Work Hard, Be Your Best Self, Do The Right Thing
Welcome to the Martha Jones School. The core values of the school, which can best be summarized as academic excellence, respect for others, and personal responsibility, underlie all that we do. With the implementation of a rigorous academic curriculum in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and social competencies and high expectations for student and teacher engagement, our students thrive. I am delighted to welcome you to Martha Jones.
September 2016
Curriculum Night - The turnout for curriculum night was wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to learn about your child’s grade level curriculum expectations, classroom happenings, and special programs and policies. The teachers and I are very appreciative of your partnership.
Check It Out - I apologize that there are so many things happening all at the same time. I know it is hard to keep track of all the notices and emails, but please check them out. I promise it won’t be like this all year, but the start of the new school year brings much information. Things to remember:
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Picture Day is September 29th. You should have received your order form this week. Please be sure to complete it and return the order form, along with payment, to the school on or before September 29th (Picture Day). You can also order at mylifetouch.com.
Charleston Wrap Fundraiser - This is a GREAT way to stock up on that always needed wrapping paper and support the school at the same time. This fundraiser is one of the PTO’s major fundraising activities this year. I personally buy the gift wrap and I love it. No searching the house for wrapping paper for those last minute gifts. Stock up now on your birthday, Hanukkah, Christmas, weddings, and all occasion wraps. You know it will come in handy. Deadline to order: Sept. 30th
Head Lice (Pediculosis) - A few of you have inquired about cases of pediculosis (head lice) in school. There have been a few cases of head lice across the district, including a case at the Martha Jones School. We do not report out specific classes or grade levels because cross contamination of head lice in the school community is relatively low. We do ask, however, that all parents periodically check their child for head lice and report any cases to the school nurse. Students who have been diagnosed with head lice need to check-in with the school nurse before returning to school. Please review this Tip Sheet.
School Site Council - The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires that each school have a school site council made up of parents, staff, and community members. We are looking for three to four parent representatives for our school site council. The school site council meet only 4 times per year. The meetings are typically held after school, 3:15 - 4:15, and if your child needs to stay with you, that can be arranged. The School Site Council gives input into the School Improvement Plan, helps to foster a positive school community, and acts as a liaison for community between school and the parent community. If you are interested in participating, please contact Lee Ann Cote leeann.cote@yahoo.com or Deb Kelly debevans02@yahoo.com. School Site Council members will be voted on at the first PTO Meeting on October 5th at 7:00. Please consider joining the Council. It is required that we have parent members :). Thanks!
Change in your child’s dismissal routine - Please be sure to let your child’s teacher, as well as the school office, know if there is going to be a change in your child’s dismissal routine. If your child normally attends Extended Day, it is important that you also notify Extended Day of any changes. Thank you. If you have last minute dismissal changes and need to call the school office, it is most helpful if you call before noontime. This allows us to notify your child and his or her teacher during the lunch/recess break.
Tech Tidbit
Technology integration is alive and well in the Westwood Public Schools. September necessitates a review of our district CLEAR policy for grades 3 -5 (see 3/11/16 blog posting). Meanwhile, students in K - 2 focus on learning a set of responsibilities and understanding that the acceptable use of technology is for learning and education. The CLEAR acronym will be introduced to second graders in a few months.
The start of the school year is also a time to ensure student accounts are active and accessible. Third graders sign into Google Classroom & Drive for the first time. Kindergarteners get rolling with Lexia Core 5, while first and second graders dive into reading with Raz Kids. All students have access to digital math content through IXL. One of the most important messages to students at this time is the protection and privacy of their usernames and passwords. Tech Tidbits Blog
PARENTS ENJOYING CURRICULUM NIGHT!
School Calendar for 2016-2017
PTO News and Updates
PTO Membership 2016-2017
Registration is open for the 2016-2017 Martha Jones PTO. Dues are $45 for a family with one child and $55 for a family with more than one child.
The school directory and a Martha Jones car magnet are given to all the families who have joined the PTO. They are sent home with your child.
Please join by September 23 to ensure receipt of the Directory. Click here to join the PTO.
Mini-Courses Registration
Registration for the 2016 Fall Session of the After School MINI COURSE Program is open.
Mini-Courses will run Oct. 3rd through December 9th, with the week of December 12th reserved for make-ups. Classes include favorites such as Hip Hop, Fun & Games, Creative Painting and Drawing, Flag Football and the 5th Grade Play. *NEW* this year, we also have Martial Arts, Mini Chefs and Printmaking. Click here for Class Description. Click here for Class Schedule
Click here to register. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 5:00 PM – Monday, September 26, 2016. We apologize in advance, but late registrations will NOT be accepted.
UPDATE- There are still spaces on the following mini courses; Karate, Hip Hop, Print Making, Creative Painting, Flag Football, 5th Grade Play and Do Something.
NOTE- The 5th Grade Play and Do Something are in jeopardy of not running if more people don’t sign up!
If you have any questions, please reach out to the MJ Mini-course Committee mjminicourse@gmail.com.
Birthday Book Program: For a donation of $15, your child may choose a brand new book from the library during his or her birthday month. A commemorative bookplate will be placed inside the front cover of the book with your child’s name and birthday. He/she will enjoy being the first to borrow the Birthday Book and students for years to come will enjoy seeing their friend’s name inside the book. Please return this flyer with payment by Friday, September 23rd.
Volunteers Needed:
Room Parent: UPDATE VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED IN GRADES 3,4,5
Room parents assist with in-class activities and/or special celebrations and organize holiday and year end gifts for the teacher. Depending upon the needs of the teacher, room parents may coordinate special volunteer efforts and provide an important link for communication with other parents. One room parent from each class will be required to attend the 4 PTO General meetings over the course of the year to help the class stay informed. If you are interested, please click here and scroll to your child(ren)'s teacher. Please note only 2-3 parents will be chosen per class.
Dining Room Volunteers
Please sign up if you are available to provide assistance in the dining room from 11:25 - 1:05. We are asking volunteers to stay for all lunch periods to provide some consistency to our lunch room. Any commitment is welcome - every week or once a month. Please click here and the dining room coordinator will contact you.
Library Volunteers - Duties consist of helping children find books, check out, reshelf and organize books. The library volunteer coordinator will be in touch with the class schedules for the library. Click here if you can help in the library.
MARTHA JONES FALL FUNDRAISER
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MJS PTO is working closely with Charleston Wrap to sell high quality wrapping paper, gift bags, and kitchen/home products for everyday use. MJS will receive 50% profit from each item purchased!
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In past years the Fall Fundraiser has enhanced our school’s enrichment programs, field trips, and back to school supplies for each grade and playground equipment. Deadline to order: Sept. 30
Dining Out Fundraiser: Orange Leaf Norwood Sept. 28
Orange Leaf Norwood will donate 15 percent of your purchase on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from Noon to 9 p.m. to the PTO. When paying, mention Martha Jones PTO. Orange Leaf Norwood is located at 38 Vanderbilt Ave. Mention MJ or bring this flyer.
Picture Day for Students: Sept. 29
Picture Day for all Martha Jones Students is Thursday, Sept. 29. Please mark your calendars
Please note a 5th Grade photo of all three classes will be taken on picture day at 8:55 a.m. Please make sure your 5th-grader is not tardy that day or they won’t be included.
Martha Jones PTO Facebook Group Did you know Martha Jones PTO has its own Facebook group page? Join the Facebook group to get the latest PTO news and updates delivered right to your news feed! Click here to join!
PTO Events and Notices: If you have an event or notice for our PTO update, please email it to PTO Co-Secretary Jamy Sesselman at jamypombo@yahoo.com.
