Parent-teacher conferences are around the corner and we know there is a lot to cover in a short amount of time! The Parent-Teacher Planning Tool guides you with key questions to ask so you can find out how your child is really doing in school and how you can help at home. The simple 3-step tool is part of our Go Beyond Grades campaign that includes free, easy-to-use resources and videos designed to support family-teacher partnership that is focused on student learning.

In partnership with Understood.org, we’re excited to launch the Learning Heroes Assistant, an AI-powered chatbot on GoBeyondGrades.org. Families like yours can access expert-vetted resources to support your child’s social, emotional, and academic development. The assistant also answers any questions you have about raising children who may have learning and thinking differences.

Cindi Williams took the stage at TEDx to discuss the importance of going beyond grades, building relationships with your child's teacher, and asking the simple questions to get a better understanding of how your child is performing academically. Watch the full TED talk and help share in your networks as you head into parent-teacher conference season.

We are happy to announce that we will be having our annual Halloween Parade this year! The parade will take place on Thursday, October 31st at 2:15pm outside the front of the school. This year the parade will be for Kindergarten through Fourth Grade. The Preschool will be having their parade earlier during their school day. Preschool teachers will notify their families regarding their planned events.

Students will exit the building through the side doors by the preschool playground and walk the front of the building and in through the Gym Lobby doors. They will march around two times. Parents may stand in the front parking lot to watch. Please limit the number of adults coming to minimize the crowd. We will block off the front lane of the parking lot with cones so you may spread out.

Please follow these safety guidelines:

• Please do NOT send in goodie bags or treats for your child to distribute to his/her classmates.

• Costume rules that MUST be followed:

• Arrive at school in his/her costume. Staff will NOT be able to help children get dressed in their costumes.

• ABSOLUTELY NO Face Paint or Make up can be worn on the face. If your child comes to school with their face painted, they will need to wash it off at school.

• No props should come to school (i.e. baskets, toy weapons/swords, etc).

• Your child should be able to INDEPENDENTLY get in and out of his/her costume to go to the bathroom.

• When selecting costumes, I would ask that consideration be given for the age range of our students (Preschool - Grade 4). Please refrain from any costumes that have the potential to scare our youngest students.

• NOTE: Students should be able to sit down in their costumes. As a result, the costumes that have motors to inflate them are not a good option for school.

I appreciate your cooperation in assisting us in making Halloween safe and fun for all our Koalas! I also ask you to please try not to change your child’s normal dismissal routines on this day. Pulling the children out leads to a great deal of confusion. Thank you!

Have a wonderful time celebrating!

Sincerely,

Melissa Cosgrove

JES Principal