Roadrunner Tracks

Cell phones and social media "have entered the chat" at South Jefferson. While it has been slowly becoming more of an issue each year, the last two years have been quite challenging as an administrator to manage the impact that group chats have had on our students and school. While I cannot monitor what happens before 8:35 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. each day, when students are arguing with one another or saying unkind things in a group chat, it becomes my concern. What I originally think is a simple matter to discuss becomes messy and complicated by the behaviors outside of school and on cell phones. Recently, I intervened with two students who were fighting about what was said in a group chat. The more I peeled back the layers, the more students were involved and the more concerning the conversations became. Students were sharing that they longed for a time when they didn't have phones. They felt "addicted to their phones" and "couldn't put them down, no matter how hard they tried". One student shared that he was afraid to get out of the group chat because he "wouldn't know if they were talking about him or not". As I listened to them sharing what was being said and done, and then literally reading their words online, it became clear to me that they were not mature enough to handle having phones. They literally believed that if THEY deleted a text message that it was gone forever. They used language that I am positive you as parents wouldn't like or approve of. They shared that they kept getting added to group chats and didn't know how to get out of them. One girl shared that she received over 500 text messages from the time that she left school at 4:00 p.m. until she woke up the next morning. Multiple students said that they were awakened from sleep because someone was texting them during the night. One boy said that his parents got him a cell phone for safety, but he didn't "feel safe from what was texted". They were overwhelmed, sad, anxious and were unable to figure out how to manage their cell phone.

Did any of us intend this as adults when we put cell phones in their hands? Of course not. Did we believe that they were a tool for safety? Of course. Now that the horse is out of the barn, it's challenging to go back. Kids want to fit in with their peers. If they're the only one without a phone, they feel left out. However, if you've made it this far in this Principal's Corner, I want to ask you to check in with your child. Are they in group chats? Are they using Snapchat? Are they struggling with the responsibility of their cell phone? Have you looked at their text messaging? Did you know that they can participate in group chats via a tablet or iPad? Have you, as their main advocate and protector, LOOKED at their chats, social media usage and content? Please know that I am not standing in judgement about this....only concern.

It's a fact that social media and cell phones have caused increased rates of depression and anxiety in children. While they may feel "connected" to one another through their devices, they also feel lonely and isolated. They can't discern between the "shiny, perfect world" that they see through the lens of social media and struggle with self-esteem, self-image and self-worth. I would venture to say that many adults would share the same struggles because of our technology use and social media presence. You, as parents/caregivers, can help them navigate this complicated issue by being aware of what they are doing online, managing their cell phone access and usage and definitely checking on those group chats. Every time I try to get them to stop the group chats, another one crops up, with students adding everyone (some, without their permission) to the chat. I may seem old and "out of touch", but I worry about the impact of cell phones on our children. I don't think that they can handle them and I think that they are ultimately doing more harm than good. Their brains are still developing and their self-worth is being dictated by an image on a screen. I think that they need us to intervene FOR them and to put our own devices down and enjoy this fleeting time of childhood. They will be "grown up" soon enough. Let's not rush them.

Ms. Mahoney

10. You read our newsletters, posts on FB and our webpage!

9. You are supportive of our staff!

8. You turned in your forms in on time and MOST of you have signed up for and are actively engaged on ROOMS 📝😉

7. You came to Outdoor Movie Night and had fun!

6. You support our Read-A-Thons and other school events

5. You keep your children home when they are sick 😷

4. You are responsive to your teacher's classroom needs 📚

3. You volunteer 🙋🏻‍♂️

2. You get your children to school on time & ready to learn 🙌

1. You support your children to be the best they can be 😍

Congratulations to the following classes for top attendance in September:

Kindergarten: Mrs. Zimmerman - 95.8%

First Grade: Ms. Greene - 96.7%

Second Grade: Mrs. Vogel 97.3%

Third Grade: Mrs. Hipp - 95.3%

Fourth Grade: Ms. Brooks - 94.7%

Fifth Grade: Mr. Collins - 96.3%

Top Attendance for the entire school: Congratulations to Mrs. Vogel's Second Grade Class for an awesome 97.3% attendance rate! They will keep the SJES Attendance Trophy in their classroom for the month!

