JSE Tracks

Good Afternoon, JSE Families,

WELCOME BACK to your JSE Family! Our first day is this Wednesday. We are returning to our normal schedule with school starting at 8:50AM and dismissing at 3:20PM. Please see schedules below for arrival, dismissal and lunch/recess. According to our UTSC Return to Learn Updated Plan, masks are optional during the school day but still required on the bus. If your child rides the bus, please send them with a mask.

When you have time please review the back-to-school important information below.

Our main office is open daily 8-4pm, if you have question or concerns I am available anytime via my email lbarnes@union.k12.in.us or if you would like to meet in-person, please call the main office to schedule an appointment.

We are #BearcatStrong together!

Sincerely,

Leigh Barnes

Principal

8:30AM Free optional breakfast for all students

8:40AM First Bell

8:50AM Tardy Bell and School Begins

Lunch Schedule below *Lunch is free this year also

3:20 Car Rides and Walkers/Bike Riders *see car rider directions below

3:25 Bus Dismissal

**Masks are optional during the school day and required on the bus.

We realize the importance and value the events we hold at the beginning of each year to welcome students and families back to JSE. These annual events include our new student welcoming, open house night, Kindergarten and 1st grade family meet and greets and PTO ice-cream social.

SEE FLYERS BELOW

This year, we are excited for these events to return:

• Before School Begins New Student Welcome for all new students and Parents: August 9th 5:30PM
• Before School Begins Meet and Greet Open House for Kindergarten and 1st Graders and Parents: August 9th 6PM-7PM
• Open House Night for only 2nd through 5th graders and Parents: August 19th 6PM-7PM

All of this information will be available to you in your Harmony Family Access Portal during and after registration. We will also be emailing and texting you specific bus information as it becomes available and your child's teacher will be reaching out to you as well the few days before school begins.

Our 21-22 supply list by Grade Level LINK

You may pay your child's Textbook Rental online through the Harmony Family Portal OR you may turn in cash or check to our JSE main office. 21-22 Registration Fees LINK

• The first day of school is Wednesday, August 11th. The school day begins at 8:50 and dismisses at 3:20.
• Bus assignments can be found in Harmony Family Access under the bus tab after registration and we will text and email you your child's bus driver name and bus number after registration. Please remember that buses do run late on the first few days of school so thank you in advance for your patience. If you have a Kindergarten child or a child new to JSE, your bus driver will call you with your bus pick-up time and bus stop information.
• If you are driving and dropping your child on the first day, use the car line door at the back parking lot on the side of the school, door G. If you are driving your child and want to walk them to their classroom on the first day of school, park in the front parking lot and use the main entrance. Doors open at 8:30AM for breakfast and 8:40AM for all students.
• At dismissal, if you are picking up your child, use the respective car rider line: Grades K-2 with grades 3-5 siblings in the back parking lot, door G (same as morning car rider door). Grades 3-5 use the front main entrance car rider line like last school year. Please have your picture ID available. Just a reminder we require a picture ID and Last Name Sign in car Window anytime you are picking up your child from school. For the first day, please make your own sign and then we will make you one by the end of the first week.

Again, thank you for your patience with arrival and dismissal during the first week as we work carefully and diligently to keep your child safe.

Our school serves breakfast at 8:30am and lunch each day, an August menu can be found on our website. We will also email and send home a hard copy the first day of school. If you drive your child to school and would like them to have breakfast, please drop them off in the car line by 8:25am. Bus riders will be dismissed from the bus to eat breakfast.

Breakfast/Lunch will be FREE again this year through the state. HOWEVER, the Free and Reduced Application will still need to be completed online through your Harmony Family Portal Account or picked up in the office anytime in order to qualify for free or reduced book rental fees. Applications need to be completed each year. Families who applied and qualified last year will need to reapply at the start of school. If you would like us to send a copy home with your child during the first week of school please call the main office.

Mealtime: You may find information at this LINK to create an account or add your child to your mealtime account. You may also always send money in with your child to be added to your child's account. Please make sure the money is in an envelope marked with your child's name and indicate lunch money (this would be for snacks/ice-cream as the lunch is free). Our kitchen manager will get all Kindergarten and new student families their lunch account information the first week of school, should you choose to create a mealtime account, this will be needed information.

Ice Cream and Snacks: These will be available to students starting the week of August 23rd.

Lunch Schedule

11:00 1st Grade Lunch

11:25 Kindergarten Lunch

11:55 3rd Grade Lunch

12:20 2nd Grade Lunch

12:45 4th Grade Lunch

1:10 5th Grade Lunch

Lunch Visitors: To start the school year, we will not be allowing visitors during our lunch periods. Thank you again, for understanding the changes in place to support our safety measures this school year.

