
Happy New Year!
IBJ Family Updates for the Week of 1.3.24
Principal Corner
Dear Ira B. Jones Elementary Families:
Welcome to 2024! I hope everyone enjoyed their winter break!
We ended 2023 with some great memories; our community has much to be proud of. I look forward to making new memories in 2024.
As we close out the first semester (semester ends January 26) and head into the second semester, I want to remind everyone to continue to discuss school expectations with their students, including being safe and following adult requests and directions. We need to ensure our school is conducive to learning for all students. Also, ensure your student gets enough sleep at night. When students don't get enough sleep, it affects their health and interferes with their performance at school. Heading into the winter break, we found that many of our students were very tired during the school day and found it hard to engage in class activities. We want our students to be ready to learn every day!
We donated a lot of clothing items that were left behind. Please write your child's name on their clothing, especially their sweatshirts, jackets, and coats. I even suggest writing their names on their lunch box and water bottle; doing so will help to ensure their items are returned to them if they are put in the lost and found. We will continue to donate any items left at the end of the month.
I invite you to visit our school's website and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/ and follow us on Twitter @Principal_IBJ and Instagram @IraB.JonesElementary. These will serve as a resource tool for all upcoming events, the student/family handbook, and important reminders, and you can catch up with all the wonderful things our students and teachers are doing. I also send out a weekly family newsletter. Please ensure we have updated contact information so you can stay informed of all our school happenings.
As a school leader and a parent, I understand the necessity of healthy communication between families and the school. I welcome your questions, celebrations, or concerns at any time. You can reach me by calling the school at 828.350.6700 or emailing me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.
Thanks for your continued support,
Ruafika Cobb
Principal
Ira B. Jones Elementary School
#noplacelikejones
Drop-In Reception for Craig Shimer
FTO Meeting Will Follow the Reception
ATTENTION KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES
Starting Monday, January 8, 2024 - New Morning Drop Off Location
Attention Kindergarten Families,
Starting Monday, January 8th, we will change the morning drop-off location for kindergarten students. You will now drop off your students in front of the school using the primary car loop. This area will be staffed starting at 7:15 AM, so please use it to drop off your students. Please note that there will not be anyone in the kindergarten parking lot areas to greet your students, so please ensure they can enter the school safely.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Inclement Weather Plan
With winter upon us, we may have weather conditions that require school buildings to close for the day. If we are closed due to inclement weather, Asheville City Schools can use remote learning strategies these days. Doing so means students can complete remote learning assignments on an inclement weather day without interrupting the school calendar.
Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade received their “ACS Remote Learning Choice Board” for their grade level from their teacher right before the winter break. You can find additional details and directions on our school’s website and the Asheville City School’s webpage. Copies of the menu board and enrichment activities can also be found on the Asheville City School’s webpage. Students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade will turn in their choice board assignments on paper when they return to school to receive credit for their attendance. Please put the choice boards in a safe location in case students need them later this winter. Students only need to complete the choice boards if we are out due to inclement weather.
SNOW CLOSING AND DELAYED OPENINGS
On days of a 2-hour delayed opening, students should arrive at 9:30 am. There is no supervision for children before that time. Information about snow closings or delayed openings will be made available on the radio & television stations listed below and via the Asheville City Schools hotline and website. Families with contact info entered in our ParentSquare Communication System will receive phone messages and email alerts regarding school closing. Please ensure your contact information is updated in Power School, especially if you have not received robocalls or messages from the school lately. When school is on a 2-hour delayed schedule, buses pick up children 2 hours later than the regular pick-up time. If you don’t have the bus tracking app, “Chipmunk,” you can download it from your app store.
