Here At JRB

Good Evening JRB Families:

We wanted to let you know that your teacher will be reaching out to you shortly (or they may have already) regarding parent conferences on March 9th. Since our staff has been communicating throughout the entire year with you about your child, a conference may not be necessary. Teachers will reach out directly to you if they feel there is anything new to discuss, but there may not be a need in many cases.

Thank you for your time and flexibility.

When we return from vacation, we will be starting our annual Read Across America Week. There is a theme for each day and in most cases an accompanying book that will be shared via a staff member. The entire flyer is available below, but here is a quick look at the week:

Monday- Snuggle Up With A Good Book- Pajama Day.

Tuesday- Take a Trip- Dress like you are going on a trip or wear items from a place you have already been.

Wednesday- Wacky Pattern Day- Mix and match all of the patterns you can.

Thursday- Dress as your favorite character day.

Friday- Class Color Day- Wear your grade level color: PreK & K- Green, 1st- Blue, 2nd- Orange, 3rd- Red, 4th- Yellow, 5th- Purple

We are asking all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, friends, and neighbors to consider taking an active role by volunteering to read to a child or group of children at our school. If you can spend a few minutes in our school reading to our children, please complete the bottom portion of this form and return it to the John R Briggs Elementary School by Wednesday, March 2. The classroom teachers will select appropriate books for you to read. All we need is YOU!

Here are the times for the 4th:

AM Preschool 9:00AM-9:30AM

PM Preschool 12:00PM-12:30PM

Kindergarten 1:00PM-1:30PM

First Grade 2:00PM-2:40PM

Second Grade 8:30AM-9:10AM

Third Grade 12:45PM-1:15PM

Fourth Grade 9:05AM-9:45AM

Fifth Grade 9:15AM-9:50AM

We have seen a recent increase in parent pick-ups so we wanted to remind folks about a common practice we try to do. If you are coming from the south on Williams Rd, we would ask that you not wait to turn left in the street. If the driveway is full, please head up to Turnpike Rd and swing around so that you are then waiting on the right side of Williams to turn right. This is a small thing, but the gesture goes a long way.

Kindergarteners have been very busy learning and playing songs on the Boomwhackers, which are rainbow-colored plastic tubes that each play a different pitch when hit on the hand! Ask your child what their favorite colored Boomwhacker is, or perhaps a song that they have learned!

1st and 2nd graders have begun reading musical pitches in songs, both by Boomwhacker color and in standard black and white music notation, while playing the Boomwhackers. Students are also playing the chords of each song with their Boomwhackers! Ask your child to tell you what a chord is, and how major and minor chords sound different from each other.

3rd graders are just beginning to learn to play the Recorder, which is a woodwind instrument that helps students in learning to read pitches and prepares them to play possible band instruments in the future. Please complete and return the Recorder form that went home this week to your child’s teacher, if you haven’t already done so.

4th & 5th graders have begun learning to play the Ukulele, which is a 4-stringed instrument, similar to a mini guitar. They are learning how to strum, pluck and say the name of each string individually, and play basic chords! They will also play along with some popular songs that use the chords learned during class.

Our JRB Concert Band will be performing at District Band Night at Oakmont on Thursday, 3/17/22 at 6:30pm, and our Chorus will be performing at District Choral Night at Oakmont on Thursday, 3/24/22 at 6:30pm. District events are for all band & chorus students in grades 3-12 to experience performing with fellow musicians from throughout the district.

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader”, “Children are made readers in the laps of their parents”. “The more that you read, the more that you’ll know…”

We see lots of quotes that have to do with the importance of reading with our children. However, after they have read all day at school, or after a busy week, it can be pulling teeth to get your child to read with you. Here are a few ideas that could help make reading time more enjoyable for your family.

Our supply of extra clothing is rapidly diminishing! If you could please send your student in with extra clothes should they get wet, that would be greatly appreciated. If you are looking to donate any clothing items to our supply, we are in need of:

• Pants/bottoms, especially in sizes 4-8. Leggings & sweatpants are a great option for children to change into if they have an accident!

• New Boys underwear sizes 6-8

• New Girls underwear sizes 6-8

• New Socks of all sizes are also needed, as we have had lots of wet feet!

Please continue to send in all physical exam forms, as well as COVID and Flu shot documentation so I can update your child’s medical records here at school. Also, please note that Pool Testing samples are collected first thing Tuesday mornings. If you bring in a sample later than 10 am, it may not be sent out to be tested.

Finally, please continue to routinely check the AWRSD website for the most current information related to COVID 19 protocols COVID 19 Health Services Page If you have any questions about quarantine and isolation, please reach out to me for guidance.

Feb 21-25, No School- February Vacation

March 4, JRB Celebrates Read Across America

March 9, Half-day of school

On Wednesday, March 9th the PTA will host a Staff Appreciation Lunch where a variety of delicious soups, salads, and other dishes (plus treats) will be served. We are currently seeking volunteers and donations to show our appreciation for the hard work that the JR Briggs staff does all year!

Online signups are very much preferred to avoid duplicate items. To sign up online please go to jrb-pta.org/staff-lunch or you may complete and return the form that was sent home with your student ATTN: PTA

Alternatively, if you prefer to not make or purchase an item for the event, but would like to help out with a monetary contribution you may do so by going to jrb-pta.org/staff-lunch or scanning the QR code to the right.

**Any leftover funds will be used for an additional event that will be held during Teacher Appreciation Week ( 5/2 – 5/ 6)

We are still in need of candid’s for all grades, Ski Club, Chorus/Band night, extended day and any other special school event or in school/class activity pictures you have to share for the yearbook. You can upload directly into the Shared TreeRing Folders via your account, go to https://www.jrb-pta.org/yearbook for instructions on how to load your pictures. If you have any questions or trouble loading your pictures, you can email them to jrbriggsyearbook@gmail.com. Thanks!

Thanks,

Tiffani Sell

Email: nnorth@awrsd.org
Website: https://jrb.awrsd.org/
Phone: 978-827-5750