Principal News
Happy October! I can't believe how fast the first month of school flew by.
During the month of September, the students have worked hard to get back into the school routine and learn the school expectations so that they can embrace this year's theme of being "Upstanding Students all around."
I'm thrilled to share that the students have been doing an amazing job following the expectations and demonstrating what it means to be "upstanding." Every day, I witness countless examples of students demonstrating what it means to be "upstanding" by helping a classmate pick up something they dropped, inviting students to play with them, greeting friends and staff, and making cards to recognize and celebrate someone at the school. These small acts of kindness are the building blocks of our school culture and what makes Jim Falls great.
During the September all-school assembly, I was able to recognize and award students selected by their teacher for being "upstanding" with the September SOAR Award. In addition to awarding students, I was able to share the character trait for the month, which is sportsmanship. We focused on following the rules, respecting others, and supporting teammates. This is important because it encourages working well with others and being respectful. We were fortunate to have two high school volleyball players share a video demonstrating how they incorporate sportsmanship into their games and practices. Seeing our older students setting such a positive example for the elementary students is wonderful.
As we continue through the month of October I want to remind you all that the weather is starting to change. Although it has been a warm fall so far, as the temperature starts to drop, please remember to send your child to school with appropriate layers. We ask that if the temperature is below 50 degrees students wear a coat or long sleeves when outside at recess. This helps keep our students warm and comfortable while playing outside.
As always, thank you for all your support, and have a happy October!
Soaring with Eagle Pride,
Kari Koenig
Jim Falls Principal
Upstanding Students All-Around - SEB
Welcome to a new year! We are all settled into our routines, and ready to make this year great! Our theme this year is "Upstanding Students All-Around", and each month we will focus on an area where students can be upstanding. This month's focus is being an upstanding student with technology, and we will have a dress up day on October 18th to celebrate. We will dress up like our favorite app (please make sure that your child's app is appropriate for school). For example, Mrs. Stoffel might dress up as the Amazon icon! Our Tie Dye event was a big success, and the shirts turned out great! Thanks for all of your support! The SEB (Social Emotional Behaviors) team"
Elementary schedule for 2024-2025:
Start of Day:
- Student Drop Off Begins: 7:20 am
- Student Day Begins: 7:43 am
- Breakfast Served: 7:30 - 7:43 am
- Students arriving after 7:43 am will be marked tardy
End of Day:
- Bus Dismissal - 2:35 pm
- Students getting picked up will be dismissed after busses have left school grounds
Important Dates
October
- 7th - PTO Meeting
- 7th - Hearing Screening for KG & 2nd Gr
- 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th - On Site Chiropractic
- 9th - CCF Bank Day
- 10th - Bright Smiles - Fluoride Day
- 15th - Picture retakes
- 22nd - Regular School Board Meeting 7pm @ District Office
24th - No School K-5th grade (Professional Development)
25th - No School (Professional Development)
29th - Flu Shot Immunization Clinic 8am-10am
31st - Halloween Celebrations
November
1st - No School (staff work day)
4th - PTO Meeting 6pm
4th, 11th, 18th - On Site Chiropractic
7th & 12th - Parent/Teacher Conferences 3-7pm
13th - CCF Bank Day
19th - Regular School Board Meeting 7pm @ District Office
25th - 29th - No School
Picture Retakes
Strawbridge will be here Tuesday, October 15th for any students who would like to have their pictures retaken or who have not yet been photographed. All students need to have their picture taken for school records but do not have to order! If you would like to have your child's picture retaken, please send your original picture package to school with them on October 15th. Please go to strawbridge.net and use code FM442623.
Halloween Celebration
On Thursday, October 31st, we will be having classroom parties with costumes, snacks and themed activities.
Students should come to school in their costume.
Students should bring a change of clothes just in case they want to change out of their costume.
Costumes should be safe, non-offensive, and non-violent. NO weapons or look-alike weapons will be allowed.
Teachers will not be assisting with face make-up for students, this should be applied at home.
An alternate activity is planned for those who do not want to participate in Halloween activities. Please let your child’s teacher know if you do not want your child to participate.
A picture parade will be shared with students and parents soon after.
If you plan to pick up your child from school, please be sure to send a note.
If you need help getting a costume for your child, please contact the office.
Watch for more information from your child’s teacher.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
We are creating a school directory for families wanting their information shared with other Jim Falls families. Contact information will be distributed to ALL families at Jim Falls Elementary School (via messenger/newsletter and/or paper copy) for the purposes of inviting friends to parties, play dates, etc. Please fill out the information on this form
For those families responding "no", your information will not be distributed.
Please fill this out by October 7th!!
Notes from the Office
If your child is going to be absent or tardy for any reason, please call the office by 8:00 am Instructional time starts at 7:43 am. Any student who arrives after 7:43 am is considered tardy.
If you need to change your child's transportation for the end of the day, please send a note to your child's teacher. Phone calls are discouraged but if a change needs to be called in, PLEASE call the office by 1:30 pm to insure that the message gets delivered to the classroom.
