James Island Elementary Newsletter

Dear Families,

During this season of thankfulness it is only fitting to share how thankful I am to be a part of this incredible community called James Island Elementary. I am thankful for our hardworking and dedicated students who come to school each day eager to learn, our parents for their endless support and commitment, and our faculty and staff who meet the needs of all our scholars, no matter what. I hope you have a restful and well-deserved holiday.

Thanks for being one of the BEST parts of JIES!

Ms. Gregory

November 20-24: Fall Break

December 1: Early Release (12:25 pm)

December 4-8: Book Fair (7:30 am - 2:30 pm daily, and before the Winter Concert)

December 7: Winter Concert @ 6 pm

December 12: PTA Spirit Night- Jack's Cosmic Dogs (4-8 pm)

December 12: SIC Meeting @ 6 pm

December 14: Holiday Parade @ 10 am

Our Book Club is up and running! Students in grades 1st-5th participate by reading a select number of SC Award Books and taking quizzes. We will have a celebration in February for students who are halfway through their grade level goal and another celebration in the spring for students who meet their grade level goal. The book club is an initiative used to motivate our scholars to read, develop grammar and vocabulary, and most importantly nurture a love of reading among other things.

Grades K-5th are getting ready to enter into their second EL module where they will build their literacy and science skills as they engage in a variety of studies.

Kindergarten: Learning Through Science and Story: Weather Wonders

1st Grade: A Study of the Sun, Moon, and Stars

2nd Grade: Learning through Science and Story: Fossils Tell of Earth’s Changes

3rd Grade: Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: Adaptations and the Wide World of Frogs

4th Grade: Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: Animal Defense Mechanisms

5th Grade: Research to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: Biodiversity in the Rainforest

On November 8th, JIES students celebrated National STEM day. Scholars engaged in four STEM based activities that included creating circuits, exploring 3D printing, coding robots, and launching a rocket. We got to work alongside scientists/mathematicians from Trident Technical College’s Aeronautics team.

Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease.

Since November is when we celebrate thankfulness, the wellness committee had students write the name of someone they are thankful for on a leaf and place their leaves on the Kindness Tree in the school’s foyer. Students were taught how showing gratitude not only makes others feel happy but makes us feel happy too.

The 2023-2024 SIC elections are complete! The names of the JIES SIC Board Members are listed below. The SIC will finish the year by writing grants to help support the science lab as deadlines approach early next year. In addition, we will continue efforts to improve communication, community engagement, and advocate for student learning opportunities.

SIC Members

Elected Members: Kimberly Bouronich-Chair, Alexandra Rodis-Vice Chair, Tara Holwegner-Secretary, Shannon Cornell, Brynnan Frye, Amanda Drayton

Community Members: Becky Dearing, Jamie Meissner, Tonya Smalls, Erin Osborne, Sidonye Coaxum, Spencer Wetmore, Allison McCleary, Dominique Walker

Appointed Members: Gerald Mackey, Darlene Taylor, Cynthia Smalls

Ex-Officio Member: Jonetta Gregory-Principal

Even though there is a SIC Board, the meetings are ALWAYS open to the public. We welcome you to join us!

2023-2024 SIC MEETING DATES

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Thursday, May 9, 2024