2023-24 Johnson Elementary News
August 28, 2023
Where We Think, Dream, Believe, & Achieve!
#BetterTogether
Johnson Updates & Reminders
Dear Johnson Families,
As most of you probably already know, Thursday, August 31st is my last day at Johnson. I've been asked to lead West Limestone High School. It's truly bittersweet. I hope you know how much I love Johnson. When I say I love Johnson, I mean I love everything about it, especially the students, faculty, and community. You have made such an impact on my life, and I'm forever grateful. Johnson is no longer a hidden gem of Limestone County. We are where people want to be. Never lose your sparkle!
We weren't able to do our DIBELS testings in K-3 last week. Hopefully, we will complete those assessments this week. Please encourage your child to do his/her best on each assessment.
Today starts the kickoff of our Cookie Dough fundraiser. We are selling other items; however, the main items are the cookie doughs. Our goal is to raise $25,000! I know you can do it!
If you have any questions, concerns, and/or praises, please feel free to share them with me and I'll get those answered or to the right person. I'm looking forward to another great week. #BetterTogether
Sincerely,
Mr. Taylor
Stay Updated!
Meet our new Parent Liaison!
Cookie Dough Fundraiser Starts Today!
Johnson Elementary School's fundraiser starts today, and we need your help. Our goal is to raise $25,000.00 for essential programs not currently funded through traditional means.
It's as simple as 1, 2, 3!
- Register TONIGHT at www.ShopFund.com
- Share custom support links with family & friends via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email, Text and more.
- Student Goal: Minimum of 5 Online Supporters.
REGISTER-SHARE-WIN: Sharing gets you tickets for chances to win over $100,000 in instant prizes.
Fundraiser Links:
- How To Videos - (https://vimeo.com/showcase/8752340)
- Kick-Off Videos - (https://vimeo.com/showcase/10451168)
- Parent Letter - (https://www.cherrydalebackoffice.com/fundraisers/parentletterpreview.aspx?parent=1&opid=o4bivr4%24r%3d%5b%25k1m)
- Prize Program - (https://bit.ly/3rDhBnP)
School Bank Day
JES Title I Parent-Teacher-Student Compact
Summer Bridge Book Completers!
Treasure Hunt
Yearbooks are in!!
Learning Fun!
2023-24 Student Handbook
Johnson Calendar of Events
SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
August 28-September 7: Cookie Dough Sale
August 29: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
August 29: Principal's Meeting
August 29: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Shaina Hays!
August 29: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Sheryl Berry!
August 30: BOY Data Meeting for K, 1st, & 2nd Grades
August 30: Faculty Meeting with Dr. Shearouse
August 30: Title I Parent Meeting at 5:30 in Library
August 31: Title I Parent Meeting at 8am in Cafeteria
August 31: PreK Physicals at 8am at JES
August 31: Fall Pictures
September 1: Ice Cream Buffet from PTO for staff and students
September 1: Ardmore vs. West Morgan (A)
September 4: Labor Day: No School
September 5: Parents may start eating lunch with their child!!
September 5-8: Ardmore Homecoming Week!
September 5: Country vs. Country Club Dress-Up Day
September 5: Happy Birthday to Ms. Nancy Hardison!
September 6: Progress Report
September 6: Leadership Meeting
September 6: Tie-Dye Dress-Up Day
September 7: Athlete vs. Mathlete Dress-Up Day
September 7: PST Meeting
September 8: Black & Gold Dress-Up Day
September 8: Ardmore vs. Brewer (H) Homecoming
September 9: Happy Birthday to Mr. Jason Hopper!
September 11-15: Book Fair Week
September 11: Grandparents Lunch PreK
September 12: Grandparents Lunch K & 5th
September 13: District PD: No School
September 14: Grandparents Lunch 1st & 4th
September 15: Grandparents Lunch 2nd & 3rd
September 15: Ardmore vs. Lawrence County (A)
September 18-28: PTO School Shirt Sale
September 19: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
September 23: Fall Begins!
September 26: Principal's Meeting
September 27: Faculty Meeting
September 28: PST Meeting
September 29: Ardmore vs. Elkmont (A)
October: National Principal Month
October 1: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Hope Cagle & Mrs. Angie Campbell!
