The Wildcat

• Updated COVID Protocol
• Read-A-Thon
• Vaccination Information
• Johnston News Crew
• Snow Days
• Praising Your Child
• Boys Basketball Try-Outs
• Souper Bowl
• Textbook Assistance
• Winter Wear
• Arrival and Dismissal
• Lunch Information
• Wellness Calendar

POWER HOUR is every Tuesday and Thursday until 3:45pm

Monday, January 10th-K-Kids 2:45-3:30pm

January 10th-February 21st-Read-A-Thon

Wednesday, January 12th-Chess Club 1:55-2:30pm

Thursday, January 20th-PTO Meeting @ 3pm

Monday, January 24th-Student Council Meeting 2:45-3:30pm

January 27th-February 11th-"Souper Bowl" Collection (see below for details)

REMINDER-students are dismissed at 1:55 on Wednesdays

As we have since the beginning of this pandemic we will be monitoring our numbers both in the community and more importantly, within our buildings. Our goal is to remain in person throughout the 2021-22 school year. The two main reasons this could change is if we experience a staffing shortage that we are unable to cover or if the Lake County Health Department recommends closing a classroom, building or the district based on our Covid-19 student and staff positive numbers. We will continue with the same safety measures we have had in place as before winter break. Our updated quarantine guidelines, per the CDC recommendations released last week, are linked below.

*STOH Flowchart Students & Staff Sent Home/Called...

*STOH Flowchart for Close Contacts

Link for symptom checking:

https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/files/21_Parent-screening-12-29-21.pdf

Take care and be well,

STOH Administrative Team

Dear Johnston Families,

It’s time for LCPL Annual READaTHON! Our goal is to encourage your student’s love of reading while raising funds for our Lake County Public Library and our very own Johnston Library.

How does it work? Read (important details and prizes are on the yellow form) and fill out the permission slip. Send the completed permission slip in with your child and then your child will receive a white envelope to keep track of the books they read and to sign up their sponsors. Next you read, read, read from January 10th until February 21st. After reading please collect all monies and turn in your white envelope to Mrs. Bastaic in the library. All monies collected must be returned by March 4th. When the envelopes are turned in, the student will get a small thank you gift from the library. Ribbons and trophies will be handed out at awards day during the last week of school.

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Bastaic

If your child has received his/her COVID vaccine, and you would like to let us know, please send in a copy of your child's vaccination card to our nurse after the second vaccination or you can email it to her at: cprogler@highland.k12.in.us.

Please make sure your phone numbers and emails are up to date in RDS in case we have inclement weather as these winter months approach. This is how families are notified for delays or snow days. Thanks!

Our students have been absolutely incredible this year! Watch this short video to see effective ways to praise your child. It's fascinating! Kiddos to you too, parents and staff for all your encouragement and positive role modeling!

A few months ago one of our fourth grade students asked why we don't have a school paper or some type of writing club at Johnston. Since the question was asked Mr. Linkiewicz has put together a club for our school. He extended the invite to 4th and 5th grade. Anyone who wanted to join needed to write a paper based on a prompt given. We are proud to say we have an amazing group of 9 students in our writing club.

Each meeting the students are given a writing prompt for them to write and share with the group. They discuss the writing and give pointers and thoughts on it.

Students have also asked if we can do some type of newspaper for the school, so the group took on the challenge and created their first issue of the Johnston's News for You paper. It has been a very fun experience. The students decide what to add into the paper and then draft it out on Mondays. During the week Mr. Linkiewicz looks over their writing, and Fridays they finalize and create their paper. The plan is to eventually move into creating a video news report, but for now it is just a digital paper.

Please go to this link to find current and past issues as they are published. We are so proud of our "News Crew"!!!

Link to website: https://sites.google.com/highland.k12.in.us/newsforyou/home

Our K-Kids and Student Council are teaming up to collect cans of soup for the food pantry at Riley's Children's Hospital...the hospital Kiwanis built! The food pantry there helps families of patients, most of whom have financial issues and really benefit from all the care. We will be doing a "Souper Bowl" collection from January 27th-February 11th collecting cans of soup! You can start bringing in cans on the 27th! Thanks in advance for helping to collect!

Parents,

While student meals are FREE this year because of USDA waivers, it is still important that you complete a free and reduced application if you believe that you will qualify to be eligible for other important benefits, such as textbook assistance. It is never too late to apply for these free and reduced benefits. Forms are available at each of the schools' offices or you may apply online using a computer (unfortunately smart phones will not work) by visiting www.mymealtime.com.

Questions? Please call Lisa Hayes, Director of Food Services at 219-924-7400.

Just a reminder that we try and have our students go outside each day to run around and get some air. With our weather changing (day to day!), please be sure your child has outerwear so that he/she is comfortable outside. If you are in need of any items, please let us know. See below as well. Thanks!

As colder weather approaches, please be aware that I have several gently used coats and a few pairs of boots looking for a new home. Some sizes are limited but hopefully we can find something to fit your needs. These coats and boots are for school age students who attend Johnston Elementary. Please contact me at 219-923-2428 if I may be of assistance.

Rachel Jennings

Counselor

• Doors open for students at 7:55 a.m. daily. Students who eat breakfast at school will be allowed entry beginning at 7:30 a.m. Anyone arriving after 8:10 a.m., will need to buzz and come into the main office to sign in.

• Cars will enter the parking lot off Duluth Street (right turn only) and follow the curve to drop off students. Please pull up as far as you can and drop all your students off at one time. Have your children ready with their backpacks, lunch money, hugs and kisses, so that when you stop they may exit the car quickly, and we can keep the drop off line moving. The line can become backed up onto Duluth Street very quickly which causes safety issues for our parents, as well as other drivers.

• ****Please do not be idle or park in the drop-off lane. Parents, please stay in your car. If you want to walk your child up to the doors, feel free to park in a spot to do so.

• Please drop off curbside only. Avoid dropping children off where they have to cross the street, this is extremely dangerous. It will be your responsibility to cross them if you choose to do this.

• Please be mindful of other drivers and walkers. We know many of you have to get to work, and we want all children to be able to enter the building safely and on time.

• Doors C and B will be utilized for entrance as usual.

• 5th graders and Mrs. Torres's class will use Door G.

At the end of the school day, the following doors will be used for dismissal:

• Grade K will exit through door J (FIVE minutes before the rest of the grade levels)

• Grade 1 will exit through door C (main doors)

• Grade 2 will exit through door B

• Grade 3 will exit through door J

• Grade 4 will exit through door I

• Grade 5 and Mrs. Torres's class will exit through door G

• Bus riders will exit through door J (a few minutes prior to the remainder of the school being dismissed where the buses will be waiting).

Cars may enter the parking lot off Duluth Street and follow the curve to pick up or park in the parking lot to walk up to get students. IF PARKING, PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS.

We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation as we strive to keep our Johnston families safe.

This coming week is Week C. We have rotating "Specials" times. Please check your classroom teacher's agenda each day to see what additional class you need to attend.

Here is a link with a calendar that lists the rotations.

Breakfast and lunch will be free again this year. You can find menus for both here.

Please don't hesitate to contact us in the office for any ideas, thoughts, concerns, or words of encouragement! We are all part of this large extended mix of wonderful people we affectionately refer to as our Johnston Family.

Email: aharring@highland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.highland.k12.in.us/o/jes
Location: 8220 5th Street, Highland, IN, United States
Phone: 219.923.2428
Facebook: facebook.com/johnstonpto
Twitter: @harrington_jn