Dear Parents/Guardians,

Here we are in the month of February, a time for family, friends and our SES community to see, hear and feel the appreciation, love and respect that we have. I am proud to witness it clearly every day in our school with students, staff and our students’ families. This month we are able to feel the pride in S.E.S. as we open the doors one last time to say farewell to our school on Church Street. We hope to see many faces from the past to the present meeting in this space on Saturday, February 7 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., in the building that holds many years of school experiences, gatherings so special and fondly remembered. As I’m sure to see some tears, I look forward to hearing stories and learning more about its past through your lens and your memories.

One of my favorite new memories from this new school year has been our 2nd 9 week’s assembly. It was so special to me because for the first time ever in my experience at S.E.S, every single student as well as every staff member gathered in the gym comfortably together and cheered, celebrated and enjoyed accomplishments, awards, and some silly fun together along with our Black Bear mascot!

Another great moment this year has been celebrating how well our math field day participants did in the county competition with all elementary schools, led by our gifted teacher, Mrs. Penny Shiley. As a team (all individual scores added together), 5th graders placed 3rd in the county and 4th grade placed 2nd ! In 5th grade, Zach Clayton placed 4th and will be an alternate for the Regionals and Colin Sharrer placed 3rd and will be going to Regionals. In 4th grade, Braden Smith took 1st place and will be going to Regionals!

We have much to look forward to on Shepherdstown Campus Boulevard this winter still including Science Fair (March 11), Talent Show (March 17), and 5th grade Starbase (March 18 – 31). As our spring break approaches (April 3 – 10), we prepare for WVGSA for grades 3-5 from April 21 – May 14. Each week will be dedicated to a reading, writing, math and for 5th grade only – a science test.

I am asking that our S.E.S. families take a few moments and complete a survey in which you are able to give valuable information from your perspective in which we can appreciate and make future decisions from. The survey can be completed on any computer or device with an internet connection. Please use this link to access the survey: https://forms.office.com/r/mXGLXGUApV The survey is open until March 20 and on an average takes 10 minutes to complete. I thank you ahead of time for your time in answering these questions that we can reflect on and analyze to keep S.E.S. progressing in social, emotional and academic areas in all areas of our school.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Payne

SES Math Field Day Team!

Congratulations!

Winners of our assembly musical chairs!

Mrs. Hebert and Rhys Jarrell

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - Spirit Night at Maria's Taqueria 3pm-9pm

Saturday, February 7, 2026 - Farewell to Shepherdstown Elementary School on South Church Street 10am-12pm

Monday, February 9, 2026 - 100th day of school for Grades 1-5. Students can dress with 100 of something or may dress as 100 years old.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 - 100th day of school for Kindergarten. Students can dress with 100 of something or may dress as 100 years old.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - Bank Day

Friday, February 13, 2026 - 2HR Early Dismissal/Faculty Senate

Monday, February 16, 2026 - No School for Students/Staff Professional Development

Monday, February 24, 2026 - SEA Meeting 6:15pm

Tuesday, February 25, 2026 - Bank Day

Thursday, March 5, 2026 - Spring/Class Picture Day

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - Bank Day, Science Fair with parents/guardians/community viewing at 5pm, Spirit Night at Tommeez Pizza 12pm-9pm

Friday, March 13, 2026 - End of 3rd Quarter - No School for Students/Staff Professional Development

Monday, March 16, 2026 - SEA Meeting 6:15pm

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 - Talent Show, for parents/guardians viewing at 6pm

Wednesday, March 18-31 - 5th Grade STARBASE

Friday, March 20, 2026 - 3rd Grade Field Trip to National Conservation Training Center, Report Cards

Thursday, April 2, 2026 - 2HR Early Dismissal/Faculty Senate

Friday, April 3-10, 2026 - Spring Break

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - WVGSA 3rd Grade Reading

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - WVGSA 4th Grade Reading

Thursday, April 23, 2026 - WVGSA 5th Grade Reading

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - WVGSA 3rd Grade Writing

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - WVGSA 4th Grade Writing

Thursday, April 30, 2026 - WVGSA 5th Grade Writing

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 - WVGSA 3rd Grade Math

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - WVGSA 4th Grade Math

Thursday, May 7, 2026 - WVGSA 5th Grade Science

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - No School

Thursday, May 14, 2026 - WVGSA 5th Grade Math

Monday, May 25, 2026 - No School

S.E.S. is a safe and welcoming community that fosters curiosity, resilience, and collaboration to inspire all to be lifelong learners who are also responsible, respectful citizens.

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/bus-procedures-frequently-asked-questions-2025

SCHOOL HOURS: 8:50 - 3:30

Students who are car riders 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.

We begin dismissal at 3:30 p.m. for car riders & 3:35 p.m. for bused students.

Please do not pick up your child from school between 3:00-3:25, unless it is an emergency. You will have to enter the car rider pick up line and remain in your vehicle until your child is released by staff to your vehicle after 3:30 p.m. with all other dismissed students if picking up your child then. You cannot park your car in the front bus loop during our dismissal time, either. Thank you for understanding the safety and commotion that occurs if we disregard this important policy.

SUBMIT AN ABSENCE ON LINE:

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 online. You can even submit doctor's notes by uploading them there as well. Please build this preferred way as your habit of sending in excuses.

Remember, we are STRIVING FOR 5 or less absences per semester for every child!

SES STUDENT & FAMILY HANDBOOK:

Please take time to read our Family and Student Handbook for 2025 - 2026 (link is below). You were to return the signature page found at the end of the handbook to your child's teacher or use the same page to request a paper copy be sent home for your use.

25-26 Family Student Handbook.docx

UPDATE STUDENT INFORMATION ONLINE ONLY!

Please update your child's information so we have current names and numbers for emergency purposes, etc.. All forms that used to be printed and handed out on the first day of school are no longer used. JCS is using this paperless method to have all student and family information.

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.

If you are looking to establish a stronger partnership with SES and its future, or you know of someone who would like to be our business partner in education, please reach out to Mrs. Payne! There are so many ways to partner, collaborate and share our resources, and Mrs. Payne would love to discuss how we can affect more lives and lessons through this establishment! jpayne@k12.wv.us

We already partner with Jefferson Security Bank, Shepherdstown Public Library, Green Tree Reality, and soon we are adding Four Seasons Books!