Every student with perfect attendance in the month of September was given an attendance badge for their bookbag. We will give out a perfect attendance badge to every student with perfect attendance each month.

Our daily goal for attendance is 95% or higher. For the month of September, our attendance rate, as a school, was 94.6%.

Each year, South Jefferson holds two Fun Runs at school to honor and raise funds for causes that are near to our hearts or impact our community. This year, we honor our favorite Physical Education educator, Mr. Atkins. While some may not know, Mr. Atkins was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2006, before our current students were even born. Here are Mr. Atkins thoughts and feelings on what MS is like and how it impacts his daily life:

"Ever since 2006, longer than you have been alive (students), I have been teaching with Multiple Sclerosis or MS for short. MS is a disease that gets worse as you age and it only affects me, it can't be spread like germs. It attacks the brain and spinal cord and causes lots of short circuits in the wires (nerves) that send messages to the different body parts making it difficult to do things like walk, talk, kick, run, shoot a basketball, throw a ball...you get the idea). If I am being completely honest, the diagnosis scared me more than anything that I have ever had to deal with until then. I cried for 3 days straight because as a Physical Education teacher, a disease that attacks the body and makes it hard to move was a huge problem! Then my mother-in-law, who was dealing with stage 4 liver disease and living/working/struggling and still always cheerful and upbeat, shared this message with me that changed my paradigm on life forever. It was a poem I called I Am!

"My name is I Am".

"When you live in the past,

with its mistakes and regrets,

it is hard. I am not there.

My name is not I WAS.

When you live in the future,

with its problems and fears,

it is hard. I am not there.

My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment

it is not hard. I am here.

My name is I AM."

(Helen Mallicoat)

It helped me realize the importance of enjoying the moment, living each day to the fullest, not taking for granted what I DID have instead of focusing on what I no longer had. I wanted to share this with everyone because I understand how sometimes things in life do not go the way we planned and it can be hard, but you always have a choice to choose your response. Just like Ted Lasso says, "be a goldfish" and forget about mistakes and focus on what's to come. We can still learn from them, but don't let them consume you. This year we will be donating to the National MS Society that helps to fund research and programs to those with MS. Some less fortunate than me are wheelchair or bedbound, others still moving and struggling with the fear of tomorrow. Current research is working on ways to eventually reverse the damage done and I dream of one day running the fun run in the future. Let's turn that dream into a reality by helping to fund the research at: https://events.nationalmssociety.org/participant/Mr-Atkins ".

To say that Mr. Atkins is a courageous role model is a huge understatement. He comes to school with a positive attitude and a kind word for everyone. He never complains and he perseveres through pain or struggles without an ounce of pity. He shares "Fun Friday" music with us every Friday when we arrive and will join in an impromptu dance party if it's a good song. ;) He gives extra time to students who are struggling and helps to build our character as well as our muscles. We are blessed to have him on the staff at South Jefferson. It is time to honor him and to help raise funds for a cure for him. Let's do this, South Jefferson!

If you'd like to donate via cash or check to our Fun Run and this important cause, please make checks payable to South Jefferson Elementary and let us know if you require a tax receipt. We thank you in advance for your support!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual Read-A-Thon. Your participation and engagement helped our PTO to raise almost $10,000 to be used towards field trips and playground upgrades. Our top fundraising and reading classes will receive an ice cream party and our top individual readers and fundraisers will each receive $25 worth of books (of their choice) from Amazon.

