the entire school. They all did a great job! All students in the school also got a chance to be on the morning announcements as a few students from each class took turns reciting the Pledge of Allegiance throughout the year. 

Earth Day With Washington High School Key Club

Washington Highschool Key Club visited North Jefferson Elementary for Earth Day! Students at Washington Highschool Key Club visited each classroom on Earth Day and discussed the importance of conservation. After visiting each classroom, the students participated in a trash clean up. These activities were featured in The Journal.

NJES Earth Day 2
NJES Earth Day 3
NJES Earth Day 4
NJES Earth Day 1 2025

Farm Day with The FFA

The Jefferson High School Chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) visited North Jeferson Elementary School. The students brought several types of animals including; rabbits, goats, and Australian Sheperd. The FFA also demonstrated how to use tractors and spoke to students about farming practices.

FArm day FFA
NJES Farm Day 25
NJES Farm Day 2025 1
NJES Farm Day 4

NJES Career Day with BTA Parent Hub

North Jefferson Elementary held a career day in partnership with the BTA Parent Hub. Students enjoyed learning about creative careers, including starting your own business like the Bin Blasting Brothers. Other careers featured were writers, a midwife, and hairstylist. The event was featured in the Journal.

NJES Career Day 2025

Fairy Tale Steam Night

NJES STEAM NIGHT 25 2
NJES steam night 2025 2
NJES STEAM NIGHT 2025
NJES Steam Night 25 3

We hope all of our wonderful families enjoyed attending our fairy tale steam night. Students were able to solve our fairy tale friends problem using Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. They also had the chance to meet some real-life creatures. We look forward to holding this event next year!

UPCOMING EVENTS

May Calendar

NJES May Calendar 2025
NJES Volunteers Needed 2025

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 April 8thh 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.

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
NJES Lost and Found Glasses
NJES Summer Camp Parks and Rec

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Starts Summer Programs at NJES!

North Jefferson Elementary has partnered with Jefferson County Parks and Recreation to host a Day Camp this Summer. The Camp is available for children ages 6-12 years. Scholarships are avail at the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation website. Registration is through the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation website as well. The dates of the day camp are listed below. Should you have any trouble registering please call the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation at (304) 728-3207.

6/9-6/13 Cost : $185

6/16-6/18 Cost: $111

6/23-6/27 Cost: $185

7/7-7/11 Cost $185

7/14-7/18 Cost $185

7/21-7/25 Cost$185

7/28-8/1 Cost $185

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 LAST meeting is MAY 12, 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 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.

NJES Star