No Place Like Jones

Dear Ira B. Jones Elementary families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We hope you had a wonderful summer and are excited to start the new school year. Our first day of school is on Monday, August 26, and we can’t wait to see all of our students back in the classroom, ready to learn and grow.

As we prepare for a smooth transition back to school, I encourage you to take some time to read through this newsletter. Inside, you’ll find important details about transportation, who can walk students to their classrooms, arrival and dismissal procedures, and key dates to keep in mind.

We’re looking forward to a fantastic year ahead and appreciate your support in helping us ensure a successful start to the school year.

I believe in maintaining open and transparent communication with our families to ensure our students receive the best support possible. We share the responsibility for our student's success and will do our very best to fulfill our commitments. Please visit our school's website, Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/, and follow us on Twitter @Principal_IBJ and Instagram @IraB.JonesElementary for upcoming events, important reminders and to keep up with all the wonderful things our students and teachers are doing. Also, I send out a weekly family newsletter, so please ensure we have your updated contact information.

As a school leader and a parent myself, I understand the importance of healthy communication between families and the school. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, celebrations, or concerns. You can call the school at 828.350.6700 or email me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.

Thank you for being part of our school community!

In partnership,

Ruafika Cobb

Principal

Ira B. Jones Elementary School

#noplacelikejones

August 28: Kindergarten Staggered Start Day (check with your child's teacher if you haven't recieved noticed already)

August 29: Kindergarten Staggered Start Day(check with your child's teacher if you haven't recieved noticed already)

August 30: All Kindergarten Attend School

August 30: Tea & Tissue for Kindergarten Families (8:00 am - 8:45 am) @ Ira B. Jones

September 2: Holiday (NO School for Students or Staff)

September 20: Early Dismissal at Noon

October 7: Required Teacher Workday (No School for Students)

October 8: Fall Parent/Teacher Day (No School for Students)

We know that the first few school days are unique for our youngest learners and their families. We aim to ensure that every student feels safe as they transition into school. We also understand that parents and guardians want to support their students as much as possible.

Only kindergarten parents and guardians can walk their students into the building during their first two days of school. We hope this will allow some time for students to get more familiar with their school and transition smoothly on their own by the beginning of the second week. Please use the auditorium entrance on these two days. Parents and guardians can only walk students into the building on these days. Thank you for understanding.

Kindergarten students have a staggered start based on their teacher's communication with parents. Please see the schedule below:

• Wednesday, August 28th - (staggered start based on your child's teacher's communication with you)
• Thursday, August 29th - (staggered start based on your child's teacher's communication with you)
• Friday, August 30th- All Kindergarteners Attend!

Attention Jones Kindergarten Families!

The first days of Kindergarten are a big transition for students & caregivers alike. Join friendly faces in the auditorium outside the Kindergarten hallway on Friday, August 30th from 7:30 to 8:15am for Tea & Tissues: a chance to meet fellow families, enjoy hot tea, coffee, and light snacks, and share smiles (and tears) to celebrate this momentous occasion in your child's life.

We aim to provide a secure and friendly atmosphere for our students and their families. Your cooperation is crucial in ensuring smooth arrival and dismissal. Please remain flexible, as adjustments may be necessary throughout the year.

Below are the areas in which we need your support:

• Morning dropoff begins at 7:15 a.m. Please wait until this time to release your child from the car since no staff will be available.
• Students must be in the building by 7:55 a.m. to start at 8:00 a.m. Please arrive early to avoid car dropoff congestion.
• The staff members assigned to carline duty must leave at 8:00 a.m. because they have other responsibilities in the building. If you arrive after the staff has gone inside, please park and walk your student to the door. Wait until a staff person lets them in. The student must come to the office lobby to get a tardy slip.
• Students will only be released to adults listed in PowerSchool as contacts. If you have relatives or family friends who may be picking up your student in an emergency, list them as a contact.
• Caregivers should inform their student's classroom teacher of any changes to dismissal plans. Please contact the main office in case of a last-minute change, especially later in the day.
• We will not provide bus passes for students to ride on unassigned buses. If a child is going on a playdate with a student who uses a different bus, alternative arrangements must be made for transportation.
• Please use the designated car rider dropoff area for safety.
• If you are interested in having the option for your student to be a walker, please email your child's teacher, Mrs. Cobb, and Mr. Shimer so that we can plan for your student.
• Please pull forward to a designated parking space in front of the school during afternoon pickup if you need to adjust car seat straps and seatbelts. You may exit your car in a parking space, not the carline, to make those adjustments. Please encourage your students to begin practicing buckling their seat belts now!
• Kindergarten families can drop off their students and siblings in the morning at the kindergarten parking lot. But they must pick them up in front of the school in the afternoon.
• Parents of PreK children are required to pick their child up from the classroom personally. There are no exceptions to this rule.
• If you have a PreK student and a K-5 student, your K-5 student can be on the walker list. Please inform your child's teacher.

