The Jefferson Buzz
February 25, 2022
A Message from our Principal...
Dear Jefferson Families,
It was such a pleasure to see so many of you during the student-led Spring conferences. I hope that you were able to see and hear of the many strides your student is making towards their learning targets. If you were able to come in person, you likely noticed that teachers are very intentional about posting, previewing, and reviewing the learning targets with the students. Students should be able to tell you what they are learning and why. They should also be able to tell you how well they are doing in reaching those targets. This might be a great conversation starter for you and your student.
We are just about to enter the month of March! The month will be a busy one. Among the important classroom learning that goes on, students will have the opportunity to participate in our Erin’s Law presentation. A separate email was sent to families on this topic today. Students will have an opportunity to complete a 5-Essentials survey about how they feel about school, just as our families have completed the 5-Essentials survey. Each grade level is working to bring in some virtual field trips or speakers that provide insights into topics that are part of the grade level curriculum. Please check your classroom teacher’s newsletter for more information about such events.
These are challenging times for all of us. Please know that the entire staff is dedicated to supporting every student as they grow academically and social-emotionally. We work hard to keep you as informed as we can. Sometimes, we fall short on this and we need a little grace from you. Thank you for hanging in there with us. We sincerely believe that we are partners with you in your child’s education. Please feel free to give us a call with any questions, concerns or comments.
Keep warm and safe,
Dr. Judy Floeter and Ms. Tasha Rayas
jfloeter@cusd50.org, trayas@cusd50.org
815-943-6464
5Essentials Survey
To improve the quality of our schools, we ask that all Harvard CUSD 50 students, staff, and families complete the 5Essentials Survey. As we implement our Strategic Plan, it is essential that we gather feedback from all members of the district.
The 5Essentials Survey should not take more than 10-20 minutes of your time and your identity and responses are completely confidential. The survey will be open until March 11th.
Thank you, we value your feedback!
Can you help us?
We are struggling with the increased amount of students using their cell phones at school. Students are using their phones to take pictures and videos of others often times without their consent or even knowledge. Students are then posting the photos and videos to social media such as Snapchat and TikTok to name a few. This is not allowed at Jefferson and many of these platforms are also illegal for students under the age of 13. Due to many of these social media influences, we are experiencing more conflicts at school than ever before. We are working hard to help students make good choices handling conflicts appropriately at school. Could you help us by having conversations about this with your child at home. You can find more information on cell phone use in schools in our Parent Student handbook linked below.
https://www.cusd50.org/page/handbooks. Cell phone use falls under sections 2.6 and 6.3.
Check out this great resource on tweens (ages 8-12) as well as teens and cell phones!
https://www.safesearchkids.com/cell-phones-for-kids/#.Yg_q_SjWFPZ
As always if you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to reach out to us!
Thank you for your help with this matter.
SAVE YOUR POP TABS! HELP OTHERS IN NEED.
This quarter Jefferson Elementary School will introduce a school-wide project to encourage kindness and giving. Students will learn first hand that small actions can make a big difference when we all work together.
Ronald McDonald House Charities provide a low-cost place for families to stay when their beloved child needs treatment at the hospital. Working in conjunction with RMH Charities, we are asking our students and families to collect pop tabs. The money from our students’ collections will be used to sponsor families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses.
Students may bring the pop tabs to school and add them to the classroom collection bin. Every two weeks, pop tabs will be collected and weighed, and our school progress will be monitored.
We hope to collect 50 lbs. of pop tabs between now and the end of April. This would provide a donation of up to $2,750.00 from Jefferson Elementary School.To keep students motivated, rewards will be earned as the school total reaches 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of our goal! We have already met our half way mark! Way to go Jefferson families!
Thank you for being part of this giving project. Click here if you’d like more information about the program for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Summer Opportunities for D50 Students
A variety of opportunities are offered to students this summer.
All program fees have been waived (besides REACH) to allow students to take advantage of these opportunities. SIGN UP FOR SUMMER ACTIVITIES HERE
REACH and Targeted Tutoring have their own registration links.
