This is the final newsletter of the semester and there are so many events, experiences, and concerts to joyfully fill our month! I wish each of our students' families a happy holiday ahead and may a bright new year renew you with health, relationships, careers, and all that personally fills your own bucket up! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Shepherdstown Elementary School
From Principal Payne
UPCOMING EVENTS!
12/4/2024 - Picture Retakes
12/4/2024 - 3rd grade chorus performs for grades K-2
12/5/2024 - 6:30 p.m. 3rd grade chorus concert
12/6/2024 - S.E.A. supplies Staff's lunch (contact S.E.A. to participate!)
12/8 - 12/12 Holiday Shop at S.E.S. provided by S.E.A. (see classroom times below)
12/10/2024 - 4th/5th chorus performs for K-5
12/10/2024 - 4th/5th concert 6:30 p.m.
12/13/24 - Chorus sings at Jefferson Security Bank
12/18/24 - Grades 3-5 attend SMS concert
12/18/2024 - SEA Meeting 6:00 p.m.
12/19/2024 - Band Concert 6:30 p.m.
12/20/2024 - 2 hour early release
12/20/2024 - Grades end
12/23/2024 - 1/3/2025 - Winter Break
1/6/2025 - Students return
1/10/2025 - Report Cards
PARENT'S CORNER!
LUNCH MENU:
https://ses.jcswv.org/o/ses/dining?filter=20741
Click MENU on our school website to see what's for lunch every week, knowing it is subject to change based on deliveries.
TRANSPORTATION:
Parents can visit the Jefferson County Schools website to learn more about student bus information: https://www.jcswv.org/page/find-my-school-and-bus-stop-information Parents can also view live updates on bus status each day by using the following link: https://www.jcswv.org/page/bus-tracker
SCHOOL HOURS:
Students who are riders/walkers and require breakfast can enter the school at 8:30. All other students and bused students will enter the school at 8:35 and can either eat breakfast or go to their classroom.
The tardy bell rings at 8:50 a.m.
Please do not pick up your child from school between 3:00-3:25, unless it is an emergency. You will have to pick up your children at the Kindergarten dismissal doors after 3:25 p.m. if picking up your child. You cannot park your car in the front bus loop during our dismissal time, either. Dismissal begins at 3:25 for walkers and riders. Bused students' dismissal begins at 3:30. Thank you for understanding the safety and commotion that occurs if we disregard this important policy.
When you drop off your child or items for your child, you will remain outside without having to show your ID and we will come to the door to take your child/items. If you need to pick up your child early or come into the building during school hours because you are volunteering/attending a meeting, you will continue to show your ID at the door before entering. Thank you for your help in being prepared for these instances!
SUBMIT AN ABSENCE ON LINE:
https://app.droplet.io/form/0YPd5K
Every time your child is absent from school, it is very important to submit an excuse within 3 days of their return or it is counted as unexcused. Our preferred and easiest way of submitting an excuse is by using this link found on either our school or the county's front page of both websites. You can even submit doctor's notes by uploading them in the link. Please build this preferred way as your habit of sending in excuses.
Remember, you get 10 days of excused absences by sending in a parent note, but after those 10 are used, they become all unexcused.
SES STUDENT & FAMILY HANDBOOK:
Please take time and read our Family and Student Handbook for 2024-25.
SES Family & Student Handbook 2024-25
ANY NOTE SENT TO SCHOOL:
Please include your child's first and last name on any note sent in to school. Thank you!
JCS APP:
If you have not downloaded the JCSWV App to your phone, please do so now! This is where you will receive important school information, bus changes during dismissal, newsletters, and emails in Rooms from your child's teacher.
SEA's Holiday Shop Schedule at SES!
Please make sure cash ($20 or less) is provided in an envelope with a list of names the student will shop for. Every item is priced at $2, so the most a child can shop for is 10 people.
Monday, December 9
9:00 -10:00 – Lewis
10:00 -10:30 – Frazier
10:30 – 11:00 – Austin
11:00 – 11:30 – Crouse
11:30 – 12:00 – Goff
12:15 – 12:45 – Ambrutis
Tuesday, December 10
9:00 – 10:00 – Webb
10:00 – 10:30 – Herbert
10:30 – 11:00 – Mitchell
11:00 – 11:30 – Masser
12:15 – 12:45 - Sutherland
Wednesday, December 11
9:30 – 10:00 – Bernazzoli
10:00 – 10:30 – Schuyleman
10:30 – 11:00 - Hebert
Thursday, December 12
Absences Only
9-11:00
SES Welcomes Shepherd University's Lacrosse!
