It was so wonderful seeing many of you at our first parent only Meet the Teacher Night sessions last week! We were able to comfortably discuss important how to's, in order to support our parents with knowledge and understanding of important aspects of school. Rules and procedures have been taught and demonstrated by all of our staff and we are deep into beginning lessons and progress monitoring now. Our school is overflowing with talented and creative teachers who are thriving teaching and supporting your children in our filled classrooms! Thank you parents and guardians in the collaboration and dedication you provide to our school, staff, and these bright and capable children!
Shepherdstown Elementary School
Hot Off Principal Payne's Press!
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Monday, 9/2/24 - No School. Labor Day
Thursday, 9/5/24 - Instrument Introductions to 5th Graders for Band at SES! 5-7:00 p.m. Cafeteria.
Week of 9/9/24 - 9/13 - Celebrate Freedom Week
Friday, 9/13/2024 - Interims (grades 3-5 use CANVAS to see grades)
Wednesday 9/18/2024 - S.E.A. Meeting in Cafeteria 6-7:00 p.m.
Friday 9/27/2024 - 5th Grade School House Ridge 9:50 - 11:45 a.m.
Thursday 10/11/2024 - 2 Hour Early Release Day
Friday 10/14/2024 - No School for Students. Professional Development day for Staff
Wednesday 10/16/2024 - S.E.A. Meeting in Cafeteria 6-7:00 p.m.
Thursday 10/17/2024 - Fall Picture Day
Friday 10/18/2024 - Report Cards
Saturday 10/19/2024 - Fall Fun Day & Trunk or Treat at SES from 3 - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday 10/24/2024 - Parent Teacher Conferences from 5-7:00 p.m.
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. Dismissal begins at 3:25 for walkers and riders. Bused students' dismissal begins at 3:30.
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 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. You will be given the last page of this handbook to sign and return by August 30th to show that you have read our information. You can check the box on the form if you need a printed copy of the handbook and we will send it home with your child for your convenience.
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. The App will look like the following icon pictured below.
INTRODUCING AT S.E.S.....
Mrs. Webb - SES's Lead Teacher!
Many of you have had the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Webb as our fabulous kindergarten teacher, and this year she is also playing a second role in our school as the lead teacher who will step up when Principal Payne is out of the building.
Mrs. Webb explained, "I grew up in State College, PA and graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Elementary Education. I began my career subbing in Jefferson County and taught 6th grade and gifted at SES. My first full time classroom was at Page Jackson Elementary where I taught 3rd grade for 3 years and then was able to begin my dream job teaching Kindergarten.
After 4 years, I transferred back to SES where I’ve been teaching Kindergarten ever since! This is my 21st Kindergarten class in Room 6!
I am married and have 2 grown children, both of whom went through SES.
The newest addition to my family is Nova, a black shepherd puppy.
I always wanted to be a teacher, and was inspired by my own kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Domin who is pictured above with me. I am still in touch with her to this day!"
Ms. Colbert - School Counselor!
We are so glad to welcome our students back and see some new happy faces! I would like to share with you how the Elementary School Counseling Program works with your child's education. I provide monthly classroom lessons about personal and academic growth, career exploration/development, decision making, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills. In the public-school setting, counseling services are short term in duration and support outside professional counseling services, if need be. Throughout the school year I meet with students individually and conduct small groups to address specific needs. I meet with parents and teachers to develop interventions and ongoing support when a child is receiving services. I also provide assistance in crisis situations that occur in a student's life. I welcome your input on how I can best help support your child. If you would like to make me aware of a particular need/concern for your child or have any further questions, please feel free to contact me (304) 876-6270, ext. 4169 or lcolbert@k12.wv.us .
Here are a few resources that I would like to make you aware of: · https://parentguidance.org/school-coaching/ Provides coaching for parents with guided, step-by-step resources; tools & tips; confidential help; and calls/messaging with a coach. · https://childhswv.org/about/locations/jefferson-county-family-support-center/ The Honey Bee Family Support Center for Jefferson County provides supportive services, parenting workshops, basic needs assistance, resource and referral services, emergency food pantry, and clothing closet · https://www.jcswv.org/page/somo-resources Jefferson County Schools Social and Emotional Support Office provides resources for students and families at home, in the community, and the classroom.
This flyer is in English and Spanish and offers weekly coaching parenting phone calls with a coach!
Connection Coaching Flyers
Our school also helps students in need of assistance with school supplies, backpacks, clothing items, and weekend food bags (Kidz Power Pac Program).
Lastly, if you have 30 minutes of extra time a week and you would like to be a mentor to a student, please consider becoming a volunteer with the PASS (Providing Academic and Self-Esteem Support) Program. It is a school-based program designed to boost the academic skills and self-esteem of identified students. Volunteers receive training and are paired with students to work one-on-one during school hours. Volunteers serve as mentors for these students, providing consistent support, encouragement, and modeling.
I look forward to working with our families and making this the best school year yet!
Ms. Laura Colbert ~School Counselor
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
ATTENDANCE MATTERS ALL DAY EVERY DAY!
At S.E.S, attendance matters all day every day! We will have monthly data to report here starting in our next newsletter, so you can see our progress and difficulties in meeting our attendance goals. We will kick off September with "NOT BEING A TARDY TATOR!" Every classroom will earn a Mr. Potato Head piece daily WHEN they have perfect attendance for the day, and they will race against all of the other classrooms to be the first class with a completed Mr. or Mrs. Spud in September! This will begin our first day back to school after Labor Day Weekend, so be sure to send your child to school so their attendance matters!
TAKE A PEEK OF ACTIVITIES BEING ENJOYED!
This classroom activity fills the hall with each child choosing their favorite part of themselves explained with a picture and paragraph!
Third grade had an opportunity to sample and enjoy all genres of books today complete with their teacher as the chef preparing so many examples of tasty reads!
