Jefferson Jotter

Dear Jefferson Parents,

As we head into the holiday season we sometimes find that children start experiencing some big emotions. Maybe they are disappointed that they didn't get to spend time with a grandparent, have a different bedtime and wake up routine because the family is visiting relatives, or are tired from all of the holiday activities. As adults we also experience our own stress during the holidays and may need support on how to make their child's holiday experiences more successful. Here is a short article that offers 8 strategies to make the holidays more successful for your preschool aged child.

Thank you for being a partner in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year please contact me at 847-318-4249 or lhalverson@d64.org.

Respectfully,

Lisa Halverson

Principal

Tuesday, December 6

• Preschool Screenings by Appointment

Thursday, December 8

• Dog Therapy - afternoon classes

Friday, December 9

• Library Lady - morning and afternoon classes

Monday, December 12

• Dog Therapy - morning classes

Thursday, December 15

• Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Jefferson

Thursday, December 22

• Dog Therapy - afternoon classes

December 23 - January 6 - No School for Students and Staff - Winter Break

Monday, January 9

• School Resumes
• Dog Therapy - morning classes

Thursday, January 12

• Dog Therapy - afternoon classes

Friday, January 13

• Library Lady - morning and afternoon classes

Parent - Teacher Conferences

Thank you for taking time to meet with your child's teacher for the Fall Parent - Teacher Conferences. Hopefully, you found the conversation with your child's teacher informative as to how your child is doing in school, areas in which they have shown improvement since the start of the school year, and possibly areas in which they continue to need support or further opportunities to learn and grow. We are fortunate to have a team of teachers who work closely with the children and know how they are progressing in all areas of development. If you discussed some home strategies to support your child's development, please keep your child's teacher informed as to how that is going and whether or not you need further support. As you know, our teaching teams have a wealth of knowledge and experiences in early childhood and are great resources for you!

Student Drop Off and Pick Up

Recently more and more families are blocking open parking spaces rather than pulling into the angled parking spots. Now that the back parking lot is completed, there should be little need to double park behind parked cars. Therefore, families should park along the curb or in the angled parking spots all the way to Oakton. If all of the angled spots are taken down to Oakton, you may then double park behind the angled cars (past the orange construction sign). If you're not the one who drops off and/or picks up your child, please pass this information along to them. Thank you.

School Closure Guidelines

As we head into the winter months, I'd like to share what our weather guidelines are for potentially closing school. These are the guidelines we would follow if we had to close school due to weather conditions.

In the event we need to close due to weather, students and staff will not attend school that day, and should we need to make up days during the school year, we will adjust the calendar accordingly. While it's never ideal to have to interrupt learning, I appreciate your understanding and cooperation when we are concerned about student and staff safety at school.

Text Messages from the District

Before Thanksgiving break a communication went out to District 64 families about the District re-energizing its efforts to bring families district/school information via SMS text messaging, as it is a preferred method of communication with many of our families. In order to opt into the service you will need to text "Y" or "Yes" to 67587. If you'd like not to receive District 64 text messages, you have to send "Stop" to 67587. If you have any questions about the use of text messaging to communicate district or school information please contact Christopher Lilly, at clilly@d64.org.

Tuition Payments

On the 15th of each month you will receive an invoice via email from the District’s electronic invoicing system, My School Bucks. Payment of fees is due by the 1st of each month. A $25.00 late fee will be assessed if payment isn’t received by the 3rd of the month. For your convenience, families may set up automatic payment through My School Bucks so that you don't miss a payment. If your child is eligible for the preschool classroom because of special needs, you are not responsible for paying tuition.

Change of Clothes

Teachers may take students outside for learning activities and physical exercise. And now with the changing temperatures, it is important that your child has a change of clothes at school. Please make certain that your child has an extra pair of underwear, socks, pants, shirt, and a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt. Remember to write your child's name on the clothing tags so that it can be returned to its rightful owner!

Developmental Screenings

On a monthly basis the Early Childhood Diagnostic Team conducts screenings of children ages three to five. The screenings are conducted by a team, consisting of an occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, psychologist, and social worker. The areas assessed include motor, communication, play skills, pre-academic and thinking skills. The next Preschool Screening for the 2022-23 school year is scheduled for December 6th. To schedule an appointment for a screening call 847-318-4290.

COVID Dashboard

If you are interested in knowing how many active cases of COVID are present for Jefferson Early Childhood Center the dashboard can be found by clicking this link. An active case starts when a student tests positive and ends after a period of 10 days. Therefore, the numbers in the dashboard represent the reported students who are in that 10-day window. The dashboard will be updated daily.

Refund for COVID Isolation Days

If your child had/has to isolate due to COVID, you will receive a refund through My School Bucks on the credit card that was used to pay tuition. Refunds will be dispersed in December and May. If you have any questions about your credit, please contact Kathy Luppo at 847-318-5360.

Absences

If your child will be absent please call or email the Jefferson School nurse, Kelly DeFelice, at 847-318-5441 or kdefelice@d64.org.

No School

Winter Break starts on Friday, December 22 and runs through Friday, January 6, 2023. Students and staff return to school on Monday, January 9th. Please make your calendars!

See What’s Going on in Our Community!

From the library to the park district, our communities of Park Ridge-Niles have lots to offer. For information on all the latest happenings, be sure to check the Community Info & Events webpage.