Thank you.

Thank you to our amazing staff, SROs, Central Office, and families for your help during our lockout event Thursday. As staff reflected on the day, they appreciated the communication from our Central Office and the adaptability and understanding of our families.

Please know we will always put your child's safety first. Our teachers and staff reported that our students were calm and continued working throughout their day. It is reassuring as an educator and a parent to know that your child is in loving, caring hands.

Every Student. Every Day.

No matter what. Whatever it takes. Always.

With humble gratitude and love,

Mrs. Hankins

Bus 11 and Bus 22 will have some changes and delays. We are short drivers and many have to double up to help out routes. Our buses 22 and 11 are part of these changes.

Morning Routine (change- back to normal)

Bus 22 will now be back to getting picked up starting at 8:10 by Bus 22.

Bus 11 will be on it's normal morning route picked up by Bus 11.

Afternoon Routine (same sharing as last week)

Bus 22 will be arriving about 3:35 then will take Bus 22 home. They will be back to pick up Bus 11 students about 3:45. Expect delays with your child coming home.

We are not sure on the timeline for these delays, so please be patient and look out for Mrs. Morton's messages to update routes.

Thank you for your cooperation!

As the weather changes and routes may be delayed or detoured, it is important to know where your bus is and when it will be coming. You can track the bus and set up with EZ Routing Parent Portal.

EZ Routing Parent Portal: https://www.ezrouting.com/unionin#/

Germs are flowing, so please be sure to wash your hands regularly, get plenty of sleep, cover your coughs and sneezes, and stay home if you have a fever.

If you are to stay home, please be sure to call the office by 10am. If you cannot call, please email lmorton@union.k12.in.us and cminton@union.k12.in.us so we are aware.

We will be announcing the Successful Learner Traits on Tuesday. Be sure to check out our website and Facebook page for updates! We'll also post pictures from our breakfast that will be hosted on Thursday, Feb. 2 with next week's newsletter.

Mrs. Hankins and Mrs. Melton are headed into classrooms this month reading Rosie Revere, Engineer to students to demonstrate the trait of PERSERVERENCE.

Below is another great story, Enemy Pie, that you can enjoy at home together. This story is a great model for FORGIVENESS.

Happy Reading!

We had many students submit responses for our One Word Challenge. Thank you! It's so awesome to see our students create goals and plans for their well-being!

I put all of the grade level names into a random name picker, and the following students were selected:

Kindergarten: Izzy Lopez

First: Carter Wilkins

Second: Isabella Walker

Third: Alex Puckett

Fourth: Addison Santana

Fifth: Aurora Scapin

These students will be joining me on Wednesday, Feb. 1 as Principals for the Day!

(Stay tuned next week for their adorable paparazzi pictures and February Challenge announcement!)

Thank you families and friends for supporting our Scentsy Fundraiser with PTO and Mrs. Roberts! We raised just over $700!

Congratulations to Mr. Dobitz's class for winning the pizza party!

Thank you to the PTO volunteers who donated time and resources for our concessions on Saturday. What an absolutely incredible day! We could not do this without you guys! Thank you do anyone that donated to concessions, our organization had just about $3,000 in sales! INCREDIBLE!

As you are holiday shopping, be sure to go first to Amazon Smile link then select John Simatovich Elementary School and have fun shopping! Every purchase provides a small donation.

Registration for 2023 Spring Travel (U8-U14) and Recreational (U4-U8) Soccer is now open!

Register at www.utbearcatsoccer.com

Travel Information:

Travel teams play in the Northwest Indiana Soccer League. NWISL, a member of SAY Soccer, is a league comprised of 22 Clubs throughout Northwest Indiana. NWISL is a recreational-plus league to help promote the game of soccer with the emphasis on teaching the game of soccer to young players while maintaining the fun of the game. Teams will have 4 home games in Union Township and 4 away games at their opponents’ fields in Northwest Indiana.

The tentative season dates are below (weather permitting).

Starts April 15th (may change due to scheduling needs between all clubs in the NWISL league)

Ends June 3rd (may change due to scheduling needs between all clubs in the NWISL league)

End of Season Travel Tournament will take place the following week.

Dates and info will be passed along by your child’s Coach when details are finalized closer to season start.

If interested in playing Travel Soccer, you MUST register by February 1st. Per NWISL we must declare teams and rosters by the first Tuesday of February no additions can be made after the deadline. PLEASE REGISTER ON TIME!!! We need volunteers to help coach!

Recreational Information:

Registration deadline is March 1st.

The tentative season dates are below (weather permitting).

Starts April 15th

Ends June 3rd

We need volunteers to help coach!

Bearcat Soccer Club

Registration for Union Township Youth Softball has opened. The recreational league is for students grades K-12. Online registration can be found at https://www.uniontwpsoftball.com.

Registration is from December 1, 2022 through January 31, 2023. Any registration after January 31 will incur a late fee of $25. Visit our Facebook page at UT Bearcats Softball for further details on season and schedule.

Do you exhibit and support Teamwork, Responsibility, Academic Achievement, quality Character traits, Kindness, and work for Success? Our JSE team is looking for several positions and maybe you're ready to get on TRACK with us.

We are in search of:

- dishwasher from 10:45-1:45

- bus drivers 4 hours, 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon

- substitutes for teachers, aides, and bus drivers

- custodial and kitchen substitutes

- recess aide from 10:45- 1:45

If you are interested or know someone who might be, please send me an email.

Thank you,

~Mrs. Hankins

At JSE we are a child-centered community with dedicated adults that promote responsibility, self-confidence, social and academic skills, and a love of learning that are essential foundations for our children to reach their maximum potential.

We believe in our corporations mission statement of Every Child, Every Day!

You can also follow Mrs. Hankins and JSE on Instagram @jseprincipal.

Email: khankins@union.k12.in.us
Website: http://union.k12.in.us/JSE
Location: 424 West 500 North, Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Phone: 219-759-2508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067203131177
Twitter: @JSimatovichElem