James Island Elementary Newsletter

Dear Families,

We just celebrated the 100th day of school, which means we have less than 80 school days left to learn and grow. We are looking forward to many exciting events including instructional field trips, PTA's Spring Fling, class-wide celebrations of learning, and much, much, more. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our illustrious learning environment.

Ms. Gregory

February 19: President's Day- No School

February 23: Pastries with the Principal

February 29: Progress Reports go home

March 1-10: PTA Silent Auction

March 7: CRMS Math Competition and Science Fair

March 15: Early Release Day (Teacher Workday)

i-Ready is an online program for reading and/or mathematics that will help your student’s teacher(s) determine your student’s opportunities for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year.

There are two parts of iReady. First, there is a diagnostic assessment given three times a year to monitor your child’s progress and growth throughout the year. Second, there is personalized instruction which is individualized lessons for daily practice based on what your child needs more practice with.

Here are two helpful letters. One explains the iReady program and the other explains how to understand your child’s iReady diagnostic results.

If you have any questions about iReady, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

We started our return from Winter Break by reviewing the safety rules and expectations in the Science Lab for Grades 1-5 so we could start the New Year strong! During the month of January, the grade level topics for the STEAM Science Lab covered Life Science, Earth Science and Physical Science.

5th Grade focused on how organisms use matter and energy through a close look at the energy needs based on activities, growth and change of organisms and the purpose of producers to consumers in an ecosystem.

4th Grade explored that energy is all around us through the hands-on activities “Energy in a Rubber band” (potential energy), Speed and Energy (pendulums) and Let’s Make Waves (water wave energy).

3rd Grade studied the unit “Organisms Have Life Cycles” through research activities to learn that all life cycles are not alike for living things. We identified why there are similarities and differences for plants, animals and insects in their stages of life. This also helped students to practice proper skills of using the internet to find science information geared toward their age level.

2nd Grade continued to study changes to the Earth’s surface. Through hands-on activities, students explored the power of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and moving water to understand fast changes made to the Earth’s surface. The students had a hands-on earthquake activity with Jello that had the students build and test a structure to see if it could withstand the effects from an earthquake. This was a very messy but fun unit!

1st Grade continued studying Daylight patterns by looking at how our Sunrise/Sunset changes affect the amount of daylight within the seasons and how that affects us. The students explored shadows and learned how shadows tell us the time of day plus their shape changes based on where the sun is in the sky. This gave the students a new appreciation of their own shadow that follows them around.

The Kindergarten unit on weather patterns had the students explore what thermometers tell us about temperature. Severe Weather was the topic for the rest of January with a look at types of severe weather plus how we prepare for those types of weather. Students discussed what should be packed in emergency kits for weather events and decided that favorite stuffed animals should be included!

Hello from your JIES Library. We have been so busy in the library - can you believe we have circulated 11,074 books since the start of the year? On SORA, the digital book library we have access to through Clever, we have checked out 1,259. Finally on Beanstack, JIES students and faculty have logged 280,805 minutes. Wow - so much reading is happening at JIES!

Our library is also busy with building, creating, engineering, and designing in our “Maker Stations.” You may have received a handmade gift of a keychain, bracelet, or button from your little ones! All students in grades 1st - 5th have some “station time” after check out to be creative. I am super excited that we just received another BEST Teacher Grant from BOSCH for $1,000. It is going for our jewelry supplies. Watch for some hand stamped jewelry that may come home with your 4th or 5th graders. We also have new marble runs, magnatiles, and giant size Polydrons.

Do you want to know more about what is happening in our JIES Library? Would you like to know more about how we select and order books? Cleaning out your playroom and want to donate some legos or crafting supplies? Want to volunteer some time? Please feel free to reach out to me. Just email margaret_hale@charleston.k12.sc.us or call 843-762-8253.

Taking part in an annual physical and/or screening is an integral way to stay on top of your heart health. Teachers and staff are offered a free onsite health screening every year at JIES. This year's screening is set for February 21, 2024!! During this screening, height, weight and vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respirations) are recorded. Routine blood work is done as well. Teachers and staff receive their results and data and can see progress, changes and fluctuations over the years. They are encouraged to share with their primary care physicians especially if there are any abnormalities.

Building on key learnings from 45 years in America’s schools, the Kids Heart Challenge focuses on whole body wellness, helping students improve their own health and better their character while raising life-saving donations for the American Heart Association to help kids facing heart-health issues.

At JIES during the month of February, students are participating in various jumping activities (like jumping rope) during PE classes and discussing heart rate and health. At home, our students are working to get donations to help the American Heart Association. Students will be collecting donations until February 23, so please consider a donation to this very important cause!!

Last year, our students raised around $9,000 for the American Heart Association, and as a result, JIES received $500 worth of gift cards to US Sports to use towards gym equipment!!