October 2: School Custodian Appreciation Day
October 4: Fall Picture Remakes
October 4: Leadership Meeting
October 5: End of the 1st 9 Weeks
October 5: 1/2 Day for Students: Parent Conferences
October 5: Strong Leader: Strong Reader Meeting for Mr. Taylor
October 6: Professional Day: No School
October 6: Happy Birthday to Mr. Dave Childers!
October 6: Ardmore vs. Fair View (A)
October 7-15: Fall Break; Painting lunchroom and gym lobby
October 7: Happy Birthday to Coach A!
October 8: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Ashlin Nicholson & Mrs. Carla Franklin!
October 10: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Joann Stoner!
October 13: Ardmore vs. West Point (H)
October 16: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Marilyn Poarch!
October 16: National Boss's Day
October 16: Trunk or Treat
October 17-21: School Bus Safety Week
October 17: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
October 20: Report Cards
October 20: Ardmore vs. Russellville (A)
October 23-27: Red Ribbon Week
October 24: PST Meeting
October 25: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Kandye Jones!
October 26: Harvest Festival! 6-8pm
October 27: World Occupational Therapy Day
October 27: PTO Staff Thank You
October 27: Ardmore vs. East Limestone (H)
October 27: Playing for Preemies Pep Rally at Ardmore!!!!
October 31: Halloween Special Snack
October 31: PTO Reptile Show
October 31: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
November 1: Leadership Meeting/Faculty Meeting
November 3: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Catherine Gomez and Mr. Bailey Biggs!
November 3: Ardmore vs. Central Florence (H) Senior Night
November 5: Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 7: Holiday Pictures
November 9: Happy Birthday to Mr. Matt Taylor!
November 9: Veteran's Day Program (Parade)
November 10: Veteran's Day: No School
November 13-17: American Education Week
November 13-17: National School Psychology Week
November 13-17: World Kindness Week
November 15: Progress Report
November 15: Education Support Professional's Day
November 16: Wellness Screening and Flu Clinic for Staff: 7:30-11:00
November 17: Substitute Educator's Day
November 18: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Jenna Jones!
November 20: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Adrian Reed!
November 20: E-Learning Day
November 21-26: Thanksgiving Break
November 22: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Kim Foss!
November 23: Happy Thanksgiving!
November 25: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Bonnie Rowe and Mrs. Shonda Green-Fuller!
November 26: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Miranda Franklin!
November 28: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Sherry Winsett!
November 28: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
November 28: Principal's Meeting
November 29: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Betty Jo Dorning!
November 29: Faculty Meeting
November 30: PST Meeting
December 2: Special Education Day
December 2: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Susan Bemes!
December 4: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Ashley King!
December 5: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Shanna Brownlow!
December 5-11: Computer Science Education Week
December 6: Strong Leader: Strong Reader Meeting for Mr. Taylor
December 6: Happy Birthday to Dr. Sandy Groger!
December 6: Leadership Meeting
December 12: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
December 12: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Ruth Edge!
December 12: HealthSource of Harvest - 9-11am (3)
December 14: Principal's Meeting
December 15: Christmas Staff Lunch/Faculty Meeting
December 18: Polar Express Day
December 19: End of the 2nd 9 Weeks
December 19: Last Day for Students prior to Christmas Break
December 19: Christmas Parties
December 20-January 3: Christmas Break
December 20: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Samantha Wells!
December 21: Winter begins
December 23: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Micki Clem!
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Merry Christmas!
December 27: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Sandra Zirbel!
December 31: New Year's Eve
January: School Board Appreciation Month
January 1: Happy New Year!
January 2: Teacher Work Day
January 2: PST Meeting
January 3: Local/District PD
January 3: Leadership Meeting
January 3: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Mitzi Looney!
January 4: 1st Day Back for Students
January 5: Report Card
January 5: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Pam Gates!
January 9: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 9: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
January 15: MLK Holiday: No School
January 23: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
January 29: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Christie Bowers!
January 29-February 9: Boosterthon
January 30: Principal's Meeting
January 31: Faculty Meeting
February 1: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Beth Cantrell!
February 1: MOY Data Meeting
February 2: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Kathy Watkins!
February 3: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Larissa Dison!
February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
February 5-9: PTO Candy-grams for sell!
February 6: PST Meeting
February 7: Progress Report
February 7: Leadership Meeting
February 8: Strong Leader: Strong Reader Meeting for Mr. Taylor
February 9: PTO Boosterthon Fun Run or Dance Party
February 10: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Starre Guffey!
