Jefferson Journey

We are getting so excited for the upcoming school year! We hope that you and your students are, too! Our theme at Jefferson this year is A Cosmic Odyssey and we will be having space themed fun throughout the year.

We have exciting opportunities for our students and families this year. We will send out a family newsletter every 2 weeks to keep you updated on all things Jefferson. Please be sure to check it out.

We are so pleased to announce that Jefferson will have before and after school child care through Champions this year. Please see the information below for more information.

Letters will be sent out indicating who your child's teacher is by Monday, August 5th.

If we can be of support in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out! The Jefferson office number is (815)943-6464. We are looking forward to #BlastingOff into a new school year.

We feel it is important that our school community offer experiences and opportunities that promote children's education as well as health and wellness. That is why Harvard CUSD50 has partnered with Champions to provide before-and-after school programming for our students next school year. Champions’ accredited programs have more than 30 years of experience providing high-quality out-of-school-time services that balance education and fun in a safe, enriching environment. The program will be conveniently located right here at our school.

Children’s learning should continue when the school bell rings — and the Champions program ensures it will. Guided by passionate teachers, our students will have the chance to explore their curiosity and interests—in art, literacy, STEM and more-- and build confidence and community through hands-on projects and activities. Time will be set aside for homework support/completion; and healthy snacks and fitness will be offered each day.

For a closer look into the Champions experience, provided below is a link to a virtual tour of the program:

https://www.discoverchampions.com/why-champions/virtual-tour

If you are interested in saving a spot for your child in the Champions program, you can register now by visiting www.discoverchampions.com. Tuition and fees are supplied below:

* Champions does accept childcare assistance

If you need registration support, contact the Champions Customer Care team at (800) 246-2154.

We are truly pleased that we are teaming up with Champions and hope you will consider them as you make plans for your out- of- school- time needs next year.

We hope that you and your family will join us for our Meet & Greet event.

Tuesday, August 13th from 12:00 - 2:00 pm

This is a great opportunity to come in and meet your child's teacher, see the school, and drop off any supplies. We can't wait to see you!

8/13 Jefferson Meet and Greet (12:00 - 2:00)

8/14 First Day of School

9/2 Labor Day - No School

9/11 Early Dismissal (1:05 pm)

9/13 Fall Picture Day

All car riders should be dropped off and picked up in the back pull around of Jefferson off of Hart and Harrison.

Please enter the pull through in the back of the school.

Please DO NOT let your child off on Harrison Street along the school.

** Please do not drop off in the front of the building before 7:55 am as that is our bus lane. Students arriving after that time should go to the front of the building and will be signed in as tardy.

Walkers

Walkers may enter the building through the front or back doors.

Walkers will exit out the side of the building along Harrison Street.

Please remind your child to be mindful of the crossing guards and wait for them to say when it is safe to walk.

Bus Riders

All bus riders will be dropped off and picked up at the front of the building.

Be sure to check out all of the learning and fun that will be happening at Jefferson this year by following us on social media!

Facebook

Twitter/X

Instagram

Each month at Jefferson, we focus upon character traits that we learn about and exemplify throughout that month. In addition to always having a focus on being respectful, responsible, safe, and kind, we have a monthly theme that we look to embody.

Our yearlong topics will be:

September - Adaptability

October - Collaborator

November - Communicator

December - Contributor

January - Critical Learner

February - Empathetic

March - Caring

April - Enthusiastic

May - Respectful

At the conclusion of each month, we celebrate students who have gone above and beyond in showing these characteristics, and celebrate the growth of all of our Jefferson family. Be looking for them to be featured in our newsletters throughout this year.

Here at Jefferson, we love to show our school spirit! Throughout the year, we will have many opportunities to show our D50 pride, as well as some Jefferson Spirit.

It is always optional to participate in the spirit days. We try to do a variety of different ones so everyone can participate throughout the school year.

We will keep you updated for what those days are in the newsletters, but there is also a link below to our days for the year. (Some days may be changed as special events come up, but we will let you know!)

Every Wednesday is our district wide AVID Spirit Day. On this day, people can wear career, college, or AVID shirts to support their path forward.

Each Friday is a spirit day that alternates between Black and Gold/spirit wear and another fun day.

Upcoming Spirit Days

8/14 Blasting off into a new year! (Wear space gear)

8/16 Black & Gold

8/23 Stripes & Polka Dots

8/30 Black & Gold

Thursday, August 1st - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Jefferson is closed on Friday, August 2nd but the Harvard CUSD50 district office is open.

Beginning August 5th - Monday through Friday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Doors open: 7:40 am

School Begins: 7:55 am

School Ends: 2:55 pm

Early Release Days

Doors open: 7:40 am

School Begins: 7:55 am

School Ends: 1:05 pm

Delayed Starts (bad weather)

Doors open: 9:55 am

School Begins: 9:55 am

School Ends: 2:55 pm

Contact Information

Jefferson Elementary School

1200 N. Jefferson Street; Harvard, IL 60033

Office: (815) 943 - 6464

Principal: Dr. Rebecca Adams (radams@cusd50.org)

Student Support Facilitator: Mrs. Sarah Wargaski (swargaski@cusd50.org)

PK-5 Curriculum Lead & Assistant Principal: Mrs. Jen Bigler (jbigler@cusd50.org)

Secretaries: Ms. Paulette Ortiz (portiz@cusd50.org) and Ms. Jo Gorham (jgorham@cusd50.org)

Parent Community Liaison: Ms. Yuri Flores-Torres (yflores@cusd50.org)

Be sure to check out our school social media!