Don't hesitate to contact the main office at 828.350.6700 if you have questions about the procedures or bus transportation. We cannot wait to see students in person next week!

K Car Riders: Families with kindergarten students should drop them off in the designated parking lot at 7:15 a.m. Older siblings should exit the car at the kindergarten/auditorium entrance. To enter the parking lot, drivers must approach the school from Beaverdam via Kimberly Avenue. Upon arrival, drivers must turn right and follow the roadway counterclockwise. A staff member will welcome each student to school, and someone will walk them to their classrooms starting from the second week. Only let a student out of the car once a staff member arrives. Refer to the information about walking your students to class during the first few days of school.

1-5 Car Riders: Drop-off for non-kindergarten families is in the loop in front of the office starting at 7:15 a.m. Drivers must approach the school on Kimberly Avenue from Beaverdam to avoid crossing traffic to enter the loop. Students may only be released when their car is directly in front of the building in one of the numbered slots unless a staff member indicates otherwise. Once all students have safely made it to the sidewalk, that group of cars will be released. Drivers must turn right out of the parking lot and should refrain from using cell phones while in the car loop for safety.

Bus Riders: Bus riders will arrive on campus and enter the school via the two-story building. During the first weeks, we will support all students in getting to their classrooms as needed.

Walkers: Students who walk to school will enter the building through the front doors between the office and the primary building. A staff member will be available to assist them in finding their new classrooms.

K-5 Car Riders: During the first week of school, families will receive placards for car pickup. Notify your child's teacher if you need more than two placards. Car riders will be picked up in the main loop, and drivers must turn right out of the parking lot. Drivers should not use cell phones while in the loop.

Bus Riders: At 2:35 p.m., first-load bus riders will head to the bus area, while second-load bus riders remain in assigned classrooms until their buses arrive. Staff members will assist students in boarding the correct buses.

Alternative Transportation: Students who use after-school transportation programs like YMCA Beaverdam, Sun-Tsu, or Asheville Community Movement will exit near the cafeteria. The staff on duty will communicate with classrooms when the program arrives for pickup.

Walkers: Students approved to walk will have a designated exit based on home location. Parents meeting walkers will communicate with assigned staff at the outdoor classroom area for student release.

Read more about the Chipmunk App here: https://www.mychipmunkapp.com/planning.htm?v=2023021702

2) The parent portal to PowerSchool is finally open. Bus info is there but updates take much longer. The Chipmunk app will give you real time info. Also, you need your student's ID number for PowerSchool but only your email for Chipmunk.

3) If you still do not see a bus assignment for your child/children, please contact Mr. Craig Shimer, our Assistant Principal, at 828.350.6700 for assistance. Any student attending an after school program, must have a bus request on file EVEN IF they rode the bus last year. Several after school programs imply the bus is automatic and that is FALSE!

4) We are allowed to write temporary bus passes for EMERGENCIES only! Students ARE NEVER allowed to ride home with friends, get off on other stops, or meet parents in other locations. This practice is unsafe and a liability for the school system.

5) BY LAW, all pre-k and kindergarten students MUST be met at the bus stop by a parent. If you are late, the bus will keep going and will eventually bring your child back to me at the school. This is usually much later as the bus is still responsible for dropping other students off on time. Your child will be safe in the front of the bus but you will have to come to the school. PLEASE make every effort to be on time to greet your children at their stops.

6) Bus drivers ARE allowed to drop all other students at their stop without a parent. Please know that the drivers cannot wait for you.

7) Finally, our transportation department has worked TIRELESSLY to improve our bus services. One way we can support them is to be kind and respectful to our drivers and INSIST that our students treat them with respect as well. Bus drivers report that the stress of driving while also maintaining student behavior is overwhelming and is making them leave a profession they love. PLEASE join me in appreciating the drivers and making their jobs as easy as possible.

Questions? Email me at craig.shimer@acsgmail.net or call the office!

The Jones FTO is proud to announce that we will present a production of The Little Mermaid, Jr on February 20th and 21st in collaboration with Heather Gallagher (owner/director of the Asheville Performing Arts Academy).

Auditions will be held on 9/19, 9/24, and 9/26 for students in grade 3-5.

If a student in grade 3-5 desires to be in the ensemble only, they are expected to audition for one of these dates. Large group rehearsals will take place on Thursdays starting October 3rd and small groups will take place on Tuesdays starting October 8. Kindergarten through second grade students do not need to audition and they will start rehearsals after the Winter Break in January. Stage Crew has limited spots for grade 4 and 5, start date TBD. Mandatory work week for main roles starts on a teacher work day Friday, February 14th and all cast members are expected daily for after school rehearsals starting February 17th.

Full scholarships are available upon request. Fees are as follows: Grade 3-5 $125, Grade K-2 $60, Stage Crew $60, Family Max $175. Please see the registration form for deadlines and payment information.

Parent volunteer information will be distributed soon. We need you! This is a beloved Jones annual event. We will all have fun Under The Sea!

Click Here to Register: online registration form