TJ Family News Patriot Press
3/6/24
TJ Happenings
Social Work Appreciation Week
In recognition of School Social Work Week, which occurs annually during the first full week of March, we acknowledge and honor the dedicated school social workers who play a crucial role in supporting students to achieve academic success. We celebrate and recognize the positive impact they have on our entire learning community this week and everyday.
School social workers are professional members of the social work field who collaborate with educators, parents, and school administrators. Their responsibilities include assisting students in navigating mental health and behavioral challenges, offering academic and classroom support, contributing to the development of education policies, conducting crisis interventions, and identifying and reporting instances of child neglect and abuse.
We are grateful to have dedicated social workers, Mrs. Buhler and Ms. Papp, contributing to our team at TJ.
Social and Emotional Learning
This month, our school has placed a strong emphasis on the importance of empathy. Students across all grade levels participated in an assembly where they were encouraged to develop a better understanding of their own emotions as well as those of their peers. They were reminded to show empathy, respect differences in feelings, and demonstrate compassion by offering kind words or gestures of support. By fostering these qualities in our students, we are working towards creating a positive and inclusive school environment.
We kindly ask that you engage in a conversation with your child about the significance of identifying and understanding their own emotions, recognizing the feelings of others, and demonstrating empathy and compassion towards their peers. Your involvement in reinforcing these values at home will further support our efforts in nurturing a caring and empathetic school community. Thank you for your cooperation.
Spring Pictures
Spring Pictures March 20th
Disability Awareness Week
3/18/24 to 3/22/24 is Disability Awareness Week at Thomas Jefferson! We will be learning about various disabilities throughout the week including Invisible Disabilities, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Autism, Hearing and Vision Impairments, and more.
Students will participate in learning activities in the classroom and are encouraged to dress up according to the day to show their support. A dress up flyer will be coming home soon.
Book Fair March 18 - 22
Click on the following for more information on the book fair and an opporutnity to volunteer.
TJ Math and Literacy Camp Out 3/21
IAR Testing Schedule
Your child's teacher will be sending home more information on their classroom testing schedule.
IAR & ISA Testing
March 20 - ISA - 5th grade students will be administed the ISA Assessment
IAR Testing Dates
IAR 4/3/24---Math 1
IAR 4/4/24---Math 2
IAR-4/5/24---Math 3
IAR-4/11/24-ELA 1
IAR-4/12/24-ELA 2
Make-up is 4/18/24 and 4/19/24
5 Essentials Survey
Please take the time to complete the 5Essentials Survey.
What is the 5Essentials survey?
The 5Essentials is a research-based school improvement system. It consists of a school improvement framework, diagnostic survey, and professional learning that provide meaningful insight into a school's organizational conditions, culture, and climate. It helps schools prioritize areas for improvement and measure progress toward improved organizational conditions necessary for achieving sustainable school improvement.
The 5Essentials Survey identifies five indicators that lead to improved outcomes for all students, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.
The five indicators that positively affect school success are:
- Effective Leaders
- Collaborative Teachers
- Involved Families
- Supportive Environments
- Ambitious Instruction
The survey is available in English and Spanish and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
To complete the parent survey, please click here and select Parent Survey. Parents will also select the school for the child they wish to take the survey for, enter the total number of children they have attending the school, and their email address. While the email address field is optional, field entry is encouraged as email addresses help with duplicate survey detection. Parents who enter an email address will also receive a survey submission notification. One parent/guardian response is expected per child. Parents/guardians of multiple children attending the same school may submit additional surveys.
We appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey! The survey closes March 29th.
TJ Yearbook Orders are Due 4/2/24
April 8 - Solar Eclipse
April 8 - Solar Eclipse - any student partcipating in the Solar Eclipse viewing must have a permission slipped signed and returned to their child's teacher. Students will only be allowed to use the solar eclipse viewing glasses issued by the school. See the below letter for more information.
ABCDE
Free Meals for TJ Students
In order to ensure accurate counts of meals, students will need to make a choice in the morning. Please see the link for the menu below and talk to your child about their lunch choice.
Important Dates
March
1 District Institute - No Student Attendance
7 Spirit Monkeys Sold at Lunch
8 End of Third Quarter
12 Lockdown Drill
14 Panera No Cook Night
15 Lucky Day
15 Candy Bar Bingo
18-22 Disability Awareness Week
18- 22 Book Fair
19 School Improvement Day - No Student Attendance
20 Spring Pictures
20 PTO Meeting 6:30
21 Spirit Monkeys Sold at Lunch
21 Math and Literacy Camp Out 5:00 - 7:00 PM
22 Popcorn Friday
25 - 29 Spring Break - No School
April
2-12 IAR Testing Grades 3-5
4 Spirit Monkeys Sold at Lunch
8 Solar Eclipse
10 Fine Arts Night 1st Grade 6:00
10 Fine Arts Night 2nd Grade 6:45
12 Popcorn Friday
17 Paint Night
18 Spirit Monkeys Sold at Lunch
21 - 27 Administrative Professionals Week
23 Fine Arts Night Grade 4 6:00
24 Bike Night
26 It's a Small World Cultural Night 5:00 - 7:00 PM
29 Regular attendance Day
May
1Fine Arts Night Grade 5 6:00 PM
2 Spirit Monkeys Sold at Lunch
3 Popcorn Friday
6-10 Teacher Appreciation Week
16 Spirit Monkeys Sold at Lunch
10 Musical 6:00 & 7:30 PM
15 Fine Arts Night Grade 3 6:00 PM
20 FBI Field Day 12:00 - 3:00 PM
21 Field Day 9:10 - 3:30
21 Spring Fling
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PTO School Board
Adrianna Aurich - Vice President
Karen Killian - Secretary
Justin Zak - Treasurer
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Email: tj_reg@psd202.org
Website: https://tjes.psd202.org/
Location: 1900 Oxford Way, Joliet, IL, 60431
Phone: (815) 577-2021
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjelem202/post
