JKES Cardinal Chronicle

As always, thank you for your support!

Mrs. Pryor & Mrs. Houser

Families, it is the season of sickness. we respectful ask if your child is sick and has a fever, throwing up, or anything sickness related - please do not send them to school until they have been fever and medication free for 24 hours. We miss our students when they are not here but we want them to be well and able to engage in learning when they are here.

John Kerr is looking to win the Kona Ice Truck for best overall school attendance in the month of September and, to add something extra, John Kerr is going to hold an ATTEN’DANCE’ for the team with the best overall attendance for the month of September. Students will have an opportunity to socialize, listen to music, play games and dance. We want to see our Cardinals in class and learning every day!!! Homeroom starts at 7:50 AM.

Calling all 3rd and 4th grade girls! Girls on the Run is a dynamic program empowering girls to build confidence, resilience, and a sense of achievement through running. Participants engage in fun, interactive lessons that foster self-esteem and teamwork, culminating in a celebratory 5K race. By joining, girls not only enhance their physical fitness but also gain valuable life skills and form lasting friendships. Discover the joy of running and personal growth with Girls on the Run!

The program will take place this fall season at JKES every Tuesday and Thursday 3:00-4:30 PM. To register, please visit the following link: https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/FALL-24-Prog-Reg

Due to the necessity to replace the existing old water and sewer pipes, Winchester City will be closing National Avenue to through traffic from the traffic circle at the Timbrook Police Station to the intersection with North Pleasant Valley Road (see attached map). The project will begin September 3, 2024 and should take about 4 months. Please be aware we anticipate travel disruptions for WPS bus transportation. Woodstock Lane will be established as the detour route during the project for through traffic. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this disruption to schedules and the associated traffic. New bus stop locations for students living on or near National Avenue, that require a new stop to get to their bus, will be sent home by Wednesday August 28, 2024.

We greatly appreciate our families being so vigilant about student safety at AM drop-off and PM pick-up. Staying in the line and staying in your vehicles is helping minimize the chance of anyone being injured crossing between vehicles waiting in the line. Your continued patience and timeliness to get students to school and in/out of the building safely is held in high regard.

We are starting to notice a trend with some of our bus riders that are safety concerns. Please encourage your student to stay seated throughout the entirety of the bus ride. Getting up and moving or crawling on the floor/under the seat is extremely dangerous and we do not want anyone injured.

School pictures will be taken on September 10, 2024. The attached link will allow parents to sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, parents should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.

https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/john-kerr-elementary-school/fall-pictures-9-10-2024-71/optIn

The Winchester Public Schools 2024-2025 PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK is a valuable resource to know and understand all things Winchester Public Schools, to include K-12 standards and instruction, the yearly calendar, discipline policies and more.

EarlyAct had an amazing turn out on August 28, 2024! The Rotary sponsored club is a school-wide service club for elementary students from ages 5 to 13. Currently, John Kerr 4th grade students that have the desire are participating in the after-school opportunity. EarlyAct is supported by the Interact Club from John Handley High School and will be meeting at John Kerr twice monthly to carry out a variety of service projects that will serve the school and Winchester community. We are so excited to partner with the Rotary Club and JHHS Interact for this meaning opportunity and a heartfelt thanks to Ms. Doering and Ms. Wharton for volunteering their time after-school to support JKES EarlyAct and Gracie Flowers and Eliana Filomena from JHHS Interact for leading activities!

Hello Cardinal families,

This year our Friday Food Bags will begin during the week of September 16th-20th. Food Bag forms were sent home on Tuesday (August 13th). If you are in need of another form, please let your students' classroom teacher know. If you are in need of emergency food assistance, please contact one of our school counselors. Listed below is a link that is available for volunteers to help with Friday Food Bags. This includes coming into JKES on Fridays and delivering Food Bags to classrooms. Dates and times are included in the link below. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Davis, JKES School Counselor.

Sign-Up Genius

John Kerr is always looking for volunteers. There are opportunities throughout the building to include support in lunch, at recess, in the library and other areas of the school. If interested, please reach out to our principal, Kim Pryor, at pryork@wps.k12.va.us and she can provide information on next steps.

Ice Cream Social on Friday, September 20th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It will on the playground blacktop. Come enjoy a sweet treat and play with friends.

Spirit Wear Store: The JKES Spirit Wear store is open through September 13. Orders will be delivered directly to you. The PTO gets to keep a portion of each sale. Use this link to make your orders: John Kerr Elementary - Select Spiritwear a division of Select Screen Prints & Embroidery, Inc.

If you have any questions, please email the PTO at jkespto@@gmail.com.

Donations needed for the John Kerr clinic: boys and girls clothes small sizes, 2-5. Shorts, pants, t-shirts.

Annual Verification Forms MUST be completed for each WPS student using the PowerSchool Parent Portal prior to the first day of school.

Use this step-by-step guide for completing the online process: https://bit.ly/WPSAnnualFormGuide (English and Spanish)

Any change in a student's regular means of transportation in the afternoon must be by a written note from a parent/guardian or by email to mcnamara@wps.k12.va.us AND armistead@wps.k12.va.us by 1:30 PM Monday through Friday if there is a last minute change. We ask that you call the school to notify the office of your incoming email. Student safety is very important to us!

Between 2:15 PM and 2:40 PM, the office is open only to school personnel and volunteers. Students who are picked up by car will be dismissed to the car pick up line ONLY during dismissal.

Any questions, please call the school office.

No more waiting for a bus, transferring routes, or long walks to bus stops. WinReady is a point-to-point service that will pick you up when you need to be picked up and take you where you need to go within the City of Winchester within 30 minutes. You can request or schedule a ride directly from your phone, and WinReady will get you there. (click the link for additional information)

Not receiving school-related text messages? You must OPT-IN to receive messages. Text "Subscribe" to 67587. You should receive confirmation that you are registered. Don't forget to ensure all of your contact information is correct at your student's school, too!