JSE Family and Friends,

We have so much to plan this week! Check out our information for Read Across America Week with spirit days sponsored by JSE Student Council, and our Reading Night sponsored by Mrs. Kegebein and PTO.

You will also find information regarding our upcoming state testing schedule and information, especially for second and third grade for March. Please keep the dates open, as attendance is imperative for getting all of these assessments completed in a timely manner.

Finally, you will find some information to share with others regarding Kindergarten Round Up. More information will be coming next week with specifics that you can share with future Lil' Bearcats!

I hope you have a great week and read lots!

~ Mrs. Hankins

Student Council is partnering with Mrs. Kegebein and Riley's Children Hospital to bring Read Across America Spirit Week!

The Student Council Members will have dress up days Monday, Feb. 27- Friday, March 3. Donations are encouraged for dressing up that will be donated to Riley's Children Hospital as part of our Caring and Sharing Team.

Donate a dollar for every day you want to dress up or bring $4 for the whole week.

Monday- My Many Colored Days: Wear as many colors as you can or tie-dye

Tuesday- Cat in the Hat- wear your favorite hat or have crazy hair

Wednesday- Fox in Socks- Wear your craziest socks

Thursday- Thing 1 and Thing 2- Dress like a twin

Friday- Green Eggs and Ham- wear as much green as you can

So many wonderful submissions for a great project! Below are the lucky winners and some honorable mentions just to show off their great research! Thanks for all that participated!

UTSC will be hosting Kindergarten Round Up the week of April 10- 14. During this time we will have all of the required paperwork for families to complete and turn in to help with registration, a packet of information to help your child get ready for fall, and be available for any questions.

Thursday, April 13 from 5:30-6:30 we will have a round up night for families to come in and complete the registration information, get a quick tour, and get the packets as well.

During Round-Up we will not need your child for screening yet. Your child does not need to attend during this week, as it is for paperwork completion.

There will be more information regarding your children coming in for screenings coming soon.

UTSC Second and Third Graders will be taking IREAD-3 next week. Families, please check the schedule below. It is imperative your child come to school as each test builds on one another.

The IREAD test provides us with information about how your child reads regarding phonics and vocabulary, literature comprehension, and nonfiction comprehension. Our teachers since kindergarten prepare our students for skills for reading, and this is a great chance to show off their skills.

Third Grade Testing Schedule: Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8

Second Grade Testing Schedule: Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 10.

NWEA is our benchmark testing we take three times a year. All students will be completing the spring segment in reading and math sometime between March 13 - 24th. These will be completed during class schedules.

All students in grades 3-5 will be taking ILEARN at some point April 17- May 9th. All grades will test in reading and math. Fourth grade also takes science, and fifth grade social studies. A letter will be sent home with families regarding more specific information.

Please see the schedule below. Again, attendance is important because each of these tests require the prerequisite to be completed. Check your calendars now and please do not plan any vacations around this time.

Third Grade Schedule: 4/25, 4/27, 4/28, 5/2, and 5/4

Fourth Grade Schedule: 4/17, 4/19, 4/21, 4/26, 4/28, and 5/8

Fifth Grade Schedule: 4/18, 4/20, 2/24, 5/1, 5/3, and 5/9

Thank you for your cooperation in getting these completed!

PTO is looking for a group of folks to join the JSE Fun Fair Committee.

You'll help organize and execute the fun fair. This can be behind the scenes, during the event, where ever and whenever possible!

If you are interested, please check out the group on Facebook.

Registration for 2023 Spring Travel (U8-U14) and Recreational (U4-U8) Soccer is now open!

Register at www.utbearcatsoccer.com

Travel Information:

Travel teams play in the Northwest Indiana Soccer League. NWISL, a member of SAY Soccer, is a league comprised of 22 Clubs throughout Northwest Indiana. NWISL is a recreational-plus league to help promote the game of soccer with the emphasis on teaching the game of soccer to young players while maintaining the fun of the game. Teams will have 4 home games in Union Township and 4 away games at their opponents’ fields in Northwest Indiana.

The tentative season dates are below (weather permitting).

Starts April 15th (may change due to scheduling needs between all clubs in the NWISL league)

Ends June 3rd (may change due to scheduling needs between all clubs in the NWISL league)

End of Season Travel Tournament will take place the following week.

Dates and info will be passed along by your child’s Coach when details are finalized closer to season start.

If interested in playing Travel Soccer, you MUST register by February 1st. Per NWISL we must declare teams and rosters by the first Tuesday of February no additions can be made after the deadline. PLEASE REGISTER ON TIME!!! We need volunteers to help coach!

Recreational Information:

Registration deadline is March 1st.

The tentative season dates are below (weather permitting).

Starts April 15th

Ends June 3rd

We need volunteers to help coach!

Bearcat Soccer Club

Do you exhibit and support Teamwork, Responsibility, Academic Achievement, quality Character traits, Kindness, and work for Success? Our JSE team is looking for several positions and maybe you're ready to get on TRACK with us.

We are in search of:

- dishwasher from 10:45-1:45

- bus drivers 4 hours, 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon

- substitutes for teachers, aides, and bus drivers

- custodial and kitchen substitutes

If you are interested or know someone who might be, please send me an email.

Thank you,

~Mrs. Hankins

At JSE we are a child-centered community with dedicated adults that promote responsibility, self-confidence, social and academic skills, and a love of learning that are essential foundations for our children to reach their maximum potential.

We believe in our corporations mission statement of Every Child, Every Day!

You can also follow Mrs. Hankins and JSE on Instagram @jseprincipal.

Email: khankins@union.k12.in.us
Website: http://union.k12.in.us/JSE
Location: 424 West 500 North, Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Phone: 219-759-2508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067203131177
Twitter: @JSimatovichElem