If you need to pick your child up early, please check in at the office. Parents will need to sign their child(ren) out and then we will call your child down to the office. Students will not be waiting in the office so make sure to give yourself enough time prior to appointments.
BUS TRANSPORTATION CHANGES
All student rerouting requests will originate at Chippewa Yellow Bus Company. Student rerouting requests require a 24 hour notice and approval by the bus company. This includes one time and/or occasional rerouting requests. Please call 715-726-2454 if you have any questions or concerns. Please click here for more information regarding rerouting requests.
If a student's afternoon transportation plans vary week to week, please provide the teacher, the office, and the bus company a monthly calendar to insure that your child gets to their intended location.
Handle with Care
As always we are a TEAM and we want to help your child thrive in our Jim Falls family.
Medical Absences
Food Service Payments and Menus
Payments can be made on the Infinite Campus portal under the food service tab. The free and reduced lunch application is also located on your Infinite Campus parent portal by selecting "more" then "meal benefits". Here is a list of the CFAUSD Meal Prices.
Bright Smiles
Once again, our district is working alongside the Bright Smiles Oral Health Program to provide dental care to our students in Kindergarten-5th Grade. Each student will receive an oral screening by a registered dental hygienist, have their teeth cleaned, and receive an application of dental sealants if necessary to protect their teeth from cavities. This year, the program will be back for 2 visits of fluoride and 1 visit of sealants and fluoride. This is offered at NO CHARGE to you.
Please see the link below for the Bright Smiles Oral Health Program. If you are NOT interested in having your student participate in this program, simply click on the 'No Thanks" on the form as you complete it. In answering these questions, it helps us receive grants to continue providing these services. Otherwise, fully complete the form to have your child eligible for the program.
https://sealasmile.wisconsin.gov/Consent
The consent will be good for the 2024-25 school year. We will need to have enough responses from students wanting this service in order to run the program, so please take advantage of this great service. If you have any questions, please call Carol at 715-933-0065
SUSO
Students, parents, school staff, or community members can submit a school safety concern or threat via the Speak Up Speak Out WI website, mobile phone app, or toll-free number. For More information, click here!
Chiropractic Care at school
The 2024-25 school year is off to a great start and On-Site Chiropractic is excited to be part of so many kids’ school days. It’s been fun getting to see our returning students and hear about their summers, and we look forward to getting to know this year's new students that have started chiropractic care.
Fall brings the changing of the seasons and cooler weather. Sometimes it also brings on seasonal allergies. The sneezing, stuffy nose and congestion are all uncomfortable but did you know that chiropractic can help with those symptoms? An adjustment can ease congestion & relieve sinus pressure. Chiropractic care also helps strengthen the immune system by correcting misalignments in the spine, especially the neck. It allows the spinal nerves and brain to communicate better, meaning the body has a better chance against allergens.
Enjoy the beautiful Fall weather and if you are interested in your child receiving chiropractic care at school, please contact onsitechiroinfo@gmail.com for more information.
Volunteers/Chaperones
All parents/guardians that would like to volunteer at school or chaperone a field trip, need to fill out the background check and volunteer forms. Please click here for more information.
Classroom Treats
The health office requests that any treats brought in to school for birthdays, parties, or any other special occasions should be store bought with a clear nutrition label.
There are certain students and staff members with health conditions that may require certain dietary accommodations and it's important that they are able to review a food's nutrition label before choosing to omit or consume certain foods.
Please also be mindful about choosing treats that may contain tree nuts and/or peanuts for your student's classroom. There may be other students in your child's classroom who may have a severe nut allergy. If you are wondering whether your child is in a nut free classroom, please inquire with your student's classroom teacher or the school's health office.
Weekends Kids Meals
The Jim Falls Community Food Pantry has been providing food assistance to the families of the Jim Falls school for over 15 years. One of the services we provide is "Weekend Kids Meals." Each Friday, we make available an assortment of non-perishable healthy food products geared toward the children to send home with them for the weekend. If this is something you would like to participate in, please enter your information here.
Spirit Of Christmas
The Spirit of Christmas program is currently accepting applications. This program is designed for Chippewa County residents who are in need to receive gifts for children 0 through 17 years of age during the holiday season. There is not an income level requirement and the applicant’s personal family information is kept confidential. Their goal is to simply make this holiday season a little brighter for everyone.
Applications are available at their website: www.thespiritofchristmasofchippewacounty.com
OR
Feel free to send me an email at: siverlcw@chipfalls.org and I will drop off an application for your child to take home.
Completed applications are due by November 25th, 2024 and can be mailed to:
Spirit of Christmas of Chippewa County, Inc.
PO Box 831
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Jim Falls Elementary
Email: wilsonsm@chipfalls.org
Website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/jimfalls/
Location: 13643 198th Street, Jim Falls, WI, USA
Phone: 715-720-3260