Dear Jefferson Families,

Many of us have fond memories that involve music. What special music do you associate with important celebrations? What kind of beat can you not help but tap your feet to when it comes on the radio? Have you noticed your child tapping along with you? What songs from your childhood do you and your child enjoy singing together? Music has a wonderful way of translating across many generations, cultures, languages, and communication styles. We are excited to begin a study of music making in our class that will engage and build on children’s curiosity around music, sound, and performance.

As we study music making, we will learn concepts and skills in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology. We’ll also develop thinking skills as we observe, investigate, ask questions, solve problems, make predictions, and test our ideas.

What You Can Do at Home

• Listen for music throughout the day with your child. We often don’t even notice the music that plays in the background of our everyday lives. Discuss the music that you and your child hear. How does it make each of you feel? Does it sound like any other music you have heard?
• Talk about favorite music styles and songs with your child and share why you enjoy them. Create a list together of your family’s favorite songs.

Thank you for playing an important role in our learning,

Ms. Barkley

Principal

November is the month of giving. As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our family and friends, let's give thanks and give back to the community by donating blood to all in need, in honor of one of our very own Jefferson Butterflies, Maja Inciong.

In January of 2022, Maja was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor (Kidney Cancer) and lost both of her kidneys. The first year after diagnosis was a very challenging year for Maja and her little body. She needed 15 blood transfusions in a 10 month period. Everyday the family is thankful to those that donated blood to help save Maja’s life. Please help us save other lives by donating. You can read Maja’s story and follow her journey at Team Maja - Maja's Kidney Journey

On November 30th, please join us in being thankful by giving back in one or two of the ways:

• Donate Blood - In honor of Maja, we are hosting a blood drive on November 30, 2023 from 2PAM - 6PM at Jefferson School (8200 Greendale Ave. Niles). Please donate using the following link and spread the word, Click Here. Please help us well exceed our goal of filling the 27 spots, See attached flyer for more details.
• Bring a toy to be donated to Ann & Robert Lurie’s Children Hospital - Maja has spent many nights at Lurie’s hospital, including around the holidays, receiving all her treatments and blood transfusions. Many children, not just Maja, spend many months at the hospital. With Christmas quickly approaching, let's light up the faces of the children by bringing a new unopened toy to the blood drive, which will be delivered to Lurie’s by the family. Donations can be dropped off at Jefferson's main office November 27th - December 1st. The hospital will accept the following:
• New and unopened items. No cloth donations (clothing, plush items, blankets, etc.).
  
• Gift cards in small denominations ($5 - $30) makes an incredible impact for the patients and families purchasing adaptive toys that increase patient access to play and communication, supplies for special events and milestones (birthday and graduation celebrations), specific toys that are unique to a certain patient’s needs, and gifts tailored to the adolescent population
• Amazon Wish Lists. These lists are curated by our staff based on the current needs of patients and families. These items are shipped directly to us. To visit our Amazon Wish List, click here.

To encourage participation in our blood drive, we will be offering childcare between the hours of 3:00-6:00 PM for participating families. Please complete the Google form to register your child(ren) for childcare while you are donating blood. Childcare is available for Jefferson students and siblings.

Butterfly Buddies are fabulous friends, helping hands, and wonderful workers. Congratulations to our amazing students!