No Place Like Jones

Dear Ira B. Jones Elementary families,

I'm pleased to share that our first two weeks back after Hurricane Helene have gone smoothly, and we’re so glad to see everyone settling into their routines. As a reminder, there will be no school on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

Looking ahead, report cards will be sent home on Tuesday. This quarter, in place of traditional numeric grades, we’re providing a supplemental report that offers meaningful, individualized feedback on each student’s progress so far this year. These reports reflect assessments from the weeks leading up to our unexpected leave and focus on each child’s areas of strength and opportunities for growth in reading, writing, and math. Our goal is to give you a clear and comprehensive view of your child’s current academic standing. Thank you for your ongoing support, and please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions!

Important Updates and Support

• Resource Room: We have opened a resource room at our school to support our community. If any staff members or families need essential items like diapers, cleaning supplies, tissue, or other household necessities, please feel free to stop by. We are here to help however we can during this time.
• Bottled Water and Snacks: We have ample bottled water available (two bottles per person for every four hours) and snacks generously donated for the next month. No need to send in snacks at this time.
• Hand Sanitizer: Additional sanitizer will be available throughout the school as an extra layer of protection following handwashing.

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 Twitter @Principal_IBJ and 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

It is essential for students to learn the importance of taking care of themselves and their communities. Self-care can help students of all ages become more introspective and aware of their physical and emotional needs. It can also prepare them to effectively handle future stressors. Even small acts of self-care and self-help can decrease stress, improve relationships, and promote wellness of the body and mind.

Adults and caregivers can teach their students healthy self-care habits at any age. It is necessary to remember that adults’ ideas about self-care might look different than their students' ideas.

Movement and creative activities can provide an emotional outlet while fostering connection. Activities like painting, coloring, or using Play-Doh are less likely to feel like a chore. Music and dance can have huge positive impacts on your child’s cognitive development and self-awareness.

Carve out daily quiet time together

It is important for families to carve out space for quiet time. A few minutes of singing to your child, reading a book together, or doing a kid-friendly meditation can strengthen your connection.

Make a calm down box

Some students respond well to having their own “calm-down box”. Include items that are soothing to the senses, such as a fidget toy, stuffed animal, stress ball, plastic snow globe, or scratch & sniff stickers. When you observe them on the verge of being dysregulated, encourage your student to utilize the items in the box to help regulate their emotions. It can be helpful to think of these items as tools rather than for normal play. Make sure that you are encouraging the student with positive language rather than making it part of a consequence.

Additional self-care exercises for elementary schoolers can include:

• Practice your breathing by blowing on a pinwheel.

• Review a few things you’re grateful for that day together.

• Help your child(ren) label emotions – these cards can help!

Every family is different. There is no one right way to practice self-care – see what works for you and your student. The earlier students practice healthy self-care habits, the easier it will be for them to integrate these practices into their future lives and manage stressors that come their way.

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!

November 11: Veterns Day (No school for students)

November 12 : Report Cards go Home

November 27-29 : Fall Break