Our staff has really started a sweet year off after a welcomed and restful summer! We all look forward to a fresh start whether you're a student, teacher or principal - so please support us in our goals, vision, and celebrations throughout the year. This is going to be a busy year ahead as we dig into curriculum, celebrate progress and prepare to move schools!

Thank you to all the families who were able to join us at our Meet the Teacher Night in which we reviewed new information, reviewed important how to's and viewed a glimpse of our new school's progress! I am attaching the power point from that night's presentation here. 2025 Meet Teacher Power Point.pptx

It is so important that all families complete the new online parent information forms that our county is using from now on. It's imperative we have your current phone numbers, emergency contacts and other important information as soon as possible, so there is no delay in ever contacting you when needed. The form's QR code to scan is found below in the Parent's Corner.

Another important policy we follow from the state is that cellular devices are NOT allowed during school. This includes more than just a phone, such as earbuds, smart watches, tablets, ipads and gaming devices. If such a device is brought to school with a student, it MUST stay in the child's backpack until the child reaches their destination after school.

Our county is leading us in Strive for Five, which is our attendance goal for all students to have less than 5 absences a semester. Our school ended last year with positive attendance of 94.5% and this year our goal is to have over 95% as well as to decrease our chronic absences (those who are absent over 10% of the school year). Last year our chronic absences equaled 11.22% (County CA - 19.34%).

Tips for attendance include:

Use the County Attendance Tracker sent home for your family to monitor absences and set attendance goals with.
Establish routines in the evening before school days to be better rested/prepared.
Schedule medical and dentist appointments outside of school hours.

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Monday, September 1, 2025 - Labor Day, No School.

Thursday, September 4, 2025 - Band Introduction Meeting from 5-7:00 p.m. at SES

Friday, September 12, 2025 - Interims

Friday, September 12, 2025 - International Dot Day - Wear polka dots!

Monday, September 15, 2025 - S.E.A. Meeting for parent information at 6:15 p.m. in cafeteria

Thursday, September 25, 2025 - 5th grade to School House Ridge 9:15 - 12:15

Friday, October 10, 2025 - Grades End

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

Thursday, October 16, 2025 - Picture Day

Friday, October 17, 2025 - Report Cards

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.

Back to School &Together Again!

From our School Counsel, Ms. Colbert

Hello SES Families,

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 or lcolbert@k12.wv.us. Also, please feel free to use the link/QR Code to send me a school counseling referral https://forms.office.com/r/1GV6gJsSPt?origin=lprLink . 

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/families at home & in the community/classroom.

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 students and families. Together let’s make this year a great success!

Laura Colbert, School Counselor

SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL TEAM

Coach Namolik from Shepherd University's boys basketball team joined Mrs. Dudash's 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes for basketball skills and drills! The students absolutely love having these young men here working with them and we look forward to more opportunities ahead, especially in our brand new gym!

S.E.S. BEARY Fun Assembly

We are learning behaviors for BEARS this year (Behavior, Engagement, Attitude, Respect & Safety) and we even learned and practiced a cheer with those 5 expectations.

At the assembly we also played a competitive game of bear heads and bear tails with the entire K-2 grade level and 3-5 grade level which ended with 2 very happy winners taking home a stuffed cub to remember the fun!

Mrs. Hebert/Ms. Painter in 1st grade were 1 of the 2classrooms awarded with a broom award for keeping the cleanest classrooms! Ms. Schuyleman won a broom for her 5th grade classroom's cleanliness at the end of 2 weeks of school, too!

We also celebrated our attendance goals this year for every student to miss no more than 5 days of school each semester & Allona Miller & Charlotte Harvey were awarded with pizza and ice-cream gift certificates for perfect attendance so far! Kindergarten has had the best attendance so far with 96% of the children not missing 1 day yet!

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!

HIGHLIGHTING SUBS AT SES....

We enjoyed our 2nd Sundaes and Super Subs at SES before school began where we gather with substitute teachers who help us out throughout the year and plan ahead and enjoy sweet treats, too! Our substitute teachers are so very much appreciated and needed, and we need more as many of these incredible people move on to permanent teaching jobs throughout the county - so if you know of someone who would like to be registered with the county as a substitute (especially at SES!), encourage them to contact the JCS central office to get started!