February 13: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Lisa Miller!
February 13: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
February 14: Valentine's Day Special Snack
February 15: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Barbara Whiteside!
February 15: SRO Appreciation Day
February 19: Presidents' Day: No School
February 22: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Paige White!
February 25: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Lisa Vernon!
February 27: Principal's Meeting
February 28: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Deidre Joffee!
February 28: Faculty Meeting
March 1: Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day
March 1: Happy Birthday to Mrs. April Loughary!
March 1: PTO Snack Day
March 4-8: Read Across America Week
March 4-8: National School Social Worker Week
March 5: PST Meeting
March 5: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
March 5: Happy Birthday to Mr. Randy Campbell!
March 6: Leadership Meeting
March 7: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Andrea Mayer!
March 8: End of the 3rd 9 Weeks
March 10: Daylight Savings Time Begins
March 10: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Kay Dorning!
March 11: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Leslie Dyson!
March 13: Strong Leader: Strong Reader Meeting for Mr. Taylor
March 14: Spring Pictures
March 15: Report Cards
March 15: St. Patrick's Day Treat for Staff from PTO
March 19: Spring Begins
March 19: Principal's Meeting
March 20: Faculty Meeting
March 21: 1/2 Day for Students/Parent Conferences
March 22: Happy Birthday Mrs. Presley Thomas!
March 22: Professional Day: No School
March 23-31: Spring Break
April 1-5: National Assistant Principal Week
April 2: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
April 3: Leadership Meeting
April 3: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4: School Librarian Appreciation Day
April 9: PST Meeting
April 12: PTO Tie Dye Day
April 20: Volunteer Recognition Day
April 16: School Bank Day: Make a Deposit today!
April 17: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Jesslyn Helton!
April 17: Progress Report
April 21: Happy Birthday to Nurse Karri, Mrs. Wendy Yeager, & Mrs. Sara Beth Looney!
April 23: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
April 24: National Administrative Professionals' Day
April 24: Happy Birthday Mrs. Tammi Oberg!
April 26: PTO Snack Day
April 28: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Amy Goff!
April 30: Principal's Meeting
May 1: School Principal's Day
May 1: Leadership Meeting/Faculty Meeting
May 2: K & 5th Cap & Gown Pics
May 3: School Lunch Hero Day
May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7: PST Meeting
May 8: School Nurse Day
May 10: PTO 5th Grade Glow Bash
May 12: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Natasha Hereford!
May 14: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Kennedy Leopard!
May 17: Kindergarten Fun Day
May 18: National Speech Language Pathologist Day
May 20: Field Day
May 21: Field Day Makeup Day
May 21: EOY Data Meeting
May 21: Graduation at Clements (5pm) and West Limestone (7pm)
May 22: Happy Birthday Mrs. Hope Young!
May 23: Last Day of School
May 23: End of Year Student Recognition Ceremonies; Report Cards
May 23: Graduation at Tanner (5pm) and East Limestone (7pm)
May 24: Teacher Workday
May 24: Graduation at Elkmont (5pm) and Ardmore (7pm)
May 26: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Dolly Mitchell!
May 27: Memorial Day
May 30: Happy Birthday Mrs. Kathy Stanford!
June 6: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Connie Adams and Ms. Megan Holloway!
June 11: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Carol Blankenship!
June 12: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Cindy Buzonowski!
June 13: Happy Birthday to Mr. Michael Turner!
June 19: Juneteenth
June 20: Summer Begins
June 23: Happy Birthday to Ms. LaShae McDow!
June 29: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Haley Turner!
June 30: Happy Birthday to Mr. Johnny Campbell!
July 1: Happy Birthday to Ms. Tina Hasting, Mrs. Melissa Pollard, and Mrs. Karen Pressnell!
July 2: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Heather Bowman!
July 5: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Tara Lambert!
July 11: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Lisa Lindsay!
July 18: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Dianne McMullins!
July 19: Happy Birthday to Mrs. Courtney Houston!
