Happy New Year!

Dear Ira B. Jones Elementary Families:

I hope this message finds you well. As we enter the winter season, I am writing to bring to your attention a trend of increased sickness observed within our school community. This time of the year often brings a rise in various seasonal illnesses, and we must work together to maintain a healthy environment and ensure the well-being of all our students and staff. We have noticed a recent rise in various illnesses, including flu-like and COVID-19 symptoms, among our staff and students. In light of this, I'd like to remind you of important guidelines to help mitigate the spread of illnesses and maintain a healthy school environment.

To ensure the well-being of everyone in our school and to prevent the further spread of illnesses, please consider the following guidelines:

1. Keep your child home when necessary: If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, please keep them home to rest and recover:

• Fever (temperature above 100.4°F or 38°C)
• Persistent cough or difficulty breathing
• Severe sore throat
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Symptoms of contagious illnesses (flu, COVID-19, etc.)

1. Monitor and consult healthcare professionals: If your child displays any concerning symptoms, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional. Contact your healthcare provider for guidance on appropriate care and when it's safe for your child to return to school.
2. Practice good hygiene: Reinforce the importance of regular handwashing, proper respiratory etiquette (covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing), and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
3. Stay updated and informed: We will closely monitor the health of our school community and provide updates as necessary. Please ensure your contact information is up-to-date with the school so that you receive any important announcements promptly.

For more details on when students should not attend school due to illness, please review the "When to Keep Your Student Home from School" section of the Student/Family Handbook, which you can find on pages 10-12. Please understand that these precautions are essential to minimize the spread of seasonal illnesses and maintain a healthy school environment conducive to learning.

Should you have any concerns or require further information, please don't hesitate to contact the school nurse at 828.350.6708. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we prioritize the health and safety of all our students and staff.

I invite you to visit our school's website and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/irabjones/ and follow us on Twitter @Principal_IBJ and Instagram @IraB.JonesElementary. These will serve as a resource tool for all upcoming events, the student/family handbook, and important reminders, and you can catch up with all the wonderful things our students and teachers are doing. I also send out a weekly family newsletter. Please ensure we have updated contact information so you can stay informed of all our school happenings.

As a school leader and a parent, I understand the necessity of healthy communication between families and the school. I welcome your questions, celebrations, or concerns at any time. You can reach me by calling the school at 828.350.6700 or emailing me at ruafika.cobb@acsgmail.net.

Sincerely,

Ruafika Cobb

Principal

Ira B. Jones Elementary School

#noplacelikejones

Attention Kindergarten Families,

Starting Monday, January 8th, we will change the morning drop-off location for kindergarten students. You will now drop off your students in front of the school using the primary car loop. This area will be staffed starting at 7:15 AM, so please use it to drop off your students. Please note that there will not be anyone in the kindergarten parking lot areas to greet your students, so please ensure they can enter the school safely.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

With winter upon us, we may have weather conditions that require school buildings to close for the day. If we are closed due to inclement weather, Asheville City Schools can use remote learning strategies these days. Doing so means students can complete remote learning assignments on an inclement weather day without interrupting the school calendar.

Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade received their “ACS Remote Learning Choice Board” for their grade level from their teacher right before the winter break. You can find additional details and directions on our school’s website and the Asheville City School’s webpage. Copies of the menu board and enrichment activities can also be found on the Asheville City School’s webpage. Students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade will turn in their choice board assignments on paper when they return to school to receive credit for their attendance. Please put the choice boards in a safe location in case students need them later this winter. Students only need to complete the choice boards if we are out due to inclement weather.

SNOW CLOSING AND DELAYED OPENINGS

On days of a 2-hour delayed opening, students should arrive at 9:30 am. There is no supervision for children before that time. Information about snow closings or delayed openings will be made available on the radio & television stations listed below and via the Asheville City Schools hotline and website. Families with contact info entered in our ParentSquare Communication System will receive phone messages and email alerts regarding school closing. Please ensure your contact information is updated in Power School, especially if you have not received robocalls or messages from the school lately. When school is on a 2-hour delayed schedule, buses pick up children 2 hours later than the regular pick-up time. If you don’t have the bus tracking app, “Chipmunk,” you can download it from your app store.

Radio Stations: WWNC, WKSF, WISE, WCQS, WPEK, WOXL, WRES, WQNX, WQNQ, WMXF

Television Stations: WLOS (13), WSPA (7), WYFF (4), WMYA (40), and WHNS (21)

Asheville City Schools Hotline: 828-350-6188

Web Sites: www.ashevillecityschools.net www.citizen-times.com www.wlos.com

When schools are dismissed early due to inclement weather, announcements are made on the same stations and through our recorded phone system. Students who ride the bus will be sent home on the bus unless we hear from a parent. Car riders will be allowed to make phone calls.

Don't hesitate to contact the school at 828.350.6700 or your child’s teacher if you have general questions about inclement weather days, remote learning, or the choice board activities.

Enrollment "season" is approaching! Do you have a rising kindergarten you need to enroll in our school next year? Here's what you need to know:

• All enrollment information can be found on this Asheville City Schools website.

• Applications will be given equal consideration, regardless of the date received during the open enrollment period. Placements are not based on a first-come, first-serve basis. If space allows, all applications will be placed at their 1st choice. If there is insufficient space to place all applicants at their 1st choice, that particular school will go to a lottery.

• Open enrollment dates are February 5 - March 11.

• We will be hosting open-house tours (along with other elementary schools in ACS) starting January 24th. More details will be provided soon.

Please share this information as you see fit. Thanks for your help!

• Wednesday, January 10: Drop-in Reception to Meet Our New Assistant Principal, Craig Shimer @ 4:15 pm
• Wednesday, January 10: FTO Meeting @ 5:15 pm
• Tuesday, January 23: ACS Elementary School Magnet School Information Night @ 5:30pm
• Monday, January 15: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday (Holiday), No School for Students
• Friday, January 26: End of Q2 and 1st Semester/Early Release for Students
• Monday, January 29: Required Workday, No School for Students
• Wednesday, January 31: FTO Equity Workshop
• Friday, February 2: Report Cards go Home
• Friday, February 9: Spring Family/Teacher Conference Day, No School for Students

In a 2018 study by Stanford University, researchers looked at 240 children ages seven to 10 and found that "being positive improved their ability to answer math problems, increased their memories and enhanced their problem-solving abilities." Study author Abigail Johnson Hess goes on to state, "Schools across the country should dust off their 'If you believe it, you can achieve it” posters because scientists have discovered the brain pathway that directly links a positive attitude with achievement."

The research pinpoints explicitly how a positive attitude improved the functions of the area of the brain responsible for memory. Memory is a core ability needed for all learning processes. The greater the memory, the greater the learning.

In the article, The Impact of Positivity for Students, Melani Hess explains how powerful positive thoughts and practices can be for our students. She first discusses the impact on physical health, including stronger immune responses and improved heart health. Positivity has so many more benefits, including mental health benefits. Students who are positive thinkers and practice positivity tend to be stronger problem solvers, have better coping skills, and increased creativity. The academic benefits for students include more effort put into schoolwork and increased success in school. At school, positive thinking is discussed with students during guidance lessons and across the curriculum.