We have really enjoyed the collaboration between SU and SES this year, and this month the women's team sharpened our students' lacrosse skills!
Doggy Drive Thru!
Some dogs may eat homework - but SES family dogs get treats for coming to school! Be sure to stop by Mrs. Payne on the sidewalk with her doggie bag for a drive thru treat, and lots of ooohs and ahhhhs from our doggy adoring staff!
INSIDE SES!
Second Graders Compete in the First Annual Potato Olympics!
Students in 2nd grade have been learning about the Ancient Greek Civilization, their contributions, and the myths of the Greek gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures. As the Olympics were one contribution of the ancient Greeks, students in both classes competed in a set of Potato Olympic Games. After being assigned a city-state, researching about the city-state they would represent, we let the games begin! There were proud representatives from Crete, Thebes, Athens, Olympia, Sparta, and Marathon competing in 3 different events : Distance, Dancing, and Rolling. Students loved participating in these games, medaling, and overall enjoyed learning about Ancient Greece.
From the Art Teacher, Mrs. Groff
I am Amanda Groff. I have been teaching art at SES for 15 years. Beginning my career with a few years at the high school level, I enjoy the enthusiasm and unbridled creativity that elementary students bring to art class.
My program stresses process over product and I embrace a growth-mindset outlook where students are free to make and learn from their mistakes. I enjoy teaching a variety of 2D and 3D media and artists from throughout art history.
Upcoming is the November 26 deadline for ordering your student’s art on a variety of keepsakes through Square 1 fundraising. The art program gets the majority of its budget from this fundraiser and the students are so proud to see their art printed on things like keychains, coasters, water bottles and ornaments. Thank you for supporting the arts by considering this fundraiser. Shop at square1art.com/shop
ATTENDANCE MATTERS ALL DAY EVERY DAY!
As we are striving to achieve our Attendance Goals at SES, we are celebrating our successes! We had an overall positive monthly attendance rate of 95%! Our goal is to have up a 2% increase in December!
In November we tried to increase our overall attendance on days that we generally have the most absences on. Students who were present on these 3 select days earned a feather to add to the K-2 or 3-5 turkey jar with their name on it. We pulled 1 feather from grades K-2 and one from 3-5 to receive a gift to start their Thanksgiving break with including games, puzzles, and gift cards to eat out with their family. Congratulations to our November Attendance winners Daniel Ortiz and Ruby Reese! We hope each winner enjoyed their well deserved prize as much as we enjoy their consistent positive attendance and participation in school!
In December we are having an attendance competition between each grade level class. The highest overall attendance for each grade level will win a Christmas Karaoke event for their class to enjoy before Christmas break begins! Let the reindeer games begin!
Our overall school attendance for the year has increased to our highest percentage yet- 95% in the month of November! Woo hoo!
TAKE A PEEK OF ACTIVITIES IN S.E.S!
We are so lucky at SES to have the best PE teacher in the county, Mrs. Dudash! Her innovation never ceases and now she has taken her chess club to new places! She has created an oversized, outdoor chess board for our bright and competitive students to enjoy even more!
Mrs. Austin's class is celebrating kindness by compiling deeds that can be placed in boxes for someone to gift themselves with.
During Intervention Time this group is impressive while increasing ready fluency and comprehension by choral reading about the nobles, peasants and characteristics of the city Cuzco (Peru).
STUDENT COUNCIL'S PRESENTS FOR PETS!
Our group of 5th graders in student council are asking for our school's support in collecting items for the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County from December 2 - 19. Please send items included in this flyer's wish list to help our school support these furry friends.
Mrs. Denna Smith of Inwood Performing Arts Company, presented to our very excited K, 1st, and 3rd graders details about the upcoming Nutcracker performance they will attend on December 19th!
S.E.A
S.E.A wants to remind you of our Box Tops Contest where we will be awarding a prize to the GRADE LEVEL with most box tops submitted through the 'Box Tops for Education" app. This contest will run August-December and January-April, with winners announced in January and May. Please make sure to scan your receipts within 14 days to help SES earn money and for your child’s grade level to earn a prize!
You can always find the latest information on the "Shepherdstown Elementary School SEA (PTO)" Facebook page, and are welcome to reach out to the SEA Executive Board at shepherdstownSEA2024@gmail.com with any questions, comments or ideas!
Next Meeting is December 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Merry Christmas From Your S.E.S Staff!
