No Place Like Jones
Family Updates for the Week of October 16, 2023
Principal Corner
Dear Ira B. Jones Families,
Welcome to the eighth week of the school year. The first quarter ends on October 31st, and November 1st is an optional workday with no school for students. Report cards will be sent home on November 7th.
I hope that you had a chance to attend a conference meeting with your child's teacher and discuss their progress thus far. If you haven't, it's not too late; please contact their teacher to schedule a meeting time.
If you missed this month's "Conversation with Cobb," you can access the presentation below. This month, our topic was "Building the Road to Resiliency." We will continue to offer these monthly in-person and virtual conversations before each FTO meeting. If you have any topics you want us to cover, please email and let us know.
The week of October 16- 20 is Digital Citizenship Week; however, anytime is a good time to talk to your student about their digital wellbeing & habits. At school, students receive lessons on being a responsible digital citizen, including~ limiting screen time, how using a device makes them feel- while using it and when they have to stop; recognizing cyberbullying, how to get help, and how to be an upstander; and thinking critically about what they see online. We use resources from Common Sense Media, and we encourage you to check out the site to see how you can continue to support your digital native.
I invite you to visit our school's website and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/ and follow us on Twitter @Principal_IBJ and Instagram @IraB.JonesElementary. These will serve as a resource tool for all upcoming events, the student/family handbook, and important reminders, and you can catch up with all the wonderful things our students and teachers are doing. I also send out a weekly family newsletter. Please ensure we have updated contact information so you can stay informed of all our school happenings.
As a school leader and a parent, I understand the necessity of healthy communication between families and the school. I welcome your questions, celebrations, or concerns at any time. You can reach me by calling the school at 828.350.6700 or emailing me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.
Sincerely,
Ruafika Cobb
Principal
Ira B. Jones Elementary School
#noplacelikejones
Conversation w/Cobb Presentation
DONATE TO THE JONES HEROES CAMPAIGN! 10/16-11/8
Monday October 16th is the start of our annual fundraiser, the Jones Heroes Campaign. To donate online, visit: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/irabjones
The Jones community appreciates donations of any size to support our school community. Support via donations from local businesses is also important to make our goal, so please share the Heroes donation form with Asheville small business owners that you know, so that they can support Jones! There are wonderful incentives to recognize their brands for those who support our school!
This is our main fundraiser of the year, and all the money supports our school community, especially activities like: our amazing musical drama program, new playground equipment, family events, classroom supplies, teacher projects, field trip scholarships, staff appreciation and so much more. Every little bit helps! Thank you for supporting our wonderful school! #noplacelikejones
Picture Day is Monday, October 23
Fall Picture Info
Upcoming Important Dates
- Monday, October 16: the start of FTO annual fundraiser, the Jones Heroes Campaign
- Thursday, October 19: IBJ Open House at 5:30 - 7:30 pm
- Tuesday, October 31: End of Quarter 1
- Wednesday, November 1: No School for Students
October 19: Open House Event
Support Our School!
SUPPORT IRA B. JONES WHEN YOU GROCERY SHOP
Harris Teeter will donate a percentage of your purchase to Ira B Jones when you link your VIC card (free Harris Teeter loyalty account) to Jones. You can do this in person at the store, or online. IBJ's school code is 2143, or you can search by our school's name. VIC card holders can link up to 5 NC schools! A percentage of all items you purchase from the Harris Teeter brand, HT Traders, Farmers Market (pre-packaged items only), and Harris Teeter Organics will be donated back to Jones.
Students Wear Hats on Tuesday, October 17 for $1 Donations will Support Eblen
Visiting LEAF Global Artists Details - Jones Assembly Oct 19
What Does it Mean to be a Global Scholar?
Our school is hosting a schoolwide assembly on October 19 in collaboration with Hall Fletcher Elementary. We are thrilled to have these incredible Native American dancers perform for our students and those from Hall Fletcher Elementary. The event details are provided below:
We thank our Family Team Organization (FTO) for their invaluable contribution in organizing and helping to execute this event. Their efforts made this event possible, and we are truly grateful.
October 19th at 9:30am
LEAF Global Arts presents First Nation teaching artists to speak and perform for Jones Global Scholars
This opportunity is funded by the Ira B. Jones FTO. Thanks to Jones families for their support!
Featured Performers:
Ms. Angela Miracle Gladue
Angela will explore foundational steps from the Native American cultural dance form known as Powwow Dancing with a special focus on The Fancy Dance & The Hoop dance. Angela isa nêhiyâw (Plains Cree)/Creek Powwow Dancer and Beadwork Artist from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who started cultural dancing (Metis & powwow) at age six and continued her dance career professionally starting in 2003. She has been invited to perform, teach and speak to countless countries throughout the world. https://www.misschiefrocka.com/the-artist
Mr. Sage Andrew Romero
Sage Andrew Romero is from the Big Pine Paiute and Taos Pueblo Tribes. He is an accomplished Hoop Dancer that has traveled throughout the world sharing the hoop dance and Native culture with international audiences to help educate against stereotypes. He founded the AkaMya Culture Group in 1998 to give youth a healthy, safe and positive place to go and learn more about their culture. AkaMya continues the focus of maintaining native culture through song and dance while also utilizing multimedia such as video, art, photography, and music to spread awareness. https://youtu.be/XFJGDwj-KLg
Email: ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net
Phone: 828.350.6700