Cafeteria Website LINK

UTSC updates their Return to Learn Plan based on new guidance from Indiana State Department of Health.

UTSC Return to In-Person protocol and ESSER III Expenditures LINK

Highlights from the Plan for the New School Year

Masks: Optional for school day, required on the bus *if your child rides the bus please send them with a mask each day.

Daily Schedule: Return to Normal 8:50AM-3:20PM *first bell at 8:40AM

Physical Distancing: 3 feet and reduced lunch table capacity

I am happy to share we have some new additions and changes to the JSE Schoolhouse family staff.

Mrs. Melissa Anderson, 5th grade, will replace Mrs. Goodwin as she takes time to raise her new baby girl and Mrs. Tyler Zaharias, 5th grade, will replace Miss Marckese as she moves to teach 4th grade at JSE. Mrs. Shelby Rearick will move from 4th grade to 2nd grade to replace Mrs. Miller who will enjoy her most deserved retirement. We are delighted to have these amazing educators join and continue with our team.

• PTO Events: Stay tuned for spirit wear and coupon book sales!
• Join our facebook page and let us know if you are interested in joining our meetings and looking for ways to get involved in our school! Please reach out to us through our facebook page or our PTO email.
• PTO Meetings usually occur the first Tuesday of each month at 6PM. Please consider attending the meetings this year, every JSE parent is welcome and encouraged to attend!

August 9 New Student Welcome 5:30PM

August 9 Kindergarten and 1st Meet and Greet Open House 6PM-7PM

August 11 First Student Day

August 19 2nd-5th Open House 6PM-7PM

August 19 PTO Ice-Cream Social 6PM-7PM JSE Cafe

September 6 Labor Day No-School

September 15 Fall Pictures

Harmony Parent Portal LINK: https://sis.union.k12.in.us/familyaccess.nsf/hello.xsp

Our youth recreational basketball league (k-6th) is looking for volunteer(s) to run the program. We are risking if no one steps up that the program could end. Please reach out immediately to Chuck or Vicky Johnson. Email vickyjohnson@mccolly.com.

https://jsimatovich.union.k12.in.us/

Our school's website has registration, daily schedules, lunch information, and other important information for you! Consider adding the UTSC website app to your phone!

UTSC Superintendent Mr. Hunter released the updated Union Township’s Student Learning Plan for the 2021-2022 school year. In the plan are guidelines for how UTSC will operate moving forward from the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see more information and a link to the plan below. Our plan is for ALL students and staff to return with in-person learning to our school building with continued safety measures in place and masks optional.

For those students who will not return to JSE for the 21-22 school year, please email Mrs. Barnes or call our main office as soon as possible.

Registration for JSE is the following days in July: Tuesday - Friday (27th-30th). For returning families, all you will need to do is log-in via the Harmony Parent Portal and complete the online registration, the same procedure we did last year.

For new families and incoming kindergarten families, we will need (1) parent to come into the JSE main office the following week on the 27th-30th to complete the needed paper forms to be able to complete the remainder of registration online. We welcome you anytime between 8-4 on the 27th-30th. Mrs. Rittle, our JSE main secretary and I will be available to meet you, share our school with you, and answer any questions you may have.

Harmony Parent Portal LINK: https://sis.union.k12.in.us/familyaccess.nsf/hello.xsp

The first school day for all UTSC students will be on Wednesday, August 11th. Click the button below for the The UTSC 21-22 School Calendar.

Information will be shared in early August, before school begins.

https://www.bgcgreaternwi.org/kidstop/ Website LINK

Want to work at Union Township Schools? If so, please take a look at the below postings or click the UTSC Corporation website HERE:

• Building Aide-Interested applicants should email Leigh Barnes at lbarnes@union.k12.in.us

• Bus Aide/Bus Substitute Driver- Interested applicants should email Superintendent John Hunter at jhunter@union.k12.in.us

• JSE Substitute Custodian/Substitute Kitchen Dishwasher- Interested applicants should email Leigh Barnes at lbarnes@union.k12.in.us

Please let us know how we can strengthen our partnership with you!

Leigh Barnes, Principal ext 3001

Barb Rittel, Secretary ext 3000

Lisa Morton, Home School Advisor ext 3003

Kathy Maniszko, School Nurse ext 3002

Email: lbarnes@union.k12.in.us
Website: http://jsimatovich.union.k12.in.us/
Location: 424 West 500 North, Valparaiso, IN, United States
Phone: (219)759-2508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JSEPTO/
Twitter: @JSimatovichElem