Shepherdstown Elementary School

S.E.S. Family Newsletter

March 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Whether it comes in like a lion and out like a lamb – we are Marching forward! What an exciting month ahead here with so many fun things being planned and enjoyed as much as we can as you will see!

Thank you so much for supporting the farewell of Church Street SES – it was an extremely heart-felt and well attended. I thoroughly enjoyed the many stories being shared and witnessing hugs between old friends! On our school website NEWS section, you can read the favorite memories some wrote and left to be shared.

New memories to be made will be found this month for our school science fair participants on March 11th. Families are welcome to join us to view all the projects at school on March 11 from 6-6:30 and projects can be removed and taken home from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. We have almost 55 projects! Thank you for supporting your child in their interest to explore a scientific area and create a project from their interest. We understand the efforts, time and work that it takes for a family to complete this at the elementary age, and we appreciate all that you’ve done to ensure a good experience! If you cannot attend, we will take your child's project down for them to take home on Thursday, March 12.

Our 5th graders will enjoy Starbase (March 18 – 31) and is always a highlight of the school year for the students. As our spring break approaches (April 3 – 10), we are preparing 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 to evaluate whether our students have mastered their grade level standards. This letter will also sent be home as we approach testing: 2026 WVGSA Parent Letter - Before Testing. We also welcome families into SES to enjoy the student’s chorus and band concert all on May 13th beginning at 6:00 p.m. and also the Talent Show on May 21st at 6:00 p.m. in our gym!

If you have not yet, 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: WVSLES Parent/Caregiver Survey, Spring 2026 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.

Finally, as we are making our beautiful new building our own and comfortable for everyone to enjoy, I ask that you continue to be patient with parts of our day that we had to put in place including recess. The back yard needs to be repaired as you would imagine after many vehicles and equipment were being transported and built on during months of much extra moisture! I hope we have a dry enough spring ahead that we can run and enjoy the yard as we intend! Many ideas and plans are in the process to keep extending the experiences and use of our outdoor areas, so I just ask that you continue patience and understanding to support our staff in the positive caring way that they deserve.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Payne

Third Grade

Third grade students at SES recently wrapped up their Human Body knowledge unit by applying their learning in an exciting operating room–themed gallery walk. Students rotated through hands-on stations where they used context clues and text features, demonstrated their understanding of word parts, and even constructed spinal columns. This engaging experience allowed students to connect their classroom learning to real-world applications in a meaningful and memorable way. Students practiced their knowledge of Area in a surgery themed Area station. We made this celebration cross-curricular!

Reading Across America

UPCOMING EVENTS!

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

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - Bank Day, Science Fair with parents/guardians/community viewing at 6-6:30pm projects can be removed and taken home from 6:30-7pm, 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

Wednesday, March 18-31, 2026- 5th Grade STARBASE

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

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - Bank Day

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - Storybook Parade

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

Friday, April 3-10, 2026 - Spring Break

Monday, April 20, 2026 - Kindergarten Registration

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

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

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - WVGSA 3rd Grade Writing, 2nd Grade to Antietam

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - WVGSA 4th Grade Writing, WVGSA 5th Grade Reading

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

Friday, May 1, 2026 - Spirit Night Rock Hill Creamery

Monday, May 4-8, 2026 - Teacher Appreciation

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 - WVGSA 3rd Grade Math, Band & Chorus at SMS Concert

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

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

Friday, May 8, 2026 - Teacher Luncheon provided by SEA

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - No School

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 - 6pm 3rd Grade Chorus Concert; 6:45pm 4th-5th Grade Concert; 7:15pm 5th Grade Concert

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

Friday, May 15, 2026 - Make-up Testing

Thursday, May 21, 2026 - Talent Show, for parents/guardians viewing at 6pm

Friday, May 22, 2026 - Career Day

Monday, May 25, 2026 - No School

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 5th Grade Graduation

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - Field Day

Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Field Day

Friday, May 29, 2026 - Student's Last Day of School, 2HR Early Dismissal

ATTENDANCE

In JCS, we use the slogan "Strive for Less Than 5 Absences a Semester." The reason why we use this slogan is because if a student has less than five absences each semester, that student will have 9 or fewer absences during the school year, which is a 95% or higher attendance rate for the school year. By meeting this goal, our school is meeting and our goal, and the child is not considered a chronically absent child.

S.E.S. VISION

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.

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/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.

2025-2026 YEARBOOK

S.E.S. BUSINESS PARTNERS

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!