We are falling into October by jumping into benchmark tests, interventions with students to increase reading and math proficiency, enjoying field trips, and showing PAWsitive BEARS' (behavior, engagement, attitude, respect & safety) characteristics!

I want to thank each person who took the time and gave a donation/bought popcorn to help fundraise for new school items on our playground that all students will enjoy. We earned $4702.45 from popcorn and $2,885 from write a check! We are going to be able to grow our playground's development & activities sooner with such generosity!

With Fall Fest coming up on the 19th, we hope to see our SES families having fun here and enjoying the activities the S.E.A. is busy planning for!

We have 2 big attendance goals this year at SES: 1) have a monthly attendance average of 94.5% and 2) Keep our chronic absences under 10% by the end of the year (last year 11.22% & the county was at 19.34%)

Tips for attendance include:

Check in on your attendance tracker so that you know how many absences you have this school year - remember we are trying to STRIVE FOR LESS THAN 5 a semester! Thank you for striving and encouraging positive attendance so children receive the education waiting here for them!

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Thursday, October 2, 2025 - 4th/5th grade attend SMS football game at 1:00 at SMS.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - 5th grade Safety Patrol Applications due to Mrs. Payne

Thursday, October 9, 2025 - 3rd grade field trip to the National Zoo

Friday, October 10, 2025 - Grades End & 1st 9 week's Assembly for all students

Friday, October 10, 2025 - 2 hour early dismissal for students

Monday, October 13, 2025 - Columbus Day - No School for Students

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - 1st grade field trip to the pumpkin patch

Thursday, October 16, 2025 - Picture Day

Friday, October 17, 2025 - Report Cards

Sunday, October 19, 2025 - Fall Fest at SES

Monday, October 20, 2025 - S.E.A. meeting for families in cafeteria at 6:15 p.m.

Week of October 27 - 31 - Red Ribbon Week of Activities

Friday, November 7, 2025 - Club Shep 6-8:00 p.m.

S.E.S'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 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.

We begin dismissal at 3:25 p.m. for walkers & 3:30 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 park in the parent parking lot and pick up your children at the Kindergarten dismissal doors at 3:25 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.

ENTERING SCHOOL BUILDING:

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, etc. 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:

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.

NEW SCHOOL, SAME GREATNESS!

We are counting down the number of school days when we open our new doors! I was able to walk through the school today after being trained on its intercom and PA system and it is looking fabulous! I cannot wait to see our staff and students enjoy this incredible building built for us!

COUNTDOWN OF SCHOOL DAYS LEFT!

LIBRARY

CAFETERIA

BLUE CLASSROOM

GREEN CLASSROOM

ORANGE CLASSROOM

PURPLE CLASSROOM

ART ROOM

MUSIC ROOM

GYM

GYM

FRONT ENTRY

NEEDLE FELTING CLASSES AT SES!

4th AND 5th GRADERS…Join Mrs. Groff and Mrs. Boyd on Wednesdays Oct 15 - Nov 12 for an after-school workshop: Needle felting: Painting with Wool

Dive into the vibrant and tactile art of needle felting in this hands-on workshop. Participants will use barbed needles and soft wool fibers to create stunning, painting-like designs by layering and blending colors. The class also explores three-dimensional creativity, guiding students to sculpt their own small ornament-style creations. No prior experience is required—just bring your curiosity and imagination to transform simple materials into unique works of art.

Register at Starlightstudio.cc

For questions email Mrs. Groff at agroff@k.12.wv.us or laboyd@k12.wv.us

FROM OUR NURSE SANDY

Hand Foot and Mouth Information

What Parents Need to Know About Hand Foot Mouth Disease

What: Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common virus that primarily affects infants and children but older children can be affected by it too. It is spread through contact with respiratory secretions and stool of infected persons. There has been an increased occurrence throughout the state including 17 outbreaks since September 1, 2025.

Symptoms:

*Sudden onset of fever

* Painful oral sores

*Rash on hands and feet

Infectious Period: Two days before rash develops, during active illness with fever/open sores present, and the virus can shed for several weeks after rash/symptoms resolve.

When to keep your student home:

*If they have a fever of 100.4F or higher

*They can not participate in routine activities

*Uncontrolled drooling from mouth sores

When your student CAN return to school:

*Fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication

* They can participate in routine activities

Together we can help reduce the spread of the virus by teaching our children to cover their coughs/sneezes and to wash their hands frequently throughout the day including before eating lunch.

FROM OUR KINDERGARTEN TEAM!

What is happening in Kindergarten?

Kindergarten students continue to work on fine motor skills by practicing lines on chart paper in the hallway, and scissor skills in the classroom.

We finished our first Knowledge Unit on Nursery Rhymes and are learning about The Five Senses. Both classes spent time learning all about apples and doing activities for Freedom Week.

In Math, we are working on number sense 0-5. We are learning how to do Number Talks and we are counting, writing, subitizing and comparing numbers to 5. Next up – numbers to 10!

S.E.S. Students CanTake This to the Bank!

Bank at School is back at SES! Students are being given the opportunity to open accounts with Jefferson Security Bank. There will be banking days each month when students can bring in money to deposit in their accounts and they will get lessons in financial literacy. With over 80 families, SES has the highest participation rate for this program with JSB!

Banking dates will be sent home soon! Contact Mrs. Webb any questions.

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!