
Jefferson February Update
Winter 2025
A Note From the Principal:
Dear Jefferson Families,
We look forward to seeing your children each and every day! Thank you for entrusting them to our care. Did you know regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can set your child up for academic and lifelong success? When students are consistently present in the classroom, they don't just receive direct instruction – they engage in meaningful discussions, build lasting relationships with peers and teachers, and develop the routine and structure that foster effective learning habits. Every school day brings new opportunities for growth, discovery, and achievement that cannot be fully replicated through make-up work.
Research consistently shows that students with strong attendance records are more likely to read at grade level, develop strong social skills, and graduate from high school. Even missing just two days of school per month can significantly impact a student's academic progress. By prioritizing attendance and arriving at school on time each day, you're helping your child build a strong foundation for their education and future success. We understand that illness and family circumstances occasionally make absences unavoidable, but we encourage you to schedule appointments and family events outside of school hours whenever possible. Thank you so much for teaming with us to ensure your child's academic and Social/Emotional success here at school!
Warmly,
Mrs. Ziemer, Principal
Mark Your Calendars:
February:
11th - TTK Field Trip to Fir Island Farm Reserve 8:45- 11:30 am
12th - 100th Day of School!! ( Spirit day - Dress a Century old)
13th - Skagit Cycle Bike Repair Van Visit 3:00 - 5:30pm (See info. below)
WIDA Family Night 5:00 - 6:00pm
Jefferson Parent Group Meeting 6:00 - 7:00 pm (All parents invited to participate)
17th - Presidents' Day - No School
21st - 4th Grade VIP Breakfast
25th - First Day of WIDA Testing
27th - WIDA Testing
March:
4th - WIDA Testing
5th - Non Student/Professional Development Day - No School
6th & 7th - These are now school days!
WIDA Testing Both Days
21st - 5th Grade VIP Breakfast
31st - April 4th - Conference Week/Early Release
Family Resources:
**Our district will be partnering with Skagit Legal Aid to host an online “Know Your Rights” presentation on February 6th @ 5:15pm. Stay tuned for more information!
Protections for Immigrant Students (OSPI guidance that is now also available in Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian)
WIDA ACCESS Information:
During Feb. 25th - March 1st, our students who speak languages other than English at home will be taking the WIDA ACCESS test, a crucial assessment measuring their progress in English Language development. This tool evaluates listening, speaking, reading and writing skills that will guide teaching strategies to best meet the needs for our learners. This year we will be hosting a WIDA family information night. See the flyer below.
WIDA Family Night
Jefferson Elementary
Feb. 13th at 5pm Food provided!
Then afterwards stay for the Jefferson Parent Group Meeting!
Thank you for your support in encouraging your students to show all that they know on the assessment and by ensuring that they are here at school well-rested and ready to do their best! Here are the dates:
February 25th Listening
February 27th Reading
March 4th Writing
March 6th Speaking
March 7th Speaking
If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Kendra Monroe Smith
Vice Principal
(360) 428.6128
kmonroesmith@mvsd320.org
Ana Casillas-Sanchez
Jefferson Multilingual Specialist
(360) 428.6128
From the Health Room:
Show Your Teeth Some Love!!
February is dental health month, and serves as a reminder that the health and development of a child's mouth and teeth are as important as any other part of the body.
Some interesting facts:
- Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease.
- Children living in Washington state are more than twice as likely to have tooth decay than children from other states.
- Poor oral health in children has been linked to poor performance in school, an increase in school absenteeism, poor social relationships and less success in later life.
- Tooth decay is almost entirely preventable!!
Some tips for keeping your child’s teeth and gums healthy:
- Brush Teeth, using fluoride toothpaste, at least twice a day
- Use dental floss every day
- See the dentist twice a year for regular check-ups
- Limit sweets, gummy fruit snacks and sodas or other sugary drinks
- Wear protective mouth guards during athletic events
Early identification of children at high risk for dental disease is critical to prevent more expensive treatments of progressed disease. Here are some low-cost or no-cost resources for those who do not have a family dentist, have state insurance, or cannot afford the cost of dental care
- Sea Mar Mount Vernon Dental Clinic
- 1400 N. Laventure Rd
- Mount Vernon, WA 98273
- 360-542-8901
- Kulshan Pediatric Dentistry
- 2210 Kulshan View Drive, Suite 102
- 1Mount Vernon, WA 98273
- 360-424-3811
Lauri Miller, MSN, BSN
School Nurse
Mount Vernon School District
Nurse Cell - 360-932-5085
Nurse Fax - 855-956-3922
Jefferson Elementary - 360-428-6128
Counselor Connection:
Hello Jefferson Families!
This month our students are developing and practicing being kind to themselves and others. We have a Kindness Poster of kind acts up in the cafeteria along with kindness posters in our hallways.
Third grade students will have a special event called C.A.R.E. Fair. It stands for Caring, Awareness, Respect and Empathy and they will be learning about different learning strengths.
Having a Kind school helps students belong and experience their best learning!
Please partner with us and point out when somebody does or says something kind!
🚴Skagit Cycle Center Visit:
Roll on in for some bike maintenance!
When? Thursday, February 13th from 3-5:30.
What? Skagit Cycle Center will be at Jefferson School by the recess covered area.
They will be here to get your child’s bike in tip top condition!
Our PE class is going to be focusing on bike safety and bike handling skills
Our school will be starting a bike bus for our students,
we will be continuing our Bike Club for 3-5 grades!
More information on those things soon!
Come and get your child’s bike ready to roll and stay for the Parent group meeting at 6.
A $5 donation would be greatly appreciated!
Health Class Happenings:
I hope that your student(s) have been enjoying school these last few months. It is such a privilege to work with so many incredible kids. This month in health, students will be learning about:
Kinder- The amazing body and what makes them special
1st Graders- Talking, listening, and communication forms
2nd Graders- Feeling afraid and what to do when they have big feelings
3rd Graders- Attitude
4th Graders- Emotions and trusted adults
5th Graders- Emotions and trusted adults
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Klinker, Health Teacher
For the security and safety of our students we ask that you always enter the school from the main entrance only. These doors remain locked during the day. Please ring the doorbell to the right of the doors. Office staff will ask you to identify your purpose for visiting and then buzz you in. Please know that staff and students walking about inside the building are directed not to open the doors for you (as awkward as it feels for all). Thank you for your understanding as we work to always put safety first!