No Place Like Jones

IBJ Family Updates for the Week of September 16, 2024

IBJ Family Updates for the Week of November 18, 2024

#noplacelikejones #community #wearestrong

Principal Corner

Dear IBJ Families,

I hope this message finds you well as we move further into the school year. It is incredible to see the growth and enthusiasm our students bring to school each day. I want to take a moment to share some reflections and updates from the heart of our school community.

This past week, I've had the privilege of visiting classrooms and witnessing students deeply engaged in learning—whether collaborating on projects, exploring new ideas, or proudly sharing their work. These moments remind me of our incredible partnership with you in supporting our children's journey to success.

Celebrating Progress

Our students are making great strides in reading stamina, math problem-solving, and building positive relationships. Their hard work and your encouragement at home are making a difference. Keep up the great work with those nightly reading sessions and practicing math facts together—it truly adds up!

Report Cards & Student Progress

Report cards were sent home last week, and I hope you had a chance to review your child's supplemental and assessment reports. These reports are a valuable tool to help you gain insight into your child's specific strengths and areas for growth. They also provide clear guidance on the skills and strategies your child can work on to continue their learning journey. If you have any questions or would like additional support in understanding the reports, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher.

Open Enrollment Event

We're thrilled to host an Open Enrollment Event on Thursday, November 21, from 5:30–6:30 PM. This is a wonderful chance for families to visit our school, learn about our community, and discover why we take great pride in being part of our Global Scholars community. If you know families who might be interested in joining us next year, please share this event with them. Let's spread the word and welcome new families into our outstanding school!

Looking Ahead

We hope to see everyone at the Hot Cocoa Social on Tuesday, November 19, from 4–6 PM on the school playground. It's a great time to connect, play, and enjoy complimentary cocoa, cider, and cookies. Spiritwear will also be available for sale! Check out the flyer below for more details.

Thank you for being such an integral part of our school community. Your support, as always, makes a tremendous difference!

I believe in maintaining open and transparent communication with our families to ensure our students receive the best support possible. We share the responsibility for our student's success and will do our very best to fulfill our commitments. Please visit our school's website, Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/, and follow us on Instagram @IraB.JonesElementary for upcoming events, important reminders and to keep up with all the wonderful things our students and teachers are doing. Also, I send out a weekly family newsletter, so please ensure we have your updated contact information.

As a school leader and a parent myself, I understand the importance of healthy communication between families and the school. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, celebrations, or concerns. You can call the school at 828.350.6700 or email me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.

Warm regards,

Ruafika Cobb

Principal

Ira B. Jones Elementary School

#noplacelikejones

Last Call for The Little Mermaid JR. Registration (K-2 Only)

If your K-2 student is interested in joining the school musical and hasn't yet signed up, please visit our Jones Drama website to register today! The deadline is Friday, November 22. K-2 students will join weekly rehearsals on Thursdays from 2:35-4 pm, beginning February 6, 2025.

Drama registration for students in grades 3-5 has closed, and rehearsals for that group are underway. Our new performance dates are March 27-29, 2025. Please mark your calendars for this exciting spring event!

NOTES FROM THE COUNSELING CORNER WITH MS. COURTNEY, SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Perserverance and Failure

As educators and caregivers striving to encourage and ensure student well-being, we often work with students who seem to give up too easily. Some students are excited by a new, challenging task, seeing it as an opportunity to test themselves and improve. Others see the challenge as insurmountable and feel incapable of initiating the task. Not learning to tolerate failure leaves students vulnerable to anxiety (Arky, 2023). It leads to meltdowns when the inevitable failure does occur, whether it’s at school, at home, or in the community. Unfortunately, as the world puts increased pressure on students to be successful, caregivers and educators can feel compelled to enable them in every way possible, which results in more and more students becoming distraught over even the smallest misstep.

It’s inevitable that students will encounter a number of setbacks and obstacles in every aspect of their lives. The first time students experience challenging times can be discouraging and confusing. However, perseverance teaches students to be more resilient in the future when challenges arise.

Perseverance in the face of a difficult challenge can also promote flexibility. When students experience challenges, they have the opportunity to learn even more than they would have if they succeeded. They don't use the same approach when trying to succeed at something they previously failed. They recognize the need for a new strategy, forcing them to return to the drawing board and search for improvements. An uncomfortable feeling brought on by a struggle is actually a good thing and is a sign that your student is on the cusp of a new stage. Remind yourself that these are "growing pains" and say, "It's okay to be uncomfortable." Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is a great step toward supporting your student’s development.

ACS Student Services Housing Status Survey

Dear IBJ Families,

We are conducting the ACS Student Services Housing Status Survey to understand better the housing situations faced by families affected by Hurricane Helene. Your responses will help us accurately identify those needing support under the McKinney-Vento Act, as recommended by state guidelines in response to natural disasters.

Please take a moment to complete the survey below. It should only take a few minutes of your time. Thank you for your assistance!

ACS Student Services Housing Status Survey