REACH Summer Camp:
REACH Summer Camp is an enrichment program for CUSD 50 students. Campers will enjoy a variety of activities, including indoor and outdoor activities, extended learning and special interest activities/projects, field trips, and on-site special events. Our goal is to provide an engaging and safe environment that focuses on fun, exploration, friendship, and team building. Lunch and snacks provided.
Eligible Participants:
Current Kindergarten through 5th grade
Session Dates:
Session 1: June 6 - June 30
Session 2: July 11 - July 28
Session Times:
Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location:
Crosby Elementary (K-3)
Jefferson Elementary (4-5)
Bridge Programs
Summer Bridge is a program designed to enhance the transition from each CUSD50 school building to the next.
Washington to Crosby, Crosby to Jefferson, Jefferson to HJH, HJH to HHS.
The Summer Bridge program allows for teachers to establish recursive routines that will increase their confidence, academic language, and literacy development and participate in team-building activities to establish a positive peer group. In addition to these recursive routines, instruction will also focus on developing student leadership skills by improving confidence, developing a powerful academic voice, and determining appropriate language registers.
Eligible Participants:
Rising Kindergarten, Fourth Grade, Sixth Grade, Freshmen
Session Dates:
August 1 - 4
Session Times:
Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
Location:
All Schools.
K-8 Grade Targeted Tutoring
Targeted Tutoring is six weeks of intensive literacy instruction for students who are a year or more behind in reading and/or writing. Tutoring is designed around students who need extra support and practice in the area of literacy. Students will meet 1 on 1 or in small groups of 2-4 with a tutor weekly for 45-60 minutes. Students will have literacy goals focused on their individual needs.
Eligible Participants:
Identified current K-8 students who are significantly below grade level in reading
Session Dates:
June 6 - July 14
Session Times:
Monday - Thursday / Flexible schedule to be coordinated with the teacher
Location:
Crosby Elementary
SIGN UP HERE FOR TARGETED TUTORING (by invitation only)
Extended School Year (ESY)
The purpose of the PreK-12 ESY program is to provide an educational and social/emotional learning opportunity for identified scholars in authentic learning environments. Students will have additional time to explore interests, gain hands-on experience, and meet other students with similar interests.
Eligible Participants:
Identified students with an Individual Learning Plan
Session Dates:
June 6 - June 30
Session Times:
Monday - Thursday / 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location:
Crosby Elementary (PreK-5)
Harvard High School (6-12)
Athletic Sports Camps
Harvard Athletics is running a variety of different sports camps for all ages. Click here to register!
Harvard Athletics llevará a cabo una variedad de campamentos deportivos diferentes para todas las edades. ¡Pulse aquí para registrarse!
Student Mental Health Days
Students ages 6 to 17 years old across Illinois can now take up to five excused mental health days per school year.
Parent must call the student to the main office (please make them aware that a mental health day is being used).
A mental health day is not the same as a sick day, and students do not need a doctor's note.
Students will have the opportunity to make up any missed work, and the missed day will not be used against the student's consideration for Cum Laude with attendance.
After a student takes two mental health days, school personnel will schedule a meeting with the student and parents to create a support plan.
Do you need assistance filing your taxes?
MCC offers free income tax preparation assistance and e-filing of federal and state returns for those who qualify. Walk-in Wednesdays 3:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Learn about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Tax Clinic at www.mchenry.edu/vita
Winter Coats
Jefferson Families,
If anyone in your family is in need of a winter coat please contact Mrs. Julie or Mr.Jason at (815)943-6464 ext. 2440.
We Are Here For You!!
jfloeter@cusd50.org Principal
(815)943- 6464 Ext. 2402
trayas@cusd50.org Student Support Facilitator
(815)216-5709
(815)943-6464 Ext. 2407
jtheisz@cusd50.org Social Worker
(815)943-6464 Ext. 2440
jhenning@cusd50.org Social Worker
(847) 497-5945
(815)943-6464 Ext. 2440
aduran@cusd50.org Parent Community Liaison
(779) 803-4255
(815)943-6464 Ext. 2448
apietrusiak@cusd50.org School Counselor
815-943-6464 Ext. 2440