JES IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Main Line: 256-233-6665
Fax Number: 256-233-6673
CONTACT INFORMATION
Matt Taylor, Principal, matt.taylor@lcsk12.org, 256-614-2213
Natasha Hereford, Assistant Principal, natasha.hereford@lcsk12.org
Beth Cantrell, OSR PreK Principal, elizabeth.cantrell@lcsk12.org
Andrea Mayer, Prime Beginnings Coordinator, andrea.mayer@lcsk12.org
Jesslyn Helton, Reading Specialist, jesslyn.helton@lcsk12.org
April Loughary, Counselor, april.loughary@lcsk12.org
Samantha Wells, Counselor Clerk, samantha.wells@lcsk12.org
Karri Putman, Nurse, karri.putman@lcsk12.org
Jennifer Jones, Resource Teacher, jennifer.jones@lcsk12.org
Laurel Peek, PreK Speech Teacher, laurel.peek@lcsk12.org
Heather Bowman, K-5 Speech Teacher, heather.bowman@lcsk12.org
Carla Franklin, Gifted Teacher, carla.franklin@lcsk12.org
Johnny Aultman, PE Teacher, johnny.aultman@lcsk12.org
Shanna Brownlow, Receptionist, shanna.brownlow@lcsk12.org
Kathy Stanford, Bookkeeper, kathy.stanford@lcsk12.org
Pam Gates, Lunchroom Manager, pam.gates@lcsk12.org
Kandi Vega, Parent Liaison, kandi.vega@lcsk12.org
Johnny Campbell, SRO, johnny.campbell@lcsk12.org
You may also find our complete list of staff on our website www.johnsonelementary.org.
ARRIVAL TIMES
7:15am: Car LIne and Bus Line Start
7:30-7:45am: Prime Beginnings Car Line **Please come within this window. The teachers will come to your car to get your child.
7:35am: K-5 Tardy Bell. If you arrive after 7:35, your child is tardy. If you arrive between 7:35-8:00am, your child will be checked in and enter the school through the car line drop-off location after you have signed them in with a designated school employee at the back. The front office drop-off area is open to PreK Car Line during this time. If you arrive after 8am, you will use the front office to check your child in.
7:50-8:00am: OSR PreK Car Line Window **Please come within this window. Try not to arrive early because this may prevent Prime Beginnings Car Line from completing on time and you being directed to drive around to the end of the line. Please walk your child to the door that is closest to your car.
DISMISSAL TIMES
2:00pm: Prime Beginnings Dismissal
2:20pm: OSR PreK Dismissal
2:40pm: K-5 Bus Rider Dismissal
2:43pm: K-5 Car Rider Dismissal
ATTENDANCE
- Students will have 10 days per year that can be excused by a parent note for the following reasons: personal illness, hospitalization/medical appointments, emergency, death in the immediate family, court subpoena, or religious holiday
- If absent, the parent has 3 days to send in an excuse- either parent or doctor's excuse or the absence will be unexcused
- 3 or more unexcused absences within a semester = no participation in school field trips
- E-Learning Days - students who qualify are allowed 6 days per year. One of the qualifications is no unexcused days. E-learning days do not count as absences.
- Students with unexcused absences may make up work for up to 70% credit.
- For every 3 Unexcused Tardies, parents will lose 1 Parent Note.
- 18 or more absences regardless of excused or unexcused is considered Chronic Absenteeism. This results in not being allowed to participate in non-academic school activities like field day.
TRANSPORTATION REMINDERS
1:30pm: Deadline for Transportation Changes-
***The end of the day is hectic. This gives us ample time to get the notes to the teachers.
2:20pm: Deadline for Check-Outs--After 2:20pm, go through Car LineTITLE I STATUS
We are a Title I School. Our status as a Title I School is determined by the percentage of students who qualify for free/reduced lunch. Title I Schools are provided federal money based on their rank of the percentage of free/reduced lunches within our school district. This money provides schools with the necessary funds to hire staff to reduce classroom sizes or interventionists who work with students to close achievement gaps. This money also is used to purchase items or programs to help the students become more successful.
Based on last year's free-reduced lunch count, our school will receive about $92,000 which will be used in hiring two reading interventionists and also purchasing materials and other technologies that benefit our students. Last year, in addition to the two reading interventionists, we also hired a math intervention aide and purchased school supplies for all the students.
Remember I said the amount of money we receive is determined by the rank order of schools. Last year, the school just ahead of us received over $25,000 more than Johnson. The school ahead of them received even more. I say this to say that it is highly important for everyone to fill out the lunch forms regardless of whether you think you will qualify or not. We could be missing out on much-needed funds just by a few families choosing to not fill it out.