The following is the final results from the Read-A-Thon:

Top Fundraising Classes:

1. Miss Potts' 3rd Grade Class

2. Mrs. Blank's 5th Grade Class

3. Mrs. Hipp's 3rd Grade Class

Top Reading Classes:

1. Mrs. Fincham's 2nd Grade Class (10,530 minutes!)

2. Miss Potts' 3rd Grade Class (7,322 minutes)

3. Mrs. Hipp's 3rd Grade Class (7,015 minutes)

Individual Top Readers:

1. Mayra Zepeda, 5th Grade (2,189 minutes)

2. Henry Solich, 5th Grade (2,005 minutes)

3. Karalee Wynder, 3rd Grade (1,618 minutes)

4. Tyler Schmidt, 3rd Grade (1,470 minutes)

5. Riley Schmidt, 5th Grade (1,440 minutes)

Individual Top Fundraisers:

1. Henry Solich, 5th Grade $1,000

2. Addison Phipps, 3rd Grade $445

3. Sawyer Welch, 3rd Grade $425

4. Jamison Parker, 3rd Grade 375

4. Maddison Silveous, 5th Grade $350

As a school, our students read 71,455 minutes in two weeks and raised $9654.75! Well done!

Next Public Meeting -- Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7pm in the cafeteria.

We had a great turn out for our first meeting in September, with 18 in attendance. THANK YOU!! We are always looking for new members and volunteers and would love to have you join us at our next meeting.

Upcoming Events:

· The school store will be held the second week of every month. The next school store will be the week of November 11 - 15th. We have a variety of items ranging in price from 10 cents to $5.00.

Tuesday, November 12th: 4th and 5th Grades

Wednesday, November 13th: 2nd and 3rd Grades

Thursday, November 14th: Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st Grade

· Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 18th, 2024 @ SJES parking lot. Watch our Facebook page to sign up to decorate a trunk and pass out treats. We are limited to 40 trunks.

· Our annual Winter Event will be Sunday, December 8th, 2024, from 1-3pm. This is a free, family event. More details to come. Volunteers Needed!!

Our PTO Board Members:

President: Karisma Neely; Vice President: Jessica McIntosh; Secretary: Kayla Light; Treasurer: April Davis; Volunteer Coordinator: Jennifer Lupinacci

Contact us at SJESPTO@gmail.com or on Facebook at "South Jefferson Elementary PTO"

• Fall Picture Day: October 17th
• PTO Trunk or Treat, October 18th, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• 2nd Grade Field Trip to Great Country Farms, October 18th
• Report Cards Issued: October 18th
• Parent Teacher Conferences: October 24th, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
• Fun Run: November 1, 2024
• Father/Daughter Masquerade Ball: Saturday, November 2nd, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
• Election Day: November 5th: NO SCHOOL (Make sure to vote! ✅)
• Veteran's Day: November 11th: NO SCHOOL
• PTO Meeting: November 12th at 7:00 p.m.
• School Store: Tuesday, November 12th - Thursday, November 14th (4th/5th, day one; 2nd/3rd, day two; K/1st day three)
• Midterms of 2nd Nine Weeks: November 15th
• American Education Week: November 18th - 22nd
• Fall Break: November 25th - 29th NO SCHOOL
• Picture Retakes: December 5th
• PTO Winter Event, December 8th, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Chorus Concert: December 11th at 7:00 p.m.
• School store: December 10th - 12th (4th/5th on day one; 2nd/3rd on day two; K and 1st on day three)
• Early Dismissal: December 20th 1:30 p.m.

Our annual "Father"/Daughter Dance is almost here! The Masquerade Package is one "father" and daughter, light desserts, 1 4 x 6 photo and the dance. Additional daughters would be $5/each. Please pay by cash or check (made payable to South Jefferson Elementary). Please make sure that you have completed the permission form that was sent home and return the slip, along with payment BY October 25th. Thank you!

The proceeds from this annual dance go towards our HCA (Healthy Choice Ambassadors) Scholarship for a Washington High School senior!

If your children are bus riders, we'd love if you would reinforce the expectations for riding the bus with them. The top priority on our buses is safety. We need our students to remain seated, stay out of the aisle when the bus is moving, keep their hands and feet to themselves, face forward when on the bus, and listen to the instructions from the drivers. Our SJES motto of "Respect Yourself, Respect Others and Respect Our School" applies to when our students are riding the bus, as well. Thank you!