DRAFT - SUMMER 2023
Family Newsletter - July 28, 2023
John Lewis Elementary School
Website: www.johnlewises.org
Location: 1335 Farragut Street NW, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: 202-576-6226
Greetings John Lewis Families!
We hope you are having an amazing summer! We are excited to welcome you in a few short weeks for SY23-24!
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, please review the information below which includes our school supplies list by grade-level, uniform policy, aftercare information, and more! You may reach out to our main office at 202-576-6226 with any additional questions. We are happy to support!
Please continue to enjoy the summer and see you all in a few weeks!
In partnership,
Nikeysha Jackson
Principal, John Lewis Elementary School
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- The first day for students in Grades K-5 is Monday, August 28, 2023.
- The first day for PK3 and PK4 is Thursday, August 31, 2023.
- PK3 and PK4 students do not attend school on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of the first week.
Why do children in PK3 and PK4 start on Thursday?
Starting school is a big transition. This shortened week is easier for many three and four year old students and gives parents and teachers a chance to connect through family visits
or school events. Your teacher may schedule a visit to your home or invite you and your
child to visit the classroom.
Check out the DCPS Pre-K Summer Family Magazine to learn more about the Pre-K classroom experience, key dates, helpful links, answers to commonly asked questions, and ideas for supporting Pre-K student learning over the summer as they transition to school on Thursday, August 31st!
You may also find the DCPS SY23-24 Calendar below:
WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Connect with your child’s teacher
Every year, teachers in DCPS help establish partnerships with parents by visiting with the families of as many students as possible. As the school year approaches, your teacher may reach out to you to set up a time to meet at your home, or at a location in your community. This will create space for a conversation about your family and about your hopes for your child.
Students and families will have an opportunity to come in to meet their teachers, our staff, and see their classrooms on Thursday, August 24th from 4:00-6:00pm.
We will kick-off our first "Principal's Chat" for the school year on Thursday, August 17th from 5:00-6:00pm! We will discuss the launch of SY23-24, share important updates, and provide a space for families to collaborate and be in community with each other.
Attend our upcoming summer playdate at our John Lewis playground
Come out and mix and mingle with other families and join John Lewis for some summer fun!
- Saturday, August 12th from 10:00am – noon
SCHOOL SUPPLIES LISTS
STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
Our doors will open at 8:40am for breakfast and student dismissal begins at 3:15pm. Students who are not registered for our afterschool programming must be picked up by 3:30pm.
SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY
Our school uniform is as follows:
Tops: White or light blue collared polos, button-down shirt/blouse, John Lewis logo tops
Bottoms: Navy blue (pants, skirts, jumpers, shorts)
Shoes: Closed-toe shoes and sneakers.
Please visit our school store at:
https://logowearhouse.shop/john_lewis_elementary/shop/home to purchase all your John Lewis swag!!!!
Blue jeans
Open-toed shoes, heels, Crocs, flip flops
Accessories (i.e. scarves, excessive and distracting jewelry)
For assistance purchasing uniforms, reach out to the Main Office at 202-576-6226.
We ask that students in Pre-K and Kindergarten leave an extra set of clothing in their classrooms.
"Free Dress Friday" is held on the last Friday of each month and students are allowed to be out of uniform on those days.
SCHOOL UNIFORM DONATIONS
STUDENT HEALTH FORMS AND IMUNIZATIONS
DC Law requires each student attending a DC public school or public charter school to present valid written immunization certification, documenting that he or she has been successfully immunized in accordance with current Department of Health immunization requirements, to his/her school prior to the first day of classes.
Unless you obtain a medical or religious exemption, DC law requires your child to receive immunizations against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, mumps, measles, rubella, polio, Haemophilus influenza type (Hib), hepatitis B, and varicella in order to attend school. Students in grades 6-12 are also required to receive a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine or submit an opt-out form, which is available from your school nurse.
Immunization compliance is documented by submitting a completed Universal Health Certificate to the school at the time of enrollment. If your child's health certificate has expired or will be expiring soon, please ensure that their medical provider completes an updated DC Health Universal Health Certificate.
DC Health Universal Health Certificate
If your student has a medication plan, please use the Medication and Medical Procedure Treatment Plan form to detail your student’s medication and/or medical procedure plan to be administered at their school and return it to the Health Suite Personnel. The Health Suite Personnel will contact you to arrange medication/medical supply drop-off. For multiple needs, complete multiple sheets.
AFTERSCHOOL REGISTRATION
The SY23-24 application for afterschool programming is currently open. Seats will be filled on a first-come basis and only students who have completed enrollment for SY23-24 will be eligible to register for afterschool programming.
You may register for afterschool programming at https://dcps.dc.gov/afterschool. Our afterschool program is currently operating off a waitlist.
Afterschool programming will begin on Tuesday, September 5th.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED!
We are always looking for support whenever we, inevitably, have staff absences and and we would love for parents or family members who are willing and available to serve as substitutes in our building! Please read the information below and reach out to AP Bryant at milton.bryant@k12.dc.gov if this is something you or a family member may be interested in.
DCPS will be accepting applications for candidates with 60 credit hours or more in lieu of a conferred degree and one or more of the following criteria:
- Candidates with 1 - 2 years' experience working with students in a classroom setting
- Retired teachers (DCPS and other US School Districts)
Applicants with less than 1 year of experience will be asked to submit a professional reference letter to substitute.dcps@k12.dc.gov.
STAYING CONNECTED
- Get push notifications. On your iPhone or Android phone, open your web browser and go to the following link: rmd.at/jlesdc. Follow the instructions to sign up for Remind. You’ll be prompted to download the mobile app.
Get text notifications. Text the message @jlesdc to the number 81010. If you’re having trouble with 81010, try texting @jlesdc to (931) 378-6363.
- Our John Lewis PSCO is using A to Z Connect to communicate about meetings, events, and other opportunities for students and families. You can access this software here: https://johnlewispsco.membershiptoolkit.com/home.
- Also, if you use Facebook, you can search "John Lewis ES PSCO Group” to join the PSCO Facebook group. Once a request is made, a current member of the group will approve the request. Please feel free to reach out to the PSCO if you have any questions.