If you haven't already, please sign up to see if you qualify for free/reduced lunch at https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict. The link is found on our webpage www.johnsonelementary.org and on the District webpage www.lcsk12.org. Choose "Alabama" and then choose "Limestone County BOE" for our school district to start the application.
LUNCH SCHEDULES
- Prime Beginnings PreK: 10:30
- OSR PreK: 11:00
- K: 10:15
- 1st: 10:45
- 2nd: 11:15
- 3rd: 11:45
- 4th: 12:00
- 5th: 11:30
- Mr. Hopper's Class: 11:00
LUNCH PRICES
Breakfast: FREE for all students
Student Full Paying Lunch: $2.60
Student Reduced Lunch: $0.40
Visitor Lunch: $5.00
NEW PAY SYSTEM: If you need to add money to your child's account, please use the following link: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home
BUS REMINDS
If your child is a bus rider, we have set up Reminds for each bus in case a bus is running late. Please sign up for your child's Bus Remind by texting the appropriate code to 81010:
- Mr. Campbell's Bus 38: @jesbus38
- Mrs. Heron's Bus 44: @jesbus44
- Mrs. McMullin's Bus 80: @jesbus80
- Mrs. Stoner's Bus 95: @jesbus95
- Mrs. Bermes' Bus 151: @jesbus121
- Mrs. Dorning's Bus 155: @jesbus134
Please contact Mr. Taylor or Mrs. Hereford at 256-233-6665 or the transportation department at 256-232-5130 if you have any bus concerns.
PARENT LIAISON: Have you fallen on hard luck and need some assistance? Our parent liaison Mrs. Kandi Vega is here to help! Please contact her by calling the school at 256-233-6665. Her office hours are Monday-Friday from 8am-2:30pm.
Our Parent Resource Room is ready for you to peruse and check things out!
BACKPACK BLESSINGS: This is a wonderful program we have that we offer to families in need. Backpacks of food are handed out at the end of the day on Friday. Please contact our parent liaison, Mrs. Kandi Vega if you are in need of this blessing for your child.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: If you feel your child could use some school-based counseling or you would like some recommendations for outside services, please see our school counselor Mrs. April Loughary.
GET INVOLVED!: PTO welcomes you to become an active member. Dues are only $5 to become an active voting member. Participating with your family in Family Fun events, volunteering to plan and prepare school events and fundraisers, and donating items for Harvest Festival and Teacher Appreciation Week are just a few examples of how we get involved at school. Please check out the Johnson Elementary PTO Facebook page for updated information.
PUBLIX PARTNER: Support Johnson Elementary every time you shop. Publix Partners has contributed $38.7 million to more than 4,950 schools across the Southeast since the program's inception. Participating is easy! Simply sign up for Club Publix or log in to your existing account. Click on your name in the upper right corner. On the option bar underneath the welcome back greeting, scroll over until you find My Publix Partner option. Click on it, and select a school (Johnson Elementary School). Then, every time you shop at Publix, pay with the Publix app or enter your phone number at checkout. We’ll give back to Johnson Elementary—one of the many perks of being a Club Publix member!
K-5 Car Line and PreK Car Line Reminders
The following reminders will help keep our K-5 car line running smoothly and efficiently:
- The first car in the group will need to pull all the way up to the cone labeled #1 passed the last column on the sidewalk.
- Have students sit on the passenger side of the car for loading and unloading purposes. This is also for their safety.
- Keep the distance between you and the car in front of you at a minimum. This will ensure we get all 8 students loading the cars along the sidewalk. Please don't stop where you see your child, go ahead and pull up behind the car in front of you.
- Remain in your car. Staff will open doors for your child. If you need to buckle your child, please pull into a parking spot and buckle so the line can continue to move.
PreK Car Line Reminders
- All parents will use the PreK Car Line to drop off and pick up. Please do not park and walk your child over.
- In the morning, 2 sets of doors will be utilized. If you are parked in car line and the red doors are visible, then use the Red Doors.
- If you are parked from the start of the line to the red doors, use the PreK Dismissal Door where the benches and plants are located.
- In the afternoon, only the PreK Dismissal door will be utilized.
- Once you are in a lane, please do not cross lanes.
- Please pay attention to Deputy Campbell as he dismisses PreK car line.
