Mission Statement

We keep the needs of all students and their learning first. We prepare today's learners to become tomorrow's leaders as they explore, discover, learn, and lead.

Vision Statement

To be recognized as a world-class STEAM school that integrates the arts and sciences in a safe, happy, highly engaged learning environment.

Dearest Explorer Families 💙,

We trust that your Thanksgiving break was both restful and joyful, filled with cherished moments with family. Just as we gathered around tables and engaged in meals and games, let us extend that sense of togetherness to support our school community—our dedicated teachers, students, and families.

Our teachers invest considerable effort in crafting lessons and addressing the needs of our students, while JPES families work diligently to support their children at home. To each and every one of you, we express our heartfelt gratitude. 💙

We aspire for our Explorer families to experience the same warmth and welcome within the school building as our students do daily. Opportunities abound for parents and guardians to volunteer at JPES and share lunchtime with our Explorers during the school day. By adhering to the set procedures and guidelines, volunteers and visitors contribute to the overall benefit of our school community, allowing us to continue hosting guests during school hours. (Please refer to the linked video in the volunteer section for a brief overview of these guidelines; it’s just over 2 minutes.)

A special thank you to all the volunteers who generously contributed to the success of the two days of field day before the break. Your assistance was truly invaluable.

Our unwavering priorities remain the safety and learning of our students every day. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we all work together to follow procedures that prioritize these crucial aspects. While safety measures may not always be convenient, they are undeniably worthwhile.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

With Love 💙,

JPES Administration

Front Office Update:

Please make sure that all transportation changes have been sent to JPEStransportation@dorchester2.k12.sc.us BEFORE 12:30 pm. Transportation changes will be closed after 12:30

Please see below for our week at a glance and other important information.

Calling all Heart Heroes! We only have 4 more days left until we are done with Kids Heart Challenge. Keep sharing your links to help us reach our goal of $12,000 by the end of the month! We need to raise $6,812.58!

Please use the link to sign up for a time. Pictures are by appointment ONLY. JPES receives a portion of the proceeds. https://book.usesession.com/s/a-H5YnNwZ

5th grade families: Rollings Middle School of the Arts is looking for the next generation of arts leaders! Register by December 1 for your child to audition to be part of the school’s artistic magic for the 2024-2025 school year. 🎭🎨 🎤💃🕺 Dorchester District Two Fine Arts

🌟 Audition form 👉 https://www.ddtwo.org/audition-form

🔍 Learn more 👉 https://www.ddtwo.org/audition

JPES Guidelines for Lunch with My Explorer

Please note, this week (Nov.27- Dec. 1) is Rotation 1.

• Rotation 1: 4K/Kindergarten & Third Grade (11/27-12/1)
• Rotation 2: First Grade & Fourth Grade/3F (12/4-12/8)
• Rotation 3: Second Grade & Fifth Grade (12/11-12/15)

A confirmation email will be sent to you with the lunch visit date and approximate time. Please reach out to your Explorer's teacher for specific lunch times. Due to the parameters of the scheduling system, lunch times cannot be adjusted to the exact start time of each lunch.

Things to Remember:

1. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled visit to check in at the front office. Remember to bring a registered driver's license or state-issued ID.
2. Lunch visitors must be listed as contacts in Parent Portal.
3. One visitor per student (age 18+).
4. Two visits per quarter maximum per student.
5. The cafeteria will only be able to provide lunch for JPES students.
6. You may bring lunch for your student.
7. Lunch periods are 25 minutes.
8. Parents should place their visitor ID on the designated hooks next to the exit door.
9. Lunch times are staggered. Please check the classroom schedule to know the precise lunch time for your Explorer's class.

Weekly Lunch Rotations:

Rotation 1: 4K & Kindergarten = 7/ Third Grade = 6

Rotation 2: First Grade = 7/ Fourth Grade/3F = 5

Rotation 3: Second Grade = 7/ Fifth Grade = 5

*Parents serving in active duty will be able to join their student for lunch anytime prior to and immediately following deployment.

You may sign up for your Explorer's rotation using this link: https://calendly.com/explorerlunchvisits

💙Wednesday Nov. 29 - Q2 Interims

💙Thursday Nov. 30- Popcorn money due (Reminder: Money will not be accepted day of or at the front office counter.)

💙 Friday Dec. 1- Terrific Kid Ceremony (Guests will need to sign in at the front office.)

👀 Looking Ahead 👀

💙 Tuesday Dec. 5-8- MAP testing

💙 Tuesday Dec. 5- Pictures with Santa 5:30-7:30 (By appointment only- refer to the link above)

💙 Wednesday Dec. 6- Early Release Day

💙 Wednesday Dec. 6- Fine Arts Winter Showcase (4K, K, 1st art & 1st performance)

💙 Friday Dec. 8- KONA Ice

We are thankful for our volunteers who come to help us during instructional hours. To help us gain credit for volunteer hours, we ask that you sign in and out in the front office. Please remember that classrooms should not be disrupted for visits during your time with us. If you need to speak with a teacher regarding your student, please schedule a conference with them for another time. If you have any questions, please contact administration.

In addition, if you have completed the Volunteer Agreement and Application, please complete the Volunteer Orientation by viewing the video below.

Volunteer Agreement & Application Link: https://forms.office.com/r/JUdW6Q2gpV

Feeling lost on how to reach out to your Explorer's teachers? There are many ways to communicate this year, so we wanted to break it down and hopefully provide some clarity in how we communicate here at JPES.

There are 4 main ways you can communicate with your teachers:

• Schoology - By next year, this will become the main form of communication. It's best to dip your toes in and explore this avenue of communication this year. Teachers will post daily assignments, newsletters, events, and other important information on here. Plus you can message the teachers directly. Please reach out to your Explorer's teacher if you do not have your Parent Access Code. See below for information on how to access Schoology.
• PBIS Family App - We allowed our teachers to use the PBIS Family App as a form of communication this year as DD2 transitions to Schoology. This app allows parents to message their Explorer's teachers directly as well as track the PBIS points your Explorer is receiving throughout the day. Not all teachers are using the PBIS Family App, so please double check with them to see if this is the form of communication they are using. If you do not have the QR Code that is unique to your Explorer, please email your teacher ASAP. See below for information on how to access the app.
• Phone- We love and encourage our teachers to reach out to parents via phone. If you would like to call the school and leave a message with our amazing receptionist, Ms. Tam, she will be sure the message gets to the appropriate person. JPES's phone number is 843-695-2979.
• Email - When all else fails, you can ALWAYS reach out to your teacher or any administrator via email. You can find any and all JPES staff on our staff directory on our school's website: https://jpes.ddtwo.org/school/staff-directory

• Parent & Family Engagement Center Newsletter Nov. 27- Dec. 1: https://www.smore.com/f8p561
• Parent Support for Schoology: https://docs.powerschool.com/SGYH/en/students/parents
• Breakfast and Lunch Menus: https://dorchestersd.sodexomyway.com/landing/ele

• Facebook (Joseph R. Pye Elementary School)
• Twitter (@JosephRPyeElem)
• Instagram (@josephrpyeelem)
• Blackboard Connect (Text and Email)
• Monthly School Calendar
• Transportation (jpestransportation@dorchester2.k12.sc.us)- Changes will not be made after 12:30 PM
• Attendance (jpesattendance@dorchester2.k12.sc.us)- Email for excuses about absences
• Enrollment (jpesenrollment@dorchester2.k12.sc.us)
• Phone (843-695-2979)
• Website (https://jpes.ddtwo.org/)