JKES Cardinal Chronicle

December 16: Lost and Found open from 3-6 PM (anything remaining after this date will be donated to a local charitable organization)

December 18: Cafeteria serves Winter Holiday Meal

December 20: Students EARLY RELEASE (11:45 AM): student will receive a bag lunch prior to dismissal

December 23-January 3: Winter Break (No School)

Tissues (it is cold and flu season)

Hand Warmers (for staff supervising outdoor activities/recess/field trips)

Disinfecting Wipes

Glue Sticks

Gallon, Quart, Sandwich, and snack baggies

Card Stock (white)

1” Binders (plain, no design)

Wide Ruled notebook paper

Items can be dropped off in the main office at your convenience.

Also, our clinic is in desperate need of clothing donations, shirts, pants, in all sizes, in good repair are welcomed. Sweatpants are the best because they are forgiving.

Thank You in Advance!

12 days of school spirit began on Thursday, December 5th!!

The WISH grant is funding an opportunity for WPS families to learn more about children's mental health. WISH will purchase copies of Dr. Jonathan Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness for each family who responds to our invitation. You may recall this book was the focus of the Fireside Chat hosted by the First Lady of Virginia on September 19th. The WISH grant hosted a viewing party on the evening of September 19th for interested families.

Order form: https://bit.ly/wps_wish_book

Video link: https://bit.ly/wps_wish_chat

We want our Cardinals to THRIVE and that starts with their attendance and being in the building every day school is in session! Attendance and engagement are key to success in school and beyond! Chronic absenteeism is a leading indicator that predicts success for both literacy and workforce outcomes of students. It is an early warning sign that students are at risk of not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, struggling academically in middle school and dropping out of high school. Chronic absenteeism promotes missed opportunities for our students to learn, build relationships and develop their mental health and well-being, and access to critical resources available at school. Coming to school regularly allows our Cardinals to SOAR!

WPS Talking Points accounts are set up automatically based on contact information from PowerSchool. Please note that Talking Points accounts are only available for contacts who have custody of the student.

If you are asked for a Class Code by Talking Points or you are not receiving Talking Points messages, please sign into your PowerSchool Parent Portal to review your contact information and request any updates or changes.

We still have Lost and Found not claimed during parent conferences on October 23rd and we are sure more will show up between now and Winter Break. On DECEMBER 16, 2024 our Lost and Found will be set up in the foyer for families to stop by between 3-6 PM to see if their child has any items that need to be collected after the first two quarters of the year. Anything remaining after that date will be donated to a local organization for the holidays prior to Winter Break.

Hello Cardinal families,

This year our Friday Food Bags will begin during the week of September 16th-20th. Food Bag forms were sent home on Tuesday (August 13th). If you are in need of another form, please let your students' classroom teacher know. If you are in need of emergency food assistance, please contact one of our school counselors. Listed below is a link that is available for volunteers to help with Friday Food Bags. This includes coming into JKES on Fridays and delivering Food Bags to classrooms. Dates and times are included in the link below. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Davis, JKES School Counselor.

Sign-Up Genius

John Kerr is always looking for volunteers. There are opportunities throughout the building to include support in lunch, at recess, in the library and other areas of the school. If interested, please reach out to your child’s teacher and they can provide information on next steps.

Donations continue to be needed for the John Kerr clinic: boys and girls clothes in a variety of sizes and, as we approach cooler weather we are in need of sweaters, long pants, long sleeve shirts, and etc. Please make sure that all donations are clean and in good shape. We appreciate your kindness and generosity.

Jackets and coats can also be donated to our school counseling department. Thank you so much!

Any change in a student's regular means of transportation in the afternoon must be by a written note from a parent/guardian or by email to mcnamara@wps.k12.va.us AND armistead@wps.k12.va.us by 1:30 PM Monday through Friday if there is a last minute change. We ask that you call the school to notify the office of your incoming email. Student safety is very important to us!

Between 2:15 PM and 2:40 PM, the office is open only to school personnel and volunteers. Students who are picked up by car will be dismissed to the car pick up line ONLY during dismissal.

Any questions, please call the school office.

WPS Inclement Weather Plan

Use this step-by-step guide for completing the online process: https://bit.ly/WPSAnnualFormGuide (English and Spanish)

No more waiting for a bus, transferring routes, or long walks to bus stops. WinReady is a point-to-point service that will pick you up when you need to be picked up and take you where you need to go within the City of Winchester within 30 minutes. You can request or schedule a ride directly from your phone, and WinReady will get you there. (click the link for additional information)

Not receiving school-related text messages? You must OPT-IN to receive messages. Text "Subscribe" to 67587. You should receive confirmation that you are registered. Don't forget to ensure all of your contact information is correct at your student's school, too!