Jones FTO Newsletter

Our annual school musical registration is open now! Sign your student up before registration closes. This beloved annual tradition at Jones involves a student cast from ages K through 5th, with 3rd-5th graders able to audition for the lead speaking roles! Everyone is guaranteed to be part of the show in a role or as part of the ensemble!

The Little Mermaid, Jr. is a perfect show for elementary age students! This version of the play focuses on Ariel's journey and her friendships with Flounder, Sebastian and the rest of the undersea crew, complete with the classic songs from the movie we know and love ("Under the Sea", "Poor Unfortunate Souls", and more!). There are awesome roles available for boys and girls like:

• Ariel
• King Triton
• Prince Eric
• Sebastian
• Ursula
• Flounder
• Scuttle

...and more!

3rd through 5th graders can audition for a speaking part on one of 3 days: Sept 19, 24, or 26. K-2 students will be part of the ensemble sealife cast, and begin rehearsals later. All students can register now HERE online! Or, check with your child's teacher for a paper registration form.

Scholarships are available to cover the participation fee, and rehearsals will be every Thursday after school starting October 3rd, through the show day. Students can also be part of the set and stage crew (check the box at the bottom of the registration form).

Growing Minds is the afterschool program offered through the Ira B. Jones Family-Teacher Organization (FTO). FTO Volunteers worked hard to get this program launched last school year, and we are so proud to expand it to three days for fall (and hoping for more in the future, as we grow!) Instructors are a mix of community members and Jones staff members, leading clubs dedicated to topics like Art, Soccer, Spanish, Ultimate Frisbee, Yoga, and more. Club topics vary from session to session. Read all about it here!

There will be TWO 4-week sessions offered this fall. CLICK HERE to view the choices for Session 1. CLICK HERE to view the club choices for Session 2.

Upon dismissal at 2:35pm, participating students will walk to the school’s cafeteria to eat a snack. They will then be picked up by their first club’s leader at 2:50pm. Students will return to the cafeteria at 3:50pm and transition to their second club, ending at 4:55pm. Pick up is at 5pm in front of the school for parents and caregivers.

The Growing Minds calendar aligns with the Asheville City Schools (ACS) calendar, so we will be closed on holidays, teacher workdays, conference days, snow days, and early release days.

We had such an amazing turn out and it was so much fun to catch up after the summer, chat with awesome Jones staff, and meet new Jones faces! We're so thankful for our Jones community!

We are currently seeking a volunteer "Room Parent" (can be a team of 2 or 3!) in every classroom! What does a room parent do, you may ask? This person serves as a volunteer communication liaison for the homeroom for the year! The Room Parent's responsibility is mostly communicating and organizing to help teachers and the classroom with sharing information, and helping plan snacks, holiday parties, etc. On behalf of the FTO, the main thing you'll do is send emails to fellow parents for FTO reminders and updates. That means even for working parents, this is not a role that requires time during the workday, or the ability to come to school in person. There is very little mandatory "in person" volunteering required.

Annual tasks include things like:

• Attending up to two Room Parent meetings (by Zoom or in person) each year, one in fall, one in spring, in the early evening (DATES TBD; not mandatory!)
• Helping to support your class in our annual holiday Raffle Basket fundraiser in November (which supports the big 5th grade overnight to Atlanta, and a general K-4 field trip fund) by leading the effort to compile your class's basket to be raffled off!
• Helping plan your class's themed game or activity at our annual Spring Fling carnival in May
• Sending out communications to other class families occasionally throughout the year, to share FTO news and updates
• Planning a party or celebration (the FTO pays!) for your class for meeting fundraising goals
• Collaborating with the teacher in other ways to support his/her goals for the classroom this year (such as helping with a snack calendar, planning parent volunteers, etc.)

Please email Cassie Israel - ross.cassie@gmail.com - if you are interested in filling the role of Room Parent!

The FTO is looking for folks who want to help support as volunteers in the following committees:

• Teacher Appreciation (lead by Jennifer Volker)
• Beautification (lead by Cassie Israel)
• Fundraising (lead by Liz Tallent & Kat Hopkins)
• Family Events (open!)
• Spiritwear Sales (lead by Amy Deter)

Please reach out by email if you're interested in getting involved in one of the above (or somewhere else!)! Contact the FTO at irabjonespto@gmail.com.

Thank you to all the awesome Jones community members who attended our first FTO meeting last night in the IBJ media center. We will be meeting monthly on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5pm, and childcare will always be provided! Even if you can't make it regularly, please feel free to pop in whenever you can join us. It take a village to support our amazing teachers and Global Scholars at Jones, and we always welcome and appreciate participation in whatever capacity your schedule allows. FTO meetings are informal and fun, and you can make a big difference in our school! Come when you can (and no stress when you can't).