Radio Stations: WWNC, WKSF, WISE, WCQS, WPEK, WOXL, WRES, WQNX, WQNQ, WMXF
Television Stations: WLOS (13), WSPA (7), WYFF (4), WMYA (40), and WHNS (21)
Asheville City Schools Hotline: 828-350-6188
Web Sites: www.ashevillecityschools.net www.citizen-times.com www.wlos.com
When schools are dismissed early due to inclement weather, announcements are made on the same stations and through our recorded phone system. Students who ride the bus will be sent home on the bus unless we hear from a parent. Car riders will be allowed to make phone calls.
Don't hesitate to contact the school at 828.350.6700 or your child’s teacher if you have general questions about inclement weather days, remote learning, or the choice board activities.
Remote Learning Choice Boards Should Only Be Used In Case Of Inclement Weather
ACS Enrollment Info
Enrollment "season" is approaching! Do you have a rising kindergarten you need to enroll in our school next year? Here's what you need to know:
- All enrollment information can be found on this Asheville City Schools website.
- Applications will be given equal consideration, regardless of the date received during the open enrollment period. Placements are not based on a first-come, first-serve basis. If space allows, all applications will be placed at their 1st choice. If there is insufficient space to place all applicants at their 1st choice, that particular school will go to a lottery.
- Open enrollment dates are February 5 - March 11.
- We will be hosting open-house tours (along with other elementary schools in ACS) starting January 24th. More details will be provided soon.
Please share this information as you see fit. Thanks for your help!
Upcoming Important Dates
- Wednesday, January 3: Staff and students return to school from Winter Break
- Wednesday, January 10: Drop-in Reception to Meet Our New Assistant Principal, Craig Shimer @ 4:15 pm
- Wednesday, January 10: FTO Meeting @ 5:15 pm
- Tuesday, January 23: ACS Elementary School Magnet School Information Night @ 5:30pm
- Monday, January 15: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday (Holiday), No School for Students
- Friday, January 26: End of Q2 and 1st Semester/Early Release for Students
- Monday, January 29: Required Workday, No School for Students
- Wednesday, January 31: FTO Equity Workshop
- Friday, February 2: Report Cards go Home
- Friday, February 9: Spring Family/Teacher Conference Day, No School for Students
NOTES FROM THE COUNSELING CORNER WITH MS. COURTNEY, SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Why Is It Important to Teach Students About Goal Setting?
Goal setting for students is important because it teaches them how to set and achieve realistic goals, as well as foster aspirations, both of which are essential skills everyone needs.
Creating goals helps students develop grit, and it teaches them about responsibility, motivation, and delayed gratification. By setting goals, your students learn how to manage time, how to persevere, and the importance of a “can-do” attitude. Every time your student meets a goal, their self-confidence increases.
Goals will make your student productive, because they are focused and working toward something. In the process, they make better decisions. Your student learns to adapt better to rising expectations (especially their own) and new environments as challenges crop up, which also improves their problem-solving ability.
4 Steps to Help Your Student Set and Achieve Their Goals:
1. Identify the Goal: The first step is to let your student identify what their goal is. Ideally, it should be something they have a genuine desire to achieve, because this means they are intrinsically motivated, increasing their chances of being successful.
Questions you can ask your student include:
- What would you like to achieve? (Or, what’s something you wish you could do?)
- What challenge would you like to overcome?
- Imagine feeling proud of yourself for doing something. What’s that something?
You can ask your student:
Why does it matter for you to achieve X?
Why do you want to do X?
How can X help others? How can it help you?
4. What Do I Do If My Student Wants to Give Up? If your student wants to give up (because it’s too challenging, they are bored, or they want to go after a different goal), you can:
Encourage them to reflect on their goal journey so far and help them revise where needed to make the goal more achievable
Remind your student of their goal’s purpose
Help your student brainstorm solutions for the obstacles that are in the way
Teach your student positive self-talk – “I’m working hard to achieve my goal.”
Teaching your student this skill at an early age will make creating goals as adults seem like second nature to them. Plus, your student will have developed the skills they need to persevere and go after what they want in life… with a much higher chance of being successful.
Email: ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net
Phone: 828.350.6700